Road trip | Recently on Instagram

Last Friday my maternal Grandfather passed away after a long illness. So earlier this week we tackled a 10+hr road trip to Ohio with my dad, sister, two nieces and baby Sunday. While the reason for the visit was not a positive one, we were able to stay positive while traveling (we even made a rule: "no talking about Ohio in the car.") Here are a few of my favorite instagram shots of our road trip.

Hah... I should work on capturing the life around me and not just the single life in front of me, eh? If I hadn't told you, you probably would have had no clue this was a road trip. I can't help it... she is MY life! :)

And this last one… in memory...

My grandpa Jack was an avid camper - spending entire summers at his camp site every single year. I have so many memories of riding my bike up and down the little road in front of his camper, hiding out in the camper during the afternoon rains, balancing on logs to cross the creek to the park restrooms, boat rides on the lake, early morning breakfast as the marina, and cooking dinner over the fire. Thanks, Grandpa, for so many fun memories. We miss you!

conversations with Dylan

Dylan is Sunday's 4 year old cousin. He loves his "Baby Sunday." As I type this he has pulled a stool up to her jumper and he's singing to her... "I said it's Sundaaaaay... I said it's Sundaaay to 'pologize." (Clearly he's trying to sing this song.) And then he falls off of his stool and breaks into a fit of laughter as he watches Sunday giggle at his shenanigans. So, so precious.

A few weeks ago we were babysitting Dylan and I was (breast)feeding Sunday. The following conversation ensued:

Dylan: (said oh-so-innocently) Aunt Liz, when Sunday is done eating can I have a drink?

Me: (hesitantly) Umm... you mean you want milk?

Dylan: (questionably) Yeah?

Me: (Thinking... oh dear. What to do... what to do...) Oh... well... umm... this milk was made special just for baby Sunday's body.

Dylan: (Beginning a fit of giggles) Nooooo! I mean from the 'frigerator!!!

Me: (sighing a huge sigh of relief and laughing along with him) Oooohhh... yes! In just a minute.

Oops!! Oh but it was so adorable... :) I love how much he loves Sunday and how patient he is when we are taking care of her. He just knows that babies take extra special attention and care and he is so sweet to understand her needs.

We are babysitting Dylan and his siblings again this week and Sunday's days have been filled with Dylan bringing her toys, playing with her, putting on shows for her and wrapping her in blankets. I am constantly pulling out my phone to document it all (thank God for cell phone cameras!). Here are a few of my favorite shots (also, I'm thanking God for my being able to finally let go of perfectionism and simply capture the details of life.):

Happy Mother's Day!

It's my first Mother's Day with my own baby in my arms and it has been a wonderful day! I am so grateful for a holiday that encourages us to appreciate and share our appreciation for some of the most hard working and biggest cheerleaders in our lives. Between my mom, mother-in-law, and a slew of other incredible women in my life, I am so blessed. And now I have my own baby girl to love and nurture in the coming years! I am finally spending more time behind the camera and enjoying capturing this beautiful girl and her fun expressions. I am loving both of my roles as a mother and as a photographer. Life couldn't be better! :)

Happy Mother's Day!

on my latest priorities...

Priorities: What is most important and meaningful in your life today — activities, values, beliefs, lifestyle, principles, standards, hobbies, integrity, etc. — that you are not willing to compromise or sacrifice in pursuit of something else, a goal.

Goals: A future-based, anticipated expectation, possibility, end result, or experience that you are working towards creating, achieving, or bringing to fruition, which has not yet been realized in the present.

I'm working on trying to align my priorities and goals this year. I've recently recognized that what I am spending my days doing is not going to help me reach my personal goals. I've got to get some re-prioritizing going on.

A few of my personal goals:

1. I want to truly long for time with Jesus. I want to thirst for the Word and the wisdom and clarity it brings.
2. I want to long for a long run. Learn to love running and dare I say become addicted to it. (And truly enjoy myself as I run the 2012 VA Beach Rock-n-Roll 1/2 Marathon in September.) (Note: I understand the word addiction does not align well with #1. ;))
3. I want my house to be clean and decorated in a simple but refreshing manner at most times. (In turn allowing our guests to feel comfort and peace when they are in our little home.)

What I'm spending my time on lately:

1. Hanging out with friends. Lunch dates, coffee dates, visitors in the home.
2. Processing images, updating websites, and writing blog posts.
3. Resting. Napping, catching up on sleep.
4. Brainstorming new ideas of activities to participate in and projects to complete.

Not that any of these things are bad... they are mostly good for my soul. But I hope to begin gently steering my time towards the direction of completing my goals...

I'm off to jog with my little running buddy and our awesome jogging stroller.

A little glimpse...

A little glimpse into the first half of our weekend... camping... running... hiding from the rain. The trip started out beautifully and ended wet, dark, and freezing. But Tommy had a victory... getting his first PR in the Promiseland 50k race. Sunday and I got up with him to see him off and then met him around the halfway point to encourage him a bit. And of course we were there at the finish line to greet him. He did it! I'm so proud of him!!

(all photos taken with my phone)