WEEK EIGHT - TEXTURES

from my living room

from our wine tour at Pelee Island Winery

WEEK SEVEN - LOVE

Well the week that ends with Valentine's Day - it is fitting to focus on the theme of LOVE.

This is an easy one for me. Love exudes in our family.

Not that everything is always peaceful and perfect but we truly and deeply love each other.

It is a common sight to see kids gathered close watching a video on a device or reading something. Listening to music. Playing a game. Reading a book.

I took a ton of pictures of moments in which Little Man was snuggled up with each of the kids individually throughout the week. It seems that he figures his place is there in the midst and he assumes that the kids will be happy at any moment to have him climb up.

There were many moments that I didn't capture. I honestly was living and enjoying the moment and I didn't want to break it by running for the camera.

In any case, rather than overflow with too many pictures of my children, I chose one. A posed portrait of the five children that have stolen my heart.

Thanks to my wonderful sister and brother-in-law, My dearest and I were able to get away for a night.

Yesterday we headed to the beautiful town of Kingsville, where we enjoyed a wine tour at Pelee Island Winery.

We headed back to check into our room at Inn 31. The Garden Room, in which we stayed was a very pretty, bright and cheerful room.

Before we headed down to dinner, while we still had beautiful natural light, my dearest willingly participated in my attempts to capture a picture of us together.

I am SO pleased with how this turned out.

We went down to a delicious dinner at Jack's Gastropub. Burgers and fries in a wonderful ambiance. Very friendly staff. We indulged in desserts of Vanilla Creme Brulee and Chocolate Chevre Brownie. I was thankful that we did not have to leave the warmth to get to our room. It was a lovely, relaxing retreat from the chaos of the everyday.

WEEK SIX - DETAILS

This week was little man's first swimming lesson ever.

He was beyond excited to start and had been talking about it for months.

I tried to capture some of the excitement and what sights might have filled his wondering eyes.

Our Love Story ♥

"I love love and I love stories. So love stories are a doubly special treat to share.

I truly love MY love story and I am excited to share a shortened version with you."

I am privileged to be featured as a guest today in anticipation of Valentine's Day. #14daysofLOVE

Please join me here to read the rest of our story. 

WEEK FIVE - LIFESTYLE

This challenge theme stumped me. I honestly had no idea. Nothing really struck me with an ah-ha moment. All week I thought about it but....nuthin'. Now the weekend has come and gone.

So..... you get a sampling of things that captured my attention.

I guess these are glimpses into the life we lead. It fits.....kind of....

I love chocolate. I also love strawberries. The two together are a magical combination.

Our living room was full of teenagers and Little Man had way too much energy. When he finally crashed for a few minutes he pulled a pillow into the middle of the room so he wasn't too far from the action.

In this age of abundant selfies, I enjoy being the one behind the camera rather than in front of it. It is a rare photo that I like however I am learning to allow myself to be a part of the documented memories. 

Photo credit to may amazing daughter, McKenna, who is becoming a wonderfully creative photographer.

I am my beloved's and he is mine. ♥

Song of Solomon 6:3

In the midst of a snow storm and my son goes out without a coat. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!

The thick blanket of snow covering my front yard. 

Hard to believe that it had already been shoveled. 

And more is coming! 

I loved the contrast of the dark remnants against the driven snow...

Hello February!!!

Stop!

I love my friends. Wonderful people who have heard the cries of my heart even if only over facebook and through my blog. Dear ones who see, and hear and read and think of me and send sweet reminders.

I woke this morning to this message from one of my dear, sweet camp daughters.

Only someone special can speak this truth with love that it is embraced in my heart as such.

Guilty.

I am.

I know it's true.

Prideful in all I can accomplish and all to which I commit myself. I don't like to say "no" because to refuse is to admit I can't handle it all. But the reality is I can't handle it all. Not well, anyways.

So today I am reminded that I don't need to glorify busy-ness but enjoy rest.

Thank you my dear daughter, for this hug filled with truth and love.

I am indeed blessed.

 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 

and I will give you rest.

 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,

 for I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls. 

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

WEEK FOUR - LIGHT

I was quite excited at the prospect of capturing light. With the expectation of snow, I was anticipating morning sunlight glistening off of snow covered fields. Diamonds sparkling on ice covered tree branches.

Contrasting the beauty of the ice and cold with the winter sun warming our living room while the children played peacefully together.

But this was not to be. The snow came but each day was cold with blustering winds and swirling white or overcast and dreary.

I rethought my plan and decided that I also enjoy the lights of a winter evening.

I am always amazed at how the snow reflects light making the night seem bright like the day.

I love the ambiance of this house. Especially at night. In the snow.

Driving to the River, I found myself surrounded by lights.

The Bridge at night always captivates me. This night it was lined with trucks from one end to the other. 

When I turned the other direction the Detroit Skyline was another series of lights reflecting on the cold water.

As I left the river, thankful to be warm, I couldn't help but notice Assumption. My husband's family was an important part of the history here and in Detroit, when it was still a fort! 

It was worth braving the cold again to capture these.