Perspectives Photo Challegen: Summer

Today I am linking up with the

And this week's theme is Summer 

So here are my submissions

 Nothing says summer like a toddler taking on a watermelon

 Summer means an over-abundance of garden produce.  This is what "mixed greens from the garden run through the juicer" looks like.

And, of course, what's summer without a little time at the pool?

Photo Challenge: Sun

Once again linking up with Our Reflection for 

and this week's theme was sun.

 And it automatically made me think of this shot I took out the window of our airplane as we flew to a friend's wedding.  

I HATE flying (like terrified to death) but every now and then I am grateful for the unique perspectives it's given me on this earth (or, what feels more like heaven).  

We have this hanging in our bathroom and it's a nice daily reminder that when we face our fears sometimes we are treated to something truly amazing.

 

Photo Challenge: My Heart

It's Friday and time to link up another photo with Our Reflection for






This week's theme was: My Heart.
 

At first, I took a bunch of cutesy pics of my kids.  I'll include a few at the end.  And while they are a large part of my heart, it suddenly dawned on me Who really owns my heart.  And therefore, this is my submission for the contest:

 

 

 This is a photo of the stained glass window in the sanctuary at my church.  Every week I stare up at that window and am reminded of how much the Lord loves me - how much He holds me in His heart.  And normally, the window looks like this

with the most prominent focus on the cross - on His sacrifice.  It's good to think about what He did for me - but I most love the photo I'm submitting because the cross itself is obscured in a glorious light - it has taken on more the appearance of a Heavenly being with His arms spread wide for me. This is what I imagine Heaven will be like - the cross rescued me from my past, but the full glory of God will be my unending future.  Now that's something to dwell on.  

 

I'm blessed that our church has some amazing stained glass.  Here are a few more of those windows, as well as a couple of cute pics of my baby girl - the girl after my own heart.  

near our chapel

I love that this one illuminates the crosses on either side

My sweet baby - I 'heart' her

And she loves puddles, can you tell?

 

Photo Challenge: From A Low Angle

Once again I'm linking up with Our Reflection for the

and this week's theme was: From A Low Angle.

I'll confess - I'm just a big kid at heart. Long before we had kids, hubby and I could be found down in the basement building Lego kingdoms or playing with our fairly extensive Hot Wheel collection.  Now that I actually have kids, I can't seem to stop having fun with their toys.  And that's what lead me to take this photo.

The weather is gorgeous and we were out playing in the yard and I couldn't help myself.   Something about a wild blue hippo stalking its prey in the tall jungle grass just made me giggle.  Hope you enjoy!

 

Weekly Photo Challenge: Water

Today I'm linking up with Our Reflection for 

This week's theme was "water" so this is what I came up with 

 Our local park has a great little trail around the pond and every inch of it is gorgeous.  I loved the funny little drain cover and had to include it in the picture.  We walk this trail almost weekly and I'm not tired of it yet!

Thanks for looking.

 

Weekly Photo Challenge: Faceless Portraits

It's Friday which means I'm once again linking up with Our Reflections for

and this week's theme is "Faceless Portraits."  What fun!

It instantly made me think of this shot of my kids watching Daddy using the tiller out on the farm.  Not only do their fashion choices crack me up, but I love how devoted they are to each other and to their Dad.

I just adore when they play nicely together.  I sure am a blessed mama.  Here is another favorite shot from that moment, when baby sister decided to join in.

 

Weekly Photo Challenge: Spring

It's that time again! Time to link up with

for the weekly photo challenge.  This week's theme is Spring - which is great because Spring has been springing up all over here lately.  My favorite thing about Spring?  Getting to take my energetic kiddos outside to play!  They love heading to the park and this year they brought their ride-on toys.  Little did I know they'd have the gumption to ride those toys a whole mile + around the park's lake!  Mommy sure was tired, but I got some awesome photos :)  Here's my favorite which I'm entering into the link up:

 

I absolutely adore the beautiful buds in spring and on our walk we were treated to two different colors in the canopy.  I had to force myself to take my eyes off the trees above and pay attention to the ground in front of me just so I didn't fall!!

 

And here are some more that I just loved.  I never can decide which is my favorite season - Spring or Fall - but right now Spring sure is getting my vote!

The boys love love their ride-on toys

Baby L is ecstatic to get out and run

Spring is for getting covered in sand

And making sand castles

She has no idea she's only one year old

Look, Mama, I can do anything!

I'm big enough for this bike, right?

And we're off around the lake!

These boys crack me up

Love my little ones

Little boy heaven

He'd have kept on riding like this all day if I'd let him

Spring is also for running.  A lot.