For me
BySometimes, very rarely, I do for myself what I do for others.
I take pictures of my children.
I’m not just reminded of how amazing it feels to have these tender, perfect images of these tender, perfect children.
I’m reminded of how lucky we are to have them in our presence.
Twenty years from now, I’ll look at these photos and I’ll be reminded of the sparkle in their eyes, the softness of their skin and the immense love we feel for each other.
My children, they take my breath away.
But today, it wasn’t just our kids, it was our entire day that reminded me of just how amazing life is.
From the simple weeds standing along our paths
To the spunky turtle sitting in our trail
To the flowers growing wildly on the side of the road that your husband pulls over for you to photograph because the memory you have of them will never do their beauty justice
To the vivid sunset that kissed the kids good night
This day, no, EVERYDAY, holds so much beauty. The question is…can you see it?
Because it’s there.
I know I don’t always see it, but when I do, I am so grateful.
Beautiful photos, beautiful kids.
You are a lucky and talented Mama.
Lovely post….thanks for sharing
Amen sister.
Such a beautiful post. I know I am guilty of not seeing the beauty around me, but I am always blown away by it when I do take the time to notice.
True words. Thank you for the reminder!
This post in along very similar lines to one I published last month, asking why it is so many people don’t see the beauty of the ‘everyday’. I am just as guilty of it as most. If you’re interested have a look here. http://pics-n-poems.blogspot.com/2009/04/whos-your-mum-taking-photos-of-dude.html
I love this post. Great pictures of a beautiful day.
They are beautiful. Sometimes it is so important to capture what we have.
Your words are so true, what beautiful photos. Your kids are really cute too!
Beautiful shots, and beautiful sentiments. I hope we can all remember your words as we move through this world. Thanks for the beauty!
Beautiful photos and even more beautiful memories you were making! Thanks for sharing!
I am so glad that you had the opportunity to do all of this for yourself, Beth. You not only deserve it, but it’s only right that your family benefits from your immense talent, as well.
And, of course, I must know… did you take photos of any of your food last night?
Oh Beth, that last picture just speaks to me. With the flag flying, it says “Home” and I love it. Esp. with today being Memorial Day, and the ever-looming notion that my brother will be sent back overseas.
Love. It.
And also, your kids are just adorable. Beautiful pictures, truly.
Great photos! And wasn’t that sunset last night gorgeous!!?!?!? I got a few shots of it as well, as I was turning off the grill and packing up for the evening. It really has been a beautiful weekend!
beautiful!
I was loving that pink sky last night!! These are fabulous, Beth.
Steph
Ah Beth, this is amazing.
Thanks for the reminder.
Wonderful post!
Thank you.
P.S. Love Ariel’s dress!
Beautiful post, and so true!
Beautiful. Every single picture, especially your children.
Beth:
I hope you are still blogging when your children are grown, married and having children of their own. I can only imagine, but something tells me that they will grow up to be self-assured, kind, contributing, appreciative people. The kind of people that only become when they have been loved deeply.
You and your family are stunning … in both print and kodak color!
Destiny
You are so right … and those pictures are BEAUTIFUL. Your kids are the sweetest! And the last one you posted – loved the sunset but the flag blowing in the wind is incredible! What an eye you have for photography!
Love all the pictures. Your kids are just precious. That last picture is breathtaking! It is a perfect picture to remember what today is all about.
Beautiful words, beautiful pictures. More importantly, beautiful kids. LOVE.
Gorgeous reminders to go with your gorgeous pictures Beth. Posts like this remind me why we blog in the first place…
Lately, I’ve come to notice beautiful things all around me (the things that used to be so insignificant.) I have a 45-minute commute to work everyday and I love seeing the beautiful scenery! You have such beautiful kids Beth! <3
I have this vague memory of the beauty of the wildflowers in between the highway median in TN on vacation there, and I know the memory does not do them justice. I love that hubby pulled over to let you photograph the poppies!
Gorgeous, simply gorgeous.
And let’s not talk about 20 years from now, not yet. I’m having trouble with the realizations of how my babies’ are all growing exponentially fast before my very eyes, and I can’t handle how fast it’s all happening. I wish it would slow down a little!
Beth… Close your eyes for a moment and think 50 years from today. 50 years. These photos will come to mean your very LIFE CAPTURED in ways you cannot imagine – these precious children in these moments locked in time. Yesterday, I was playing on my deck with Audrey’s 4 boys with a hose and buckets of water. Wonderful images kept popping into my head of when I was a little girl. Images of hoses and pools and buckets and love, love, love. When everyone went home, I wandered up to the photo albums in my attic. I carefully turned the pages of the oldest one I have and I found a black and white photo of me and my older brother in a little pool… with my Nana, my Aunt Jean and my Uncle Bob all leaning in close to watch us. The back of the photo listed, in my Mom’s handwriting, our names… and the date 1953. I was 9 months old. The yard is my Nana’s yard, and my Uncle Bob still lives in that house in Boston. My Nana and my Aunt Jean are deceased… and it is so funny, because I have been thinking so very much of my Aunt Jean lately. I evened tweeted the other day if anyone believes in angels and if they visit. I feel my Aunt Jean everywhere. And here she was in that b & w photo, smiling at the camera and very pregnant with my cousin Debbie. My Aunt Jean is the one I told you about who lost her second baby, Edward, at birth. I kept staring at her, knowing what I know happened in the future, just 2 years later. But on that summer day, very full with my wonderful cousin Debbie, my Aunt Jean is the happiest woman on earth. Captured brilliantly. I don’t know who took the photo, but I’m betting it was my dad. He’s the one who always had his camera ready. Thank God. I have the photo right next to me as I type this… and I will post it later today on my blog. Keep capturing. The moments are priceless.
Amazing Beth. The photos of the kids are great, their eyes tell how much they love you. You are always able to capture what we see each day.
I will have three day weekends every week! My 9 year old and I plan on taking many mini-trips together. He is sooooo pumped!
We are planning to conquer dentist and doctor visits during the first week out of school so we can enjoy the rest of the summer.
thanks!
Your children and your photography are beautiful. Great blog too, I enjoyed your writing very much (and can relate to a lot of it).
Your photos are beautiful, but your children more so. Enjoyed your sharing with us. Thanks.
Dear Beth,
My world absolutely and completely fell apart last week. And while I am so so hurt and angry and devastated…you reminded me of the kindness, the blessings and the beauty in the world tonight. You gave me hope. Thank you. Words will never surmise how much that meant to me in this moment.
Your kids are beautiful. I’m glad you took the time to photograph them – it’s easy to get busy and forget to do things like that. Oh and you are right – everyday holds some beauty, if we can just open our eyes to it!
This summer I am having my first baby. Actually, in about 3 days I’m having my first baby. I think this is worthy of a bathing suit like this because I have been crying over the loss of my bikini body (not that it was to die for to begin with…). The stretch marks have not been kind.
Take pity on me.
breathtaking!!! thank you!
ps…your last photo was so perfect for Monday….AMAZING!! Keeping your brothers in thought and prayer!!!