Weekly Photo Challenge: Movement

Posted on July 6, 2012 by Joy

“I move, therefore I am.”
― Haruki Murakami

Check out more awesome interpretations by clicking here

Weekly Photo Challenge: Fleeting Moments

Posted on June 29, 2012 by Joy

The photo challenge this week is to share a captured moment…that is fleeting…in the street. The following five pictures capture memories. The ones that make me feel lucky to have a camera in my hands at that exact moment in time.

“Yes. Live today. Not yesterday. Not tomorrow. Just today. Inhabit your moments.
Don’t rent them out to tomorrow. Do you know what you’re doing when you spend a moment wondering how things are going to turn out…?
…You’re cheating yourself out of today. Today is calling to you, trying to get your attention, but you’re stuck on tomorrow, and today trickles away like water down a drain. You wake up the next morning and that today that you wasted is gone forever. It’s now yesterday. Some of those moments may have had wonderful things in store for you, but now you’ll never know.” ~Jerry Spinelli

“Who came up with minutes, anyway?
Who needs them?
Name one good thing a minute’s ever done.
They shorten fun and measure misery.
Get rid of them, I say.
Down with minutes!
And while you’re at it–take hours with you too.
Don’t get me started on them.”
~Jerry Spinelli, Love, Stargirl

Slaying Dragons

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Joy

While rushing to get ready for an appointment the other day, my three year old became very concerned. Here is a glimpse into our conversation.

Him: “Mom, where are you going?”

Me: “Mommy is going to the doctor, Darling.”

Him: “What hurts.”

Me: “Nothing hurts, Love. It’s just a recheck. ”

He looks up at me with those big brown eyes and says, “Mahhhhmmmmm, nobody goes to the doctor unless something hurts. I need to go too so that I can take care of you.”

Heart melting, I knelt down and said, “I promise nothing hurts and I love that you want to take care of me. I am so proud of you. You are an amazing human being, my son.”

With that he gave me the half grin and looking down at the floor said, “Well make sure they give you a sticker when you’re done.”

“I will.” I said, as I watched him run back to his toys.

I cannot proceed without saying that, of all three of my children, this is the child with the toughest skin. Nothing gets to him. If you don’t like something about him, he couldn’t care less. He’s strong, determined and focused.

This tender moment with him was confirmation that, no matter how tough or strong one may seem, everyone needs connection. Maybe all of those times when I hugged him tightly even when he was squirming to get away, have been effective?

Raising boys is a huge responsibility and one that is not to be taken lightly. Yes, right now they are boys, but one day they will be men.

Am I raising men of integrity?

Am I intentional when it comes to praying for my men in the making? Or do I come before the Father and say, “Lord, you know what they need. You know who they are. Please help them seek you always. Amen.”

Honest answer… as much as I don’t like it… there are far more times when I say the brief, non specific, saying this out of a feeling of duty or guilt, prayer.

This year, my goal has been to ask the Father for 3 specific things that He would have me pray for each of my children.

I wanted Him to show me all at once so that I could make my list and get started. However, He is making it clear that more will be revealed as time goes on. He is calling me to step back, put down my list and observe my precious ones.

In doing so, He is showing me a few things about my boys that are part of their DNA, the way they are created, not things that I should try to break them of (so to speak) or change.

Boys need to release energy. They need to scream, throw sticks and balls and various other things. They need to run until they are out of breath. To deprive them of this outlet is to ask for caged chaos.

Boys need to know that it’s okay to express emotion. They shouldn’t have to turn in their “man card” before having a good cry? Since when does being male mean that you have dehydrated tear ducts? This is important, because the world will tell them otherwise. Suppressed emotion now = misplaced anger later. Whether you have testosterone or estrogen, crying is healthy. Be a safe place for them to cry.

Boys need discipline with encouragement. What do I mean? I’m not totally sure I can explain it… Depending on what they are being corrected for, they need to be encouraged at the same time. For example… “No, you don’t need to use a whole roll of paper towels, but I am so proud of you for cleaning up the spill yourself.” They need to know that they are being “groomed for greatness” and that they are going to make mistakes along the way. Wait to make a big deal when the mistakes involve their character.

Boys need the freedom to be warriors, adventurers and conquerors. God put this desire in them. Let them make pretend guns out of their legos and swords out of branches that they find on the ground. Don’t hinder them from digging in the dirt, building forts and climbing on things.

When they come in from playing, they should smell like they need a bath.

Ladies, this goes for grown men as well. They need to be around other men. I’m not talking about at the bar (necessarily), but whether they play golf or shoot skeet, they need that time to bond, away from us. They are just little boys with long legs.

That last paragraph is probably going to irritate some of you, but I’m okay with that, because maybe you have yet to realize, the more you love them with an open palm, the more they will love coming home to you. For those of you thinking, “You don’t know my husband!” You’re right, I don’t. However, out of all the men, including mine, that I have talked to, the response has been unanimous.

I strongly suggest, if you haven’t already, that you read “Wild at Heart” by John Eldridge. You will not agree with everything he says, but that’s okay. There are so many useful things to walk away with and who better to explain a man than, well, a man?!

I cannot and should not expect my boys (including the big one) to act like a girlfriend in any way, shape or form. If I do, I am setting myself up for constant disappointment. Whether we are talking about a 3 year old or a 36 year old, they do not want to sit and talk about feelings for hours. Honestly, they do not want to hear us verbally process in circles until we figure out the answer. When it comes to my boys, I have found bullet points to be most useful.

When I need a girlfriend, I call a girlfriend. See how easy that is?! There are some things that men will never understand about us. Let’s be honest, there’s plenty that we don’t even understand about ourselves. The sooner we accept this truth, the better off we will be.

To sum it up, here is what I am learning about being the mother of boys…

Be a builder, not a tearer down.
Be a safe place for vulnerability.
Love them until you feel that you cannot love anymore. No matter their reaction, it matters.
NEVER embarrass or discipline them in front of others. This should be a private thing and kept within the sanctuary of the family.
Tell them you love them and you are SO proud of them.
Be sincere and specific when complimenting their efforts and achievements.
Show them that they are yours, no matter what. I uses phrases like, “My son.”
Brag on them in front of others.
Be someone that sets the standard for who they will want to marry.
Be affectionate to your husband in front of them. Talk about how strong he is and what a wonderful provider he is. Thank him for how hard he works. Tell him that you love him when they can hear it. Kiss him on the mouth when he leaves the house or for no reason at all. It’s okay for them to see that. Don’t let their response of “Ewwwwwwwwwwww” fool you. They are learning how to interact in a healthy way with the one they love. (If there is not a husband in the picture, be very careful about the way you speak about men in front of them.)
Pray for and with them. Pray for strength and valor. Pray for wisdom and guidance. Pray for your abilities as a mother. Pray for your family. Pray that God will guard their heart and direct their decisions.

Ladies, if you are in a relationship or married to a man that didn’t experience this from his mother, it’s not too late. It’s never too late.

So, men, women, children…what would you add to my list?

Live like Austin

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Joy

There’s this brave little boy.
His name is Austin.
He has an undiagnosed seizure disorder.
Though he is small, his faith is big.

This is his story…
Austin is a 12 year old boy who’s parents serve at Central Christian Church in Las Vegas, NV. For the past 5 years Austin has suffered from life threatening seizures, and has as many as 80 – 100 a day.

On May 4, 2012 he faced his third brain surgery to try and stop these fatal seizures. He is recovering well.

This foundation is created for him and other children like him who suffer from a seizure disorder.

He never complains, always smiles, and laughs all the time. Despite having SO many seizures a day his spirit stays sweet. That is why people started saying “live like Austin”, as a challenge for us to live life with the same attitude even when faced with adversity.

Watch him and his dad talk about their journey.

You can follow Austin’s progress on the facebook page dedicated to his journey. Make sure to “like” his page and visit often.

How You Can Help

Show your support by purchasing a ”Live Like Austin” T-shirt like the one my Bella is wearing in this picture.

She suffered from undiagnosed seizures for years. We were fortunate to finally receive clear scans and wean her off the medication several years ago. When asked why she wanted a t-shirt, her response was, “I wear it to remember… I remember how scary seizures were. Thankfully I didn’t have any surgeries on my brain, but I could have. I like telling people what the shirt means. It reminds me to pray for Austin. PLUS it’s the coolest fundraiser t-shirt I’ve seen!”

This t-shirt will not only remind you
to live life to the fullest, but it will give you the opportunity to talk about this amazing boy and his incredible passion for life.

Thank you to Jud and Lori Wilhite for raising awareness by posting their picture on Twitter wearing this shirt. I have to admit, when I saw it I thought, “That’s a cool shirt. Where can I get one?!” It wasn’t until I visited the website that I learned of Austin’s story. Everyone in my house has a “Live like Austin” t-shirt now and every time we wear it people ask what it means and where they can get one. We have yet to wear them all at the same time, but I wouldn’t put it past us.

Learn more about Austin by visiting his website Austin Ervin Foundation and make sure to share his journey with others.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Friendship

Posted on June 8, 2012 by Joy

“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.”
~Henri Nouwen
“Silence make the real conversations between friends.
Not the saying, but the never needing to say that counts.”
~Margaret Runbeck
“A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow.”
~Shakespeare
“You can’t stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you.
You have to go to them sometimes.”
~A.A. Milne
“Sometimes being a friend means mastering the art of timing. There is a time for silence. A time to let go and allow people to hurl themselves into their own destiny. And a time to prepare to pick up the pieces when it’s all over.”
~Gloria Naylor
“We’ll be Friends Forever, won’t we, Pooh?’ asked Piglet.
Even longer,’ Pooh answered.”
~Winnie the Pooh

Weekly Photo Challenge: Summer

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Joy

Summer in the south is many things.
To capture them all would mean hundreds of photos.
The word summer brings up many emotions and awakens certain memories in my senses.
Here are a few of the things that I think of when I look towards summer…

The fragrant gardenias in the flowerbed that greet you when walking to our front door.

Gardenia

With the flowers, come the bees
the beautiful butterflies
and other interesting insects.
Summer in the south means, popsicles on the front porch
Sticky fingers and faces.

It means little lizards soaking up the sun while blending into the grass.
Summer means that everything is green…winter has passed and spring has brought new life.
The birds return to the feeder and sing their songs of thanksgiving.
Summer means blowing bubbles in the grass until your lightheaded.
It means dirty feet at the end of the day from running around barefoot until well after bedtime.
It’s different now, as an adult, experiencing summer.
Not bad, just different.
My children get so excited about summer! That is by far the best part of the record temperatures and soaring humidity.
There is much to come in the next several weeks.
There will be watermelon and ice cream sandwiches, water balloons and cook outs, slip n slides and human cannonballs into the pool.
When my boys come in from a long summer day smelling “tired” I know that it has been time filled with moments that they will one day recall and smile.

Interpretations of summer by some other stellar photographers and bloggers:
Where’s my backpack?
Nature Through The Lens
Chronicles of Illusions
The Great Escape: Life from behind a lens

Five Minute Friday: Identity

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Joy

On Fridays over here a group of people who love to throw caution to the wind and just write. Just five minutes. Unscripted. Unedited. Real. Your words. This shared feast.

Before reading today’s topic I was up on my soapbox talking about raw beauty. When seeing the parallel between my post and the topic I was excited.

I wish I could say that I find my identity solely in Christ. I want to. But that wouldn’t be entirely true. I’m better than I once was, but I’m not there yet.

So where do I find my identity? (Let’s name just 5)

My writing.
My relationship with my husband.
My children.
My work.
My family.

When those things fail me or make me feel less than valuable (which they inevitably will), I run back to the arms of the Father, thanking Him for being my refuge.

I want to do that even when everything is great in all of the other areas! I want to read my bible more and view it as a letter from my Savior. I want to look forward to being able to study His teachings and promises.

And though I long to be in His presence, sitting quietly while soaking up His splendor, I do not seek out the truth in His word nearly enough.

I, at times, make myself an island, hiding behind my computer screen and getting lost in online reading, writing and picture editing.

My identity has been one of confusion and change. However, more and more I see myself settling into the place of my Lord and finding great fulfillment and peace in His sovereignty.

STOP

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.