Thankfulness.  Sometimes feelings of gratitude wash over me with such intensity that they leave me speechless.  (Scary, I know.)  Okay.  Almost speechless. Lately, I feel as though I am straddling two {virtual} worlds.  This world, that is like home to me and the photography world that feels like muddy and murky waters.  I haven’t figured […]

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  • Wrestling Kitties - July 25, 2013 - 12:31 pm

    If there is ANYONE who deserves the praise and recognition you get for your photography it is you. Besides the fact that you are extremely talented and capture moments that are so real, you are also kind and humble and totally deserve all that has and will come to you!!! And we will continue to cheer you on! 🙂

    ReplyCancel

    • Summer - July 25, 2013 - 1:00 pm

      Oh, Jenn. Thank you so much for that. I just can't tell you what it does and has meant to me. Thank you!ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - July 25, 2013 - 2:31 pm

    I so agree with Wrestling Kitties. You do an awesome job capturing life's most precious moments. The moments of here and now, and your words just tell the story so beautifully. Thanks for keeping it real Summer. I enjoy your blog so much.

    Cheryl N.ReplyCancel

    • Summer - July 27, 2013 - 6:36 pm

      Thank you so much, Cheryl. You are just so kind. ReplyCancel

  • Sassytimes - July 25, 2013 - 6:36 pm

    Was this here before our email conversation this morning? Wow. I just needed to read this…"Growth comes when we step outside of the place we feel most comfortable" Yes. Even if we are pushing ourselves to bend in a direction we don't want to go…it's still pushing ourselves OUT of comfort and being ok with it. Yes.

    Good stuff, Miss Summer. You have SO much talent. Not only in photography, but in your words. Always your words. I feel like next time we meet, I must stay silent and let YOU talk more. It's always so good. 😉ReplyCancel

    • Summer - July 27, 2013 - 6:37 pm

      Thank you, Steffany. I am so glad that we were able to meet in this world and before more than 'online' friends. I LOVE our chats. ReplyCancel

  • LeAnn - July 25, 2013 - 11:28 pm

    Thank YOU for sharing your thoughts and talents with all of us… what a blessing you are to so many! So excited for the recognition you are getting – very much deserved! ReplyCancel

    • Summer - July 27, 2013 - 6:37 pm

      LeAnn, you have always been so support and I appreciate it so much. So very much.

      Thank you.ReplyCancel

  • Barbara Allen - July 26, 2013 - 12:35 am

    Summer thank you for allowing us to take this journey with you – to be touched by the way you have captured life through your photography and to be ministered to through the thoughts you share – I look forward each day to see and read what you share – the Father uses your ministry to speak and touch lives just as much as any devotional that I read. God bless – ReplyCancel

    • Summer - July 27, 2013 - 6:38 pm

      Your words. . . how they bless me, Barb. Words escape me. . . ReplyCancel

  • Ky | TwoPretzels - July 27, 2013 - 6:19 pm

    YOU ARE AWESOME.

    That's all.ReplyCancel

. . . aren’t you? I’m guessing you frantically logged in today to find out how if the Running Chatter family actually survived the trip to the monstrous store splattered with blue and yellow paint.  Did they like it?  Did they hate it?  Did they buy anything? Did Summer have a panic attack?  Did Chad […]

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  • Wrestling Kitties - July 23, 2013 - 12:43 pm

    That last picture….MELT MY HEART!! So very sweet. Love it. And you are right, looks like she has him wrapped around her finger already 😉

    My sister is 8 years younger and I have two brothers who are 10 and 12 years younger. Even though there are things they can't relate to yet, we still get along SO well.

    Meadow blows bubbles just like Henry, and I am sure every one year old. Bubble wand right up on the mouth!! Adorable!

    Those are great moments and pictures!

    Oh, and I have never been to IKEA either! I feel like the only person. I do like home stores but I hate shopping and crowds. I feel one of two things will happen….or a combination of the both:

    1. I will love it and want SO much and be mad I can have SO much 🙂

    2. There will be lots of people and I will get annoyed and hot and want to leave

    Yep, I am pretty sure that is why I have never gone!! Hope your trip was good!

    ReplyCancel

    • Summer - July 25, 2013 - 1:01 pm

      I love hearing about you and your siblings, Jenn. That is wonderful! Gives me hope that the bond will stay this way.

      IKEA. . . I was a 1 and a 2. I felt both things. It is fun, but so overwhelming! ReplyCancel

  • Sassytimes - July 23, 2013 - 1:43 pm

    I LOVE this set of photos. Really, you can see the bond they have. And you can kind of see that Meadow knows she has him wrapped around her finger…that little smirk. Cute! I love seeing Charlie in photos too.

    I think their bond will last. No doubt about that.ReplyCancel

    • Summer - July 25, 2013 - 1:02 pm

      Thank you, S. I was happy that Charlie was fine with the camera. It IS so fun to watch these two together. ReplyCancel

  • Katie - July 23, 2013 - 4:01 pm

    My kids are 6 years apart, and honestly? I think I could probably count their tussles on one hand. Now, my girl tends to get bossy and overly mother-y with the boy, but I just take her aside and remind her who the Real Momma in the house is, and that usually straightens her out. I love the age difference: my husband and I got to spend 6 years with just her before having the boy, then we got to have him all to ourselves while his big sister was in school. And man, he missed her, pressing his nose up against the window when it was time for the school bus to come by; even now, when she comes home from college for the weekends or on breaks, he grins bigger and is sillier with her around. Just continue to sit back and enjoy the show—but be careful, your face might get tired from all the grinning. ; )ReplyCancel

    • Summer - July 25, 2013 - 1:03 pm

      I love hearing more about your kids, Katie. What a sweet pair you have. Perhaps the larger age difference makes the bond even stronger? ReplyCancel

  • Abbe - July 24, 2013 - 8:09 pm

    fabulous, beautiful images. and even more beautiful spirits captured in them.ReplyCancel

We are heading out of town for a couple of days later today.  We are excited to have some time to visit with my sister and take our first ever trip to Ikea.  (Are we the only people who have never been to what I hear is the most awesome store?)  I am also saying […]

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  • Pam - July 20, 2013 - 12:35 pm

    Summer, how do you choose which of the spectacular photographs to frame?!
    Thanks for sharing them ~ PamReplyCancel

    • Summer - July 22, 2013 - 11:10 am

      Pam, Thank you for such kind words.

      As far as which photos to print–Chad cuts me off at a certain point. 😉 ReplyCancel

  • Karen, Brian and Lucy - July 20, 2013 - 7:22 pm

    Ikea: don't go on the weekend. If you go on the weekend, go on a Sunday night…The crowds there are horrible and it is best to go during an off time. Make sure the kids are fed and have lots of snacks, although they do have a great food area, so you could also plan to eat there. Give yourself a few hours, as that is how long it will take! Have fun…it is a great store!!! Love your blog and your photography just keeps getting better and better. Thanks for sharing. From Cincinnati, KarenReplyCancel

    • Summer - July 22, 2013 - 11:12 am

      Karen,

      Just as we were pulling into Ikea at 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon your comment dinged into my phone. You are right–we should not have gone on a Saturday afternoon. Duly noted for next time. 🙂 Thank you for your kind words and for stopping by the blog!ReplyCancel

    • Karen, Brian and Lucy - July 22, 2013 - 7:55 pm

      Summer,
      So sweet of you to stop by my blog. Thank you for your kind words. I have to admit a bit of embarrassment that a photographer of your caliber was looking at my little point and shoot pictures! I will say, however, that photographers like yourself have inspired me and I am in the market for a new (read: good DSLR) camera. If you ever want to share any advice on picking a camera for a novice like myself, I am all ears. (karbuzz24@yahoo.com) Hope you had/are having a great vacay!
      KarenReplyCancel

  • Sassytimes - July 22, 2013 - 12:39 pm

    If I would have read this prior to now, I would have offered to entertain the kiddos while you and Chad visited Ikea! Sorry you were overwhelmed.

    I often think the same regarding your photos…how do you decide which to blow up and hang on your walls? Mine would be covered every inch in your amazing work (if it were my children. Ha.)

    Hope you all made it home safely!ReplyCancel

  • Wrestling Kitties - July 23, 2013 - 1:11 pm

    1. Ikea…like I said, I have never been either and would also be totally overwhelmed! So much stuff. So many people.

    2. Awwwwww, that is awesome and something the kids will remember. I do that with Henry when I get home from work if he and Terry are outside. It is more because he is obsessed with cars and being in one, but I rather enjoy it too!!

    3. Perfect!

    4. HA! Oh my goodness, if Henry and Meadow were together SO much orneriness would ensue!! And could you imagine if Vincent was there too! HA! Henry feels he NEEDS to touch everything and get into everything. Stubborn and strong-willed….got to love it!

    5. HAHAHAHAHA! Hilarious. (sweet pictures too)

    6. It is fantastic 🙂

    7. Love the bike riding!! And what a great path for them to ride! Those pictures are awesome  We are wondering when a good time to get Henry a bike is. Feel he would love one. (I laughed at the “we are never doing this again” comment! Hahahaha)

    Hope you had a fun weekend!!
    ReplyCancel

She’s calling me Mommy.  Yesterday I was Mama.  Today, I’m Mommy. I’m not okay with that. On Sunday evening she ran up to me and handed me the flip cam.  The camera has been missing for months and I know she didn’t even know what it was.  Girlfriend can spot an electronic device from across […]

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  • Katie - July 18, 2013 - 12:31 pm

    The newness still hasn't worn off for me. I'm still constantly amazed by my children, and even though I'm looking at being a Momma for almost 2 decades now (gulp!), I feel like we just brought Meghan home this morning. And dear Lord, don't even get me started on Joey—he's all kinds of brand new to me!ReplyCancel

    • Summer - July 18, 2013 - 5:37 pm

      "All kinds of brand new to me". I love that, Katie.

      I must say that I am SO glad that the 'newness' doesn't wear off!ReplyCancel

  • Sassytimes - July 18, 2013 - 12:58 pm

    When did Meadow get so big? I mean, really? Am I in denial? I look at V and still see a little toddler/baby…I look at Meadow and see a little girl. No way. Really. NO WAY. Maybe it's the pig tails?

    I don't like it either. I am in TOTAL DENIAL about K and preschool in a few months. I can't handle it. I think about it and get a lump in my throat and cry. Every time I allow myself to even go there in thought. I think I tell Steve about once every week that I am going to homeschool, because K is just too much, too soon. Steve rolls his eyes, because he knows that would push me over the edge. 😉 Ha. Letting go…it's SO HARD! 🙁

    Excited to see you soon!

    Beautiful photos. ReplyCancel

    • Summer - July 18, 2013 - 5:39 pm

      Oh S. The homeschool discussion. Yes, we've had it often. However, I know it's a dreamworld that I'm not equipped to handle. I'm so glad to have other's who are right there with me–in the thick of it.

      We shall cry together my friend. ReplyCancel

  • Wrestling Kitties - July 18, 2013 - 1:22 pm

    Oh Summer.

    I don't know if I am just overly emotional right now, but I teared up through this. I think it is because Henry is approaching 2 and this second year has gone FAR faster then the first and the changes they make happen so fast. I swear, every couple weeks Henry changes.

    The push and pull, going fast and going slow….it is SO true. Some days I just want to freeze moments and never leave them and some moments I want to speed everything up and am going crazy!! 🙂

    I think the reality has started setting in that I am not sure if we will have another child and it is sinking in and I am trying to cherish this time, those little moments. The cuddles, the looks, the glimmers of a "baby face" he makes on occasion, those tiny moments where he is still my baby. *sigh*

    And Meadow. Seriously, she IS growing so much. I noticed a few months ago this change from baby to toddler. And I agree with S., perhaps it is the pig tails but she does look like such a little girl 🙂 And school right around the corner…really?!?! Obviously H. is not there yet, but he does start school three days a week in the fall and I feel that is huge! 🙂 haha

    When did time move so fast?!ReplyCancel

    • Summer - July 18, 2013 - 5:42 pm

      OH J, thank you for your always understanding words. The "last" thing is such a hard thing to wrap our heads around–and I imagine even more if that "last" is the first.

      Sigh.

      Drink in these days before the chaos of school schedules strikes. Drink. them. in. ReplyCancel

  • Hummel Family - July 18, 2013 - 1:43 pm

    Meadow continues to melt my heart! It's gotta big those pigtails that's making her look all grown up (take them out! Just kidding!). 🙂 She will always be your baby, no matter how old she is. But I know how you feel! Even though Maylee is 20 seconds younger than Breckin, she is definitely the baby of our family! It has always felt that way. I find myself cuddling with her extra longer, just because I know she's growing into a lil lady. I no longer discourage the thumb in her mouth that she seems to think tastes better when Mama is snuggling with her! This Mom thing can be tough. Sigh.
    Love you Sum,
    JoEllenReplyCancel

    • Summer - July 18, 2013 - 5:43 pm

      The baby is the baby, right? Even if just by minutes. I agree, J, this Mom thing IS tough. ReplyCancel

  • Marice - July 19, 2013 - 1:40 pm

    I have been a reader here for quite some time now. Your photography inspires me and your words always hit so close to home. My two year old son called me Mommy for the first time yesterday and all I could think was NOOOOOO. "Watching them grow is so beautiful. Letting them go is so difficult" Nothing prepares you for the pushes and pulls of Motherhood. ReplyCancel

There are moments when I’m completely at peace, but it’s usually before my children wake up & they’ll have none of that. –Story People I have a traffic jam of thoughts in my head.  Thoughts waiting to be flushed out through my keyboard.  As always, Story People provide the most accurate words for the moment.  […]

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  • Wrestling Kitties - July 18, 2013 - 1:25 pm

    My brain is total MUSH of words and feelings I want to say and just can't seem to get out in a logical and coherent way!!! 🙂ReplyCancel

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