Over the last couple of years my Dad has added a new mantra to his lectures er, I mean encouragements to us.  Well, maybe he has said it all my life, but it took on a new meaning after we lost my Mom.  The words that I have heard so often in recent years go […]

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  • Anonymous - January 18, 2013 - 3:52 pm

    such happy little tooth-less and hair-ful (is that word? it is now!) small ones. i love your kiddos. and you, of course. these photos (and thoughts) were just what i needed this morning!
    miss you,
    Miss ReplyCancel

    • Summer - January 19, 2013 - 1:44 am

      Thank you, Miss. I love you. I miss you, too.ReplyCancel

  • Lissa Forbes - January 18, 2013 - 4:52 pm

    Summer, you always make me smile … and your photography gets better and better!! You, my friend, have earned the right to be a family photographer!! I just LOVE the one of Meadow looking out the window with her reflection looking back. ;-> And the bath tub scene of Chanelle kissing Meadow's head. So sweet! And who taught Chanelle to be such a loving big sister? Hmmmm … I wonder … might it be … YOU!! You made me laugh … pulling Charlie's adult teeth … Dont' you dare!! Oh I know you were just teasing. And the feet in the puddle … two sets of boots and oh my, a little pair of patent leathers. Just shaking my head with a big grin on my face. I don't know how you do this … actually document the living while you are actually doing it. Fabulous, just fabulous!!ReplyCancel

    • Summer - January 19, 2013 - 1:45 am

      Lisa, you are just so wonderful. Thank you for your words that encourage, inspire, and continually spur me forward. Thank you!!!ReplyCancel

  • Ky • twopretzels.com - January 18, 2013 - 5:09 pm

    Sigh.ReplyCancel

  • ozzie - January 18, 2013 - 7:32 pm

    We do have so much to be thankful for and so easy to forget we do! Love the pics! Love your words!ReplyCancel

  • Katie - January 20, 2013 - 12:50 am

    Such happy, happy moments indeed. ReplyCancel

  • Wrestling Kitties - January 23, 2013 - 6:20 pm

    Love ALL of these photos. The one in the bath melted my heart.

    Sweet sweet kids!

    And a great reminder 🙂ReplyCancel

That’s why the blog has been a bit, uh, well, quiet for a few days.  Charlie brought a few of Jeff Kinney’s Wimpy Kid books home school and we’re hooked.  I know we are a bit late to jump on this train, but we are enjoying it just the same.  Each evening Charlie, Chanelle and […]

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  • Anonymous - January 16, 2013 - 8:42 pm

    I think I will have to make a trip to the book store:). I am also a sucker for books.
    Thanks for sharing:)
    Love- Marie ReplyCancel

  • Dri - January 16, 2013 - 9:55 pm

    The Wimpy Kid books are a hit in our house too! Little R got most of these books for Christmas and has been reading through them one by one during his required reading time for home work each day. HE LOVES THEM! And I love that he loves them. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Wrestling Kitties - January 23, 2013 - 6:21 pm

    What a great book and message to children!ReplyCancel

  • Making Spirits Bright - May 19, 2013 - 12:11 am

    I JUST came across this blog post! Thank you for saying such kind words about my books! I would like to send your family my NEW book, The Potato Chip Champ. Signed and on the house for sharing my message to your readers! Email me at maria@mariadismondy.com with your mailing information! 🙂 Maria DismondyReplyCancel

I recently read a letter a woman wrote to an aspiring photographer: herself.  I was moved by the letter and forced invited Chad to read the letter, as well.  After reading it he looked at me and said, you need to write a letter to yourself.  Since that day Chad has reminded me on several […]

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  • Katie - January 11, 2013 - 2:18 pm

    That one about not being jealous . . . that's a hard one for me, too. I see so many beautiful shots of wildlife and all those gorgeous shots on Flickr, and I think, "Man, there's no waaaay I can ever achieve that level of photography!" But then I stop myself and remind myself that that wildlife photographer has been shooting for over 25 years and I've only been shooting for two; that person on Flickr has an arts degree in photography, etc….. It truly is a matter of perspective. I like this idea of a letter to yourself. ReplyCancel

    • Summer - January 12, 2013 - 4:30 am

      I know you get it, Katie. . .

      . . . write that letter, okay?ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - January 11, 2013 - 2:30 pm

    this made me cry – so proud of you, my friend. i really am. this is going to be a GREAT year. always remember how far you've come and how far you are going. i love the "it's what you DO, not who you ARE" – so true. and women?! yes, we're neurotic; i cannot wait to meet one who will prove me wrong. but for all of our neuroses, it makes us way more lovable! i mean, you melt kitchenware on a constant basis and Chad still loves you for it….. ; )
    love you, miss/Malissa ; ) ReplyCancel

    • Summer - January 12, 2013 - 4:30 am

      I sure appreciate you, Miss. I really, really do. ReplyCancel

  • Abbe - January 11, 2013 - 3:25 pm

    what a neat letter to yourself, summer. believe it, and live it! i can't wait to watch where this year takes you!!ReplyCancel

  • lisa - January 11, 2013 - 5:28 pm

    Ok…Summer, I'm sitting here crying right now reading this. You have NO idea how this is EXACTLY what I would've written to myself. I literally just said a prayer about 10 minutes ago asking for some guidance of what to do with my life…and here you are writing all these things that weigh so heavily on my heart!

    You have been on my mind a lot the last couple of weeks…I finally did it and took 2 photography classes this week! I can't tell you how excited I am and all these things that I hadn't known before just *clicked*…
    I just kept thinking about you and all the growth you've made over the last couple years…watching you since the beginning of your blog and the changes you've made has been a HUGE inspiration to me. I'm sorry I haven't shared that with you til now…but there you have it. YOU are an inspiration, my blog friend!

    Sorry that I've been absent in commenting…still one of your biggest fans! 🙂 ReplyCancel

    • Summer - January 12, 2013 - 4:32 am

      Oh, Lisa. Thank you. Thank you for your constant support and for being brave enough to venture this journey. SO happy that you are going for it! I'm thrilled for you!ReplyCancel

  • Stacy - January 11, 2013 - 11:33 pm

    Summer, thanks for writing this entry. I can totally relate…no, not because I'm a photographer, but because these are the exact feelings and emotions I feel while trying to learn a completely new language. There are definitely days when I need to remember that it's a process, a journey, and I won't be arriving at the destination any time soon…but that's okay. It's not a bad thing. In fact, it's quite good because there are so many lessons I can (and am!) learn along the way. I will not be the same person one, two, five, ten, (etc) years from now. Instead, I will continue to grow and develop and become the woman God created me to be. Thanks for giving me some often-needed perspective tonight. 🙂ReplyCancel

    • Summer - January 12, 2013 - 4:33 am

      Thank you, Stacy, for writing this. And for the reminder that really, we are all on this journey together. The destinations may be different, but the roads are so very similar. It truly is about the journey, isn't it.

      You are so brave to do what you are doing. So very brave.ReplyCancel

  • Wrestling Kitties - January 23, 2013 - 6:27 pm

    This is perfection and so much of this just hit me.

    I seem to be fighting some internal conflicts within myself the last year, and I have been trying REALLY hard the past few months to just STOP and enjoy this journey and gain perspective. To breathe, relax, and find some balance in my life. Not just be a mom or a wife but be those things AND ME. It can be so hard some times. But with people like you around and many of the other bloggers it helps you to refocus your life, and that is such a blessing!

    Thank you for this post and enjoy YOUR journey!! 🙂
    ReplyCancel

The sun was shining.  That’s it.  I place all the blame on the sunshine.  It had been several days since the warmth of the sun’s rays had flooded our window’s and I was knee deep in the post-holiday-back-to-school-blues.  But on this particular morning I looked at the kitchen floor and saw it. . . I […]

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  • woopig - January 8, 2013 - 1:42 pm

    Like I always told the kids (even now when they're 19 and 13), as long as soap and water/Spray and Wash can get out the mess, go for it! These are great pics! Did you join in on creating the Masterpiece of Meadow? I hope so! ; )

    KatieReplyCancel

  • Sassytimes - January 8, 2013 - 2:31 pm

    This is so great! I'm certain you won 'cool mom' points in Chanelle's eyes for this one! It looks like so much fun. I love how Meadow is just sitting there, letting C go to town with paint on her. Such great memories.ReplyCancel

    • Summer - January 9, 2013 - 1:12 am

      Cool Mom points is exactly what I was going for. I'm sure I'm going to need a reserve. 🙂 ReplyCancel

  • Shannon Hoffman - January 8, 2013 - 3:37 pm

    Summer – I read many of your posts and this one was one of my favorites! Such an amazing moment to share with your girls!! It gave a a great laugh and an "oh no…" chuckle. You are definitely a cool mom!!ReplyCancel

    • Summer - January 9, 2013 - 1:15 am

      Thank you, Shannon, for reading and for enjoying this moment with me. It really was a fabulous way to spend the morning. 🙂

      All the best to you as you await your little one! Such an exciting time!ReplyCancel

  • Lisa@Pocketfuls - January 8, 2013 - 6:02 pm

    I really did laugh out loud when I saw these photos of your girls — what fun! Love the happy face on Meadow's back. 🙂 ReplyCancel

    • Summer - January 9, 2013 - 1:16 am

      Chanelle was very proud of that happy face on M's back. She will be glad to know she wasn't the only one. 😉 Thank you, Lisa!ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - January 8, 2013 - 8:17 pm

    I love the shot where you are observing your girls from a distance, and Chanelle's head is cocked, carefully determining how to allow her "canvas" to evolve…

    Keep it coming, creative mama!
    katReplyCancel

    • Summer - January 9, 2013 - 1:17 am

      Kat, that is my favorite shot, as well. I WILL keep them coming! 🙂 ReplyCancel

  • Lissa Forbes - January 8, 2013 - 9:40 pm

    Summer, you win "cool mom" points in my eyes! You and your girls will cherish these photos and memories for years to come … and after you've been able to explain to Meadow that she is a canvas …a canvas upon which life imprints itself!! I want a copy of the book when you publish it. ;-> or maybe I could help you publish it!ReplyCancel

    • Summer - January 9, 2013 - 1:17 am

      Lissa. . . If you help me publish it–I'm IN! 😉 ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - January 8, 2013 - 10:20 pm

    so love this!!! excellent my dear friend excellent….love the moment you captured but i love more the moments you have in your heart and the moments in the hearts of your girls.ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - January 9, 2013 - 11:31 am

    THANK YOU for posting this! I LOVE IT! I needed the laugh………and I needed a reminder.
    And the pictures are priceless! =)
    KarinaReplyCancel

  • Summer - January 9, 2013 - 5:30 pm

    I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Karina! Thank you!ReplyCancel

  • Marcie - January 10, 2013 - 12:43 am

    So fun! What a great way to shake the back to school blues. One day with the girls, after letting them do a few crazy things, no doubt messy and way out of character for me, Kendyl looks at me so seriously and says "Momma, you are being really fun today." 🙂 Love the pictures!ReplyCancel

    • Summer - January 11, 2013 - 3:00 am

      Ah. . . out of the mouths of babes. Funny how they can be such great mirrors to us. I wonder what it would look like if we were fun every day?

      🙂 ReplyCancel

  • 65 Roses for Marcia - January 10, 2013 - 6:04 am

    Cute artist, cute baby canvas, cool mom! So funny!ReplyCancel

    • Summer - January 11, 2013 - 3:00 am

      Thank you, Marcia! I hope you smiled! 🙂 ReplyCancel

  • Evie - January 10, 2013 - 4:15 pm

    As you have proved here with these fun-filled photos, often the best memories are spontaneous and messy.ReplyCancel

  • Jamie - January 12, 2013 - 1:10 am

    I LOVE this idea of finger paint!! So fun and cute!! xoxoReplyCancel

  • Kendra George - January 15, 2013 - 3:48 am

    LOVE THESE PICS!! They did make me laugh!! 🙂 My kids finger painted today, both in their diaper or underwear. If I would have been thinking I would have taken a picture of the back of Stanley, 2 hand prints on his underwear and paint on the small of his back. My boy loves to paint, then we headed to the bathtub and colored in the bathtub…amazing how an hour goes so fast when you are having fun instead of sitting around thinking oh! I should play with the kids and then don't because I'm doing "something that needs to be done"! (I need to remember that!) Thanks for sharing your pictures and your love with us, you rock!!
    ReplyCancel

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