Embrace the Camera: 3 little piggies

Embracing all 3 today :)

This week has graced us with beautiful weather to enjoy! 

I took the opportunity to attempt to snag at least one shot with each of my kiddos...

SUCCESS!!!

It was a pleasant surprise to find that Malakai had actually smiled for this photo :) 

I was so proud!

Our KY fans will appreciate this...

We had lunch at Chipotle the other day. A guy stopped to tell us that our 18 month old daughter had dropped food on the floor... Thanks, guy. Anyway, since he stopped, Malakai felt the need to share with him that he, "likes Kentucky." Guy's response? "Oh, I don't like Kentucky." Malakai was left thoroughly confused. Way to crush a young boy's heart, Guy.

Thankful for True Blue Blood :)

Ava was much less compliant than her sibs.

Playing was far more important of a task.

Understandable.

She has really become my "little mama."

Sunday, she was walking around saying, 

"Ni-Ni Naaaay!"

(translated, Lillian Renee')

She has since made this a regular habit 

especially when there is a need for bossing.

She also yells,

"Ki Kewan"

(Malakai McEwan)

Usually this is only with prompting,

she prefers Kal-Kai

Thankful for her nurturing spirit.

This little photos is so presh 

Lilly has taken to very intentionally,

avoiding the camera at all cost. 

She is super silly and is loving to draw.

I bought a new little doodler toy today bc the Thomas one was in shambles.

She brings it to me when she needs it erased and says,

"Circle?"

Thankful for create minds.

BTW- I was freshly showered for these photos... WINNING!

Definitely thankful for showers!

Who are you thankful for in those you are embracing today?

This is the day the LORD has made. Let us rejoice & be glad in it!

Happy Thursday!!!

So, are you ready to embrace the camera?

here's the nitty gritty:

1.  take a picture with you and your kids/spouse/family member/friend/whatever.

2.  blog about that picture and include a link to our blog, or grab our button.

3.  link your blog post up on the link tool here (@ the anderson crew).

4.  visit the other embracers...give each other lots of compliments about how good we look with our greasy hair andsweatpants velour jogging suits on.  cause yah, we need a little boost when it's been days since our last shower.

5.  have fun!

Linking up again w/ Brown Eyed Bell(e) this week :)

Wordless-ISH Wednesday

My favorite little man...

This is the face I get when he'd pretty much rather be doing anything else... :)

Trying to comply and give mama a smile, haha

I mean could he be any more adorable???!!! Love it...

So, this looks like an out-take but this is Malakai just being plain old bossy pants. Hilar!

Yep, he's that cool.

I love this little face. I could smooch it all day long. 

I also love that there's a little food on his face. 

This is real life people.

Speaking of real life...

Wanna see the mountain top I had to pound out today?

Not exactly the kind of mountains I was referring to yesterday.

But.

At least we now have some clean clothes around this joint ;)

Happy Wednesday!

Happy Birthday to ME!

I turned 28 a couple of days ago. Every year I realize just how fleeting time is. How small of a not-even-speck I am in eternity. But here I am.

I was blessed on Saturday by this verse I read in Ecclesiastes...

What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man.
(Ecclesiastes 3:9-13 ESV)

28 years is not very long. In the scheme of things, it is smaller than a grain of sand and that is okay. God has made everything beautiful in its time. This is my time. Today, right now, he is making me beautiful. Through my husband, children and all the wonderful people he has placed in my life.

Sunday, I was given an extra dose of encouragement. A friend of mine had a beautiful idea to give me a card basket. Sunday morning I was graced with a basket filled with words from some of the people closest to me. In addition to that, a few other beautiful souls gave me a couple more cards and gifts. Their words and actions showed a care that is truly beyond words. As a mama it is easy to get lost in the necessary day to day. Allowing yourself to begin to believe the lie that your impact doesn't matter or even exist. 

"You is kind. You is smart. You is important." 

-Abiliene from The Help

Some of us need that little reminder. We are made for the valleys. Mountain tops are good but we are made for the valleys & most of our lives are spent there. (Thank you, Amanda & Ashley for inspiring this encouragement) If it weren't for all the day2day, mundane, forgotten moments, we would never reach the mountain tops. All the times I tell my girls, "You are beautiful." and remind their brother to, "BE KIND!" Leading up to quite possibly the best birthday moment I had all day when my son squeezed my neck really tight while tucking him and whispering in my ear, 

"You're pretty, Mama." 

(Another highlight would have to be when I called my mom and sang happy birthday to myself. Yep, that was pretty wonderful as well, haha!)

The mountain tops are good- really good... but it truly is all about the climb.  Many times valleys are talked about like a deep dark alley that you should stay far, far away from. In reality, they are beautiful creations and without them, the peaks wouldn't stand out. They wouldn't be special. 

Sometimes, they are deep. Sometimes it seems like you'll never get anywhere. I would encourage you to look around at all your valley moments. Embrace them. Each one is a stepping stone to the top.

This next year, I determine to enjoy my life. Take pleasure in everything, big & small. Rest in his good & perfect plan. Look to Him for my peace. Find JOY in the valleys and bask on the mountain tops!

Mamas reading this. 

Daughters, sisters, friends. 

Dads, sons, husbands.

You IS kind! You IS smart! You IS important!

(and for those that the grammar is just gonna drive you mad)

You ARE kind! You ARE smart! You ARE important!

Happy Tuesday!!!

Lovely May Monday

Ever since Christmas time, I've sort of been in and out of a blogger's block of sorts. November was fun w/ the NaBloPoMo so maybe (even though I'm already a week into May) I will start that up again. Force myself to write and maybe some good stuff will come of it. Bonus- my family will stay for updated on the day to day- WINNING! :)

Starting this beautiful Monday off with a few photos from earlier this spring when my Kentucky Wildcats were busy winning the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!!! We were in Kentucky at the time and all the kiddos were dressed for the occasion...

Can we be done w/ these photos already???

Ava girl :)

We had a wonderful time visiting family and were super excited when we had the opportunity to be in Kentucky to be a part of the true blue madness that took over Lexington when the Cats won the Championship!

"flowas!"

This was the girls discovering pretty flowers. Seriously adorable!

Ava, Lilly

 A rare occurrence to have them both sitting still next to one another. Love these little miracles!

4 outta 5 aint bad, haha

Yes, my hands are full. Full of life.

No, it isn't double trouble. Double Triple blessed.

My hair is dirty.

Little 'Big Blue' Toes

Lilly <3

Her smiles are contagious! Love that face!!! Such a beautiful little girl :)

So, you're welcome for the totally random post and super adorable photos!

Happy Monday!