7. cameras. well, pictures. no, cameras.

Without these things I wouldn't have my pictures. So, I guess it's the pictures I'm thankful for. No, wait. It's the camera I...wait. Oh dear. This is like the chicken and egg question.

Whether it's the camera or the pictures, what I'm truly grateful for are my subjects. The ability to capture and save precious, candid moments of our fleeting lives is worth more to me than gold. My pictures are my gold. I flip through and savor God's blessings often. Without these reminders of His love I would be a sad creature, seeing as how I forget His mercies so quickly. I rarely recall His blessings to mind as easily as when I have a picture to aide me.

Helen discovers my sunglasses.

And spaghetti.

Poppa comforts a tired Israel on his homemade bear skin rug.

Zarah sighing the precious sighs of a newborn while we were at the park.

Fourth of July with my best friend.

Helen trying to chase her sister, long before she can walk.

Precious kisses.

A stolen moment of peace after Zarah's labor. A prayer of thanks on my lips.

This lovely moment when Is discovered my lipstick.

Or this incredible moment. I dropped the camera down to my thigh as we were on a walk. I didn't want Israel to see me taking a picture because she stops acting naturally. Seeing Is hand-in-hand with her Poppa, following his leadership and protection...nope. No words can say it. Joyful, maybe.

She was dancing all over creation because I showed her in the mirror how her dress and her hair bow matched. She kept shouting, "I'm so beautiful!"

Poppa admiring Ruby Falls cave. Helen admiring being admired.

Israel reading to Helen.

I could go on and on.

And as I said before, I have the greatest subjects in all creation.

6. my Dancing Queen

I'm totally watching the child bust some serious moves with the iPhone blaring music right now.

I mean hip shaking, arms waving, twirls, jumps, eyes closed and shouting out words that don't even go with the music. Israel believes she is singing along and that's what matters.

Oh yeah, and she is asking for pink hair. Not even 3, yet. Yeesh.

Couldn't find one of the hundreds of pictures I have of Israel dancing, so I picked out this one. I think it captures her mood right now quite nicely.

5. silly children and the smiles they bring

Nothing brings lightness to my heart and a smile to my face like watching my girls do something silly or ridiculous.

Here they are begging for food like puppies.

Who knew cheese was so exciting?

Thanks Lord for the silliness of children. The laughter they bless my toil-filled days with is priceless. They help me to not take everything so seriously. What a blessing!

retro: Easter 2011

This Easter Sunday was nothing short of grand.

The worship at church was reverent and full of rejoicing at the finished work of my Lord and Savior.

The Easter feast was simple and delicious.

The flowers in Mom's garden were stunning; their aromas were intoxicating.

My precious daughters enjoyed their first egg hunts...with all 19 of the Becker kids.

My girls wore darling, handmade Easter dresses - crafted by their brilliant Grandma.

This Easter was everything Easter should be. Worshipful, relaxing, peaceful, fun, full of fellowship and laughter.

Israel on the swings Grandpa built.

Kevin and I in a battle of photography. He will win.

Helen and her biscuit.

Helen pondering the greater questions of life.

Helen and Poppa. The dynamic duo.

Somehow Zarah and I ended up safely on the other side of the camera with no pictures to attest our presence on this day. I'm sure Kevin has a few photos of us I could snag.

retroactive blogging

Stories from the past few years are forthcoming. As I scroll through my photos, I realize there are so many things I want to write for my daughters to be able to read and enjoy long after I'm outta here.

And since I'm such a terribly faithful writer, ahem, I will be retro-blogging as the pictures and the muse guides me...and so far as my limited time allows.

Stories like the following!

The tale of Helen at the Dog Show and her fallen banana.

See Helen.

See Helen drop her dear banana, then dash to the aide of her Fearless Father. Being fearless, as his name so conveniently informs us, Father performs an emergency dirt-ectomy on said dear banana.

After successful operation, Helen is reunited with dear banana.

And then she reunites with the dirt.

Needless to say, I watched Helen and not the dog show.

a new baby...and so soon!

These are my new babies.

My very first starters! Whole wheat and rye. I was going for edgy Hollywood names.

I hope I can put forth the loving, attentive care they need so they won't grow to be spoiled. Seriously. I'm paranoid of these things going bad.

They even came to church with us today (pictures forthcoming) since we weren't going home until evening. I'm a very hands-on parent.

4. My soul sister

So, I'm still counting my blessings...I'm just lousy at writing them out. But, I soldier on.

My soul sister is a blessing I could have never thought to ask for.

Erin is an all-around beautiful soul and in the words of Anne, a "kindred spirit!" From our garden exploits, to our "pray for me" Momma melt downs, to our baking catastrophes and triumphs, she is real and good and true and beautiful and lovely and compassionate and patient and steadfast and fun and insightful - mainly, incredible to say the least.

A fellow comrade in arms down in the trenches of life and love, she blesses me with her patient ear, her kind and true words, her available shoulder. She has broadened horizons to me I never knew existed. She challenges me to be real with God, real with my husband, real with my kids. She demonstrates selflessness like I have never known.

I'm crazy about her.

I praise you, dear Lord, for this lovely creature. I witness Your mercy, love and am blessed by Your grace through Erin's friendship. She is my soul sister, of which I am so deeply grateful.