We just got in from playing outside.  It was such a wonderful day I let the girls stay up late (even though they have preschool tomorrow) & play outside.  They have recently found a TON of caterpillars around our yard & common areas.  Emma has in her mind that if things are the same, they are from the same family.  So, she decided that this caterpillar family needed to be reunited on this leaf.  She carefully caught each one on a stick & brought it over to the steps & placed in on the leaf.  Now Brooke…not so careful.  I can’t guarantee they are all still alive.  Sorry caterpillar!

I found these journals in packs of 3 for about 3 bucks at Target (which you all know is a black hole in my universe, continually sucking me in…that’s another post).  Immediately when I saw them I thought they’d be great for the girls in our High School bible study.  So, I prettified them with these ribbons (I found it on old birthday bags – yes, I save those suckers) & added a pen later.  It just felt nice to think of someone besides myself.

It’s normal for kids to tattoo themselves, right?  I mean, especially if their daddy has tattoos?  Tell me your kids do this too.  I wonder how we’ll address the tattoo issue once they get older, especially when they see their daddy’s tattoos every day.  Oh well, it’s not an issue yet!

I hope that is what this flower is called – Iris.  Right?  Correct me if I’m wrong, please.  I took this while it was beginning to drizzle again.  My camera & my crazy hair got a little damp, but it’s all for a good cause – can’t disappoint my readers!

This flower is in my neighbor Mary’s yard.  I planted it before they even moved in for the neighbors that lived there previously.  I’m not trying to toot my horn that I’m such a great neighbor that I’ll plant random flowers in your yard.  No, this flower serves as a reminder to me of that period of time in our lives – living with difficult neighbors.  It also brings me back to the passage of scripture that I (along with my fellow leaders Rachel & Trish) have been trying to instill in our high school girls at bible study:  James 2: 1-10.  And yes, I’m gonna type it….

My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favortism.  Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring & fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.  If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes & say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves & become judges with evil thoughts?  Listen my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith & to inherit the kingdom He promised to those who love Him?  But you have insulted the poor.  Is it not the rich who are exploiting you?  Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?  Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of Him to whom you belong?  If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.  But if you show favortism, you sin & are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.  For whoever keeps the whole law & yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking it all.

I’m just sayin’….

Last week I was invited out to photograph little Olivia.  Now, Olivia is almost 2 months old, but she surprised her mommy & daddy by deciding to come earlier than expected.  She is just a petite, dainty little girl.  She has this beautiful complexion that reminds me of peaches & cream.  And I loved how, even at such a young age, she was already letting me know that we weren’t friends & I better back up out of her business!  Gotta love those feisty ones!

Welcome to the world Olivia!  I can already tell you are your mommy & daddy’s little princess.  (*Oh, and again, don’t forget to give Olivia some blog love via comments.  If she gets 20 she earns her parents an 8×10 – who says child labor is wrong??)