2009 May | chatting at the sky

the summer

May 31, 2009

When this week is done, the hectic will begin to slow and we will settle in to the slower rhythm of summer. At least, that is what I tell myself. The busy season of youth ministry is really just beginning. But summer is a sweet time of it with the seniors still around but not in school anymore, mid-week lunches and weekend trips.

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Having three young kids doesn’t allow much flexibility for me to join them on those trips, but I am learning to embrace my role of supporter and background pray-er as he goes away with them. There is always a twinge of left-out sad that doesn’t disappear when we grow up, surprisingly. But for the most part, summers are good times. And I’m looking forward to this one.

Filed Under a wife 18 Comments

lampapalooza

May 28, 2009

Lamps. Our warm-lighted, mood-setting, friends. Lamps are kind of like shoes: I have way too many and not nearly enough. I hesitate to participate in this lamp showing party because I feel like y’all have already seen every nook and cranny possible in this house. But she’s my sister and I love lamps and I just can’t help myself. lamps-1

That lamp is really big. A Marshalls original. It is my favorite in the house.

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The Nester says every kitchen should have at least one lamp and this chandelier counts since it has shades. Only problem is it is hung too high. I’m too lazy to change it. lamps-3

Our dining room chandelier is hung lower, as you can see. Notice how I like to put lamps in front of mirrors to make it look like more lamps. Also notice our kitchen cabinets through that door there before we painted them black.

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Then you got your sheep lamp…

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your shell lamps…

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…and your bird lamp. I have more, but I’ll stop now. Head on over to Nesting Place to peek in other peoples houses and get a glimpse of their lovely lampage.

Filed Under a house-lover 45 Comments

tuesday

May 26, 2009

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In the midst of recitals, graduations and other end-of-the-year events, our little family took a short break to the mountains this weekend. I took lots of pictures, as you can imagine. But this one stood out the most. Because this is what moms do on family vacations. We hold half-empty juice boxes. We cherish weed flowers. We sit on the swings and watch. And we are thankful for a few simple days away to be with them.

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Mister Linky and I have been chatting it up for the past day or so about the fact that my blog, though lovely, is stubborn and resistant to change. In other words, the Linky isn’t working for me and we’ve yet to figure out why. I’ve noticed he is fickle on other blogs this morning as well. But I promise, mine is especially not working. If you have a moment you would like to unwrap, feel free to share your permalink in the comments section.

Filed Under a mother, Tuesdays Unwrapped 39 Comments

i heart silhouettes

May 25, 2009

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The photo contest this week at i heart faces is of silhouettes, a word I have to look up every single time I type it. Also? I would love to be able to have that little heart in my post. But it turns into a question mark when I publish. I do not question faces. I heart faces. So I’m just gonna stick with the word. Now click on the button below and enter yourself in silhouette week.

Filed Under a photographer 25 Comments

you exist. make it count.

May 22, 2009

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Ever since I read Amber’s post on being a person @ The Run-A-Muck, I haven’t stopped thinking about it. She speaks of home and God’s art and eating a chicken nugget. And somehow it all fits together. Because that is her gift. That is part of her person.

The Invisible Photographer @ Shutter Sisters was yet another confirmation of the importance of including ourselves in our family photos. Focusing on the arms-length portrait, Kate Inglis leaves out the word ‘self’ because it’s not just about capturing photos of me, but of noting my presence in the midst of a captured day. Well said.

My Dad talks here on being a person as it relates to God: This is not about my wife

Megan @ Velveteen Mind talks about being a person in the blog world as only she can: Will you hit your saturation point before your tipping point?

And Chickadee, in the simple, quiet way that is unique to her, beautifully communicates being a person among her family in An Evening Walk @ A Familiar Path.

These posts all eloquently communicate the importance of being. Of living well, discovering truth, loving deeply and basking in this present moment. Thank you Amber, Kate, Dad, Megan and Chickadee for inspiring me today. If you have a minute, I encourage you to check them out.

Filed Under inspired 10 Comments

on the playroom floor

May 20, 2009

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This never would have happened in my house growing up. No brothers. And no trucks with teeth. I like to call this one Life With Two Girls and a Boy. Or maybe Monster Polly? Polly on Wheels? Any other ideas? Come on. I could use a good laugh.

Filed Under a little bit crazy, a mother 31 Comments

tuesdays unwrapped

May 19, 2009

At the risk of sounding cheesy and sappy and slightly dramatic, I’m going to go ahead and tell you that I think Tuesdays Unwrapped is changing how I live. It has been four weeks since I started the series. Originally I told myself I’ll give it a month. living

After four weeks of reading your posts about everyday moments you are unwrapping, I think I’m hooked. Take, for example, the classic moment we all face nearly everyday: dinner was over and the dishes were screaming my name. The kids ran outside to play, giving me the perfect chance to clean up the kitchen.

But the kids were outside playing. Playing, living, enjoying the moment. The air was warm and the breeze was cool, just like May is supposed to be. So I sat in the rocking chair outside, closed my eyes, and let it all be around me.

What was once a chance to finish the task is now becoming an opportunity to slow down and enter in. Let me assure you, this is not my normal. And the task will eventually have to be done. But because of this focus every Tuesday, I am slowly remembering to remember. To notice, receive and celebrate.

You are essential to that subtle change in me. It is one thing for me to share ways I am living on purpose, but another thing altogether to have you share your messy, lovely and unexpected gifts. I read every post. I laugh, I cry, I eat ice cream.

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Even though I read each post, there may be times when I simply can’t comment on each one as much as I would like to. It turns into Emily being on the computer too much. I’m not sure how much longer I will keep unwrapping Tuesday, but for this week I want to invite you to join me again. You know the rules:

Link up below to the permalink of your Unwrapped post. To find out what yours is, simply click on the title of your post and grab the permalink from the address bar. If you do not use the permalink, your link will be deleted.

Link back here in your post so your peeps will know what it’s all about. Grab the pink button if you feel so inclined.

Filed Under Tuesdays Unwrapped 39 Comments