Warning: Contains Graphic Language

Parenting, it's not for the weak stomached nor for the weak humored. (like that's a word)

I'm just sitting here at the computer checking my emails listening to my daughter describe to her father not only HER poops but her brother's as well.

"Dad, today I had a very slimy poop. I tried to wipe it and wipe it but I just couldn't get it all and Debbie had to help me."

"And, Dad, Jack had TWO poops today when he was in BED!"

How can you help but smile really?

The Assignment

The scavenger hunt item is to take a photo of someone jumping.
She jumps.
I click.
I hold the shutter open longer to capture motion.
I adjust the aperture.
She jumps.
I click.
She loves to be a model for my class.
Week after week.
"Honey, look off to the side."
"Abby, run towards me."
"Okay, now lick your lips."
She jumps.
I click.
We print the photos up for class.
We assess.
We critique.
"Oooh, nice motion."
"She looks like a little hummingbird."
"I like how you’re focused on her face."
"How many times did you have to get her to jump to get that shot?"
What they don’t know is that this was the easiest photo to capture.
This is her in her natural state.
She ceases to exist when she hits the ground.
She jumps.
I smile.

Caught by surprise

The day starts out rather ordinary. We rush to get ready. We rush to do grocery shopping. We rush home to put the groceries away. We rush to get packed up for a day away. And then...

And then comes sunshine and family and music outdoors and a feeling of worship that most churches could only dream of and relaxation and dancing and roast turkey and garden potatoes with fresh dill and a feeling of community amongst strangers.

And we leave there as the stars are popping out. We put the kids in their pajamas and we toss our bags and lawnchairs and new cds in the van. And we just start to exhale and plan our return trip next year and we look at each other in the quietness of the night as our kids are drifting off to sleep behind us and we realize that we just had one of the best days of our lives.



Song: Two Bit Suit by John Wort Hannam (the singer in the last frame of the slideshow)