This weekend I finally finished a project that has been on my mind for more than five years. We have this gargantuan wall in our living room that has sat there empty…lonely…begging for something to be put on it year after year. But in my indecisiveness I have let it sit until my mind's eye finally saw what the finished product should be. It may have taken forever but now it is one of my favorite places in our home. After MUCH thought, the lonely wall is now a gallery. Home to a few pieces of art and my photos. Perhaps that's the part I love best. It has so much meaning and draws memories and love out of me every time I pass it. 

The photo above is up there on the wall too, bringing to mind not only an amazing experience but a few other things as well. As I look at it, I see people moving, rushing to destinations, passing quickly from one thing to another. But what draws me to it most is the man in the middle. Standing still. Maybe for a just a minute or two. But there he is. Still.

I've thought a lot about that lately. About the hurriedness of life as it swirls around us and also about the moments of stillness. While the busy seems to sometimes take control, it is those ever so quiet moments we take to stop when we really see the goodness and beauty around us. We can see the goodness of life even though we struggle and the beauty of Heavenly Father's plan even though sometimes we forget His hand in all things.

I want to stand still more. I love this photo for subtly reminding me to do just that.

I've also found that I've missed blogging immensely for the opportunity it has given me to stop and document the goodness around me. Time and time again, I find myself coming back here to recall a life-changing experience, a fun birthday, or an embarrassing moment. I need to get back to it. For no other reason than the joy it brings me of documenting life lived. Even in all its glorious and not-so-glorious moments.

And so I hope to be here more too. I'm glad standing still has reminded me to do just that.

Yesterday I felt blessed. Oh, I know I'm blessed everyday but Mother's Day is always a good reminder of the gift it is to be a mother. During a conversation, Ella asked me if when I was little I wanted to grow up to be a photographer. I smiled and said, no. Of course, her follow up question was, "Well, what did you want to be when you were a little girl?"

I thought for a split second and replied, "You know, all I ever wanted to be when I was little was a mom." She gave me a squeeze hug and that was a good enough answer for her.

Not long after that conversation, I asked everyone if they would just oblige me with one quick picture for mother's day. Dallin hesitated and said yes. Ella was okay with it as long as she could wear her zebra apron. Christian was not so willing as I chased him around and Lincoln flat out said, no way!

We cajoled, begged, and chased for about 10 minutes. You can guess that no one was really thrilled after all of that. And so this is what I got.

But after looking at it, I only could laugh. This is us. The real us. And I wouldn't have it any other way. I love them.

A little later, Lincoln did agree to one picture as long as he could have apple juice after. Bribery got me this.

And I'm happy as any mama could be. 

Lunch can get boring so we gave it a little splash of color last week. I let Lincoln go through the pantry and fridge and find all things orange. This is what he came up with. Fun, no?

He was pretty proud of his creation and I was pretty proud that he actually ate it.

Win. Win.

I think I'll let him "design" lunch more often!

You know Tom, Dick, and Harry Jr. are taking pictures with their phones…and I have been too. It's so much quicker to catch life with a camera that fits in my back pocket.

Here's what it's been looking like around our place. The only thing missing here is the chaos. I think there is a lot more of that than all of this. But I'm sure glad I get a little bit of both.  

She brings imagination. She brings independence. She brings determination. She brings laughter. She brings surprise. She brings softness. She brings stories. She brings whimsy. She brings happiness.

She brings light.

I'm so grateful all of those things and more have come into my life because she is in it.