Theme Thursday: Swim

I didn't want to miss hopping back in on Clan Donaldson's Theme Thursday.

I'll admit that I did have some trouble with the SWIM theme since the weather still hasn't been nice enough to swim yet.

Pulling a cute photo in from last summer's archives was pretty easy.

I then found that last year seemed like yesterday and yet forever ago.

See my 'baby'? 

Where did she go? Now that she's all grown up and nearly 2 1/2, I can't believe that it was just last summer she seemed so much younger.

Time and mothering children are a funny thing.

I'm looking forward to warmer days filled with sun and swim this summer. We're sure to have many more summer adventures awaiting us this year.

Join the others at Cari's for more Theme Thursday fun!

Theme Thursday: Barns

The theme today is BARNS.  Oh gosh, there are a number of them I stumble upon in these parts.

I had the thought that I could go driving around to find one of my favorites and capture it with snow drifted around it. 

Wouldn't that have been pretty?

But life in the tundra has left too many days that are so unbearable with below zero temperatures and horrific wind chills.

Instead I happened to remember this one I had sitting in my computer:

I took this one in the fall on the way to my brother's house driving down the gravel road out in the country. While it's not really a good shot of just a barn, it's a photo of a barn, a farm and pretty much exhibits rural MN in the fall with the cornstalks in the field.

I can almost smell the country, feel the fall breeze and fall in love with MN.

And on a day like today that's a very good memory to hold on to and the reminder that this winter will one day pass.

I think.

Head on over to Cari's for more BARNS today.

Theme Thursday: Unaware

I'm a bit late to the Theme party today it seems. You know, prowling around like a ninja is actually harder than I thought? It seems my kids are so AWARE of me that I can't even catch them UNAWARE.

Sheesh.

I  was suppose to be teaching the big kids at school. Instead, I found the destructive duo delightfully busy twosome doing their morning usual.

That would be 'painting' the windows. The girls have found that the right combination of frigid temps (read: -20 degrees) on the outside and warm temps inside, caught between a patio door and curtains all night = lots of water. That water needs to be 'painted' each morning to ensure that our windows look so very clean and flawless to all that pass on by.

We're winning awards here people for cleanest windows in the five state area. I am sure of it.



Check out what all the other prowling led to over at Cari's for more Catching People Unaware Thursday.

Theme Thursday: TEXT

I walked past my son's bedroom door and this caught my eye:

If you knew my son and his humor, you'd find this hilarious. Trust me, I laughed really hard when I discovered it.

The reference is to the scene from Star Wars Episode VI when Admiral Ackbar tells the rebel pilots "IT'S A TRAP..." when they are attacking the Death Star.

And I agree with Jonah, growing up is most certainly a trap. I hope he stays eight forever.

There's more TEXT over at Clan Donaldson this week.

Theme Thursday: STATUES

 There's always just enough time to join Cari for Theme Thursday, isn't there?

 Popping in with some STATUES today.

Unbeknowst to me when I took this photo Sunday morning that this week's theme was statues. There's nothing quite like some girls with their Mary, right?

Taken with my little point and shoot, so not the greatest.

These two were taken recently at a local Mary Garden. Again, nothing like Mama Mary and beautiful vines and flowers to surround her.

Hopefully you are having a great week and enjoying the summer beauty around you. 

Theme Thursday: ASKEW

Joining Cari and the crew for Theme Thursday.

I tried to come up with something that was ASKEW.

Then I looked up from my computer and saw the scene that is my living room.

I realize this photo could clearly just fit under the theme of CLUTTER. Or perhaps TODDLERS.

But if you know this OCD-freak-out-cuz-this-place-is-a-pigsty mama, then you know that this scene is definitely ASKEW.

You'd also know that this is a common scene these days and I've grown as a mama. I actually tolerate and live in this state of existence. We're talking major breakthrough from child #1 and #2 to the mom of the talking toddlers, children #3 and #4.

Never mind that the moppet toddler doesn't care a wink that she (or anyone in the household for that matter) steps on toys and stuff everywhere.

We've grown used to it and it adds character to our home. I've learned to realize that sometimes things just get a bit askew when God fills your life with little blessings.

Theme Thursday: GIRLS

When you have two older kids who are a little sick of you always taking pictures of them for like the last gazillion years, what do you do?

You turn to your almost twin girls who don't know any different and click away at all their cute, awkward and candid expressions.

And then you dream of all the canvas art that you could post on your walls just of your kids, but then you'd never be able to pick your favorite because there are just too many.

This is my current dilemma. I've got a wall going up my stairs that could hold a lifetime of great photos and I'm once again thinking about revamping it. Enter Pinterest and a whole slew of ideas it is giving me!

So.many.choices.


Like either of these two I recently snapped:

Hello, ipiccy, I love thee and your easy edits. So much fun to play with my photos and change them up. Again, adding to the difficulty of choosing which photos to frame.

Oh the possibilities!

Catch all the other darling GIRLS over at Cari's today. SO worth stopping over to see the captured beauty of the contributors.

Theme Thursday: Mom

 How could I not join in for Theme Thursday when it features of my favorite people, mom?

I contemplated posting a photo of me with my kid(s), but those are sometimes tough to find. Instead, I thought I'd feature my own mom and I managed to find a couple shots with her and my little girls from last fall.

My mom is a beautiful example of compassion, love, commitment, generosity and faith. I cannot begin to tell you how much of a blessing she is to our family and how she inspires me. My mom is an only child and has lived the last twenty years without her father who passed away from cancer. She left her Lutheran faith to become a Catholic convert when she married my dad. As a devout Catholic she has become a pillar of faith to those around her and as a hard worker in the medical field she is a testament of kindness to so many people. 

I've always appreciated and treasured my mom, but now as an adult and mom myself I do even more. Thank you, Mom, for life, love and for all the ways you serve those around you.

I love you, Mom!

Find lots of other beautiful MOM's over at Cari's today and get your 

pre-Mother's Day dose of amazing women we honor this weekend.

Theme Thursday: SKY

 Jumping in on Theme Thursday for a second week in a row. I'm on a roll people!

I took this photo the other evening after another blast of snow in the afternoon. I walked past the window and caught the bright pink out of the corner of my eye. I gazed at it for a moment and then  happened to remember that this week's theme was SKY. I ran for my camera in a jiffy.

Hopefully, hopefully, this is the last snow I will be photographing this SPRING. 

Please, Lord, let it be so.

It's even supposed to be 65 degrees tomorrow! Woot!

See all the other beautiful SKY over at Cari's today. The photographic talent is far more superior to mine, so you definitely want to stop over there.

Theme Thursday: Boys

 Joining Cari today for Theme Thursday. 

These photos were taken last summer while on vacation and are two of my all time favorites. 

Father and son. My boys. Love 'em!

A couple of minor edits to make these come out like brand new again.

Now, go check out all the other BOYS at the Clan!

Theme Thursday: Mud

 Finally joining Cari and the clan today. Long time follower of all you other Theme Thursday pals and this week I actually remembered BEFORE Thursday to come up with something.

This is an oldie, two years ago, since currently we still have a bunch of snow in our yard.

(dry-ish) MUD

Click over and see what other muddy adventures are posted today!