39/52 Man vs. Nature

And this most recent week's theme was easy for me:

Reigning the River

The lock and dam near my house.  Perfect example of man's attempt to tame nature.

38/52 The Eyes Have It

Yikes!  I'm behind!  I've been taking photos, but I've been seriously lacking at getting them processed and posted . . . here is my photo of the week for last week, when the theme was all about the eyes:

Peeking

Jackson loves to hide, but sometimes his curiosity gets the better of him and he comes out of hiding to see what's going on without him.

37/52 Momentous Moment

Baby Steps

Jackson harasses Katie relentlessly.  The only reason she even pays any attention to him is because she usually gets bites of his snacks, as he leaves a trail when eating.  But other than that, she doesn't have the time of day for him.  Doesn't stop him from trying though!  He is constantly trailing behind her, hugging on her, hitting, and grabbing, totally oblivious to her growls.  So last weekend when she let him sit close and even touch her for a couple of minutes, it was definitely a MOMENTOUS MOMENT!

35/52 Lazy

Stacks

It's not that I'm lazy per se, but these stacks of papers on my desk always seem to fall to the bottom of the to-do list . . . eventually I get fed up with the clutter and put it all in its place; but about half the time, this is exactly what my desk looks like.  Not very attractive, I know!

34/52 Connections

Brother's Pucker

Jackson is not shy when it comes to kissing and hugging.  And he holds nothing back when it comes to kissing Clayton either!  It's taken a while for Clayton to warm up to him, but most days he is accepting of the affection and kisses Jackson right back.  Yes, they are boys, but I still think this is as precious as can be--I'm sure in ten years, they'll be just a wee bit embarrassed if I show this around!

33/52 Slow Down and Look Back

Can't Help But Look Back

This week's theme was easy for me.  I spend each month of August struggling through the "what-ifs" related to Shawn's death.  My mother's heart still wants to "mother" him and my hands are left idle in this regard . . . eight years and it still hurts.  

32/52 Destin 2011

By all accounts, best vacation we've had in quite a while!!  Our time together as a family was wonderful!

31/52 Sky

The Sky is Falling

Last week's theme was "sky," so I decided to fudge a bit and wait until we got to the beach to take that particular photo.  I knew I would be able to get a massive sky shot here.  The weather didn't let me down--the storms have rolled in each evening and literally pressed down over us.  Beautiful in an awe-inspiring way!

30/52 Phillipians 1:3

As becoming my habit, I skipped the group's theme for last week's photo.  I had a ton of photos from VBS and also lots from our Family Ministry Retreat on Friday night.  I chose this photo for the week because it represents more than just a group of people meeting to nail down the details of a new ministry for the church.  This core group represents the many close friends in our church who have weathered every storm and celebrated every triumph of my family during the last ten years.  From the major things like literally praying down Heaven on behalf of Shawn and Clayton to the small details of doing our laundry for weeks on end (Thanks, Holly!), these people have helped carry us through.

Even more than that, this group (and church as a whole) is so different from any other I've attended in my lifetime.  Most churches I've attended seemed to hand out masks at the door.  Everyone always put on their church face, if you will.  And while that does happen at our church, it happens in a different way.  No other way to explain it except to say that I feel like these people are REAL.  Also?  They know the REAL me and they love me anyway!

I thank my God every time I remember you. Phillipians 1:3

29/52 Get In Close

Green Plant

Our theme for this week just begged for a macro shot, but I since I don't have a macro lens, I just couldn't make it happen.  I did attempt the "ghetto macro" technique of combining lenses, but I must have been doing it wrong because I didn't have great results.  More learning on that is sure to come!  At any rate, this is about as close as my little 50mm lens would let me get.  Still darn close.

28/52 A New Look

A New Look

I skipped last week's Project52 theme of "Sweet Relief" in order to document Clayton's changing look.  First, he got some new glasses: both prescription and frames.  His frames are a bit more "fashion-forward" this time and his prescription changed considerably for his right eye.  So while we get a fresh look of his face, he is also getting a new and clearer look of the world around him!  Second, HIS TWO FRONT TEETH FINALLY CAME IN!  It has been over two years since we've seen him with front teeth, so it's definitely a different look for him.  Just two more smilestones for the scrapbooks!

27/52 Nature At Its Finest

I'm a week behind on my Project52, but better late than never, right?  Last week's theme was Nature at Its Finest and I thought this photo of the full moon last night fit it perfectly:

Goodnight Moon

26/52 Hidden Objects

Blending In

As we looked down the tracks, it took our eyes a moment to realize a fawn was staring right back at us!  

25/52 Crave

On the Phone Again

I skipped the theme of "Crave" this week simply because it was too much like last week's "Make it Tasty."  My creative juices just weren't flowing on that one.  I took very few pics this week, but as usual, I caught one of Jackson talking on the "phone."  Photos of him talking on the "phone" and of both boys on the gator seem to be a recurring theme in my Project52.  But when that's what you do with your spare time, that's what you get a lot of pictures of!!

YAY!

My photo was featured on the MCP Actions Blog!

24/52 Make it Tasty

Berries in the Backyard

Since I did strawberries a couple of weeks ago, I hadn't planned to do berries again.  But I cooked a crumb cake and took many photos and not one of them looked near as inviting as these berries out in nature!

23/52 Trying to Escape

Brian took off the other day before he got the gator unloaded.  Jackson was determined to figure out how to get it off the trailer and he brought Navan along as an accomplice!

 "I think we can just plow over the back."

 "or maybe we'll go off the side . . ."  

Meanwhile, Navan is having second thoughts!

 "Quick!  Hide so they don't see us!"

 "Maybe if I grin for Momma's camera she won't notice our plan."

"No worries, Navan!  I've spotted reinforcements!  Big men are coming to help us!"

22/52 Happy Birthday, Jackson!

I simply cannot believe that it has been two whole years since this blessing named Jackson entered our lives.  And to celebrate, I don't even know where to begin!  I search my heart for the adequate words, the words that can describe how special this sweet baby is to me.  I come up lacking every time.  I simply know this:  I was scared to death to have another baby.  Scared because I knew that "the worst" could indeed happen to us.  Scared of what it would mean for Clayton's care.  And definitely scared that my body would let everyone down. 

It wasn't easy.  Just as in Shawn and Clayton's case, I had to have "help" getting pregnant.  And in this case, much more involved help.  My pregnancy was eventful to say the least and everyone's routines were completely interrupted.  It was worth every second of inconvenience.  Every second of worry, every second of self-doubt.  We were blessed with a gorgeous little boy who teaches me everyday.  My main lesson?  Every single day is full of miracles.  Every working part on our body is a miracle.  Every quick thought and action is a miracle.  Every bite or drink he takes is a miracle.  Brian and I stand in awe at the simplest things that he accomplishes!  It is way too cool how God has created our brains and bodies to function in just the most coordinated way.  And when it all comes together--look out world, here comes a toddler!!!

Thank you, Lord!  Thank you for this precious gift!  Thank you for creating him just for us, and at just the right time in our lives.  We were ready to move forward, and Jackson has provided the perfect avenue.  And this includes Clayton!  Yes, it is true that Clayton is still "adjusting" to Jackson's presence (he's in a tough spot watching Jackson physically develop right past him), but Jackson has even opened up doors for his big brother.  Jackson has no preconceived notions about Clayton's abilities.  No walls stand between them because of Clayton's physical condition.  Jackson simply loves Clayton right where he is at.  Loves him, plays with him, talks to him, and loves on him.  Seeing their relationship develop is yet another miracle that Jackson has brought into our lives.  Such a sweet, sweet gift!

So Happy Birthday to my baby!  Momma loves you, loves you, loves you!!!

ETA:  I'm counting this as my Project52 photo this week since of course I want to document this milestone!

21/52 The Need for Speed

Okay, one more photography post for the week and then I'll stop for a few days!  This week's theme was easy.  Clayton is testing yet another power chair and this one is definitely the. ONE.  It's the perfect size for him and as perfect as it can get for our house.  And he's definitely feeling the need for speed when he is out and about the neighborhood!

Running

For the background on the title, grab a tissue and read this post from February.

20/52 Spring Fever

I'm several days late on posting last week's photo, but I definitely didn't want to give up on my Project52.  I did actually take this photo during week 20 of 2011, I just haven't had time to upload and publish it! 

Tiny Berries

Seeing these strawberries pop up in the garden definitely scream spring to me--and they scream that summer's just around the corner as well!  It's interesting that I'm excited about strawberries.  My mother can tell you that "there's a story there."  Bottom line:  I don't eat strawberries.  It has to do with some weird food aversions I've got, so I won't bore you with the details!  But back to the reason I'm excited . . . Jackson seems to love strawberries!  And I love that for him!  Just the simple detail of having a child that loves to munch on berries is so neat to me.  (Said the mother of a tube-fed child).  At any rate, I'm looking forward to watching him snack on these berries that have come from our very own backyard.