*4 Bridges*

I love my town. Yesterday was the 4 Bridges Art Festival and it was bursting with amazing art. I had a little date with Juden and these were our favorite picks. The above artist is Patricia DeLeon Alfonso and her work is pristine, whimsical and compelling. I loved it all, especially the umbrella oval piece. Juden loved the purple strand in her hair and made sure he told her that it was beautiful.
The work of Shaun LaRose was also a favorite...stunning breathtaking and powerful. He also makes furniture and incredible murals, one of which beautifies the main street area of our city giving it a bit more of an urban edge.


artist standing to the right


Juden's pick-Tim Hooper


It was a fun afternoon that made me love my city and feel inspired. We came home to this sight...not surprising after he got home at 4:30am from one of his four shows this week. Piggy-back swinging seems like a perfect way to spend a post-show tired Sunday afternoon.

Honestly we've had some stress this weekend, a stubborn stomach virus and tough school decisions. But worst was getting home from Josh's show Friday and finding that some mean person decided to make two pages worth of PlayStation purchases draining our entire bank account. But my, when you look at the good, there is always so much to be found. So much.

Dove turns 5

It's kind of funny the themes that kids want for their birthday parties. Dove -bird requested a wedding party and her mama didn't disappoint. She was remembering Aunt Trish's and Uncle Keith's wedding last summer and all the pretty dresses, flowers and dancing.

Dovey in her mama's veil and maybe a little flash forward to her real wedding day.

Gemma lookin' like a little fairy baby

Liberty showing me her fairy dust,"It can make you fly!"



little niece Sophia

So I asked the bride if she had any ideas for a groom yet. She smiled and said it was a secret. I thought this little fellow was looking pretty dapper though.
Eden and Eliot

Happy five Dove-bird.

the ocean

*the sand*







*the sea*





This night alone made our little trip worth it; to wade in foamy tides, to build tunnels and stick bridges, to collect perfect tiny shells for Ella's castles, to watch them run in the golden light, to let the hours slip by gently without a thought.



"I am in love with Ocean
lifting her thousands of white hats
in the chop of the storm,
or lying smooth and blue, the
loveliest bed in the world.
In the personal life, there is

always grief more than enough,
a heart load for each of us
on the dusty road. I suppose
there is a reason for this, so I will be
patient, acquiescent. But I will live
nowhere except here, by Ocean, trusting
equally in all blast and welcome
of her sorrowless, salt self."
~Mary Oliver~

Savannah in the spring

...is pretty breathtaking.It is such a good feeling be on the road, to somewhere new, new landscapes, new faces. From the window you start to see Palm trees and finally we arrive to a city covered in Spanish moss and azalea's in full bloom. It's a beautiful southern city and the closest place to get to the ocean from where we live. The cobblestones streets are lined with shops, pubs and eateries and it sounds like New Orleans as I sit and watch my children chase pigeons by the bay. I take it all in, the smell of the salt air, the songs of the street musicians. I watch the man across from me. He is browned by the sun, ragged, long haired and bearded. He looks like he's been traveling for a long time but has nowhere to go. I watch him smile as Naya laughs and squeals at the flock of startled birds she scatters, and for a second I feel connected to his momentary joy in this simple scene. My attention turns to the man with a bucket of change belting out 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot' in a way that would make the big black ladies at church start waving their hands. I watch people and imagine their lives. I have always been like this, an observer, writing stories, taking pictures in my head. My Bella girl gets this from me. She is an observer, she waits and watches and notices with all of her senses.
We weren't there five minutes before we had these reeds twisted into roses bestowed upon us. They are everywhere in Savannah.

It was Josh's Spring break and I was determined to go away. I missed the ocean and just wanted a break from routine with my family. Unfortunately we no longer have the awesome free set up we enjoyed for three years. The city and the parks, watching the kids in the sand and the ocean was so much fun. The five of us sleeping in one tiny hotel room outside the city with children who had no interest in sleeping... not so much.
We came back exhausted but happy. Slipping into the cool sheets of my own bed was heavenly. The other thing I love about going away is the sweetness of coming home.

we're back

risen

"He is risen; he is not here."

This week I wept for the suffering my Lord endured on my behalf,
and felt the small arms of my son as he wiped away my tears.
This week I felt the warm breeze and was reminded of the Holy Spirit.
This week I said many prayers with very few words, mostly "thank you" and "I love you."
I sunk my hands in the dirt and marveled at the new life springing forth, the un-imaginable artistry of God.
I carried a sleepy Ella from her car seat and we paused to gaze at a magical sky of quickly shifting purple clouds over a glowing moon-lit sky and I watched her smile when I told her maybe God made it so glorious because He knew she'd be looking up.
This week I kissed her soft little face.

I smiled in the car when Juden excitedly announced, "Mama, I can see heaven!" when the sunbeams burst through the clouds at sunset.
I filled my table with perfect fragrant magnolia blooms that I knew would only last for a moment.
This week I am overwhelmed by the beauty and compassion of Jesus.
This week I remember that the tomb was empty and look forward to the joy of the morning.