I had these pictures taken about a year ago. They are mostly for my own heart. To remind me of the sweetness of my days with these precious gifts.

Not to gloss over the sibling squabbles and sinful attitudes. Not to pretend that I don’t wear yoga pants most days with dirty hair and no makeup. Not to for once give the impression that raising and teaching kids is easy…it’s war against my own selfish heart.

But…it is good.

My throat is scratchy most days from reading out loud to my children, and that is a gift. I haven’t always seen it that way. The enjoyment of it has been hard fought, both in my heart and the hearts of my children. But we have grown together (in more ways than one), and it is good!

A couple years ago, I was struggling to connect with my older son {Lincoln}. I was also struggling to get him to read. God prompted me one day to let Lincoln choose a book that he found interesting and I would read it to just him. Since the boys share a room, that time has morphed into me reading to both boys right before bed. Books have given us common ground. And now Lincoln is the loudest voice to “just read one more chapter pleeeeeease Mom!“. So, on those nights (most nights) when I am exhausted…but those two hopeful faces want to spend time with me and read together, more often then not, I say yes. Because that time is a gift!

Reading together forces us all to (more or less), be still. Quiet our minds while also filling them. Broaden our ideas and move beyond our own little world. It’s a beautiful thing!

So, that’s why I wanted to have these pictures. To remember the beauty in the little everyday moments all around me.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” James 1:17

**Photo credit goes to Capri Photography by Meg