Mother's Day Jam

Mother's Day around here was very nice.  It was a day to go to church and be at home.  After the past few weeks schedule I was so glad to just be in one spot!

My parents came up to spend the day with us and the kids. A little grandparent time is never turned down.

The big activity of the day was making strawberry rhubarb jam.  It was fun to have Mom there with me to make it.  I loved having that time with her.

The finished product was good. I love the start of canning season and the memories that time brings.

Sunday Snapshot-Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!

 I am blessed with a mother who taught my sisters and I how to be Mom's. She is a Mom that used actions more often than words to teach us what it takes to raise children.  She believes in hard work and that life is full of bumps in the road that must be overcome.  She in no way believed that being a friend to us was the way to parent. I laugh now as I think there would have been no way I would have "friended" her on facebook if it would have existed back then.  Now I count her as my friend, advisor, and role model.  She is an amazing woman in so many ways, not just to us as her family but to people who live in her community.

So Happy Mother's Day Mom I could be all that I am without you!

This was taken with me Canon 60d 1/250 shutter, 100 ISO, and f 3.2

Linking up with Stephanie at Sunday Snapshot. Go on over to see all the wonderful photos!

Saturday Garden Journal

The very first crop to pull from our garden was the radishes.  I would not say these rate as my kids least favorite but in salad they seem to not even notice!

The Strawberries have a lot of flowers this year.  I can't wait to taste some, although I have to say I rarely saw one last year. As soon as it produced some little person had it in their mouth!

Most of the tomatoes from the greenhouse are in their new homes.  However some are not looking so well so they will stay in side for awhile.

The watermelon has some flowers that are almost ready to open! We can't wait:)

A tomatoes happily tucked away in its new home.  Tomatoes are my personal favorite from the garden.  How about a tomato and basil panini anyone?

The potatoes have come up also in the past two weeks.  I love seeing what is new each day.

Linking up with Small Things for Saturday Garden Journal

Favorite Friday Post- Adoption Bug Shirts

As many of you know that have followed our blog for awhile realize that I have FALLEN  in love with photography.  Through a photography class with Lisa this spring I meet Tammi at adoptionbug who makes very nice adoptions t-shirts.  She sent me some for all the kids and I had my first REAL photo shoot! 

She has different shirts for all of us.  If  you are looking for an adoption shirt for you or as a gift head over to adoptionbug !

We attempted these photos on two different days!

I love how Katie and Andy's shirts have the hearts with their country flags!!

These shirts say just how I feel. We are totally blessed by kids from our hearts in different ways.

Joining Lisa at Favorite Friday Photo.  Go over and see all the great photos!

Sunday Snapshot First Communion

Today Riley made his First Communion.  It was a day filled with celebration, family, and friends. 

This was not a day that will be taken lightly.  A day I have wanted for Riley for awhile now.  Riley is part of a family that has a Mom and Dad of two different religions.  Not always easy to figure out. 

We are for the first time in many years in a spot that makes life easier for our kids when it comes to religion.  As the oldest Riley has done us proud through it all.  So grown up in his jacket and tie.

He even let his mother get her fill of photos!

My first photo was shot with my Canon d60 50 mm lens.

Shutter 1/252 ISO 100 f 3.0  

It was cloudy today which was God's gift to me no doubt for these photos! 



Head on over to Stephanies blog to see other great Sunday Snapshots

Favorite Friday Photo

It is that time of year that I can hardly find the days on my calendar.  It is a really crazy time of year.  However, this month I am taking an amazing photo class from Lisa called Push Past your Comfort Zone.  It has been so much fun to meet other women who share my passion of photography as we push each other to be better.  I received  the gift of  time to spend with my nieces and let them be my little models for my class.

In my Dad's yard I can't resist the beauty of all that is blooming.

There are those items that remind me of home and my love of space.

One more very sweet niece to love on!

Jump over to Lisa's blog to see all the amazing Favorite Friday Photos.

Looking back at another month.  It went so fast and yet it seems like we did a lot!  Spring came and with it the outside world again!  We all love that.