Capturing "Right Now"...

This is Kelly Willette's challenge (most of you know I took a photography course from her last year and learned soooo much)...

so this is my "Right Now" for yesterday afternoon

Picnic..., a photo by Jenna Mace on Flickr.

Eli enjoying his picnic lunch in our backyard while watching Josh reenact a favorite story.

Wow...

such powerful words in this post from Ann Voskamp...When You're Burying All Your Hopes and Dreams...here is a snippet but please, if you have time, follow the link and read the full post...

"In this hard world, there is disappointment and there is death and there is dark and is it all only hard when we’re fooled into thinking this world is the only world we’ll ever get?

That is the paradox: this wondrous mess, this is it, right now, and there’s no waiting for another elusive life of perfection here, so we’ll laugh praise now, knowing that the real, righter, forever life is still coming, if we walk gratefully through our Christ doors of now.

Because when He busted back that rock, He said there’s another chapter to this story, so you can trust today’s plot line, and there’s a forever beyond now, so you can give thanks for right here, and for every dream seed we lay in a grave now..."

Motherhood...

I am so thankful that my husband captured this shot of me with the youngest of our four boys. This picture reminds me of a quote I came across a few years ago by Washington Irving...

"There is an enduring tenderness in the love of a mother to a son that transcends all other affections of the heart."

Multitude Monday #761 - 803 ...

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;

his love endures forever."
Psalm 118:1

I continue my journey toward 1000 gifts as part of The Gratitude Community...

761...the bright pink azalea out the living room window
762...they finally changed the container for Tom's toothpaste
763...Eli and his "loves"
764...the boys spotting a starling as we wait at a stop light
765...hearing how this book has made its way around my community
766...green leaves against the bright blue sky
767...birds singing early in the morning
768...a gentle spring rain
769...waking feeling rested...before the alarm rings
770...coming across this quote
771...kissing his smooth baby back
772...boys dressed in costumes playing in the backyard
773...time just my mom and me
774...accountability for an early morning run
775...a fresh bunch of books from the library
776...boys swinging together
777...Joshua recalling and acting out Tacky the Penguin after one read through
778...laughing as I try to animate the story
779...the boys laughing at Daddy's "I'm a Meatball" dance
780...stashing notes in Daddy's lunch
781...seeing him in bare feet again and realizing we named him right...Eli James...walking barefoot like Poppy James
782...finding the boys IN the toy bin

783...a family bike ride
784...Joshua pedaling hard and making it to the bridge
785...Eli's first ride on the tag-along bike
786..."Let me give you a married kiss"~ Joshua
787...the shade of our neighborhood tree canopy
788...catching a video of Will walking
789...a lightening storm in the sky
790...seeing Joshua "whack" the ball
791...date night with a fun young couple
792...a walk around the harbor hand in hand on a beautiful evening
793...handmade mother's day gifts
794...breakfast in bed
795...a clean kitchen
796...a special message from my husband (made with magnetic phonics letters) on the refrigerator door
797...my Dad's poetic mother's day wish
798...a beautiful afternoon for a baseball game
799...an exciting baseball game with extra innings and a win!
800...time to take pictures (see link in #799)
801...Micaiah handing me a flower the color of his Gatorade stained lips

802...sunlight streaming through the clouds as we drive home
803...catching a glimpse of the moon out the

Micaiah and Baseball...

Joshua and Baseball...

Will's Walking...

Will staying busy at Micaiah's baseball practice...the bruise on his forehead is from this morning...he had a fight with the refrigerator door

video: if you received this post via email...please visit www.wjmace.blogspot.com to view the video

His Loves...

He is the one that keeps asking for "the dog with legs that can walk"...in fact that is what he asked for when we took him to pick out a reward this past winter...he walked the aisles slowly realizing that he may have to settle for something else.

He chose the "big doggie" and named it "Tanny" (no question why he was drawn to this dog and named it so perfectly...it resembles my Dad's dog Tanner that passed last year).
But just within the past month Tanny has become just as important as his one true love...blankie (also in the picture below).



Tanny is as big as him and something about the way he comes sleepily down the stairs in the morning with his blankie and Tanny clutched in his hands makes me melt. Not to mention the few times I've had to wake him from his afternoon nap and catch him using Tanny as a pillow to rest his sweet little head (yes, there are times when he is throwing a temper tantrum that I would not refer to his head in this manner).

Oh and I just realized there is one more of "his loves" in this picture...his yellow Brazil soccer shirt that was a gift from my mom this past Christmas. If it's not in the washer it's fair game in his book...and I'm not always great about the laundry these days.

Reflections...

“Faith given back to us after a night of doubt is a stronger thing, and far more valuable to us than faith that has never been tested.”
Elizabeth Goudge

Multitude Monday #736 - 760...

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful."
Hebrews 12:28

"When a problem pops up in your life, be glad...A problem gives you two choices. You can get upset and throw a fit, which will take you down into a pit of feeling sorry for yourself. Or you can see the problem as a ladder, a chance to climb up into My Presence...This world will tell you that problems bring you down and make you weaker. But I say, problems are a chance for you to be lifted up and made stronger."
Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids by Sarah Young

Thank you God for speaking to me as a little child...I continue on my journey of thankfulness... choosing to see both good and bad as a way to draw close to you.

736...our backyard alive with color
737...a good cry
738...open and honest communication
739...digging deep and listening to Him to determine the issue at hand
740...a timely call from my aunt
741...a day to make a different choice
742...an outdoor surprise at one of our favorite hiking places

743...seeing him explore a dandelion for the first time...slobber and all
744...seeing him begin to let go of his security and stability and take the risk to stand alone
745...time with a friend
746...making worship CD's with her for encouragement to "think on what is true" during down time
747...boys and bat bags
748...his first game
749...boys causing hurt...that allowed us to talk about what God thinks of him
750...boys offering forgiveness and peace offerings
751...thumb skin healed from the injury on Easter Sunday
752...snuggling with Micaiah to watch the Royal Wedding
753...having a chance to tell him (and remind myself) that the reason we are so captivated by love is because God designed us with a desire to love and be loved that can be filled only by Him
754...Wes' constant reminders
755...hearing him say "Nonny, I think the Chronicles of Narnia tells the story of the Bible" and then hear him process the similarities
756...seeing them explore and find new places to play
757...boys with ice cream cones
758...brothers snuggling in our bed in the early morning
759...Micaiah seeing a picture of Will and hearing him say "I love that little tuft of hair right there."
760...a reminder that when I am weak, He is strong...2 Corinthians 12:9

6 people 12 times-...April...

This picture was taken in our backyard after church on Easter Sunday...another tripod/self timer shot...

Looks Can...

be deceiving! As I was looking through the pictures that I took this afternoon, I fell in love with Will's expression in the one below...then I noticed something black in Will's mouth...so I zoomed in and realized not only did he have mulch in his mouth but he had nasty, gross snot coming out of his nose....

he's still absolutely adorable...and the whole family agrees.

Micaiah said to him recently, "You're just too cute, I can't keep my hands off of you!"

Multitude Monday #681 - #735...

"Oh praise the one who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead."
Kristian Stanfill

I praise Him by counting the gifts He daily bestows upon me...

681...Isaiah 45:3
682...hearing my watch chime the hours
683...hearing him say " I may stay for dinner because I just like being around you guys."
684...hearing stories of donations given to NURU
685...a friend calling to check in
686...realizing Families Where Grace Is In Place is challenging my thoughts on parenting and my relationships in general
687...pink clouds during sunset
688...exploring the mysterious wonders of a cave with Micaiah's class
689...time with Micaiah and his buddies from school
690...hearing him belly laugh
691...baseball with the boys after the rain
692...time to play with the camera
693...mud dripping from rain boots694...leaves on our Japanese Maple tree in the backyard

695...watching an old video and realizing they grow up so fast
696...Eli calling me to see "slimys" at the back door
697...his uniform all laid out for his first game...10 hours later
698...his first hit
699...his first pitch
700...receiving an insurance check for speech and OT services...we were told would never be reimbursed
701...silence
702...time for reflection
703...actively wiping my written sin away as a reminder of what Jesus has done for me through the cross
704...time for communion
705...lighting a candle to remember Christ's sacrifice on my behalf
706...releasing my burdens to the one that is my "Burden- Bearer" Matt 11:28
707...a time for remembrance
708...God answering a prayer for an appointment to be rescheduled
709...watching Will laugh at Dad juggling
710...a run with my Dad
711...dying Easter eggs with the boys

712...an afternoon nap
713...boys playing nicely together for a period of time
714...praying with a friend
715...bike ride with Will
716...purple in the sky at sunset
717...filling Easter eggs
718...designing a maze of strings for the boys to follow to their baskets on Easter morning
719...seeing them walk into church
720...corporate celebration of Jesus' resurrection
721...counting eggs


722...glorious weather on Easter Sunday that only encouraged the celebratory nature of the day
723...a family afternoon hike
724...a first aid kit in the car that came in handy
725...a big purple ball found in the woods at just the right time
726...seeing brothers caring for one another
727...amazement over God's handiwork

728...brothers exploring the woods

729...that my family can climb mountains
730...finding a geocache
731...refreshing cold water on a warm spring day
732...watching them run together to retrieve the car for the rest of us
733...a Dairy Queen treat after an afternoon hike in the woods
734...dinner delivered by a neighbor
735...that Jesus paid it all!

Belly Laughing...

Will laughing at Poppy juggling...he had to have pulled a muscle laughing this hard...keep in mind this video is just a glimpse of the 5 minutes or so he spent laughing...

video: if you received this post via email...please visit www.wjmace.blogspot.com to view the video

After the Rain...

I finally had a chance to take some pictures this past weekend. I don't really feel comfortable leaving Will alone for too long these days so the amount of pictures I'm taking has significantly decreased...so it was fun to capture the boys while they played outside after the rain.

Will and Daddy watched from the window...

Beginning Steps...

video: if you received this post via email...please go to www.wjmace.blogspot.com to view the video

Multitude Monday #644-680 ...

"Let my mouth be full of your praise and your glory all the day long."
Psalm 71:8

I continue on my journey of living a life of thanks to the Lord...

644...bubbles on a warm sunny day
645...Pivotal Circumstances of Andy Stanley's Message on "Five Faith Catalysts"...wow...tears
646...birds singing early in the morning
647...a babies imitation
648...watching him strengthen his muscles in the moon shoes
649...his intensity
650...1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18...give thanks in ALL circumstances
651...a warm spring rain shower
652...Will learning to "throw" a ball
653...God's constant reminder to LOVE
654...my husbands wisdom/encouragement
655...ditching his bike in the woods and running to catch a view of the CSX train going under the bridge
656...early morning baseball with Josh and Eli
657...driving time with Micaiah
658...seeing how he loves his littlest brother
659...a pedicure for tired, hurting feet
660...an afternoon babysitter
661...grass in the yard...even if we had to buy it and even if it lasts only a little while!
662...reminder to stay near to him
663...dinner with my husband
664...the brightness of the colors after a warm spring rain
665...rainy walk with the boys
666...boys in rainboots
667...puddles splashing
668...water flying
669...flashlights
670...batteries (I appreciate these during a power outage)
671...reading books with a flashlight
672...a gas hot water heater
673...his excitement over the Easter story
674...our baptism service at church
675...rejoicing over lives changed and redeemed
676...an afternoon walk
677...time with my best friend to talk and pray
678...a full moon lighting up the clouds in the sky
679...rejoicing over the work of Nuru in Kuria, Kenya
680...a new week to press into Him

Streaming Sunlight...

Joshua enjoying our favorite tree at the neighborhood park...

Multitude Monday #586 - #643...

"Teach me to number my days, that I may gain a heart of wisdom."
Psalm 90:12

One way to number them is to give thanks for days gone by...so I continue my journey toward 1000 gifts...

586...bowling shoes and duckpins
587...sunshine
588...housechurch girls and the way they care for me
589...Joshua welcoming new friends
590...more customers for his daycare
591...him listening to Daddy sing during rest time
592...the joy of hearing him sing along
593...one little monkey jumping on the bed
594...the little man dancing in the car
595...chat time with a neighbor
596...him putting words/sounds together
597...night of prayer for a close friend
598...Eli pretending to be a monkey all day
599...the school system offering some compensatory services
600...encouraging words from his teacher
601...a yard full of neighborhood kids playing
602...reading about those who have gone before
603...pondering the risk vs. the reward
604...connection time with my husband
605...a friends encouragement
606...sleep
607...hearing Eli call out "I see forsythia!"
608...Josh's anticipation/excitement about his book talk
609...alone time with Micaiah
610...warm chowder on a cold rainy day
611...boys dressed as spies...sunglasses, pens and all
612...little boys using the hand held vacuum
613...seeing his little hands wave
614...him cooking in his chef hat and apron
615...catching him look at himself in the mirror
616...seeing him take a step on his own
617...Dance party rejuvenation
618...evening read aloud
619...hearing "Will you snuggle with me?"
620...excitement over elevator buttons
621...wanting more of God
622...chocolate ice cream all over his chin
623...little walking shoes for him
624...lunch out with Eli and Will
625...a neighbors help
626...his persistence in learning the frog stand
627...family movie night at church
628...seeing 100's of families snuggled together
629...popcorn and candy treats
630...heart to heart talk with one I love
631...an early morning run
632...a favorite pair of jeans
633...surprise on my pillow
634...little boy in a baseball hat
635...seeing them play basketball together
636...neighborhood girls night!
637...brothers singing him Happy Birthday
638...Will turning one
639...a fun day at the zoo
640...seeing him in catchers equipment
641...this message especially 14:19 on
642...the example of Paul's heart for the people in Acts 17
643...truths in this book

Happy 1st Birthday Will...

a little year in review...

Will 2 weeks old...

2 months old...

4 months old...

6 months old...

9 months old...

Will today...

Will...we love...

"That you are so fun to play with and you are so cute." - Micaiah

"That when I come down the stairs to see you, you go 'Ah, ah, ah' - Joshua

"I like Will." -Eli

"I love watching and hearing your excitement for life." -Mommy

"I love when I come home from work and you go crazy." - Daddy

Happy 1st Birthday Buddy...we love you!