slip slidin' away

slip n slide.

i wanted one sooo badly as a kid.

but, my brother, sister and i had to get creative.

we decided to make our own.

we called it the rotten banana.

our knock off version of the wet banana*.

(*link to must see commercial)

ours was made out of a black tarp.

just add some running water.

perfect fun.

my husband and his coworkers

recently conjured up their own version of the slip n slide

during freshmen orientation week 

at berry.

it really outdid any

i've ever seen.

over 200 feet of slipin' and slidin'.

not to mention downhill.

there was also the "kiddie slope".

 for those less adventurous.

or rather, those who didn't want to wait in the mammoth line above.

and guess who wanted to go down.

(with some encouragement from his daddy.)

 getting ready.

and, they're off.

look at him go.

 his hands a little higher than before.

so secure with his daddy holding onto him.

enjoying every second.

i haven't been able to get these images

out of my head.

i can't help but think how

these pictures of my son and his daddy

call me to something greater.

or rather, someOne.

that i would live

with arms up and hands open.

surrendered and trusting

that He is with me.

His right arm around me.

that i would live in the moment.

and not try to control every moment, 

grasping for some sort of self preservation.

that i could stop trying to arrange my life

to avoid inevitable slips and slides.

deviations from my plan.

but to accept His invitation to experience 

them with Him.

the enjoyable and not so enjoyable.

arms up and hands open.

Newborn Shoot with Caiden...Sort of

i had my heart set on doing

 an "official" newborn shoot with caiden.

and then time got away from me.

the other men in my life needed me.

laundry got dirty.

dishes began to pile.

sleep was required.

life happened.

but i did manage to squeeze in a few sweet moments

in front of the camera.

like these.

and then there were flowers

i didn't have to pick.

to go along with the meals

i didn't have to cook.*

that allowed me to catch my breath 

and capture more moments like this.

to enjoy this little one.

with his tiny lashes.

and tiny hands.

tiny expressions.

and tiny feet. 

 tiny gazes.

that melt my heart.

but i must say,

(and i think i speak for all moms)

 tiny rests are the best.

*

special thanks to our church community

for reaching out 

and helping all of us squeeze in a few

more (much needed) tiny rests.

Waiting for Eli

and just like we couldn't wait to meet our
dear caiden,
this family is also waiting
to meet their little boy.

waiting for him to fill these shoes.

waiting to meet their eli.

and welcome him into their family.

a little boy from so far away.

one who is very much in their hearts.

even though he is yet in their arms.

waiting for him to experience a home.

full of laughter
and grace
and love.

thanks to the dilbecks for allowing me do this special mini session.

can't wait to see eli with you.

welcome to our world.

caiden's first hours of life.

so much being done to him and around him.

 measuring.

 listening.

observing.

so many new things to feel.

so many people wanting to love on you.

like big brother and nana.

and who wouldn't want to be loved on by them?

and daddy.

"tickle, tickle, tickle"

dawson's little hands on those tiny feet.

his first visitors.

jana and amy.

the first person to (literally) lay hands on him,

our labor and delivery nurse.

quite possibly the best nurse we could have EVER asked for.

...

and now for life outside of the hospital.

 heading home

with one sweet baby.

and one full family.

welcome to our world, 

little one.