photojournal: hillridge farms family day

 Happy Fall, Ya'll!

never gets old

My apologies in advance if it gets a bit preachy up in here today : )

Ephesians 2: 1(emphasis mine)

As for you, you were dead in your transgression and sins...


Ephesians 2:4 (emphasis mine)

But, because of his great love, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved.

I was reminded of the truth possessed in these two verses yesterday. Before I made the decision to follow Christ I wasn't just broken, messed up, or not quite trying hard enough. I wasn't a good person trying not to do bad things. I wasn't a bad person trying to do good things.

I was dead.

As a doornail.
(whatever a doornail is?)

But.
BUT!!!!

I just love me a great big but.

But because of Gods love...I have been made alive.

In the words of the great theologian, Taylor Swift, I want to never ever ever..
get over that.

Ever.

If you've been made alive too, I pray you aren't over the fact either. If you have no idea what I'm talking about but would like to know more, privately email me and I'd love to tell you what God has done for me and answer any questions you might have.  jennifer @ jenniferhambrick . com

Good Monday everyone!

thursday thoughts (on Friday)

We went as a family this week to vote.

Next time I would take all four kids and leave the husband at home as he taught the kids to yell out "Long love the King!" at random times while we were at the voting center. True story.

Although I think the looks of disdain from passerbys were a bit harsh. They were just trying to have a little fun. 

Ahem.

Jeremiah is taking the kids up to Virginia for the next 36 hours to go to a fundraiser for his parents "House of Hope" in Haiti. I can't go as I've got more photo shoots this weekend (and a lot of editing to catch up on...)

Do you realize what that means for me people?

I am going to be entirely alone and by myself for the next 36 hours!!!!!!!!!
(Except for our ferocious pit-bull that is guarding me and my loaded gun should you be a weirdo reading this and think up any malicious plans.)

What in world am I going to do with myself?

Probably some lame things like clean the house and grocery shop. But maybe I'll get a little crazy and go get a pedicure or something? Who knows...

Happy Friday!

title adjustment

We shall no longer refer to her as Zoe Elizabeth.

She is hereby known as The Great Condiment Re-Arranger...

Has a nice catchy ring to it, eh?

just ask

Eli has been a part of our family for 2 years, 3 months, 3 weeks and 2 days.



I could try to put into words the way this sweet little boy has burrowed his way into my heart...but it would be inadequate.

I've written before about the dance of attachment in our process. Awkward and unnatural at times, easy and in-step at other times. The more we danced, the more it flowed. I learned him and he learned us. Sometimes (more and more often as time goes on...) there is even a beautiful twirl.

One thing recently that has bothered me on my mommy-level and has made me realize that despite the millions of miles we have come we still have more miles to go...is Eli's hesitancy to ask things of me.

Ezra comes out of his bed at night at least once a week to ask for a drink of water or to climb into bed with us because he is scared. You could set your clock to Ella's request for a popsicle after lunch. And Zoe, with her points, grunts, baby signs, and screams...asks for things all the live long day.

Eli never gets out of his bed until he wakes up in the morning. Ever.
Eli will chime in with a request once someone else has initiated the question. But he is never the initiator.

This scenario plays out a lot:

Ella: Can I have a _____________?!
Me: Yes.
Ezra: Can I have one too?!!!!
Me: Yes.
Eli: silence...................
Me: Eli would you like a ____________?
Eli: Yes.

I know he wants it.
I want to give it to him.

I just want him to ask for it.

Because then I know that he knows I desire good things for him. Then I know he trusts me.

I was talking to God about this during a recent quiet time, voicing frustration on how far I still have to go with  my son and desiring wisdom on how to encourage this from Eli. How can I grow confidence in him to get him to the place where he will ask things of me on a regular basis?

Then, in the quiet and small yet thundering way the Holy Spirit speaks I heard the rebuke...why don't you ask me for things? I desire good things for you. I want you to be confident in me. I want your trust. 

Just ask.

If you, then, though you are sinful, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:11

I don't care if Eli just asks me for a drink of water or to fly him to the moon, I just want him to ask. I just want him to trust me.

It doesn't matter if it is small or big, HE just wants me to ask. HE just wants me to trust HIM.

Its not even about the answer, its just about the asking. The relationship is revealed in the asking.

What are you holding back on asking? 

Just ask.

rainy day solutions

On a recent rainy day I was beginning to get a bit twitchy with all the un-released energy coming out of my children in some, ahem...not so positive ways.

I know, I know...hard to believe. Not my children!

My solution?

The pillow pit.

Have the kids gather up all the sofa cushions, pillows, and unused blankets in the house and throw them into a big pile in the family room. Cover all hard coffee table edges. Let the fun ensue...

Don't forget to laugh when your child emerges from the bottom of the pit with some left over popcorn stuck to her face...

Energy released.
Sanity restored.

photojournal: the recent work of jennifer hambrick photography

Its been a busy few months, but I am loving it...and learning a lot.
A whole lot.

Click here to visit my  website for more info.

the revelations found in an afternoon at the park

Last Friday was gloriously beautiful. 

Highs near 70, sunny, and perfect. 

Just perfect. 

Too perfect to just stay indoors. 

We got through school quick, motivated by the beckoning sunshine, and headed out to a local park.

I brought my camera, a rare occasion these days when I have all 4 with me at an outing, as keeping up with Zoe kinda cramps my photo taking style. However, I have been sorely lacking in documenting my family in photos this month and was determined to capture some memories.

When we got back home and I was looking though my photos, I had to laugh at how much truth is revealed in these simple shots.

Ella is silly and strong and was all about finding "new" ways to master the playground. Going from one side of the park to the other without touching the mulch, etc. And getting in some major air...

Zoe is just busy.
Busy,busy.
Moving from one thing to the next, enjoying it all.

Eli was slow and methodical, but mastering every playground apparatus with a developing confidence that makes my heart want to shout.  He initiated a few friendships of his own this afternoon, a new thing for him, and I loved watching their sweet interactions. This very same balancing rope was impossible for him the last time we visited this park...NOT ANYMORE!

Finally, I have not one picture of Ezra.
Zero.
Zilch.
Nada.
He was too busy running around with his new found 10 best buddies, directing their play, and conquering the playground.
Stopping for pictures for his mommy was rather low on the priority list this afternoon.

Yeah, kinda amazing how much can be revealed during an afternoon at a park.