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.jpg "becky earl film peek")
peeking out of the mess I am buried under to say…
NEW YEAR RESOLUTION #1- Be a better friend to you all. And by that, I mean…be a better blogger.
See you REAL soon!
Love more. Live better. Create now.
♥ be
Jessie asked me this morning, “mamma, how do you grow up?” and I simply stated, “you just live your life and before you know it, you’re grown up.”
It was a great question. Cause really you don’t think about how much you’ve grown until you realized how much you’ve grown up from the last time you thought about it.
And then it came. The feeling of being punched in the gut. The kind that makes you want to throw up and cry at the same time. You know it.
How do I have a child that is almost six years old? How am I on my last baby? How will two of them be in full time school next year? How will this be the last year I nurse a baby? Since when did my son start talking and running around with his sisters? How have I been married almost SEVEN years? How have I been graduated from high school almost TEN?
You don’t think about it-
until you realize they take a little bit more of the couch then they use to.
until she tells you she wants to write to her cousins, “all by myself”.
until he will finally give you more then 2 seconds to take a picture of him…smiling…looking at you.
until your baby gets a little more chunky, a little more aware, a little more happy.
Then you make a vow to never take a day with them for granted. You make yourself promise you will be more present in every moment.
And then…you just live your life.
I know I’m sure to miss
A vital part unless you keep
Reminding me of this.
There’s so much that I want to do,
A lot I’ve left undone,
So many plans discarded,
And a few I’ve not begun.
Life passes by so fast, Lord,
How often I’ve been told,
It always does around the time
That we are growing old.
For everything a season
Is wise as well as just,
But I had rather wear me out,
Than fall apart with rust.
Life passes by so fast, Lord,
The days, the months, the years,
Lord keep a smile upon my lips,
And blot away the tears.
Teach me to lean upon Your arm,
When pain and sickness strike,
To tell the facts from fancies,
That sometimes look alike.
Life passes by so fast, Lord,
And yet how kind You are,
In granting me the precious years,
That I have had so far.
So let the days grow shorter,
The darkest shadows part,
But put the wrinkles on my face,
…And never on my heart
By Grace E. Easley
Thanks for looking!
♥ be
and now here I sit. in tears. you have such a gift, Becky. a gift for capturing life as it is, right this second. and a gift for writing about it, and telling a story at the same time. beautiful. and thank you for the reminder that life is so very short, and to live each day and treat each moment as a gift. (your timing for this was perfect for me!)
This past year the reality of getting older has hit harder than ever before. Is my daughter really 10 years old and now wearing a bra?! Has it really been 15 years since I graduated from high school?! Will I have the courage to have another child now that so much time has gone by…? I start hearing that dang ticking of the clock in my head. I loved how you mentioned the couch. I remember when my daughter fit entirely on the middle cushion, laying down on her blankie. Wow, that almost seems like another lifetime.
Oh Becky! I love these, but ESPECIALLY the one of your oldest son! So adorable! Love what you wrote too. xx
Becky Earl.. you amaze me, in ever way. These pictures and your words tug at my heart strings 
And in answer to your question on my blog.. if you are serious.. OH YES! Are you kidding me, yes!
beautifully written.
I am emotional today anyway, now I feel ten times more so. Thank you for sharing what comes from your beautiful spirit.
Awesome…… just freaking amazing! What a perfect way of words and images!
So true! I had my six year wedding anniversary this summer and my 10 year is also around the corner. I can’t believe that I am no longer a young adult, but an ADULT! How is this possible? I fee 16!!! Crazyness! Love the pics And I can’t wait to finally meet you on Monday.
Love this post…a lot.
My 20 year reunion was this week, my oldest is 16 (dating and driving), my youngest is in his last year of elementary school, and I am 2 years away from being 40. How did that happen?
Beautiful images…
Amazing …words and pictures!
And with this blog post it reminds me I am another year closer to 25 sigh……great photos becky.
precious <3 brought tears to my eyes! just found your blog and just love it!!!
That the brightest they will ever shine is when they serve others?
That their faith can move mountains?
That they can change someone’s life with a simple smile?
That their self worth can never be taken away by anything another human being says?
That others will follow their example. So lead in righteousness.
That time will heal their wounds?
Will they know that they have awakened my very being? Changed my every thought and feeling of who I am. That they make me better every day of my life?
With everything I am, I will help them to know.
Thanks for looking!
♥ be
Lucky in love!
Beautiful, I love the quote. Expecting baby #2 in March.
always something special with your posts Becky. I’m on the fence about going for #3, your little family always makes me think I should just go for it. x
OMG…love. and i’m kind of obsessed with you and all you create. just thought i should share. xo. deb
BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-YOU-TIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Beautiful!
What an absolutely perfect picture of your children right now and the love they have for each other! Such a wonderful post. Thanks for the inspiration!
I LOVE this my friend
i have to echo deb’s feelings….so over the moon with your words, your imagery, your journey, your sharing…xo
I had to google this to see who wrote it and then I realized you did! So so beautiful… both the photo and your words. They will love this.
BEAUTIFUL, Becky!!
Hey all! Happpppy Monday. Is that even possible to have a happy Monday?
I, personally, like ‘em.
Mondays are usually the days I kick my bum in gear and get the house together, get everyone ready before, oh say noon, and actually have a plan for dinner before…actual dinnertime.
They feel like a fresh start. A new beginning. A clean slate.
Plus, my husband is gone allll day at school on Mondays and for some reason when he is not at home, I turn into this domestic goddess. I don’t know why, but its true! When he is home, I turn into this person who is always sooo tired and overwhelmed. Maybe its cause he is SO helpful that I slack off or completely turn off…one of thoseBut not Mondays. Mondays I throw Jane in the sling, while vacuuming, making pb&j’s and curling my hair all at the same time- with a smile on my face.
Totally bizarre.
Anyways. I am dropping off about 5 rolls of film today so I am so stoked to get those back and share with you…but before I go anywhere, I need to announce the 5 winners of the Blog Your ART Templates from the post before last.
Drumroll please…..
1. Julie David Photography’s comment…I LOVE, yes absolutely LOVE photography. It can capture in an instant, what will soon be forgotten in a busy world. A photograph takes you right back to the memory of that instant, the smells and smiles, the warm sun or the cold rain. It lets you remember your life.
2. Maryanne Gobble Photography’s comment…Photos are how I write love letters to my spouse, how I highlight the handiwork of our creator to my kids. We hike, explore, push the limits, delight in details and it’s become this inclusive group experience. A few days ago we listened to the wind while the sun set and the bats came out from the trees. Everyone wanted to know why I came without the camera! My heart sang to realize photography is not longer a burden but a treasured part of my family’s life.
3. Oana Adriana’s comment…Photography is life at its greatest and at it’s worst. It’s not just about catching the beautiful images when a child is born, or of a couple getting married, or even a family shoot, it’s about all that and all the in between. Dads tears as he watches his little girl grow right before his eyes, the gap toothed grins of a one year old learning to walk, an eight year old showing off his first A proudly or learning to tie his shoes. Life is magic! Life is art! Art is photography and I love it so!! <3
4. Julie Gaylor's comment...Photography is special to me because it is the way I focus on the positives in my life. There have been so many challenges, and so many negative things in my life, including abuse and getting caught up in the wrong things… Photography is a way to freeze the beautiful, the amazing, the meaningful, and the highlights of life worth holding onto. Later, when I glimpse those things I am wrapped in God’s love once again and I remember how blessed I am to have held those moments. My art is a perfect picture of a feeling and an emotion…and I’m so thankful for you asking that question because I have not had to really answer before! Blessings, Julie.
5. Nicole from Bird on a Wire Photography's comment...Photography has not only become a creative outlet, or the one thing (besides all the important stuff) that alma and I have in common, it is about preservation. In that, when all is said & done in this life, very few things are kept and reminisced upon. But photographs literally stand the test of time. Having had some of my family pass, photographs are invaluable. Good photographs are priceless. There have been times in my life that were hard. But being able to look back at the memories in a palpable form (photos) is what it’s all about for me. I will cherish the pictures I have of my sweet boys in the NICU because of the life’s lessons that come along with them. Plus, they’re just great pictures.
Look for an email from me winners. And here is the link if you would like to purchase them anyways: HERE
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO COMMENTED! I loved hearing why photography is special to you. Thanks for the support, love and letting me find people who share the same passion.
And because I love them so. My two oldest children.
Thanks for looking and letting me ramble to you!!
♥ be
Thank you so much, Becky!! I am so thankful to be part of such a wonderful community drawn together by these beautiful pieces of art. Thank you, thank you!!
Thank you so much! I already download and gave them a whirl! Will come in handy.
Congrats winners! And, so funny that you feel that way about Monday’s, I am not sure I’d go as far to say that I turn into a domestic goddess, but I do love the ‘get-it-all-back-in-shape’ feel that Monday’s bring. I love the cleaning up the weekend mess and getting prepared for the week.
Thank you Becky for making my monday a happy one! Can’t wait to see what’s on your five rolls . Enjoy ~J
I can’t wait to play more with this type of light. It makes my heart sing. And so do these Polaroids! <3
Winners of the BLOG YOUR ART TEMPLATES will be announced Monday morning!!!
Thanks for looking! Happy Friday!
♥be
well YOU are a light in the dark of my google reader! these are divine. i couldn’t quite articulate a response to your post the other day (i rarely can articulate anything, really) but i agree and find your freedom refreshing.
i am so excited by these becky. i think i know the type of light you mean, the little beam of it coming in from a lighted room into the dark room. i’ve laid down and watched it on my children before—wasn’t sure how to photograph it. i love your polaroids too. and i love your last post too. its what marty calls “being true to your school.” you do it better than most.
Gorgeous Becky, you always blow my mind. And they are so darling Noah and Sadie must play again soon..
So lovely!!!
Becca - Love it
that cute picture cracks me up 
kirsten - Well I love your photography and your posts, so I won’t argue with you posting more…but enjoy your life and post when inspired! We will love u still!
Imene - Love love your new year resolutions!