Worship Through Nature

I woke up this morning with the idea of taking Titus up to the woods behind our house. We had never gone up there yet. Since Steve was home to stay with Quincy and the weather was slightly warm, we ventured out. I always get fooled by the sun though. It makes it look warmer than it actually is. We headed out in just sweatshirts and got a little chilly once in the woods and hidden from the sun. Even so, it was great to get out of the house, hike up a hill and explore. Titus is much more adventurous than I often think. He just kept walking deeper and deeper into the woods. Eventually, when he realized just how dark it can be when the sun is no longer visible, he got a little uneasy and wanted to hold hands. He wasn't so much into the sticks and trees and searching for bugs, as I imagined him being, instead he just wanted to walk.

I never think of myself as a nature photographer. I prefer taking, and looking at, pictures of people. This morning though I found it so enjoyable to take pictures of nature. So many different textures. Maybe this is also due to the fact that Titus is entering a stage in which he doesn't want me to take pictures of him. :)

I was also reminded today of a quiz that I took years ago determining how I best experience God. My answers revealed "nature" and "song." So true.

We're off-

Stopping to look at the stream-


on the way to the woods, to our left-

"meandering-(of a person) Wander at random"

view from above-




treasures-

"Acorns come from the tress!"




my favorite picture of the day-






He asked me to hold his hand. I love that little hand in mine and try to cherish these moments. I picture my firstborn as a grown man one day...a day when he will no longer hold my hand-



Uniqueness-



Contrast of texture-

We're almost "out of the woods"-

finding footprints (deer)-

(bird)-

and ice-


on our way home-

Skipping all the way-




The end of winter. Noticing how much Titus has grown by how short his pants have become-

This Little Light of Mine.

this song is my favorite right now. I listen to it over and over again.

Outdoor Playtime

We celebrated the amazingly warm {almost 80 degrees} beautiful day last week by being outdoors for most of it. I was set up on a blanket with a spring fashion magazine. Quincy was playing beside me with some toys. Titus was in the sandbox with his Matchbox cars. Fresh clean laundry drying in the sun. We were in and out many times through the screen door in the sunroom. Such perfect weather to have a sunroom...and a screen door. We have survived the winter and are enjoying the sweetness of springtime. Titus loves that we have flowers growing and, when not hacking them with a stick, pulls them up and brings them inside.

You can see Titus' mind working. That little mischievous sparkle in his eye-

Poor Quincy-

Early Spring

It seems spring is {almost} here. I would really love to have one more snow, but we are enjoying a little bit of warmth and more chances to be outdoors. This morning I took the boys...Quincy in the big wagon, Titus pushing his truck...down to the pond behind the house. We all came back covered in mud but it was worth the extra laundry. It was great to feel the sun on our faces.

Quincy at Six Months

Quincy at 6 months is adorably precious. He is fun and cuddly. He smiles at us...but few others. He is bashful. His chubbiness makes him absolutely squeezable.

He is laid back and just likes to "take it all in." He will lay in his bathtub for the longest time and remain perfectly still. He adores his big brother. He sucks his thumb to go to sleep and snuggles up with his floppy elephant or dog.

We are so head over heels in love with him and we feel incredibly blessed that six months ago we were "given" him as an addition to our family.