Looks like Anthropologie, right?

$2.99 @ Savers.

Braverijah Sage in Mexico. Whatever went on during this trip...seems to have been life changing. We are hearing much about it. In spurts. Over time. As the memories come.

I can't wait to see the shot Bria got through his lens as another team member got this shot through theirs.

The Avett Brothers

Loving them.

Click PAUSE on my Music Player.

Mcabe did such a wonderful job as my second shooter. He's got a FANTASTIC eye and a way with people that immediately puts them at ease.

Proud Mama....I am.


These are two of my favorite Mcabe moments of the nite.

Cedars of Lebanon

Kellan Lutz Attached to 'Cedars of Lebanon'

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It's time to pray peoples. Hardcore prayers coveted.

And, over at cinemablend.com

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One of my kids e-mailed me their Writing assignment to print out. Along with the assignment came this note......

"and mom i'm sorry for cheating on my math homework. i was lazy and didn't want to figure it out :(

i thought no one would figure it out."

Oh, Lord. Please expose all of it...whatever needs to be exposed...in all five of them...and in me, Lord. Thank you for doing it little by little though. You are gracious. You are gentle. You are faithful.

UPDATE:

I am so smart. I figured out where the question came from.

We were at the park mingling with our group. Next to us...was another group. A large group celebrating a child's birthday. Maybe 40 people. All speaking spanish....having what looked to be a wonderful time.

At a certain point...a pinata was raised and all the kids at the birthday party took turns swinging at it...blindfolded and helped by adults.

In my experience....pinatas come in all shapes and sizes. Kermit the Frog...Sponge Bob...Teen Age Mutant Ninja Turtles...etc.

This pinata... that all the kids at the party were swinging at.... was different though. It was a princess pinata. The princess was very pretty and had long golden hair. The children were swinging bats at a beautiful blond princess pinata.

I though it was strange...a bit off but I never mentioned anything to anyone. Someone in our group commented on the oddness of the scene taking place a few feet away. Just then, an adorable little blindfolded spanish speaking boy was abusing the beautiful blond princess pinata as an older spanish speaking man was cheering him on.

I can only imagine what was going through Zion's mind.

Aside from beating the beautiful blond princess with a stick while laughing and pulling her limb from limb so as to get at all her candy...this family seemed like a really sweet bunch.

Odd pinata choice.

_________________________

Zion blows me away when she is just being Zion.

Recently, we are standing around doing nothing much with a whole bunch of people whom we do not know..... when she gives me the "Mom, come here" look. Her cute little 6 year old head motions kinda sorta subtly (kinda sorta obviously) for me to come closer.

My first thought...she must have to go to the bathroom.

Nope.

She whispers in my ear....in the sweetest, most docile, confused voice possible "Why are Mexicans not allowed across America's border again?"

I pause. Did I just hear her right? What could possible have brought this question up now? In this setting?

I look around.

We are surrounded by a variety of faces...shades...ethnicities. There is a Native American looking guy (I think????) who might pass for Mexican???????

"What, Zion?

"Mexican people...why aren't they allowed to come over America's borders?"

She is waiting for my response. Patiently.

Why are you asking?"...I ask.

She shrugs her shoulders. "No reason. It's just one of my questions."

"One of your questions?"

Yeah, you know....like how did people make tools before there were tools?"

All I could do was laugh and tell her we'd talk about it later. I gave her a kiss and sent her off to play...silently thanking the Lord for this deep thinking, sensitive, and articulate daughter.

Our family has spent much time in Mexico. All sorts of different places in Mexico. We have crossed many borders over the years. Back and forth...in and out.

Bradley and Mcabe have recently travelled to Costa Rica and Tijuana and Bria is currently in Puerto Penasco doing some missions work....maybe all these journeys have her mind going?????

She accompanied me on a walk-thru for the Quinceanera I shot this week-end. We talked a little bit about the traditions and significance of this cultural event in a young girl's life. She heard it told that many multi-generational family members would be coming all the way from Mexico to help celebrate this very special birthday.

I'm wondering if in her mind she thought they would all be breaking the law by attending?????

And, if her mother was turning a blind eye and calling their "questionable activity" a good thing?????
_____________________________________

When we get some quiet time...I make sure that Zion understands to the best of her ability the enormous illegal immigration problem we face as a nation and that not all Mexican folks cross our borders illegally...and that not all illegal immigrants are from Mexico.

"Ohhhhh. Nooooooow I get it. That makes sense," is her response.

_____________________________________
Lou Dobbs was up for discussion this week. And...our television...if it's not tuned into the Food Network or Project Runway...well then it's probably turned to Fox News.


We talked politics around the dinner table growing up. And we talked about ethics, morality, and all sorts of social issues.

I'm pretty sure it contributed to who I am today (good or/& bad...depending on how you look at it.)

JJ Heller

JJ Heller is really really super cute. And her music is special.



As someone who is inspired by & motivated visually....it's not always easy posting "imperfect" images. But, I must tell you....that nite was pretty close to perfect.

Intimate & spontaneous. What you see is what you get.

No time to change my lens and a flash would've been intrusive.

I told Zion we were going to snap some photos on our way to the library...so she was to get dressed.

I love this kid's sense of style. She has got it going on...if not always conventional in her choices...she is always interesting and somehow wonderful.



The new library is pretty fabulous to look at as well.

PAUSE my Music Player first.

I guess many people have already seen this...but I did today for the first time. I LOVE this little girl. She SO thinks like me. I am convinced that we are kindred spirits.

Starlight Dancers

We participated in our first holiday party of the season. Weird....considering it's still summerish here in the Sonoran Dessert.

The girls greeted & escorted 150 ladies invited to a community craft nite/outreach event.

And then....they praised the Lord through dance.




Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

Oh, Lord....sometimes...all I can do...when all else fails...

....is to cling to this passage.

Help me to choose this truth first. Before all else fails.

Happy B-Day Galilee & Daddy

Okay....someone's been playing with my camera settings....because things are lookin' a lil' fuzzy around here.

We have a 14 year old and a 43 year old in the house!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Bria and Mcabe took the girls to a movie. It's nice having teen-agers.

Funky Hat Skate Party

We show up at 10 a.m. ready to hit the ice...when we are informed that we are two hours early. PANIC! I call one mom who helps me call all the other moms/1 dad...and as a group we pull it together...postponing the party for a few hours. What a bunch of troopers I am surrounded by. Nobody blinked an eye at the inconvenience but instead...showed up at noon w/bells on.

Thank you, Friends for loving me even when I mess up.

Diggity

Braverijah's latest short.

Emma Grace

Emma Grace has the sweetest spirit. But do not let her sweetness fool you. She is a spitfire!

Love this little girl.

Daniel 2:21-23

21 He changes times and seasons;
he sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.

22 He reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what lies in darkness,
and light dwells with him.

23 I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers:
You have given me wisdom and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
you have made known to us the dream of the king."

thank You, thank You, thank YOU....Lord.

For the Holy Spirit's convicting work.

You, Lord are worthy to be praised.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

The Wrestler

Although I appreciate Mickey Rourke's acting skills...and I think Evan Rachel Wood and Marissa Tomei did great work here too...and I think the cinematography was superb...I cannot get behind this film. The nudity...although it was authentic to the character and drove home the desperateness of the character's circumstances...was over the top gratuitous. There was also a really gorey fight scene...ehhhhh....coulda lived w/it....but nooooo......too much in the long run.

The best scenes in the film took place behind the deli counter. Simply brilliant.
Mickey Rourke shoulda gotten the Oscar. He was that good in this film.