Awesome pictures!

That's gentleman's observation, and your following thoughts brought tears to my eyes.  Yes, I believe we are all hungering.....and may we find our hunger met, and our thirst quenched by all that is the Holiest of Holys.  Thank you for sharing, once again.

reading your blog is like a breath of fresh air....so refreshing and enjoying. thanks for sharing your day! (btw, i love those boots coco is wearing! i saw them at target and wished they had some in Ari's size!)

Your children are so adorable.
Also, I LOVE the fact that you let them climb trees. I think it's a fundamental part of growing up that no one should ever miss.

they're so adorable... :)

Your post made me cry!  I am constantly hugging my little girl.  I tell her all the time how much I adore her.  I want her to know just that.....AND I want her to know that it's okay to tell others how much we love them too.  There isn't a lot of that going around these days.  We have to instill something of this nature in our children!

I know my mom loves me, but growing up, my sister and I didn't get a lot of hugs or kisses from her.  She just wasn't the lovey, dovey type mom.  Now, we tell one another that we love each other and give a peck on the cheek when we part, either from the phone or when we're visiting. 

A similar story to the older gentleman....only with my own mom--my daughter stays with my mom and dad two days a week and when I go to pick her up, she actually loves to see me come through the door.  One day my daughter and I were goofy around on the couch and she was laughing as I tickled her and talked to her.  Mom, sitting in her rocking chair, just out of the blue says, "Your a good mom Shirley Ann".  It totally stunned me and I said, "What?"  And she said again, "You're such a good mom"  I didn't know what to say but, "Thanks!"  On the way home, I replayed that over and over and I cried.  I was so touched by what she said.

And I also agree with the post above.....kids don't climb trees anymore!  Although my nephew, who is 18, still loves climbing trees!  Most of todays kids sit in front of the tely and play video games!!  What happened!??  They certainly don't know what they are missing by not climing that tree.  I'm thankful that my daughter loves the outdoors.  I have to threaten the "sitting in the dreaded chair for 5 minutes" to get her to come in! 

Cheers to your post! I very much enjoyed it along with the photos.

You are catching beauty.  Love the stories.

I saw some today.  I was driving out of Costco when I saw a man with his 2 little boys, one on each side of him.  They were all drinking soda, and the dad was holding on to one son's hand with his free hand, and with the hand that held his soda, he stuck out one of his fingers to his other son, and his son took it.  They were all smiling and I thought that man was a good dad.  I wanted to roll down my window and yell, "Thanks for showing love to your kids!!"

Things like that, and what you describe w/the elderly man, bring tears to my eyes.

BTW, I like the warm earthy colors of your blankets.

I love reading your posts...

life just seems magical through your perspective. You inspire me to take the time to see the world through my boys' eyes.

We have a gentlemen that lives a couple houses down. He can barely walk, even with his cane, but still manages to get out each day. He often stops and shares stories of the past with us as he passes by our porch. Elijah is always engrossed and I treasure the time with him.

I can't decide which picture I like better ... the one of Eti grinning down at you from the tree, or the one of him and CoCo (in her wings) putting the owl in the nest. That one seriously made me want to write a story about a little wood fairy helping a boy and his owl find a place to sleep!

"Inspired by love"--something we all need. Thank you for the beautiful thoughts!

Sounds like the perfect day. I loved the story about the elderly man, how sweet. Your last two pictures are my favorites.

between reading the words you write and looking at the pictures you have taken with care, i find myself continually amazed and completely encouraged.  it's like a breathe of the freshest air.  your pictures are drenched with exceeding love and passion.  especially the ones of your kids who are absolutely adorable.  i love the fact that you cultivate creativity and playfulness and imagination in your kids.  i love the first picture.  the way the shadow moves and fades out into the bright sunlight is intriguing.  i also love the one of both of them at the tree.  it made me smile.  thank you for posting these personal moments. 

Those blankets! Love the fabric! They look like something my oldest son has.
I am picturing you looking through the slats for the secret place.
I took a photo of Rach when we were out there...she was on her tummy...on a rock...trying to get a good photo of a water lily.. I love to watch her capturing a photo.
I miss her blog.
*sigh*

Sweet post, JO. All of it.

Dxo

wow. what a beautiful moment. that first picture was absolutely amazing...love your babies though. that moment with Eti and then with Coco in her secret world is soooo beautiful. what amazing moments when children's innocence comes to speak volumes in our minds. i wish that i could chase after and attempt to capture more beauties.

pretty sure that i would ADORE to own coco's boots. sooo cute

Thanks for the congrats! We're pretty excited, nervous, anxious, happy..... you know, all those Expecting Parents' emotions!

Coco's wardrobe is always everything I aspire to for Blakeleigh's..... wild, funky, and so expressive of her nature (or so I assume!)

  Would you ever have imagined how many people you'd be affecting

with a simple day out with the kids.  The elderly man,, the kids themselves (obviously)

and each of us that took the stroll with you and had our hearts touched.

Thank you again,

  *~matthew~*

What a wonderful post -- a day at the park, climbing trees, angel wings, pretty boots, a mother and daughter sharing a "secret place",  a wonderful compliment from an elderly man -- all captured so beautifully.

Jo, I know all about the beauties.  I call them 'moments'.   I could use some moments, myself.  I think they become so much more rare when you are a mother of small children.

That picture of Co-Co on the blanket smiling with her moon eyes looks so much like you.  :)  

Love you.

me

so adorable!!!!!!!!

do you know how much you do? how much you accomplish through this blog? your post brought tears to my eyes, and joy to my heart...and any human that is not half-stone will feel the same way, i am sure. God bless you for all the little ways that by responding to His promptings(despite any reserve or misgivings you may have) you bless those around you. all my love-

You capture so many beautiful things with your photography. Thanks for sharing it.

I love these pictures!!! What a fun day!! I love the pictures!! and I so miss my little Emma's boots like that! She grew out of them! I should check ebay for another pair!:o) Hmmmm...there is an idea!