An Important One to Read... changes are coming.

I am in the final stages of moving my blog from Blogger over to the Wordpress platform.  That doesn't mean much to most of you.  BUT, if you are reading this blog post from Google Friend Connect, you will soon no longer receive my updates.

How sad would that be?

To make sure that you don't miss a beat once the change happens sometime this week, be sure to subscribe to the blog here.  You can choose to have it sent to your email or to another blog reading device once you click here. 

If you aren't sure if you read through Google Friend Connect or not, just go ahead and sign up this way - just in case.

I have some fun photos to share with you today, but I really want you to click this link to subscribe to my blog so that I won't lose your precious readership this week after I move to Wordpress.

Did you click it?  Are you subscribed?   Great! 

Now, onto the photos.  All of these are straight out of the camera (meaning no editing).  I don't have time to edit, and I have no idea how to.  Just bein' honest.  Sometimes I just get lucky with my camera.

 From working in the garden this past weekend.

No monumental thoughts about sin this time.  Just planting life.

Standing on a table trying to experiment with new camera angles.

Nature Walk in the Woods at the Grandparent's House.

 

Where we can usually be found.  Laying on the ground while our kids play.

Anyone else have kids that want you in the same room {at the same level} all the time?

 

Yogurt {the healthy icecream}

 

 Hiding in forts of blankets.

Hiding from dinosaurs, and dragons, and sisters.

No superhero to rescue us here.

 At Greenfield Village in Dearborn, MI

Waiting for that icecream truck to come.

And summer to start.

 

Don't forget to go subscribe to these posts.  Just in case you will be cut off from seeing any more adorable photos of my kids and long winded narratives from me.  I think that would be tragic.

We will make the big switch this week sometime.  You may see some times of the blog being down, but this will be a good move.

While you're at it, subscribe to the Better Life Bag shop newsletter to be the first to know about new products, discounts, and shop info!  I have a few exciting changes coming up in the shop that you won't want to be left out on.

 

NEW Set of Children's Prayer Cards & A Contest

First, today is the last day to enter 12 Days Mommy Moments Photography Challenge.  And since I have only entered one picture so far, I figured I better lump them all together in one post to just get it done!

Enjoy some eye candy for a minute. {Then scroll down at the end for a fun NEW product and a CONTEST!}

#5 - Just Can't Get Enough... of those EYES!

#3 - Depth of Field

#7 - Messy Moments

#1 - Where I Spend My Days

#6 "Objects... Vintage Suitcases ("Treasures") that make a great perch to sit on"

#2 - Puts a Smile on My Face

#8 - Makes You Go Yummm!

#12 - Thankful/Blessed

#4 - LOVE/True Love - Baby Girl's 1st Bouquet of Flowers

Check out the rest of the entries here:

And finally... I'm done with the NEW SET of prayer cards!  They are meant to help you pray more specifically for your children.  There are 26 different verses and cards - based around the entire alphabet.

The entire package will be for sale on Sunday.  The wall art will come in two sizes (8x10 and 5x7).  You will receive both with your purchase.  These make great borders in a homeschool room.  Or attach them to some string to make an educational (yet whimsical) banner!  They also make great scripture memory cards as the verses were chosen specifically as ones I want my children to memorize as they grow.  Verse that will help them be successful and look more like Jesus.

Then, you will also receive 26 prayer point cards.  These cards are meant for you - to help you pray more specifically for your children.  The cards coordinate with the wall art. 

Focus on one letter per week to coordinate the education with the spiritual.  For only $10 for the entire set - it's practically a steal.

Now, you can't buy these downloads until Sunday - Mother's Day.  BUT, you CAN get one sent to you FREE.  Here's how:

• Head over to the Facebook page and share the preview image of the Prayer Cards with your friends.
• If you can get 10 friends to head to the BLB Facebook page and tag your name saying you sent them, then I'll send you the entire download set FREE!

Good luck!

 

Lessons from the Playground {Part 1}

I have a feeling we will be spending lots of time at the playground this summer. And since I just got a new lovely to play around with, I thought it would be the perfect time to take the camera off Auto and start shooting in Manual.  {yes, I'm scared... but surprisingly happy with most of my images}

So, I have thousands of shots.  {yes, thousands - thank goodness for digital and the delete button}.  Enough to bring you a ten part serious on the playground alone.  You'll indulge me in oohing and aahing over them with me, right?  {I'm kidding about that ten part series... probably just five}.

Today we'll focus on the swings.   Hey... maybe you'll get a new idea for a photo angle {if you're a wanna be momtog, like me}. 

There is something about a swing that is relaxing and freeing for both the pusher and the swinger.  The swings are relatively safe.  I don't have to worry about treacherous ladders, steep slides, or rambunctious 15 year olds that shouldn't be on the kid's playground.

And for the swinger - they are solitary.  They are predictable.  They defy gravity.  And they are way more enjoyable while wearing a Dinosaur Hoodie.

You can be with someone, but in your own world at the same time while on a swing.  My definition of bliss.

Jonah's first time on the swing always starts this way.  I don't even think he has ever seen anyone do this - he just instinctively knew it would be fun.  I envision a face plant each time he chooses this position.  So far, so good.

Clara is the age Jonah was when I had her.  Practically a baby.  I would NEVER have planned to have her when we did.  But, I can't imagine life any different now.  15 months apart is perfect for us.  While one has no hair, and the other could afford a hair cut every week, their spunk feeds off each other.  Their excitement for life - for swings - is fresh and tangible.

Approaching the swings.  Clara is screaming her war cry of excitement and Jonah is intent... focused on the goal.  A perfect picture of their ever budding personalities.

Until part 2...

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Easter Recap in Photos {lots of photos}

Easter might be one of my favorite holidays.  I love the real meaning behind it.  I love the days leading up to it when I can really focus on Jesus and what he must have been going through on the days before his death.  And the fact that He was going through all of this so that He could be with ME is always overwhelming when I take time to actually think about it.

But, I also love the cheesy and secular traditions of Easter.

The Egg Hunt 

Every year {for the past 30 years} my extended family puts on a city-wide Easter Egg Hunt in the town that my Grandparent's lived in.  A small town, but it's fun to feel famous and important for one day.  The Murphy's really know how to throw a cool egg hunt!

This was Jonah's second year at the hunt.  And while Clara was there last year, she didn't do much hunting.  It was fun to have them both at it this time.  They were both pros at finding the candy.

And both were really good at examining each piece of treasure.

 But there was one major difference in their hunting skills...

I guess Little Love was a tiny bit too excited to stop and eat each piece she found.  Brother knew to just gather as much as you can before it's all gone!

Next year, Peanut, next year...  She did have the sign down for "please" just like Jonah did last year - which warms my heart each time she does the sign accompanied by an almost spitted "peassss".

The Bunny

I don't force my kids to sit on the Easter bunny's lap in the mall.  Honestly?  He looks a little scary to me, too.  But this year, Jonah found a piece of candy with the words, "You won a prize!" slapped to the back {something I NEVER found in my 30 years of attending this family hunt}.  Not only does that mean he got a $5 bill, but he also gets his picture with the Bunny.  Great.  We'll see how this goes.

Hey! Not too bad!

She on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with him.

Easter Clothes

Maybe it's just me, but I like buying Easter clothes MUCH MORE than I like picking out Christmas outfits.  I think I just love the pastels and Spring colors better.  Nothing against Christmas.

This one makes my heart skip a beat each time I look at it.  There is nothing sweeter than a brother-sister kiss.  See?  Heart just jumped.

Never did get Jonah any Easter shoes... oh well.

Hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Easter, too.

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