May Photo Challenge!

I've seen other people do monthly photo challenges and they always looked so fun!  I really hope I can keep up with it.  Basically, someone out there creates a list of things you need to take photos of on certain days.  I'm trying not to look ahead so that I can try to appreciate what's around me rather than searching for the "right photo". I'm probably going to use my IPhone to take the pics so I don't have to "plan" my photos when I'm out and about, but I will have fun changing the setting with Instagram!!  It's amazing what you can do with just a phone.  Here's the link if you want to join me.  It's not too late.

May1: Peace. So I found out about this photo challenge at 10:30 pm on May 1.  So Ithought hmmm...what's the most peaceful thing right now.  Oh yeah, my kidssleeping!  I actually turned on the lights in both their rooms so I couldget a good picture.  Neither moved a  muscle.  Praise the Lordfor great sleepers!  I check on them before bed every night.  I couldstare at them sleeping all day.

May2:  Skyline.  Thisphoto was taken on McKinney Falls road.  It's where my school is and wherethe Police Academy is.  This is my 6th year at this school and I havealways loved the views.  There are always fields of beautiful flowers(weeds as my dad likes to remind me).  These are just some of thesunflowers.  On the other side of the street is a view of downtown, but Ididn't want to go across traffic.  This looks more calming anyway

May 3: Something you wore today.  These are my all time favorite sandals.  I wore them today with old jeans and a t-shirt and sometimes I've worn them with formal dresses!  They can dress up or dress down any outfit!! Fave!!

May 4:  Fun!.  Cade's friend, Bishop came over to play today and boy do these boys know how to play!!  It always involves fighting over toys, but they still giggle.  Bishop things everything Cade does is so funny. 

May 5:  Bird.  There was no way I was going to get a picture of the beautiful birds in our backyards with just my iPhone, so I decided to use my little man for this picture.  We taught Cade lots of sign language that I had learned in college.  He has remembered it so well.  This is his version of the sign for bird.  It is really supposed to just be two fingers that look like a bird's beak, but he's always used his whole hand.   

May 6:  You.  So, I didn't feel like taking a picture of myself today, but I did take a picture of one of my favorite pictures of myself.  I've never been more joyful than when I was pregnant.  This is when I was 8 months pregnant with Lyla. 

May 7:  Someone that inspires you.  I was going to sneak in and take a picture of Ryan while he was studying, but I wasn't sneaky enough.  I knew that this time would be rough while Ryan was in the Academy, but his attitude about this time has been great!  He wanted to do this and he's really doing it!  He studies so much and plans time to be with the family as well.  There isn't "extra relaxing" time that Ryan used to enjoy alot.  I know one day this will all pay off!

May 8:  A smell you adore.  This is a gardenia from my dad's bush in his front yard.  Both houses I lived in as a kid had gardenia bushes.  When they bloomed we used to love to cut the flowers and give them to friends and neighbors.  My dad brought several to my house and they make my kitchen smell great!!  So much better than dirty diapers, spit up and vomit!

May 9:  Something you do every day.  Think about my mom!  Some days I think about many of the positive things my mom taught me and the things that I plan on teaching my children.  I also think about all the things I never got to ask her.  As a mom I have so many more questions for her. 

May 10:  A favorite word.  I found this Bible verse that my mom had written down and put in my softball bag when I was in high school.  These words speak volumes to me now!  I know she meant for me to find this today!  So, my favorite word today is "The Word. The Holy Bible"

May 11:  Kitchen.  I would have been crazy to take a picture of my kitchen since it only stays clean for about 3 minutes a day!  So, I took a picture of my 3 walls in my kitchen.  I painted these a while back while Ryan was working at the Fireworks stand and I just needed a change.  I love it!  People ask me about it all the time.  I'm not sure if it's because they like it or don't like it, but I really like it!

May 12:  Something that makes you happy.  These are my friend Angela's boys.  I've loved these boys before I had my own kids.  I love watching them play with Cade and Lyla.  They are so sweet to them.  This is Spencer driving a Jeep with Cade in the passenger seat and Dawson sitting on the "trunk"  Cade was really having fun he just hates taking pictures right now.  Spencer prentended to turn on the radio and all the boys were singing and dancing!  I am going to miss them so much!

May 13: Mum.  I'm so thankful for these two "tots".  They are my life and my joy!  Happy Mother's Day to me!

May 14: Grass.  I've never been more thankful for grass in my life.  Cade loves to play in the water and in the sand.  Last summer it meant lots of mud because some of our grass had died.  I'm so thankful that Ryan put some seed and some new grass down!!!  This summer will still be full of water but no MUD!!!

May 15: Love.  That's my man!! :)

May 16:  What you're reading.  Thanks to one of my many English teacher friends, I'm reading The Help on my iPad!

May 17:  A Snack  Lately Cade has wanted peanut butter and pretzels for his snack.  He puts them on his giraffe chair and then sits on his little stool.