I didn't take a single picture today, and it felt good. (I nabbed the one above off of my church's website). I think I probably take too many pictures most of the time anyway, but last week was a whole other experience. We went to church today for the first time this summer. Historically, our church runs from September - June, but for the last few years they've been trying to get summer services going including children's religious education. We still really like the break, though. I think it makes us appreciate it even more. I wanted to go today because there was a special hymn service where people could request certain hymns in advance. Before (or after) we sang each hymn the person who requested it told a story about why it was special to them. It was a really lovely service, and I was teary through much of it listening to people's stories. What a joyful feeling to be in a much loved community. I'm still singing "Gather the Spirit".
We came home for a relaxing afternoon. I worked on school plans, Jack built Lego and Lucy made up stories with chess people and dominoes. Well, relaxing in between incessant and ridiculous sibling fighting and cleaning our cupboards in an attempt to get a handle on the carpenter ants.
When I look at the past week, much of it seems mundane and repetitive. But I know that even just a few months from now I'll come across it with different eyes. I'm glad I don't live with the camera in front of my face constantly, but this project did give me the opportunity to see every day things in a different way. In thinking about what I would take pictures of, I slowed down some how to really pay attention to the things that were happening. I found lots of beauty around me that I may not have normally noticed. This has given me a new understanding of why the people who make the "pretty blogs" do it. When you start noticing that beauty, it is hard to stop! I also learned that Lucy really likes to take pictures of her feet, shod or not. Oh, and you people who normally blog EVERY day? My hat is off to you!
