Laughter really is the best medicine.

I haven't been inspired to take any pictures since Christmas. You see, my kids have been sick. It's January and they have runny noses, chapped lips and cheeks and eye crusties. Who wants to photograph that? I made them laugh and took their picture, anyways. Then I turned them to black and white so you can't see the gross stuff. Laughter really is the best medicine.

I heart faces TEXTURE

My new favorite thing is adding texture to photos. So I was very excited when the I heart Faces challenge this week was texture. I almost used this picture as our Christmas card this year. I opted for one with the girls looking at the camera instead. Because Grandparents like photos of the girls faces! Click on the I heart faces button bellow to view the other entries or enter yourself!

Wordless Wednesday

New Year's Resolutions

I've been thinking about doing a resolution post for the past couple of weeks. Do I really want to write down things that may not get accomplished? Here's last year's resolutions. I did not loose 30 lbs in 3 months. I weigh exactly the same. I did not learn to sew. We did not make more money this year than the last. I did not magically grow more patience for my children. I did further my photography!! Thanks to fabulous friends and family that took a chance on me. I truly hope God continues to bless my business in the coming year.

Looking at last year's resolutions kinda makes me look like a failure. Then I start to think about all the lessons God has taught me this past year, and I realize that God had bigger resolutions planned for me. I am so thankful for the things he has been showing me about myself. Things he has probably been showing me my whole life but I am just figuring out. When he first started showing me things, it felt good and refreshing. The more he started to work on me, the deeper the lessons went. It started to get painful and I wanted them to stop. Who wants painful things that you've buried away to be brought up again and dealt with? Literally, I remember one week I was so joyful and thankful that God was revealing things to me. The very next week I emotionally asked him to please stop. Some things are still too personal to share, but I am going to share some. Lord, please don't stop working on me.

1. There is more of me to give to my family and to others. I am a stay at home mom who cooks, cleans and consoles all day long. How much more of myself is there to give? Isn't being a mom of four small girls enough? God is showing me that with his help, there is more of me to give.

2. I really hate being removed from my comfort zones. It makes me cranky and irritable. However, if I let God remove me from those comfort zones and then I'm open to what he has for me beyond them, my whole thinking and view can be completely changed. (A quote from Beth Moore's Esther bible study, "Any time God calls us to die, His purpose is to reveal larger life.") Calling us to die, for me, doesn't literally mean to die, but certain perspectives and perceptions to die. To die of ourselves.

3. I need to be a transparent Christian. I had already been feeling this and then I started Beth Moore's Esther bible study. Here is one of her phrases from that bible study, "One of the most important ways of fulfilling our destiny, will be transparency." Transparency for me means, when I make a mistake, I need to own it and learn from it. And when I'm going through a trial I need to share with others what I'm going through. Maybe someone is going through that same trial and we can learn from one another. I can count numerous time where I didn't feel comfortable sharing something personal with a fellow christian or family member. Fear of being judged or fear of how you will be perceived is worth it if it helps one other person.

4. My husband really knows what he's talking about and I should listen to him more. Don't get me wrong, I think a marriage is equal but just because I'm running the household doesn't mean I know everything. This economy has clinched our budget. I can't even begin to tell you all the lesson's I've learned from this one hardship. At first I just wanted more money in our bank account and that would fix everything. Then I started to realize that this hardship was one of our biggest blessings. For me anyways. We can live on less. The most important realization was that my husband has had really sound financial ideas for our family and I never thought they were important. It was really a bunch of small things that added together could have changed things for us. I've always know my husband is a real gem and God blessed me when he put us together, but he has never once been bitter or held any of it against me. I would have. If it was something I had been telling him for years and he didn't listen. I'm still blown away that he lovingly waited for me to learn that lesson on my own. What is it about finances that makes people too embarrassed to talk about them? That was hard for me to write.

5. It's ok to be emotional. I am a very emotional person. For years I've been embarrassed about it. (Maybe I should be embarrassed that I cried over blue alien babies when we were watching Avatar the other day.) God is teaching me that he made me this way for a reason. So I can feel what others are feeling. Empathy. I am more open to God's voice when I'm in an emotional state. It's ok to cry and to feel. Why do we feel the need to make our children stop crying and tell them that it's not ok to feel what they are feeling?

Wow! God's resolutions are so much more powerful than my own. I have so many more personal things to deal with that will probably take a lifetime to change.

My resolution for 2010: That my resolutions' be God's and that my heart and mind be open to them.

Laney's 6th Birthday and Family comes for a visit!

We have had a busy two weeks off from school! Laney turned 6. We survived our first birthday party. The last birthday party Laney had, she was 2 and it was a home birthday party. Usually for birthday's we decorate the kitchen table in the birthday child's decor and let them pick a fun family activity for that day. She wanted a bounce house birthday, so that's what we did. It was a blast, despite the fact we forgot the party favors and Laney's Mom decided to make her birthday cake.

Our family from California came for a visit! It was wonderful. The cousins had the best time and remain close friends. We miss them terribly. I didn't take a whole lot of pictures the past two weeks, because I just wanted to enjoy Laney's time off from school and our family.

A Christmas letter

As a mother of four small children, I've always longed for a day when my kids could finally do something for themselves. A day when we could take them out in public and they don't always make a scene. I longed for a day when we could make gingerbread houses and I didn't have to be the only person who is able to actually understand the concept of making a gingerbread house without destroying it. A day where we could go to a Christmas eve candlelight service as a family and actually enjoy it. This is the first year where I've had glimpses of life outside of small children land. It's a very overwhelming feeling when you realize that your children REALLY will not be small for long. I've been looking at pictures of the girls from last Christmas. They have grown so much in the last year. I'm overwhelmed with pride, nostalgia, love, and longing. Josh and I are so blessed to be their parents. Suddenly, I don't want to let them grow up. I want four kids in diapers again.

Addison: The only child we have in diapers right now. She's playing the "I'm the baby" card for as long as she can. We are loving every minute of her being two. She's a mamma's girl and I love her for it. She is by far the easiest two year old we have ever had. She warms everyone she meets with her big brown eyes and tiny voice. Her sisters have finally welcomed her into the big girl club and she couldn't be happier. We love you Addy Mae.

Savanna: She is definitely our most unique child. I mean that in a very loving, motherly way. Sometimes, it's hard for me to explain her personality. Have you ever seen the movie "The Family Stone"? The character that Rachel McAdam's plays is how I see Savanna when she's older. She loves her family. She is very loyal. Once you pass her test, she will love you for life. She's just one of those kids who's a very good judge of character and is choosy about who she lets in her life. The characteristic trait that she shares with her Daddy. She's very loving and sweet. She's a Daddy's girl. Sharing has been her biggest challenge this year. We are certain she will master it by next Christmas. We love you so much Savanna Grace.

Olivia: This picture of her is very true to life. She is our sweet girly girl. That's saying a lot when you have three sisters. She loves to wear dresses. She tells me I look pretty. She's the most affectionate and would never hold back a kiss or a hug. She wants to get married and kiss boys. (I know, I know. Poor Josh.) She loves to dance and looks like a ballerina. As soon as we possibly can, we are going to put her in ballet. She is very musical, loves to sing and plays her imaginary musical instruments. Olivia Claire, we love your fairy, imaginary, girly ways. xoxo

Laney: She is the coolest kid. Seriously. She started Kindergarten this year. And as much as I miss her at home, she is doing really well and loves school. I could tell that math was her thing. Her teacher confirmed that fact at our parent teacher conference. Her teacher also said she is the nicest most genuine child in the class and is consistently wanting to help others. Wow! The best compliment ever. As most parents know, Josh and I cannot take credit for it. She has a heart of gold. She remains an avid Star Wars fan. She turns 6 in four days. By far the most responsible sister. Laney Rose, we are so proud to be your parents. Love you to the moon and back. (P.S. If it's not too much trouble, could you please stop growing up so fast.)

Merry Christmas from the Staples family. December 2009

Merry Christmas!

Our four little angels, would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas! Enjoy our festivities, from throughout the month, through these photos!