Basically...

This is how I look most of the time. Chip thinks that I take entirely too many photos. They are not all good, that is part of the reason that I have to take so many. The other reason is that I have learned from experience that I will always want more. I don't believe there is such a thing as too many pictures. You don't have to print them all (now that we have digital cameras), you don't have to even look at them all if you don't want to, but they are there if you ever need them.
I pulled out some discs and looked back at my kids a year ago. (Yes, I burn my photos to cd's on a monthly basis. Sometimes more...) I couldn't believe that I took so many photos. And I couldn't believe how they had changed so much. My own kids! I mean, really, you'd think I'd know this- I live with them, right?! Yet, it was all in front of me...they have changed and grown and we have different beds (no more cribs in my house!!) and life has passed us by since then. We've made lots of memories in a year. I am glad to have caught so many in picture form. One day maybe Chip will thank me. =)
The real point of all of this is that I plugged my camera in to recharge the battery two days ago, and I haven't snapped a photo for 48 hours now. It's like I'm in detox...I have this feeling that I have missed something big.
Actually, we had some friends over for dinner tonight and I should have taken pictures. Chip did the cooking (his famous ribs-yum! and that Chocolate Bread Pudding with spiced whipped cream- double yum!) and we had a nice time. It has been a mellow couple of days around here (love that!) and I just kicked back with the kids (playdough all afternoon yesterday) and didn't even feel pressure to blog. I guess I do have a life outside of Nitty.Gritty.
Anyway, just had to remind [myself &] you that life passes us by. Enjoy the downtime. Enjoy the everyday. Tell someone you love them- for doing stuff that they do for you all the time. Sometimes those are the things we forget about. I love when Chip is home- to cook, to play with the kids, to help with the baths. He doesn't realize that it's a big deal to me and the kids. But it is. We like it when he's around. =)
So, basically I just wanted to say take pictures. Even if they aren't that spectacular or special. One day you will look back on them and thank yourself. Love your life this moment, because this moment will be gone in a minute. (I know...that's really profound!) Love someone and tell them so- just for being who they are to you in your life. You would miss them if they were gone. And then look at your own self (you don't have to literally look at yourself) and love who you are at this moment. And then seek to become even better somehow. There's always more to love.