Cleaning the Camera

Greets, peeps! 

Cleaning off the camera today and sharing highlights from the last few weeks' Daddy/Annie dates (and a couple of good ones of J, for Mom's sake).  Promise me you'll click on (enlarge) at least one of the water-only shots.  The rain over Corpus Christi today left the bay a beautiful aqua-green.  "It almost looks like we live on those fancy beaches in Florida," Bek said.  Stunningly beautiful.

The other day I read a quote that said something to the effect of: "People get down because they compare other people's highlight reels to their own recurring bloopers."  Maybe because I'm all too aware of our family's daily, living blooper reel, I hadn't ever worried much about that on this page.  But just in case, to put the kibosh on your viewing these pics as highlights of an unreality, let me just say that 1) I am blessed beyond words to share life and love with Rebekah and the Bears, and 2) exactly because I know how difficult sharing that life can be, I hope the pictures witness grace: God breaking through in spite of ourselves and (God knows) far more than we deserve - or expect.

Peace always,
J+ 

of firsts, lasts, and tiger suits

The Melton fam staged an impromptu photo shoot a couple of days ago to celebrate Jude's almost outgrowing one of Rebekah's favorite J-bear outfits: his surprisingly hip powder-not Carolina-blue overalls.  Bek likes to use the Spanish verb estrenar to celebrate the first time an item of clothing (or anything else) gets broken in; we don't have a working word for a likely last-wear, but we celebrated anyway, with Annie wearing her tiger-striped best for the auspicious occasion.  (They say that parenting is a zoo; this only proves it.  But what a zoo!)  May each day be estrenar and may God give me his eyes to see it.

For Momma

A quick photo-post for my Momma, who is going through Annie/Jude withdrawal.

Love you, Momma!

Quieter Moments

Quieter moments, but every bit blessing, with J-bear.  Tonight we danced to Foster the People and Brad Paisley until one of us passed out, and the other was about to.

Bath Time Faces

Bath time with Annie turned into an impromptu photo booth of phases today.  Unspeakable joy and privilege - a treat! - to be Annie's Daddy.

Thanksgiving Snaphots

Okay, so more than just from Thanksgiving; I'm sneaking in some other, belated pics, too.  Sue me.  Or, alternatively, realize that 1) Scripture strongly advises against that and 2) I don't have any money, and let it go.  Deep breath.  Let it go.

Bek and J-Bear.  Pre-Turkey Day.

I made this scarf for Annie, to match the one I made for Bek.

Unfortunately, Annie won't wear it, so for the time being it's a stuffed animal accessory.

Annie's first piggies.  (She helped me make them!)

Bek and I got an ice cream maker as a b-day gift.  This is our 1st batch (vanilla!), mixed up for the Sat. after Thanksgiving.

Post-Turkey-Day stupor.

Advent 1 fire with A-bear. 

She readies her belongings.

With our "bear hats."  Good end to a blessed day.