I hope those of you who have taken up the challenge to take a picture a day or even one a week are enjoying your journey and journaling your thoughts along the way.

This week was a COLD  one for us and I didn’t venture far from home – actually, I haven’t been out on the roads at all this week! I did walk down our driveway to the road if that counts :)!

It was, however, a great week for pictures and memories. Here are some of mine.

#9 – Before the snow storm hit we took down the remaining Christmas decorations and made sure we were well stocked with necessary supplies. I live in a house with 5 women…yes, Q-tips and cotton balls are necessary supplies. I really just love my old jars that I’ve collected from family over the years and these two happen to store things that make life easier.

#10- It’s here!! Snow! Until we moved to SC my girls had only seen snow flurries and then it was just a few. We still feel like celebrating when a true snow storm comes through. Even Mariah who is sooo hyper commented on the peacefulness and quietness (that was day 1 – by day 2 she was going a little crazy) that comes when life is required to suddenly slow  down. Our road is beautiful in all seasons. I love driving home and watching the light dance through the trees. I love the Spring blossoms and the rich Fall colors. I also love the snow-covered trees – beautiful!

#11- Mariah was so ready to build a snowman. The first day it seemed like the snow was a little too powdery. By Tuesday we had a layer of ice covering the snow. She was not to be deterred…and so Emmet was built! Emily helped named the dear chap in honor of Celtic Thunder’s new tenor.  I’m sure he would be honored to have such a handsome snowman named after him.

#12- Wednesday brought cold temps and wind. So we did not see much of our snow melt. I grew up seeing HUGE icicles in KY during the winter months. My girls think it’s a big deal to see small ones. I guess it’s all a matter of perspective. I think they are pretty – especially hanging on foliage.

#13- Snows do take me back to memories of growing up in KY. While life wasn’t always as it should have been – it was what God used to shape me into who I needed to be. There were also many good memories. Snow storms were part of those good memories. I remember having to chase my Uncle’s cows in knee-deep snow :). I also remember coming in to hot chocolate by the fire, building snowmen with my sister and cousins, and of course snowball fights. I found this scale years ago – part of my heart will always be in KY!

#14- Back out to the snow for pictures. I’ve posted on this one already, so I’m not going to spend much time on my little ice crystals other than to say – “I LOVE THEM!” I have this picture up on my computer screen now. Don’t speed through life and miss the little blessings along the way.

#15- This picture almost makes me want to cry when I think about why I took it. It makes me think of my girls, my mom, my sister, and a girls vacation I took last year with friends. I love the ocean. Over the years there have been so many good times at the beach.  It was just a little less than a year ago Matt and I took the girls to Charleston for the day and enjoyed the beautiful sunset at the Battery as much as the day in the city. I also think of a time years ago when Matthew sent me to the beach by myself for a few days of rest. I spent so much time in the Word of God. I remember a mission trip to Hawaii – sitting on a huge rock that jutted out into the ocean and thinking “My God is the AWESOME God.” 

So ends my second week. Snapshots into the life of Sheila and Beyond Beauty Photography.

May you find the blessings in your bits-n-pieces this week!

Celtic Thunder, Family, Jan Snow 2011, KY, Nature, Ocean, Snowmen