Sunday, June 5, 2011

light & laughter

Sure, I could reminisce about the days before we had 3 munchkins... but those days don't have nearly the same warm light or contagious laughter.
Even though there's more laundry, more drama, more patience needed.
There's also more purpose, more meaning, more love.
Even though I can get lost in my role as mother and, some say, I might lose a bit of elizabeth... it's actually made me who I am and a better me.

No matter what it is in life, the difficult times always makes us stronger. Sometimes I even get scared when things are going good because I think, okay, it's time for something horrible to happen. Like a Disney movie and their extreme movie plots, where the absolute worst thing has to happen before you can find happiness.
But slowly I am learning to trust that God has a plan for me & to not be scared. Instead treasure the light & the laughter and... just be prepared for the crap! ;)



In other news: It's this girl's birthday today. The birthday party will be another day which I am so glad we didn't plan today because she had a 103.2 temperature last night and we were on the phone with her Pop Pop who's also a Doctor making sure she's ok. She slept like a dream & is her same silly self today.
Happy Birthday my darling girl! xoxoxoxo
I was soooo giddy about the pictures I captured last night of my girls! My grandma sent Q&A those outfits so I promised her I would take pictures.

46 comments:

Tabitha@InspiredByGiving said...

Aww such great pics of your girls! I know exactly what you mean about when everything is going good, something bad is bound to happen. I need to trust that God won't ever give me more than I can bear. That's a cliche I'll hold onto...Thanks for your beautiful pictures, your transparency, and your talent! P.S. I just finished the first 2 corsage flowers lessons last night! Oh it was so much fun!!!!

Michele said...

Such sweet girls. I know they provide lots of entertainment!

Alyssa said...

Avery is suddenly looking very grown up in these pictures!
You're girls are adorable! :)

amber fischer said...

Oh those outfits are soooo sweet! Do you know where your grandma got them? I'd love to get some for my own girls.

p.s. Happy Birthday to Little Miss Q!

Shannon b said...

I so agree about where your thoughts go when things are going well! I just think, we need to be extra good, extra faithful, and extra thankful and things will be okay. :)

Such cute girls!

Cherie said...

happy birthday Q! I'm glad shes feelign better :)

p.s. that grass is so lusious I just want to go lay in it and read!

Anonymous said...

Your girls are just as sweet as can be!
These photos are simply wonderful.
I start to think the same thing when things are so good. Fortunately for us, God is so faithful even through the crap!

Sheila said...

I love their outfits.
What a wonderful gift.

Happy Birthday to Miss Q,
who puts the Q in Qutie Patootie!

Your daughters grow more lovely
with each passing day.

Mandy Ford Art & Illustration said...

Yes...you are so right about parenting. It is so rewarding but oh so hard at the same time. I also have times when I miss being free to do whatever I want (like scrapbook) whenever I want, but before the boys I didn't have much to scrapbook about! :) Happy Birthday to your little girl - they are so precious.

Pearl said...

Liz, You have such a beautiful family. Precious!


Olga

Heather said...

That last picture is just breathtaking. How blessed your girls are to have sisters, and a wonderful momma who knows how to live in the moment. These busy days will feel like a dream someday...capturing them on film and putting them in scrapbooks and frames are the best way to remember every one of those little moments.

Heather said...

ps. Happy birthday, little Q!

Melissa said...

Happy birthday, Q!

Avery is getting so tall! :)

Wendy said...

Such adorable girls!

Stephanie said...

LOVE those outfits! The colors are so great! and the girls are so adorable!

I have a give away today!!

http://stehanie32.blogspot.com

Shayna said...

"No matter what it is in life, the difficult times always makes us stronger. Sometimes I even get scared when things are going good because I think, okay, it's time for something horrible to happen. Like a Disney movie and their extreme movie plots, where the absolute worst thing has to happen before you can find happiness."

I love this paragraph, because that is exactly what goes through my mind during those wonderful times.

Claudia said...

Lizzy, I always love to read your blog, not only to find inspiration or surprisingly be filled by laughter thanks to Collin but so much too for your true & real mommy-insights, thoughts, ...
These pics are too cute. Love, love, love

Anonymous said...

The girls are beautiful! Avery looks so big. Enjoy the journey - it goes so quickly!

Pat from OKC.

Unknown said...

Isn't it amazing how motherhood changes who you are into a better person than before? Thanks for the reminder! I needed that today! :)

Jenna Ruth said...

Coud they be any cuter? :)

elizabeth kartchner said...

Jenna,

No, no they couldn't. ;)

elizabeth kartchner said...

Amber, I will ask my grandma and let you know!

liz

elizabeth kartchner said...

Melissa,

I know, right????! :)

elizabeth kartchner said...

Claudia,

Thanks!! xo

Renee Zwirek said...

WONDERFUL PICS! Love Them! Your girls are beautiful!

Happy Birthday Q!

I'm so glad she's feeling better to enjoy her special day...FULL BLOWN! It's scary every time kids get sick.

Annie @ Originate and Renovate said...

Darling outfits and I'm dying over the last picture!

Anonymous said...

Glad to know I'm not the only one looking around the corner for the bad thing to happen - silly right? Like a busy life can't be a blissful life or something? It's all perspective. Beautiful post and beautiful family as always. Your girls are beyond wonderful just like their parents.

Kristen said...

I feel the same way so often. Glad to know it's common and I'm not nuts! Your girls are dolls. :)

Unknown said...

The girls are precious Liz. Hope ya'll are enjoying your summer! :)

Ana said...

Hi Liz, needless to say that the pictures are great and your 03 angels even greater, right? Happy birthday to Quincey and I hope she's doing well now.

Love,

Ana

liza said...

your girls are so adorable...liked how you savor the moment, they grow so fast... =)
btw, happy birthday to Q! =)
have a great day!

Julie said...

Beautiful pics! My mom and I tried taking pics of my girls in the park yesterday. Little one is only 11 weeks today so she can't sit and her head is a bit wobbly. We tried posing them like you have yours in the bottom pic but my older was trying to hold the little ones head up. She ended up in a choke-hold, her head in a vice, poked in the eyes, and anything else you can imagine. We were in tears and promised to try again in a month or two!

They weren't "beautiful" in a photography sense, but we captured the fun and I'll always cherish the pictures and the day!

Joanna said...

Q -T pies!! :)

Paula in Australia said...

These photo's of your girls are just adorable. They are so so cute. Enjoy.

{Brooke} said...

Thanks so much for your post.
More purpose, more meaning, more love.
So.Powerful.
Thanks for sharing

Mary B. said...

LOVE the photos and your insights and their adorable outfits! <3

Martina said...

oh wow Lola is soooo big already <3

cute <3

xx M.

Lisa said...

OMG..your girls are SO cute:) Mine is 17 now..ugh but I still love to kiss her little face. AND you got 3!!! LOVE!! Did the first two something splended flower classes...LOVE them. I think next time I could make them even better. Gotta get to the other two I have not had time for...hoping the classes stay there for awhile!!!

Nancy Wyatt said...

Sweet! Happy Belated birthday Q! Hugs from Conroe, TX!

cinback said...

Those are the bluest eyes I have ever seen!

Shelley Morrison said...

Love this post and completely agree. Children are so wonderful but life is definitely different than it was before kids! Your daughters are absolutely adorable!!

The Pretty Life Anonymous said...

They are the sweetest little kids I have ever seen. Seriously.

Also, we wanted to let you know that we mentioned you on our blog today... sorta silly :)

MeganKP said...

Your girls are the cutest!!! I think you win the prize for the cutest girls!

Happy Birthday Q, hope you have an amazing fun filled day!

Megan

Rosamerliza said...

Le tue bimbe sono tre bambole..con quegli occhioni azzurri!!!I tuoi post sono sempre emozionanti...si legge tutto l'amore che hai per loro! E'bello essere mamma!Grazie Elisabeth!

Michelle Vandepol said...

i love the living without fear and being prepared to lean on God in times of crap. you will never go wrong living like that. God bless! gorgeous pics

tifsong said...

beautiful pictures! beautiful girls! thanks for sharing.