Thursday, February 28, 2013

Theme Thursday and {pretty, happy, funny, real}: Fight Club

Capturing the contentment with the ever inspiring Like Mother, Like Daughter for {p,h,f,r} and jumping on the Clan-Donaldson photography bandwagon for Theme Thursday: Happiness (my submission found under {happy}, duh. So much goodness.


{pretty}



There is a certain someone who has been driving me and just about everyone in the Central Flo (yes, it extends that far) absolutely  cracked lately. Not sure why I use the word lately, when I really mean since he was 2.

Oh, Jude has that special tendency of making everyone around him not only squirm with disquiet but erupt in frazzled fury. I would have loved to see Mother Theresa explain to him that his skateboard doesn't usually belong on top of his brother Joseph. For the thirteenth time. In an afternoon. Undoubtedly, she would handle it with grace and aplomb, so why couldn't she raise him? If only Jude were born on the streets of Calcutta.

Instead of covering myself with sackcloth and ashes at his every, every, every misdeed, I focus on the pretty, even the beauty, he exudes from those devilish yet sweetly gentle blue eyes. Because he does. 


But oh my, it takes concentration to see his goodness when you read desperate teacher penned emails with so very specific details of his classroom behavior like no mother has read since Billy the Kid was a freshman. So tempted to disclose the content here, my web log, but like the good mother I pretend to be, I will deny that urge.

{happy}






I don't think there is another way to paint happiness, however, than when he is his happiest. Nothing like getting home from an after school trip to the beach for surf and sun, followed by a boxing match with your big brother, to, you know, unwind after all that relaxation.

These pics were really hard to capture, but I was totally bereft of happiness inspired moments in this week previous, courtesy Jude. So when he is happy, there ain't nothing like happy.

{funny}


boxer snarl?



Because God is good, there is one somebody who not only can handle Jude all the time, but actually loves him all the time. 

Peter earns his greatest family brownie points by simply over lording and appreciating Jude when the rest of us have run dry. 

And in my nightly prayers, I remind the Heavenly Father he needs to keep Peter always a little stronger than Jude.

{real}



Real? I won't be done raising teenage boys for quite a long time. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger...right....RIGHT??? 





KO'ing the big brother's buddy Mike.

Ok, thanks for letting me play along! I had great fun trying out the black and white filter on the camera. I have a lot to learn.  Suggestions?

15 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh, I just got a glimps of my future. Boxing gloves are something I'm going to have to invest in. We only have those blow up boppers right now, but my boys are 2 and 4 and 5 so I've got some time right? maybe? lol Love your pictures.

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    1. I second everything Natalie just said. Glimpse into my future. Boom.
      Boxing gloves are definitely on the list of things to buy.

      And I can't tell you how much I love these pictures. I used to teach middle school, and I loved it. I loved seeing these children flopping their way to adulthood in front of me. Like these giant, strange creatures full of energy and oddly fit into their growing bodies. I imagine Jude is older than middle school, but seeing those pictures of he and his brother reminded me of all that fury and growth and exuberance.

      Also, I absolutely love the picture right after "boxer snarl". The one of Peter and Jude with their arms around each other's necks. That one is amazing.

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  2. Yup, my boys would LOVE to come play at your house!

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  3. The photos of Peter and Jude with arms around each other really remind me of old vintage photos of the 40's. Very cool portraits!

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  4. Great photos! I'm seeing a glimpse of my boys, too. My 5yr old is giving us all a run for our money the past few weeks. After two girls, I'm not sure what to do with these boys!

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  5. Oh. My. Goodness. How I loooove these! I was thinking the same thing that Judy said about them looking like vintage photos! I love the way you captured the energy and personality of your boys. I grew up with 5 brothers and with three of my own I tremble at the thought of the teen years. But I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. ;-) Loved this.

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  8. Thank you for the reminders and insight into my own "Jude". There are days (who am I kidding? - everyday) that I need to remember the pretty, happy, funny and real.

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  9. This whole post really makes me wish I had brothers. They look like such great guys.

    You have a real talent for portraits. I love how much energy and personality you've captured. The action shots are particularly great.

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  10. I seriously just broke out in a cold sweat. My boys are only 3 and almost 2, and we already have boxing matches. What will happen when they are big and strong like your boys?! Oh, my heart.

    Beautiful photos. Your boys are such handsome young men, too!

    Stay strong with Jude. God didn't give him to Mother Teresa because she wasn't the perfect mom for him. :)

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  11. Your boys are all so handsome! Praying for you and Jude - I've taught more than my fair share of difficult teenage boys, and I'm always happy to send them home to their parents at the end of the day...

    I can't even imagine my kids all grown up like this... Must wait before attempting to make any more boys. 3 girls in a row is enough, I need some more testosterone here!

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  12. So glad to find your blog via {phfr}! What fantastic photos! Those two of the boys with their arms around each others shoulders look so timeless. Smart thought - those boxing gloves. I might have to get my son a pair. Except, he's just beat up his sisters... :)

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  13. These pictures are awesome! I love black and white. Your boys are so handsome.

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