it's the little things {thoughts and friday faves link up}

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You know how I talk about it all the time. You know, how the joy is in the little things? Right? Part of the joy is being willing to slow down and sit in the everyday normal and begin to look for beauty. In rain in the morning, the laughter of a toddler, flowers blooming, little ones holding hands, a sweet text from an older, the wink from your husband, or your six year old swinging on a spring night.

Those little things matter.

And those things are what Friday Favorite Things is all about. This little link up has been around for a while – okay, I’m talking like over 60 weeks. And I love it. For me, it focuses me to be intentional and look at my week through those it’s in the little things finding joy eyes. It’s a deliberate choice in slowing down, being grateful, and celebrating the everyday beautiful.

My dream? My heart? That I encourage you to do the same – we can link arms – and begin to awaken our hearts to our everyday joys. And, truly, that’s really what Friday Favorite Things is – joy in the little things making Friday a day of sweet and deliberate memory finding joy.

Here are my:

little feet

sitting in the green grass

{in need of a bath.}

resting after an evening of play

seeing the world a different way

The absolute joy of hanging upside down

{when you’re eight years old.}

and doing it over again and again and again

Samuel

Look at that absolutely adorable face

{man, I love that little guy}

Always a favorite.

Elijah

Mowing

{we start training them young…with bubble mowers…heehee}

on a warm spring night

And, by the way, look at my raspberries in the background

Can you say yummy?

this is my castle

or at least that’s what Samuel would say

and for all you asking about that castle

we’ve had it for many many many years

a total investment – lots of love and faves there

the garden

it’s growing

{if I could just keep that rabbit that lives in my yard out}

{and yes, I need to weed. again}

we’re so excited for the garlic, beans, peas, lettuce, radishes and peppers

and other veggies that will come throughout the summer

and finally..

University of Chicago’s Celiac Disease Research Center

{their generosity and commitment to Celiac Disease Research}

sent us this care package for the above king of the castle

also known as Samuel

joy

absolute joy

on Samuel’s dear little face

while we were opening that amazing package

this moment?

priceless.

{interested in the package? visit University of Chicago’s Celiac Disease Center}
and tomorrow I’ve got a fab giveaway and review planned 🙂

Want to join Friday Favorite Things?
{I hope you do – it’s easy and focuses on gratitude}

1. Simply grab the button below.

2. Write your own list of favorites – or link a favorite post from the week

3. Add your linky below.
4. Build community and comment on those around you. If you tweet use #fridayfaves

Rachel Marie Martin

Rachel Marie Martin is the author behind Finding Joy and the books, "Get Your Spark Back," "Mom Enough," and "The Brave Art of Motherhood." She is fiercely passionate about living an authentic, joy-filled and driven life and because of that writes powerful truth for others hoping to be the catalyst for change.

11 comments

carissa at lowercase letters May 18, 2012 - 11:42 am

we have a bubble mower too! my question is, what’s wrong with fisher price making it actually work? because if it did, that would be so helpful. : )

love your pics. your garden is looking so pretty. and yay for a gift basket and lots of food to try! what a treat for your boy.

have a good friday and happy weekend!

Krista May 18, 2012 - 12:03 pm

Can’t get enough of Samuel’s sweet face….it’s just so PURE. What a blessing to receive that package full of goodies for him that he won’t have to hear the word “no”. Those are all yeses 🙂

What are those flowery things in your garden? They are so wispy and beautiful!

Hoping you have a great weekend Rachel!

Gwen Toliver May 18, 2012 - 12:17 pm

Those feet look a lot like feet at our house. 🙂

Yay for receiving the gluten-free products! An encouragement to you and your little Samuel, I’m sure!

Gwen Toliver May 18, 2012 - 12:17 pm

This comment has been removed by the author.

Donna May 18, 2012 - 1:42 pm

What beautiful photographs! Gorgeous kids! 🙂

sunnymama May 18, 2012 - 2:53 pm

Lovely joyful pictures! I especially love the swing pictures. 🙂

Honey Mommy May 18, 2012 - 3:29 pm

My favorite photo is the dirty little piggies! Just perfect and it reminds me of my boys.

Anonymous May 18, 2012 - 3:39 pm

Maybe this isn’t the right post to ask this…but..:) Do you feed your son alot of processed food? O mean to be Gluten free would mean to eat fresh fruit and veg…meat( if you eat meat..i don’t) some grains, eggs, dairy….

If you feed your children conventional processed stuff then it would be challanging…but when I looked at the gift basket, although VERY sweet and generous I found myslef thinking we are not gluten free, but I would never buy boxed cookie mix, that Bisquick stuff etc….

It only seems with the processed stuff like crackers, chips etc you would have a problem. If you ate pretty “clean” I wouldn’t think it would be a huge deal. i am not by any mean downplaying Celiac as I am an RN and have Crohn’s and UC…

It is just a question. If you elimainated most of the processed stuff wouldn’t the gluten just follow? I don’t like the idea of just subbing gf cookies…gf crackers….and i have 4 littles of my own…

again just super curious. your blog is great. family beautiful..you are an inspiration:)

Rachel May 18, 2012 - 6:56 pm

Grin. Great question. In fact we do not eat a great deal of processed foods. However, we do have an occasional treat on a busy night.
For me, what I love about the care package is the commitment from companies to look at labels, to produce awareness, and to provide options. Especially for those just starting out in the gluten free world. Also included were many magazines, cookbooks, and information about celiac disease. Gluten is tricky as it can hide in foods…soy sauce, barley, etc…. I believe the intent of the basket is to show support for Celiac Disease Research.
I appreciate your comment and your kind words regarding my blog.
Rachel

Laurie Collett May 18, 2012 - 5:12 pm

Adorable & joyful as always!
God bless,
Laurie

Lynn May 20, 2012 - 6:46 am

Such words of comfort! Praying hard!
Job 19:25-27 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
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it’s the little things {thoughts and friday faves link up}

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