The Beginnings of Imagination.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Have you ever just sat and watched a child at play? Observed the little scenes they are creating or their behaviors as they imitate the world around them? A child’s imagination is such a wondrous thing. I don’t know exactly when it happened but Luke has discovered his imagination. I’m in awe of the development of it. It starts as a little spark. Maybe a little dog “ruff” and then the fire begins to burn and it turns in to stories played out full of expression and without limits.

It is something that should be….

encouraged.

ignited.

celebrated.

I wish I could see what was taking place in his little mind. I love knowing that his imagination has only begun to grow. It has so much potential of hours filled with unbounded adventures. I hope I get to be his sidekick!

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This is my sTORI being written as you read. – Love, Mommy Tori

Life Through Pictures.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

I’m sure that you’ve noticed by now that I love pictures. I always try to include lots of pictures in my blog posts because I think so much can be communicated in a picture that can’t be said. If you walk around my house you will find pictures scattered across shelves, cabinets, dressers and pretty much any flat surface. It’s because there are so many moments in my life that I love to look at each and every day. The people in those photos make up my heart.

Many times when I host events and parties I’m always trying to find unique ways to display photos. Frames are always great but sometimes they just need an extra special touch. For Luke’s Art Birthday Party (click here to see the full party) I had all these awesome photos taken by Courtney Kerry Photography and really wanted to show them off! Luckily, the CVS down the street had a cool Kodak Picture Kiosk where I could print my photos all by myself and SUPER FAST (this was really helpful because I was running around like a wild woman trying to get everything done in time for the party). I found it to be really easy and quickly had printed a variety of pictures and enlargements.

Now I just needed to figure out how to display them. So I dug around in my craft closet and came out with some twine. Then I headed to the kitchen where I had a bag of clothes pins and TA DA! I had the perfect photo display!!

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kodak Photo Kiosk

This is my sTORI being written as you read. – Love, Mommy Tori

Disclaimer: Kodak provided me a gift card as a part of its Review Blogger Program. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Who Will He Become?

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

I’m watching Luke play in the back yard right now. It’s been one of the warmest days so far this year. The Texas sun is baring down on my shoulders and the humidity is so heavy that I find it to be slightly oppressive.

Finally…a warm breeze goes across my face – my hair has begun to stick to my skin right around my forehead. I think to myself I better grab some sunblock.

I glance up as I hear Luke start laughing to himself about who knows what. He’s gotten so much bigger but he’s still so small. Just a little human being. Learning. Developing. Growing.

My mind starts to wonder. Who will he become? Not just will he be healthy, handsome or successful. But who will he become DEEP DOWN? Will he be good and kind? Will he be a dreamer? Will he be strong and independent? Will he be faith-filled? Will he have integrity, mercy and humility? Will he love freely?

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As a mother the minute we find out we’re pregnant we begin having dreams for our children. As parents so much lies in our hands about the underlying values that we are teaching them. When I hear stories on the news of teenagers and young adults harming others I can’t help but think about the mothers. Those mothers probably had the same dreams that I have. And now I’m sure they are wondering where did they go wrong? The responsibility is so enormous it can overwhelm. But all we can do is continue to dream…and pray.

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Do you ever wonder who your children will become?

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Please be sure to follow The sTORIbook on Bloglovin by clicking here.

This is my sTORI being written as you read. – Love, Mommy Tori

Never Promised Tomorrow.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

I wrote something else for today but it just all seemed so inconsequential after the devastation that has taken place in Oklahoma from the massive tornado. Tonight there are lives lost, homes leveled, countless injured and realities shattered. I sat watching the TV after putting Luke to bed and was just engulfed by the wreckage. I watched picture after picture and realized that I was echoing after each one, “Dear Lord. Dear Lord. Dear Lord.” My tears began to fall as I saw photos of first responders pulling children from the rubble of a school, a mother carrying her child across a field littered with debris, and families staring at their flattened homes.

I couldn’t help but be saddened by the fragility of life and think that we are never promised tomorrow. It makes me think how much we need to enjoy TODAY. There are so many things in this life that I love. And in the blink of an eye it could all be gone.

Oklahoma…We are hurting with you. We are crying with you. I am praying for you. The nation is praying for you.

To see how you can help the victims of the Oklahoma tornado click here.

Addition to post: Watch this amazing video of an elderly woman who found her dog following the tornado during a TV interview. I love what she says at the end. “God didn’t just answer one prayer for me to be alright. He answered two.” To watch click here.

Pray for Oklahoma

This is my sTORI being written as you read. – Love, Mommy Tori

Free Inspiration Printables

Monday, May 20, 2013

There are some days when everyone needs a little pick me up… so I thought I’d make some for you! Share them on Facebook, print them out, post them to Instagram, pin them on Pinterest…just enjoy, be inspired and inspire others!

Free Printables

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD.

Printable May 2

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD.

Printable May 3

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD.

This is my sTORI being written as you read. – Love, Mommy Tori

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