easter card link-up!

Have you made an Easter card this year? Show us your design and help us spring into holiday mode! (Yes, cheesy pun intended!)

Here's my example:

Just write a post including your card and the Easter card linky image above (right-click and copy the url) and then link-up here. The linky will be open until Thursday, April 21st. A guest judge and I will then pick some favorites and feature your card and your blog on Easter weekend!

Categories I will choose from include: 

• best faith-inspired card
• cutest kid card
• best photography card
• most clever/funny card 
• overall favorite card

I may expand the categories... based on how you inspire me with your work! I'm looking forward to featuring some of your blogs and showing off your fabulous creativity!!

Dear friends, I'm getting so excited for Levi's first Easter egg hunt... and all other things "Easter" including dressing up for church, great food with friends and family, and celebrating my faith. How are your Easter plans shaping up this year?

happy egg coloring,


p.s. If you do enter, please try and visit at least one other blog that's entered as well!


Update 4/22: I've canceled this contest (and deleted the linky) due to insufficient entries. :(

Are you an expecting mom? Have you linked-up yet? Join the Bloggin' Babes and Babies of 2011 here.

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2011
do not reproduce without written permission

little teachers: toddlers in tiaras and afro babies

I met this gorgeous little girl when I was on an outreach in the Solomon Islands several years ago. It was my first time in the nation and I had a lot to learn about the people and the culture.

Although the expression I captured makes her look like a sad little girl, she wasn't. She was simply lovely and it didn't take much for my heart to melt as she charmed me.

I was so captured by her beauty - those deep brown eyes and her perfect little features.

But I couldn't believe she had blonde hair. I thought to myself, "What kind of a parent living in an incredibly poor village spends money on bleaching the hair of such a young child?" It made me angry to think that these little ones had such limited access to health care and education and basic necessities and yet someone deemed it appropriate to spend money on bleaching her beautiful little fro.

Besides, didn't they know she was already perfect? Perfect "as-is"?

What I didn't know then is that her hair was naturally blonde and that many children and adults from her people group are born with dark skin and blonde hair. It really is stunning and I had never seen anything like it before.

When I found out the truth I was so convicted of being judgmental. Here I was, a guest in this nation, jumping to conclusions about someone else's parenting based solely on the appearance of their child.

Shame on me.

Admittedly it's hard not to do this when I come from a culture that has "toddlers in tiaras" and other questionable practices like that. I look at preschool-aged girls with full make-up and clothing that is sexy-beyond-their-years and I automatically form opinions about what their mothers are like. (Not saying that it's right of me to do so... just that it's extremely hard not to in these types of scenarios.)

In the case of this sort of childhood pageantry, my view of the parents is almost automatically formed by looking at the child.

But it just doesn't translate cross-culturally. This beautiful little blonde girl taught me a lesson: don't assume, don't judge, don't jump to conclusions.

It's the age old antic - don't judge a book by it's cover.

I'm thankful for this little teacher and the lesson she taught me by accident. I try to remember her when I see children from other cultures (even in my own home town) that dress or act in ways I don't understand.

Children need our respect, our love, our kindness, and our acceptance no matter how similar or different they are to our own. And yes, even toddlers in tiaras. They are children too - precious and infinitely valuable, regardless of the decisions their parents make for them. They deserve nothing less.

And as much as I love children, I'm determined to be less judgmental toward their parents too. I want to discover their stories, what motivates them, why they make the decisions they do. Parents - all parents - need the support of other parents.

Children, parents, all people... Every man, woman, and child deserves our best effort at suspending judgement and valuing them for who they are.

Dear friends, have you caught yourself making judgements about other parents by something that you see in their child but haven't yet taken the time to try and understand? (Or can you think of a situation where you deliberately made a choice to NOT judge a book by it's cover?) What have the children in your life taught you lately?

humbled,


p.s. This post is part of a new series - All the Children of the World: Little Teachers - where I feature a photo of a precious little one that I've met during my volunteer work in developing nations, as well as what I learned about life and parenting through meeting them.

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2011
do not reproduce without written permission

little teachers: laugh loud

I'm venturing into new territory here.

You may or may not know that with my work I do a lot of travel, especially into developing nations. I've been doing outreaches for the last 10+ years, both as a single person and now together with my husband and family. (I'm a big believer in family volunteerism and teaching our kids how to serve others while they're still young.)

We teach, we advocate, we do relief work. We volunteer in schools, orphanages, clinics, and churches. We help refugees, the poor, and those in need of care. We're no heroes... we just love, give what we've received, and know that it is an absolute privilege to do so.

And so because of this work that I so deeply adore, I've been to many, many nations all over the planet. Literally.

But my favorite place in all the world to be is Asia. Anywhere in Asia. It's a land that makes my heart burst.

One of the things that delights me to no end is going for long walks on my days off wandering through cities or villages and photographing the people that I meet. I could spend days on end doing this.... walking, connecting, capturing, recording.

And since the Memos is all about motherhood and parenting and children, I thought it fitting to introduce you to some of the very special children in my life. Hence my new series that I will post now and then - All the Children of the World: Little Teachers.

These beautiful littles don't "belong" to me. In fact, often I can't even recall their names.

But always I will remember their faces, the moments we shared together, and the ways they impacted my life.

Each one of them is beyond precious.

Allow me to introduce you to some boys I met in Pontianak, Indonesia (on the island of Borneo).

{buddies in borneo - 2008}

Although nowhere near my best on a technical level, this photo remains one of my all time favorites so I thought it fitting to kick off this new series with it.

These boys loved having their photo taken. No doubt it was their grand debut on the international stage and they didn't waste a moment of it.

They splashed, they ran, they danced, and they hollered. They closed their eyes, threw their heads back, and unabashedly roared with laughter.

I love the color and movement and emotion in this photo and how it captures the pure abandon with which they were enjoying the moment.

Every time I see it I'm reminded to play hard, laugh loud, and hold somebody's hand.

Dear friends, what have the Little Teachers in your life taught you or reminded you to do lately?

smiling wide,

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2011
 do not reproduce without written permission

a day for love

It's love day. Instead of focusing on who is loving me today... I'm focusing on who I love. 

Because there are so many people in my life that are so... love-worthy.

Dear friends, I hope you are not only feeling incredibly loved today, but that you are absolutely full of love to give away - both to those who mean the most to you and to the stranger you pass on the sidewalk. Whether you are dating, married, or single... childless or surrounded with children, may this be a day that resounds with love triumphing over loneliness.

with love,

P.S. 

{to my darling husband}

{to my sweet mom}

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2011 
do not reproduce without written permission

in love

I am in love.

In love with this boy.

His smile. Those perfect lips. His long, straight lashes. That vanilla skin. The sparkle in his deep, dark eyes. His sweet giggle. His funny hair-styles that are birthed from days spent sweating in the tropics. The chubby little fingers that can often be found intertwined in miniature guitar strings these days.

I love that he loves music and comes alive when he's given a guitar or a drum or a little piano. I love that he can't hear music over the radio or on the stereo or on television without stopping whatever he's doing and dancing... or just waving his little hand in the air as he gets his groove on.

I love that when he's dancing--or jamming--he glances at me with a glimmer in his eye to make sure that I'm watching, approving, admiring.

I love that he is not only my boy but he is the son of my husband - my beloved, the man of my dreams, my Gift From Heaven.

I love that he is a part of me, that he is from me, that he represents the best of me.

I love that he is a part of us, that he is from us, that he represents the best of us.

I love that God trusts us enough, believes in us enough, to let us care for and shape such a precious being.

I love that he's taught me how to be a mom.

I love that he's teaching me how to love more, believe in myself more, and enjoy the small things in life more.

I love that he's paved the way for our Newest Joy to enter the world and grow my belly--and our hearts--even more than we've already known.

I love that his guitar was a gift from my parents and that he sits in his "big boy chair" - a gift from Ryan's parents. Four more of the extra special people in my life.

Yes, I love this photo--and all that it contains--for so many reasons.

In love, I am.

Dear friends, there is so much to love... I've only skimmed the surface here with this photo and its description. What are you in love with at the moment?

in love,

Linking up with the lovely Jhen:

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2011
do not reproduce without written permission

a party for one

It was a good, good day... as evidenced by the amount of chocolate involved.

A chance to celebrate the life of our precious son... our treasure, our joy, our sweet, sweet boy.

We started off the day with fireworks--well, sort of--and opening pretty packages with Gigi and Gramps over skype and Nanny and Bop in person. How wonderful it was to have all of Levi's grandparents present for... the presents.

And then of course was the party. There were lots of banners... big, floating balloons... party pies and sausage rolls (classic Aussie kids party food)... adorable and animated munchkins under three feet tall... many wonderful friends... brightly wrapped gifts... party hats... and of course cupcakes... many cupcakes. (We are still eating cupcakes.)

There was a make-shift photo booth... for laughs and memories and future blackmail material.

There were squeals of delight... and well-wishes... three generations... and free play... live music performances by the little ones... and "helpers" for Levi when he opened his gifts.

And of course there was chocolate... the first timid tastes of sugar which built to kneading and mashing and stuffing of the face... moments of hilarity... and lots, and lots, and lots of mess.

Oh sweet, sweet chocolate... all over our sweet, sweet boy...

There were impromptu fake beards... and very dirty clothes... and kids sent straight to the tub.

And after our little birthday boy was tucked up into bed... there was more celebration: toasting, laughing, and reminiscing. There were sincere prayers of thanksgiving and a few little tears of joy and gratitude.

It was a good, good day.

It was a great day.

And, although we most likely will not put such time and energy into parties to come, to mark this first year with a bang felt right and appropriate. Levi's life (and our parenthood) seemed worthy of our best effort. We thank the good Lord for the miracle of life and for the ability and means to celebrate well.

Dear friends, near and far, thank you for making our occasion so special.

enjoying the afterglow,


P.S. Just so you know, I did the party for quite cheap... lots of construction paper, ribbon, my laptop, a printer, some felt, a few sticks, brads, magnets, and wooden clothespins, a visit to the dress-up box that lives under my bed... and of course my trusty little glue gun. The most "expensive" thing was getting a few helium balloons. I'm convinced that making something feel extravagant does not have to cost a fortune... but rather some planning and some creativity!! Oh, and I made Levi's cake from a box, set it on a plastic plate that I found in my cupboard, and stuck a couple of handmade pinwheels on there with a candle - simple and cheap and cute! Betty Crocker, I am not my friends. :)

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2011 
do not reproduce without written permission

twelve months

Since Levi's three favorite things right now are his books, his guitar, and walking... I thought it only fitting to mark twelve months accordingly. Although these are not the best photos from a technical perspective I do love them anyway. They show how much fun he is and how cute he is at the moment.

Ah, twelve months...

{he takes story-book reading very seriously these days.}

{this was more of a run than a walk... yikes!}

{i'm swooning over this one.}

{so. much. fun.}

{"are you watching me mama? are you listening?"}

{doing a little jig while playing a tune. love!}

{i adore those chubby feet.}

My how times have changed...

{nine months - all about the standing and cruising.
his personality really began to come out around this age.}

{six months - all about the sitting, "sorting", and examining.
it was nearly impossible to rip his focus away from his toys
and get him to look at me for a photo at this age.}

{three months - all about the pushing up and learning to roll over.
i remember thinking he looked like such a big boy when i took this...
but not so much when i look at it now. just a wee little babe.}

Oh, and a bonus word of advice for other first-time-moms out there: There are certain books you shouldn't read during the lead-up to your firstborn's first birthday... I'll Love You Forever or Oh, the Places You'll Go! or The Giving Tree or The Runaway Bunny. It's all just a little much.

My boy will be one in two days.  T w o  D a y s.

Dear friends, just a photo dump on the memos today. I know you don't mind a dose of cuteness every now and then. And to my mama-photographer mates, a question: How do you keep a very busy little toddler in focus?! I'm having the darndest time taking decent photos lately, *sigh* and it's beyond frustrating!

help?


P.S. If you're the praying type, please pray for my little man. He's been fighting a cold/cough/fever all week and today it really took a turn for the worst... I held him for hours this afternoon as he just cried and cried and went in and out of short bursts of sleep. He's miserable and really needs healing... Not sure if it's teething related (same thing did happen the last two times he cut new teeth) or if it's just a flu. In any case, it's nasty!! Of course we're hoping that we won't have to cancel his birthday party which is happening in two days. Not to mention the fact that we don't want to get his little friends sick either! Oh, and my in-laws arrive tomorrow to stay for a week. Not the best timing for a sick bub! But most of all I want to see him well for his own sake. It's so hard watching your baby suffer. boo. :( Thanks for your prayers! xxo

on saturday...

photo credit: sue stendahl 

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010 
do not reproduce without written permission

moments to remember

I may be a little late with the timing… but I’m okay with that. Even though Christmas has come and gone, I still wanted to share some of our holiday highlights from this year! So, a little personal photo dump of precious moments to remember...

Levi’s first snow:

Having a fresh tree:

Untangling Christmas lights:

Levi helping to decorate his first tree:

Shiny, pretty things:

Celebrating Norwegian-style with my grandparents:

The novelty of being all bundled up in winter clothes:

Christmassy flannel footy jammies:

Meeting the big guy for the first time:

Special times with my parents, including dedicating Levi at our American church:

Days spent not changing out of our pj's:

Hot tubbing in the snow:

Quality and quantity time with my awesome husband:

Morning sleep-ins and family cuddle time in bed:

Dressing up for Christmas Eve church:

Levi's first gift on Christmas Eve:

Opening our stockings in bed on Christmas morning:

Taking our time enjoying the small things:

Precious moments with precious people, including all four of Levi's grandparents and four of his six living great-grandparents:

Christmas round two during a long layover in Sydney on our way home:

And a smooth, easy, fun trip home:

Dear friends, it’s hard to imagine life without digital photos… or even just any kind of photos. Aren’t we blessed to be able to capture memories visually like this? I hope you were able to get some great Christmas photos this year too.

glad for the memories caught on "film",

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010 
do not reproduce without written permission