Posts in category: Show you were there

Welcome to the latest instalment of my new guest post series – the photo I’m thankful for.

This series is all about the photos that we are really happy that we have, either of ourselves or of the people who mean the world to us.  It’s an extension of my instagram community #ShowYouWereThere which is there to encourage parents to be in more photos both with and for their children.

This week I’m really pleased to welcome Katie from 52 beautiful things.

Here is her photo and her story:

Two by two, they slowly proceeded down the aisle. Right, together, left, together. Repeat. All the way down the aisle. All of the sudden we were the last pair remaining. The music changed and we started moving forward.

The church lady stuck out her arm, much like a mother protecting her children in the car as it slams on the brakes. “Wait,” she said, “be sure you take this all in.”

I bristled. I didn’t want to wait. I was eager to stroll down that aisle towards my soon-to-be husband.

Dad poked me in the side, and said, “You don’t have to wait. Are you ready?”

“Let’s go!” I replied, and we began to walk down the aisle. He was ready to give me away.

I love this picture for so many reasons.

I treasure the memories of love, warmth, and security when I look at my dad’s face smiling at me.

I’m thankful for the reminder of what it feels like to experience bliss. My wedding day was perfect, supportive, fun, full of life. As we walked, my arm linked to his, we strengthened our unique connection between father and daughter. We reached the end of the aisle. When it was time, he kissed my cheek and he let go.

Eighteen months ago I had to abruptly begin the process of letting go of Dad when he died unexpectedly. One day there, the next day gone, loss struck me swiftly, knocking me to my feet. This picture reminds me that he taught me how to stand, how to feel supported, and how to walk bravely into new chapters of life. While we are recovering from his loss and regaining our strength, I look at this photo and bask in the memory of his adoration.  I like to believe he is still smiling over me with the same gaze of wonder, sending love and connection through the universe.

I keep a copy of this photo in my car, next to the speedometer to remind me ever so gently, that it is vital to love and ok to let go. With each change and new chapter I remember Dad poking me in the side saying, “Let’s go!”

Thank you so much to Katie, for sharing your beautiful photo with me, and the touching story behind it.

This is a huge part of why I feel so strongly about getting in more photos, and taking more photos of the people we love.

When they are all we have left they become so precious.  I just love how Katie is able to use this photo to find strength and to be reminded of everything her dad taught her.

You can follow Katie’s story over on her blog – 52 Beautiful things

And you can follow her on these social media pages:

Instagram – @52beautifulthings

Twitter – @52beautiful

Thank you also to Jamie Fischer photography for the beautiful photo.

Do you have a photo and a story you would like to share?

If you’d like to take part in my ‘the photo I’m thankful for’ guest series, or would just like a bit more information about it, please do send me an email to thisgloriouslife@gmail.com.

Where on earth are the weeks going at the moment?  It feels like only yesterday that I wrote the last one of these posts!

Yet here we are again, another Sunday, another round up from my little instagram community #ShowYouWereThere.

Here are my 4 picks for this week.

First up is this beautiful photo from Abbey at The Son and The Moon.

It’s a gorgeous picture of Abbey and her daughter, made even more special by that lovely sunset reflected behind them.

Perfect!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYQ2KPQnUUt/?tagged=showyouwerethere

My next pick is this fun family selfie from Jaymee at The Mum Diaries.

I love her comment that they seem to have started a tradition of taking these kinds of pictures when they go away, I think it’s a great little tradition to have!

My third choice for this week is this lovely photo from Kirsty at Winnettes.

I love the photo, and I really love the caption about her daughter talking about her dreams coming true, albeit in a different way than we normally mean when we say that.  You have to love children’s imaginations don’t you!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYDBShgACKi/?tagged=showyouwerethere

My final pick for this week is this lovely summery photo from Elaine at Entertaining Elliot.

By the look of the view behind them, it was worth being brave and heading up in the chairlift!

Thank you so much to everyone who is using #ShowYouWereThere, I love seeing your photos popping up over on instagram, they always bring a huge smile to my face!

Now my turn.

Steve has been off work this week because his brother and his family have been visiting from the Isle of Man.  It’s been so nice to spend time together, and to really feel like the pace of life has been allowed to slow down for a bit.

On Friday we walked over to Cwmdonkin Park before tea, and that was where this photo was taken.

Nerys had been running around, sliding down the big slide, playing on the wooden climbing frame and whizzing along on the zip wire.  So she was pretty worn out by this point.  She had just about enough energy to give us this smile before asking to be carried most of the way back home!

If you’d like to join in with my little community and possibly be featured in my next round up (with a nice link back to your blog!) then just share a photo of yourself over on instagram using #ShowYouWereThere.  It’s all about getting more parents in more photos.  And if you’d like to take part in my guest post series ‘The photo I’m thankful for‘ then take a look at this post or email me at thisgloriouslife@gmail.com for more information.

It’s Sunday morning, which means it’s time for another round up of my favourite photos that have been shared this past week with my little instagram community.

If you don’t already know, #ShowYouWereThere is the place to share photos that feature you.  I started it as a way to try and encourage more parents to get in more photos, both with and for their children.  So often we’re the ones hiding behind the camera, taking thousands of photos of our families, but never actually getting in any ourselves!

So, on with my picks for this past week.

First up this week is this gorgeous smiley photo from Lianne at Anklebiters Adventures.

I’ve never been to Castell Coch, but it sounds like they had a really lovely family day there, especially with it including lots of cuddles!

My next pick for this week is another smiley one, this time from Cath at Passports and Adventures.

I just love this happy, everyday moment that Cath has captured!

My third choice is a lovely summery shot from Sian at Hue me happy.

You might know Sian from her blog’s previous existence as ‘The Mama Story’, and if you haven’t taken paid her a visit recently you really should, her new design is absolutely gorgeous.  It’s bright and colourful, just like this photo!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXzpi1vH4qQ/?tagged=showyouwerethere

My fourth and final choice for this week is this photo from Lucy at Mrs H’s favourite things.

Lucy’s photo and the caption that goes along with it has a different tone to it than the other ones I’ve picked this week, as she talks about how she experiences depression.  I love how honest Lucy is in talking about taking herself off to bed for a while to take some time out, but then her determination to not let the depression take over shines through at the end.

Thank you so much to everyone who is using #ShowYouWereThere, I love seeing your photos popping up over on instagram, they always bring a huge smile to my face!

Now, my turn.

Although it’s my husband’s turn again this week.  I just had to share this moment, of Nerys once again balanced up high but absolutely confident that she won’t fall because her daddy is right there, holding her hand and keeping her safe.

If you’d like to join in with my little community and possibly be featured in my next round up (with a nice link back to your blog!) then just share a photo of yourself over on instagram using #ShowYouWereThere.  It’s all about getting more parents in more photos.  And if you’d like to take part in my guest post series ‘The photo I’m thankful for‘ then take a look at this post or email me at thisgloriouslife@gmail.com for more information.

It’s Sunday, which can only mean one thing, it’s time for another round up from my lovely little instagram community #ShowYouWereThere.

In case you’ve not heard about it, #ShowYouWereThere is the hashtag to use every time you have a photo to share that features you in some way.  It could be a selfie, a photo of you with your children or just your hand holding your morning coffee (or evening wine).

It’s all part of encouraging more parents to get in more photos, both with and for their children.

So, on with my picks from this past week

First up is this Throwback Thursday photo from Lyndsay at Fizzy Peaches.

This is just such an amazing, special moment captured, it makes me so happy that Lyndsay has this photo!

Next up is this slightly envy-inducing photo from Kerry at Kerry Louise Norris!

I think we would all like to be in a pool like that right now wouldn’t we?!

My third choice is this lovely shot from Emma at Emmaology.

Hopefully when you look back at this photo Emma, you’ll remember the happy memories of the day, and not the little tumble that you took!

My fourth and final pick for this week is this summery photo from Cal at Family Makes.

Here’s hoping that we get a few more days of ice-lolly-worthy-weather before the end of the school holidays!

Thank you so much to everyone who is using #ShowYouWereThere, I love seeing your photos popping up over on instagram, they always bring a huge smile to my face!

Now, my turn.

Although, it’s actually my husband’s turn this week.  When we went out to Horton last weekend we were both really impressed with how bold Nerys was when it came to climbing over the rocks.  She kept asking to go higher and further.

As long as her daddy was by her side, holding her hand, she was almost fearless.  She has complete and utter faith in him, knowing that he will never let her fall.

If you’d like to join in with my little community and possibly be featured in my next round up (with a nice link back to your blog!) then just share a photo of yourself over on instagram using #ShowYouWereThere.  It’s all about getting more parents in more photos.  And if you’d like to take part in my guest post series ‘The photo I’m thankful for‘ then take a look at this post or email me at thisgloriouslife@gmail.com for more information.

First week of the holidays over already, I have a feeling this summer is going to whizz by.

All of a sudden I find myself at Sunday again, writing another round up for #ShowYouWereThere, my instagram community aimed at getting more parents in more photos with and for their children.

I really love this part of my week, getting to look through all the fab photos that are being shared with #ShowYouWereThere.  It really makes me smile to see people starting to join in!

So, on with my picks for this week’s round up!

First up is this mother/daughter selfie from Charlotte at Mummy Fever.

I said the other week that I don’t take enough selfies and I think getting the children in them with me is the way to encourage me to take more!

Next is this wonderfully cheerful photo from Sabrina at The Mummy Stylist.

This picture just really makes me smile, and I love the idea of Sabrina and her family becoming wedding crashers, sounds like fun!

My third choice is this fab daddy/daughter photo from Vicki at Mum Bun Mondays.  I just love this captured moment, of something that is such a classic daddy/daughter thing to do!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BW7uB-pBeGk/?tagged=showyouwerethere

My last pick for this week is this gorgeous photo from Kelly at And Jacob Makes Three.

It is just a beautiful photo, the look on Kelly’s face is just pure love, and I have a feeling this is a photo they’ll both cherish in years to come!

Thank you so much to everyone who is taking part and sharing their photo using #ShowYouWereThere.

It means so much to me to see people joining in!

Now, my turn.

We took our family photos the other day, for my Me and Mine post for July.  And after the children had done their bit and then run away, Steve and I took this quick shot of just the two of us.

A spur of the moment shot, that just makes me smile.

I tend to forget how much taller than me Steve is, until I see photos of us together!

If you’d like to join in with my little community and possibly be featured in my next round up (with a nice link back to your blog!) then just share a photo of yourself over on instagram using #ShowYouWereThere.  It’s all about getting more parents in more photos.  And if you’d like to take part in my guest post series ‘The photo I’m thankful for‘ then take a look at this post or email me at thisgloriouslife@gmail.com for more information.

We’ve got to the end of the school year, and the start of the summer holidays!

Time to celebrate with another round up of my favourite photos that were shared with #ShowYouWereThere on instagram last week.

First up is this gorgeously happy photo from Lianne at Ankle Biters Adventures.

I dare you to look at this picture and not smile!

Next up is this photo from Lyndsay at Fizzy Peaches, from her recent trip to Rouen in France.  I love how Lyndsay made sure to get in some photos while she was away, rather than being the one taking them all!

My third pick this week is this sunny photo from Kirsty at Winnettes.  Another snap from a trip abroad, and it sounds like they had a wonderful time too!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWt8s7lgNsi/?tagged=showyouwerethere

The last photo I’ve chosen this week is from Suzy at Our Bucket List Lives.  The 40’s event she went to sounds amazing, and I love how they both got dressed up to enjoy it!

Thank you so much to everyone who is sharing their photos with me and #ShowYouWereThere.  It means so much to me and makes me so happy to see parents getting in more and more photos.

If you’d like to join in with my little community and possibly be featured in my next round up (with a nice link back to your blog!) then just share a photo of yourself over on instagram using #ShowYouWereThere.  It’s all about getting more parents in more photos.  And if you’d like to take part in my guest post series ‘The photo I’m thankful for‘ then take a look at this post or email me at thisgloriouslife@gmail.com for more information.