Into the mind of a 9 year old

 Last May Amana received a camera for her birthday.  Within months she had a full SD card and had gone through two sets of batteries.  We set the camera aside, longing for a time to upload them.  That was several months ago.  I'm embarrassed to say that I uploaded them just this week.  Even though I feel bad for the delay, I allowed myself to enjoy this sweet, inside peak into the mind and heart of my oldest daughter.

Some of the pictures were what you would expect from a 9 year old...silly pictures of herself posing (she comes by it honest), rushed and blurry pictures of her siblings acting crazy, and posed pictures of stuff around the house. 

I was surprised by how many were actually good pictures.  Good because they were clear and focused.  Because there was an interesting subject.  Because the angle was creative...The lighting worked.  Or because it captured a true and intimate reflection of herself or a moment in our family.

I've selected of few of the 675 photos she took to share with you. 

 Just as I was writing this post, Amana shared with me about her creative process in the photo above.  She said that since it's a book about being God's princess, she propped the book under her lamp so that it was like the Light of God was shining down on her.  Can I just say, I love this girl?!

 This is not the only picture she took of her own legs!

 One of may self-portraites!

 Anlynn "mothering" Lucy...a common theme to many of Amana's pictures.

 Blurry and unfocused- I don't care.  Look at the smiles on those girls' faces.

 Granny's one-eyed dog smiling.

 Amana was the only one who remembered to take pictures of our 4H camp-out last summer.

 More legs!

 Lola AKA Oreo AKA the first of our barn cats to die.  She was a little wild, and we think she was going to have kitties.  It was pretty sad.

 Black Susan AKA Black Panther AKA the cat we had to get rid of because he (yes, he!) kept trying to kill the 2 new kitties we got this fall.  I was the saddest to see him go.  I liked this tough barn cat.  I saved his life from the dogs once by meowing at him and getting him to come to me.  We had a special bond...and I hate cats.

 I just like this one, I'm not sure why.

 I have actually TRIED to take pictures like this, and they turned out awful.  My 9 year old just snaps this shot like no-big-deal.  :)

 Perspective...I was present when the above and below photos were taken, so it's fun to see what someone else was seeing during these everyday moments.

And sweet, smiling Maggie.  The farm has been good to this old dog.  She has gotten back to her old, lovable self...most of the time.  She happier (can dogs be happy?) and at a healthier weight with lots of running to do.