For those of you do the facebook thing, you probably have read my recent early morning reflections, er, complaints. The nearly perfect newest member of the house has become a morning dog and in turn is forcing me to be a morning mama again.

After the initial shock wore off I began to look at things through a new set of sleepy eyes. Could I make the best of the mornings? Was it possible to slowly creep into a slow routine of mindful reflections and stretching (literally and figuratively)? Because I am on a quest to live each moment a little more deliberately than I have before, this all makes total sense and it actually has been invigorating.

Small shifts of perspective can make all the difference.

Being up early means that when the sun begins to light the morning, I am fresh and ready to then see things through my lens. The morning light makes for beautiful photographs and has given me a unique situation to see and enjoy my backyard. In the past I have only really taken advantage of the late afternoon hours so this has been refreshing.

Sunday morning my youngest daughter and I explored the yard together, in jammies and slippers (along with the dog of course) and she discovered this orange blossom on the dewy grass. Here Mama, look what I found.

I was poignantly reminded that the most beautiful gifts can come even in the earliest of mornings.

Did you awake to anything special or perhaps unexpected this week? What were the gifts you discovered? Share one of your Best Shots with us.