How does your garden grow?

I was reminded today, the details I'll leave out, that life is a test, an opportunity to grow. I was reminded that we can't grow unless given the opportunities to do so. If we meander from day to day, year to year without opposition or challenge, can we ever really prove that we have the faith and “gumption” to rise above? Will we remove ourselves from situations that could prove harmful? Will we forgive someone who has harmed us? I think within us all there is a seed. A tiny manifestation of our creator. We can cultivate and tend this seed or we can ignore it while it slowly hardens and withers. I learned today that my seed could use some water and I'm thankful that I've been blessed with another day to grow stronger. I want to be counted among the mighty oaks, not the drought-stricken saplings. I also want my children to be strong, to be able to combat the temptations of every day life. In the world that we live in, temptation will be at every corner, at the touch of a button. I consider this post a journal entry of sorts. I will have to come back and read this often as a reminder of this day. I learned a lot today, and I am thankful, but I'm glad it's over.

Busy Hands

Lacey always wants to hold something, to have something in her busy little hands. Usually it's a rock, or a stick. I don't think her curiosity is ever fully satisfied unless there is a tactile experience involved. Perhaps she will be good with her hands...

Learning

After years of running around, whipping out the little pink Sony Cybershot, this was a totally different experience. I'm liking the results though!
I was able to do a maternity shoot for a friend. We had a great time. She has the most beautiful baby bump! I learned a lot from our little session - filing my info in my memory banks to make the next shoot even better!

Five?

I had a conversation with Lacey today. Her responses to questions always amaze me. She is my strong-willed little girl. She is "too smart for her britches." Don't have a CLUE where she gets it from! Our conversation went something like this:

"Lacey, how old are you?"
"I am 5, so I can go to school."
"You are almost three. You are not five yet. You can go to school when you are five, but you have to go by yourself like the boys. I can't stay with you."
"I am not three I am THIS many (shows 5 fingers), and you have to go to school too. You can be 5 just like me."

I guess she has it all figured out!

Just Another Happy Summer Day!

Ice Pop Princess

I grew up with ice pops - a cheap, cold, summer treat. My brothers and I used to finish the ice pops and then fill the plastic tubes with water. We'd pretend they were scuba gear. One of us would be the shark while the rest of us ran like mad with the ice pop hanging from our teeth! It is a silly, summer memory that I love. It was all about imagination when I was a kid! My children have acquired the same love of ice pops, especially Lacey. She loves all flavors, but prefers pink. But then, she prefers everything in pink! Maybe Uncle Dale and I need to show everyone how to play "shark." You're "IT" Uncle Dale!!

A Place In the Sun

I had just been complaining that we didn't have a good spot to plant some tomato plants. I LOVE tomatoes, especially fresh from the garden. Our yard is so full of shade trees that there wasn't enough sun to grow anything. But, I just couldn't cut down a tree. Well, apparently someone heard me because a nice shade tree was taken out during the early April storm that we had. And there it was, the garden spot. Travis and the boys went to work and now we have string beans, cucumbers, watermelon, corn, and TOMATOES!
Here's the before:

After:

Time Together is Time Well Spent

I just love these kids. We spent the morning at the free movies at Sandhills and then CiCis. It was nice to look down the aisle at their faces as they giggled at "Mr. Bean." This is what summer vacations were meant for - time for family and fun.

Greed

Once again, my children are provoking me to be a better person, to consider qualities and aspects of human nature that sometimes I'd prefer not to visit. Our discussions are short and simple, but they seem to linger with me for weeks to come. Being selfish or greedy, for example. What is it that makes some so giving and some so selfish? What is it that drives adults to keep up with the neighbors? Is this greed as well, or is this insecurity and jealousy? I found this quote and it makes so much sense to me,
"Greed is a fat demon with a small mouth and whatever you feed it is never enough."
The mental picture of this is terrifying! If you could picture greed as a "fat demon," lurking at your every footstep, maybe there would be more willingness for a change of lifestyle! Do you really want to feed the fat demon? Not I. I believe that if you really want something, you work for it, you save for it. But along the way you have to share with friends and family or your end result can never be a fulfilling one. Yes, I have lots of questions, few answers - but I will keep trying.

First Pool Day!

Our little pool is finally up and running. It's nothing fancy but the boys love it. It's a good spot for cooling off! They are becoming little fish too! Just a few short years ago they all swam like rocks.



Lacey wasn't in a pool mood today. After hours of begging to "bounce" I finally gave in and went to the hot trampoline.



On another note, Facebook is giving me problems - maybe a hacker, not sure. Lots of my friends were deleted and when I try to add them back they don't exist! HUH? I couldn't upload photos for the longest time either. I have changed my password - hopefully it will work out soon!

{Sweet.}

"Before you were conceived I wanted you
Before you were born I loved you
Before you were here an hour I would die for you
This is the miracle of life."
Maureen Hawkins

Oh What Do You Do In the Summer time?

I love this Primary song and it is stuck, in repeat mode, playing over and over in my head. There are just so many fun activities to participate in "when all the world is green." I think this will be our theme song for the summer as I chronicle all these fun events! Even as we booked our vacation cabin last week, this song was spinning. I know my kids are going to grow up too fast for me, so I have to savor all these simple, summer moments.
We've spent a lot of this summer getting wet! Lacey insisted on her red, gingham swimsuit from last summer - way toooo small. I'll have to hand that one down quickly! Caleb and Dylan are slip and slideaholics. I don't know how they aren't black and blue. Cody was fortunate enough to spend some time with the grandparents last week, so he had his own summer fun too.
All this I soaked in from a lawn chair in the shade. Ahhhhhh.....



Oh what do you do in the sumertime, when all the world is green?
Do you fish in the stream, or lazily dream on the banks as the clouds go by?
Is that what you do? So do I!



Oh, what do you do in the summertime, when all the world is green?
Do you swim in a pool, to keep yourself cool, or swing in a tree up high?
Is that what you do? So do I!



Oh, what do you do in the summertime, when all the world is green?
Do you march in parades, or drink lemonades, or count all the stars in the sky?
Is that what you do? So do I!

She's baaaack!

On Memorial Day, Miss Priss, being the ferocious, 4 pound, attack dog that she is, decided to run into the neighbor's yard to tease TWO, enormous, shock collar wearing, BIG dogs. Miss Priss came out of it with a fractured pelvis and puncture wounds. We have kept her completely confined, per doctor's orders, for two weeks. We were supposed to keep her confined for month, but she was going BONKERS. We let her out and she is soooo happy! We fixed our backyard fence so she can no longer slide under the gate and escape to the neighbor's yard ever again. Lacey is so glad to have her "puppy doodles" back. Once again, she gets to put her "baby" in the stroller and have a grand time. Lacey and Miss Priss really do love each other. Only a few moments after being attacked, Miss Priss lay motionless in the grass. Anyone got near her she would snap and go nuts. Lacey got near her and said, "Hey there my Missy Prissy. You're okay." Believe it or not, Miss Priss wagged her tail and let Lacey rub her head. Lacey kept talking to her and the injured pup limped and yelped herself into her kennel so we could get her in the house. They have a real bond. I know most people say little kids and chihuahuas don't mix, but that's not the case at our house!

Summer Fun!

What do you do in the Summer? We love being outside and getting wet. Well, I don't get wet because I take all the photos, but I enjoy watching! I don't think any childhood could be quite complete without a Slip & Slide! With the help of a sloping backyard, the boys flew off the end every time, this was done much to their delight I may add. Lacey liked to walk slowly down the slide and sit in the sprinkling pool of water at the end. This didn't last long - she learned to move quickly as one brother or another got ready for take off!

Dylan's Baptism

My baby boy, Dylan, was baptized yesterday. He was very excited. Dylan is always playing "catch-up" with Caleb. He always want to do whatever his big brother does, but he's always two years behind. Saturday was a perfect day!