Monday, May 14, 2012

Matter of Perspective

When I got married we had that traditional picture taken of our hands with our new wedding bands on.  You know the one, usually taken on top of an open Bible.  I worried about it practically from the day I said "yes!" when he popped the question in front of the entire congregation.  My hands have always been wrinkly.  Often referred to as "old people hands" by some claiming to be my friends at the time, I have always been self conscious of them.  

So when we entered this year's Mother's Day Banquet to see a photographer taking pictures of our hands I hesitated.  Not long enough to get talked out of it, however.  
And for that I'm quite thankful.  I LOVE this picture!  

Three generations of hands, wedding diamonds turned to face the palm, telling so many stories.  Cupcake's stories are just beginning, but they are precious and treasured. At first glance, I wasn't sure which hands were mine and which were my mother's!   


These hands have prayed, worked, loved & fixed.  They have comforted, praised & celebrated.  They have held new born babies and tended gardens choked with weeds.  They cook, clean, organize, drive, and lift.  They throw and shove and push when needed.  They've needed healing.  They've been abused, pampered, and neglected.  They tell the stories of women in love with Jesus.  They hold the hands of another generation.  My mother's hands have held me and my children.  We have held her.  That's priceless.

I love you, mommy.
                                  Happy Mother's Day.
                                                                    We cherish you everyday.
                                 

Going to a Girl Party!P



Special Bond!

Peaking during prayer...She was so excited to be going to a girl party she could barely sit still!

Friday, May 11, 2012

A Surprise Trip!!

She still didn't know where we were at this point.  She just knew it was a Mystery Ride!

Almost as tall as an elephant.

The gorilla was carrying its baby on its back!  So cute!

This would make fishing soooo much easier!

Hanging out in the Rainforest!  Off to see the red-bellied piranhas  next!   

We didn't pet the piranhas, but we DID pet the leopard mana rays! 
POLAR BEARS!!  ROAR!!

Entertaining this concept......

Such an amazing part of the Pittsburgh Zoo!  (Under the polar bears, sea otters, & sharks!)


A view up through the water!  So cool!

Watching them feed the baby sea otter!  He is only 12 weeks old.

Handsome man!!


Put this in for Nee Nee:  we KNOW how much you LOVE snakes!  ICK!

A very good day..... Very good indeed!



Thursday, May 10, 2012

Going all Martha on ya!

Making homemade granola!  It turned out awesome!

My family has been devouring store bought granola.  
It's not a cheap cereal so I had to come up with a plan.  
I can't discourage "good for ya" eats, so I found a recipe.  
One hour later, I had a huge batch of deliciousness made!  
Wowza!  

Added cinnamon, sesame seeds, and dried fruit to make it our own!  



Celebrating!

Giving Uncle Jack some Birthday Hugs!  


The kids bought candles.  A 9 and a 0!  The 9 broke so it was 00!  They thought it was very funny!
(He's no where near 90!)  

White Cake, White Icing, Strawberries & Whipped Cream!  Yummy!

A Favorite Place

Ahhhhh..... the warm humid air surrounds me and inhaling I can almost taste Summer days......  


Can't you feel the heat?


Bought this one!!  A Maple tree/hibiscus mix!!
Also, bought a plant originated in Africa that when you rub the leaves, it smells like popcorn!  No kidding!







A Day of Play!





Muscles!! 

Helping each other!  Priceless!

Moving on up!

Gus moved up to Webelos in Scouting! 
 He'll be moving on to Boy Scouts in no time.  
I'm very proud.
 I'm very torn as time is slipping through my fingers even though
 I'm trying to hold on to it with all I have....  

Congratulations Big Guy!!  
Getting advice

last step in Cub Scouts....

Leading a Flag Ceremony.



Saturday, April 21, 2012

The Cat & The Hat has NOTHING on us!


Rainy days are made for using your crafting skills!  And these kiddos have it!!  
What a fun day!

Painted the WHOLE thing!  Even the bottom...and her fingers....and.... So cute!

Painting his dog, he called "Gidget", our dog,  over to look at his eyes before he painted them!   What an insightful edge!

Dandelions will never be a weed to me!

I told him if they make his skin turn yellow; he likes girls!  He wasn't sure what to think.
He needed a shower after the experience, however.









I will cherish these moments forever....and ever.