Welcome Baby A and Baby B!

Today we welcomed two more family members into the world!  They will have names (soon) and will then be properly introduced into the blog.  For now, we welcome Baby A and Baby B!




Baby A weighed in at 4.2 pounds

Baby B weighed in at 3.6 pounds

They were 6 weeks early, and look like little baby dolls, aren't they sweet?

An old friend/Father's Day

Several Saturdays ago Jaydon and I headed to the closest branch of the local library.  I needed to do some research for a paper.  I've been in and out of the library in the last few years with him to pick up books, and always look longingly at the adult side of the library knowing that I do not have time to read.  But on this trip I rediscovered an old friend, the library.

I've always loved going to the library.  I love to read and I love books.  When you open the cover of a book there is another world waiting inside the book, and that world will go with you after you close the book.  As I did my research I realized how long it had been since I had really been in a library and immersed myself in the contents of the shelves.  Ah, old friend how I've missed you!

But I had another experience that morning that jarred my memory.  As we started through the library I noticed a man reading a newspaper.  Not an odd thing, after all it was Saturday morning at the library.  As I tracked down the information I needed I went around a corner of a bookshelf and saw a lady sitting in an easy chair reading a magazine.  A magazine.  And then I remembered my father...he went to the library to read newspapers and magazines.  We never subscribed to magazines (except for the Progressive Farmer and later on Southern Living).  We only subscribed to the local newspaper.  But my father was well read and went to the library to read magazines and newspapers.  He also went to the library to do research on various subjects (usually tax codes and legal issues).  I don't really remember him checking out and reading books, but I do remember newspapers and magazines.

As I thought about this (while still in the library) I started remembering all the libraries I've been in in my life.  The first library I remember was on Clark AFB, and guess who took me?  My father!  While I browsed in the children's section he read publications.  I know he took me to various libraries over the years. While I checked out books or did research for a paper he would occupy himself reading the current periodicals.  I remember in high school that he took me to a local university's library to do research.   Thank goodness he didn't realize that I didn't do any research because I was so fascinated with the library that I spent the time just exploring the library.  And I thought of the local library across from my parent's subdivision that my father frequented in his final years.  He knew the librarian very well, and even when he was very sick asked my sister to take him over to the library because he wanted to check with her about a publication he was watching for.

So on this Father's Day I wish all father's a good day and I remember all the good memories I have of trips to the library with my Father.

Herding Cats

I love that phrase, "herding cats".  It just says it all!  I've been herding cats the last few days but I got them rounded up today!  We had a wedding shower for one of the young girls in the office.  I wanted the entire staff to be involved, and in the end they were.  But I remarked to one cohort who worked closely with the event that I felt like we were "herding cats".

So she went to the internet and started sending me pictures of "herding cats"; too funny!  I think I need to order one of the prints that was for sale and put it in my office.  But the shower was lovely, and the bride was so happy (I had flashbacks to Erin's wedding shower in the same office and hope this bride will have beautiful memories of today).

Now that this is over I have to start on the Christmas party planning.  Herding cats again, but this time it is the managers!

Sundays

Just realized I haven't posted in 2 weeks.  Time flies is all I can say!  Jaydon and I took Bentley to his first dog show today.  Actually it was a "fun match" which is just a show for fun to let the dogs practice for the real shows.  I'll do a post on the dog's blog but had to include this picture here:

As we drove to the match (it was in Austin) I couldn't help but think that Sunday is now just another day in our world.  Sadly, I realize that not everybody goes to church.  And, yes, many churches now offer worship services on Saturday nights.  But it just seems that Sunday has lost its sacredness and its designation as a day of rest.

I had been bummed about the match being on a Sunday morning, but just told myself oh well, deal with it.  It seems that more and more events are being held on Sunday now.  Last week I noticed a sign for a Farmer's Market at a nearby shopping area and thought "Oh neat, I need to check it out."  But it is on Sunday mornings, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. right during the church hours.  I see kids sports teams having games more and more on Sundays, too.  And since the Blue Laws were abolished the stores are open pretty much regular hours.

Now, yes, I do occasionally run to the store on Sunday.  And, sometimes I don't go to church either.  I admit, I made the choice this morning to take my dog to a dog match and not go to church.  Realistically I know we can worship God anywhere, anytime (and we should always be in an attitude of worship) but we should put aside the world for a few hours each week and concentrate our thoughts on the living God.  Having the world clamoring at us to go about our business as usual on Sunday is not a good distraction.  And what about the day of rest commandment?  We all need that rest and a time to reconnect with our faith.

Picture of the week

Cameron shows off his smile and his new favorite team shirt!

Saturday In the Park

We started our day very nicely with a family breakfast to celebrate Erin's birthday.  It was a great time, good food and a good visit.  Later Jaydon, Sawyer and I headed out to explore a fairly new park.  I don't know how I did this but I left my camera at home so no pictures.

The park was nice and Jaydon enjoyed the playground.  I had to pry him away to go exploring on the little trail.  This trail took us down to the dog park.  I don't know who enjoyed the dog park more, Jaydon or Sawyer!  This was Sawyer's first visit to a dog park and he did great!  I'll put a post on the dog's blog about his visit.  Jaydon and I thought it was neat because they had a little doggie playhouse/fort. 

After a while we went back and Jaydon burned some more energy on the playground.  He had never been on a merry-go-round so I put him on there and gave it a good spin thinking he would want off because he was sick.  Silly me, I forgot he can ride for miles in the backseat of the car doing puzzles so why would spinning around in a circle bother him?

!Sonrie!

Last night I was sitting at a stop light, on my way to handbells.  I've gotten roped into subbing for a few weeks (I gave up my permanent spot but that is a long story) with the handbell group.  I had moaned and groaned all day about having to give up an hour of my precious evening to go stand up there and ring bells.  Wah, wah wah.  I know that God listens patiently to me because I frequently wah, wah, wah.  So there I was, sitting at this stop light moaning and groaning and I noticed the license plate holder on the car in front of me.  It said, "!Sonrie! !Jesus Te Ama!".  And immediately, I had to smile!  If it had been in English I would have thought, "oh, that's nice, Jesus loves me" but something about the joyousness of the Spanish made me smile and brought a feeling of joy to me.  !Sonrie! ! Jesus Te Ama!

I went on to practice thinking that thought over and over, in Spanish.  Handbell practice went quickly and I was on my way home before I knew it.  I know that God put that license plate holder there for a reason...to remind me that he loves me and that I should love him (and ringing handbells for His glory).  So, Smile!  Jesus Loves You, too!

Day Lilies

I've always liked day lilies.  My grandmother had several clumps near the road in front of their house and I would clip them to go in the many bouquets that I cut and arranged when I visited their house.  I remember them being orange or yellow, but I can't remember any details.  I've planted them several times during my gardening career, but without any luck (blame the bad soil in one yard and too much shade in this yard).  But after last Sunday I'm thinking I might try again (next year!).  Sunday afternoon we went to the Botanical Garden and they had quite a display of day lilies:

This picture doesn't do the display justice, it was beautiful!

I had never seen a ruffled edge day lily.  This was enchanting!

Different shapes and different colors, so many varieties.



We were exclaiming, "look at this one, look at that one"



Picture of the Week





I never cease to be amazed at the beauty of flowers.  Why do they immediately bring such joy to my spirit?  Their beauty and delicate features are so enchanting.  God's creation, in all its glory!

Happy Mother's Day

What a great day!  I'm blessed to be a mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother!  And I'm blessed to have family live close so we can spend time together.  Happy Mother's Day to all!

This afternoon it was time for a little dip in the pool!  All four dogs got in, but Sawyer enjoyed it the most.

This is Jaydon's version of a "rain dance".  Hope it works.

Bubbles are always fun!

Okay, this looks weird but it was funny!  Stephanie and Jaydon used the pool as a Frisbee!  I think this is referred to as "creative play".

The boys got out their binoculars (Cameron couldn't resist a peak!).

Cameron, sweet Cameron! 

The Adventure, Part 2

There were four or five hummingbird feeders by the back door of the house.  If you stood still a swarm of hummingbirds would descend on the feeders.  There was so much talking and going in and out that I couldn't catch a picture when they were all around but I did catch these two on final approach!



There was a deer feeder with maize set up in the back yard.  Several times I saw probably 40 or 50 cardinals feeding under it.  They were beautiful!

I also got a few pictures of the rabbits but it is so dry that the rabbits just blended in with their surroundings.  The dryness is really taking a toll on the wildlife, so pitiful!  We need rain so badly, and sadly there are parts of our country that are under so much water.  If we could just get some of the flood water piped over here!

And, I ended the weekend adventure on an itchy, uncomfortable note.  I came home with more red bug (chiggers) bites on me than I've every had in all my life.  As we were walking through the grass Saturday afternoon I had a suspicion that the little devils might be there and sure enough they came riding home with me (UGH!).  Fortunately, Jaydon didn't have any.  Our adventure was fun and we will remember it for a long time.





"The Adventure of a Lifetime"

Yesterday my Sunday School class went out to the ranch that belongs to one of the couples in the class.  It has been in the wife's family for generations, and I've heard many stories about relatives being captured by the Indians and other pioneer adventures that took place on this property.  I took Jaydon along and he had a blast.  To get to the ranch you leave civilization and paved roads far behind.  As we started down the dirt road Jaydon excitedly commented "This is going to be the adventure of a lifetime!"  By the time we got to the ranch I was starting to think the same thing.  We went over two cattle guards, through an electronic gate, crossed two more cattle guards, went up and down and around and over a very rough road for several miles and then we were at the ranch house.

With just a little encouragement Jaydon caught on to the rope swing

There was time for tree climbing

Jaydon spent a lot of time on the tire swing

The black object is a large Angus bull.  I was told it was very gentle, but I wasn't sure about two small boys being that close to such a large animal! There was a light fence between them and the bull, it just doesn't show up in this picture.

The end of the adventure of a lifetime! I made this picture after I had pulled into the garage and opened the car door.  He insists that he was play-sleeping but I assure you he had passed out!  As we discussed it over dinner tonight we all reassured him that a nap in the car on the way home is a good way to end an adventure.

There was also a small "tank" (pond to me) that Jaydon enjoyed exploring around and one of the men wanted to teach him to shoot a .22 rifle.  I had to decline on that offer as I think he needs to be a little bit older and understand the importance of safety with firearms.  His mommy agreed, too!

I also got several pictures of hummingbirds and cardinals but will share them in another post.  I've been experimenting with my camera and switched over to manual mode several times.  Let's just say that I need to experiment a bit more...