Happy Happy Joy Joy

Yesterday's post was a little dark so I thought maybe I would lighten things up today. I thought these photos of Luke in a pink jeep might do the trick. They make me smile from the inside out! This is our friend's daughter's jeep. Luke loves steering wheels and the moment he saw it he wanted in. He was perfectly content to sit in a non-moving vehicle and pretent he was driving. I was happy that he was contained...for the moment. Kim, showed him how to work the gas pedal.

This is why toddlers shouldn't drive. He was always looking behind.

Until he ran into something...like Kim's beautiful garden.

Oh, and Kim I haven't forgotten to replace your garden light.
Is this the picture of joy or what? Nick wanted all of these in black and white...he didn't want pictures posted of Luke having so much fun in a PINK jeep. That just isn't very manly.
Add a dog to the mix...Oh, he is over the moon!
All done.
What a ride!

Four Alarm Fire

This was the scene Monday, just a few miles from my home. A four alarm fire burned at least ten homes to the ground. One woman lost her life. Jay and I drove to check it out and among a sea of spectators we watched helplessly as fire consumed ridge. I took a few photos but felt guilty about it. Somehow someone else's loss as fodder for my blog just didn't seem right. But there we all were...watching. As I looked around I saw sadness and concern in everyone's eyes...


...and then I noticed this. A beautiful sunset. It seemed ironic to me. How could there be something so magnificent happening in the same atmosphere as something so destuctive?

It reminded me of God's love. Unceasing, ever-present love for us. Even when we think he has forsaken us and we turn our backs on Him he is still there. "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:18

First day of SECOND grade!

Luke is trying to steal the spotlight. It is Jay's big day and there he is, half way around the block. Luke, having tasted freedom, is on the loose and very happy. Now that I think about it, I have to wonder if Jay is trying to loose me. He never walks that fast.

That's better. Jay's first day of second grade. I can't believe it! He is growing up too fast. He didn't want me to go with him to the bus stop. I thought for sure it would be okay for me to follow him to the bus stop and take his picture as he is getting on the bus well into Elementary School and maybe Junior High. But alas, I think this is my last year...maybe.
I hope he finds his classroom okay and I hope the kids are nice to him.

Boondocks Birthday Party

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The Park in Black and White

We have plums!

We just discovered this weekend that the terribly sour plums that have been growing on our tree every season are sweet! I was beginning to think this was a sour plum producing tree...but it isn't. Anybody need some plums? We have a lot!

Early Morning Entertainment

I am uncertain who wakes up first, but this is how they usually end up. Yes, that is Nick in Luke's crib. I took this picture as soon as I walked in, before they saw me.

YAY!!! Mom has finally come to get us!
I wonder how long it will be before Luke learns this trick.
Not long.

Pure Bliss

I think he honestly he believes he can swim without anyone holding on to him. He moves our hands away. He doesn't want us to hold him and he doesn't like going in the floating tube...and he doesn't like playing on the steps where he can reach. He is a little conflicted.

This is how Luke looks when he escapes...
then, once he has tasted freedom.
Meanwhile...

The Glass is Half Empty

I am the first one to acknowledge it's the little things in life that make it so sweet! A kiss from my husband before he leaves for work, the sound of my children's laughter, that first sip of hot coffee early in the morning, those things make my world go round. It wasn't until this morning I realized that it is also the "small" things that can bring peace and serenity to a screeching halt! It may not look like much but the ice dispenser on my refrigerator is the bane of my existence!!! Okay, I realize that is a bit melodramatic, but it really drives me crazy! Every morning I go to fill my water bottle up with ice water and every morning I find myself scrounging around on the floor picking up ice cubes that have been forcefully thrown out of the freezer, bounced of the rim of my water bottle and flung every which way. Inevitably, I miss one or two cubes only to find it later when a cold wet feeling soaks through my socks...ICK! And this ice dispenser is NOISY too!I have to get ice from the freezer rather than use it while Luke is sleeping...the nerve!!! And now to top things off Luke has realized that he can reach it...standing on his tip toes with a tall cup. But his aim is really lousy and so there we are again...more wet socks. Which reminds me...another small thing that really makes me mad is wet socks!