What a Cutie- Inside and Out!

My little Liza was sweet enough to let me practice taking some pictures of her tonight.  I tell you, my kids are really not into helping me out when it comes to picture taking these days.  They are completely over being my test subjects.  So, I was pleasantly surprised when I suggested going outside tonight and letting mommy take a few pictures.  Liza said she would help me out so outdoors we went.

Now, although I do love the little shot I got of Liza, the real reason for her picture being on this post is because her mommy is super proud of her.  This week our church has been holding VBS ( Vacation Bible School for my Yankee friends).  Liza and Louisa were supposed to be in the nursery all week as I led a group of kids.  Louisa had different ideas though and she learned very quickly ( like within 30 minutes of me dropping her off the first day!) that if she shrieked her high pitch squeal, then she would get busted out of the nursery.  And me, being the tender hearted mommy couldn't bear to leave my Liza in the nursery ( it was ALL babies!) if Louisa was going to have to accompany me around all morning.  So, I told Liza she could rotate through the stations with my group ( the rising kindergarteners) as long as she as a good girl.  Well, Miss Liza was a good girl!  She listened.  She followed directions.   She participated.  And the crowning jewel in the whole thing was tonight, on the way back from dropping Benjamin off.  We had the VBS music CD playing in the car and I heard my sweet little Liza's voice singing "We can trust Him, We can trust Him".  Something about hearing her soft little voice singing songs that talked about such important and bigs ideas, made me proud of her.  She was a trooper.

And to be fair, all of my kiddos were troopers and made their momma proud.  Benjamin was in a rather challenging group but the leader made a point to come up and tell me how thankful she was to have Benjamin there as she could count on him to listen and help out.  And my Harrison was in my group, which isn't always the easiest on a kid.  He really made me proud though!  We had the largest group at 30, and I didn't have to speak to him once this whole week.  I had some very active little kids but Harrison knew how to behave and did his best.  Not only did they all behave, but they also learned a lot.  Every night we have been able to talk about what we learned the previous day and they made sure to bring in donations each day to go towards our mission ( we collected over 1000 pounds of food!!).  All in all it was a crazy busy but super fun week and this momma is oh so proud of her babies.

New Camera, New Pictures

Just a quick post to show off some new pictures taken with my new camera!  I actually got the camera almost two weeks ago but am just now getting time to really learn it.  While I do believe that the camera does not make the photographer, I can now say that it does help a little!

Here are a few pictures snapped with my new baby.  Along with the new camera I am trying out some new processing techniques.  Seems like I always have to be learning something.  What fun is it to always do things the same way?

Here is a soft/dreamy type processing.  Took these last night in front of a beautiful church downtown.  I love the grounds of this church.  So pretty!

And this one cracks me up.  I love how Liza wrinkles her little nose up.  She does it when she is being devilish.  My goodness she is a character!

And here is my little H.  Isn't he the best model?  You should have seen him posing for me!  I just love this little dude.

And this one is my absolute favorite of all the pictures I got from last night.  It's not my favorite because it is the best composition or the best processing.  It is my favorite because of what it says.  To me, this picture shows what life is like in our house at times- Liza being a character while the boys look on and laugh and/or wonder about her.  This is an emotionally perfect photography to me.

And lastly, I apologize for not including any photos that show our little Louisa.  A big storm blew up as we were taking these pictures so Miss Louisa missed her modeling time.  Never fear though, you know there will be more pictures soon!

My All-Star

Check out my Benjamin:

Does he look like he is ready for the big leagues or what?  Although he played t-ball as a 4 year old, he hasn't played baseball since we moved here three years ago.  This year he played with our friends' church and had a lot of fun.  When that season ended he joined up with our area All Star team.  

Now let me be clear, when they say All Star they mean ALL STAR.  Wow!  These boys can play!  They can dive to catch they ball.  They make double plays.  They hit homeruns.  They are really good!  Even though Benjamin loves to be "the best" at what he does, I think he would be the first to tell you that he isn't the best, nor the second, nor the third best.  He is the newest and least experienced on the team. We are just proud that he is hanging in with something that hasn't been as natural to him as some of the other things he has played.

His ( and the team's determination) and great coaches have helped the kids to become a great team.  A few weeks ago they won the district championship.  This past week and weekend they played in the state championship.  After a week of baseball games and three hard games on Saturday they lost their last game to become the runners up in the state championship.  Although I know they wanted to win the championship they were still rewarded.  As runner up they represent our state in the regional championships in Florida!  Yup, that's right- they get to go to Florida!

We are proud of our little All Star and all of his teammates!  Go Team!!

Oh Those Pigtails!

Liza has recently taken to wearing her hair in braids.  She has become quite vocal in letting me know exactly how she wants her hair.  A few weeks ago her preference was for having her hair in a ponytail on the back of her head.  And, it couldn't be a ponytail that was too high.  She wanted it low so that she could sweep it around to the front like a princess.  This week we are all into pigtails.  I am thinking it might be from what we are reading- Pippi Longstocking.  Do you remember her?  Liza has long heard how I used to want to wear my hair like Pippi.  Perhaps Liza is my little Pippi.  Now if I can just get those braids to stick out from her head!

Inquisitive Louisa

Hmm, mommy left this cool card thing on the ground and Harrison put it on my neck.  What is it?

Maybe if I hold it out I can figure out what it is...

Uh-oh, she caught me playing with it.

Aren't these guys just the cutest???

This Just Makes Me Laugh

Louisa discovering the wonders of picking and eating grass.

Harrison trying to prevent it.

This picture just cracks me up!

The Glad Game

I am so lucky to have friends who encourage and inspire me.  There are three people here in my little town that I used to spend a lot of time with.  These three people were teachers on my team and even after moving away and then moving back they are still people that I call my friends.  Each of them is unique in their own way and I marvel at the way life works out to bring people into each others' lives.  When we moved away nine years ago I never would have guessed that our paths would cross again.  

Tonight, as I was driving home I was running through the sometimes overwhelming parts of life- juggling schedules, keeping up the house, fixing things that are broken ( think air conditioner in 90 degree weather!) and I started feeling, well, overwhelmed!  I think the straw that "broke the camels back" was the air going out today.  After shelling out a lot of money a few months back to "recharge" the unit I was a bit distressed that it was not working again.  That is when my friend Amy came to mind.  She plays the "glad game" sometimes to look on the bright side of things.  So, I did too.  What, you might be thinking, is good about your air conditioning going on the blitz during 90 degree weather??  Can't think of one?  Well, I did!  I always complain about how the power bills in our town are ridiculously high. So, I can now look forward to a lower power bill this month.  No AC for several days, means we are using less electricity.  So, yeah!  Something to be glad about :-) Thanks Amy for inspiring me to play the glad game!  Amy is a Sunday school teacher at my church and she keeps the class on the same page by sending out e-mails throughout the week.  Those e-mails throughout the week help me to keep my head and heart from getting consumed with things that, in the end, aren't really that important ( like the A/C)  And.... thank you for teaching my Benjamin this year.  Since he won't be able to have you for his third grade teacher ( Amy is retiring in a few days!!) I am glad that he was able to benefit from your love and experience this year for math.  You have touched many lives as a teacher and I am a bit sad that there will be one less familiar face up at school but I am GLAD that you now get to enjoy retirement.  Thanks for all your hard work!

Now, since I did say I had three "teacher friends" that I was feeling thankful for tonight, I ought to give them some blog time too!  One of my other friends is Susan.  She lives the closest to me and is in the midst of getting ready for her daughter's wedding.  She is so much fun and when I think about her I think of enjoying life to the fullest.  She is definitely one to live by the glad game, although she might not call it that.  In all my years of knowing her, I have never known her to be down.  She is sure to pep anyone up.  Just being around positive people can make all the difference!  She has been awful busy lately as have I and we haven't seen much of each other.  Sorry for not calling to check in on you but I do miss seeing you my friend!  

And last but not least, is my jet setting friend Lynn.  Lynn has been out of the country for almost a month now!   Lynn has been leading our Bible study in her home for the past few years and I am so in awe of not only what she knows about the Bible but also by how giving she is.  She is such a great example of thinking about others.  When we moved back here years ago, she and Susan came over to help me clear out the flower beds in our yard.  She came armed with weed killer, pine straw and a helpful spirit.  I aspire to grow up and be as giving of my time, talents & gifts as she is.  I look forward to when she returns so we can go to the bagel place to catch up!

So, my crazy busy life and broken air conditioner led me to be glad for my friends that I have had the pleasure of working with and knowing for over a decade (gosh has it really been that long??)  I think we often think about our friends and family and what they mean to us but we rarely tell them.  These three ladies are super special and I hope they know it!

Now, the perfect end to this post would be a picture of me with my wonderful friends but alas, I do not have one!  Never fear though- you don't need to know what they look like.  I have told you enough so that you can "see" what is important about them- their hearts and their spirits.  Aren't they beautiful??