♥ Happy 2nd Birthday, Miss Taylor Grace ♥

 Happy 2nd Birthday, to my fourth baby girl ~ Miss Taylor Grace!

~ ♥ ~ ♥ ~ ♥ ~ ♥ ~

Time is so odd in the way that it both seems like just yesterday your were born, AND seems like you've been with us forever, all at the same time.
 

Your sisters were so excited to meet you.

 

Your very first car ride, going home.
It's kind of strange, but the one thing that sticks out to me 
was that we had to stop by Coastal to pick up chicken feed. 
Such a contrast to bringing home Sierra, as first time parents,
when we just wanted to get home and hibernate for a few months.
I guess by baby #4 we gave in to the fact that life continued on, responsibilities and all.

 

 

 

 Your first birthday came so fast!
 

And you continued to grow like a weed.
 

And then, practically overnight, you weren't a baby anymore.
 

You became a little girl.
 

A very opinionated little girl . . . ;)
 

Happy 2nd birthday, Taylor!
I can't wait to make more memories with you this year.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Reminder

 

 

 

 

  I establish my covenant with you:
Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood . . .

Genesis 9:11

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What a wonderful reminder . . .
especially during those "stormy" seasons.

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to the most wonderful daddies I know . . . 


My hubs

  

 

 
He lives with five girls.
Five.
And he hardly ever runs away.
I seriously admire him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Dad

 

He is so loving and attentive to his granddaughters.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My other Dad
{aka Jeremy's Dad}

 

He gives the greatest hugs!
And . . .
He brings ice cream.
All.the.time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Papa

 

 

 

He always comes up to me, puts his cold hands in mine and says, "Cold hands, Warm Heart".
And it couldn't be more true.
He has the warmest heart ♥

Happy Father's Day to the infinitely many special Dads out there!

 

 

 

 

{Almost} Wordless Wednesday ~ Flashin' Back

Nearly two years ago . . .  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Little Getaway

Ahhh, all rested up from our mini getaway.
I think one of the things I love most about getting away is coming home.
I love to be home.
I love my bed.
I love routine.
I just love familiarity.

So.
We spent a couple of days in Sunriver last week.
Jeremy had a conference to attend, and the girls and I had a free schedule, so away we went!

It just so happens that Papa {Jeremy's Gramps} was there for the same conference . . .
. . . and it was his birthday!

We had a nice little BBQ gathering at our place.
What a lovely evening.
Perfect weather.
Perfect company.

And before I go any further . . .
I was still without Miss Lily.
So all of the following photos were taken with my iPhone {and a couple with one of my very first digital cameras}.  It's not about the quality, it's about the memories {I have had to repeat this to myself many a time over the last couple of weeks}.


 Papa and his Great Granddaughters
 

We found the coolest little nest right outside our door.
We tried not to disturb the Mama too much, but every time we'd leave the house, she'd fly out,
perch in a tree, and keep her eye on our every move.
I didn't blame her.
 

There was a little of this from Tay . . .
 

And a little of this for the rest of everyone:
 

Hawaiian Shave Ice . . . the perfect accompaniment to an 88 degree day.
 

We even took a little drive up to Crane Prairie ~
One of Jeremy's most favorite spots.

 

 

 There's Miss Kenners, and my Mama-in-law, snappin' away at the beautiful scenery.

Yep, it was a much needed little vacay.
And now we are happy to be home.
In our own beds :)

 

 

 

 

Lily

Lily {my camera} is still gone :(
I called Canon yesterday, and they *still* hadn't received her.
{Turns out they only go to the post office to pick up packages twice a week!  That would have been helpful information to have when I was asking for specifics about shipping}
The lady I talked to told me it could take several days after they receive her, for her to be put in the system.  Then another 7 days until the repair . . . .
And I love my iPhone.  But I hate my iPhone camera.
There.
I said it.

So.
Not much picture-taking going on here :)

This one is from a couple of weeks ago.
And I have to share, because . . . really, isn't it a crime to submit a blog post without a photo?

 

 

Another busy week ahead of us!
We're preparing for a quick trip with Jeremy for a telephone board conference.
Graduations and parties and all sorts of celebrations this weekend . . .
It looks like June is going to be busy, busy, busy.
 

 

 

 

 

Lost

 Any guesses as to what's in that box, there?

 

 

 

 It is a sad day, folks . . .
My beloved camera is on her way to the Canon Doctor.

It was physically painful for me to part with her.
And I know that sounds silly to those of you "normal" people.
But my camera is an extension of me.
I really am never without her, and am feeling a little lost.
Shipping her off for a couple of weeks??
Someone almost had an anxiety attack.

Okay.  Deep Breath.

I guess I will be using my iPhone camera for awhile :/
 

 

 

 

Test Day

 Test Day came and went, rather uneventfully.
The girls were a little anxious, but settled right in as soon as we arrived.
 

 

* The last time we tested, we tested with friends.
Those friends are moving away tomorrow :(

After a couple of hours, they had finished; and they got to pick a prize.
Of course they both picked candy.
They are their Mama's daughters, after all.
 

 

 

Then it was off to run a couple errands, pick up lunch, and a treat.

 

 

 

 They deserved it.

And while I am going to try not to brag too hard . . .
They both did AMAZINGLY well.
This Mama is so very proud.

Another wonderful end to another wonderful year!

 

 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Another Bird Rescue Story

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life

 

There is never a dull moment here.

Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed, trying to keep up with everything.

I want to document all of it. 

The every day moments.

Life.
Like I used to.
Before life got all crazy.

But that's not an option at this point.

So, I'll take what I can get.

And that is typically several update posts a month.

 

Here we go.

 

My brother got married!

And that means that family got together.

Which means that my sister came up for a visit!!!
 

Y'all.
Life has been difficult for awhile.
Really difficult.
But there is something about having my sister around . . .
it just makes things better.
It's like finding money in the pocket of pants you haven't worn in ages.
Or better yet, finding chocolate!
Not old chocolate, mind you.
And not in your pants.
Oh geez.  You know what I mean.
It's like being surprised with chocolate.
Except better.

Because my sister . . .
she's memories, and love, and trust and uncontrollable giggling . . .
all rolled into one.

What makes it even better . . .
My kiddos love her kiddos. 

  

 

It's just a LOT of love, if you can't tell ;)

One of the best parts?

Miss Mona thinks I look like Barbie.
This is an actual picture of her with her Barbie named . . . Liz.
 

I don't think I need to tell you how that makes a lady with 402 eye wrinkles feel.

So.
They are gone.
They left for home on Sunday.
But we'll be reunited again in July at our family reunion campout. Woohoo!
And we've got plenty to keep us occupied until then.

Today Sierra and Makenna have end of the year testing.
If you have a minute and would like to say a little prayer, it would be greatly appreciated.
They're a little anxious.
But excited to be wrapping up another homeschool year.

And this weekend we say goodbye to our precious friends, as they head off for new adventures in Kansas.  Our hearts hurt, but we are trying to find joy, knowing that they are being called to bigger things.

 

 

 

TLC

 

Miss Kitty had some female surgery yesterday . . .

 

 

 

and she's resting quite peacefully :)

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Mother's Day!

 Happy Mother's Day to my very favorite Mamas!

 

 

 

Wishing you a day of rest and relaxation!