I'm Back

Having trouble still finding a photoblog that will post larger pictures that I take with my camera. I have somewhat given up and am going to begin posting again with the crappy blogger templates. Sorry if the current pics are dumb and stretched or whatever it is they are doing....

until then...

Grandma....forever loved....

My Grandma passed away several weeks ago and although funerals can be very sad, we felt somewhat celebratory as she was 98 years old and suffering from dementia and discomfort..we also celebrated because it brought us all together again...


my mom and dad


our immediate family...my brothers and sisters and all of their kids (I only added two kids to this brood I might add...


my family and my dad's two brothers and their families

Fun at John and Beth's

Matt loving on Mimi

Chris Botti and Architecture make me think of Heaven.

We went to Chicago in May to see Chris Botti perform at the historical Chicago Theatre.
There were moments in that concert that I honestly felt like those scenes from The Matrix.
The ones where the bullets fly through the air and time almost completely stops but not all the way...you know which ones I'm talking about?
I wasn't to jazzed up about this trip; it was going to be hectic; mother's day weekend, hard time finding childcare for the kids, lots of driving, very little sleep....
But those moments listening to several of the most acclaimed musicians in the world...brought a Matrix moment for me...
I didn't breathe for several seconds at a time and all I could think of is that when I get to heaven, that music ...that is all I'll want to do. I'm sure of it...listening for hours.
It's hard to get excited about going to concerts; partly because I studied it for far too many years....but I have made a new commitment to seek out great music and find it and ENJOY it.

And of course, we stayed at the historic Palmer House Hilton.
Amazing.
I loved the light fixtures and this brass window lock.
And of course, the world famous lobby...

Oh, yeah, and 15 years of marriage to Matt is kinda cool too.
That is why we were there...
We are going to Hawaii next summer for our REAL celebration..
but a night listening to Chris Botti live, almost beats Hawaii....

Catching Up...Glimpses of Spring in Atlanta...Florida Trip

Here is a little glimpse of spring from our visit to my cousin Aaron's condo in Atlanta.
We had a really really great time with them...

It was refreshing to catch up with them and realize what great friends we would be if we lived closer and the importance of keeping in touch now.....

Then below are some fun ones of our time in Florida with Grandpa and Grandma...

I really hate blogger...have no idea why it is deciding to underline my font...this is exactly why I kinda avoid blogging...I get soo frustrated...oh well..

Older.

I turned 36 last Friday and I see myself in pictures and wonder where the time has gone. I was alone in my kitchen and pretending to be some model but all I ended up with was a wrinkly top lip. This is me in my 36 year old glory. But you know, there are some really great things about getting older:

1. I don't worry about dumb stuff as much
2. I love Matt in a much much deeper way.
3. I don't worry about money nearly as often
4. I don't change diapers OR buckle carseats anymore.
5. I have a deeper appreciation for the institution of the family by enjoying mine soo much as they begin to feel and think and have opinions of their own
6. I have a deeper and greater respect for my mom and dad.
7. My boobs have gotten bigger as I've aged....that's a plus
8. I've conquered a mammogram
9. I've set some really important goals and met them.
10. I feel more inclined to meet the ones I haven't met as an urgency of time comes upon one when they age.
11. I don't expect as much out of life in a good way.

Its been a really really good 36 years.

Tulips

Had to go next door and take pics of these.

We got some bad news regarding a family member's health tonight.

Taking pictures of these perfect tulips...

made me remember our Perfect Creator.

He made these out of an ugly looking onion-like bulb.

And holds our dear Grandpa Dave in the palm of His hand.

A Quiet spot...

I needed some quiet.

It's wierd that you don't know you need it till it comes.

And then, it washes over you and you can....breathe.

I've really longed to hear God lately.

He's seemed too quiet.

I prayed off and on for the distance to shorten between us.

And in walks this chair.

I was making coffee (eight 0'clock columbian my new and cheap fave)

and noticed a flurry of cars just past the cul-de-sac.

I HATE garage sales.

But I know the lady who was doing this one and she is a CLEAN freak.

I mostly hate garage sales because of a small issue with germs.

(some of you recall a couch someone took from the side of the road that was infested with lice.)

Anyway, I thought as I grabbed my checkbook and ran out the door how silly it was to walk in with checks. I never buy things at garage sales!

And then I saw it.

Beth had a rocker like this from Sams and I recall going back SEVERAl times to try to get one.

I love upholstered rocking chairs.

This one:

~perfect condition

~pottery barn

~rocked only babies in and then hardly ever sat it

~neutral

~slip-coverable

~most importantly: REALLY COMFY and only FIFTY BUCKS.

I pulled out my checkbook, wrote the check and this warm spring morning have sat quietly in it listening to birds, feeling the breeze, reading, drinking from my FAVE mug bought at a newly rediscovered awesome store called Anthropologie.

And as always, my favorite quiet partner by my side.

Yesterday was one of those wierd days that make you want to crawl under a rock and never again have to face people and the world.

But today, my chair, my dog, my mug, God's breeze, and His spirit quietly refreshed me.

Here's to non-lice-infested-50 buck-garage-sale-serenity.....

Busy Bee

I feel a lot like this guy right now.

a busy busy busy bee.

He literally moved from one flower to the next

so quickly I had trouble keeping up.

He has a big job, you know.

Helping to keep this Azelia coming back next year.

I think at times he must feel a lot of pressure.

I know I do.

It is hard to keep serenity with so many people counting on you.

But.

I am sure, this bee doesn't think about his task.

He just does it.

Do you think bees grumble?

I kinda doubt it.

Anyway.

Just a thought.

Beautiful Singing

This little guy was singing away in my tree out front.

It was such a happy song and so carefree.

I decided my day needed to mirror his.

To live life not worrying about the next anything...the next paycheck,

the next job, the next "good time", the next anything.

Here's to carefree songs on a carefree spring day.

New camera...

We went ahead and purchased a Nikon D40. I am thrilled with it.

Here are a few of my favorite things and people and of course,

my favorite animal in the entire world.