Youth Art Month-Day 114

Strolling through Bryan ISD's ArtFest on a Saturday morning brought such joy to me as I saw some great friends and former students with their parents.  It was enlightening to study the art that students had displayed, and to wonder about their inspiration and motivation for each piece being spotlighted.  What was even more fun was to discover pieces that were created by former elementary students of mine who are now in high school!  Their work was stunning!  Youth Art Month is in April, and this year marks the 50th year.  This amazing collage was collaboratively created and designed by 10 dedicated art teachers in the Bryan/College Station area.  Thank you to all of the art teachers in our area who celebrate, encourage, and support creativity in the visual arts! 

Happy 1st Birthday-Day 113

Oh what a day to celebrate the twins' birthday with family and friends!  Thanks to all who have followed these sweet little boys' lives for their first year, and to all who attended their party!  Monsters Inc was the theme for their special day!  Check out this brightly colored birthday cake!  Happy 1st birthday, Noah and Adrian!

A Little Pampering-Day 112

Just a little time for myself is what I needed more than anything so off I went for a little pampering!  Pretty toes can make a girl feel so much better along with a little bling on the sandals!  Pink is my color this spring!

NICU Memory-Day 111

One year ago today, April 27, 2011, I got the most frightening phone call that forced me to jump into action just before midnight.  Amber had been on bed rest with her twin pregnancy at home for about 5 weeks, and then had been hospitalized for almost two weeks because of a condition called preeclampsia.  She was being rushed to the OR for an emergency C-section 5 weeks before her twin boys were due because of her blood pressure...her life was in danger!  As quickly as I raced around trying to get to the hospital, I felt like I was treading in a dreadful sea of molasses!  I was forever grateful that I made it to Labor and Delivery before she was wheeled into surgery, and got to kiss her goodbye and wish her well.  Her sweet little boys were delivered at 1:10 and 1:11 a.m., and after some poignant moments for a picture or two, Noah Andrew and Adrian Reece were whisked off to the NICU.  So this is an anniversary that I am reliving with a roller coaster of emotions, and yet praising God for protecting my courageous daughter and her precious baby boys!

Counting to 5-Day 110

New books to share!  Adrian and Noah have been mesmerized by these this week, listening to me read them, singing the songs, and turning the brightly colored pages over and over again!  Five Silly Monkeys has been their favorite!  I'm so happy that our grandchildren love books, and that Kyleigh is now old enough at age 3 to sit and read to her baby cousins!  It is a precious sight to behold!

Goodbye for Now-Day 109

Our grandangels are no longer babies anymore, and there is a bit of sadness to that realization.  It's time to tuck away the infant swings, bassinets, bouncer seats, and newborn baby tubs safely for a little while!  Goodbye for now...our babies are toddlers and beyond!  Perhaps God will bless us again really soon with another grandangel!

Hydrangeas-Day 108

I have the most wonderful memories of casually strolling with my grandmother through her yard to check on all of her beautiful flowers, and one of her most prized displays was a massive spread of pale blue hydrangeas.  I so often wish I could pluck the flowers from the recesses of my memory, and tuck them into a special spot near my front porch as if that might bring her near to me as well.  That's what I've been thinking since my mom and dad gifted this new arrangement to me last weekend.  Isn't it funny how the smallest gift can bring back of flood of mind movies from the past?

Ready for the Hummingbirds-Day 107

Oh, hummingbirds, where are you?  I have new colorful feeders for you this year, filled with some deliciously refreshing sugar water I prepared on my stove.  You brought us great joy the last time you were here!   Please come back!

Two Little Lunch Trays-Day 106

My mom and dad are the best great-grandparents around, I think!  They are full of sweet little surprises for their great-grandchildren, and just recently they brought the twins the cutest little lunch trays.  I love filling up each little compartment for Adrian and Noah to enjoy for their meal, and they love diving in with both hands to relish the tasty treats! But with this newly found freedom of feeding themselves, I must be ever so watchful because when they are done, they have already mastered emptying their trays in their laps!  Not so fun OR cute, but their giggles when I express my DISLIKE are contagious!  Oh, the joys of toddlers in the house again-two by two!

Kerrville Friends-Day 105

I was as eager as a young child on Christmas Eve to climb into the car on Friday afternoon to travel to Kerrville to see Richard and Lane.  This weekend getaway was a long time in the planning stages-time for visiting on the front porch of their beautiful Hill Country home, sharing grandchildren stories and milestones, and relaxing after crazy times throughout the week.  What a special time we had on this visit showering Lauren, their youngest daughter, with baby gifts galore to help her prepare for her expected arrival in May!  Cara, their oldest daughter, and friend hosted the nicest shower and welcomed family and friends to celebrate with Lauren.  On Saturday evening, we feasted on pizza and salad, with the best ice cream I've tasted in a very long time for dessert!  You might want to keep your eyes open for "Homemade on the Porch" (I think that was the name of the flavor by Blue Bell!!)  Sunday morning, we embraced and welcomed a much more leisurely pace with an outdoor breakfast and coffee on the deck.  As you know, all good things must end especially on a Sunday afternoon with a four hour drive ahead of us!  Good friends are forever TREASURES!

Scientific Apparatus Mystery-Day 104

Our friend, Richard, is the most amazing hunter of treasures in resale shops and estate sales, and the shop owners are quick to spot and reserve the most unusual pieces for him because of his appreciation of interesting old finds!  This mystery item is one of his more recent acquisitions!  Such a puzzle for many of us who have tried to identify the name of this item and the purpose for it!  These are some of the identifiers located on the apparatus: 

• E.F. Rose Mfg. Co.
• Scientific Electric Apparatus
• Los Angeles, CA

The attachments seen in the bottom of the picture are glass, and the entire unit is encased in a beautifully stained wood.  Can anyone provide any clues or details about its' use?  I'm thinking my dad will know exactly what this is so I'm eager to hear his response to this blog entry!   Anyone else have any ideas? 

Field Trip-Day 103

Pop and I braved our first field trip with the twins this week to the Children's Museum of the Brazos Valley!  It was our lucky day when we entered the front doors, paid our fees to visit, and discovered we would have the entire place to ourselves!  Adrian and Noah thoroughly explored the designated area specifically designed for children under the ages of two, and many other areas as well without any inhibitions!  Their fun was greatly enhanced when they would escape and crawl quickly away to hide from us and giggle as we called for them to come back!  Their verbal and physical interactions with one another are becoming increasingly fascinating, not to mention entertaining by the day! 

New Roof-Day 102

Oh my goodness, there is a reason I did not venture outside my front door to witness about 8 hard-working crew members tearing off our totaled roof only to replace it with a new one!  This peek out the front door was enough to scare me right back inside!  My friends who know me very well will understand why this scene almost sent me over the edge!  What a relief it was at the end of the day to see the exterior of my home in tip-top shape! 

Loving My School Stuff Once Again-Day 101

I am bubbling over with excitement to use my school bag of goodies once again to create children's stories!  One of my dreams has been to author books for children, and to create resources that are aligned with the state standards for teachers and administrators!  Because of a wonderful friend, Caren, I have just been offered the opportunity to blend both wishes, and write some stories for 3rd graders to share with their families, and home activities to enhance the story that are aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills!  Moving forward and one step closer to my dreams! 

Blogging-Day 100

I consider Day 100 of consistently taking daily photos and blogging a milestone for me!  One of the thoughts that flashes through my mind each morning is wondering what my photo of the day will be.  Some days I am literally stumped without a clue in my head, and some days I struggle to only select one photo to feature!  My creativity in my blogging has peaks and valleys depending on my subject in the photo, and my moods, but overall I have enjoyed this commitment and eagerly anticipate 265 more days during 2012! 

Easter Sunday-Day 99

What a gorgeous weather kind of day to celebrate Easter with family!  I captured some sweet memories in photos for years to come, but this one was my favorite today because of my two beautiful daughters.  Thank you, Father, for the many blessings in my life! 

Bell Tower-Day 98

I snapped this photo while passing through Independence just recently.  Such a stately bell tower in front of the Independence Baptist Church!  This church is special to me because my friend Amy got married to her wonderful husband, Chris, here, and I learned that Sam Houston was baptized here!  He was the most famous member of this congregation. 

Good Friday Memories-Day 97

Today was our lucky day because Lynsey and Jon both had to work on this Good Friday, and Kyleigh's day care was closed, so we spent a memorable morning with sweet Kyleigh!  We headed back to Independence for the second time in a week with camera in tow to capture some photos of her for Easter, and to my great surprise, I successfully caught her in some beautiful poses.  When we returned home, I eagerly uploaded 99 pictures to iPhoto, cropped and enhanced them, and sent them electronically to Walgreen's for processing.  When David made his trek to the store to pick them up for me, he was questioned thoroughly by the cashier in the photo department because she thought a professional photographer took them and did not intend to release them until she had a copy of the copyright!  Somewhere in all of that, I think there was a compliment!  I'll take it, and yes, he came home with my photos! 

Pop with the Grandangel-Day 96

There is something so very special about a relationship between a grandfather and his precious granddaughter!  How touching it is to catch a few moments in time with David sharing pancakes and conversation with three and a half year old Kyleigh!  I wouldn't miss this for the world!

Windmill-Day 95

This scene caught my eye on this beautifully crisp spring morning, so peacefully reminiscent of the past! 

New Purse-Day 94

I was super excited this evening when the UPS guy delivered a March mini-incentive package from thirty-one to my doorstep.  How fortunate I was to have such a successful first month in my new business, earn commission, AND some surprises for FREE!  I love my new purse, rosette clip, mirror compact, and an incredible garment bag.  Wow!  This company knows how to take care of their customers, hostesses and consultants!  Thank you, thirty-one!!

Antique Roses-Day 93

My new antique rose is loving it's new location in our front bed, and after only a few days, is loaded with blooms.  This one is called Sir Thomas Tipton, and will get very large, the good Lord willing! 

Updating-Day 92

At the end of April, we will celebrate three years in our new home!  My, how time flies!  David somewhat disappointedly announced when we purchased this home that he had no projects as the house was in terrific condition.  I graciously allowed him to have quite a break after owning an older home for many years, but this past weekend, I got an itch to add a little more curb appeal to the front of our house.  I shared my vision for the new look, and we headed off to Lowe's to add additional flowers and herbs to my two antique roses we recently purchased.  David worked diligently to remove several very overgrown shrubs to leave room for COLOR!  I already love the new look even though we do have additional work to do, and flowers to add.  Watch out, David...I've only just begun with updating our three year old home! 

50th Birthday Party-Day 91

Today was such a special celebration for a sweet friend, Maria, because I witnessed her 5 amazing children join hands in planning and executing a 50th birthday party surprise for their mother!  I am honored and blessed to know this family, and to have been invited.  So many family members and friends attended, and enjoyed delicious, authentic Mexican food and a mariachi band.  Happy birthday, Maria!