Caution: Lots and Lots of Photos Ahead

Because seriously, every time we take family photos we have at least a few like this:

But look at how precious these girls can look when they're threatened/bribed/begged.

Never mind

Apparently, the thought of any sign of emotion between Mom and Dad was comedy gold.

And only our die-hard romantic found this shot appealing. 

But seriously, do you see how sweet my tiny ballerina is?

Particularly when contrasted with her ornery big sister.

I honestly have no idea what our sis-in-love/ photog extraordinaire had to do to get this shot.

And this one is looking WAY too old for this mama's heart.

Ohmygoodness, I'm buying more shotguns and ammo and door locks.

And she was so sweet to help her little sister with her accessories.

Now, the outfit is perfect.

And this is what was happening directly behind the photographer.

We made sure to get shots of just us sweethearts.

But it's really hard to not crack up when you're trying to act romantic in front of a camera, your kids, and your sis-in-love.

And then we were attacked by the minions.

But we did get this precious shot, which made the whole morning worth it.

Oh, and this.  Hubba hubba!

Our little divas struck a pose.

Jerome practiced his pensive look.

And then got a few head shots for work.

My hearts flips for this precious shot of a daddy and his princesses.

And the sweetness of their love.

And the goofiness of their relationship.

Well, two out of three isn't so bad 

Oh my goodness, this one was full of piss and vinegar that morning!

But, finally, we were done!

Seriously, my sister-in-law is amazing.  You can check out her stuff online at Sunflower Eyes Phototgraphy.  

This photo shoot is our family.  It is our life - giggles, goofiness, sweetness, and love.  

Tales of the One-Legged Nut Job

I have learned a lot during my incarceration.

This fabulous contraption really comes in handy.  For very important things... like chasing the dog. 

I have learned that this is EVER so true.  My cats are plotting against me.

I have learned that my children make interesting wardrobe choices when Daddy tries to let me sleep.

I have learned that injuries do not give you a pass with the sun.  Especially in Colorado in the spring.  Saturday I got this.  Today it is snowing.  I give up trying to understand.

My children have learned that dinner from other people usually involves dessert. 

The boys from church have learned that when I hire them to build my raised garden beds and a fence around said garden, I will sit out on the porch and giggle at them the entire time.  Best. Therapy. Ever.

I have learned that the kitten sits on my bathroom counter for hours on end, desperately trying to get the birdies outside the window.  This is highly entertaining when trying to get on and off the toilet one-legged.

I have learned that, in order to do laundry, I should attach the dog's leash to the basket and drag it behind my cart.  The poor dog, however, was highly confused (not unusual) and a little ticked that we weren't going for a walk.

And I have learned that having the children help with the laundry will result in some interesting photo ops. 

I have 3 weeks till my appointment.  I may or may not be sane by that point.

Project 365: Week Something.... 30 Perhaps?

I have not done a Project 365 Post in two months. 


*hangs head in shame*


Rather than try to lump 475 bazillion photos together in one ginormous post to catch up, I am giving myself some grace and starting fresh from here.  Sometimes we can all use a little more grace and a little less self-inflicted perfectionism. 


And, with that being said, here is my week(ish) in photos:



Day 203/365: Bar D Time!

Last Sunday was this amazing young ladys 13th birthday.  She decided, for her birthday, that we were all going to go to the Bar D.  Our evening at the Bar D is going to be a whole nother post, but I thought I would drop this precious shot in here.

Just a bunch of kids being kids. 

Day 204/365: Sisterhood

We got to watch a precious pumpkin this week.  And my girls took to her like she was their own little sister. 

Day 205/365: The New Cooler

Got it on clearance for $9.99, thanks to my smart-shopping friend Jill.  And Madi decided it made a fabulous boat.

Day 206/365:  The Birthday Girl

All day, Madi talked about getting to open her birthday presents.  And then Mom made her take a photo first.  Sheesh!

Day 207/365:  Hmm...

As I put on my F*cebook:

Teaching responsibility or free slave labor... You be the judge!

Day 208/365:  Buddies for life


Madi especially took to the little pumpkin we had this week.  She took it upon herself to instruct LP in all things important, including but not limited to sunglasses and bubbles. 

Day 209/365: Fancy Feet

I discovered, much to my chagrin, that it was less expensive to take Madi and two of her little friends to the spa on Saturday morning for pedicures than it was to have a birthday party.  Big sister went too, and a fabulous time was had by all!  Don't you love these cute little toes?

30 Day Picture Challenge: Day 17

Day 17:

A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently

No, this isnt the greatest quality photo.  Yes, we are eating popcorn on the couch and drinking dark soda.  But we are together. 

I never thought, when my children were born, that I would have to daily entrust their care to another person.  But I did.  For 3 years.  Being back home for the past month has taught me so much about myself, my daughters, my purpose, my Lord. 

Saying Goodbye

Sunday afternoon and evening was spent at my parents ranch.

My sister and niece are in town from Georgia.

My sweet grandma (here holding Katrina on her first Christmas)

was not doing well.

In truth, they thought she was going to die before Easter last year.  And yet, here she was.

But this time, it felt different.

For weeks, she had been telling my dad, uncle, and aunt that she was ready to go.  That she saw Grandpa in her dreams.  That she was trying to get to him, but could not.

She was ready to go.  But, for some reason, held on.

Back to Sunday night.

We left my moms house and headed down the driveway towards home.  As we approached my grandmas house, I saw my uncle catching a breath of fresh air on the front porch.  Now, the unwritten family tradition states that, when driving past Grandmas house on the way home, if someone is outside, you honk, wave, and head home.  No need to stop.

Except that night.  I just could not drive past my uncle.  I got out and talked with my uncle for a bit.  And I knew it was a divine appointment.  He needed to talk, to work out his grief, to hug, to cry.  We both did.

After a few minutes, we went into the house so I could kiss Grandma goodnight.  I had not seen my grandma since Christmas.  She has been steadily declining each week, and every time we were at the ranch she was sleeping. 

There was still a glimpse of my grandma in those clouded, pain-filled eyes.  I told her about sharing her beadwork with the children at church, and the joy they found in her treasures.  I told her about Katrina getting her first hit in baseball, and dancing all the way to first.  She tried to laugh, tried to react.  But the combination of intense pain and morphine overrode her efforts.  But I still saw the glimmer in her eyes.

I kissed her goodnight and told her I loved her.  I helped my uncle place the washcloth back over her eyes, hugged him, and got back in the car.

At 4 AM, she passed peacefully from this world.  She was greeted by her husband of 72 years, her son who died of lung cancer when I was a child, her son who died as an infant, and her savior. 

I rejoice that she is finally home.  I mourn because she isnt here.  I rejoice because she lived 96 amazing years.  I mourn because they do not seem enough.

Today, I gathered with almost the entire family.  She and my grandpa had:

6 children

19 grandchildren

46 great grandchildren

16 great-great grandchildren

4 great-great-great grandchildren

That is quite the family tree.

So today, we took her favorite flowers, the poppy

and the Indian Paintbrush

and laid them to rest with her body and the love of her life.

We laughed, we cried, we sang.

We remembered all the funny stories.

We tried to remember everyones names (trust me, its hard with that many cousins).

And we said goodbye.

30 Day Picture Challenge: Days 11 through 14

Oh man!  I did it again!  I posted a post with nothing in it!  GAAH!  Thanks to Beth for pointing out my oops.  So, to make it up to all of you, I have officially caught myself up on my 30 Day Picture Challenge.  Phew!  Now if I could only keep up with it...



Day 11:  A picture of something you hate (to make up for the whoops a few weeks ago)

Image courtesy Google

Yes, I despise jelly beans.  Yes, I could have gone with something deep, like hate, or racism, or Satan.  But I have spent the last hour 10 feet up a tree trying to get a dead branch down, I am tired, and I just don't like jelly beans.  So there!



Day 12:  A picture of something you love

This was my Mothers Day present.  I am desperately hoping that the Wii Fit will counteract this.  Because it has already gotten a LOT of use.  Seriously, I don't know how I have cooked for so long without one.  I have my own pizza dough rising on the top of the fridge right now.  Anyone want to come over for dinner tonight?




Day 13:  A picture of your favorite band or artist

Image courtesy Google

I like a LOT of Christian rock.  And country.  And blues.  And jazz.  And oldies.  And...  But I think my all-time fav has got to be Third Day.  Or Garth Brooks.  GAAH!!!




Day 14:  A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

Yup.  He is a keeper!