Jacob, age 10

Ethan, age 9

Grace, age 7

David, age 4

Caleb, age 1

The camera is intimidating, but very interesting and fun.
Rich loves that he can now take even faster rapid-fire photos.
I thought the pictures looked better on the camera monitor, so I was a little disappointed after downloading them onto the computer.
I watched the DVD that came w/the camera 2 times.
I love the wide lens.
I am excited about trying to take pictures of the birds at the feeder.
For that I will need to sit still for a while.  Not easy!

Other than photography. . . . .
I talked to sister, mom, and dad on the phone.
We went out for ice cream, errands, and to pick up pizza.
I’ve been cleaning, doing laundry, and reading.
It’s been a nice day.

I don’t deserve it.  I don’t.  I feel so humbled by this gift.  Humbled but VERY HAPPY!

I hardly even know what to say!  Rich bought me it for me tonight.  Funny, as we left Costco the guy checking our receipt handed it back to Rich and said, “Happy Father’s Day” in an impressed voice because of the camera.  Rich and I had a good chuckle over that.   We laughed because, it’s really for ME!

I’m almost afraid to open the box.  I have a lot to learn about the camera, but most of you know by now that I love to find pictures. . . . . . .

I caught Caleb “helping” his daddy get ready for work this morning.  The pictures reminded me of this poem that I read a while ago:

          There are little eyes upon you,
           And they are watching night and day;
          There are little ears that quickly take
           In every word you say;
           There are little hands all eager to do
           Everything you do,
           And a little child who’s dreaming of
           The day he’ll be like you.

You’re the little child’s idol,
You’re the wisest of the wise,
In his little mind about you,
No suspicions ever rise;
He believes in you devoutly,
Holds all you say and do;
He will say and do in your way when
He’s grown up to be like you.

          There’s a wide eyed little child who
          Believes you’re always right,
          And his ears are always open and he
          Watches day and night;
           You are setting an example
           Everyday in all you do
           For the little child who’s waiting
          To grow up to be like you.

I don’t have enough pictures on my blog of my husband.  Our relationship is so special and I am so very thankful for him.  He’s a godly man, loving husband, and a wonderful Dad to our 5 children.  He is #1 in my life (after my relationship with God, of course)

Here are some pictures that were taken today (after the rain stopped):

I love my husband!

As I look at these pictures, I am remembering a song that I heard 11 years ago, when Rich and I were first married.  I don’t have the recording anymore and haven’t heard it in about 9-ish years, but the words remain in my heart as “our song”.  It is a soft, gently sung song, by Clint Black, he wrote it for his wife, and he played only the guitar as he performed it.  I love the words (I just looked them up on the internet and copied and pasted them here):

“It’s Something That We Do”–song lyrics

I remember well the day we wed
I can see that picture in my head
I still believe the words we said
Forever will ring true
Love is certain, love is kind
Love is yours and love is mine
But it isn’t something that we find
It’s something that we do
It’s holding tight, lettin’ go
It’s flying high and laying low
Let your strongest feelings show
And your weakness, too
It’s a little and a lot to ask
An endless and a welcome task
Love isn’t something that we have
It’s something that we do
We help to make each other all that we can be
Though we can find our strength and inspiration independently
The way we work together is what sets our love apart
So closely that you can’t tell where I end and where you start
It gives me heart remembering how
We started with a simple vow
There’s so much to look back on now
Still it feels brand-new
We’re on a road that has no end
And each day we begin again
Love’s not just something that we’re in
It’s something that we do
We help to make each other all that we can be
Though we can find our strength and inspiration independently
The way we work together is what sets our love apart
So closely that you can’t tell where I end and where you start
Love is wide, love is long
Love is deep and love is strong
Love is why I love this song
And I hope you love it too
I remember well the day we wed
I can see that picture in my head
Love isn’t just those words we said
It’s something that we do
There’s no request too big or small
We give ourselves, we give our all
Love isn’t someplace that we fall
It’s something that we do

Ethan took the photos of us (the little guy with the hole in his pants and dirty bare feet!) and Jake took the last one.  I love my family so much. . . . .

I don’t have enough pictures on my blog of my husband.  Our relationship is so special and I am so very thankful for him.  He’s a godly man, loving husband, and a wonderful Dad to our 5 children.  He is #1 in my life (after my relationship with God, of course)

Here are some pictures that were taken today (after the rain stopped):

I love my husband!

As I look at these pictures, I am remembering a song that I heard 11 years ago, when Rich and I were first married.  I don’t have the recording anymore and haven’t heard it in about 9-ish years, but the words remain in my heart as “our song”.  It is a soft, gently sung song, by Clint Black, he wrote it for his wife, and he played only the guitar as he performed it.  I love the words (I just looked them up on the internet and copied and pasted them here):

“It’s Something That We Do”–song lyrics

I remember well the day we wed
I can see that picture in my head
I still believe the words we said
Forever will ring true
Love is certain, love is kind
Love is yours and love is mine
But it isn’t something that we find
It’s something that we do
It’s holding tight, lettin’ go
It’s flying high and laying low
Let your strongest feelings show
And your weakness, too
It’s a little and a lot to ask
An endless and a welcome task
Love isn’t something that we have
It’s something that we do
We help to make each other all that we can be
Though we can find our strength and inspiration independently
The way we work together is what sets our love apart
So closely that you can’t tell where I end and where you start
It gives me heart remembering how
We started with a simple vow
There’s so much to look back on now
Still it feels brand-new
We’re on a road that has no end
And each day we begin again
Love’s not just something that we’re in
It’s something that we do
We help to make each other all that we can be
Though we can find our strength and inspiration independently
The way we work together is what sets our love apart
So closely that you can’t tell where I end and where you start
Love is wide, love is long
Love is deep and love is strong
Love is why I love this song
And I hope you love it too
I remember well the day we wed
I can see that picture in my head
Love isn’t just those words we said
It’s something that we do
There’s no request too big or small
We give ourselves, we give our all
Love isn’t someplace that we fall
It’s something that we do

Ethan took the photos of us (the little guy with the hole in his pants and dirty bare feet!) and Jake took the last one.  I love my family so much. . . . .

“To the outside world we all grow old.  But not to brothers and sisters.  We know each other as we always were.  We know each other’s hearts.  We share private family jokes.  We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys.  We live outside the touch of time.”  ~Clara Ortega

Today I wanted to write a little something for my younger brother

Nathan

because today is his BIRTHDAY.

Nathan was a great athlete in H.S. and played sports all through school.  When he graduated, his art teacher wrote this poem for him and added it to a big collage that he made to honor the seniors.  When I read it, I think of Nathan, my little spitfire brother who was NEVER STILL.  Oh the things that boy has broken through the years!  (remember the ceiling fan, Nate?!?)  This poem also refers to Nathan’s favorite football team, the RAMS, who were winning so many games at that time. . . .I can imagine Nathan probably went to school talking about those games to anyone who would listen. . . . . .

The years march on
and with them fall the reasons
why we marvelled at the day,
the feats, the game, the season.

(nate and his wife, melissa)

Accomplishment was theirs, not ours;
yet, the best they could do
could not hold a candle to or
touch the likes of you.

(my brothers and my sons: Jacob, David, Nathan, Caleb, Isaac, David, and Ethan–a whole lot of Bible boy names!)

(rich, me, melissa, nate)

As they were light upon the screen
you were live at hawking guard;
as charged as any I have seen,
you ruled the pace, you ran them hard.

(nathan with his baby girl)

Kurt will gray and so will you
he’ll end up in the hall
But I for one will not forget
when Bales stole the ball.

Nathan was a young boy when I got married so when I think of my memories of him, it transports me back to my childhood days.  Now I am jolted back to the present and realizing that Nathan is a married man now, and a father!  My wish for Nathan on his birthday is for him to know that his big sister loves him very much and that I hope and pray that he continues to live his life to honor and glorify God with everything that he does.  It makes me so happy to see you with your home and family, Nate, and I want you to know that I am proud of you and am here for you always.  Family forever!