papa's birthday

My dad turned 73 on Saturday!  I really think he still looks just like he did when I was little, maybe a few less hairs and a little more grey, but really he looks the same! I am so thankful for him.  He is so giving to us and others, really gets joy out of helping people and is very humble when you thank him for anything he has done.  He never wants any kind of gifts, which makes thanking him even harder, but I figured out that feeding him is his love language!

So we grilled out and had a little party for him on our deck to wish him a wonderful 73rd year.

wednesdays

I have a little secret, I feel like if I share it then it will go away....Jarrett is off on Wednesdays, usually.  He works some longer hours the other days, but most of the time he is off that day.  Some days he catches up on house stuff- isn't there something that needs to be done.  He started doing it so he could have time to work on his lawn care business but that didn't pan out as well as expected and working in 100 degree heat on your day off when you already do it isn't so fun.  I am proud of him for giving it a shot and it was so he could give that work to people who didn't have work.  The good news is that all those people have work now, but he doesn't want to continue doing it himself.

I digress.  So we use it as a family day, get Sam from school and go check up on our land or get lunch. Fit dr's appts. in there and all that jazz when need be.  Today was so nice, too warm for this fall loving girl, and we went to eat Subway and went to the park.  I think Sam really enjoys having both of us experience things with him.  And I am darn thankful that Jarrett was there to help me because Gabe is a handful sweet little monster.

And right after I announce on Facebook that I am doing photography, I take a few pics, edit 4 and then get tired. :)

gabe {16 months}

16 months and this guy is busy.  Into everything...currently the trash can is his favorite place ever.  Some days I really have my hands full and other days he is just a cuddly cute little blonde baby...but toddler is more like it, I just like to still call him a baby.

Today while Sam (who is a pro at hiding from my camera) was with my dad, I gave the little monkey a bath and took a few pictures.  And yes, today is a "handful" kind of day!

easter 2013

I always get excited about holidays, make big plans in my head about it, and then most of the time get disappointed about them.  The weather on Easter was just blah and it made me feel that way.  Then, a thought overcame me that even though the rain was here to stay on a day that should be sunny and bright, that it still was a joyful day.  It was the day that Jesus conquered the grave, a reminder that all hurt, sadness, anger, and any of those feelings that just plain suck would all be gone one day.  Jesus promised that to us in his death and resurrection.  I don't know about you, but sign me up for that.  I want to one day be where there is no hurt, sadness, and evil that we see around us daily.  I mess up daily, some days more than others, but pretty much I go to bed thinking how I could have done better with things- friends, relationships, parenting, exercising,  you get my drift.   Jesus took all the blame, sin and other not so great feelings from us, he took it for us.  Amazing.

And of course, these two made my day brighter.  Just another reminder of God grants the desires of your heart.  Happy Easter!