A Day at the Park

As I was snapping pictures of Aaron at the park on Saturday morning, I couldn't help but think that if a picture is worth a thousand words, then what is a memory worth?  I wondered if there was a time before cameras when moms simply enjoyed a day at the park with their children . . . without strategizing how to get the perfect shot?  But then I realized that moms of that era probably still didn't enjoy simple days at the park . . . they were probably too busy scrubbing their clothes by the stream or some other task that is now so conveniently simple for us!

So, I snapped pictures climbing . . .  I snapped pictures sliding . . .  I snapped pictures swinging . . .  I snapped pictures spinning on the merry-go-round . . .

And I hope that someday as Aaron looks at these pictures he'll remember I'm in every one . . . behind the camera . . .

And I hope he'll remember I put the camera down and played . . .

Ron right there beside him . . . just in case!

Ron and Aaron spinning on the Merry-Go-Round

A Blue Angels Weekend

OK, so I'm a little behind.  Yes, it was almost two weeks ago, but better late than never . . . right?

So, March 19 and 20th the Blue Angels Air Show was at Keesler Air Force Base.  We have never been before, and decided this year was the year.  We spent the entire day there, and it was very enjoyable.  I did not get any pictures like this:

But I did get these:

Hurricane Hunter

Ron & Aaron coming out of the Hurricane Hunter

Ron and Aaron in the Helicopter

Me and Aaron in the Helicopter

Aaron at the controls of the Helicopter

Budwiser Clydesdales

Parachuters

We saw several different planes on exhibit.  And they showed many different planes in air.  Some did dips and dives, twirls and spins, and smoke rings in the air.  Others, like the F-16s, simply flew by with all of their power reverberating through the ground right up into your very being.  These were Ron's favorites I think.  Eventually Aaron became quite tired . . .

They saved the Blue Angels for last, and I must admit, they were QUITE impressive!  I took a few pictures before my battery gave out . . .  Then I just sat back and enjoyed the show!

I will definitely want to go again next year . . . with a hat!  We were well prepared with sun block, and Ron and Aaron both had hats.  Why did I forget about that part in my hair?  I was remembering it well when my scalp blistered and began peeling later in the week!

As for Aaron, it definitely made an impression.  He awoke the next morning with one question, "Airpanes today?"

You can see more pictures here!

Some Weekends are Just About Perfect

This past weekend was just about perfect.

Aaron started my weekend off on the right note by allowing me to sleep until 8:30 on Saturday morning (Ron worked Saturday).  I can't remember the last time that happened!

Shortly after we had breakfast, there was a knock at our front door.  My oldest niece, Linzey, wanted to know if she could play with Aaron (we live directly across the driveway from my brother and sister-in-law).  I love having Linzey over, and she spent most of the day with us.

Aaron and Linzey played all day.  I think the highlight for them was getting wet while I was washing the car, followed by playing in a nice warm bath.

We topped the evening off by having dinner with my parents at their camp on the creek.  We have a family dinner every Saturday evening, but there were a few more guests this time, because it was my 2nd niece's 4th birthday.  I cuddled my newest niece and gave her a bottle, and just enjoyed the time spent with family.

Sunday morning we went to Church.  On a sad note, Aaron had to be taken out of Church twice, but after the second time, he decided he could sit still.  After Church we had Chinese for lunch.  Then on the way home we stopped by our property and took a really long 4-wheeler ride.

When we arrived home, Linzey was outside practicing t-ball.  She brought over her T, bat, and ball, and she helped Aaron hit a few balls - which he loved!

The evening was topped off when Ron grilled a couple of steaks.  I say all the time that Ron may not do anything else right, but he can sure cook a steak!  Dinner was steaks and baked sweet potatoes.  Mmmmm!

It was one of those weekends where if someone asked what you did, you'd say, "Nothing."  But, it was as close to perfect as you could get.  And besides, Linzey taught Aaron some important life lessons - like how to climb a tree and pick flowers for Mommy!

Year 2010 Ringing Out!

As we bid farewell to Year 2010, I wish everyone a prosperous and Happy New Year in 2011.  And now to my photo highlights of 2010.

Yes, my life has become all about this amazing little boy - as it should be!  Happy New Year to All!

2010 Christmas in Review . . .

This is my third Christmas with Aaron, but in many ways, it feels like my first.  After all, Aaron was only three days old his first Christmas, which means he slept through it.  At only a year old for his second Christmas, he didn't really know what was going on.  This year, however, he had a lot more understanding, and we all had a lot more fun!

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Christmas with the Family:

On December 21st, we had Christmas with my parents and siblings.  After dinner, Papa had to take a bathroom break, and wouldn't you know it!  That's when Santa decided to come!  He arrived at the front door driving Papa's side by side.  Aaron was terrified of Santa.  He wrapped his arms around my neck and just cried.  We all rode on the side by side with Santa, and Aaron was OK for the ride - probably because Linzey (5 yrs) and McKayla (almost 4 yrs) were BOTH between him and Santa!  LOL

While on the ride, Linzey and McKayla seemed to be in a constant state of contemplating whether we were really riding with Santa or Papa playing Santa.  I told them, "It's Santa!  He's very busy this time of year, but he took time out of his busy schedule just to see us!"  Linzey:  "Well, he didn't come last year."  Me:  "I know.  He's really busy this time of year.  Do you know how many cookies I had to send to bribe him into coming down here?"  Linzey:  "Millions!"

When we got back to the front porch, Nana had come out to see Santa.  She got up on the side by side with him, and then she kissed him!  And, my SIL got it on film (can we still say that now that cameras are digital?)! A couple minutes after we got back inside Papa got back from the bathroom.  Both girls tackled him!  "Papa was that you or Santa outside?"  Papa:  "What?!?  Santa came while I was gone?"  And then, Linzey showed him the picture!  Papa couldn't believe it!  How could we let Nana kiss Santa?  To which Linzey proclaimed, "Don't look at me!  I didn't take the picture!"  LOL

We had a great time opening gifts.  Aaron opened three gifts in a row, and when he saw Aunt Candace pull the next gift from under the tree, he threw out his hands and said, "Mine!"  :-)  Unfortunately, that one wasn't his!  I was a bit crafty this Christmas.  I decorated lamps for Linzey and McKayla, and I put together a really nice collage frame for my parents.  I at least got a couple of pictures of the lamps:

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Christmas - Just the Three of Us:

Ron had to work Christmas Day, so Christmas occurred a day early at our house!  On our Christmas Eve (the 23rd just in case I've confused you), we let Aaron pull the top two items from his stocking - a new toothbrush and a new set of Thomas the Train pajamas!  On Christmas morning as I cooked breakfast, Ron helped Aaron dig the last two items out of his stocking - two cars!

They must go with the huge unwrapped gift from Santa!  Ron and Aaron played as I finished breakfast.

After breakfast, Aaron opened his last gift from Daddy and Mommy . . . a phone!  He always wanted to play with Mommy's, so now he has his own!  :-)

Hello everyone!  And I hope your Christmas was as great as ours!

It's Down to the Christmas Frenzy

The time is here . . . Christmas is upon us . . . And there's still SO much to do!

Of course the most important person on my Christmas list is Aaron, and thankfully I can say my shopping for him is complete.

On the other hand, I still have to buy a gift for my dad, complete the crafty project I have in mind for my nieces, and print the photos necessary to put together the collage frame for my parents . . . by Tuesday night . . . when we're all gathering to exchange gifts . . .

Also squeezed into my weekend is my oldest niece's birthday party . . . Happy 5th birthday, Linzey! . . . tomorrow afternoon, and our Company Christmas dinner tomorrow evening.

So, here's to a weekend of carefully balancing floor mopping and oil changes with birthday parties and celebrations of the season, with just a little craft time and prayers that said crafts come out "right" thrown in!

May your weekend be Merry and less frenzied than mine!

Comforting Promises of My God

For a very long time now, I've comforted myself during difficult times by reminding myself that God will not put more on me than I can bear.

I have comforted others with these words . . .

And today I find that this promise does not exist in the Bible.

Look for it . . . It's NOT there!

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."  1 Corinthians 10:13

In this, there is a measure of comfort . . .

But, what if it's not the temptations I'm worried about?

What if it's the tragedy . . . the personal kind, where recovery seems impossible?

What if it's the burdens . . . those that are so crushingly heavy?  The sheer weight crumbling one from the inside out . . .

And still, MY God is an awesome God.

In life, there will be mind numbing tragedies.  There will be soul crushing burdens.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."  Romans 8:28

Every tragedy I must endure . . . every burden I must bear . . . "All things work together for good . . ."

God never promised all things would BE good, just that they would all work together for good!

And still, I must endure the tragedies, bear the burdens . . . and sometimes all my strength is gone . . .

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."  Philippians 4:13

My God is there for me every step of the way . . . just waiting for me to quit relying on myself and depend on His strength . . .

For when life throws more on me than I can handle, I have a secret weapon!

I have a friend!

I have my God!  His strength can bear any burden, and He will ALWAYS be by my side . . .

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 8:38-39