Friday, April 22, 2016

Lula's Lip

 In a family as large (and spicy) as ours, we receive our fair share of injuries. We have had three children, break bones, countless goose eggs on the noggin, cuts and scrapes. But this was a new one for us. Eva was standing on the big rope swing that Daddy put up for them. They do all sorts of tricks on the big swing. I am still unsure of how this happened, but during the landing of some trick, Eva came down hard. Her front teeth went right THROUGH the inside of her bottom lip, and right out THE OTHER SIDE. No stitches needed. Just a little ice and a whole lotta love.
 



Sunday, April 17, 2016

Chickasaw Getaway

 
We needed a fix. We had been confined, it felt like, for far too long. We escaped for the weekend to Chickasaw State Park. It was close to home if something were to happen, but far enough removed where we felt the peace and serenity of camp life. This was Lottie's first camping trip and we had no idea how she would like it. She loved it. Despite her sensitivity to light, she loved being outdoors. This was one of her first experiences in the great wide open world. She loved the cold water, the sand in her toes and the fire. She would have jumped in it, if we had not kept such a good eye on her. She was mesmerized. Of course, the other kids were looking so forward to getting away, getting dirty and being free. It was a great visit. We enjoyed the beach area for the afternoon, where we played in the sand, dug trenches and sand castles and waded in the lake water. Then as dusk was approaching, we headed back to camp for dinner over an open fire and of course SMORES. We sat around the campfire until it was time fore bed.  After awakening bright and early, we had the best coffee in the world. Coffee is so much better through the French press, which is what we take camping. And, we are forced to sit a drink it as soon as it is poured, because when it gets cold there is no nuking it in a microwave. We spend the day walking small trails, fishing and just relaxing.
 
Enjoying the little things as they come...that is camp life. The chill of the morning, wrapped in a big sweater, with a hot cup of fresh coffee. The crackling of a fire and the smell of burning wood. Nowhere to be. No rush. Just peace.
 

 
 









 
 
 
 

 








 

Monday, April 11, 2016

Sisters

When sibling rivalry seems to win over, there are moments like these. These two think they are pretty big to get to drive the mower (the blade is turned off). Glad to see they are sharing moments together.
 


Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Lottie's Turns 3

Birthdays are a production and a spectacle, neither of which Lottie enjoys. We celebrated her first birthday home, with a simple party with cake and gifts. Lottie is three years old and we are so glad that we get all the rest of her birthdays to celebrate. We are thankful for her life and that the Lord has redeemed it. She has her whole life ahead of her now. What a tremendous blessing to be a part of all of it.
 
Lottie is still learning to eat and does not feed herself. We enjoyed feeding her the first bites of cake she has ever had. She did enjoy it and she was very curious about her cake. She touched it with her hands and even her mouth (which she does often to sense the textures of many things), wiping the icing into her cheek. Next year we anticipate her having a big time with her cake.
 
She was not sure about the gifts. She did not seem to understand that there were toys inside the bags. She did like the noise the tissue paper made. When she realized that there were things inside, she was again, very curious. She enjoyed playing with her things once all was said and done. We are so thankful she is now home with us and we can celebrate her life everyday!