Saturday, February 26, 2011

First Nana/Hopers Day of 2011

We discovered that you're never,
 ever too old for a playground and carousal...





  




...and that we like to close down the place
where ever we go!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Weddings and Babies and Fun Oh My

My fingers are poised over the keyboard.
Waiting for the words to come
traveling from my heart,
channeling through my brain,
and finally transmitting through my fingertips for all to read. 

Words to describe my feelings for this...

My family being together for the sole purpose of
celebrating
love
and
 life

Need I even say more?!

"together"
"love"
"life"

Wrap your mind around these words.

See..... now you know what I'm feeling!

    And if my emotions were captured in a picture, here it is.....



Celebrating Love....





Celebrating Life...




And as a bonus,
We had old friends and newly acquired ones celebrating
their artistic abilities (worthy of fridge hanging)...



Photo tips happening behind the scenes..



Princesses in tutu's lounging around looking princessy...


And a run to the beach was made
so that a land-locked girl could get some sand
between her toes...

and possibly up her nose...


and sisters got a chance to do what they do best...

Catch up on life

and love

together
~~~







Saturday, February 19, 2011

Detour

Picked up my Missouri girls from the airport today,
 and since Blue Springs was just a short distance off of  I-95,
we decided to take a detour.
 And the three of us agreed... it was one worth taking. 

First we were greeted by this....
Yikes!
Michelle is sticking by her story that it's a 10 footer.
(but really about 8,
which is 7' bigger than I prefer to see without some type
of barrier between me and it!)
I have to admit though, it was pretty awesome seeing
this gator just glide through the water, legs tucked back
with just a small swish of the tail propelling it forward.

My photographer girl was having fun with her zoom...

in between keeping an eye out for more florida wildlife...

in hopes of seeing this!
A sweet little adolescent sea-cow.
She meandered over our way and came up for a breath
and gave us a little show.

Satisfied after seeing a couple more manatees,
we intented to continue our trip back to St. A,
but realized we were on the verge of the sunset,

and who could leave a river with a setting sun?!

We couldn't...





Let the festivities begin!

Monday, February 14, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day ~ To Those I Love


i carry your heart with me

i carry it in my heart

i am never without it

    ~e.e. cummings

Friday, February 11, 2011

My Shadow Haiku

My shadow and me...



 
Took a walk to meet the sea....




 
and we're glad we did!



Wednesday, February 9, 2011

25 Week Fashion Show

Because baby bump
dictates a new wardrobe,
 an afternoon was spent in a dressing room...



The little boy is growing
and Jessica is having
more and more good days.
(good enough to go and try on 10 and a half million items of clothes!)

And then it was off to Missy's

where it was determined that little Lucas
is doing fine and well.

Can't wait to meet you, Little Boy!




Sunday, February 6, 2011

~Happy Birthday, Rachel~

Happy Birthday, Rachel!


Born February 6th, even though your due date was the 3rd. I think I was the only pregnant woman in history who didn’t want to deliver early. You see, the New York Cosmos were playing the Tampa Bay Rowdies on the 3rd, and I so did not want to miss THAT game! So your accommodating nature was already established in the womb…
You waited.
I’ll never forget the look on the face of the woman next to me at that game when she asked me when I was due. When I said the word “today”, she looked panic stricken. I don’t think she wanted me cheering so enthusiastically, and she kept a wary eye on me for the rest of the game.

You entered the world easily and peacefully.  Born at night (Rachel Dawn/Born at Night) in a country~blue bedroom with white trim on Burlington Av. in St. Petersburg with special people in the room awaiting your arrival and each with their contribution to the occasion.  Your dad, of course, Yuriko with her soothing ways, Anita and Elsie, the midwives, Jim Holehouse with his expertise, and Cathy Mahoney for extra encouragement.

One of my favorite memories of your delivery was seeing the shadows of your sisters through the gap at the bottom of the bedroom door. They were crouched there in anticipation, waiting to hear the news of your arrival. One of my favorite all-time pictures is the one taken of them holding you on the first meeting. Priceless!

We had a fish tank in the bedroom, and I remember how soothing the sound of the water was during the time of labor. This may be ironic…..are you the one a few years later who threw the hairbrush that punctured the glass that sent 10 gallons of water and guppies to the floor ?!?



We named you Rachel Dawn. “Rachel” for “little lamb”, something that is small and precious.


Now for your middle name. I know you were never a fan of “Dawn”, but you overlook the meaning….
"the beginning; advent (coming into being; arrival)”
 Let’s not forget the visual to go along with that name... the rising of the sun, the start of a new day. Think of any sunrise we’ve experienced at Crescent Beach. Always with a sense of awe……the same goes for you.

You were an awesome baby, Rachel, with your wild out-of-control hair and contagious smile! And you have grown into an awesome woman! You are a bright dawn in the lives of those around you.  And I for one want to bask in those "rae's".
They enrich my life!



Know that you bring much delight to our lives and continue to do so with each passing day. Your wit provokes laughter, your spontaneity brings excitement, and the world,  our world, is so much better because of you!  You are God's gift, a special treasure! 



Happy Birthday, dear Rachel!

I love you,

and always keep dancing,

and I'll dance with you!