A History Changing Event

 

 

Twenty-eight years ago today,

history was changed.

 

Christa Jean entered our lives,

and we have been much better off ever since!

 

 

She was active...
 

 

...and mischievous...

 

 

...and kept us on our toes!

 

~~

 

She had quite a sense of style...

 

 

...and, apparently, liked to pose with dead vegetation :)

 

~~

 

We enjoyed watching her, watching life...

 

 

 

...discovering her joys...

 

 

 

...and growing up...

 

 

 

 

...much...

 

 

...too...

 

 

...fast..!

 

 

~~

 

And as she reminded me yesterday,

 

she is now a lady...

 

 

 

And I couldn't agree with her more!

 

~~

 

Happy Birthday, my Young Lady!

 

You bring joy and happiness and laughter

to my life every day...

and every day

I thank God for you!

 

And I will continue to enjoy

seeing you write

 the continuing story of your life...

 

and watching history unfold!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Gratitude

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.

 

 

 

 

 

It turns what we have into enough, and more.

 

 

 

 

It turns denial into acceptance,
 

chaos to order,
 

 confusion to clarity.

 

 

 It can turn a meal into a feast,
 

a house into a home,

 

 

 

 

a stranger into a friend.

 

 

 

 

 

Gratitude makes sense of our past,

 brings peace for today,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and creates a vision for tomorrow.

 

 

 

-- Melody Beattie

Da Boyz

 

 

Time to give an update on the Twins

because they both have pretty big news...

 

Little Amordakai

 

 

has graced us with his presence!!!

 

 

Angelo and his beautiful family...

(pic stolen from Sheri :)

 

 

~~~~~

And the reason why we were all together recently

is because

any day now!!!

before we know it!!!

with much anticipation!!!

Little Damian

will make his appearance...

 

 

(Another pic stolen from Sheri..lol)

 

 

~~~~

Well,

the reunion was more than lovely

 

 

 

 

 

 

but after looking at these pictures

I realize I made a mistake....

 

The title of this post should be

"Da Men"

 

because that is what they have become!

 

Watching Dre and Lo with their children,

wearing the hat of Dad,

is quite a sight to behold!

Their families are beautiful and wonderful

and each child a true joy!

 

And I'm quite blessed to be a part of their lives!

 

 

 

 

 

 



Rachel's World ~ Part III

Did you know Asheville's nickname is

"Land of the Sky"?

 

I didn't either.

 

But it's appropriate.

While there, you do feel on top of the world.

 

And on my last day, Joseph and Rachel

planned on taking me literally to the top of their world.

 

The boys are patiently waiting

 

 

A jump on the Blue Ridge Parkway

 

 

 

 

and less than an hour later,

there we were....

 

 

 

 

But Looking Glass Rock was not our final destination.

We were heading to

Graveyard Fields.

 

(Before I continue, a sidenote...

Rachel called me about a month ago with a story.

She said she had never been so scared in her life.

They were camping off the Parkway,

and during the night,

Cole, the black lab who was sleeping outside the door of the tent,

started a deep-throated growl.

Simultaneously, they were smelling a very strong, musky smell.

Cole kept guard at the door, continuing his growling,

and after a bit, calmed down.)

 

 

Well, they were backwoods camping at

Graveyard Field.

When we arrived there on our hike day, this is what we found...

 

 

...Yiiiii!

All I can say is, "Thanks, Cole!"

 

~~~

 

So with the two dogs at our side,

 

 

 

we set off on our hike

because this is what they wanted me to see...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cole's decision:

"Should I or shouldn't I?!"...

 

 

and in true Lab form,

"I should!"...

Stan was a little more discerning...

 

... and just got his paws wet in the cold water.

After all, he's only part Lab :)

 

 

So, thank you so much, you guys,

for hosting so well,

 Blurry, but I love it!

 

and I can't wait until

my Timberlands grace your part of the world again!