Junior Ranger ~ Ft. Matanzas Nat'l Park

I've touched on this subject before, I believe, with Hope becoming a Junior Ranger in a number of National Parks....but here is another reminder of this wonderful program.  Our parks are a such a great treasure to visit and enjoy, and this kid's program is one of the best!  Take advantage! 

Recently on a visit to Ft. Matanzas, we were about to jump on the boat to head over to the fort when I remembered....kid! national park! ranger!  They held up launching while I ran back to the office to inquire, "do you have the Junior Ranger program?!"  "Of course we do!"  Back down the ramp with booklet in hand and a quick explanation to Lucas.  We now had a boy with a mission...

Questioning a Ranger..."What do you like most about your job?"...

 

 

 

Working on finishing the last of his tasks....a maze helping the gopher tortoise find its den...

 

 

Five age-appropriate tasks are now complete...time to head into the office for the "ceremony".... 

 

 

...and one happy Junior Ranger seriously ready to take on the job of taking care of our parks... 

 

 

Now,

 to just find one of those cool hats!



"I've Got Your Back"

Last spring,

I had one of my sweetest encounters with Lucas.

 

We were at a park for an Easter egg hunt,

 

 

and after the hunt,

there was a group of 5 kids playing out in a field,

and Lucas jumped at the chance to join them.

 

They were a little older than him,

and as I was sitting on an embankment overlooking the field,

I could see there was a little trepidation in his body language,

but also a willingness to join in the fun.

 

After just a few minutes,

the sweet moment happened...

He ran up the hill to me,

turned back around facing the field again,

stood in his warrior/racer stance,

literally pointed to his back and said to me...

"Nana, you be here behind me and follow me down!"

 

In other words,

in his not-quite-three-year-old language,

he was saying,

 

"Nana, have my back!!"

 

My response...

"Don't worry, Bud... I'm here!  I'm watching! I'll follow you!"

 

So he took off

 

 

happy and confident to join back in the fun.

Knowing someone was watching over his shoulder!

 

 

The reason why I'm sharing this story now,

7 months later...

 

I came across this while I was sipping my coffee..

 

"Be still, and know that I am God!"

 

If I were to paraphrase that well-loved verse,

it would be God's version of...

"I've got your back."

 

 

 

The above picture hangs in my living room.

When I first saw it

this thought did jump in my head..

"Wow, God has that woman's back"

The "Light" was following her down her path

into the unknown.

 

So I bought it,

and it hangs in a prominent place

as a daily reminder...

 

"Go,

don't worry.

I'm here.

I'm watching.

I'm following you!"

 

 



Party-Like-A-Tot-Star

 

 

We now have a three year old

 as a part of our family!

 

              

 
                   ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
           (note to party planners for 3yr olds....NO NOISEMAKERS allowed!!!)...

With that comes the joy

of experiencing life through his eyes,

his observations,

listening to his funny quotes,

following his lead on adventures,

 

and enjoying his spontaneity,

such as...

"Nana, let's dance to this song!!!"

as we're trying to unpack the #486th moving box out of

ten and a half million.

 

I never turn down that request.

(Apparently, the boy thinks I can dance!)
 





 



 

 





Lucas,

love surrounds you

 

from near...

  





  

...and far...

 "Happy Birthday to my sweet, adorable nephew, Lucas!  Please tell him we love and miss him. Wish we could be there to celebrate the big 3!" ~Michelle
"Happy Birthday to a super cool guy! You always make me smile, Lucas! I hope you have a fun-filled birthday celebration!" ~Rachel
"Birthday hugs and kisses from all of us here in Jersey...we can't believe how big you are getting...we love you and miss you, sweet lil Lucas <3 em=""> ~Donna
"Happy Birthday to Prince Charming!!! With each day passing you are more adorable, no clue how that is even possible.  I wish you tons of fun today celebrating your 3rd birthday (2 already, where has the time gone??!!??) ~Czyna (Germany)

~Cyrus~

 

 

Well, lil' roughandtumble Boy,

 



 

 

I'm gonna pretend that you're doing an

Irish jig here...

 

 

even though I really know you're

showing off your warrior stance

after opening up a superhero shield...lol!

After all, the jig goes with your

shamrock necktie that you chose to wear

instead of the rockstar outfit your mom picked out...lol!

 

Maybe it's time to turn you on to some Irish rock...

 

 

 

 

Lucas,

we thank God for you

and look forward to seeing the path He has laid out for you..

 



Many adventures lie ahead!

 

Happy 3rd Birthday!

and

We are your Groupies!!!


p.s.  in case you're wondering where the
Little Princess is,
she slept through the whole party!
 

 

 

 



 



"Photography by Lucas"

I googled

"Photography by Lucas"

and it seems this business name

has not being used yet.

 

Time to claim it,

and choose Lucas' career

for him...

 

 

                       Pet Photography?...he's your man...

                         Sports?...he's honing his skills...

                         Portraits?...he already knows the flattering angles...

                         Lifestye?...he's got his "rule of thirds" down..

                        Family portraits?...he can elicit a smile from a Princess...

 

 

So,

if you're located in NE Florida

and

have any photography needs,

you might want to check out

 

"Photgraphy by Lucas"

 

His price is right...

 

Just give him your i-phone

and

turn him loose!