Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Memorial Day Weekend 2009








We spent Memorial Day Weekend 2009 playing catch up from Emily's unexpected stay in the hospital the weekend before. So on Monday, after Mom and I went to put flowers on the graves, I set out on a first time adventure: an on-location photo shoot with ME the photographer. I got a new camera for Christmas that I love, butI haven't been able to get out and really see what I could do with it. And of course, I wanted to use my 3 favorite subjects! I decided to take them to a place called Azalea Path. It is a gorgeous place about 25 miles from here with hundreds and hundreds of azaleas and other plants. It is absolutely phenomenal. Words cannot describe it. I actually grew up about a mile from the place, so taking my kids there was kind of sentimental for me. Driving down the road brought back a lot of memories....good ones! So here are a few of my favorite pictures of them.....hope you enjoy them!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

My Praying Mother













Mother's Day has always been special to me. From the time I was a little girl making my mom something handmade at school or home to when I would go shopping to find the perfect gift for her, I loved Mother's Day! I'm sure everyone can say this about their mother, but I don't know anyone who worked as tirelessly and unselfishly as my mother did to provide and care for her family. It has only been since I became a mother myself that I can comprehend all that my mother did for me, and continues to do for me. She used to tell me that "someday when you are a mother you will understand", and she was RIGHT! Now, my children are making homemade cards and crafts for me. And when they give them to me, they look at me with those puppy dog eyes wanting the same gratitude and accolades that my mother gave me. They are my most precious gifts. Now that I am older and wiser (I hope) I realize that one of the best gifts my parents gave me was a Christian home, and during mass Sunday I was overcome with some unexpected emotions. Father Gary's homily, of course, was about the praying worldly mother and our heavenly mother, Mary. He quoted several famous people who attributed their success and belief in God to their praying mother. One of them was Abraham Lincoln....."I remember my Mothers prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life." Ironically on a recent shopping trip with my girlfriends, I bought a framed picture with that exact same quote. Instantly I was trying to fight off the tears during mass, but couldn't. Grant looked over at me, seeing that I was emotional. I winked at him.....and he winked back. No words were said, but such a very special moment for me. The Lord has blessed me with three beautiful children. I hope I pray for them as lovingly and fervently as my mother did for me!
Proverbs 31:10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.......