we are family...

... all my brothers, sisters and me

i got you babe...

I got you to hold my hand...
















I got you to understand...








I got you to walk with me...

















I got you to talk with me...

I got you to kiss goodnight...

I got you to hold me tight,

I won't let go.

I got you to love me so...

I got you, babe

I got you, babe

I got you, babe.

Dessert..

playing with a grizzly

Wouldn't it be cool if you could watch a grizzly bear frolic in his natural habitat (enclosed with fences beyond view and a 3 inch wall of glass, of course)? They are such amazing, majestic creatures...



And wouldn't it be even cooler if he came to say hello??

And if, being the Gentleman that he is, he charmingly reached out to shake your hand?

And proceeded to show off his massive, strong and impressive body as he swam past back and forth...

Wouldn't it be cool if you were this close?!?!?!?

Yes. It would be.

And it was!

After the encounter with the grizzly, we were off to explore more of God's creativity. This time at the sting-ray tank. One of the kids all time favorites...

Little dude had his fill of cow petting...

And baby girl was delirious with glee at such close interaction with the goats. We literally had to pull her away (kicking and screaming)- oh, the joy.

Wow- what a fun day. Grizzly bears. Beautiful weather. Matching coats. The day couldn't have been more perfect.

easy listening...

I voted for Life...

This morning, I thought about the three biggest blessings and miracles that have occurred in my life... and I cast my vote for life.

I thought about the moment I found out I was pregnant with my first child- a mere 16 days after conception- and how I clutched my belly and fell in a heap on the bathroom floor, sobbing tears of overwhelming gratitude and JOY for the gift God had given me... and I cast my vote for life.

I remembered, with clear distinction, the first time I felt my first child move inside of me. Only 11 weeks into my pregnancy... and I cast my vote for life.

I thought about the joyous day Mike and I saw our first baby on the ultrasound screen - sucking her thumb at 20 weeks - and we praised God for the life that was growing each day inside of me...


... and I cast my vote for life.

I thought about my many friends and family members whose children's birth mother chose life and I thanked God that these children were given the chance to live - and to live with the parents God intended and planned all along for them to have... and I cast my vote for life.

I thought about other friends, who have tried tirelessly and endlessly month after month and year after year for a miracle child... and I cast my vote for life.

I thought about a courageous young woman in Texas who chose to keep her baby despite the horrible and traumatic circumstances that resulted in conception, and I pictured her beautiful, precious baby boy's face in my mind and I thanked GOD for her courage and bravery... and I cast my vote for life.

I thought of the 50 million children- whose voices have forever been silenced... and I cast my vote for life.

I rocked my baby girl to sleep for her nap and as I laid her down in her bed, I wrapped my body around hers and snuggled close. I watched her sleep and I thanked GOD Almighty for the miracle and the blessing of my baby girl, my son, my older daughter my stepson- and for all children whom he creates with authorship and authority... and I cast my vote for life.

Because the economy, taxes, health care, and education are all important issues- but none is more important than the sanctity of life... I cast my vote for life.

Because life begins at conception... today I voted for LIFE.

"You made my whole being; you formed me in my mother's body. I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What you have done is wonderful. I know this very well." Psalm 139:13-14

Sal...

Being a home school mom, and all, I'm always looking for non-conventional ways to "teach" the kids about the world around us. So, when I nearly backed over a slimy 6 inch black amphibian - I knew I had hit jackpot! The little bugger had somehow made it into our garage! It took some coaxing and some scheming, but I finally got him trapped in a bucket.

I was so proud! I ran inside, like a kid with candy and shouted to my husband and kids- "Look! Look what mommy found!!" And we all gathered round to explore inside the bucket...

There he is! Sal... the Salamander. What else could we name him but Sal? Seriously, isn't every salamander named Sal?

Ariana was, perhaps, the most excited out of any of us...

Let's get a close look- shall we?

Let's pet him, shall we? On second thought- no, no, Ariana!

Of course, we did not keep our little buddy. We carried him safely down towards the pond...

And off he went!

Halloween 2008

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