Sleeping Babe

Is there anything sweeter than a sleeping babe? 

Not a sight seen often around here... this is not a child that willy-nilly falls asleep anywhere. No falling asleep in her soup, or upside-down on the couch like I've seen others do. 

Everything has it's place, and the place for sleeping is a bed. 

Oh, what a smitten mommy I am.

Iridescent Feather Amazingness

So, I told you that I would share photos from the zoo... 

and there are some of people as well as animals. 

But the peacock was showing off that day, and I think he deserves a whole post to himself. 

He was pretty spectacular!

(Can anyone remember the verse reference that talks about how God has revealed Himself to us through His creation? I thought it was in Isaiah, but I can't locate it.

Anyhow, insert that verse here_____________________)

Cousins

Well, hello handsome! 

Cruz is our newest little cousin... 

he's growing all too quickly, but he makes up for that with his sweetness. 

Look at that face!

 Speaking of growing too quickly... Evie looks entirely too grown-up in this picture.

I love that Evie and Eliana were able to share the giant doggy! 

He might have met his end today with all their rough-housing... 

we kept finding piles of stuffing that had come out.

The kiddos had a very toddler-friendly lunch, but I think Bethany and I had the treat. Homemade bierocks, YUM.

Evie and Eliana couldn't have been more opposite in their painting style! 

Evie wasn't too into it today, but typically doesn't like to get messy. 

In fact, a couple drops of ice cream on her dress brought her to tears. 

Eliana on the other hand...

painted her tongue, wrist,

                                         and tummy (oh yes, and the paper!)

She had Bethany and I dying with laughter.

I wish we could have stayed all afternoon, but the kiddos were getting tired. 

I made a quick exit to try and avoid the teary departure we had from the zoo last week. 

I hope to post pictures from that visit too!

Sidewalk Chalk and Graham Crackers

Just a few photos from our afternoon... 

it was such a beautiful day, we had lunch outside at Botanica with my momma. 

That would be enough to make my day, but we also saw the first flowers of the season: crocus, pansies and snowdrops. 

AND after Evie's "nap", we got out the sidewalk chalk.

I've forgotten how many legs spiders have...

Tomorrow we're supposed to have snow and ice. 

Bummer. 

But, it is still February and I should be glad we had today. So there.

I Got Bangs

Nothing too exciting to share, but I got a new doo... 

we'll see if these drive me crazy or not!

Snow Is Melting and Daylight Is Lingering...

Just today I noticed that it wasn't getting dark before 6 p.m.!

Does that get Spring Fever stirring in you? 

It's more than enough to fill me with excitement for the coming months, 

when green buds and blades start unfurling... color is coming soon, 

but for now I think I'll look at these sunflowers and sigh.

Doll-Baby and Sugar-Pie

Valentines Day to me is; at it's best, a good reminder to recognize and celebrate the love we have, but at it's worst, it's an invitation to selfish thoughts and expectations. 

When my eyes are full with images of lavish gifts or romantic valentine dinners, and my email box full of flowers.com spam, it is easy to let my perspective be misled. To think of what should be done for me... it can really sneak up on me!

I don't really want the obligatory roses or chocolates, just to know that I am loved and to have good time together with my lovies. So to keep my perspective in check, I want to look to the One who is love. To fill my heart and mind with His definition of Love.

1 Corinthians 13:3-5 (The Message)

^3-7If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

   Love never gives up.
   Love cares more for others than for self.
   Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
   Love doesn't strut,
   Doesn't have a swelled head,
   Doesn't force itself on others,
   Isn't always "me first,"
   Doesn't fly off the handle,
   Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
   Doesn't revel when others grovel,
   Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
   Puts up with anything,
   Trusts God always,
   Always looks for the best,
   Never looks back,
   But keeps going to the end. 

(bold type is to emphasize what I need reminding of)

With renewed perspective... rather than waiting with expectations to have others serve and do for me. I want to look for ways that I can show and be love. 

For my favorite man Philip, I made a Brown-Sugar Apple Pie, since apple pie is a favorite thing of his.

And a baby-doll for my doll-baby Evie seemed sweet, like her.

Blue Snow

Brown Flowers

Normally I'm not one for over-the-top editing of photographs... 

but the starkness of white snow, blue shadows, and brown flowers 

(Mum's from this past Autumn), made for good subjects to play with in Lightroom. 

Shape and color take on a more painterly look. 

The blend of crunchy flowers with the oozing-blur of stems and leaves makes me happy.