March 20th, 2008

“While it is alive
Until Death touches it
While it and I lap one Air
Dwell in one Blood
Under one Sacrament
Show me Division can split or pare –

Love is like Life – merely longer
Love is like Death, during the Grave
Love is the Fellow of the Resurrection
Scooping up the Dust and chanting ‘Live’!”

~Emily Dickinson

resferncan.jpg

“The Resurrection fern gets its name because it can survive long periods of drought by curling up its fronds and appearing desiccated, grey-brown and dead. However, when just a little water is present, the fern will uncurl and reopen, appearing to “resurrect” and restoring itself to a vivid green color. It has been estimated that these plants could go 100 years without water and still revive after a single soaking.” ~Wikipedia

My Memama has a log with the Resurrection Fern growing on it. I always felt comforted looking at it after it rained.

It spoke promises after every storm.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Morning kisses me awake –
I am aware – of Love –
And Dream’s wake –
Haunting – from Above.

There was a face –
From someone’s childhood –
Dear – somehow – erased –
Embrace Him – if I could.
There was a Stage –
Simulated Reality –
He was back of it – a cage –
Of Curtains – Immortality.
There was a Play –
Easter Morning –
I came in after Calvary –
Before the Angel’s greeting.
They led me back to Him –
He smiled at me –
And I ran to Him –
We were laughing.
He picked me up – so easily!
And swung me around –
As if I were a little girl –
This womanhood – unfound.
Then – I woke – smiling –
Banished from that blessed Sheol –
Remembering – singing – waiting…
For the Resurrection!”

V.S.N.
4.29.01

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March 17th, 2008

Yesterday began a long month without Misty and the kids next door to us as they’ve flown over to Hawaii to see her sister and her new baby. It’s only been one day since they left and we all miss them! What a comfort it is to me just knowing they’re so close, even if we don’t see each other for a couple days. I hope they have a wonderful, amazing trip!

For a couple afternoons this week I had five boys in my care! One day we had the three Jones’ playing, too! We were very glad to have Zachary and Brennan over to play with us and would be happy to have the cousins again since they all play so well together.

Brennan absolutely loves the dog, and would sit and play with her and poke at her. She loved the attention and was very careful with him, but I never got a picture of them together. Of the other’s I captured a few shots when everyone was safe and immediately in view!

 This was the last light of the day. She had come up to play with Seth and was putting her things down. And figured out I had the camera trained on her cute face. She finally warmed up to the idea. :-) Seth was playing ball with Audrey and didn’t want to stop for a picture, but he would stop running to see if I was still watching him. :-) Ian found the bag of ripe avocados I had set out for Donna. He helped himself to about half of one! Zachary on the tractor! Ian’s learning to wave! He really was happy, I just couldn’t catch him with a smile. :-) It’s not a great shot, but I like it. The shed makes a very loud noise when it’s banged on…Ian discovered the wonderful noise with his hands and then a better noise when he banged the pad lock! Seth on his tractor! He has learned to pedal and steer it himself! Ian loves to chase the tractor, but when he couldn’t keep up he would watch and wave. We have had a problem with mosquitos hatching in the standing water that drains down from the washing machine… So Saturday Peter made it his project to take care of it. Seth saw his opportunity for fun! And thoroughly enjoyed himself until he started shivering from the cold. He got out to “dry off and get warm” in the dirt. Daddy spent the next hour bathing him and the dog, then he finished the project. Thanks Peter!

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March 13th, 2008

“A Light exists in Spring
Not present on the Year
At any other period –
When March is scarcely here

A Color stands abroad
On Solitary Fields
That Science cannot overtake
But Human Nature feels.

It waits upon the Lawn,
It shows the furthest Tree
Upon the furthest Slope you know
It almost speaks to you.

Then as Horizons step
Or Noons report away
Without the Formula of sound
It passes and we stay –

A quality of loss
Affecting our Content
As Trade had suddenly encroached
Upon a Sacrament.”

~Emily Dickinson

 I love the dappled sunshine in the background. the whole tree Peaches! I like the blue farm building behind the pink peach blossom. This one makes me feel like Spring is really bursting! I want to write on this one :-) The sun is peeping through the huge deodar pine behind the little peach tree. Apple leaves First apple blossoms!

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March 10th, 2008

David, one of Mom’s three brothers drove through town on Sunday with his wife, Robyn, on their way to see their son perform in a jazz band that night, and they stopped for a while to see all of us! I’m sure we overwhelmed them with our numbers as we just kept coming, but it’s so important to see family when you can!

And Gigi spent another afternoon with us this weekend and helped me entertain the boys so Peter could study! We went to the Natural Cafe and got smoothies and shakes, and then went across the street to the library and Gigi got a library card! Then we went back to the Natural Cafe to see Uncle David and Aunt Robyn. Seth asked “Which Uncle David is mine?” 🙂

I’m also posting a couple pics from today. It’s a monumental day and you’ll see why…

 Waiting for our shakes. Eating salt, yum! uh, no. we put a stop to that. :-p that’s our order number on his ear… Ian trying to be patient. toys help. Gigi and I! Yes, I let him clean up his own mess in his own way! Ian SO wanted mommy’s blueberry shake! He liked it! The plaza fountain. Not quite tall enough to climb in yet! He’s cutting his eye teeth on top first instead of his two front teeth! This is a pretty good pic of his bottom teeth! Jerome caught his balance! But Seth lost his. Unfortunately this was before the Barlows got there. But thanks for the pics, Gigi! He sure does love his daddy! This strikes me as funny because Jerome was trying to pic Brennan up and manhandle him like he does Ian, but Brennan can hold his own! An attempt at a cousin shot. The monkeys! The event of the day! Jerome learned how to blow a bubble gum bubble! In spite of the spitting and dropping of the wad, I was very proud of him, and thought maybe he would have learned to blow a bubble sooner had I given him bubble gum before now? I don’t know, but he’s thrilled. Working on another one… Tada! Or, “Mm,hmm” as he tries to tell me he’s gotten one. :-) And for those of you who have so kindly inquired about the healing process of Seth’s finger… He only ever complains about it if he bumps it hard! He’s been such a brave little guy!

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March 10th, 2008

It’s hard to believe you guys have been married for a year already! And what a year it’s been!

It was an incredible honor to be a part of your wedding, and oh, the joy of seeing you grow together in the Lord is great! Thank you for sharing your life with me. I love you!

 The wedding rehearsal at The Victorian in Malibu. Katy Shawn and Katy Katy, me, and Noel On the beach before dinner, all the gals involved with the wedding! I love Katy’s laugh! Mad Lib in the rental van! Dinner at La Vecchia Cucina! The morning of her wedding. Beautiful Katy bride! Shawn and Katy Congratulations, you two! May God grant you many more years of happiness! I love you, Katy! See how our boys have grown in one year!

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