PIGTAILS!

So Clara is our first straight-haired girl, hence the very pointy pigtails. After doing her hair, we spent the remainder of the day trying to control ourselves because it was TOO MUCH.

As if she needed any help in the attitude department ... 

Springtime!

So I have had a love/hate relationship with blogging over the years. Between trying to steal away time to collect my thoughts and then finding the balance with completing them, all the while trying not to neglect my other responsibilities has proven to be a bit challenging.

Made obvious by my very extended blogging vacations ;)

Then there are the times when I attempt to journal without words, and I have painstakingly uploaded pictures, only to have them not show up where they should ... not to mention the time it takes uploading 5 pics at a time.

Mercy.

So while stealing away time is still practically impossible, I have found a solution to getting photos on the blog without it taking forever!

Yes! Uploading pictures is finally easier! It's probably been easier for a long long time but I only recently found out how to use Picasa to upload as many pictures as I want ... all at once ... instantly!

At the very least I will be able to update my blog with pictures to journal our days. Being able to revisit these days that are passing by so quickly is a very sweet blessing!

Chris picked this precious little picnic table up at Sam's and the whole thing folds
flat and is very light & portable. You really can't hate Virginia weather for too long
because then it goes and shows off with glorious spring days like this one.

Pollen Reaction :( Not as bad as last year but we are still trying to figure out how to manage this before the onset.
Once it gets the upper-hand, things quickly get out of control.

Hannah & her affinity for babies and the window seat :)

We take far too many pictures of her.
We like to take pictures.
Taking pictures of babies is the best.
And she makes an easy subject.

"COME ON ONE!"
We spend springtime cheering on this fella ...
This is his first year pitching and he has loved it!

Sunday Afternoon Make-up Game
So last year she sat in her stroller.
And that was SO last year.

It looks like they are running in opposite directions.
And so goes my life.

Coach Daddy

Might be one of my favorite pictures.
Sneak peeks of real life are beautiful to me.

And now for the photo montage of Clara and her face. The child has a vicious scowl like none of my other children but it can transform instantaneously and light up a room :)

November Hodge Podge - The Photo Shoot :)

So where was I? Catching up on this year that has just about gotten away from me. What in the world???

Way back in November, Lea Ann (sweet, precious, everybody should have one but not everybody can be so lucky to have one, THAT Lea Ann) came to visit and took some precious pictures of mi familia and these are our first family pictures in about 10 years! What a gift! What a treasure! What better way to torture my husband!

It was nice to have Lea Ann's helping hand but it was even nicer to have her close enough to touch.

You know how sometimes when life gets really hard & you feel like you have just about unraveled yourself?

And then you have a conversation with someone who loves Jesus (and you) enough to begin that tedious mending process?

But you can't hold it together and stitch yourself up at the same time?

I am thankful for Lea Ann who has held me together more times than I can count while the Lord does the mendin'.

Clara is one!

He's a little bit proud of her.

We think it's very very cute when she cries.

She is very much not amused.

Yeah, it's a sweet picture. Too bad you can't hear the commentary ;)

That's my man.

 

My girls

Our kids have been friends since before forever.
It is such a sweet thing to see friendships that last.

Brothers

Sisters

This is Lea Ann
She sometimes holds me together
And she sometimes helps me cook dinner over the phone
And she reminds me how to love my husband like Jesus
And she never ever forgets my birthday
Even though I almost never remember hers
And she doesn't think passing gas is funny
Even though I do
And she talks me down off the ledge ...

Real friends never leave each other on the ledge

Her Sister ... once little now big

Friends ... also once little now big

Already, I see this and my heart aches for November.
Where on earth do the days disappear to?

It's good to be their momma ...
Even if I have to climb up on the ledge sometimes to see it :)