Daniel

Here are some recent pictures of our little one.

Father's Day

I didn't finish what I wanted to do for Father's Day (see if I can finish it later and take a pic) but we did enjoy some time with Dad.  He got to take a big fat nap and then interviewed each of the kids on camera.  Look forward to seeing that!  Each of the kids wrote notes /drew pics and then he opened a present from his mom.  She took all of his journals from 1996 to present and had it bound, including a table of contents organized by topic and key words. He doesn't write daily, but when I saw it I thought how "by small things are great things come to pass," since he just does a little here and a little there.  Leah and I put together a video for him, too.  it made me happy that after seeing it he comment on how it helped him see the big picture and feel love for the kids.  Happy Father's Day to my hubby!

looking back

I got a bunch of pics ready but can't upload them...try again later. Until then...
When I go through pictures from the past my heart feels full.  Day to day it's sometimes hard to see the big picture or the beauty in the normal occurances, but when I look back to see these children grow and change I see how quickly they will leave childhood and leave me.  Oh how they fill my life and my heart (and my schedule).  Watching them caring for one another increases my love for them exponentially.  They come with goodness and laughter and I'm grateful to be a front row spectator.  These are the times of our lives!

Self Feeding

Daniel has had it with me being in control of the spoonand is been begging for independence. Here's what it looks like.

 Straight to the kitchen sink afterwards.

 Mom in training.

Sunday we went on a short walk behind our neighborhood along the bayou. Paul had taken Leah there several days earlier for a date and they found blackberries! We braved thorns and chiggers but were paid off with a container full of juicy ones. The kids kept yelling "Jackpot!" We picked enough to eat, make smoothies and share with our neighbor who was prepared with Bluebell vanilla ice cream. 

 Daniel was happier than he looks in this picture. 

 Chasing butterflies

Took this from higher ground since we've seen alligators not far from here.

Not sure how I took no pics of the actual fruit, but this is where the picking took place.

kids meal choices

lasagna B
popcorn chicken IB
burritos IBL
spaghetti IB
pizza ILB
dumplings IB
fried rice ILB
ramen IB
baked potatoes ILB
chicken divan LB
pork chops IB
tacos IL
enchiladas IL
haystacks IL
corndogs IL
bean and bacon soup IB
fried chicken I
roasted chicken I
sweet n sour chicken I
bbq chicken I
orange chicken I
lem on chicken I
hamburgers B

french fries I

carrots LB
corn ILB
celery ILB
beans ILB
cucumbers L
brocolli L

pommegranite IL
kiwi IL
honeycrisp apples L
strawberries IL
blackberries IL
grapefruit I
pineapple I

soda I
oj I
apple juice I
chocolate milk I
sweet water I

cookies 'n' cream ice cream I
sherbet I
no-bakes I
slushies I
milkshakes I
hot chocolate I
rice crispy treat I