Painting

Boy in a barrel

I guess summer is finally getting to him. 

Fireworks

There was a beautiful sunset before the fireworks began...

Twenty Years

I don't remember too much of my father, yet I felt he did love me. As of today, "Daddy Walt," as I used to call him, has now been gone half my life. As far as fathers go, my stepfather is who my heart knows is my father. He's the one who really raised me. 

However, as lacking as Walt was in parenting, I still feel a sense of sadness and longing when I think of him. When he passed away 20 years ago today it was the summer after my sophomore year in college.  We wrote to each other, and we both seemed to be making an effort to be closer. My anger towards him was lessening, and I remember thinking with time, all would be much better, that maybe we would find a way to be friends or something... 

His death taught me that we don't have all the time in the world to let people know you forgive them, love them, or want them in your life. I changed after he died. I stopped being so self disciplined and studious. I became more live in the moment, and just so shocked that the whole town where he lived viewed him as a hero. They told me stories of how he was such a great guy, helped them all the time, etc...  

My anger returned. How could he be so kind to so many, and not even be a father to me? How could he beat the women he married? Who did I come from? I have done a lot of soul searching through the years, and, now, twenty years later, I'm not angry. I understand he was abused and doing the best he could. I look at his grandchildren and wonder if he would like being a grandfather, would he visit them? Would he still be running through women, drugs, and money? All I know is instead of hoping he found peace, I know he is in peace. 

By the fireplace

I love how Caboose still plays by the fireplace and makes his sounds. 

He's home!

We missed Oldest while he stayed with his grandparents. I caught him right after he woke up.

Baby Bluebirds

Yesterday I looked out of the kitchen window and I saw something sticking out of the bird house. I walked outside and saw little bird beaks! They were waiting for food and must have been hungry because every time I made a noise they cried.

Book time

Boxes!

Inside Out

We took the kids to see Inside Out. They loved it. Caboose painted his impression of the characters from the movie. 

Princess painted something she saw on a YouTube show. 

Happy Father's Day

We sure are blessed in the Father department. The kids have a really wonderful, caring father, and two amazing grandfathers. Happy Fathers Day. We love you. 

Water babies

They are so loud they freak out this baby bird waiting on daddy bird to bring her a snack....

And, mr lizard is still around and he's had it with me taking his picture. He hides if I get too close. 

Up all night sleep all day

Oh they were so proud of themselves for staying up all night. The next thing I knew, they were snoring. 

In the pool

These two spend their days in the pool.

Hair cut

Family Fun

Swimming

Birthday Boys and their little bro

We arrived

I couldn't resist. I had a photo of Mr Copper coin and then his twin fell asleep, so I just had to make a side by side. 

I also took a portrait of Zoey. 

From Happy to Sad

Caboose was smiling after vacation Bible school...

By the time he realized he had to sit with me and wait for an oil change, he was sad. 

Sweet friends

Prayers please

I have been on the phone this morning with the school principal. There will be a gathering of information meeting in the morning. The hope is they can gather enough evidence to support that Princess won't benefit from retention of first grade. We will be going up against the school board.  Please say a prayer that she can go to second grade. We are working diligently with her in hopes she can thrive in second. 

Sweet Summer

We have just been deliciously lazy. The two youngest started vacation Bible school yesterday, and Princess started tutoring.