bare bookshelves....

As we drove passed a bookstore one day, Kate shouted..."Look...the library!!!!!!!"

She did think the bookstore was the library.

I LOVE buying books.  I LOVE filling our bookshelves!

We have been remodeling this summer and our large bookcase had to be moved and ALL of our books packed.  They have reading on all of their checklists...with no books available to read.  It took a few days and then finally dawned on me...the library!!!!!!

My girls were in heaven.  Ellie and Kate received their own cards.  They all gathered up books with enthusiasm.  They loved choosing anything they saw that interested them.  It was SO MUCH FUN!!!  We will be going back regularly!!!

our littlest fish

head under the water...

arms propelling her forward...

legs kicking softly....

she did it today!!!!!!!

our littlest fish!!!!!

green thumb

The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, 
the wise grows it under his feet.
-   James Oppenheim 

I feel like the stage of life that surrounds us now is the soil preparation stage...

We are preparing the soil for our children:

their happiness

their ambition

their hearts

their spirits

We are preparing the soil for our life together:

when children are independent

when we have all day together

with all of the time we need

I am reminded that the small efforts I put into the little things each day can bring about wonderful fruit.

I hope I have a green thumb.

photo:  our garden soil just as the seeds were sprouting

i picked him for me...

Dear girls,

I picked your daddy for me...
I loved---
his humor, his gentleness towards me, the walks he wanted to go on, the values he held, his strong hand holding mine.
I love---
his faith, kindness and laughter.
Have you seen---
the way he works hard on something until it is complete, fixed or beautiful?
the mornings he rises early to serve?
or the evenings as I read to you...he gathers my feet in his lap and massages them...and I keep reading and reading?

I love him.  I picked him for me...but I knew he would be perfect for you.  And he is.

photo:  Newport beach...Danny and the girls

poolside

Dear pool,

We have missed you so....

the smell of sunscreen and chlorine

eating lunch around one of your tables

the sound of birds chirping and children laughing

sunkissed noses and shoulders

great conversations and fun with family & friends

If only we could be by your side all year long~

Love,

Us

peony

I had just been outside admiring a beautiful bloom that had just blossomed in the front yard.  A few minutes later Kate came in beaming with the beautiful flower in hand.  It has been the same every year--- she loves flowers so much, she can't resist picking them.  At least they are almost always for me :)

CREATE!

In May I had the wonderful opportunity to attend Shannon Sewell's workshop!  She is amazingly creative.  (See here and here and here and here.  I could go on and on!)  I left so inspired to stretch myself to do more.  Make more plans and organize any artistic ideas that I might run into!  Thank you Shannon!  You are wonderful!  Shauna...you were a wonderful hostess!  Thank you for making this happen!

six

Her favorite things:  make up stories, macaroni and cheese, playing SORRY and GUESS WHO, recess, art projects, dancing, "Spot" her toy puppy, tag-a-long bike (behind Mom, Dad or Sharon), wearing dresses, swimming, reading Mercy Watson books and her Madeline doll.

Our favorite things about Kate:  how much she loves her family, creative imagination, her giggle, her love of celebrations and holidays, her thoughtfulness, and her kind heart~  We love you!

good morning...

Her bed was misplaced.  We are redoing some of our floors.  Her room was one of those affected.  She had fallen asleep on the couch the night before.  I tucked her into her misplaced mattress.  The light was pouring in when she woke up.  Her new spot was peaceful and couldn't have made her happier.  :)

pool party

Kate loves to celebrate.  She talks about holidays and her birthday through out the whooooole year!  Her enthusiasm makes it fun when her birthday comes around.  We had a family party at the pool this year.  We started out with wonderful sunshine.  As evening approached, so did the clouds and we were rained out.  Kate was undaunted and splashing in the pool until the very end.  How could she be six already!?!?!?!  Happy birthday Kate!  We love you!