Monday, May 27, 2013

Happy Memorial Day

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, 
and to give His life a ransom for many.
{Mark 10:45}


Thank you to the men and women who lay their lives down in service every day.



To Those Who've Gone Before...


And Those Who've Yet to Come.


I Honor You.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Taking It Slow

Happy Turtle Day!

~ Sunbathing ~

"Slow and steady wins the race."
{Aesop's Fables}

"Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out."
{James Bryant Conant}
 
~ Afternoon Break ~

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

A Drive Through the Desert

Have you ever wondered what it's like to drive through the desert?
Here's what it looks like:

 You can see for miles...


It's very flat...

There are a lot of these... {note the heat shimmer}

...and these...

...and these.

And if it's a good night, you can see magnificent sunsets like this one.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Tongues in Trees

Today is Love a Tree Day.

 And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything.  
{William Shakespeare}

One of my favorite trees {especially to photograph} is the dogwood. I watched the one in my front yard bloom twice last year. Once in the spring and again in the autumn. I didn't know they did this.

Here are photos of that tree and some others. Enjoy!






 













Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Experiencing the Desert Part II

Our family took another trip out into the desert this past weekend.
This time, we headed toward Roswell, New Mexico.
We didn't stop in town to "do" the alien experience.
Instead, we headed to the National Parks.
Here's what we experienced:

Vic stopped along the way and spotted a few of these Side Blotched Lizards...


 After our navigator took us to the back side of it, we finally found our way to the true entrance to Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

 Where we saw a variety of water fowl, including these American Avocets...

...and this brightly-colored Glossy Ibis.

 Vic spotted this Scaled Quail as we headed out of the preserve. He also snapped this shot.

 Then we traveled to the Bottomless Lakes State Park.

 Where we took this cool picture of our shadows.

 And discovered that with the exception of the swimming lake,
it was more like the "Bottomless Puddles" park.

 Here's a shot of the brave boys and their daddy, who love to climb to new heights.

Poor Hannah had to stay in the truck while we explored.
She broke her foot a few weeks ago and is in a cast.
Next time, she'll be able to explore.

We also experienced our first desert downpour...complete with rainbow!

And the highlight of our day...
We saw the antelope play.
I spotted this among others on our way home that evening.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

A Mother's Day Tribute to My Mom

My Mom...

Is a Woman of God
A Prayer Warrior
 A Friend

My Mom...

Has Set an Incredible Example as a Wife

My Mom...

Spent Her Life Prodding Her Students to Jump to the Skies

My Mom...

 May be Short...But She's a Superhero to Her Grandkids...All 10 of Them

My Mom...

Has Loved Me to the Moon and Back

Because of My Mom...

I Don't Think I Can...I Know I Can {Do Anything God Calls Me To Do}

I LOVE YOU, MOM!

I Pray This Mother's Day That You...

Take Time to Stop & Smell the Calla Lilies.

Put Your Feet Up in Your Chair with Cinderella
And Watch Reruns of NCIS All Day

AND

Enjoy a Game of Scrabble with Frieda While I Wish I Could Join You.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Barefoot & Blessed

Being a parent is saying, "I love you so much, I'm willing to step on Legos 
barefoot every day for about ten years of my life." 
{Author Unknown}

~ No Socks Day ~

 Who doesn't love baby feet?

 Little Feet at the Beach

Girl Time Toes