Making Adjustments w/Photo Storage

Hello All,

I've been struggling with learning a new photo storage system, so please be patient with me as I adapt.  I'm behind on loading pictures and blogging because we maxed out our storage in Picasa, so I've had to start using photobucket, but I'm learning how to use it, so if things are a little weird at first, be patient with me.  I practiced loading an album from Mother's Day weekend.  Some of them you've already seen, others are new.  OK, enjoy. I'm going to keep working on this while Stan and the kiddos nap this afternoon.  Hopefully I'll get it figured out! :)

Today's a special day

Some of my facebook friends have already seen what I wrote as my status update today, but I wanted to add it to my blog.

Five years ago, in the middle of the night, after some crazy labor without any meds, we were introduced to a beautiful creation named Olivia Grace sent to us from Glory. One year ago in the wee hours at a Hospice, my Dad and grandfather held the hands of another beautiful creation named Beverly Lee, and they said goodbye and ushered her into Glory. We celebrate our Livy and we remember and cherish our Muzzy today.

It is so hard to believe that Olivia is five, but sometimes it is harder to believe Muzzy is gone. In my phone's contact list, her name is still there next to Papaw's, and it seems like she still ought to pick up the phone when I call sometimes. Papaw says it's not at all that he thought he would be completely over the pain of her passing, but he said he's been surprised at how he still misses her as much today as he did the day she passed.

Well, I don't mean to sound overly somber. I know we can choose to remember the sweet, happy memories with her. I loved it when Muzzy would banter a little with Dad showing us her sense of humor. She didn't do this a lot. Most of the time she was laughing at the crazy things dad would say (she adored Dad), but occassionally she would join in and we'd get to see that dry wit that we've grown up with in our home with our dad. She'd always wink at us when she was doing this silly bantering with Dad, and what was funny was that often Dad would wink at us too--a very cute mirroring of eachother.

We're remembering her today and celebrating Olivia's life. This weekend is sure to be full of fun moments. Mom and Dad, Carrie Beth and her two boys are arriving here tomorrow afternoon. Saturday morning we'll go to Jacksonville for Olivia's dance recital, and Saturday afternoon we'll have her birthday party! Hopefully I'll have some pictures from all the fun coming soon.

Mother's Day weekend

I had a lovely Mother's Day weekend, and it began on Friday when Olivia's preschool class had all of the moms come for a special luncheon. We waited in the sanctuary until they were ready, and then the kids came in wearing bowties and aprons and escorted us to the social hall where they took us to our chairs, and seated us. Then they went and waited in line to get our plates of food. They had made our lunch all by themselves! I had a wonderful peanut butter and jelly sandwich, some potato chips, yummy red grapes, and sandwich cookies. It was delicious! She was such a gracious, kind, helpful servant to me, and then they sang for us and we enjoyed quite a special time together. A sweet lady kept Benjamin for me so that I could enjoy it without having to wrangle him, and I was so grateful to her for that. The kids had made beautifully painted flower pots and planted flowers in them for us. Before we got in the door of our house, Olivia dropped it and it shattered everywhere--completely devastating. However, we bought a new pot and some paints, and we did the project together, and I love the finished product. You see some pictures of it here. On Sunday morning, Olivia set the breakfast table for us and got everything out for breakfast before we came out of our bedroom! What a wonderful surprise! Stan had gotten me a gorgeous corsage for Mother's Day, and I wore it with great pride and appreciation. We had a delicious meal for lunch. Stan grilled steaks, and gave me some lovely gifts, and we all rested that afternoon. It was a special day. I feel very blessed to be a mother. It is extremely hard sometimes, but what a privilege!

Benjamin really loved Stan's middle school jazz band's performance at their end of the year concert this past week. Here he is really cuttin' loose! I love how he adapts his movements as the music changes slightly. :) Pretty fun!