After the Wedding

We didn't wake up before dawn to watch the royal wedding, but, I confess, we did jump on the computer first thing this morning to take in the highlights.

Morning Calm {Edited, After the Storm}

P.S. Smitten lately with still life shots in black and white.
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To all of you who have sent concerned messages and who have prayed for us, thank you, we are safe and well! The tornado devastation that occurred yesterday in our state is horrific, extensive, and very sobering. The most violent weather skirted our little town, for this we are very thankful. In this morning's calm after the storm we are mindful of those not too far away from us who did not fair as well.

Smitten Lately {A Post for Catching Up}

Since the professor's return, I've been trying to catch up on life and rest. Flying solo while he was away left me feeling as jet-lagged as our weary traveler. The children and I were in survival mode for 3.5 weeks; it feels good to be rediscovering life as normal once again.

A few days ago I realized that I never showed you the backsplash that the professor installed behind the vanities in both bathrooms using miniature subway tile. The tiles mimic the backsplash in the kitchen, except they're smaller. I am smitten with white subway tile... and the professor, too.


"Mommy, they bloomed!" I am smitten with boys who are smitten with bugs, and butterfly fun.


Lately, I've been smitten with the daily play of sunlight in the hall.


Smitten with my dapper, young gents taking inventory of their Easter egg loot. Smitten with thoughtful friends who delight them every year with a rockin' Easter egg hunt.


Smitten with my Easter flower.


Grandaddy, Gracie and Sister smitten with each other. Well, Gracie isn't smitten with Sister... the Strawberry Girl tends to chase and pull ears. I think Gracie is very relieved when Sister is behind glass!


Smitten with the way she crosses her ankles... smitten with her juicy thighs... smitten with her little pink tongue... yep, I'm smitten with 17 pounds and 13 ounces of healthy baby. The pediatrician tells me that she has a 50th percentile head on a 5th percentile body... apparently, these days, Miss Peanut has more brains than brawn!
And that, my friends, is just a glimpse of life lately. What has left you smitten lately?

Watering the Orchid

{10:41 a.m.}

God of Salvation

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.

Titus 2:11

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.

The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense ;

He has become my salvation.”

Isaiah 12:2

And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

Revelation 7:10

A Triple Sweet Treat

Charged with the happy task of providing sweet treats for Little Brother's preschool Easter party I planned to make whoopi pies, but time and a fussy baby were not on my side. In a slap-dash style that is becoming increasingly familiar, I grabbed chocolate chip cookie dough that was hanging out in the frig and baked the cookies on the small'ish side. It took exactly two minutes and very little effort to whip up some whoopi pie filling; when the cookies were cool I sandwiched two of them together with a generous dollop. And then, because three forms of sugar are always better than two when it comes to preschoolers, I rolled them in sprinkles. {I know, I know. What was I thinking?}
What is this confection? To be honest, I'm not sure. It's part whoopi pie to be sure, but oh so very reminiscent of the Double-Doozies I used to buy at The Great American Cookie Company when I was 13 and cruising the mall with my junior high friends. I suppose it's a Whoopi Double-Doozy. Of one thing I am sure... these sugar babies make preschoolers very hyper happy!

She Walks

If your older brother was lounging in your car seat I'll bet you would find the gumption to walk halfway across the kitchen and say something to him about it too!

Easter Colors on Parade

A tiny painting, "Birds in Flight," sent by a dear artist-friend, with love.
Beautiful. Peaceful.


Her new tea set brought by Daddy, direct from Dublin.
Cute. Fun.


French macaroons via Ladurée, Paris.Pretty. Yummy.

Welcoming Him Home

He's been professoring abroad for almost a month.We're happy... so very happy... now that he's home.

The Radiance of God's Glory

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Hebrews 1:3

Morning Green

A Tea for Me

Little Brother's preschool class hosted a Mommy and Me Tea. It was a precious and fun way to spend some special time with my youngest man.
We sat together at a tiny table and feasted on tea sandwiches {chicken salad or peanut butter, take your pick}, fresh fruit, and mini cupcakes. Because this is the Deep South and it's already warm enough outside to make you sweat, iced Milo's tea {sweet, of course!} was the beverage of the day.
Mr. Blue Eyes presented me with a handprint stepping stone that he decorated himself and the following completed questionnaire. This, my friends, is Little Brother in his own words:
My mother is happy when... we obey her.
My mother helps me when... things are hard.
My mother looks funny... in the mornings.
My mother likes to... wash clothes and get dressed.
My mother is the best because... she helps me.
My mother shows me love when... she hugs me.

Ladies in Waiting

With great fascination we've been watching our five tiny and very hungry caterpillars become full and fat. Last night, by the light of the moon, they spun their cocoons and entered the chrysalis stage of their life cycle. Today, we very carefully pinned five tiny houses into one big, new butterfly house {complete with floral decor}. Now we wait for our Painted Ladies to emerge... which will surely be the very best part of the show.

Before School

7:25 a.m.

Weekend Fun Run

Big Brother took third place in this weekend's fun run! As for the rest of us... we were just happy to finish. I concluded the race by crossing the finish line pushing Sister ahead of me in the stroller while dragging a tearful Little Brother by the hand behind me.
It seems foot races give Little Brother "spicy feet" which, in his opinion, are not pleasant or comfortable in the least. Big Brother argues that spicy feet make one run faster. Judging from his outstanding performance, I must agree.

Ten on Ten: April 2011

Ten on Ten

King of Glory

Lift up your heads, you gates;be lifted up, you ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

Who is this King of glory?

The Lord strong and mighty,

the Lord mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, you gates;

lift them up, you ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

Who is he, this King of glory?

The Lord Almighty—

He is the King of glory.

Psalm 24:7-10

Two Lessons from Today

I was driving down the road today when he chirped from the backseat, "Mommy, I will never give up on you." His comment made me smile, but, truthfully, as a messy mother who tends to stumble and bumble about, I need his grace.

And, shouldn't I also extend grace just as readily? After all, there is One who hasn't given up on me.


My mother reminded me this afternoon that often what we assume is God's judgement is more than likely His loving, severe mercy. With even more diligence than my school boy displays, God pursues us and in His mercy He allows what is needed to capture our hearts.
Shouldn't my mercy and love for others be as passionate?

For Pop, For Today and Always

I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:16-19

Beauty-Gifts

I have days, many of them actually, when I wonder how I can possibly find a fresh view or a new vignette within the walls of my home. {These joyful days of toting a baby on my hip mean that my camera rarely ever leaves home... While I would love to seek out new scenery and fresh inspiration I'm not so coordinated as to securely hold a baby and wield a camera at the same time!}
And so, while at home, I'm always looking for something new to capture... a different angle, a fresh view, a special moment. One of my daily prayers has become, "Lord, give me eyes to see your beauty-gifts." I whisper this prayer because I know that His beauty-gifts are there, just as His mercies are ever present... Indeed, many of His mercies are His beauty-gifts!
As I look and as I pray He gently reminds me that the real beauty, the lasting beauty, is in a life lived in communion with Him. Yet, He never ceases to open my eyes to the beauty of daily life lived out in our home... to things like a colorful heap of dirty clothes on the laundry room floor!

Juicy and Sweet

Freshly picked strawberries from one very large strawberry patch.


One sweet, juicy strawberry exploring the patch.
We didn't plan it, so to speak, but when the opportunity presented itself we made for the country where we picked strawberries on her first birthday. I can't think of a more appropriate way to celebrate!

God of Abundance

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!

People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

They feast on the abundance of Your house;

You give them drink from Your river of delights.

For with You is the fountain of life;

in Your light we see light.

Psalm 36:7-9

One Year Old

Your first year has been sweeter than strawberries!