Sometimes...

Most of the time I am a wife and mother, but sometimes, rarely really I focus on just my hubby and become just a wife for a moment. The last time this happened was the night before Mary Colette was born. Yes we need to get out more! Today I am just simply a mother. My wife duties had to be set aside for while. We have three sick kiddos, though they are not sick enough to not pull out every toy and bicker and make my hair turn prematurely gray. They are however too sick to travel. So today as my husband heard that core stirring farewell, Taps, played for a lifelong hero I was not there to squeeze his hand or simply stand beside him.  No today I was just a mother and had to entrust my vocation of wife to Our Heavenly Mother and know that she was there with Philip in my absence and always.

Wishing I was there is pointless, My Dear. I am not and cannot be. So I must pray, for that is all I can do and is truly the most powerful act. I love you and entrust your care to Our Heavenly Mother. 

Friday Photo Favorites

 

 

Two Pictures

The first picture will be familiar to you if you consume anything other than mainstream news sources. The second will be familiar to you if you consume any history. There are some similarities, some differences between the pictures, but I'm not going to tell you why I'm presenting these together. Today, it's your job to tell me the significance of these photos. 

I'm only giving you one hint: these pictures were taken 74 years apart. 

 I don't think I'm being unfair.

Dainty little flowers

Okay, so another "supposed to be posted on Friday" post that is posted on Monday. No staples in the head story for the delay - just laziness.

Papa and Mary Colette shared some flowers up in Michigan.

One of my favorite things to watch with Mary Colette is her dainty little hands.
She clasps them and uses them in such a feminine way.
This is my only claim on her, well that and her spiciness. She has my hands and I have my mother's hands.

One of the most beautiful aspect of being the mother of my children is watching their God-given persons develop. Mary Colette, from day one, was female created entirely, wonderfully different from her male counter parts. She, as newborn, cooed in a more social talkative manner verses her brothers who were more exploitative with their voices.
She keeps up with her brothers, but she is still a little girl and her femininity is written in her soul. She interacts with the world differently because of that. She takes the time to appreciated the delicateness of the flowers without crushing them. She, without prompting, looked them over and smelled them to fully appreciated their beauty.

Strawberry Fields Forever

Or rather strawberry picking pictures forever.

(This was going to be my FPF, however it got postponed due to Avery finding his voice and his older brother not responding very well to the new discovery. Avery ended up with 4 staples in his head and three suckers because he was amazingly brave and clam.)

In Michigan we went strawberry picking, which was great because at every meal I have to answer where things grow, including where pancakes grow after both boys helped me make them. Now the boys got to see for themselves where these little pretties grow.

Grab a bucket and lets go!

Geegee explaining the ins and outs of picking.

Yup that's a good one!

You want me to sit where?!

Ohhh so that's why they're called strawberries!

Taste test.

Juciy!

Little tiny seeds.

MMMM!

(Okay it was super fun capturing this little strawberry girl as she explored a new world.)

Daddy's girl.

Trying to be creative.

Picking with Aunt Ruth.

Showing the loot.

Notice the juice already on his shirt!

My deep thinker!

Wanta taste?

All in!

Processing this new food...

Yup it's a winner!

Mary Colette confiscated my bucket!

Double fisting, how you know it's good!

Our strawberry crew!
These only lasted a few days, time to head up and get more!

Belated Birthday Post

Mary Colette celebrated her first birthday with family in Michigan. I was grateful that Gee Gee volunteered to make this adorable cake and that we would be able to celebrate my one going on three year old's big day. (Sure beats the day of driving on her official day.)

Happy to be the center of attention.

You want me to do what with that?
(She was such a little lady with her cake, eating it very daintily and very neatly.)

A little encouragement from big brother.

Yum.

Beware of cake swipers!

Avery had no problem digging in.

 Brenna had a previous scare with these balloon creatures, but warmed up to them quite nicely.

Every girl needs a frying pan!

The girls barefoot and playing kitchen.

The beginning of a lasting friendship!

Happy Birthday Little Lady!