Yippe Kai Yeah! ?

Everything about my youngest
screams, "cowboy".
His grandfather's all time favorite
is John Wayne.
He has a cool, easy going cowboy 'tude.
Except if you a take a mind to rufflin' his feathers.
Then you better take a step back.
When I found these pajamas, I knew they had to
belong to my cowboy.
I've always had the biggest soft spot for cowboys.
There is no one on God's beautiful planet I can
say I'm jealous of
except
The Pioneer Woman.
So I'm going to raise me a cowboy.
Starting with this little flannel number from Target.
The biggest hurdle might be the name...
Liam the Cowboy? Hmmm. Not working is it?
Okay, we'll have to think of a nickname.
Hold your horses. We'll come back to that.
Come back, ya'll.
xoxo
Gina

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Like, Totally!

Luke was feeling warm this morning and didn't touch his rice toast with jam (which he usually devours) so I was at home with he, Leila and Liam.
Love being with my kids. I do.

It's just that we can go NO WHERE because the three of them with only one adult is actually dangerous.
With a toddler (yes, completely walking) and a very strong six-year old who loves to run and doesn't quite know the meaning of "STOP, DON'T GO INTO THE ROAD!" or even what a road is for that matter, well, you can see the potential problem.

So we stayed in. We do have a back yard but that's tricky too. Any way, I want to figure this out. I'd love to be able to go out with all three of my children. I don't know how to go about it yet. I just pray that we can bring Luke around.

We've made homemade popsicles and have read countless books.
Now Luke is screaming from the bath. Suppose he wants out.

He's out now. And I'm enjoying three-way sanity inducing quiet.
I read that in order to really be good at photography you need to take 100,000 photos.
I'm up to 34,000 on my Flickr.
So I'm working on it.
I'll upload a lot tonight and see where I am then.

Luke's latest is to chew on the collars of his shirt.
This makes six-year-olds stand out.
Just a tad.
So we're working on that.

Leila put on my shoes and said, "Mom! These are totally cool!"
Oh, my. Can't take California out of the girl. But at three??

TAKE ACTION WITH RED ENVELOPES

In my email today. I will be doing this...

I have been deeply distressed at the symbolic actions that President Obama took as he began his presidency. Namely, that he signed executive orders releasing funds to pay for abortions, permission to fund human stem cell research, and federal funding for contraception. I have been involved in the pro-life movement for nearly 20 years, and it pained my heart to see a man and a political party committed to the shedding of innocent blood. This man, and this party lead our country, but they do not represent me or the 54% of Americans who believe that abortion is wrong and should no longer be legal.

As I was praying, I believe that God gave me an interesting idea. Out in the garage I have a box of red envelopes. Like the powerful image of the red LIFEtape, an empty red envelope will send a message to Barack Obama that there is moral outrage in this country over this issue. It will be quiet, but clear.

Here is what I would like you to do:

Get a red envelope. (You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply stores.) In the front, address it to:
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, D.C.


On the back, write the following message:
This envelope represents one child who died in an abortion "procedure". It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world. Responsibility begins at conception.

Put it in the mail, and send it.

I don't have the name of the woman who got this vision but it wasn't me.
God have mercy on a country whose citizens stand by and let their babies be slaughtered by the millions. Is there any hope for people such as these?

One Year

Dear Sweet Baby Liam,

It's hard to believe that in only a few short days you will be one year old. I am filled with mixed emotions. There is sadness because of the quick passing of this year with you as a baby. Looking back, it seems like minutes. But there is a great deal of excitement as we consider this beautiful boy we have been so richly blessed with and what is in store for his life. There is really no way to describe the joy that you bring. Your smile seems a mile wide. It lights up a room. You have this crazy sense of humor for a baby but break the mold for the third child stereotype. Even with your sweet disposition, you will certainly stand up for your self. If things don't go your way you might even consider a flop on the floor, feet kicking out. You love riding toys, playing the piano with me, cuddling, being tickled by Leila and dancing to any tunes that are any where near earshot.

You will always have a daddy and mommy, brother and sister, nana and papa, cousins and aunts and uncles and friends who love and cherish you.

I look forward to the many adventures we will share together.
I love you, Mommy

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

From Today's Readings

"What are you laughing at", said Toad.
"I am laughing at you, Toad," said Frog,
"because you do look funny in your bathing suit."
"Of course I do," said Toad.
Then he picked up his clothes and went home.

Frog and Toad Are Friends Story and Pictures by Arnold Lobel

No Pastels

Colors that look best in a photo shoot are:
Jewel tones
Fuschia
Mustard gold (yes, I'm serious).
Deep purples
Deep reds
Orange
Kelly green
Rich blues
...note to self

Sanctuary Builder?

Another mother told me
this is what she strives for.
To be the sanctuary builder
in her home.
To create a place of comfort
safety and love
softness and happy things.
Am I doing this?
I love the term
"sanctuary builder".
As I sweep the toys and dust
from under my baby's crib
I'm thinking...
how can I get there?

Valentine Out Takes

So We Made Heart-Shaped Brownies For The Occasion

Look what I found.




Maybe I'll just pop it in my mouth while mom's taking pictures and not paying any attention.



We had a late start this morning.
Guess that's what happens when you stay up till midnight.
But a park morning with friends was perfect.
Things are beginning to dry.
Leila is taking her nap and hopefully that means
she won't be a complete wreak for the AWANA Valentine's party tonight.
Update: back from the party and she didn't fall asleep until after 11!
Wow, I might reevaluate the necessity of a mid-day nap followed by
a Valentine party chock full of sugary heart candies and jumpy up and down games.
Nighty night.
xoxo
Gina

Treasuring

5 steps today.
i guess that's officially walking.

i am video taping on our old video camera because i can't find batteries for the new one.
ugggg.
that means i can't post video.
but i have video.
and i'll treasure it.

It was wonderful to see sunshine today for the first time in days.

No Wait, Come Back.

Liam took four steps in a row today.
Where did the time go?

Moving...

Since there are usually only so many hours in a day, I'll be updating my photo blog for now. Come visit me there instead: MonkeyMoonBlog.com