A Creek Day

milk carton boats made the night before

Rosie's Tropical Flower boat .

Wish I had gotten a picture of all of the boats before they were subjected to the waterfall. :)

Ethan caught a couple of little minnows

Love this Bella smile

Anna was busy building

Their fort and harbor

Blessings

So many beautiful blessings, some bigger than others.

• Good friends.  The kind you build a life with.  The kind that make your life better for being there.
• A second set of baby birds in a second nest right outside the front door.  I put a new small feeder out with seeds they like and washed and rehung the bird bath near their nest.  Maybe that will help the parents be a bit less frazzled.  The nest is too high up for anyone to see into, but Brian lifted Rosie to see them yesterday right after they were born.  I asked if they were cute, and she said, not really. :)  They were naked with their eyes still closed and just a tuft of feather on their heads.
• Christian radio.  I only listen to it in the car, and then only sometimes.  They seem to get stuck in song ruts that can last for years, but I'm happy to report that this new crop of songs has been blessing after blessing.
• Cherry tomatoes.  Bella's been eating them off the vine in her froggy sandbox-turned-garden.
• Fairy camp.  Rose has been enjoying creating a fairy garden this week.  I can't wait to see it tomorrow. :)

On Father's Day

Mrs. Darling : There are many different kinds of bravery. There's the bravery of thinking of others before one's self. Now, your father has never brandished a sword nor... nor fired a pistol, thank heavens. But he has made many sacrifices for his family, and put away many dreams.
Michael : Where did he put them?
Mrs. Darling : He put them in a drawer. And sometimes, late at night, we take them out and admire them. But it gets harder and harder to close the drawer... and he does. And that is why he is brave.

James Barrie ~ Peter Pan

Today...

I woke with this song in my head. It's still in my head. :)

Come join the song, lift your voice
As heaven and earth give praise
Fall to your knees, at the feet
Of the Son of The One True God
Turn from old ways, lift your eyes
For the kingdom of God is here
Open your heart, offer all
For Jesus Christ is here now.

Went to a friend's party, and got to take the pictures. I love taking pictures.

the birthday girl

Always ready for a picture

Buddies

Shopped for Father's Day lunch we're having tomorrow with Dad, Mom, and friends. Watched NCIS with Brian. Made 10 lbs of my fabulous (if I do say so myself) potato salad. I have no idea how 14 people, half of which are kids, are going to eat 10 lbs of potato salad. And now I'm listening to some kind of bird right outside our house that sings all night long. Loudly. The first night or two I thought it was kind of cute and interesting. Now I'm just starting to think it's psychotic. And I'm uploading pictures to Facebook. And this blog. And now I should finish the laundry and dishes so that I can sleep a little. ;)

Bella's crazy like me

Bella: I crazy
Me: That's because you're mine.
Bella: Mommy crazy, Bella crazy. (Then, she fumbles with her fingers before holding them up properly.) TWO CRAZIES.

Kenny Chesney - Don't Blink

This song simultaneously terrifies me and brings me instant perspective.  I think I might need to listen to it at least twice a day. ;)