The spirit of Christmas

Claire Dec 20th getting ready for the fun!

Christmas morning at the Lines home

I'm grateful

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."
--- Melody Beattie

I'm posting a short video from last December fun with my babies' babies-----I'm thankful for moments like these.

Happy Birthday Max!

Max is checking out our plug in pumpkin....

Adorable Robin Hood on Halloween

Photos of all my babies babies

Forever Fun....

Claire came to the farm for the first time this fall

Look at the smile, look at the fun that is Claire. This is a picture of Claire wearing the "flower crown" Bella and I made this summer. She found it and wanted to try it on. She couldn't be more adorable in this photo. I must admit this visit for Claire was anything but what we all hoped for and yet, look at that smile. I adore her. Some of the unexpected events that took place were not small. She got sick almost immediately, with a very painful ear infection. Fall break turned to "winter break" and I'm sure there were more but those were the big ones. In spite of it all she found her smile. That is the essence of Claire. I love you Claire Bear!

Mount Rushmore and the Reptile Gardens

A not so rare siting of a Mountain Goat, around the bend of Mount Rushmore

In the center of the walk way Brennan, me and Bella

Random photo at Wall Drug

Brennan, Papa, and Bella

The Kimono Dragon wanting a piece of us

The longer we watched him the closer he came. He is who we came to see, a first view of the Kimono Dragon for all of us. Brennan especially loved it here.

Fall Break Adventure

Water park near Mount Rushmore (indoor)
Wall Drug...an iconic stop for prairie tourists

There is Beauty all around

Krista and Max and the beauty of Arizona Nature during a recent camping trip
Check out Elliott and Alisa's blog for more Halloween party photos. Also, you'll find the most adorable costumes and children ever at "Our Family", both links are on the right.

 

Memories of last fall

Lily

There are not words to describe how adorably delicious baby Lily is. I haven't seen her since May and I just have to ask, Where did Baby Lily go? 6 months to 10 months, what a lot of change. She is every bit as sweet as ever, I can see it in her every feature. Lots of love, kisses and hugs coming soon...Baby Lily.

CLAIRE BEAR

Clairebee...

missing you, thinking of you, fasting and praying for you, imagining how good it will feel to get my arms around you when I get home. Got Claire on my mind. Love you sooo much. Can't wait to see you.

One of my favorite pictures of you.

Blessing day for Lily...(fixing her bow) "Lucky Lily"

The looks of Claire, (a favorite expression of mine)

The big day

Happy Birthday Brennan, the big 10. Today is all about you! It was 10 years ago and still is today, August 19, 2009. You've just entered the double digit club. We love and miss you. Happy Happy day.

Love Nana and Papa

My heart sings...

Gritty mommy, smiley baby....when Brianne was a baby, she was a "gritty baby". This picture is evidence that the "gritty" continues on. She had a soft tiny doll we nicknamed, 'gritty baby", because when baby Brianne put it in her mouth she would bite down and pull so hard she would almost shudder. We still can't believe the head never came off, the doll head that is. Baby Lily is with out a doubt our smiley baby. To see an example of "gritty", watch Claire as she loves and grits on her baby smiley Lily. It makes my heart sing.

I have a new thought, (new to Me), maybe "gritty" babies grow into moms with "Grit".

In our case that is true. True Grit, the very characteristic we all need, to survive/thrive in today's world.

True Grit- My definition: Courage, Strength, Perseverance, Spunk, and just enough fight to not quit or flee when times are tough. The ability to dig deep and self preserve, (means something different to everyone).

Latest view of my babies babies...

Lily and "little girl?", Elliott and Alisa's kitty.

Gotta love it. Elliott and Alisa in New Zealand at the hobbit house.

Back to school...

Stare down? Love these boys.

a

Our Max

We are missing Max and all the adorable antics he exhibits.

These photos are from Krista's Lake Powell album and their trip with the Kennedy family and friends.

Captain Max!

A look not to be resisted, I want to kiss his face.



Hmmmmmm, think I'm having fun.

Looking at the fish

Feeding the fish...

Icy indifference?

My Nanny, that's what we called Brianne when she was Lily's age. Oh, I love these girls... all of them!

Beautiful, beyond words....I love these girls.

Yummy!

Yum

JUST A MOM?

A woman,

renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office

was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

"What I mean is," explained the recorder,
"do you have a job or are you just a......?"

"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman.

"I'm a Mom."

"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation,

'housewife' covers it,"
said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until

one day I found myself
in the same situation,

this time at our own Town Hall.

The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised,
efficient and possessed of a high sounding title like,
"Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar."

"What is your occupation?" she probed.

What made me say it?

I do not know.

The words simply popped out.

"I'm a Research Associate in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations."

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and
looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most
significant words.
Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written,
in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

"Might I ask." said the clerk with new interest,

"just what do you do in your field?"

Coolly,
without any trace of fluster in my voice,
I heard myself reply,
"I have a continuing program of research,
[what mother doesn't)
in the laboratory and in the field,
(normally I would have said indoors and out).

I'm working for my Masters,

(first the Lord and then the whole family)
and already have four credits

(all daughters).

Of course,

the job is one of the most demanding in the
humanities,
(any mother care to disagree?)
and I often work 14 hours a day,

(24 is more like it).

But the job is more challenging than most
run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards
are more
of a satisfaction rather than just money."

There was an increasing note of respect

in the clerk's voice as she
completed the form, stood up and personally
ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway,

buoyed up by my glamorous new career,
I was greeted by my lab assistants

ages 13, 7, and 3.

Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model,
(a 6 month old baby)

in the child development program,
testing out a new vocal pattern.
I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!

And I had gone on the official records

as someone more
distinguished and indispensable to mankind than
"just another Mom."

Motherhood!

What a glorious career!

Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers
"Senior Research associates
in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations"
and great grandmothers
"Executive Senior Research Associates"?
I think so!!!

I also think it makes Aunts
"Associate Research Assistants".

Happy 4th of July from the farm

A picture is worth a thousand words, this video adds feeling. I hope you feel their joy,

I do....

Shhhhh, it's a secret SURPRISE.....for Brennan and Bella at the farm.

but here's a preview of some fun waiting...

click picture for larger view

Freddie's in training to leave the chicks alone. Even though he can't get to them, he scares them to near death with his barks, juke moves and all out spaz fred

(how do you train a trained bird dog hunter to leave chicks alone)? We don't know.....

I love this Boy!

For Cami....!

These photos are from last year. One of the most extraordinary sites of my North Dakota experience. Sunflower fields as far as you can see.

Sunflowers always, always face East. Rain or Shine, night or day, always east. I personally think they are waiting for the Son.

We are "At the Farm"...arrival and planting

After photo of flower field, (after clearing, tilling and planting)

Before photo of flower fields upon arrival

A DAY OF PERFECTION

In a perfect world.....

We would recognize our greatest talents and act upon them, (with faith not fear).

We would see needs of others, show up and support them, not when it's convenient but when it's obvious, (unconditional love).

We would make decisions for the right reasons and for the best interest of one anothers growth, even if it's painful, (sacrifice).

We would cultivate the ability to "be still" and learn the language of the spirit, (inspiration and revelation).

We would follow through during difficult times of life, hold on to our faith and lean on each, (endurance).

These are the attributes of life in a perfect world, (as least for me).

(Faith, Unconditional Love, Sacrifice, Inspiration and Endurance)

Here is a picture of what it looks like.

RED Letter Day!