A Closer Look

As we readjust to life back in Birmingham after much traveling the past couple of weeks we decided to spend some time outside enjoying a beautiful afternoon. I took my camera hoping to get some good updated pictures of the girls. Lily is changing so quickly, as babies do their first years of life, and I really wanted to capture some good 10 month photos. After perusing my photos tonight I am quickly reminded of how difficult it can be to photograph two young girls on the move. Most all of my pics ended up being of their backs and I was initially a little disappointed. As I started looking closer at the pictures, however, I discovered what a wonderful story can be told from the not quite so obvious.

For instance, I love that this picture reminds me of how Hannah's shirt was on backwards today but she was so very proud of the fact that she put it on all by herself that I did not have the heart to change it.


I also love how that picture and this one show how Lily watches her sister's every move these days...

and then quickly tries to follow after...

They love each other so much (most of the time)...


Lastly, one of my favorite things about a baby is their toes and so today I captured this shot...

I hope to always remember these sweet baby toes and the little ankle rolls that come with them.

We are back...

For those friends and followers who do not know I have been on hiatus from the blog due to the death of my father.


It has been a really tough journey over the past couple of weeks - filled with lots of tears and, believe it or not, many smiles recollecting so many good memories. My sisters and I have been blessed with the love and support of family and friends. So many of you have made our lives so much easier with your prayers, meals, and words of support over the past couple of weeks and we are truly grateful. I know that with time things will get easier and though we have a ways to go we definitely know that there is a silver lining to all of this and I am so thankful that I know that there is a heaven above! I know others of you have asked if there is anything else you can do. There are only two things that we need...1.prayers, prayers, prayers and 2. for all of you to make sure that you are an organ donor. Daddy was suffering from kidney disease and was at the top of the list for a kidney transplant but it just did not happen in time. I know that this was God's plan for him and I am confident that he is in such a better place. My only wish would would be that all people know how much suffering and pain can be avoided just by checking that little box on your driver's license and giving someone else the greatest gift of all...the gift of life! My father was not meant to remain here on this earth but there are so many others who, like him, need a transplant of some kind so please, please, please, if you have not already, when you renew your driver's license become an organ donor!!!

A little piece of my heart is forever gone but I am sure that is normal for anyone who loses a parent. Life will slowly return to "normal" and I will be back to blogging about our everyday lives soon enough. I am so thankful for the 33 years I was allowed to spend with my father and even more so that he got to know his two precious granddaughters, if only for a short time. One of the hardest things we had to do was to gently tell Hannah about her beloved Grandpa. We took Hannah outside to tell her that Grandpa had gone to Heaven to be with Jesus. We gave her some balloons and let her write him messages on them to send up to Heaven.

Hannah loved the balloons and loved watching them float up to Grandpa with her sweet messages of love.

Watching Hannah tell others so happily and hopefully that "One day, when I get old, I am going to go to Heaven and see Grandpa" continues to remind me that we all should look forward to the day when we are once again reunited with God and our loved ones in Heaven. My sisters and I are better people for having Daddy in our lives and we are thankful for that blessing!!

Introductions

This week was a week filled with new introductions. Hannah and Lily both began school this week and were introduced to new teachers and classrooms. They posed for a quick picture before we headed out to school on Tuesday...

Both Hannah and Lily had a wonderful first day...they loved their new teachers and had fun with new and old friends.

Today was the second day of school for both girls and I picked Lily up early so that she could meet a special visitor.

My wonderful friend Beth was in town back from her adventures teaching art in Ecuador. Lily had not had the pleasure of meeting Beth and so I thought the two of them should spend a little quality time together before Beth's flight out of town later in the afternoon. Beth came bearing gifts for us all including this great painting by an artist in Ecuador...

and a fun little purse that Hannah has already put to good use...

It is always such a treat to see Beth and we are wishing great things for her as she settles into her new life in Portland, Oregon. Good luck Beth and please come back very soon!!!

Labor Day fun

We had a great Labor Day weekend in Florence. This was Matt's first trip to Flo-town in about a year so Mom was super excited to have the whole family in town. We spent Saturday and Sunday at the pool. Hannah pulled out her swimmies and we got to splashin'...

Hannah jumped off the diving board for the first time. Here she is sitting on the diving board contemplating...

Lily was a bit wary of the water and spent most of her time floating...

and splashing...


Monday we headed out to the little town of St. Florian, Alabama where my hometown church, St. Michael's, is located.


If you are looking for the best bbq and chicken stew around you should head to St. Michael's for their annual Labor Day picnic. I have such great memories of spending my Labor Day holidays at the picnic, eating bbq and watermelon for lunch, and heading over to a good friend's pool for an afternoon swim. Matt, Hannah and I arrived ready for a bbq sandwich only to find out that they were sold out. Luckily, Mom had gone early in the morning to buy our bbq and stew in bulk so we knew that we had a good lunch waiting when we got home. I wanted Hannah to experience a little of the fun so we headed over to the game area. Hannah went fishin'...

won a guitar...

and got a sucker...

To top off the fun we ran in to my great aunt Cissie who works so hard every year to make the great chicken stew we enjoy so much...


She is a wonderful woman and we were so thankful to get to visit with her. She has promised to teach me how to make her delicious homemade bread next time I come home so we will definitely be back soon!