Love Thursday: Maria's Birthday Celebration

One very fine thing about having Edward & Maria at Calvin College just on the other side of town is that we can get together for quick little birthday dinners. We met Edward & Maria at Yesterdog's which is somewhere kind of between us.

We ate 10 Yesterdogs & Cheddardogs between us all and no one even wanted to go get ice cream! But it was a good good time and Maria can now be officially 19 years old.

I sent her Psalm 19 which is so appropriate for a 19 year old:

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. 3 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, 5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. 6 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat. 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. 10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. 11 By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. 13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. 14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Happy Birthday Maria Christina!

I was able to capture a bit of Maria when we went on our photo shoot... she is growing up! Here are a few favorites:

It might sound a little cliche, but really, it does seem like yesterday...

Blowing Bubbles for Mom

I later asked Edward & Bridget to participate in the bubble blowing. Bridget was happy to; Ed wasn't so sure, but he usually will do things for his mother because he is so kind :)

Forever Blowing Bubbles

This past week when Maria was home for Spring Break, we went out one evening on a photoshoot. When she had the idea of taking bubble pictures, I was all too happy to oblige, if you can't tell.

This week, I'm entering this one called "Fleeting" in an art show:

Flash Back Friday 199

Panama City 2002. Edward Maria & Bridget

Love Thursday: Happy to Be Home

I don't know who's happier - Maria to be home or Leo to have her home. Haha! Actually, we are all pretty glad to have Edward & Maria home this week for their Spring Break. I must seriously try to get more pix of them when they are home so I'm not sad when they leave like at Christmas :)

Leo Chatting with his Girlfriends

Bridget had some friends over last Friday night and I got a kick out of Leo joining in like he was part of the conversation. Do you see him by the bookcase? Silly cat!

The Trial of Goldilocks

Last Friday, Bridget played the role of Goldilocks for Master Arts Theatre to about 200 kids in the gym of a local school. The whole cast did a great job in this funny version of the tale!

Cast of Goldilocks: 3 bears, prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, clerk of court, judge, jury members, and Goldilocks.

They began by telling the story as we all know it:

Then they gave the bears' version where Goldilocks is a "bad girl":

Finally, they tell it from Goldilocks' perspective where she is portrayed as sweet and innocent:

Unfortunately, Goldilocks is declared "guilty" but to everyone's surprise, the bears and the lawyers are declared guilty too:

Goldilocks reacts graciously to her sentence of making the bears' beds, cleaning their house and making their porridge for a week:

Very interesting take on the old story!

Super Moon!

During the full moon on March 19th 2011 the moon was only 221,565 miles (356,575 kilometers) away.... the closest it’s been in almost 20 years! It appeared 14 percent bigger and 30% brighter than usual. I didn't get a photo at moonrise which would have been cool, but I did get one around 11 pm after stepping out in my bare feet in the front yard!

Flash Back Friday 198

Me, Six years old

Love Thursday: I Believe

When I found out I needed to redo this photo in a landscape orientation, Bridget & her friends were more than happy to help out!

And...this bud reminded me, Spring is coming!

Our Blazing Nightfall

Monday evening, backyard, SOC... Amazing!

How strange the fear of death is! We are never frightened at a sunset.
George MacDonald

Oh Frolicking Kitty

I think Leo is ready for Spring! I can hardly believe he was almost history a few months ago when he was so sick. Mr. Nine Lives.

Bye-bye Queen Mother

The Queen Mother left Friday morning after a nice visit. I realized as she was getting in her car that I hadn't taken any pictures of all our fun little side trips to Olga's, Panerra, Rivertown, the Electric Cheetah, Art of the Table, or any of our masterpieces like the skinny green beans and the amaretto liqueur cake with whip cream and strawberries and tea time that is all just tastes so much better and is way more fun with the Queen Mother here! Ah, hope she comes again soon :)

Flash Back Friday 197

May 2003, by the North Sea

Love Thursday: The Queen Mother

I mentioned the other day that the Queen Mother came for a visit. Yesterday, we spent 5-6 hours on our bedroom, focusing quite a bit of time on my closet. the results were remarkable!! We also removed a lot of dust from the room. So much more fun to have someone with you to do it!

I Believe

A few weeks ago, we could pick up these signs at church to help illustrate the Apostles' Creed for the upcoming sermon series. Bridget, her friend Jessica & I tried to picture the last line.

Aunt Bea & Nephew Leo

The Queen Mother arrived last evening to visit a few days and no sooner had she brought her dog Beatrix in with her food than Leo was ready for a new little treat. Beatrix looked on wagging her tail and I would say peace is reigning tonight in our home.

Happy Birthday Pong!

Last Thursday, I went over to my friend Cathy's house to celebrate her birthday with our traditional Olga lunch. We were going to be joined by another friend but she couldn't come due to illness which was a bummer, but we still managed to have a great time!

I gave her this little book, it was so sweet and so appropriate. Part of it went like this:

You know how to be silly
That's why I like you
Boy are you ever silly
I never met anybody sillier than me till I met you
I like you because you know when it's time to stop being silly
Maybe day after tomorrow
Maybe never
Too late, it's a quarter past silly!

Remember the funnest game in the whole world?

It's still #1 on Google Images...

Flash Back Friday 196

Edward & Maria, 1992

Love Thursday

Celebrating the birth of a very sweet pal today!!!

If I Throw These Flowers Away...

...will I only be left with old winter gray?

Not Done Yet!

I know I already said bitter end, but these tulips just kept right on going... I couldn't believe it but the shot in the middle, last day, really looks like a different kind of flower!