Photoshoot with Mom

Graham is now 1 year and 1 month old. Amazing! He is becoming more and more active by the minute. He's not walking yet, but I have a feeling it may not be too far off. He loves to pull up to the coffee table and make his way all around it, while throwing everything in sight onto the floor. Lovely. It makes keeping the living room clean just a little more challenging! I figured it was time for another round of good photos. Check out my blue-eyed baby boy!

Recent Random Happenings #1

So, I thought I'd share a few random things that have recently occurred in my daily happenings...

1. Ice-Cream Man at Night? Ryan and I were in the house playing on the computers the other night, when suddenly we heard the sweet sounds of the ice cream truck coming down our street. Now, on a typical day that would seem quite normal. But, we glanced at the clock and saw that it was 9 PM!! How creepy is that?? I mean seriously, aren't all the kids in bed by then, and if they're not, I'm sure their parents really don't want them having sweets right before bedtime, let alone going out to meet the ice cream man when it's dark outside. I just think it's creepy. The ice cream man himself, is scary enough to me.

2. I actually paid $4.01/gallon for gasoline yesterday.  Did I fill up my tank? No. Absolutely not.

3. The other day I was at the grocery store and couldn't help but notice that a certain brand of Buttermilk was going for $5.09. I mean, are you serious? What is the world coming to?

4. Yesterday, Graham and I were on our morning walk and we saw a one legged bird hopping through a puddle. One leg, and yet he was still enjoying the simple pleasures in life. Just beautiful.

5. Man, have you guys ever had a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino from Starbucks? Delicious! If you're needing a cool, afternoon treat, I highly recommend it.

Ok, that's enough randomness for now. Have you guys experience any random happenings lately that you'd like to share?

Figure Five: A Pocket Full of Colors

When I think back on my childhood, some of my fondest memories are found running through fields, fishing in ponds, playing in creeks, shooting off fireworks, relaxing with family and eating great food on my grandmother's farm. Nine years ago this month, the world lost a beautiful woman who lived fully and who loved well...really, really well. I miss her. I miss her face. I miss her hugs. I miss the candy jar she kept, with the tasty orange slices in it. I was reminded of her and the strength of her love just recently, when we decided to take a little road trip over to Figure Five. Not far from the town of Van Buren, AR lies a beautiful farmhouse on 200+ acres. But its more than the scenery that tugs on my heart when I see the farm...it's the stories, the memories, the family... that draws me in and reminds me of the important things in life. Every family has a history - some more colorful than others. And we don't always get to choose what those colors will be. But what I learned as we reminisced over the events that took place on and off the farm, is that it's those "colors" that make us a family. The "colors," no matter how crazy, bland, beautiful or dramatic, tie us together. And I think my grandmother knew that long before any of us did. She loved through all of the colors. And because of that love, even though she's not with us now, I still feel her holding us all together.

We got to see the farm, the ponds, the creek, the place where I learned to shoot a gun, the front yard where we had soft-ball games and Roman Candle fights, the hay bails and the grassy fields. It's funny how one place can contain so many emotions and so many memories. It was good to be back, with old family and new. The farm is no longer 'technically' in our family, but the thought of it always will be.