I hear my children waking up from their long naps, (thank you children). Anyway, I wanted you to meet her too. She is a young mother to four lovely children....she and her husband were in a horrible plane crash last August in which much of their bodies were burned. They lived and they tell the story of their beautiful lives here. And Von, did you know she had her babies at home?? I like her even more now! My friends, you will like her too:
this post will be a good place to start, she is full of courage.
Here is a quote I came across while reading her blog:
Author Anna Quindlen reminds us not to rush past the fleeting moments. She said: “The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. . . . I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less”(from the book "Loud and Clear").
Moving along....I run outside to see this grand happening and literally RIGHT above our heads is a giant hot air balloon, we were waving to the people, it was that low. Before thinking, I spoke, (bad idea when children are involved)! "Let's go watch it land!!" Shouts of excitement ensue!!!! We load up in the car as fast as we can! The chase begins, I thought surely it would land at the local high school, but alas, it kept going.............and going................and going..................
and they're off...this picture could make me cry if I would let it!!!
The "Play-Doh Magic Swirl Ice Cream Shoppe." I suppose we should enjoy these days when small priced items bring much happiness! The boys played for a long while with it in the back yard while Jake and I relaxed with Paisley! 
I will say that since our great birthday purchase, this thing has become my nemesis! It's quite the bugger to keep clean and I am constantly being beckoned to help make ice cream or be a customer. It's really hard to push the play-dog thru the tiny holes. I don't mind this, but it's the clean up that gets to me! I know, I should let them be, but there's nothing like having play doh everywhere! So, this toy has now retired to the bathtub....a nice compromise! Perhaps I'll take it outside again soon and let them have at it! If you're undecided about this purchase for your children, I'd say let it pass! 
Later in the day we made ice cream cones for everyone and blew out the "4" candle again and again!
I took this picture a few weeks ago as Mama/Grammie, (Jake's Mom) was holding Paisley at church. She is such a prayer warrior and I could just tell she was in prayer over Paisley's life. It was so precious.....so meaningful.....so tangible! What a blessing; a deep, real, eternal blessing having her prayers COVERING us. She is little, but quite the warrior in the heavens! 
"Let me do a little pose for you!"
"Thanks Mommy's friend, you are nice
"Maybe you can hold me next month!! 
Chris and Megan Vengala from 
It was really neat to be able to introduce them to Paisley and to have them see Tyler and Luke growing like weeds!! 
