Tuesday, June 28, 2011

How Does Your Garden Grow?


If you look back to the "New Life" blog, you can see below how abundantly things are growing in our ‘Mother’s Day’ garden.   And thanks to my friend Mary, who gave me several seeds to try, there are also zinnias, cosmos, marigolds, parsley and cucumbers starting to thrive!   I even picked up a pumpkin plant the other day, and hope that come fall, we will have grown our own Halloween treasure.  Lucy helps observe, water, weed….and pick!   The entire venture has been more rewarding than I ever could have imagined. It has been a good reminder of an important life lesson: that when you work towards earning or gaining (or producing!) something, it takes on a much greater value than when it is just given to you. 



The garden has welcomed some new friends to our backyard….


It is fun to watch the deer, and chipmunks, and squirrels, and rabbits....but they better stay clear of our hard work!

On a different note, my nephew Vince came into town recently.  What a pleasure it was to spend time with him and observe what a mature, thoughtful, responsible young man he has become.   We had a wonderful visit. Lucy loves her cousin lots!


Whatever your adventures are this summer, I hope they are bringing you contentment and joy.  Try growing something...it is certain to help!


Tuesday, June 21, 2011

"Is She a Daddy's Girl?"


It is a question I get often.  I am not sure how to answer, or what exactly it means. But what I can tell you about Lucy is this...

     She clings to her Dada (with a death grip) every day when he leaves for work.
     
     She jumps up and down (literally) every day when he gets home from work.  
     
     She begs him (regularly) to  " come here a second " so he will come play.
     
     She (spontaneously) snuggles and kisses him all the time. 
 
One thing I know for sure: Lucy loves her Dada lots.

I have been pondering the things of Dads, due to the special day of Father's Day that just passed.   Along with Lucy's relationship to Brian, I have been thinking about my own relationship with my Dad.  And what I realize is that Brian and my Dad share many of the same fine qualities...

     Patience 
    
     Concern

     Attentiveness

     Thoughtfulness

     Affection 

     Unconditional love

So, to the two best dad's in my life...Happy Father's Day.


We were fortunate to be able to spend the day in Indy...



God (or my Mom) decided to drop Brian a smile on his special day.  We were out on our deck when Lucy said...
                                          
"Look Dada....rainbow!"

Surely she was mistaken, as it hadn't rained in hours.  And as Lucy can tell you when asked, it takes "sun and rain" to make a rainbow.   But before our eyes, there it was, up in the sky...

A smile for Brian...

So you tell me, is she a Daddy's girl?

Friday, June 10, 2011

Content with Circumstances


In the book I am currently reading, Calm My Anxious Heart, by Linda Dillow, the author emphasizes the importance of seeking contentment, no matter what your circumstances are.   Contentment is internal, and can be found through perspective, attitude and faith; it should not be sought through external occurrences and things, for this will surely disappoint.  The following scripture was quoted in this book, a good summary of the author’s point:

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds.   Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
(Phillippians 4:7-8)

While loading all the pictures below (there are lots, since I have not been on here for awhile!), I realized just how much I have to be content about.    When I forget, and get bogged down with the external circumstances that are often out of my control, I will look at these pictures of my dear Lucy, and my wonderful family, and remind myself of all that is true, and right, and pure and lovely…
 
Memorial Day at the park...

and the parade.... "is all this candy really mine?"

A hot evening spent in Hyde Park...

Lucy loved the water fountain!

Lucy's first Cincinnati Reds game!

We made it on the jumbo tron!

Lucy loved all the music and activity at the game. 

Lucy getting cozy at a great little neighborhood book store.
Home to Indy for cousin Lindsay's 8th grade graduation.

I love my cousin Josh...

and my Aunt Lisa!

Congratulations Lindsay!

Lucy wants to be one of the graduates!

My Dad is a rock star among all of Lindsay's friends.

He will miss seeing all you gals at mass every week.

We are so proud of you Lindsay!

We are truly blessed.