The Earth is the Lord's

Sunrise...

2009-07-09T05:40:00.000-07:00

...is my special time to wake up and spend some time with the Father before I charge headlong into each day. A time of stillness, quiet, time to just worship and commune with the Lord. In the morning when it is so still, the world is just waking and the glory of God's creation comes alive as the lights bursts forth from the sun. In that vastness and glory, it is easy to lose oneself in the strength of God, it is easy to lay everything down before the day begins.

Me and My Daddy

2009-06-21T18:05:00.001-07:00

A father stands majestic like an old oak tree
yet with the faith of a mustard seed.
He comforts like the arm of night
but with the power of an eagle's flight.
He stands with the calm of a quiet sea
with patience that lasts an eternity.
With wisdom of the ages past
his warmth and joy still always last.
The depth of bearing a family's need
but a heart that turns to God to plead.
With a tear to shed in a moment sweet
a Father is a masterpiece complete.

I don't know who reads which blog, but you should go here to read all about my Daddy. He's the best ever!!

Eagle Court of Honor

2009-06-15T15:50:00.001-07:00

My next younger brother had his Eagle Scout Court of Honor this past weekend. I am so proud of him for his accomplishment...but more than that, the character that he has grown and developed during his journey to eagle.

Graduation

2009-06-15T15:34:00.000-07:00

My next younger sister graduated this past weekend...it was wonderful to get to see all the family and friends who came to celebrate with us!! It was just a bit shocking though to try and comprehend that my little sister is a High School grad!! Time goes too fast.

The Principle's remarks.

And teacher's remarks.

And big brother's remarks.

Yup, the graduate had to make some remarks too ;D

But then she got fun awards...the last one being "Prettiest Girl in Class."
And finally the diploma and a handshake.
The graduate and her wonderful parents!

How do you take a family photo?!

2009-06-15T14:24:00.000-07:00

Everybody stops to think it over...
and then thinks it over some more...
and picks a pose and forgets to smile...
and then remembers that you can't smile without funny faces...
and then gets composed for a very brief moment...
before the best picture of all.

A Photo Shoot...

2009-06-15T14:05:00.000-07:00

...in which I let people take pictures of me *ahem*. But I was not entirely disappointed with the results, so I shall allow you to see some of them.

My brother and I look rather, well, like we're standing there against a barn?

But for real, he's the COOLEST big brother on the face of the earth!! And he's my big brother :D

I might also mention that I have the most A-M-A-Z-I-N-G Dad!! And that point is NOT to be argued!

Once I got out from in front of the silly camera, I got take some fun pictures. This is so delightfully anciently modern in a warm coolish sort of way.

Oh wait, I thought I was TAKING the pictures now? Oh well. Big bro takes some of my favorite pictures...they are simple, artistic, and good. He's the best ever! And that point is not to be argued either.

A trip to the Capitol!!!

2009-05-19T20:29:00.000-07:00

My family took a trip to the Capitol last week, as part of a protest against some content in S.B. 291. You can read all about it here. Here are a select few photos from the day :)

For anyone who is wondering, yes, this is the capitol building. Now granted, that is probably none of you, but I just had to make sure.
First there were a few...
Then a few more!
This one is just a classic sort of picture.
On the way inside, I stopped to capture some cool stone-work.
Here we are all moving inside to make a lap of the 3rd floor...there were to many people to fit us all inside for 7 laps...
After the 3rd floor walk, we stopped by the offices of our Representative and Senator. Senator Scott was kind enough to spend a good deal of time talking with us about the bill.
After stopping to speak with our elected officials, we went and got seats in the gallery to watch the proceedings on the house floor. We were able to see them discuss, vote on and pass S.B. 291. No cameras were allowed in the gallery so we had to settle for a shot through the window...much later on...of an empty room :(
After we were done with our political endeavors, we took a self-led tour of the capitol...which ended up with us finding a guide to take us farther...to the VERY top!!
Where the view was lovely.
And some people just couldn't settle for the fact that a CLOSE look was to be saved for the ground.
Others of us tried to capture come cool artsy shots from that wonderful height!
Some of us looked UP instead of down...and saw cool things that way as well.
Still others were happy just to have made the climb...(she looks great, doesn't she!)
And then we made our way back down...and some of us tried to dissappear?!
Ah, forget disappearing...how about find some cool things to take pictures of?Mm yes, it IS a lamp. A rather pretty one, don't you think?
And yes, this IS the ceiling. And yes, I DO know that I take pictures of rather odd things sometimes. I was just fascinated by the variety of patterns I found above my head...where I imagine few people ever look.
And at long last, on the way out, I found an almost empty hall :)
Once outside, we stopped yet again for a few more fun pictures...by the way, those three girls on the left are some of the most amazing young women you will ever meet!!!

The Earth is the Lord's

2009-04-30T21:10:00.000-07:00

Since we sold the farm, we no longer have woods in which to play...and I am finding that I miss them very much! I miss my times out walking, just God and I. I miss seeing that bit of creation come alive every spring! I miss the tranquil quiet of it all. I miss the secluded yet endless feeling of being far out in the woods...a trip to the nature park yielded a beautiful morning of walking barefoot through the woods, reveling in God's creation. Glorious days!!

"The earth is the Lord's, and all it contains, the world and those who dwell in it." Ps. 24:1

The most beautiful thing I saw - the young woman who I am tremendously blessed to have as my sister!!

Sense and Sensibility

2009-04-30T21:08:00.001-07:00

Well, Greg had his final performance of "Sense and Sensibility" last night...and he did an AMAZING job! I took a couple hundred photos, but unfortunately left the memory card with Act I at the school...I'll be back for it!! The pictures posted just show the costumes I worked on, so those of you who have been eagerly waiting can finally appease your curiosity and see them.

Colonel Brandon, roasting in his cool costume.

Marianne in her salmon colored day dress.

Marianne in her light dress.

Marianne in her formal dress.

Mr. Willoughby, wearing the "test" costume.

Snakes...and me...and the camera.

2009-04-30T20:59:00.000-07:00

It is spring...time to find snakes again. My sanity has been at stake due to a winter free from snakes...I like snakes...but have no place for a pet one here...so now that it is spring, it was time to find them!! So we did.

This is teeny...he was named in comparison to the size of the universe, in case you are wondering at my sanity.

And this, is Goliath...because his attitude really IS that big.

Need I convince you any further that I think snakes are terrible horrible no good and very bad if left completely alone? Now that we have that settled...

We have decided to get a patent on out new discovery: a living pocket pet!! Isn't it cute?

Since he was being so courteous, we decided to let teeny join in on the "FB profile picture photo shoot." He was delightful to work with.

To conclude the day, we played Simon says...unfortunately, Simon said "Open your mouth." without the Simon part in it, so we were both out...