good work

sometimes life takes a different turn....well most of the time it does right?
::
I always knew I was a good listener. I have been told that since I was a child. I sure have been through enough bumps to understand so much that others are going through and empathize with them.

yesterday while supervising a visit the mom teared up. she said that she had been telling people about me and the guardian ad litem for her boys. that we are unlike anyone else who has ever been in her life.

if she hadnt voiced this i wouldn't have ever known. supervised visits are just that supervised...no interaction. well, that's the way its supposed to be, but not for this girl. i work with a great group of girls that supervise the same way as I do. We interact...plain and simple.
::
if we dont get involved in the problem how will the problem get sorted out? if we cannot be an example...a real example how will those learn who have no clue?

she made me tear up later...down inside that woman is a little girl who doesnt know what to do and needs supportive people as she cuts ties to the way of life she has known her whole life.

i will be that support. i am honored to be that support..even in a small way. as children we cannot choose our life day-to-day, but as adults we sure can!

remember that a kind smile goes a long way!
xo

fun with snakes and smoke bombs

the girls had a blast with smoke bombs on the 4th of July.
They were my only children home so we had a low-key night. they rolled around on their skates with sparklers, the nieghbor walked down and gave them popsicles and we pulled our lawn chairs out in the road and watched the neighbors fireworks.
it was a fabulous show.

sister time

We pulled up to the house after going out for pizza and a visit to Grandma Judy's and Sophie immediately ran past me yelling "I have to hurry because it's almost dark and I have to draw the sunset."

She and Hannah found their clipboards, crayons and white paper and enjoyed some drawing time on the henhouse at dusk...

memories.

heavy mind

sometimes it's all a girl can do to shake the heaviness when things..important things...are heading sideways.

giving and re-giving it back to God over and over is tiring

that's when I take photos or call up my mama and talk...

Maybe you are the same?
Just in case you need a little lift me up, here are some Peonies and Daisies to cheer ya!

hope you are having a great day!
xo Lori

today is brought to you by the letter R

:: my nod to Sesame Street ::

R is for remembering
my girls last birthday breakfast-in-bed in our home. She will be married before next June rolls around.

R is for robot making 
these girls are crafting machines...they are the best re-purposers!

 R is for ring
Engagement ring! On my girl's finger....sigh. Where did the time go? I will introduce Elijah soon. I want to make sure I will use a photo that Tessa absolutely loves for this special introduction. It shouldn't be hard because she has a zillion of them together <3

In this photo she is cutting his hair for the first time...now he will have a perfectly groomed head for the rest of his life from his love of his life.

 R is for radishes
the only produce that is ready in the garden! the neighbors are loving it though. My girls have so much fun growing things. I think though that reality of weeding is about ready to set in.
wink, wink

I hope you are having a lovely start to the new week!
xo Lori

two decades

two decades...

She has been with me that long.

pooh bear movies, snuggles, gardening bare foot, big eyes filled with wonder, mama's little helper

filled my days with wonderment and energy as a young girl

as a woman she fills them with friendship, memories of me at her age, her conversation, strength, compassion and laughter

to think of the years to come without her here brings tears,

they all said it would happen so quickly, but who where they to say?

they knew,

they....knew.

now as the seasons change for me and my girl

we see the fluttering of the wings to fly and i can transition with joy (and some tears) for my girl

twirling girl :: dancing woman

I love you so deeply my sweet Tessa and have spent your whole life making sure that you know that without a shadow of a doubt.

fly baby fly

the nest will always be here to visit wholeheartedly

to the moon and back,
Momma
xoxoxo

day dreaming

day dreaming can cause excessive work, dontcha know?
The photo above is from my inspiration photos for what I want to do with my picnic table area. I want to landscape it in partially with plantings like day lilies, peonies and hydrangeas.

there is a pit there already that we could build the sides up with stones. I think what keeps me going is the day dreaming. Isn't that true? The Bible says man perishes with lack of vision. I find that so true, if I have to trudge through a day to day without dreaming and making plans for the future it would be sad.

::

I washed up the Tahoe to sell it and armoralled it and everything. Then I did some research on the gas mileage of minivans that can tow a small utility trailor and found out that they essentially get the same amount of mileage. So, at this point I am keeping my Tahoe and driving it with my head held high because it is clean! ha

::

Hannah made ice cream out of greek yogurt, strawberries and some of my caramel macchiato creamer. she left it in a food saver in the freezer overnight and scooped some up for her and Sophie for a treat this morning. You know...its yogurt so it can be breakfast, right? ;o)

It tastes just like ice cream...just not as easy to scoop. its more like a scrapey.

::

In other news-the house loan still may be going through. If it does you will for sure know because you will hear my squealing all the way to your house!

::

We have two graduation parties this weekend. Two sisters earned their Masters Degrees and a young man earned his High School Diploma. Yay! Should be fun to sit and relax with friends after all of the house drama and the end of schooling the kids for the year and the end of my quarter too. Just sitting and chatting with good friends.....yes.

Hope your weekend is a good one too!
xo