More on Little Boys and Puppies...

Only this time, he wants to BE one...

On a lighter, happier note...

Who can resist little boys and puppy dogs? :) We were out laying sod this evening when our neighbor came out to walk her little pom-pom, Snowy. She had been to the groomer and looked so cute, of course RJ wanted to hold her. And of course, I had my camera nearby...

Too close to home

This is not my picture, this is from news4jax.com. This 14 yr old boy was arrested yesterday, he is a classmate of my dd's. He has been charged with a 2nd degree felony for threatening to shoot 100 students. From what I'm hearing, it sounds like he has a lot of emotional problems and was trying to get attention. Well, he got it. My daughter spoke to him at school yesterday morning. She told me she had concerns about him and things he was doing and saying about 2 weeks ago. I advised her to avoid him and that if he said anything threatening to her or put his hands on her again (he slapped her in the head, then said he was just playing around) that she was to go straight to the office or to the school resource officer and report him.

I'm thankful this did not go any further, but this was way too close to home. I kept them home from school today.

What kind of world has this become? To be afraid to go to school...or college...or work...or ANYWHERE.

I know God is always ultimately in control. But today I feel so heavy with dread, dread of this world and the people in it.

Carpet and Linoleum

And we are getting closer...it's amazing what a difference new flooring makes. The only fear is the carpet looking so much better that it makes the rest of the house look worse :)

Bubbles

Melinda was blowing bubbles for RJ tonight and said "Mom! Come take pictures!". So I did. :)

Trip to the Park

Every time we go to this park, we see something new

They have had a butterfly garden at the front, but now they have one by the river:
There is also a new plaque of dedication:
It's one of my favorite places :)

Windy Day

Well...it's a deep subject

Last week, the well pump quit working at FIL's house, we have been working to get it ready to rent out. Turned out that the foot valve came off. I never knew what a foot valve was, and now I know more about shallow wells and the plumbing departments at Lowes and Ace Hardware than I ever intended :)

But now, after one trip to Home Depot, two trips to Lowes, one trip to Ace Hardware, and lots of sweat and hard work on dear husband's part, the house once again has water. :)

Happy Birthday To You!!

We celebrated my sister's birthday on Friday night at Outback. Here she is opening one of her gifts:

And realizing what it is, priceless!
Here is her flaming dessert
We had a great time, we had family members at two tables, "Camera" and "Non-camera" :)

I am way behind

On my posting, I will catch up tomorrow. For now I just wanted to say

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! :)

"I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille"

In my shoes

You've come a long way, baby

One year ago, my baby boy had to have skull surgery for "sagittal cranio synostosis", which basically means his soft spot closed up prematurely. He had to have it corrected so his skull could grow properly. It was one of the most terrifying things I've ever gone through, but by the grace of God, he came through it like the champ that he is. One of the biggest dangers with this particular surgery is blood loss. Me and my family members who were compatible gave blood before his surgery, just in case. We also had several people at my church come give blood for him. Guess what? He didn't need it!! He also did not have to go to ICU, he went to a regular room. The Dr. was amazed. The rest of us, not so much. :) We knew how many prayers were going up for him. This is the day after:

This was a few weeks after, the swelling had gone down and his hair was coming in good:
And this was from today:
We had his one year follow up appointment and xrays today. This is Hector James, M.D., F.A.A.P. He is one of the few board certified pediatric neurosurgeons in the state of Florida, and we were very blessed to find him in Jacksonville. He did a wonderful job and I am very grateful to him for his dedication to this field, and for the care he provided for us.

God is Good, all the time.

Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus Jr.

From our church's Easter Cantata practice today. It is actually Melissa, Wes and their beautiful baby boy, Owen. We call him Baby Jesus Jr. because his Daddy always plays Jesus in our musicals. Though this year he has a dual role, as Joseph AND Jesus. He does a fantastic job, and Owen and Melissa did great too :)

More fun in St. Augustine

My sister did some pics like this many MANY years ago, they still crack me up


I told you he was fascinated...

St. Augustine

During Spring break, we always do something with Papa and Granny. This year we went to St. Augustine. First we rode the carousel, which RJ loves...

then played on the playground for a while...
then went to walk around the Castillo de San Marcos...

RJ was fascinated with the cannons, and cannon balls. He was very disappointed that he couldn't pick one up :)

Hard at it

play, that is. Riding my bike:

Trying to keep up with brother on skateboard:
And sister on her bike (towing my trailer that I refuse to ride in):
It's important to stay hydrated :)

Our New Sign

At night:

Hunting Eggs and other things

Easter Egg Hunt today for the KBBC Preschool:

Playing on the playground:
And a 25lb Bumble Bee: