July 15

July this brown eyed girl joined our family and has made it even more beautiful.

 

She married our son the Philosopher in the most beautiful wedding Mass where incense rose to the heavens, and the Fisherman said,  “We hit the jackpot with this one.“

I took a deep breath to take it all and I knew it was true. There is nothing more a mother could want for her son.  She is perfect for him . . .  us.  

and then we all danced until the cows came home.

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gifts

best part of being a photographer. . .    being able to do your future daughter in laws wedding portraits

safe travels

friends who say your stupid dog is okay playing at their house.

cooler summer days

long phone conversations with my son

photos of new finds from her

many, many hugs from my youngest today

 

 

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First Day of Advent . . . a day of Hope

I just can’t enough of the eyes on this girl.

So today marks the third month of her daddy’s transplant. Today is also the first day of Advent . . . a day of Hope.

And it is a day of Hope. It was a weekend of hope –  it was an ordinary weekend just like any other – with the Fisherman outside helping the tallest of our children with his car.  Oh! That car! That terrible, terrible car.

The pair came in and out of the house with greasy hands searching the internet of what to do next.

The Fisherman watched the ball games, listening where he could to them on his phone and hoped for the Steelers to win with great disappointment. The girl who loves music helped to put lights on the Christmas tree, and the girl who loves everyone played with friends.

The philosopher had gone back to school

and then it was time for the Fisherman’s walk – something he couldn’t do before transplant.

We walked side by side, and talked with cool wind blowing, leaves falling – the day turning into night, and then he said. “Hey, lets run.”

and he beat me.

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1001 gifts

321.) running with the Fisherman again

322.) a day like any other

323.) leaves twirling

324.) warm brownies

325.) all my children sleeping in the same house – eating at the same table

326.) to much food in the fridge

327.) laughter

328.)  a warm bed

329.) people glad to see us

330.) the prayers – so many prayers

331.) losing to the Fisherman during our run . . . something that could never have happened three months ago.

just a typical evening

It’s just a typical even here for us – after dinner

someone strums  the guitar.  

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Ready to Waltz  / The Long Road to China/ Photo Story Friday/Friday Photo Journal

It’s official!

21

It’s official! 

 

This son of mine is now older then I am. 

 

Happy Birthday Honey! 

 

Love, Mom 

 

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52 Weeks of Happiness | Tuesday Around the World |  Project 52 

hard saying goodbye

Spring Break came to an end yesterday.  

We had to take Matthew back to the airport to catch his flight to Kansas City and then a ride on to the college. 

It was hard to say good bye. 

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Project 52 :: Tuesday Around the World :: Our world Tuesday :: Tones on Tuesday 

Floating New Year

New Years Eve Stevie Wonder and the gang set off floating lanterns instead of fireworks.

Floating lanterns seem fitting for us this year. 

We have so many changes coming up. Friday Matthew and I leave for Kansas. He will be going to college at Benedictine this year. Remember, I told you he wants to study philosophy? Benedictine is a 1000 miles from our home. 

I’m not at all worried about getting him there. I’m really looking forward to the drive. The thing that worries me the most is leaving the school without my little boy.  I keep on thinking: how do I just leave him there. . . 1000 miles from our home? 

 I keep telling myself – How can he set the world on fire if
his mom won’t let him? I can’t just keep him home forever. That wouldn’t be good
for anyone.  So we will be off – I may cry all the way home but, that’s okay to me –                      He’s ready to fly.

Oh! Yeah! Happy New Year Y’all!

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  Black and White Wednesday with like Christmas every day::

???Philosophy???

Matthew is in Kansas this week. He is there to check out Benedictine College and the Philosophy department. I know, I can see your eyes rolling in the back of your head saying. . . PHILOSOPHY???  

Yes, Philosophy. 

He tells me: he wants a bachelors degree in philosophy, a masters in economics and then he will go for his doctorate.  When I ask him why he couldn’t turn this around and get the bachelors in economics  – He tells me:  you canNOT be a good economist without a solid understanding of philosophy first.  That is essential, he says.  He tell me: philosophy and economics go hand and hand and a solid understanding of philosophy will help him achieve his goals as an economist and as a professor. He tells me: the very reason we in such an economic mess is the leading economist in this country do not have a solid foundation in philosophy.     He tells me: he wants to change the world and make it a better place.

and I listen . . .and I tell him to follow your passion. Dream big baby, I say . . . change the world – make it a better place. We not only need you . . . we are waiting.

*** Secretly, I want to tell him to stay home in South Carolina. Go to a local college. I could meet him for lunch – dinner – whatever he wanted. . .  and to just let the world figure it out on it’s own. But, with dreams like this – How could I say any of those things?  I must tell him . . . Fly Baby, Fly.  .  .  

~ Until Next Time ~

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Our World Tuesday 

their Grandfather

I know there is a lot wrong with this picture, but, it IS my favorite photo of the week.  This simple snap shot is a photo of great love and admiration for a man they call Grandpa.  It was taken right after a memorial Mass marking the third anniversary of their grandfather’s death.

I think the greatest legacy their grandfather left behind is the time he gave to people. He would just sit and listen. Even though we often joke and say “he couldn’t hear what you were saying“; he sat there and freely gave his time and love when he had so many other things to do.

So last Sunday – September 30 – three years to the day he died, the grandchildren show their love and admiration once again, by giving there time back to the man who knew time is only temporary but love lasts forever.

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Fabulous Photo Friday
:: Favorite Photo
Friday :: Photo Friday :: Weekly photo show and tell

An Early Flight

I know this picture is terrible. It’s just not good at all: the lighting, that I couldn’t get right, the angle, even Stephen’s hair is a mess. But, it is my favorite photo of the week. 

 ~ My little boys ~ 

Looking at them makes me happy I held them as much as I did. I believe in waking a sleeping baby just to hold them. After all, they grow up so fast and what’s a few hours of lost sleep when the years just fly bye. 

 Anyway ~ Matthew, Stephen, Liz and I jumped in the car early Tuesday morning,  at 3:45 a.m., to beat it down to Atlanta so these guys could meet an 8 o’clock plane. 

We had to be at the airport by 7. 

Long story short ~ They went to Michigan to an Acton Institute conference for a week long study of religion, liberty and economics. 

It all makes me wonder. . . Who are these kids. . . and how in the world did they  become so fantastic get so boring!!!  

NOT!!!

Until Next time. . . 

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 Our World Tuesday  ::My 3 Boybarians 

ALL Y’all

Hey, Y’all ~ even ALL Y’all ~ 

That’s what we say in the South when we want everyone to know the news and we don’t want to leave anyone out: 

He did it again. 

He’s on the Dean’s list again this semester.  I’m just so proud of him I had to tell all y’all the good news.