What's not to love?

"Not by appointment do we meet delight or joy; they heed not our expectancy; But round some corner of the streets of life they of a sudden greet us with a smile". ~Gerald Massey

We had a chance to spend a little time with our newest family member this afternoon (and his mommy and daddy!). It's hard to believe that Caleb is already six and a half weeks old. He is starting to enjoy spending time being social, looking around, wiggling his arms and legs and blessing us with a precious smile or two! What a fun time. Thanks, Caleb, for making us smile.

A fun family get together

Yesterday we drove up the island to Blackstone's Steakhouse to celebrate Jevan's 40th (!) birthday. We had a great time -- lots of good fun, enjoyable music, and, as you can see, entertainment provided by the youngest family members! Happy Birthday, Jevan and may this year be the best one ever!

Some thoughts for today...

"He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it".


"Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree".



"If a man is called to be a streetsweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great streetsweeper who did his job well".



"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase".



"I submit to you that if a man hasn't discovered something that he will die for, he isn't fit to live".


Martin Luther King, Jr.

Still chugging along...

"While one finds company in himself and his pursuits, he cannot feel old, no matter what his years may be."
~Amos Bronson Alcott







This adorable picture of David was taken over 50 years ago on his mom and dad's duck farm. We live there today (minus the ducks and the farm part!). Yesterday was David's birthday. Happy birthday and may God bless you with many more! I love you -- the little boy you were (even though I didn't know you then!) and the man you are today.

Baby face, you've got the cutest little baby face...

Stop over at Leah's Den and enter the fun contest she is running. Let's see all those cute baby pictures you have tucked away in a shoebox!

Time flies when you're having fun...

Today is Sean's 35th birthday. Happy Birthday, son! Where the time has gone I have no idea, but it sure has been fun along the way. I thought I'd post a few (ha,ha!) of my favorite pictures of Sean as a little tyke --heaven knows there are a bunch more favorites! What mother ever gets tired of looking at pictures of her babies -- no matter how old those babies are today? Sometimes I wish we could live in parallel universes. I so enjoy my kids as adults, but I would love to visit with them as children too! May you have a wonderful birthday, Sean and I hope the year brings you everything you dream of. We love you, buddy!

Notice:

I just received word from Kyle's mother that he has named his chocolate pretzel treats "Chocolate Doo-Flunkies." Terrific, creative name, Kyle! Now they are not only delicious but have a great name, also!















Here's a picture of the young "Doo-Flunkie" creator, Kyle (in the blue shirt) with his brother Matt and cousin Noah. (Photo taken this past summer).

2006, here we come!

We spent an enjoyable evening at Tom and Sherry's ringing in the New Year with family and friends. For entertainment we had the youngest family members - Rachael and Caleb - and the Giants game on the TV. The Giants won the game and the NFC East title and the kids were just plain cute! There was good food (has there ever been a family gathering without good food???) (Kyle, those chocolate pretzel treats were deee-licious!) and lots of good conversation - interspersed with much yelling at the TV screen! Some of us didn't make it till the ball dropped (been there, done that), but the rest of us welcomed 2006 with hugs and kisses all around. All in all a good time!

"A Morning Wish". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W.R. Hunt

"The sun is just rising on the morning of another day, the first day of the new year. What can I wish that this day, that this year, may bring to me?

Nothing that shall make the world of others poorer, nothing at the expense of others; but just those few things which in their coming do not stop with me but touch me rather, as they pass and gather strength:

• A few friends who understand me, and yet remain my friends.
• A work to do which has real value without which the world would feel the poorer.
• A return for such work small enough not to tax unduly anyone who pays.
• A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed.
• An understanding heart.
• A sight of the eternal hills and unbelting sea, and of something beautiful the individual hand has made.
• A sense of humor and the power to laugh.
• A little leisure with nothing to do.
• A few moments of quiet, silent meditation. The sense of the presence of God.
• And the patience to wait for the coming of these things, with the wisdom to know them when they come."

Guide words: An Anthology of Inspiration and Humor, p. 13