M I S S I S S I P P I

We headed south last weekend to Jackson, MS to visit with Grandmommy and Granddaddy. We hadn't been back to Jackson in OVER A YEAR! It feel like such a long time. We had seen Grandmommy and Granddaddy at least half a dozen times over the last year but never in Jackson. This trip was so nice and low key. I think its the first time I have ever been to Jackson when the whole family wasn't there! It was so quiet. David helped get some things done around the house- their computer and printer are working great now- and we can use Skype to communicate again. And their yard is looking patchy (new sod was laid where some construction workers tore up the yard). Grandmommy is still recovering from her time in the hospital. Please continue to pray that her doctors will be able to work together to figure out the correct combinations of medicines to keep her heart working properly.

The kids had a great time on Saturday. We played outside before the rains hit and they helped Grandmommy 'water' the plants (which was clearly unnecessary but 'fun').

Samantha spent quite awhile learning how to 'catch'. The pictures show that she never really got over the fear of the ball smacking her in the face, despite the fact that she was catching about 19 out of 20 throws. Andrew spent at least 30 minutes playing soccer. He would ask me to form a goal with my legs and shot the ball over and over and over and over again. (I am fascinated by his love of the sport!) In the afternoon, we had lunch with some friends and played with all the toys the kids could gather- doll house toys, puzzles, books, blocks, trucks....

Sunday was a little rough. AJ had a low grade fever, so he and I stayed home from Church. I think the picture above is the only time he has been 'still' for the last 6 months (unless strapped in his car seat)! Samantha and Daddy got to visit with everyone at St. Peter's. It was hard to miss everyone there, but we didn't want to risk getting anyone sick.

Giveaway...pillow dress

I wanted to let you all know about a giveaway a friend of mine is offering on her blog. Its for a handmade pillowcase dress.

Hurry the giveaway ends tomorrow! Leave a comment on her blog entry.

These are just too cute! One day I might learn to sew just to learn to make one. If you know how to sew, you can follow her tutorial and up-cycle (repurpose) a pillowcase into a dress. Feel free to use Samantha as a model.

Lions and Kitties and Frogs, Oh My.

Tonight at dinner, David was evaluating the kids. "Looks like Kitty is pretty clean, but Lion needs a bath!"

Samantha giggled, and said, "AJ, are you a lion?"

AJ replied, "No, I am not Lion. I am AJ."

Samantha explained to him he could be Lion and AJ, like she is Samantha and Kitty. He said, "Oh, then Daddy, you are the Frog, Samantha is the Kitty and Mommy the cow!". Lovely. Its debatable who is more insulted.

Samantha followed up with saying that maybe mommy should be an elephant. Seriously!?

Lots of fun and cuttles around here right now. We had a lovely weekend and I really enjoyed Mother's Day. The kids were so excited to call their Grandma's and wish them Happy Mother's Day. It was adorable!

Sometimes, we take pictures.

Sometimes, we don't.

For the most part, I am the family photographer. It's not by default. I love taking pictures actually. Sometimes, its a distraction from the moment. I never want photography to take away from experiencing each moment, but a photograph can bring back so many memories- good and bad, happy and sad. Will I ever be one to capture those sad moments?

Last weekend, I took photos of our yard as the water came all too close. Those photos were taken to share what happened to our property with friends and family. The pictures don't show the 'hidden' story of how the flood affected us. The flood affected our house, yes. Its not in the photos. The affects are under the house in its bowels. Crawling under there in the mud, feces, and bugs was gross. When we pulled out the plastic and cardboard and trashed building supplies left by previous owners (with the help of a few friends), I looked and the pile and thought, 'should I take a picture of that?'. NO. Absolutely not. The story would never be in that picture. Only one millionth of the story of the flood is in our home. Its in the homes throughout Nashville and Franklin neighorhoods. Its in friends reaching out to help friends. Its in the strangers reaching out to help strangers. Its in organized dinners and fundraising telethons. There are numerous photographs of the devastation and the clean-up, but I have seen few that capture the heart of what is going on. For me, its a mixture of gratitude and guilt. Gratitude that we are JUST 'inconvenienced' by the time we are spending cleaning up, trying to dry out, and trying to conserve water. Gratitude that we have friends willing to help. Gratitude that we have the financial means to make the repairs, although more numerous than originally thought. Gratitude that everyone we personally know is safe. Gratitude that we have been able to reach out to a few families and provide food and clothes. Guilt that we are so, well, blessed! Guilt that I cannot do more to help physically. Or, is it that the manual labor is therapy? I jumped at the chance to get down under my house. Yes, I wish it wasn't necessary, but it felt good to DO SOMETHING.

My photography will resume in our home and in our town. There probably won't be any pictures of Opryland in my camera this year, but maybe I will challenge myself to photograph the rough times too, or maybe I will focus on photographing the fun times and the hopeful feelings they bring.

The great flood...

Today and most of yesterday have been consumed by the great flood we're experiencing in Middle TN. I am happy to report that we aren't 'experiencing' it to its fullest. Our house is dry. Our yard is not, but we are safe. We may have to get creative with food before the roads are open again, but we'll be fine.

It's only May 2 and we have our all time record rainfall for the MONTH of May. The rivers are already at heights which are the highest ever recorded. We've had the same amount of rain as 25% of our average yearly rain fall in about 36 hours. No matter how you put it...its alot of rain.

There is certainly an unsettling feeling about all of it. When you find out friends are in trouble or in potential danger and you cannot do anything about it. It scary and emotionally draining. Liturgy was even cancelled this morning, since our church and fellowship hall took on some water yesterday (and I am assuming again today).

Being stranded in the house isn't all fun but its been good for us all to have to hang out and play- memory, puzzles, reading, blocks, hide-n-seek, picnic, tea party...honestly, we are running out of things they want to do. We even baked cookies and did some cleaning.

Before the rain started the kids got to fly kites (as the high winds brought this storm in). The weather this week was actually beautiful and we spent time outside just about every evening before dinner. In addition, the kids went to David's softball game on Thursday.