But it did rain and cats and dogs last night. Good news. Because just yesterday on the news we were informed that Colorado is officially in a draught and our summer watering laws are in effect. Booooooo.
Gemma and I decided to find a puddle for splashing through right after breakfast. This was all we could come up with…before the sun broke through and dried everything up. Colorado, Geesh.
NOTE: To be able to view and pause photos a little more slowly, click on “View All Images.” You can control it from there.
See Hunter? He is fourth from the right on the back row, his little blond head bowed-praying for all he is worth!
It was truly apparent, and not just because the Little Prince belongs to me, but because it is true: the kid has the market on musical talent at his pre-school. And when they did “The Little Drummer Boy,” Hunter led out on that coffee can “drum,” never ever missing that first beat. Truly, all the other little kids followed his lead. He told me, “I drummed “pa-rum pum pum pum,’ but the other kids drummed pa-rum-a-do-do,’ like that.” He knew he was good.
Cardboard hats and felt, glue and glitter, and voila! Note to Averi: Though quite pretty, it is actually not a cookie.
Gavin is a dedicated artiste. He loves the Martha Stewart super-fine glitter as much as I do (90% off the last week of January 09…jealous?).
Dave’s book didn’t make the top three in the competition (we now find 10 more votes would have put him there!!), but we got good news that outshone some silly competition. It is kind of private, but suffice it to say, we are rejoicing and dancing merrily because of a health scare one of us had that is now not as scary and looking really good, in fact. Thank-You, God for mercy, for healing…
We tried sitting, standing, and stacking, we clapped our hands and said their names as brightly and joyously as possible. We threatened, cajoled, bribed and shrugged our shoulders in hopelessness. These five are in charge of the universe and all the best-laid plans are a fantasy, because they are a combined, insurmountable energy-force and you best just get out of the way. And certainly don’t believe they will all behave as requested. Goodness, no. Just line them up, let them go crazy and hope for the best. (I wasn’t supposed to be in this shot, but Guini wouldn’t let go and when Guini wants to give love, that is when you will receive it – it is all on her timetable!)
Gemma took a hard fall a couple of days ago running to get into the car to take Gavin to school and smashed her mouth up pretty badly. She had to get stitches (2 inside and 2 out) and they are worried about her teeth, whether or not permanent damage might have been done. After the stitches are out and the swelling goes down, she has to see a dentist to make sure her little pearly-whites aren’t going to fall out or something worse.
She came over after the stiches (where she did not cry one little bit, even when she got the shots) and I watched her lip just swell and swell and swell. When she tried to eat a little and it hurt, very quiet tears streamed down her cheek. She is such a sweetie-pie, no drama. Turns out, though, that popsicles are the ticket! Gemma is in frozen-treat heaven!
I love you, my little GemGem.
Barbasol.
Twice a month, we get the Kelley kids on Sunday mornings. This was getting ready for church last week.
Remember how I told you not to worry about the garden and how you weren’t behind and everthing would get done little by little, 15 minutes here and 15 minutes there?
Just before mid-May, the time you should really start the planting your head off here in Colorado, Dave and I spent the better part of a week in Estes Park. But I was calm. I was cool. I thought all the better – now when I garden I can be sure it isn’t too early.
Then I came home and got butt-kicking sick (sinus infection, cough like a sailor, bronchitus – yuck!). Eleven days now of I-don’t-feel-good-I-can’t-breathe-nose-blowing-raspy-voiced yuck.
Now – I am behind in the garden. I know it is my own standard, but if I don’t have absolutely everything done by June 1? I have failed. It makes me crazy!
I will not have everything done by June 1. I am drowning in the swirling pit of my own failure in the garden. Please feel sorry for me.
Gardeners the world over have left me behind…Jeanie
NOTE TO SELF: maybe 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the evening will help me get it all done before I leave for Kentucky…
pictured: Gem Gem the Garden girl-just after we harvested a bouquet-full of Red Belle Radishes
I have a glimpse of who Gemma is becoming everytime I see a Fancy Nancy book or outfit: naturally curly red hair, sparkly and feathery and delightful! She ornery and sweet, sneaky and a little lamb. She holds her own, takes dominion over Sandy-the-dog and tells us, when she wants to be held, “I scared.” She is the baby of her family in all the glory that place brings.
My favorite of our current conversations:
Me: I love you, Gemma
Gemma: I love you Nonna
Me: I love you more
Gemma: I love you more
Which she will keep up as long as I do. Very affirming! She is two and I cannot remember life before Gemma!
Happy Birthday, Gem-Gem-jor-eeee! Nonna loves you!
pictured: Gemma in April at Stormie’s Twilight party – eating the apple prop; Gemma with her Aunt Tara last week at Mazatlan. Gemma on Mother’s Day, seated on her/my new black breakfast bar stool.
(picture taken by Tredessa at church on Easter Sunday…Guini-almost 4, Gavin almost-6, Gemma-almost 2, parents-still twenty-somethings)
A full 5-weeks early in your arrival, who could have known, as they pronounced a mere 30% chance of survival on you and your severely underdeveloped lungs – that you’d be home in 12 days? That you’d defy the odds and in answer to our heart’s cries and the mercy of the Lord, you’d breathe in and out until you were whole?
We named you for one of my Biblical heroes (Stephen – a man of wisdom and grace, full of the Holy Spirit) and because three of our favorite TV actresses back in the day had the name (Stepfanie Kramer aka Detective Sgt. Dee Dee McCall in “Hunter”; Stefanie Powers aka Jennifer Hart on “Hart to Hart”; Stephanie Zimbalist aka Laura Holt in “Remington Steele”). I am sure I read in the baby name book at the time that your name meant “crown, or garland, festooning” yet I couldn’t have comprehended then how true that would be about you. We added “May” in the middle in celebration of the beautiful spring month in which you were born. You were our tiniest baby with a big, long name.
Then you grew. And you were funny and a singer and had a helpful heart. And you developed a very unique sense of style and you played basketball and now guitar and you worship and you married Tristan and produced these 3 adorable kids. And you amaze me constantly. I did not know what an incredible wife and mommy you’d be. I didn’t know how much I’d learn from you about following Christ and serving my family. You are the Proverbs 31 woman, Stephanie! In every way – you are!
“Many women have done wonderful things, but you’ve outclassed them all…The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God. Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!” Proverbs 31, The Message
I festoon you with my love. I festoon you with my praises. Twenty-seven years ago today, I got to touch a miracle – and you remind me of God’s faithfulness everyday of your love-filled life.
Happy Birthday, Stephanie… Mom
NOTE TO SELF: Am I blessed or what? This girl is one of the most interesting, multi-faceted and surprising human beings on earth, the spice of my life.