{PHFR} ~ October 4, 2012

{ Pretty }

This is our sweet kitty, Han (as in...Han Solo of course). I just loved the way that his stripes looked as I walked past the dining room. On this, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, I wanted to show how lucky we are to have this stray as part of our family. 

{ Happy }

On a recent sun-filled day, Max and I spent almost the entire time outside. Not only did the sunshine make me happy, but oh, this child who wanted to "dwaw" and "wawa pants" just made my heart sing. 

{ Funny }

As we celebrated my nephew Charlie's Baptism, I couldn't help but capture this picture of his brother, Peter. Before we headed out to the cathedral, there were tornado warnings and it POURED. Luckily, we all made it safely, but with boots on, of course! 

{ Real }

 There is nothing more real to me than the Sacraments of Initiation. These pictures of Charlie's Baptism invoke in me the powerful love of God and human connectedness. My cousin Jason was recently ordained a deacon and was able to celebrate this Sacrament... What a gift. And although these pictures don't show my sister Katie, Charlie's mama, I loved the connection between my cousin Julie, Charlie's godmother, and Charlie.... 

Sharing today with Like Mother, Like Daughter

PHFR ~ {blooms and boys}

{ Pretty }

Oh how I love my dogwood in my front yard. The boys and I use it to watch the turning of the seasons and observe the birds that use it for shelter. 

{ Happy }

As I prepared dinner last night, and as Joe was getting ready for his piano lesson, Max crawled onto the piano bench to see what big brother was doing. Joe said, "Come on Max. Let's play!". Now this is huge. Normally, Joe calls me in to get Max away.... but this time, they just sat and made music. How this made my heart happy.

{ Funny }

Bathtime! Max was happily splashing when he heard the door creak open and Joe surprised him. This was a hilariously fun 30 minutes of screaming (with joy) and playing hide and seek. Adorable.

{ Real }

So. This homemade soup is gluten, dairy, egg, beef, and rice free. Yes. All of that. Joe is "sensitive" to these foods and has had trouble with digestion since he was born. So we have been looking for ways to eliminate foods that cause stress and add healing foods. (The soup is delicious. And made with REAL ingredients. But to cook like this, as much as I love it, takes REAL time.) We are learning. And becoming more REAL.

Blessed Easter to all....

Happily sharing here:

PHFR ~ {change of season}

{ Pretty }

Slowly but surely Spring is starting to show her colors. One of my favorite plants is the Forsythia. A riot of crazy color that seems to just burst forth from nothing.

{ Happy }

Our bluebirds are back feathering their nest and the whole family is ecstatic! We need to go to the bird store and get them some meal worms. What a beautiful start to Spring.

{ Real Fun }

Nothing is more real than potty training. My 20-month old, Max, was pulling at his diaper and then ran to the bathroom. So. Slowly but surely, we are becoming friends with the potty. Thank goodness for wonderful things like "Elmo's Potty Book". (He has yet to tell me BEFORE he goes in his diaper, but at least he is becoming aware, right?) And it's funny, because I hope that he will transition to other potties even if we don't have the Elmo book.....

 

{ Real }

We visited my dear friend Carol and her family this weekend for their St. Patrick's Day party. And by party, I mean a-time-filled-with-delicious-food-and-homemade-brew-and-family-and-friends. I've realized that it is the kind of party that I've always thought that I have, but no. These people ate almost everything. Here in the south, it's like people eat before they come over.... Still, that aside, the two men above are two of the sweetest, most wonderful men ever. AND. They make delicious food. Homemade pizza on Friday, and corned beef on Saturday (and then made into hash on Sunday). Good times. Real food. Real people. Real love. It was hard to leave our friendmily and come home to real life. :)

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Threads of Grace {PHFR}

~ Capturing the context of everyday life ~

Every Thursday, along with Like Mother, Like Daughter!


{ pretty }

This lovely blanket was made for Max by Tom's grandmother and I just love the feel of the yarn that she used. Plus, the open design is just lovely, isn't it? So pretty on Max's rocker.

{ happy }

This lovely afghan was knit for me by MY grandma. It has taken many travels and wrapped me with love many times. Right now, it's snuggled up with "mama bear" in Max's room. (Sometimes, though, I have found it on Joe's bed, so I know that he gets comfort from it as well.)

{ funny }

Oh dear. At least I'm honest.... I have picked up knitting again and went to a lovely yarn cottage with my friend Beth and her mom, Mary Anne. Wonderful together time. On the left is the first dishcloth I made on fat needles to try and get the tension right. Ahem. On the the right, is the current project that looks like it will end up being more useful. The book has actually been quite a help although I MUCH prefer human contact and interaction. Another reason I so miss my grandma....

{ real }

 Can you see that it is Han Solo? He is sitting on the "Saints for Boys" sticker book.

And this is what the coffee table looked like this morning. I asked Joe what was up, and he said that the characters wanted to learn about the Saints. "You know mom, the force of God." Sometimes, that kid is more real than my heart can stand. There's real grace, there.

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Gifts {PHFR}

{ pretty }

Joe and I planted these beauties right around Thanksgiving and loved watching the progress. To go from ugly brown bulbs to fragrant living flowers? Loveliness. While they did open on Christmas Day, they toppled over and broke from the weight. SO. They now sit on my windowsill and the butterfly fairy keeps watch.

{ happy }

Oh how I loved visiting with my family over the holidays! So many moments like this one, with Max and Pop Pop watching silly Elmo songs.... It makes me continue to thank God for my family and for the blessed time that I have with them.

{ funny } 

"The Millennium FALCON! I've always wanted this!" Thanks to Aunt Julie and Uncle Geoff, I was able to snap this little gem. Star Wars and Lego's are the current favorites, so this gift? This was the perfect combo.

{ real }

SO. I love the jarred candles that portray Jesus, Mary, and the Saints. I do. However, I have never bought this particular one. (Maybe it's because the visual always scared me as a child, I don't know.) My darling niece, Lucy, had other plans, though. This was her gift to me this Christmas. I love the story about how she chose it best of all. She told her mommy (my sister Rachel) "This one's for Auntie Em." Rachel, who knows me so well, said, "Well, how about this one of Mary?" Lucy looked right at her and said, "No. She NEEDS this one." Then Rachel turned it over and saw the prayer and part of it read, "Come to Me all you that labour and are burdened and I will refresh you." Well then. When I received it, I hugged that sweet soul so tightly and whispered a thank you. And I have been turning to Him more.... (It should also be noted that Lucy chose a candle for "help for the injured" for my Aunt Joany who broke her leg right before Christmas. And no, she didn't read the back. She was led to it. By the Spirit.) Thanks be to God.

Gratefully sharing here today:

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PHFR ~ { heart decorations }

{ pretty real }

As a child, my sisters and I would traipse out to the Christmas tree farm and help my dad choose "just the tree". We had an older home with lovely high ceilings, but one year, we bought a tree that needed to be "trimmed" by about 4 feet. Tom and I have taken the tradition of a real tree and made it our own. I just adore its scent, and was even crazy brave enough to put it in our family room where we can enjoy it every day. Luckily, Max has been "gentle" with the tree.

{ happy }

I love our mantle-scape.  Pulling out these pictures every year just makes me smile. And remember. In the first, Joe at age 4 reading a book during a photo session. He always reads, so it was a perfect picture that captures him. In the second picture, a very skinny me with my college roomie Kristie. I miss her terribly, but love this one of us. Finally, the last picture shows Joe as a baby in a Santa hat, next to a very young Tom and I during our college days. Sweet times. Sweet memories. Happiness.

{ funny }

This reads, "First Christmas Together 1995" and it's funny to think about what I thought my life would be like. :)  I LOVE my life, but I have enjoyed watching it unfold as a surprising present much more than if I had been able to script it all. And under those two little mice? Can you see it? It's a bright ornament that says....HOPE. Indeed.

{ real }

This is what I mean about "scripting" your life.

You know how you always believe that your children are going to see Santa every year? And that they will love it? Well. This is the ONLY picture that I have of Joe with Santa. It was the year that he went with his cousin, Nicole, to "help her be brave". Hmm. I truly believe that Santa's "real-ness" was just overwhelming for him. And even though we don't have a mantle full of Santa pictures, my heart is full of Christmases past, and the hope of many more to come.

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