Vintage Love

So, it is still a touch too big but Helaina can finally wear my old house coat. Amazing what a simple piece of clothing can do for your memory. My Grandfather (mom's dad) passed away when I was five. He was proceeded in death by my Grandmother (mom's mom) and other Grandmother (dad's mom) and then not too many years later my dad's dad also passed. I grew up without grandparents but I am blessed with a few memories and this housecoat is one of them. I am pretty sure I remember opening this bright red housecoat on Christmas morning and I know I remember wearing it to our kindergarten Halloween party- Heather and I went as what else? Yup- Little Red Riding Hood! My mom has saved it all this time and I am so glad that she did. I look forward to the day that Breleigh can wear it too but I am not rushing it! When Breleigh can wear it than that means it got too small for Helaina and I don't think I want time to go that fast. They are growing up so quickly as it is!
Tonight Helaina dug out all the washcloths from my laundry basket of towels and folded every single one of them. Were they exactly the way I would do it? No..... Did I re fold them after she went to bed? Actually, no I did not! I am grateful for the help so why ruin a good thing. So, if you are ever at my house and need a wash cloth and they happen to look a little bit disheveled it's because my Helaina helped me! One day when they look perfect in the drawer again all I will have is the memory of my sweet 4.5 year old PROUDLY folding washcloths! (and trying to keep her sister out of them) ;)

God Sightings

At VBS through the First United Methodist Church in Port Byron we have been talking about "God Sightings" for the past couple of days. The kids have had to pay attention to their own God sightings and report them in their groups. One of my pleasures has been watching my girls enjoy praise through music time- especially Breleigh! The music today was so moving and my little Breleigh was so into the actions. I actually got teary eyed! My friend, and head honcho for the VBS told me today that one of her God Sightings has been watching Breleigh too. She posted this photo of my little one, taken today during the very moment I described earlier! Thank you Becky for capturing that moment so well and for putting into words what was in my heart! (Her caption for the picture- "I see God"

Close Encounter with Nature

We had the coolest experience today while coming home from running some errands. The video above is one Jim shot with his phone. Keep in mind that there is no zoom on that device. :)
To read the full story behind the video please keep watching. Helaina helped me write this narrative of our adventure.

Close Encounter with Nature
(real title yet to be determined.... the author had to go to bed)

While we were driving in the van Daddy suddenly spyed three baby racoons in the grass by the woods.
Daddy pulled over on the side of the road to see the baby racoons. My sister and I were in the back of the van. I unbuckled my seatbelt and looked through the windows with my sister.

The baby racoons were kind of hard for us to see at first so mommy took us out of the van and brought us a little bit closer. We thought they were very cute. We wanted to name them Cute, Flip and Closer-Up.
One racoon got really close to daddy and climbed on his shoe. You know which one crawled on Daddy's foot? It was Closer-Up!

Then, Mommy talked too loudly to a man and woman in the their car and scared the racoons abck into the woods.

The man and the woman said they were going back to their house to get a boz to put the racoons in. The babies didn't have a mommy so the man and woman were going to take them to a vet so they could be taken care of.

Daddy and the man and woman couldn't find the racoons in the woods so Daddy got back in our van and we went up the road.

Suddenly , we saw the baby racoons on the black cement!
Daddy stopped the car and got back out of the van and helped the man and woman try to catch the babies.

Before the man with the gloves caught the baby racoons Daddy got to pet the middle sized one named Closer-Up. Daddy said it was kind of fun and thought it felt like a dirty dog.

Daddy didn't try to catch the racoons because he wasn't wearing gloves. The man finally caught all three and took them safetly to the vet.

We were so happy because they saved the day!

We have been spotting this sweet little baby robin around our house lately! Today when we were going to pull the van into the garage this little guy was sitting on the wheel of our trash can. He stayed there the whole time we walked inside so we got a good look at him. I couldn't resist bringing the camera with the zoom lens out for a quick shot. A grown up robin was flying around while I was taking pictures. I can assume it was the mama and I am not sure she was happy with the photos. Do you think I should have gotten her permission first? Loving the nicer weather!