Happy birthday, Perry!

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday dear Perry,

Happy birthday to you!

Yes, today is Perry's birthday! I can't tell you how old he is though...that just wouldn't be nice. How about we have a math quiz instead? Do you know what 40 + 7 equals? I'm sure all of you excellent mathematicians out there know the answer! Ha, ha!!

Hope your day is filled with many happy moments, honey! I love you!

What did you do this weekend?

What did you do this weekend? Isn't that the typical question on Mondays? Well, it was just another ordinary weekend for us. Perry and I spent the weekend installing new light fixtures in our master bathroom and half-bath, re-organizing the kitchen cabinets, and buying a mattress for our new bed (yet to be delivered). The girls, on the other hand, had a great time! Wanna see some of their fun?

Emily and Abby playing in the backyard sprinkler

Abby wasn't so sure about it so Emily had to pick her up

Now THIS is much more fun!

Yum...frozen lemonade popsicles!

Finally....Emily gets some time in the sun with her iPod.

This is how I found Abby about 15 minutes after she came inside!

Friday Photos!

Wow...I've really been slacking on posting here on the blog. I have had a super busy week so I suppose I have an excuse...even if it is a pitiful one! Ha, ha! Anyway, here are some new photos of my little messy girl. I'm sure most of you remember her recent facial and pedicure, right? Well, this time she decided to experiment with her sister's mascara!

This is after I caught her and asked "What did you do?"

So, she proceeds to show me how she opened Emily's make-up bag...

carefully applied several coats of mascara...

then said "See? So pitty (pretty)!"
Gotta love this kid!

Thoughtful Thursday

Before you begin reading, scroll down to the very bottom of this page. Look for the Playlist. Click on the third song (Sweet By and By) and then come back up here. Make sure your speakers are turned on. Then continue reading below.

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Perfect. Isn't that beautiful? That song evokes a very sweet memory for me. The person in the center of that memory is my Granny Bradley.

I can distinctly remember going to church with her as a young child. I remember the tiny old handles to the church door. I remember the kind old white-haired pastor - Brother Trotter - that always shook your hand as you left. I remember the wooden pews that were surprisingly comfy. I remember the Sunday School room where my aunt taught any kids that happened to be visiting that day. I remember learning my first Bible verse - John 3:16 - and the pride I felt when I had it completely memorized.

Then comes this song. I vividly remember standing next to Granny as she sang this song in a very sweet, off-key voice with all her heart while my aunt played the antique church piano during the worship service. I recall several old hymns, but this one stands out in my mind. Hearing it how makes my heart yearn for a simpler time and place. Oh how I wish I could go back in time and relive another Sunday like that. I know I would appreciate the moment a lot more now than I did back then. Do you have a special memory you wish you could relive? I'm pretty sure we all have them...if only we take the time to remember. As this song plays out, bask in your own sweet memories and appreciate the moments so fondly remembered.

Spring is officialy here!

UPDATE: The day after my original post, I saw 2 tiny eggs in the nest! I was so happy for the momma dove! A while later when I noticed she was gone, I drug out the ladder, climbed up, and took a quick picture of the eggs...which I will post later. Yesterday (5/12), I went out the front door to go get the mail and noticed a lot of straw on the porch. Then I saw the 2 broken eggs. Something had knocked the nest off of the window ledge. So sad. I can't imagine what it could have been unless it was the incredibly strong wind we sometimes have around here. Nothing else could reach that ledge except maybe another bird.

Even though it's already May, spring has just now officially arrived for me. I saw the first bird's nest today! I'm honored to say that this beautiful momma dove chose MY window ledge to build her nest. The window is above my front door and we have an excellent view from the upstairs loft area. She just started the nest yesterday and, of course, there aren't any eggs yet, but I will keep you updated. I just hope we don't scare her away while using the front door. Sorry for the grainy picture. I took it from a distance so I wouldn't scare her and it's also from inside (obviously) so the window screen is between us....but you get the picture.