Bluebirds and Princesses

The birds in our yard eat about two of these bird-feeders full of food a day. When they run dry, they either come peck at the window to get my attention or piteously peck at the empty feeder.  Here are all the bluebirds right after I refilled one this afternoon.

While I was cleaning, LJ got into my "pretties"...he put everything on and came out and told me, "Mommy, I a princess".  He then continued to help me clean, just like Cinderella!  :)

...at least he's in touch with his feminine side, too :)

What a fun day!

LJ is still running a low-grade fever, but he's improving, so we spent a lot of his day outside.  We had lunch outside, played baseball, rode his tricycle, took Rookie for a walk...you name it!   It was a great day - hope your's was great, too!

LJ and Rookie running to Ms. Doris and Mr. Jackson's -- every day after his nap, LJ goes there to get his "juice"...a little 7up.  Rookie gets a treat, too!

This is the tricycle that "Uncle Wood" and Aunt Rach bought for him when he was born.  It got its first ride today :)

Lance played with LJ in the back yard when he got home.  LJ put on his batting gloves and tried to hit then run to 1st, (a piece of wood).

For lunch, LJ and I ate at his new "picnic table" ...we had an unlikely lunch party.  LJ, Rookie, Smudge and I :)

Basketball game, then sick...again!

Last night, we went to watch the Alabama Mens Basketball Team play Ole Miss.  We had the privilege of watching from the "free food buffet" area...LJ ate a hot dog, two cups of popcorn, some fruit, a creamsicle and an icecream cone.  He didn't want to go at first, but he's already asked to go again!

In the middle of the night, he woke up with a fever.  It seems the cold bug strikes...yet again.  No Tuscaloosa virus is safe from a trip to our house, it seems.  We've made white tea popsicles with orange juice, played inside and out with Rookie, just hoping to rid ourselves of this thing for good!  I hope you are well!

mmmmm....

We made some little birds nests, (ham with egg and cheese) for breakfast...LJ helped and ate all of his!

So, Mom's a little Type A...at least I let him be sick and eat popsicles on the couch!

Rookie is loving this moment of playtime.

Some fun pics!

"Puppy" watching over the family in the back yard.

The chia pets look like Californians with frosted tips...I think I did it too neatly.  Next time, I'm piling the seeds on!

Eating his toy drill :)

A picture of pure joy.

If LJ holds his mouth just right, he'll be able to screw it in...I remember having a similar face when I fed him babyfood.

working together.

This is the face LJ gets when you tell him "No, you can't use the big drill"

Sunday morning LJ was feeling a lot better, but that nose was draining!  I put him in the bath with some cold and sinus bubbles and let him play.

little cleats by the big ones ;)

Awesome shrimp and grits casserole out of Cooking Light's new Great plates magazine.  It's a keeper!

Good luck, Jarret!

Our friend and neighbor, Jarret Johnson is playing in the last round of playoffs before the Super Bowl.  We just wanted to tell him and his family good luck!  We are pulling for the Ravens Sunday night!  

LJ is ready!

Windy Ridge will be watching! 

It's Official!

LJ will be putting that Oriole jersey in the closet with the Braves one and donning a jersey with the word "Rays" on it!  Thank you, Lord, for providing us with another opportunity to serve YOU through baseball.  May we not forget why we're here and who made the way! 

Amos 3:3 "Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?"

Let's go, Lance!

Learning who I am.

Tired!

He's a part of the group now :)

As I get older, I think I am really starting to learn who I am - deep inside.  I may live in different cities, (sometimes in the middle of the city), in a fast-paced, hi-tech world, but I'm learning where my heart soars as I get older.  I am versatile, and I can be content almost anywhere.  I enjoy aspects of pretty much any location, and have really learned to appreciate places and times for what they are.  Through these experiences, I am learning what I LOVE.  

As I drove home in Lance's huge diesel truck with a filthy, exhausted LJ sleeping in the back seat, down winding country roads listening to old country music, I reflected on my day.  Out in the middle of Jena, AL, at Baseball Country, I watched about twenty 11 - 14 year-old boys play whiffle ball under the lights of a small field. I kept warm by a large bonfire as I organized s'mores in the back of a mule, (like a golf cart) - you know I'm nothing if I'm not organized! Those s'mores were all but highlighted :).  I had two dogs who were my best friends by the end of the night, (one marshmallow for the s'mores, one for them :)  ).  LJ and Lance were running around, acting like they were a part of the game, and I was not just happy, but full.  Life brings me a lot of places and allows me to do a lot of things, but if I could choose something to do every day, it would look a lot like this.  Add a pig, a horse or two, and that would be even better!  LOL  God has given me a passion for kids, (I think especially little boys, but just wait till I have a girl, right?), so I love watching the chaos of these kids - running wild, enjoying good clean fun.  I know the challenges they will face as they grow up, fight for their niche, get their hearts broken, but for now, they have smiles on their faces, and I love it.  What a great day.  Thanks, Kenny, for making your dream a reality - it seems to have spilled over!