Cotter, AR

Last week my family and I traveled to West Plains, MO to spend a week of vacation with my extended family. We stayed with my mom and step dad in the home where I was raised. Trips back home always bring back so many childhood memories! I love the Ozarks and find beauty in so many places so close to Mom's home.

Mom and I made many plans for places to see throughout the week. She and I have long loved to take walks, enjoy nature, and of course take photos!

We arrived on Saturday with a big family get-together on Saturday night (photos and post to come soon!). Sunday most of the family decided to join us to travel to Boxley Valley, Arkansas. Mom had told me of a valley where she had hiked to a waterfall and watched elk. She thought it would be beautiful with the fall leaves turning colors. She was so right!

On the drive to Boxley, not far into our journey, we stopped just outside Cotter, AR to enjoy a pretty view. We all decided to take a closer look and drove down to the bridge we could see. My sister and her husband knew the area well and led the way.







We ventured up onto the train tracks for more photos...


.....and then down the tracks to the tunnel we could see in the distance. Of course not one of us was brave enough to cross the bridge so we climbed back down, drove back across the river to a campground where my sister Regina knew the way to the tunnel on the other side.


My daughter Heather and my husband Marty:




The view from inside the tunnel:



Silhouette of my mom:

Pinterest

I've joined the Pinterest craze. And I'm hooked! There are so many inspiring and creative ideas! I've found ideas that I want to try, ideas I'd love to be able to afford, funny and touching words, inspiring photography, recipes I want to try...the list goes on and on.

It occured to me today that something my husband created for me might inspire someone else. I have a lot of costume jewelry and needed somewhere to organize it, somewhere that it wouldn't become so tangled I'd never wear it because it takes too long to UNtangle! My husband is brilliant!

He bought a full length mirror, attached hinges to one long end and a handle to the frame of the mirror and built a wooden box full of hooks for necklaces. It hangs on the back of my bathroom door and it's PERFECT!

(I apologize for the phone photos but was too lazy to use my real camera)

At first glance it seems I just have a regular mirror on the back of the door:

Open the handle and voila!

Lots of little hooks perfect for all that hangs!

Happy Sweet 16

Today is my sweet niece's 16th birthday! Happy Sweet 16 Danielle!




Danielle is a sweet beautiful girl. I'm proud of her, proud of her morals and values, and proud of who she is. Danielle plans to one day attend ORU in Oklahoma and carry her love of music into a ministry of music. I have confidence she will do well and I believe in her 100%!

A Reminder of Grandpa

Saturday as we visited with one of the couples from our church they happily showed us the many fruit trees and plants growing in their yard and on their property.



When they showed us the persimmon tree it reminded me of fall days when my Grandpa, in the Missouri Ozarks, would pick a persimmon and cut it open to see the shape revealed inside. He'd say the shape would predict how hard the following winter would be. The shape of a spoon would predict there would be much snow shoveling. The shape of a knife would predict a lot of ice to be cut. The shape of a fork would predict a mild winter. My husband asked if the predictions were ever accurate and you know, I don't even remember if they ever were! I just remember Grandpa always did this, and then would always invite us to taste the persimmon, which would always be so bitter we'd spit it back out and he'd grin just as if it were the first time he'd played the trick on us. When I shared the story with our friends, Fermin went to pick Marty and I each a persimmon so we could cut them and predict the winter. Since winters are always rather mild here in South Central Texas, I'm not sure the same predictions apply, but it's been fun to remember Grandpa in this way.

A photo of Grandpa and me taken several years ago:



When I cut open the perimmons this is what I found. Not sure if it's a knife shape or how Grandpa might predict a Texas winter, but it was fun to relive a memory that I hadn't though about in years.

First Day of Autumn

Summer is over--at least as far as the seasons go. The days are still very warm here in South Texas...but the cooler nights do suggest that fall just might be around the next corner.

As fall approaches I am eagerly anticipating our upcoming fall vacation. I am hoping to see colors so vibrant and abundant back in the Ozarks that I have missed for 10 years. I do love Texas, but every fall I long for the wonderful colors I was accustomed to seeing back home. I look forward with excitement to seeing some of my favorite places bathed in oranges, reds, yellows.

I can't wait to see this place, one of my favorite places in the Ozarks, alive with bright colors!

My First Glimpse of Our Grandbaby

I had the privilege of going with Heather to her first sonogram today. I was touched to have been asked to go. The technician pointed to a screen on the wall where I could view the images of the sonagram or she said I could just look at her screen over her shoulder. I found myself glancing back and forth between the two, and over to watch Heather's face as she watched as well.

As I watched the screen a tiny image appeared within a dark space. I expected the image to appear more kidney-bean shaped or alien in appearance but instead what I saw made my eyes fill with tears. Heather and I both exclaimed "awwww...." in unison as her baby filled the screen.

There on the screen appeared an image the shape of a tiny baby. I could make out the head, arms, legs and even the place where an ear will grow. The technician was able to see fingers and toes but those I could not see. Imagine my wonder as I watched and the baby woke and began to move. The arms were moving about and the legs were kicking! Oh wow I did not expect to see that! I was completely smitten with the images I was seeing on the screen. The baby quickly settled down again and the technician said it's already asleep again. Then its whole body seemed to jump at once, but only once. It was almost amusing to see and that we were told was a hiccup. Heather and I laughed together and another "awwww" moment.  Within seconds the baby was awake and moving again and the technician explained her/his hand movements were almost as if she/he was swiping at his/her face.

This is a day I want to brand forever in my memory. Today created even more excitement for the new baby that will soon arrive. The due date is near April 2, 2012. Oh the fun ahead as we plan and prepare for this tiny new addition to our family! Thank you Heather for sharing such a special sweet moment of your pregnancy!

Jeremiah 1:5

Before I formed you in the womb I knew[a] you, before you were born I set you apart;

Tubing the Comal

One summer activity our family enjoys is tubing along the Comal. It's usually very crowded but we enjoy it anyway. We always go with friends and we all float along together and chat as we let the water move us downriver. The water is pretty slow moving most of the way and it's very relaxing.

We decided weeks ago to take the day off work on Heather's birthday and go tubing. We thought it was likely not to be crowded and it's an activity we can all enjoy and is very inexpensive. As the day approached some things changed and Heather was scheduled to work late in the afternoon so we decided we'd still float and we'd make it an early float trip.

This early in Heather's pregnancy meant Heather woke feeling horrible, sick, and pretty irritable. We decided to go anyway in hopes her mood and morning sickness would improve.


Our wonderful friend Kendra was able to join us as well. She hesitated to join us, not wanting to intrude on family time. I told her she was silly, that she IS family. :)




Heather's boyfriend Phillip was able to join us as well. Although he's been tubing before this was his first trip on the Comal:


Kendra heading toward the first tube chute:



And away she goes!


My turn:




Heather was right behind me!



Marty chillin' on the river:




Heather and Kendra enjoying our relaxing morning:



Might have to replace my hat soon. It's getting pretty battered!



There were so few tubers on the river even the ducks were enjoying the water:

Majesty

Psalm 93

The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty;

the LORD is robed in majesty and armed with strength;

indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.

Your throne was established long ago;

you are from all eternity.

The seas have lifted up, LORD,

the seas have lifted up their voice;

the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.

Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,

mightier than the breakers of the sea—

the LORD on high is mighty.

Your statutes, LORD, stand firm;

holiness adorns your house

for endless days.

 

Life's Memories

I'm still adjusting to the news that we'll have a grandchild in April. This week I purchased my first gift for the new baby, and there's a story behind the gift.

When I was born my paternal grandmother gave my parents a baby book for me. It's not like any other baby book I've ever seen. It has pages to record school days, every childhood birthday, teen years, marriage, my anniversaries (all the way to my silver anniversary), and my great grandchildren.

When Heather was born I wanted a book like mine for her. All I could find in stores were baby books that were for the first year of baby's life or first 5 years. I did not have a computer or internet access then so my only options for shopping were the nearby stores.

I was in school for advertising design when I was pregnant with Heather, the same age my daughter is now. I had a lot of art supplies and tons of tracing paper, marker paper, etc. I decided to make Heather's baby book. The secretary on the farm where Marty worked came by one evening and taught me how to make the decorative cloth covered photo albums. I made one for Heather with lots of pink and lots of lace with her help. Within the pages I put traced copies of the pages of my baby book so I could keep a record for Heather similar to the one my mom kept for me.


from a page in my book:

Heather's first photo in her book:

My first photo in my book:

from mine:

from Heather's:

from mine:

from Heather's:

This week I decided to search for the book online in hopes it is still being published. I found the printer here and have ordered the baby book as my first gift for my grandchild. I an anxiously awaiting its arrival in hopes that it is just like my book and Heather's. I've written my grandmother a letter letting her know the legacy she began with my book continues with my grandchild.

Burgess Family Portraits

Last week I had the privelege of photographing one of my favorite families! I gave them several location ideas and they chose to take them at the river in Gruene, TX. This family loves the outdoors, especially where water is invoved so this location is perfect for them! Their oldest daughter just left to return to college and it's the first time this family will be so far from her. They wanted new family photos before she left.

20 Years together and obviously still so much in love

Father and daughter

Mother and son

brother and sister

Erica, may you have a blessed year in college! You will be missed by us all!

Tube Time!

Our great friends John and Kendra and family have recently moved back to Texas and we are THRILLED to have them nearby again!!! Summer is quickly slipping by but we all took a break from weekend chores and they took a break from unpacking and getting settled to meet at our favorite place on the river. By the looks of it, it must also be a favorite place for many many people!




Kendra:



John:



Erica:



Me:


Marty:




John & Kendra:




How I've missed my friends while they were stationed in Maryland!
Kendra and me:



My hunny and me:



The river was PACKED but still so fun!



There was much splashing...






...and even an attempt to stand up in my tube! Tada!




We are enjoying having such good friends closer to us again and look forward to making many more memories together!

Welcome home John and Kendra! We ♥ You!!!