151/365 First Pool Time

Our first swim day of summer! We usually go the day the pool opens.  We didn't have her this weekend. So we went today after school. She had a blast. I thought the pool was still freezing. We learned that she doesn't like swimsuits that tie around the neck. So we need to get another one. We ran into some friends. It was just a great evening. My picture is part of my swimsuit.  

150/365 Memorial Day

I couldn't find my own words to express on this day.  I'm forever thankful for every solider who lost their life fighting for my freedom.  As I take time to remember their sacrifice, I'm also sending prayers to their families.  Since I couldn't come up with my own words, I'm sharing Tim McGraw's song If You're Reading This.  It always brings tears to my eyes. 


If you're reading this
My Mommas sittin there
Looks like I only got a one way ticket over here
Sure wish I
Could give you one more kiss
And war was just a game we played when we were kids

I'm laying down my gun
I'm hanging up boots
I'm up here with God and we're both watching over you

[Chorus:]
So lay me down
In that open field out on the edge of town
And know my soul
Is where my momma always prayed
That it would go
And if you're reading this
I'm already home

If you're reading this
Half way around the world
I won’t be there
To see the birth of our little girl
I hope she looks like you
I hope she fights like me
Stand up for the innocent and weak

I'm laying down my gun
I'm hanging up boots
Tell dad I don't regret that I followed in his shoes

[Chorus]

If you're reading this
There’s going to come a day
When you'll move on
And find some one else
And that's OK
Just remember this
I'm in a better place
Where soldiers live in peace
And angels sing amazing grace

[Chorus]

149/365 RIP Grandpa, who have been 79 today

My Grandpa was a great man.  He was the only Grandpa I ever had.  My dad's father died a month before I was born.  My dad's mom never remarried.  She has been with the same man since I was young but I never called him Grandpa.  I'm not sure why.  My mother's dad was my only Grandpa.  We called with Pa-Pa when we were little.  My daughter calls my mom Paw-Paw.  She's been doing it since she was a baby.  My mom loves it.  I think it makes her think of her dad.  My grandpa was a hard working man his whole life.  He gave up a basketball scholarship to UofI because he had 10 brothers and sisters that needed to be feed. He gave up his dreams of playing basketball and getting an education so he could work to help provided for the family.  That is the kind of person he was.  He loved my Grandma very much but the marriage didn't work out.  They got a divorce in the early 70s which was unheard of.  My Grandma never remarried.  My Grandpa did in the late 70s.  He married Pat who became a step-grandma to me.  She's still living but I haven't heard from her since the funeral.  (That's a long story that I'm not getting into on here.)  My mom was a teen mom.  My Grandpa could have done a lot of stuff like kick her out of the house, but he didn't.  He told her she could stay as long as she kept going to school.  My Grandpa would work midnight shift then watch my sister while my mom went to school.  My Grandpa was so proud of my mother when later she got her RN degree.  He pinned her in the nursing ceremony.  It is one of my favorite memories of both of them.  My Grandpa worked as a tractor operator at Laclede Steel Co. He had to retire due to back issues (maybe that's where I get mine).  He was very sarcastic which he passed down to his children who passed down to their children who passed down to their children.  When my daughter is being sarcastic I ask her where did you get that.  She says from you and Paw-Paw (my mom) and Paw-Paw's dad.  My Grandpa fought cancer for years.  He was fighting colon cancer when I graduated from high school.  He went into remission for awhile but it came back and spread to his lungs.  I remember him picking me up from the airport in ST Louis (I was returning from a spring break my senior year).  He told me in his morbid sense of humor that the doctor told him to get a casket.  A few months later, he wanted to come to my college graduation but couldn't because he was so sick.  My Grandpa was 6'7.  He had always been so tall and strong.  It was hard to see what the cancer was doing to him.  In September of 2003, he was in the hospital and the doctors didn't think he would make it.  I got to tell everything I ever wanted to say.  I told him he had to listen and not jump in with some joke.  I told him, "I love you more than you can ever imagine.  You have been a father to me when my father chose not to be.  You have been there every time I needed you.  I'm so thankful that I have you as my Grandpa.  I will spend my life trying to be someone you will be proud of."  He smiled and said I love you too.  We hugged.  He didn't pass away that time.  I got to see him a few more times.  I found out on December 30th, 2003 that I was pregnant.  My Grandpa passed away on January 4, 2004.  Gabrielle was born August 27, 2004.  I wish more than anything he was around to see her born.  He would have loved her and spoiled her to pieces.  He always loved babies.  I wish he would have meet my husband.  They would have bonded over WWE.  My grandpa was a huge fan and called it his male soap opera.  Every Memorial Day weekend I think of him because we would spend it all together at the lake for his birthday.  He was an incredible man who left us too soon.  I miss him more than I could ever put into words.  RIP Grandpa Lansdon!

148/365 lazy day

We had a lazy day.  Nothing exciting happened.  You need one of those days every once in awhile.   It recharges and refocuses you.  Dallas has one of those days every day, spoiled puppy. 

147/365 class picnic

Class picnic was today.  It wasn't as hot as last year nor as cold and wet as yesterday.  The children had a blast.  Gabrielle had so much fun.  I liked it better last year when every child had to pay a few dollars and we ordered pizza.  Plus there were lots of plays stations.  This year everyone had to bring their own lunch and any outside toys (chalk/bubbles/jump ropes/balls).  I told Gabrielle she didn't have to share with everyone.  She had a rough year with mean girls.  So I told her to share with the people who have been nice all year not just today because she has bubbles/chalk and they don't.  (Fake people are hard to learn about.)  Here are some pictures from the day. 

 They are having sidewalk chalk time.  (I won't put the other children's names since I don't have parent's permission.)

 She moved when I went to take this.  She climbed part way up the tree on her own.  They were all playing house. 

 Bubble time, Gabrielle has my pose down:) 

 Playing around on the equipment. 

I loaded my my Large Utility Tote with bubbles, bubble wands, tons of sidewalk chalk, bouncy balls, our lunch, and water bottles.  I used my mini zipper for my phone, camera, and keys.  I was surprised at how much the mini zipper holds.  Mini zipper is May's special.  Large Utility Tote is June's Special. 

146/365 rules can be broken once in awhile

I'm pretty strict.  I will admit that I'm a strict parent.  My husband and I have created rules and they are enforced.  We have never spanked our child.  We believe instead to reward good behavior.  Bad behavior happens.  No child is perfect.  They test the boundaries.  They get over tired and cranky.  My daughter's attitude when she hasn't had enough sleep mirrors my attitude when I haven't had enough sleep.  THAT'S BAD!  Ask my my husband.  He will not wake me unless the house is on fire.  I'm hateful about being woken up.  She's the same way.  Her Godmother calls her a mini-georgette, which is true for the good and the bad.  Instead of spanking we did time outs when she was little.  Time outs don't really work at this age.  So we have consequences.  You are being hateful, you lost TV for the day.  You are still being hateful, you lose any computer time.  It stops real quick.  Stories at bedtime being taken away is the biggest punishment and she will do anything to not lose that.  We have a rule about her lunch tote.  Last year her kindergarten teacher reminded her each day to bring it home.  Gabrielle never left it behind.  This year her teacher is teaching the class to be responsible for their belongings.  She doesn't remind them to take home their lunch boxes or umbrellas or anything.  Gabrielle kept leaving it at school.  So we made a rule, you leave it at school you have to eat whatever is the hot lunch the next day.  She left it at school yesterday.  She was so upset this morning because the hot lunch was the rib sandwich.  (you know the knock off of the McRib)  It's disgusting.  She didn't want to eat it.  She reasoned she could take my lunch tote.  I said then you'd leave both.  No I won't.  I explained the rule.  I sent her off to school.  Then I started to think about that nasty sandwich.  Making my daughter eat that would be cruel and unusual punishment.  I couldn't do that to her.  So I caved.  (Mike called me a softie which I am, but I never cave from punishments/consequences.)  I had a Panera gift card.  I decided to surprise Gabrielle with lunch.  She was so happy.  I got to spend lunch with her.  It was fun for both of us.  I know other people would disagree but it's okay to break a rule every once in a great while.

145/365 too cute not to share

Now that the weather is warming up it is impossible to get Dallas in.  He will just lay down in the sun.  We would leave him out there but we still have the possum under our deck.  Plus there are a few spots that he can escape under the fence.  He will not stay out there if you hook him to a chain or leash.  He will come on the back porch and whine.  All this means that he has no choice but to come in when we do.  He doesn't come easily.  You literally have to carry him in.  Thank goodness he is only 14 pounds.  I had my pain injection today so I couldn't carry him.  Gabrielle helped out.  This is my picture of the day.  She said he is getting to heavy too carry, funny because she wants to be carried at times though she is over 50 pounds.

144/365 worthy?

I know the picture of dirt seems yucky, but hear me out on this one.  This Sunday our pastor gave an amazing sermon.  He has a gift for making you feel like every sermon was written just for you.  The main verse was Acts 11:9 "The voice spoke from heaven a second time, 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."  Our pastor did an amazing job talking about how we feel so unworthy and unclean but God has made us clean through the blood of His son.  Sometimes it's hard to remember that I am washed clean.  I remember all those mistakes, wrong turns, and sins I have committed.  I know what sins I still struggle with.  But God doesn't see all that.  As soon as I asked for forgiveness, He removed my sins as far as the east is from the west.  What an incredible thought?!?! So when I have those days where I feel unclean and like dirt, I need to remember God made me clean. 

143/354 proud momma

My daughter came home with her free Six Flags ticket and baseball ticket for reading 600 minutes.  Plus she gets a pizza party with her teacher for bringing in all her homework completed and on time. 

138/365 Dog ate my homework?

Okay we have all heard that old excuse, the dog ate my homework.  He actually ate one of Gabrielle's assignments when she was in Kindergarten.  She was suppose to bring an apple to school.  She put it in her backpack but didn't zip it up.  So Dallas ate the apple aka her homework.  Well tonight I guess Addy didn't want Gabrielle to keep doing homework.  Addy wanted loving.  It was too cute I had to share.

137/365 one more picture from yesterday

This was the end of the year Daisy Scout bowling and pizza party.  My daughter loved Daisy and will be a Brownie in the fall.  She has learned so much.  Plus her social skills keep improving.  She is doing wonderful.

137/365 the new f word

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d8fV7ONAxM&feature=player_detailpage


I hoping this works.  Copy this link and paste it into a new window.  That's the only way I can get it to work.  I'm not very tech friendly.  The video is also my picture of the day.  This is a funny but true video.  Forgive.  You have to forgive.  You move forward.  It doesn't mean that you have to keep a relationship with that person who keeps hurting you.  No, you just have to forgive them and pray for them.  If God wants you to have a relationship it will happen plain and simple.

132/365 hard to follow

(Sorry for the delay blogger has been down all day yesterday and most of today.)

Matthew 5:38-48 NIV
"You have have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth'. But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person.  If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.  And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.  If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.  Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one wants to borrow from you.  You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy'. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.  He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?  Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your brothers what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be  perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." 

This is one that I struggle with pray for my enemies.  Pray for those that keep hurting me over and over.  Pray for those who have mistreated me.  It is a hard one.  But I have them all on my prayer list.  I try to say a prayer for them daily.  Sometimes all I can say is "God let them see your love today." or "God be with them."  I'm working on turning the other cheek.  I'm working on letting God handle justice.  It's hard.  I know that I will take a lifetime to figure it out. 

131/365 poor puppy

He is one sick puppy.  He won't leave my side.  He jumps in the car when I pick up gabrielle.  He hates me leaving his site.  He has a double ear infection and a high temp.  We discovered this yesterday.  The vet gave him lots of medicine and he will get better.  But I hate seeing him so sick. 

130/365 raising a bi-racial daughter in a racist world

I have known since I found out I was pregnant that I faced different issues then some parents.  My daughter has been blessed to have everyone in her family (dad's, mom's, and step-dad's families) accept her and love her for who she is.  I am not naive.  I don't think this will always be the case.  I didn't fully understand racism was still as bad as it was until I dated her dad.  I wrote an article for the school paper on it.  I believe it has been some of best writing to date for me.  He opened my eyes to the racism that I had been blind to.  He taught me that sometimes you have to ignore it.  Some people will never truly get over their racism.  He said something to the effect, "You would drive yourself crazy arguing or trying to educate every dirty look or racist comment."  He was right.  It's everywhere.  People don't even know when they are doing it.  I try to educate everyone that I can which can be maddening.  I remembering having a small child ask me if I was babysitting Gabrielle.  I said no I'm her mom.  "She's black. You're white.  You can't be her mom."  I explained that her father is black and her mother is white that makes her bi-racial; all this while her father just sat there.  I now face a tougher challenge of educating my daughter.  It began last MLK day.  When she came home from school she asked if she was white or black.  (Before than she didn't know color. Most small children don't according to her teachers.)  I told her she was both.  She got upset and said she wanted to be just like me.  I said she was lucky.  Everybody is their father and mother combined.  She gets to be bi-racial which is special.  I explained that her father is black and her mother is white.  She cried and said she didn't want to be the only one.  I said, you're not.  I listed off all the kids in her class, people she knew, and lastly President Obama.  She thinks it is cool that she gets to be just like him.  But she still tries to say she wishes she has more freckles or red hair.  I tell her I wish I had her curls and could tan like she does in the summer instead of my burning.  She laughs and tells me yes I don't want to burn like you.  I know as she gets older there will be bigger questions and more issues to deal with.  I'm ready.  My favorite children's books so far on the topic is my picture of the day.

Gabrielle loves to read.  So I have books with white characters, black characters, Mexican characters, etc.  I ask for advice from teachers who have been teaching on race issues for years.  I keep myself educated.  She has asked more and more questions. So far I have had the answers.  When the day comes that I don't have the answers, I will be honest.  I will research it and get back to her.  I think the most important thing for any child is to know that they are loved exactly the way they are.  They need to know they are loved unconditionally from their parents.  She knows that.  She knows she has 3 parents who love her that way.  How lucky can you get?  I know we will tackle these issues as they arise just like we tackle all issues through prayer and guidance from above.

129/365 back relief

This is one of my treatments.  I have to ice both spots ( head to help with swelling that could be causing my headaches).  I have to ice for thirty minutes.  Take the ice for thirty minutes.  Then ice for another thirty.  It is not fun but I'm willing to try anything to get pain down. 

128/365 Mother's Day

I am blessed to be a mother.  I love every second of it even those trying moments.  I was scared when I found out I was having a baby.  I had graduated college 4 months before.  I hadn't been able to find a real job.  I took job in a call center.  My relationship was ending with her father whom I had been with for over 2 years.  My grandfather was dying.  (My grandfather stepped up as a father many times in my life.)  I was battling so much depression from all of those events.  Then I found out I was pregnant on December 30, 2003. (December 30th is Mike's birthday.  God works in mysterious ways.)  My grandpa died on January 4, 2004.  I lost my job because I took the time off for the funeral and to be with my family.  The company had a no fault so many days missed and you are let go.  So I was jobless, lost my grandpa, and my relationship was in ruins with the father of my unborn baby.  My mom said it would be okay; and that I could move in with her and she would help me out.  She and I have not always seen eye to eye, but when I need her the most she is always there.  I was scared to death but there was no option but to have Gabrielle.  I don't believe in abortion.  And I could never do adoption. I knew that this was part of God's plan for me even if I didn't know how it would all work out.  Plus from the moment I knew I was pregnant I loved her.  I knew she was a girl because I always thought I wanted a boy.  So I knew God would be funny and give me a girl.  I am so glad He did.

Gabrielle had been the best blessing God has given to me.  Because of Gabrielle I renewed my walk with God.  Because of Gabrielle I become a healthier person, a better person.  I have more patience, more compassionate, more wisdom.  Everyday I thank God for the blessing of my daughter.  I hear too often, "I can't wait until my kids are out of the house."  I think those people have issues.  This time goes by so fast.  I swear it was just yesterday that I found out I was having her.  I treasure the precious time I have with her as a child because before I know it she will be grown with a daughter of her own.  So I will spend these years teaching her life's important lessons. 

I also have to say that I am beyond blessed that God knew the master plan.  He knew that I would find a meaningful job helping others.  That I would find a church family.  That I would reconnect with a college friend who turned out to be my soul mate.  He also redefined all thoughts I had on step-parents.  Gabrielle and I are truly blessed to have Mike. 

Today after church and my daughter's baptism, we went down to Sugar Creek Reserve. We hiked, climbed trees, and enjoyed this beautiful day.  I am so blessed.  My life isn't perfect. I struggle with pain daily. I have issues that need to be worked out with people.  I have my problems, but I have more blessings than troubles.  What more could you ask for?

127/365 To all Mothers Who have lost a child

Today is the 13th anniversary of Holly's death.  I can't believe 13 years have passed.  It feels like yesterday.  Every minute of that is so fresh in my head.  I still miss her.  I have lost too many people in my class and the class above and below mine.   I can't imagine the pain their mothers felt and continue to feel.    I pray I never do.  In light of what today is and what tomorrow is I am sharing on of my favorite columns about losing a child.

Mothers who have lost a child - May 14, 1995
Erma Bombeck
If you're looking for an answer this Mother's Day on why God reclaimed your child, I don't  know.  I only know that thousands of mothers out there today desperately need an answer as to why they were permitted to go through the elation of carrying child and then lose it to miscarriage, accident , violence, disease, or drugs
Motherhood isn't just a series of contractions.  It's a state of mind.  From the moment we know life is inside us, we feel a responsibility to protect and defend that human being.  It's a promise we can't keep.  We beat ourselves to death over that pledge.  "If I hadn't worked through the eighth month."  "If I had taken him to the doctor when he had a fever."  "If I hadn't let him use the car that night."  "If I hadn't been so naive, I'd have noticed he was on drugs."
The longer I live, the more convinced I become that surviving changes us.  After the bitterness, the anger, the guilt, and the despair are tempered by time, we look at life differently.
While I was writing  my book, I Want to Grow Hair, I Want to Grow Up, I Want to Go to Boise, I talked with mothers who had lost a child to cancer.  Every single one said death gave their lives new meaning and purpose.  And who do you think prepared them for the rough, lonely road they had to travel?  Their dying child.  They pointed their mothers toward the future and told them to keep going.  The children had already accepted what their mothers were fighting to reject.
The children in the bombed-out nursery in Oklahoma City have touched more lives than they will ever know.  Workers who had probably given their kids a mechanical pat on the head without thinking that morning are making phone calls home during the day to their children to say "I love you."
This may seem like a strange Mother's Day column on a day when joy and life abound for the millions of mothers throughout the country.  But it's also a day of appreciation and respect.  I can think of no mothers who deserve it more than those who had to give a child back.
In the face of adversity, we are not permitted to ask, "Why me?"  You can ask, but you wont get an answer.  Maybe you are the instrument who is left behind to perpetuate the life that was lost and appreciate the time you had with it.
The late Gilda Radner summit it up well:  I wanted a perfect ending.  Now I've learned the hard way that some poems don't rhyme and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle and end.  Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what is going to happen next.  Delicious ambiguity.

125/365 Believer's Baptism

I actually did a blog about this awhile back. It's been over a year.  In light of current events I wanted to revisited the topic. I believe in immersion baptism or believer's baptism.  Here's why: Jesus was baptized in the Bible by John the Baptist.  (Matthew 3:13-17)  I was baptized as a child.  I knew Jesus was God's one and only son. I knew He died for my sins and rose again.  I decided at 9 to make that choice.  It was because before that I didn't know those things.  When we lived in Joliet our father would take us to church on Greek Easter.  Sometimes we would go to Vacation Bible Study at a church down the street.  But I didn't really know that much.  When we moved to Medora I was invited to church that first Sunday.  I started going.  Then my mom and siblings started coming.  We all actually got baptized on the same day (March 10, 1990).  I fell away from the Lord during my college years.  I scummed to peer pressure.  I just wanted people to like me.  I just wanted to fit in.  I still prayed to God and occasionally read my Bible but I was not living the way God wanted me to.  Having Gabrielle turned me back.  It wasn't over night.  But I knew I wanted my daughter to grow up in a Christian home.  It took me a bit to get back on the right path.  I'm not perfect.  No human is.  I am a Christian.  Some people have misinformation about Christians; that they feel if you are a Christian you're perfect or you aren't a real Christian.  I love how our pastor breaks it down and says he still sins.  You stumble, you ask for forgiveness, and you move forward and do better.


From the moment Gabrielle was born, I prayed to her and over her.  I read her stories from the Children's Bible.  When she was 18 months old, we started going to Eastview.  A co-worker invited me.  This was the place for us.  I came to get my life back in order.  I came to reconnect with God.  I still was struggling with sin in my life.  I kept trying to do better.  When Mike and I married, he started coming to church more and more.  At first he didn't like the huge feeling of Eastview.  But he loved the services.  We began to pray every night at bedtime.  One day in December of 2007, he said he wanted to be baptized.  I thought he was doing it for  me.  I told him to keep praying about it.  We kept praying and started reading the Bible together.  He told me in April of 2008 that he wanted to be baptized.  We meet with the pastor.  Mike was ready.  Now the cool thing about our church is the pastor doesn't do the baptizing.  Well he does if you want him to.  I was raised in a church that only the pastor could baptize.  When I asked our pastor about it, he quoted the Bible.  Matthew 28:19 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"  As long as you were baptized by immersion (Believer's Baptism not Christening) than you can baptize.  So I got to baptize my husband on May 4, 2008.

Isn't that awesome! I had the privilege of baptizing my husband!  Gabrielle got to witness it.  She talked about it forever.  She had all kinds of questions.  Will I be baptized?  Yes when you are ready.  When will I be ready?  When you understand what it means and you want to make that choice.  She has been filled with questions for the last three years.  I figured I would keep answering her questions.  During that time she kept going to Kidsview (which is our version of Sunday School).  We kept doing family prayers and devotionals. We got involved in a small group Bible study. She would help me teach my baby Kidsview class.  She learned about service and helping those less fortunate.  We read the Bible stories.  We made sure she always knew the real meaning of Easter and Christmas.  She did upward cheer leading where they did devotionals at games and practice.   She joined Kids Khoir at our church.  So many people helped her grow spiritually.  Her father prays before every meal.  Her Grandparent Quinns say Grace before meals.  Her Grandma Cathy would talk to her about heaven.  My mom would talk to her about God.  Tons of people at Eastview helped plant seeds of faith in her.

Our church did 24 hours of prayer at church the week leading up to Easter.  She came with me and sometimes we all went together as a family.  One of the prayers by the Big Kidsview room (where she is moving up to next month) was that children make their own decision to follow God and be baptized.  After we said that prayer, Gabrielle said, "Doesn't everybody want to follow God?"  We had a talk about how their are different religions (we have had this talk many times especially when she had a Jewish boy tell her Christmas isn't real) that don't follow God.  Plus children need to make their own minds up about following God not to do it just because their parents want them to.  She told us that, "I already follow Jesus."  At another station we prayed for Global outreach and said, "we want everyone to know about God's Love."  Gabrielle told us she's always known about God's love and can't remember never knowing.  That night she asked more questions about baptism; a topic she hadn't asked about in awhile.

On Easter (that's my picture above for today)  she wanted to sit in the front row so she could see Mike play in the band.  At the end of church we did an old fashion invitation.  She hadn't seen one before.  She asked about it.  I said that's where you can go forward and tell one of the pastors that you want to recommit to following Jesus or you want to be baptized.  We continued to sing the song.  Then she told me she wanted to be baptized.  I asked if she was sure.  I asked her if she knew what that means.  She said,"Yes.  God sent his son Jesus as a baby to a manager.  He grew up to die on a cross for my sins.  His friends buried his body, but they came back three days later and the stone was rolled away.  Jesus was gone because He was risen.  You get baptized to tell everyone and God that you want to follow Jesus and God."  I said you have to be doing this for yourself not for me.  Her responsive was classic, "Why would I do it for you?  I don't get it."  She truly made that choice on her own.  She wanted to go forward to tell Pastor Mike Baker.  He was thrilled.  He married Mike and I.  He has watched us grow to be active members in the church.  He told her that he was 6 1/2 when he was baptized.  That made me feel better.  I was worried that people would think that she was too young.  She is young but she very mature in her faith.  She knows more about the Bible and God then a lot of adults.  I am proud of her.  I am proud that she made that choice on her own.  I know she will stumble and fall but she will get back up.  I will be here to help her stay on the right path.  I know that so many loved ones will be helping her stay on that path as well.  She will make mistakes.  She will sin.  I just hope she doesn't make the same mistake I did when I turned my back on God.  I hope she will never lose sight of His Love.  I have never been prouder of her. 

124/365 Girl Scout Capitol Day

I never allow Gabrielle to miss school unless she is really sick.  I decided to let her miss today for Girl Scout Day at the Capitol.  She had an excuse letter from Lisa Madigan so I figured it was safe.  It was a great learning opportunity.  She had a blast.  She wants to go back and tour the Capitol building (the others in our group didn't want to).  She also wants to spend a day going through all the Lincoln homes and Lincoln sites.  She loved touring the Old Capitol building, ballet class (where she learned the cha-cha slide which made me think of her dad who is the master of that dance), having a rally, and so much more.  It was a wonderful learning experience.  I promised one day this summer we would go and do more sites.  I love that she is interested in history. I love history.  Mike loves history. My mom loves history.  Her dad's major was history.  Love of history runs in the family.  Here are some of my favorites.  I couldn't choose one. 

She made a Lincoln hat. The sun was super bright but she didn't want to wear sunglasses in pictures.

This was the rally to the Capital where all the Girl Scouts(over 2,000) and family got to parade to the Capitol.

This is the rest of her troop that made it.  They were posing being silly.  I hope the next time we go more girls can make it.

She loved her pin wheel she made.  I think she looks super cute in this picture.

Making bracelet together in the very warm sun.  It felt great to have the sun out again.  All and all it was a wonderful day.  She learned a lot and had fun.  I'm glad we got to do it. 

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Go to facebook.  Like Studio J Photography.  Like this image of Gabrielle.  Comment on the image. We can win a  A 16x20 Giclee Gallery Wrap Canvas of this image!! Pass it on to your friends.  You can click on the link on my or Mike's facebook pages.  It's a sure cute image.  It's only blurring because I copied and pasted it.  Please help us out.