Two Little Monkeys Jumpin' On The Bed

Some of the best moments in our home are on Saturday mornings! First, GG always sleeps late! Lucky for us, right?! Next, we usually make breakfast together (or have Panera if we're lazy). I have mastered the art of homemade biscuits! Finally, we always have playtime in the bed! GG loves to test the fluffiness of the mattress by rolling around, jumping, falling down, and standing on her head. This is also a safe place for Rick to throw her up and down and all around. They play and I cringe, all the while pestering, "Be careful! Be careful!" Well, for once, I quit being so paranoid, joined in on the fun, and then (of course) tried to capture the moment!!

I see God in a mouth stretched as wide as possible, belting out laughs and giggles and screams of delight!

Love,

Mary

A Hunting We Will Go!

What a fun weekend! I took hundreds of pictures and captured so many moments! As I was going through the photos, I was struck by the pure joy that a child has while Easter Egg hunting! When is the last time you had the joy of a child? When you were a child? I hope not!

I see God in the excitement that bubbles over in a child hunting for eggs on Easter!

Love,

Mary

Rick's Taking My Job!

Rick tried taking some pictures last night and I think he did a great job! He caught some special moments between me and GG!

I hear God in the secrets I whisper in my daughter's ear!

Love,

Mary and Rick! hehe :)

Most Important Story

A long time ago, my Grandpa passed down a Bible to Rick. I think he knew what good care Rick would take of it. After some research, Rick found out it probably belonged to the Archbishop of Canterbury in the mid-1800s. Can you imagine the history behind this book? Last night, I took out this Bible to read the story of the crucifixion in Matthew. My favorite picture is the second one! My eyes are drawn to the words that show the reason we celebrate Easter this weekend. God sure did put my hands in the right place for that photo!

I see God in the words that were left to share, in my opinion, the most important story of mankind.

**Sometimes, the pictures turn out blurry on the blog. If you click on the photo, you can see the better quality version. :)

Mary

Pinwheel Pinwheel Spinning Around

God could have made our world in black and white, but He didn't! Lucky us, He gave us color!

Today, I saw God in the vivid colors of a pinwheel spinning around!

Love,
Mary

Goin' on a Walk

Tonight, I saw God in chubby little thighs that carried the wanderings of a little girl whose only worry in the world was how to get her wagon out of the grass and back on the sidewalk.

Mary

Old Rugged Cross

On Friday, a former student's mother invited me to their church to hear him play his first solo in front of the congregation. I was honored they would ask, so Rick, GG, and I gladly went. While we were there, we sang one of my favorite hymns, Old Rugged Cross. As we were singing, Gabriella had her forehead pressed against mine and she stayed that way for almost the entire song. It was such a sweet moment. Those lyrics are incredibly powerful and have been in my head since the service.

I only had one problem, how could I show you a picture of where I saw God today? Then it came to me...the notes!

I see God in the ultimate example of love, the cross.

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross

an emblem of suffering and shame

and I love that old cross where the dearest and best

for a world of lost sinners was slain

Happy Easter Season,

Mary

The Unknown

Today, I had the pleasure of attending Andrea and Matt's couple shower. I snapped this picture and I thought it said everything! When I look back on my engagement to Rick, I remember registering and wondering which design of silverware would be best! Little did I know, we were about to embark on an adventure full of twists and turns that neither of us could have predicted. If you had told me on July 16, 2004 that I could or that I would love Rick more, I wouldn't have believed you. I thought our love had reached its depth. Ha! What did I know?! There is a love that comes with time together that you can't even explain to someone. There is no way to prepare you for the feeling, for the commitment! I revel in the thought that Andrea and Matt have no idea what's coming their way! They can't, yet, but one day they will! Now, what I'm excited about is the ways in which my own marriage will grow in the next 50 years! I'll look back at this time and say, "and to think I thought that was as good as it would get."

I...we...should only be so lucky!

Today, I saw God in a look that reminded me of all I have to look forward to in my life. I don't know what it is, but I'm excited about the unknown!

Love,

Mary

A Meatball? Say What!?!

Rick and I have been wanting to make homemade spaghetti sauce, so tonight we gave it a try! I promise, once you have homemade sauce, you will never want the jar stuff again!! It was one of the best meals I've ever had! Maybe it was the half bottle of red wine that went into it! hehe :)

So, I'm sure you are thinking what's with the title. You saw God in a meatball?!? Well, this may sound crazy, but I kind of did! Today, we all worked together to add a little of this, add a little of that. Rick and I tasted, then fussed that we each had a better idea of what ingredients would work best. Gabriella helped us stir, and stir, and stir some more. The point is, we made that spaghetti together! No TV. No texting. Nothing to distract us from creating memories. Together.

Today, I smelled God in the aroma of hard work, love, and time together simmering on the stove.

Love,

Mary

P.S. GG had her own special no-wine sauce!! haha!

The Wind

I've been very excited to do a Little Red Riding photo shoot with GG! She has the most beautiful red dress (courtesy of Granny Di) and I knew the perfect little forest! With thunderstorms looming in the forecast, I knew today had to be the day.

As I started shooting, I realized that Gabriella's hair was off in every single picture. The wind was not cooperating! I had a perfect little swoop with her bangs (I know what you're thinking, I'm crazy) and Mommy's perfect little hair-do was not so perfect. Quite frankly, the wind had it out against us! Haha! Oh well!

Today, I felt God in the wind against my face! I saw God in the wind as it played with and tangled Gabriella's hair! I heard God whisper through the wind, "I can always make things better!"

Well, thank you God, because now when I look at these unruly hair pictures, I'll think of how much better they turned out because of You!

Look close! Do you see Him??!!

Love,

Mary

There's Heaven!

If ever there was an opening to Heaven, I saw it this morning! Rick was leaving for work and I couldn't help but notice the rising sun peaking through the clouds! The sun. How magnificent! And to think it was made.

Intentionally and wonderfully made!

Like me.

Like you.

Today, I saw God in a radiant reminder of Heaven!

Mary

The Suitcase

When I was a little girl, I remember carrying this suitcase whenever I would go to visit my grandparents! Oh, how I looked forward to those special sleep-overs! We would go to our favorite restaurant, Steak and Eggs, and I could get anything I wanted! Anything at all!

Recently, Gabriella went to stay the night with her grandparents and, while preparing for her night away, I remembered this suitcase. I called my mom and she still had it after all these years! I was so excited to pass down this treasure, my childhood treasure, to my daughter!

I see God in the traditions and treasures that are remembered and passed on through generations.

Love,

Mary