Remember

Today may you remember those we've lost, honor those still with us and fly your flags high.

 

 

Stained Glass

Although the type of church we normally attend anymore doesn't include windows like these, I kind of wish they did.

I've always loved the beautiful colors of stained glass windows. The symbolic meanings often escape me but the colors, those always catch my attention.

Perhaps though it's like most things and the more often we see it, the less enamored we become with it. The awe wears off. Thankfully I don't see these every week so my awe holds on.

Last month Madeline had a Girl Scout Awards Ceremony at a church in town. As usual in HinzSight, I wished I'd taken more pictures of all the windows there to share.

Is there something you see daily or weekly, that perhaps once left you with a feeling of awe? Find it, and look again with new eyes.

CRUNCH

Perfect day. Blue skies, green grass.

Puppy rolling and soaking the sunrays.

Toddler kicking at an anthill.

Pre-schooler zooms by, training wheels and helmet in place.

Really appears there's nothing askew with this moment.

Typical outsdie time at our house.

Ahem. Look a little closer.

Something is slightly "askew".

Last year this Mama backed out of the garage into the driveway only to hear a CRUNCH! 

After my initial seconds of panic I quickly reassured myself all my beloveds were safely inside.

It was then I knew.  It was a bicycle.

The question in my mind then became "Who's bicycle?"

The answer appeared into my vision as I stepped out of the car to pull the piece of plastic out from under the tire.

It was Meredith's.

Well it was still able to be ridden, so beyond reminding them AGAIN not to park their things in this area I gave thanks. Thanks that it was only a piece of three-wheeled plastic. Meredith's response, "Maaa-uuuum. Look what you did."  Yep, look what I did.

Now Meredith has stepped up to the training-wheel bicycle and Malia gets the weebly-wobbly-crooked-wheel-tricycle. She loves it, as do the other three still. It goes just fine, just more like a fun carnival ride with random bumps along the way.

B&W Friday: Garden Weeds

We grow kids like weeds around here, and weeds like kids. This week I had lots of both of them out in the garden.

It seems I'm a bit behind this year even though the weather has been much ahead of usual. Probably could have had the garden in a month ago, but alas, I drug my feet a bit. Plus my two big weed pullers were still in school.

Step one this week was to pull all the grass and crud that has overtaken the garden plot. What better way to start off summer vacation, right? Ha! 

They did pretty good and I even let them work in a few poses so they could see just how hard they looked like they were working.

The same afternoon, my little Girl Scout Madeline, headed out and planted some flowers with her troop at a local nursing home. Just love it when kids do stuff to make their mamas proud. ;) Now with some dirt under her fingernails she's all about planting, so I'll be taking as much advantage of that skill as possible.

Tonight Hubby will till it up and then my Girl Scout and I will head off for a few small plants and seeds tomorrow. I've got my little layout all charted from last year and think we may make a couple changes this year to see if we can get a higher yield (that's farm talk) out of some things.

My two littles were yin and yang on this project. My sweet little "bug" baby Malia, was all about picking up the dirt and grass and dumping it in the tub. She was thrilled when we tipped the walking stones over and discovered ant tunnels and larvae squirming. Yes, perfect Malia entertainment. Gosh, I hope she always stays this way - innocent and curious.

While Miss Meredith decided snack time and swing time and playhouse time was much more fun. But she did also enjoy hanging out and watching everyone else work.

Of course, what would dirty work in the garden be without with puppy included too? Bella insisted on being right in the middle of it with us.  She found some leftover roots that struck her fancy and earned extra credit on her "digging a big hole" exam.  Luckily for her, the tilling is yet to be done. Then, no pups in the garden.

Within the week I'll put up the fencing and get the sprinkler running daily. Summer salads and salsa - my belly awaits your arrival.

Have a beautiful Friday all.

Treasures

Garage sale season has kicked in in our area, and last weekend was our annual community garage sale. I prefer NOT to have a sale, but rather go roam everyone else' sales. The two littles and I headed out on foot, stroller and training-wheeled bicycle to see what treasures we could rummage up. We had a blast, found some treasures and as my neighbor said, looked a bit "bag lady-ish" upon our return, stroller piled high.  But that's okay when you see the fun we had following our whopping $20 shopping spree!

Miss Madeline got some new digs. A dress, two tops, flare jeans and some funky clogs too. And she wasn't even there to shop!

One thing I don't have to do is drag this little one into the bathtub, but now with Dora, Boots and a duck friend - it's all I can do to keep her out. Throw in the Mickey Mouse hat and her big sister's carnival prize slide flute and it was a huge day of fun!

The best $2 ever spent on my son right here. The old Etch-a-Sketch comes through. It entertained him for four hours straight the day I brought it home and in the week since, easily an hour or two each day. Who needs an X-box when you have E-a-S? Okay, well maybe that's a bit extreme, but it was a hit!

Below here, we had the girl, now she has a beau. The best part of this gift wasn't only the $2 price, but now my son doesn't mind playing along with his little sister.

Meredith poses here with her big score. Everything pink pink pink. A princess camera, a princess magnet board and a pink and purple basket for her bicycle. One happy little lady here. Oh yes, and a pink princess purse too, mustn't forget that.

I even managed to find a couple things for me, but not quite as photo worthy. A blanket to match the basement, a Brita water pitcher, and a toy room stacking rack.

How about you other garage salers out there... any good, fun, blog-worthy finds yet? 

My Haiti Mission

I am very excited to share news of a mission close to my heart. As of this past weekend I have committed to being part of a team traveling to Haiti! In early December, our team will go to Port-Au-Prince, Haiti to support the needs of 128 children at Imagine Mission Orphanage in Despinos. We will stay for one week at a team house within a half mile of the orphanage. Each day we will be on site at the orphanage to work on whatever projects they have a need for. One of our goals will be to plant their garden and set up a watering system to ensure a bountiful harvest. Another will entail building a chicken coop and stocking it. Along with specific projects we will get to spend time with the children teaching, singing, playing, doing Bible studies and just simply loving on each other.

In 2006 we felt led into adoption plain and clearly. Since that time orphans have continued to hold a place in my heart.  In 2010 when the earthquake hit Haiti my heart hurt knowing how many children were left without parents or families.  I wanted to run there and help. I wanted to fill out paperwork to bring them ALL home.  Obviously that is not an option and until now our personal circumstances have not allowed a mission commitment. Once again things in life have fallen into place and I have been given clear signs it is time. Time again to reach out to the orphans who have a grip on my heart. Enter this great opportunity to actually GO to Haiti.

I share today because there is no way I can do it on my own and your support would mean the world to me. Here are some ways I am asking for help;

PRAYER

First and foremost I ask for your prayers for me, the team, our travels and the children in Despinos.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT  $$

The expense of the trip for one person is $1,200. If you feel led and are financially able, you can make contributions towards the expense of my trip online through Paypal. I have added a link at the top right of my blog. Or send a check to me personally at my home address (msg me). Every little bit helps and is genuinely appreciated. When my goal is reached any additional funds will be donated to the orphanage for school supplies and food needs.

DONATIONS

The children at the orphanage have very little. They range in age from toddlers to late teens. Here are some ideas;

Socks, underwear, clothing (modest), shoes

School supplies (they have simply paper and pencils.) Learning games, books, flashcards, notebooks

Soccer balls, small toys

Soaps, hand sanitizer, hair clips, nail polish, razors 

Bibles - French or Creole

Monies for mosquito nets and bug sprays - or as you dedicate

Donated items can be mailed to my home. Each team member will carry-on our personal items and check the maximum quantity and sized bags allowed to be fully loaded with supplies and gifts for the children.

If you have any questions, please be in touch. I give my deepest thanks for your encouragement, your support and for being a part of my life and this amazing opportunity!

Love, Kelly

*It all began for me in 2006 with James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress ..."

Here are a couple links to read if interested.

WIKIPEDIA   

IMAGINE MISSIONS

Bug Lady

What's all the commotion over there?

What do you have?

"It's a snake Mom".  Well thankfully, for my nervous system, it wasn't a snake although my guess is that even if it was she would have been my child to pick it up.

My littlest loves bugs. Ants, spiders, butterflies, moths, flies, caterpillars, and worms. To my knowledge those are the only ones she's seen in her life. And in her life she's made sure to touch every single one.

She's not afriad one bit. She is so curious and gentle and she wants to share. At least she wants to share by showing you. She has no interest in actually letting you hold them, and for most of us, that's quite alright. 

This little worm was hers and she was so proud of it.

"That's a nice worm Malia, now he's starting to get dried out. Let's go put him back in the garden so he can help the soil and plants. Mommy will help do it."

Toddler screaming fit takes place. Sorry, no photographic proof.

There, a nice new dirty home amidst the onions for him/her? And maybe he'll makes friends with Tripod while he's out there.


As my mom considered, perhaps we have an future entomologist on our hands?  And I'm thinking my little "Sweet Pea" will now be known as "Bug" around here. ;)