Who needs baby toys when you have a big toe?

The Three H's

HHH.  Growing up in the Tidewater area of Virginia (ahh...what a great state!) we always had the three H's on hand for summertime.  Hazy.  Hot.  Humid.  I don't remember minding it.   It was summer!  The beach, dad's boat, working at Water Country.  Then I lived in the Shenandoah Valley for many years and summers were a little milder.  Maybe not so humid.  Then to Charlotte.  Back to HHH.  Now in the New River Valley where summer seems to usually be mild but lately, it is HOT and getting hotter.  It's a little different now that there are young ones to consider.  We're out early and late but generally inside for the hottest part of the day.  That can get to a person. 
But, we're working on some different activities to keep us busy.  The library is always great.  We saw a free musical, "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown," at Va. Tech last week.  And over the weekend, when we did have some reasonable temperatures, we spent time at Claytor Lake with Brian's family.  His parents were so gracious and worked so hard to get everything ready for 6 grandchildren (and their parents).  Here's some shots:

Happy 4th of July!

Some Excitement

I looked out yesterday morning and saw this fawn in a neighbor's backyard.

We quickly realized that it couldn't figure out how to get back on the other side of the fence.  The poor thing was running around the yard, even whimpering a bit.  Then we saw it's mama.  She was prancing about, on the wrong side of the fence, almost frantic.

At one point the fawn ran through our backyard, trying so hard to find a way out.  The mama deer ran along side the fence but there was really nothing she (or we) could do.  I don't know how the baby found it's way out and to it's mama.  We've kept watch all afternoon, hoping to see mama and fawn together. 

It really was such a picture, though.  To see that mama deer so worked up and concerned for her baby.  God has ordered even the animals to care for their young  How much more then should we.

Some Sammy Stories

Samuel has given me so many stories lately.  Not that he hasn't in the past but these are more from things he says, not the crazy things he does!  So here's a few.

Sam is learning to chew gum.  Well, really, how not to swallow gum.  He was doing great when I realized he no longer had his gum.  I said, "Sam, what happened to your gum?"  And what did he say?  "God told me to swallow it, Mom."   "God told you that???"  Serious look.  "Yah.  He did."  Hmmm...

Later during dinner, I got up for something, turned around, and there was Sam, on the floor.
"Sam, what are you doing on the floor?"
"Not eating my dinner." 

One evening,  I was putting Samuel to bed.  As I sang him one more song, he reached up around my neck and pulled my face down next to his.  He whispered, "Mommy, I'll keep you forever."
Oh, I'll keep you too buddy.

Summer Reading

I decided to try some of Wendell Berry's essays.  Love his fiction but wasn't sure about biting off his intellectual musings.  Well, I'm glad I did.  As we were leaving the library Monday Brian noticed "Imagination in Place" on the new book rack.  Perfect place to start.
So, last night, Brian took the older two out to see "Oceans" (which caused some trauma to the oldest who has a soft spot for animals).  I got the youngest two in bed and looked around thinking of all I should do.  Then I looked out back.  It was around 8:00 in the evening, my favorite time of a summer day.  Forget the chores.  I got my book and some ice cream and hurried to the deck.
The air was just right, with a gentle warm breeze that just kind of envelopes you.  I heard a rumble of thunder, or maybe it was a jet, and closed my eyes, pretending it was the ocean waves I actually heard and that I was at the beach.  (You can laugh.  I did.)
I skipped around a little in the book but found this one quote that I loved from an essay called Sweetness Preserved (love that title): 

"I would say, partly from knowing the story I am talking about that though you may get a new life, you can't get a new past.  You don't get to leave your story.  If you leave your story, then how you left your story is your story, and you had better not forget it."

40 Years and Counting

Today is my parent's 40th wedding anniversary.  They'd known each other since high school and were married in a little country church just after college graduation.  The VA/NC state line goes right through the church.  I think the minister was in NC and they were in VA!
I've been thinking about their marriage and one of the things that strikes me is they don't forget the little things.  I can remember Dad sending Mom flowers for no reason in particular.  And not just once or twice but it seems like he did it a good bit.  He worked nights for many years and Mom always made his dinner plate and then sat with him while he ate, usually around 9:00 before he left for work.  They talked about their day and maybe some important things but they always took that time.  They went on dates a lot, too.  They joked with each other, even when they were maybe a little irritated with one another!  Probably the biggest thing about them is they just seem to like being together.  They enjoy each other and are good friends.  It's neat to see how your parents change and grow as they get older, too.  (It's not just kids that change!)  Mom and Dad still like being together, helping their kids, their parents, their church. 
One of their most precious gifts to me (and my brother) is their love for and enjoyment of each other.  Thank you Mom and Dad and Happy Anniversary!