The "Bird" Feeder

Ok... so Earth Day.  Of course it's nice to celebrate the Fine Earth our Creator has created for us... but I'm becoming convinced it's just another "excuse" for a craft project at school.  Which I can understand, being crafty and all.  Ben's class made bird feeders out of recycled products... milk cartons, straws, peanut butter (provided by Ben's Mom, buy-one-get-one at Publix), string, and bird seeds. 

We told him right away that the Vagrant Squirrel who lives in our front tree would love it.  He said it was for a bird.  Teacher said if he had a picture of a bird eating at his bird feeder, he would get a "No Homework For a Week" pass.  (Ben HATES homework, because "I already know how to do this.  In my head.  Why do I have to write it down EVERY SINGLE NIGHT????"  and really?  What 5th grader DOESN'T hate homework??)  Ryan even told her about Our Squirrel.  She said he wouldn't mess with it, because it's a BIRD feeder.  I said, "Um, peanut butter?". 

So, here's how it went.  Ben hung up the bird feeder on the front of the house.  In about an hour, it was suspiciously missing.  I found it on the ground.   And hung it back up.  I went to work.  They went to an over-night-swim-meet in Fort Myers.  I came home from work and it's missing again.  And I can't find it anywhere.  Until I looked up.

Got to hand it to her for her mad decorating skills... somehow she hung it right above her nest. 

She sat for a long time looking at me... Crazy Mama with a Camera.  And a cell phone.  Telling Ben there would be No Homework this week!

Close up for my sister.  Please don't think I'M a squirrel fan now, but I AM considering since this little rodent helped us out so much... and she's so very entertaining.  The cats are in a constant state of upheaval watching her out the window as she has been STEALING for her nest. 

Click on that picture to see the nest, and the bird feeder right above it... and she's off to the right of it all, center of the picture.

and in the off chance that the teacher thinks BEN hung it in the tree...

I just might have won Mother of the Year with my photographing skills!

I will Carry You...

You. Must. Read. This. Book.

I just read this amazing book.  About a story I already heard.  And it was still so completely fascinating to me, I insist that you read it, too.  Somewhere around HERE I mentioned that I loved reading Angie Smith's blog because I found it to be so encouraging... and I have found this book to be the same.  She tells the story of how her family handled losing their daughter, Audrey.  While it's such a moving story (read: tear-jerker!!) this book is so much MORE than that.  It is certainly for people who have walked this road, whether through miscarriage, loss of a child in infancy, or later in their life.  It is also for people who are THEIR friends and family.  She so beautifully covers what helped them, what was hard to hear, and what you should AVOID saying.  It is ABSOLUTELY for everyone who has ever grieved or felt ANY kind of loss, or wondered where God is in the midst of our trials.  I found it to be most encouraging in reminding me that God carries us through times of grief, and brings us joy!  She weaves the story of Lazarus throughout the book, and seriously?  I've read that story nearly a million times and just might have finally gotten the full point!  ANYWAYS, beautiful writing.  Great story. Amazing God.  Quick link to Angie's Blog... and finally, the lyrics to the song she wrote with her husband, Todd, and Christa Wells:

I Will Carry You

There were photographs I wanted to take,

things I wanted to show you;

sing sweet lullabies,

wipe your teary eyes.

Who could love you like this?

People say that I am brave, but I'm not.

Truth is I'm barely hangin' on.

But there's a greater story

written long before me,

because He loves you like this.

I will carry you while your heart beats here,

long beyond the empty cradle,

through the coming years.

I will carry you all my life.

I will praise the One Who's chosen me to carry you.

Such a short time, such a long road.

All this madness, but I know

that the silence has brought me to His voice.

And He says,

"I've shown her photographs of time beginning,

walked her through the parted seas;

angel lullabies, no more teary eyes.

Who could love her like this?"

I will carry you while your heart beats here,

long beyond the empty cradle,

through the coming years. 

I will carry you all your life.

I will praise the One Who's chosen me to carry you.

"I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices.  You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy."     John 16:20

Red Flowers 2010

Our annual amarillas pictures...  our winter was "so cold" I was a little worried they weren't going to make their appearance this year!  Better late than never... our sure sign Spring is here!

We took them last night, but I redid them this morning since Carly's hair was wet:)  I had to include this picture of BEN winking!  The girls are already asking to call. 

(this one is for my dad... the YELLOW lantana didn't make survive our COLD winter... but I don't remember you planting THAT much purple... do you?? obviously we need you to come home....)

(she smashed her chin in the pool... I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often!)

The Lost Art of Randomness

I am a HUGE fan of Snail Mail... not bills and stuff, but REAL letters from REAL people!  This is not shocking news from the person who's favorite pass-time is making cards.  Cards that I actually send.  Nor is this shocking news from the person who wrote (and received!  You Go, Ryan!) a letter to her Intended EVERYDAY during our long distance relationship... and have kept the vast majority of those letters, plus letters from my family members and BFF.  I believe I am well known for saying that Handwritten Communication is a Lost Art.  It would make sense that this is a Quality I want to instill in my own little Protege'.  She's quite clever with a roll of tape and a marker!  When I woke up this afternoon (um, I WORKED last night, I wasn't just being excessively lazy), she had this waiting for me.  I'm sharing it with you.  You are welcome!

And here is the present that went along with this letter....

Oh, and perhaps the very best part... My First Letter in my New Mail Box...

I am a rich woman, indeed!  And while I have your attention.... here's a little Random Goodness for you... Eli came over for the morning.  He had fun bonding time with Uncle Ryan and his cousins, who are all home on Spring Break.  This bonding included chasing the cats and watching Fantastic Four (in BluRay, of course.  Elis is somewhat Picky)... 2 of Uncle Ryan's favorite things to do!!

"Ben do you want to say anything to your cousin?" (I mean, REALLY?  He was dancing all around him, grinning from ear to ear, and saying NOTHING.  Ben, not Eli)... "Ummmm, I love you Eli????????"  nice.

Carly feeding Eli some yogurt.  Of course the child CAN feed himself, but we find it much more entertaining to do it FOR him... plus, who wants to clean up someone ELSE'S kid?!!!  I find it highly entertaining that Carly feeds children the way her dad does... with her OWN mouth wide open for each bite!  Eli likes coming to our house.  We have LIFE cereal and cats. 

And while I'm being Random.... we've been spending quite a bit of time HERE:

Completely LOVING the annual passes we got for Christmas!  We are DETERMINED to get our money's worth and then some... and because we can't seem to do ANYTHING normal, we have read many books on the "Secrets of Disney" to find out interesting facts to add to our Cespool of Useless Knowledge.  Such things as: There are NO bathrooms in Liberty Square on purpose because there were no public bathrooms in Colonial Times.  See?  Did YOU know that?  Yup, Useless.  But entertaining.  And we have verified each Very Important Fact.  Also in the category of Not Normal would be how we got that picture...  It seems you CAN get up to the Top floor at the Contemporary Resort (you know the one the Monorail goes through?!?!) WITHOUT a keycard for the elevator if you just push ENOUGH buttons.  And there's a really nice balcony just off the private lounge up there.  Of course, we didn't COMPLETELY realize we were in a somewhat Restricted Zone initially, but yes, I was pretty much aware of it just prior to snapping that picture:)  Whoops!  We were tempted to Hang Out in our New Home until the fireworks, but it just didn't seem right:)  I mean, did the girl working there REALLY think we had booked a room for $1900 a night?  Us and our little kids who were perfecting their Chipmunk Dance down the hallways?

Yup, that's all I've got.

Love So Amazing

We love Easter.  Actually, the whole Lenten Season, too.  We go to Tampa Covenant Church and they are crazy good at setting the mood for the Season... whether it's the sermons or just the change in the atmosphere within the sanctuary itself, it's all good.  This morning, the cross was "covered" with these flower/butterfly things, and it just looked so cool.  Certainly church is not about "looking cool" but I really love the symbolism...

So, weird year.  I was supposed to work this weekend, but my good friend, ASHLIE, agreed to cover for me if the hospital census allowed.  We had Plan A, and Plan B for our Easter Celebration.  SO VERY HAPPY that we got to go with Plan B, which gave me Saturday night off work!  Thank you so much, Ashlie. 

Well, we wouldn't be McGregor's if we didn't do things WEIRD.  So Plan A AND Plan B involved this:

Dinner Saturday Night at Ti'Juana Flats.  Of course.  Who else goes out for Mexican the day BEFORE EASTER for their Easter Dinner?  Ok, they were going to be closed on Sunday... Uncle Steve was kind enough to join us for the fun.  Which we all loved.  And Mom is in Israel, so no ham or macaroni and cheese.  Rats.  Might could have made it myself, but work, right?  I mean, I had to actually WORK, not that it was too much work.  Well, that too.  We miss my parents!

Next, Ryan threw in Plan C, which was "how about we have Breakfast Casserole tomorrow.... since you are home and all..."  So off to the store Carly and I went, then had some fun Mother/Daughter Bonding. 

HA!  Not a fan of cooking, and I certainly do NOT bake.  And Carly loves it.  She needs to go live with her Aunt Rochel until she's about 18.  But here are my feable attempts at teaching Carly a few things in the kitchen.  Most of my "cooking" is in the craft realm.  Much more comfortable....

See?  Plaster frames.  This is what we were doing when Ryan came up with Plan C.  Craft kits.  So much MORE fun than casseroles.  And really more my speed.

But I tried.  You know, for Carly's sake. 

Then, HER idea (and this is where I know she's my daughter for real.  Because I never even saw her until she was 3 hours old, so I've always kind of wondered.  Traumatic emergency C-section.  Click HERE for the story.  Ha!  Kidding!)  She decided it would be most fun to get the table "organized" (ahhh, love it when she speaks my language!) and made cards for everyone! 

And we put out the chocolate.  Which we've been planning for 6 weeks to eat for breakfast.  The whole family chose to give up desserts for Lent.  It's been HORRIFYING for all of us (well, Ben not so much) so we are REALLY happy that sacrifice is over:)  Note the broken cookie on Carly's plate... they made those in school on Thursday, and she carried it around in her backpack, saving it until TODAY!  Also, beside her plate are the churros Uncle Steve gave them last night.  She did share with her brother:)  And after Carly went to bed, I made a card for HER. 

After a great service at church... recycled an Easter outfit from last year since I didn't feel like wearing scrubs. 

And this photo was taken meer minutes after Ben handed Eli an egg and Eli said, "BALL!" and threw it at the man sitting in front of us.  You know, during communion.  Anyways, there's ELI and buddy Olivia.  She was born on our anniversary.  Complete doll.  Both of them... look at those arms.  

"Hey, since he's crawling away, do you think you could crop him OUT of my picture?"

Anything for you, Sweet Cheeks!  Olivia reminds me SO MUCH of Torrey, so it's pretty fun to get to see our 14 year old girl little again!  And tell me that picture doesn't make you smile! 

The Cousins.  Should have had Rochel's belly in there, too! 

And finally.  I leave you with this....

When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of Glory died;

my richest gain I count but loss,

and pour contempt on all my pride.

 

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,

save in the death of Christ, my God;

all the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to his blood.

See, from his head, his hands, his feet,

sorrow and love flow mingled down.

Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,

or thorns compose so rich a crown.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

that were an offering far too small;

love so amazing, so divine,

demands my soul, my life, my all.