Love is the strangest thing

I have always believed-- but sometimes things happen that make my beliefs even stronger.

Monday night I was putting the boys to bed. As is our typical routine, I put Zachary to bed and then went to deal with Adam. He asked "watch peach?" (which means "Can I watch James and the Giant Peach?") I said okay, put it in, and went to grab a diaper.

This is what I saw when I came back in the room--


Okay, I know he is a little close to the TV. But let me explain a little bit. The desk he is sitting at is my Great Grandmothers. (his great-great grandmother) This desk has been in my room throughout my childhood, college years, and adult life. And now Adam has it. This was the first time I actually saw him at the desk. He had climbed up on the chair and looked so content. I couldn't help but to smile and went to grab the camera.


I was telling Adam that he really did need to get away from being so close to the TV when I noticed something on my great-grandmother's desk that sent chills down my spine. Next to the TV is a picture of Papa. And the angle of the picture was just so that it looked as if he was looking right at Adam and smiling.

I felt as if he was saying "It's okay, let him stay awhile longer."

I continued to take a couple more shots and then decided it really was time to get Adam into bed. I glanced at the picture of Papa and then turned my attention to the TV (which I really hadn't been paying attention to this whole time-- Adam loves the James and Giant Peach movie, but I have never actually sat down and watched it with him). As my attention diverted to the scene on the screen this is what I heard:

Love is the strangest thing
Love does exactly what it wants to do
Love...Boy, you know it's true
We're family, we're family, we're family
Me, Me, Me, Me, Me, Me And you!

Ashes to ashes and dust to dust
Without you there'd be no us

Love is the sweetest thing
Love does exactly what it wants to do
Love is the way we feel for you
We're family, we're family
We're family
Me and you (press play on right side bar to hear the whole song)


I still get tears in my eyes as I think about that moment. That moment in which I KNOW my Papa was looking down from Heaven on me and his great-grandson.

The last picture I took was at 9:22 PM on Monday, May 25. One day and one hour later (Tuesday May 26 at 10:20 PM) my great uncle, Uncle Lloyd, in the words of his son "went home to be with his Maker". I am deeply saddened-- yet uplifted to know that he is now rejoined with his wife and the others of "our family".

Love IS the sweetest thing, Love does DO exactly what it wants to do.
Ashes to ashes and dust to dust, Without each of them, there'd be no us.
FAMILY! Me and You.

Snapshots of May

Spring has sprung and we have been having a great time. So much fun that May has flown by and June is just around the corner. This month has been pretty low key. Here are some things we have been up to.

We like to feed Mommy and Daddy duck that have made our front yard their home.


When they aren't there in the morning we know it is becuase they "are in the water" as Adam says. Although- we actually haven't seen them at all in the past couple days. I fear that a fox may have gotten them. Major started going crazy a couple nights ago barking at the back door. Our back motion light went on about the same time and not knowing why... we let Major loose to go investigate. He ran after something and then we started to hear shrieking (almost like a high yell). Joe said he is pretty sure it was a fox and I am so sad if he did indeed get our duck friends... but proud of Major for trying to protect them.



We dressed a little crazy in May.


It happened to be "nightgown" day at school on the day I took Adam to the dentist. So I took him in his gown! He was the hit of the dentist office in his "uncle's nightgown."


Adam likes to watch daddy shave. He also likes daddy's shaving cream.

With such nice weather. There was lots of playing outside. Fun times were spent with cousins and uncle.

Adam tried his hand at taking some pictures.

But Mommy still takes some of the best...

Adam found a new dance that he loves to do... Irish clogging! We saw some Irish dancers at Joe's works travel show. Adam was enthralled. Everytime music comes on... Adam jumps around, kicking his legs up shouting "Mommy... dance!"

But mostly May has equalled SPORTS at our house!

There was baseball in the kitchen.

Hockey playoffs that Adam got REALLY in to. (or as he says "Pockey. I want to watch Pockey. We decided NOT to try to get him to say "puck" and let him just call it a "ball")


On nice days. There was lots of soccer time in the front yard.

And we went to an "official" soccer game as well.

At the tailgate before the game Adam found a DRUM!

A very tired Zachary (who was dealing with his two front teeth coming in and a nasty ear infection but is now doing better).

Abby telling Adam what to do. HA! We women know how it important it is to keep the men on a leash... if not, surely they would run even more wild. What would they do without us!

A couple of our neighbors got to go with us to the game. It's great to be able to have such great neighbors and friends.

Adam sat and watched the game very intently.

YEP! Sports, smiles, and laughter... that is what life is like with me and my boys! I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Brother made a mess

It was a long trip and I was exhausted in when I got back home from Texas. Zachary found some chocolate and I let him go to town. We were still wearing our same clothes from the night before. What a mess we are! But you gotta love us!

Just a few of my favs...

Long awaited pictures from Texas. Wanted to get up a few of my favorites from our trip last month. It was a fun trip and we are excited to see you again soon!

Zachary got his first sunburn when K-Dan kept him out in the sun a little too long during Parent's Weekend review.

We got to visit with one of my dear friends from college. Rachel is a true friend and her little boy James is adorable. (Big boy James... well... he's okay too I guess).

Uncle Kason is probably Adam's favorite... but I'm pretty sure it's just because he plays a drum and wears a uniform. We'll see if he still has the same admiration next year when his favorite Aggie, Kason no longer has his drum.

On Kyle field for the first time!

Gigi and K-Dan's house is AMAZING!

One of my favorite traditions at A&M... Muster. Even more special with all the honors and accolades of my dear brother, the RV, whom I am so proud of.

Adam found lots of fun things at Gigi's house... like the piano.

And there were legos to play with K-Dan.

And Gigi even got some bubbles for Adam (not sure if he or Kason enjoyed them more though).

It was a pretty tiring week!

But there was one more big event. Justin and Lauren's couples shower!!

Ella was sneaking chocolate. Adam decided that was a good idea.

The "happy" couple.

Admiring their aunt and uncle's pictures...

It was a great time and we can't wait to see you all for the wedding (which is right around the corner).