Thoughts from the Porch Swing

I just need to slow down once in awhile. You know, really breathe. Do nothing. The summer months are winding down, the bushes are trimmed, the weeds have stopped growing, the mower is tucked away, and everything else that continually keep my garden gloves dirty is finished.
After all that a few weeks ago, I actually paused on the front steps and sat down. Then I sighed.
Then I thought...
"Why do I ALWAYS need to be accomplishing something?
What WAS the last book I read? How long has it been since I blogged? I miss reading and blogging."
With some effort to ignore the to-do list in my head, I've made my way to the porch swing more often. One day, I napped there. I spent an evening in it with Charlotte and a quilt. We sang every song I could think of. We patty-caked and rowed the boat and practiced our best itsy bitsy spider moves.
Occasionally, a book keeps me there for the afternoon. Well, the book and the breeze. I just finished one and nearly another. (Took me a bit of head-scratching to remember where I had neatly stashed the kindle charger.)
The swing is the perfect place for quilt binding, too.
Alan joins me when he can and we soak up the stillness of our little piece of the world. Some nights the bullfrogs at the creek across the pasture croak loud and strong. Prairie music?
Sigh!
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Location:The Farm

Daily Discoveries

Miss Charlotte is now at that wonderful stage of life where everyday brings new discoveries.

She has recently found...

...that she can stick her finger in her ear.

...that toys thrown to the floor from the high chair always come back.

...that peas taste yucky.

...that Hawaiian Delight is really yummy.

...that banging wooden puzzle pieces together makes a really great noise.

...that Grampa's truck has a terrific view.

...that balls roll.

...that Mommy's hair makes a great handle.

...that she has a voice.

...that Sherman's toys are more fun than any of hers.

...that moving your legs and arms just so gets you across the room to get Sherman's toys and the balls that rolled away. 

What will tomorrow bring?

Christmas 2012

Everyone was home for Christmas plus a few extra days this year! Of course, Charlotte was center stage and loved the wrapping paper just as much as the gifts it covered. And Santa brought her first tooth! She bonded with Aunt Yvette and Uncle Dale, learning lots of new fun and games and gave them plenty of diapers to change and let them know that she prefers mangos to peas! Who doesn't, right?

Alan and I were thrilled to have our house full again! It was by far, a very Merry Christmas!


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Location:Home

A Weekend at Our House

Before her first visit to our house, Miss Charlotte called her Grampa saying, "Grampa, my Momma and Daddy keep talking about this place. I think they call it Pagliai's. Will you please take me there so I can see what all the fuss is about?" So, as it always is, that was the first order of business on Friday night. (Shout out to Dan and Paul!). Soon the few extra slices were in the fridge and we settled in with her for a sleepover in our room. She was such a big girl and slept in her bed almost all night! She got her Grampa to let her sleep on his chest a time or two, too. It's her favorite napping place...just ask him. Gramma got lots of diapering practice and baby-bath-time. (Kristin said I didn't give anyone else a chance.) We moved the rocking chair into the living room and nestled in for two days of oohing and aahing in joy as we watched her every move. We had lots of guests and the whole house was abuzz with little tiny people and their parents and grandparents all weekend which always makes us happy.






























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6 + 1 = FAMILY.....CONTINUED

I'll let the photos tell the story.

6 + 1 = FAMILY

A year ago we found a resort in the hills and valleys of Arkansas that was exactly half the distance between Dallas, TX and Washington, IL.  We reserved it for mid-July 2012 and requested that the kids try to clear their calendars for a few days or all 7 days and join us there.  Alan and I have looked forward to it like kids waiting for Santa!  

When we made the reservation, we had no idea that our family would grow before we made the trip!  It was the perfect opportunity for Charlotte to meet her Aunt Yvette and Uncle Dale, and they took full advantage of the time together.  

Charlotte slept over in Gramma and Grampa's room, got to play dress-up with Aunt Yvette, and watched a movie from Uncle Dale's lap.  Her Momma and Daddy got an overdue nap.  

We played games (I still can't beat Dale at Scrabble!), played in the pool and took turns canoeing/babysitting.  We all love cooking together and did lots of it.  Mostly, we just played with Charlotte.  She was never lacking attention, not even for a minute.   Alan and I are so proud of our little family!

Charlotte, at 3 weeks old had a perfectly wonderful vacation!  So did her grandparents!

Becky, aka "Gramma"

Grandparenthood!!!

This past Saturday morning, Kristin and Nick became parents and our lives were changed forever.......God blessed our family with the arrival of our granddaughter, Charlotte Kay Miller.  We are certain our hearts burst wide open at first sight of her.  We are completely and utterly in love with every teeny tiny inch of our precious angel!  See why...