Happy "Love" Anniversary

In our family we celebrate dates: Wedding Anniversaries, Birthdays, etc.

But we also celebrate what I call Milestone Dates.

Milestone dates are significant dates in one's life that have the capacity to change your life forever. 

For Jim and I, that date is August 4th. 

Every August 4th we clink glasses and share kisses because it is indeed a milestone day.

August 4th, 1974. 

Thirty seven years ago.

I was seventeen, Jim eighteen. 

We have been virtually inseparable ever since.

Lyndsay and Dan are celebrating a milestone day today. 

June 21st, 2006

5 years ago today they had their first date.

They, too, have been virtually inseparable ever since.

Connecticut, Florida, Texas, and Massachusetts.

Marriage, house, two cats, a garden.

Happy and in love.

Every parent has a dream that their children will grow up not only to be successful, 
but to be happy.

Happy in life, Happy in love.

My dream has come true.

Happy Love Anniversary, Lyndsay and Dan.

Father's Day/Sunday Silence

(Strawberry Shortcake for dessert)

Babies At the Lake

I love ALL of my children, I really do.

Each of them have nestled into my heart in their own special corner.

 But of course, your baby will will always hold a special place in there. 

Just like your firstborn does.

And memories of your one and only son do too.

Precious, endearing memories seared into your soul.

Stories my grandchildren and hopefully great grandchildren will hear out of my lips someday.

I got to take pictures of my baby yesterday.

Yup, my baby girl.

My baby girl who is far far from a baby anymore.

Almost NINETEEN. 

I can't believe it! When did it happen? 

When did those days that seemed to stretch endlessly when they were 

infants become years and decades?

My friend C. (A Simple Life) knows exactly how I feel.

She knows how we will always feel about our babies even when we look at them and see women.

Beautiful, poised, lovely young women.

But always, always our baby girls in our heart.

We took our babies daughters on a photo shoot last night.

 The air was heavy, but our moods were light.

 We were celebrating the fact that not only were our girls willing subjects, 

but also, maybe, just maybe, even enjoying themselves!

They remained cheerful despite swarms of gnats, biting mosquitoes, 

and threats of [gasp] snakes in the tall grass.

 Perfect models, they were.

 Despite the aforementioned annoying insects,
(and negotiating rocky, steep, poison ivy laden trails in completely inappropriate footwear)
we put up with all of it for this....

Gorgeous, gorgeous evening light.

 Light that makes your subjects glow.

 Light that makes beautiful souls shine even harder.

And between giggles, and yes, those "looks" between our daughters 

[oh yes, and from our daughters, too] that are oh-so-familiar, we saw a friendship begin.

 

Moments that make mother's hearts sing.

A couple of rare serious poses sandwiched between boatloads of laughter. 

 I am sure all the fishermen around the lake were none too happy with us.

Oops...sorry about that fishermen.people.

<3

Sunday Silence: Grilled Pizza

Sunday Silence

[morning: the dock at Spec Pond]

Memorial Day 2011

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." 

-- President John F. Kennedy 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart:

William Henry LaPoint (my grandfather) Veteran, WWI, died at age 32 from the effects of mustard gas exposure in combat.

Hannah Agnes Power (my grandmother) Veteran, WWI [Army Nurse]

William Michael LaPoint, Sr. (my father) Veteran, WWII