When I think of childhood, I like to see it in hazy images and sun beams, with a blurred quality that gives an etherealness to memories.
About a month ago, I took some photographs of a little girl and my goal was to translate some of those feelings onto her pictures while still capturing her personality, of course.
She was a fun little one to follow around. I am always amazed to see our surroundings from a child's perspective and finding out what grabs their attention.

Here are a few images from the day that make me smile.

I can't be

Am I the only cynic here?

I mean, the dancing was pretty good, certainly not Michael but not bad. In his defense, no one can dance like the King of Pop.

The crying though? Really Chris, really?

I know, forgive and forget, but do you think he was really overcome by the words to "Man In The Mirror" or do you think he used it as an opportunity to revive the career? Do you think he is remorseful because he truly gets that what he did was evil? Or do you think he is more remorseful since his wallet was effected?

Terrible cynicism I know...but who doesn't have questions?

I guess I should just believe he's changed and can help stop the cycle of abuse.
Yeah, that's better than being a cynic.

See HERE for the video of Chris Brown's performance.

Customer service not found

Every time I go to buy gasoline, I get yelled at by the gas attendant lady.

Apparently, she does not like the fact that I pre-pay when I use cash. Every station is different when it comes to cash, so I just always pre-pay.

The last time she was so mad she was literally shaking. I was worried for a moment that I was sending her into an anxiety attack.

"YOU DON'T HAVE TO PRE-PAY YOU KNOW! she yelled.

"I know, thank you." I said smiling.

"THEN WHY DO YOU DO IT?" she yelled.

"Because I prefer to?" I said, feeling a bit stumped by the question.

She rolled her eyes, gave me a big, "Hummphhh!" and snatched my money.

"Thank you." I said.

My kindness was killing her. Hopefully not literally.

******************

Then at a home improvement store the other day, I ran into the most lackadaisical employee ever. I must have had a sign on my forehead asking who the most lazy person in the store was that day.

I bought a small grill and the wheel came off, twice, as I was wheeling it away.

A woman behind the customer service desk saw it since there was a loud crashing sound and everyone turned to look at me. She said that she would call someone to help. While waiting, another employee thought I was in line so he asked if I needed help. Nice I thought.

I told him the wheel fell off and that someone was coming and he said with a wave of his arm, "Oh those are 100 dollar grills."

He came over to me and said "I could look aallll day to see if there is a better one and they'd all be the same." "They don't hold up to the kind of rolling we do with them." "It's a poor design."

"So you're saying they're cheap?" I asked.

"They are on the lower end, yes." he said.

"Well, whether it's a 100 dollar grill or a 1000 dollar grill, I expect the wheel not to fall off before I get to the car." I said.

And rather than say, "You're right - let me check to see if there is a better one. It should only take 5 minutes of my life that is not mine right now anyway because I represent a company that is paying me to assist its customers." he says...

"Look, the other one is probably just as loose" as he bends down and struggles to take off the wheel.

He's pulling and pulling and then says, "Well, that one does seem to be a little tighter....er, uh..."

So I say, "Then don't you think there are others that are just as tight on both sides??"

and then he says the killer ---wait for it---

"YOU'RE A WOMAN, YOU COULD SPEND $300.00 ON A PAIR OF SHOES."

Me, *blink, blink* "What does that mean??" I ask.

Him, *gulp, gulp*

Is it just me or do you find yourself in wierd situations like these??

*****************

***Before my career as a mother took off with 5 kids, I had a career as a corporate trainer and Director of PR and customer relations. So when it comes to customer service, I feel that I have a pretty good idea of what is exceptional or at the very least, what is decent. I am still somewhat surprised when I run into situations like these, with people that are old enough to know better. Good customer service is hard to come by I guess.

Sometimes I feel like going back into training...

Remind me to tell you the story of the parking lot attendant in Portland...I thought I was going to get beat up...she was scary.***

Farewell to birds

Our little friends have flown the coop. Flew the nest is more like it.

It was a daily ritual to peer through the deck and make sure they were still there.

On the second to last day that I checked, one bird remained. Sitting in her nest in stoic silence, she looked fluffy and mature. The next morning she was gone.

When the nest was so carefully constructed, there was no dog living with us. I'm sure the mama bird was cussing me out in her language the day we brought C dog home.

It was a great day for the kids. It was probably the worst day for her.

I protected them everyday and finally, I was relieved to see that they were all gone.

I let the dog out unsupervised that day and when I walked outside, birds began dive bombing me on the deck. I felt like Tippi Hedren and ran back inside with arms flailing, hitting myself on the head.

And then it dawned on me that the last bird may have come back and wasn't fast enough to take off if she felt threatened.

I ran back outside and witnessed frantic birds making a last ditch attempt to save their sibling and comrade but it was too late. Charli bounded up the steps and laid the bird at my feet.

And just as quickly, all of the birds flew and retreated in silence.

I felt bad about it all day.

Progress and parks

I came home from camp and found that Trae had been potty-trained. Then I found out it was only for #1. But still, progress...

I also found that more of the old cabinets were gone and in their place were nice, new cabinets. Jon enlisted the help of our friend, Chris, and they tried to get this done before I got home. Even though it wasn't, I was so happy to see that a lot had been done.

Jon also installed the apron front sink that I have been dreaming of for 15 years. I literally hugged it when it went into place. The butcher block counter tops were also installed. Jon felt bad that he didn't let me say good-bye to the old, chipped Formica counters...

We have a few more cabinets to hang and I have to go to Baltimore for the tile back splash. Someday soon I'll be able to take off the blue protective film on the dishwasher. Progress...

Taking a much needed break from the mess in the kitchen, we hopped into the car and headed to an amusement park about an hour and a half away. It was a great evening and we ended it by going on the Skloosh water ride; sufficiently drenching ourselves for the ride home.

Jon and I love road trips. Even though it wasn't far, we enjoyed talking to each other over the soft hum of the engine and while the babies slept.

All of them...

After the Skloosh; ice cream hits the spot.

Trae

Reese and Blair in the last car. Watching their faces cracked us up.

What camping does

Girl's camp was great.

I was one of three adult leaders over the YCL's (Youth camp leaders) and we enjoyed a week of activities. Because the YCL's were busy helping the other year levels (1st through 4Th year camp attendees) there was some down time for me.

I was able to canoe with my daughter on a beautiful lake and hike up to a zip line which took me sailing over a wooded valley. I was able to shoot BB guns at targets and take aim with a bow and arrow. I listened to funny songs, played games and was able to sit around campfires and talk with girls who told me their life stories. One girl was a little scared one night and asked if she could sleep in my tent. We stayed up until 3 am and talked while she shined her flashlight at bugs.

I was also able to enjoy the splendor of nature and study its details while being shaded under lovely canopies of trees.

While waiting for the girls to return from a night swim, I sat alone by the fire and looked up to a wide open sky. I took in the breathtaking sight of bright, glorious stars. And in the stillness, I reminded myself there was no way that this perfection could be anything other than the grand design of God.

That's what camping does for me.

The great outdoors

Our Relay for Life team, Got Hope, won an award for raising the most money at this event.

Over $6000.00 for The American Cancer Society!

All thanks to our team leader, Annie, for being the strength behind the operation.

Hi friends!

School is officially over for the summer and we're jumping right into activities.

I'll be out of the house this week and into the great wild! Which could also mean that I am still in the house...

But really, I'll be getting back to nature overseeing a campsite full of giggling 16 year-olds.

I will also get to see and work with my own daughters who are giggling 13 and 15 year-olds.

Oh what a time we'll have!

It's only 5 days but I will miss my little ones at home...potty training of the 2 year-old should be complete by the time I return. Jon will be 5 for 5 on that. I helped with #4...

Have a great week!

Hugs,
Laura