Thursday, April 30, 2009

Shades of color.......

abound. The clematis are all blooming now and I have so much color in the yard. Here are just a few pictures that I took today. I love all the different colors. Clematis are one of my favorites!
Here is a new Iris that opened today. Sorta of an unusual color.
Also don't want to forget this little guy..... spider wort!

Enjoy,
R-
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where did all the time go..............


She will be 17 in a few days! That is so hard to believe that my baby girl is now going to be 17! YIKES. I am not sure where all the years went to........ She is so creative, funny, sensitive, loving, charming, and talkative. She is GREAT at photography. Cammie is and will always be my little girl. I guess no matter the age or size-- once your baby always your baby. I LOVE her so much! I love doing more grown up things with her, like photography, shopping, scrapbooking, listening to her tell me about the Jonas Brothers, teaching her to drive (well maybe not this one), going to the movies, learning about life and seeing her grow! I love watching her with Caitlan too. Caitlan loves her big sister and follows her around just trying to please Cammie. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAMMIE! I love you. You have become one AWESOME teenager, and I am so proud of you!

Enjoy,
R-
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Monday, April 27, 2009

Not for the faint ............(serious slobber)


If you have a weak stomach you may want to skip this post. It is not for the faint at heart either. Just a little warning. You can't say I didn't warn you!!

After our little Saturday adventure of cleaning the pool, we came home and unloaded everything. The cooler I took with ice and water bottles was the last thing to get unpacked. I took all the water bottles out and put in the fridge. The two dogs had been following me all afternoon, just right on my heels, they only thought I had a treat for them. So when I took the cooler out to empty the ice and water guess who followed along---the dogs. When I got to the deck I stopped and opened the lid and Blue dove in!!! Yep, as I was watching him trying to chase out ice cubes, he came up with serious---this is where it gets gross---slobbers! So I decided pictures needed to be taken! Of course....... so here is our Blue with serious slobbers!



Told you!!!! He really enjoyed his treat of playing in the cooler!
Hope you enjoyed your weekend too!
Enjoy,
R-
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Sunday, April 26, 2009

All in God's hand...........


From the time we were conceived God has a plan for us all. Even though we do not know his plan and sometimes often wonder why God has chosen certain paths for us, we must remember that He does have a plan for our lives. We may pray certain prayers asking God for healing or other fixes to our problems, but how many times do you pray to Him telling him you are ready to accept whatever his plan may be in your life?? As I grow older and I guess wiser, I am beginning to see it is not what "I" want out of life that is important it is what God has planned for me to do in life that is important. Most of you know that God must have wanted me to be a stay at home mom, something that I dearly love and wanted. But I think He still has other plans for me too. I see it so much more clearly the last couple of years, although still not exactly for sure what is in store for me to come, I will walk and do what He wants me to do. I am so glad that He is in control and knows my plan for life!

The photo up above is from around the yard! My Iris's are simply beautiful!

Enjoy,
R-
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Thursday, April 23, 2009

Here they are..........

This is the first batch of flower pictures taken just from around the yard. Spring has finally sprung around here and I have the proof. Just look at all these amazing flowers. They are really gorgeous this year. I am going to have tons of Iris this year, last year wasn't so great! The top picture is of a two toned iris.

This soft lilac colored Iris just opened this morning. Beautiful!

And for an added bonus, my Clematis is now blooming! It is a gorgeous purple too! No wonder my favorite color is PURPLE!!
Enjoy,
R-
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Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Just for us plain ole' MOMS...........


I get asked all the time, "so what do you do". I am a homeschooling mom is always my answer. Sometimes I throw in a "domestic engineer". People just think us moms sit around and eat bon bons all day, or something. Do they not realize we have the most important job in the WORLD!! When I read this following little note..... I loved it and thought I would share with you all......Enjoy!
JUST A MOM?

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. "What I mean is, " explained the recorder, "do you have a job or are you just a ..?" "Of course I have a job," snapped the woman. "I'm a Mom." "We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation,
'housewife' covers it," Said the recorder emphatically. I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself
in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar.." "What is your occupation?" she probed. What made me say it? I do not know.. The words simply popped out. "I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations." The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire. "Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest,"just what you do in your field?" Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) In the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out).. I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers
and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money." There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door. As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more
distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mom."
Motherhood! What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door. Does this make grandmothers "Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations" And great grandmothers "Executive Senior Research Associates?" I think so!!! I also think it makes Aunts "
Associate Research Assistants."

May your troubles be less,
Your blessing be more,
And nothing but happiness come through your door!
I LOVE THIS!! Hope you do to! I am so proud of all my friends and family of the mothers they have become!
Rae ann

Monday, April 20, 2009

Beautiful Colors.........

of East Tennessee. Here is what has been blooming this week. There are some gorgeous blooms blooming right now in East Tennessee. Just thought I would share a couple with you. The first picture is of an Iris. I love purple Iris! I have all different colors and can't wait for all mine to bloom.
This is of a pink azalea bush. Simply amazing, the bushes are really full of color this year. I know my azaleas are so full of blooms that the branches are sitting on the ground.
Great little patch of color.
And of course it wouldn't be East Tennessee without a Pink Dogwood! The Dogwood festival is almost over this year! Hope you have enjoyed these few pictures, trust me there will be plenty more to come! 8)

enjoy,
R-
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Saturday, April 18, 2009

Nashville Zoo.....

Last week we had the opportunity to visit the Nashville Zoo. So as a family day out, we headed to Nashville. After many bathroom breaks with Miss Caitlan we finally made it! Only to realize that EVERY school in Nashville and the surrounding areas was there, OH JOY!!! The place was PACKED. So we asked at the desk what was going on and it was school day!!!! The nice lady told us most of the kids would be gone by noon, so we decided to stick it out and stay and enjoy ourselves. WE DID! We had a wonderful time. The grounds of the zoo are beautiful. They had water features everywhere! Waterfalls, creeks, streams, koi pond, and more. Gorgeous. All the animal habitats were very nice. We had great weather and really enjoyed ourselves. The bamboo path that leads you around the zoo was wonderful too. I hope you enjoy these few pictures I have posted. Just keep scrolling all the way thru them. I think I made about 4 post!! Sorry, to many good pictures and there are lots more.....8)


Enjoy,
R-
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more of the zoo......




The zoo was built around the grounds of the Grassmere Historical home. This was beautiful to see the historical home, barn, and gardens.
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more zoo pictures........




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last ones...........




We really enjoyed ourselves at the Nashville Zoo. They have a beautiful zoo. The water features were beautiful, all the animals habitats were beautiful too. If you get the chance to go, I recommend it.
Enjoy,
R-
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Tuesday, April 14, 2009

DO THE ZOO...........

We took a short trip to the zoo one afternoon between rain showers. The animals must have been enjoying the break in the rain as well, they were all out playing and were so much fun to watch! This little fellow looked cold, he was huddled up and was spreading his blankets out. He kept covering up his feet and wrapping his blankey around his shoulders!

There is more to follow,.......
Enjoy,
R-
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More ZOO......




more to follow.....
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