More Hannah

I sat down yesterday and started going trough all the pictures I'd taken of Hannah on our visit and was having so much fun tweaking the pictures that I didn't stop....so here are some more pictures of sweet Hannah :)  After looking at pictures all day I'm having an inkling for some more baby time soon :)

You can click on the pictures to make them bigger.

Officially Introducing Hannah Belle

So I've had these pictures since our visit to OK but haven't sat down and played with them.  Bare with me...I tried different ideas than the usual "editing."  One day it'd be cool to either study with a photographer or actually take some sort of class on the subject.

Until then, it's just trial and error and seeing "what's this button do?"

My Favorite Constellation

 

I've had my engagement ring almost a full 2 years and my wedding ring almost a full year and I still love to watch them sparkle when the sunlight hits them just right.  Especially in the car when the tiny glittering lights sparkle all over the car.  I always say to myself that it's my favorite constellation.  One big star, five medium stars and countless little stars surrounding it all.

Also it's a fun disco ball when you shine a laser pointer at them :)

What Does Independence Day Mean To You?

So I got a bit sentimental looking for a picture to post as my Facebook picture to celebrate the 4th of July.

Quite honestly, with the packing underway and the ever impending deployment hanging over our heads, I get sentimental brushing my teeth... I literally gave our dishes a "see you soon" speech before we sealed the box.

Anyway, I got to thinking like a lot of people do, that when these "holidays" come around we all go through the motions but I'd hasten to say that most of us don't give a second thought to WHY we have these days off from work.  I happen to be in a position that many of my friends have been in before, that my husband is off to war next month... so it wasn't a surprise that the wheels started spinning.

To answer my own question, Independence Day this year is a reminder that Freedom isn't free...men and women go to war every day to defend freedoms that others would love to have taken away.

So for the sake of all those who have served, who are serving, and who will serve, take a moment and at least recognize what it is we celebrate.  If you're in a position to legitimately thank someone who fights for your freedom, now's a good time to do that.

I will now resume my place on the ground and off the soapbox.

Caroline

This is one of the kiddos we were summoned to entertain in the pool while the grown-ups took care of some business.  This is Kayla's little cousin Caroline and I had the privilege of meeting this one when she was just days old.  She was so itty bitty and it's weird when you only see kids like once a year b/c they just change so much!

I saw this one at Kayla's wedding 2 years ago and then last year at the annual Chili supper...so she went from newborn, to toddler we danced around with at the wedding, to a 2 year old that sat down and had a conversation with me at the chili supper, and now she's a 3 year old who is very serious about her chalk drawings.

 

Things are very serious when we are very small.

Wileta's in the Kitchen with Dina

 

While I was in Cleburne this past time I went out to my friend Kayla's aunts house to entertain the little kids and possibly partake in dinner with her family.  Little did any of us know that it was going to turn into a FEAST!

While watching her Aunt Wileta work her magic in the kitchen I commented that I felt like I was sitting on the front row of a cooking show.  Her kitchen is everyone's dream and I swear the lighting is production quality.  After I made the comment she said that there used to be a cooking article in the paper called Wileta's in the Kitchen with Dina.

Kayla's parents brought over steaks, grilled jalapenos, grilled zucchini, baked potatoes, and veggies.  Wileta made up homemade fried chicken (a certain friend I won't mention had never had homemade fried chicken which is what prompted this mega feast), homemade shells and cheese, corn, potato salad, rolls, and gravy.

It was super tasty and exactly what a good "get together" meal looks like in Texas :)

12 Days

So I just did the "math" and realized that we leave California in 12 days...


That is all