Ah, the first camping trip of the season...

Memorial Day for as long as I can remember has been about friends, food and fun. Our little town that I used to call home (and now is a second home of sorts) has always turned it's focus to our Veterans and active members of the Armed Forces. The streets are lined with American Flags, and special events are held in honor of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the love of God and their country. I am proud to say that I grew up there. I am even happier to share it with my children and our friends children. It is my sincere hope that they all will cherish those memories in their hearts years from now as I do still.

A few glimpses from our time in my beloved hometown...


A Serious Game Indeed!


Cuzin' J.D.'s Colossal Marshmallow


Ah, I've waited all winter for S'mores!


Cooking with Daddybug


Look at me Mama!


Did Someone Say Cookie?


It's What Dad's Do...


It's What Little Girls Do, After A Fun Day at the Beach :)


My Beach Baby...


Mama and LL


BW and Volleygirl


Beautiful Girls


Ge-Ge Hugs From Mei Mei


Dear Friends


Sunny Smiles


Daddy Kisses


Caughtya Nappin'


Pizza By the Lake, YUM!


A Three-Hour Tour...

Happy Mother's Day...

Happy Mother's Day to you all. My friend Marti shared this lovely poem with me via e-mail and it seemed only appropriate to pass it along to all of my special friends who are Moms, enjoy...

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.


Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots..
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body..
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom.

Author Anonymous

The Fairest Flower on the Lane...

This weekend was a lot of fun on the Lane. On Saturday there was (more) home improvements being done by DB, thank you SO much for all you do, you work SO hard! There was gardening projects and maintenance being performed by the two gardeners (me and LL). There was also boys in trees, boys on bikes, boys eating snacks, boys everywhere! Ah, summer is nearly here!

Then on Sunday for Mother's Day we went to church where BB helped prepare refreshments for all the Moms, pretty flowers were given to all the Moms and tasty chocolates too! After church I was treated to a lovely lunch and a nice ride in the country with BW as chauffeur. Perfect, I couldn't ask for more!

These are a few glimpses of our fun weekend...

A Post Taxes, Post Easter Posting...

Easter on Lindy Lane was very nice as the bunny found his way from the mall to our house. You see LL was very concerned about this. When we last saw the Easter Bunny he was going for a walk (in truth likely break time from his photo booth!) and waved a sweet goodbye to us. To her, that meant he was leaving-period. I tried and tried to explain that even bunnies need a little break, especially one that had so much work to do. She didn't buy it, LOL!

So, Easter morn she awoke and the first thing out of her mouth was, "Did the bunny come?" I assured her that he did. She immediately popped out of bed, woke up BB and BW and padded downstairs with determination. To her delight, there on the couch sat three lovely Easter baskets. The look on her face was nothing short of pure relief. Oh, the things that go through the mind of three-year-old.

After the morning festivities, and before we went to church I wanted to get a few photos of LL in her lovely Easter dress. But...after a little too much chocolate it was not so easy to get her to stay still and "sit pretty". So, these are the best that Daddybug could do.





Thankfully, it was my turn to volunteer in the nursery. Otherwise I fear what it would have been like to get her to stay still and quiet during service!

After church we enjoyed a nice meal with my sister and brother, niece and nephews. This make two holidays in a row with them--so nice indeed!

On a sad note, and as many of you know, my brother Bobby was very ill with lung cancer. On Wednesday morning, April 8th, with his beloved Rose at his side he finally let go and is now home with the Lord. Our family will not be the same without him. His wry sense of humor and wit were sharp until the end. To him, I was his "kid sister". How nice that in his eyes I was always so young. He was old-fashioned in some ways, stubborn in others, and sometimes overly opinionated. But for all of that, I wouldn't change a thing. He was also a hard worker, a true friend to many, a lover of animals and would give you his last dime if you needed it.

I love you dear brother. I am eternally thankful for our most recent heart-to-heart chats. I am even more thankful for the trust you placed in me to share some of your deepest thoughts. One day we will be together again.

Lastly, and on a happier note, BW is finally getting his cast off tomorrow. In March he took quite a fall while skiing. Yes, I said skiing and yes he is a snowboarder--normally. For some reason (he's 13 and fearless, need I say more) he decided that trying to do the same trick that he always nails in the terrain park on his snowboard shouldn't be a big deal on skis. Hence, the broken thumb and darn near broken wrist. Sigh...

As a result, there is no lacrosse happening in our family this Spring. He's out of commission as they say. But I expect, as long as the doctor clears him, he'll be right back on his skateboard ASAP. Please pray for my dare-devil boy there is simply no holding him down!

Now that tax season has passed for one more year, I should be back in the blogosphere more often. I've kept up with reading everyone else's posts though. Thanks for keeping them coming!

It's Been Awhile...

Life on the lane has been very busy for me. Ask any tax preparer and they will tell you all they do this time of year is think/do/sleep on t-a-x-e-s. But, hey someone's gotta to do the job...

So amidst my school work/taxes/family life I feel a little breathless lately. To make matters worse we all have colds. It's official, DB and I are both sick. Last night we had our dear friends, Mr. & Mrs. Bee and Mr. V.W. over for dinner. Mr. & Mrs. Bee are flying to China in one month and wanted to hear of our adventures so they could gain a little insight. I sure hope we did not share anything more than memories as we all have a bad case of the sniffles and stuffy head/sore throat today! At any rate, I cannot wait to hear of their adventures in Beijing, I am SO excited for them!

Two weeks ago LL had her first formal photo shoot done in a portrait studio. I was VERY hesitant to do this as she is VERY hard to get to "shine" when the camera is on her. But I must say that Miss Summer, the young (did I add VERY patient) photographer really did an outstanding job in bringing out the best in our little Bengbu Beauty. Here are some photos to share from her big debut...

Happy Third Birthday Little Ladybug

A Doubly Happy Birthday...

On Saturday we celebrated the double birthdays of our dear friends daughters, Twirly Girly and Dancerella. These sisters have something very unique between them--they were were born on exactly the same day exactly three years apart. And if I recall correctly only a few hours apart. Very unique indeed!

As always when our families get together we laugh, we joke, we eat, we play, we eat and we laugh some more. At dinner I thought that Dancerella and Beetleboy would laugh themselves into delirium when it was suggested that being both in the same grade, and having been friends for so long, that they would never be without a prom date as they could go together should the need arise. Both turned an interesting shade of pink then shot us all a look as if to say, "All right, no more picking on us pleeze!" Hey isn't that what friends are for?

DB and Diesel Daddy have been best friends for over 30-something years. Friendships such as these are priceless. They all are true blessings in our lives.

So, Happy 10th to Twirly Girly and Happy 13th to Dancerella!! We love you so!