tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-98627202024-03-13T00:25:12.926-04:00Hold the fleet angel fast til he blesses theeRuminations on 30 years of blessings, disguised and apparentMolly Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594148415914559671noreply@blogger.comBlogger1236125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9862720.post-56933997573259507332009-03-05T15:56:00.003-05:002009-03-05T16:13:18.222-05:00I'm back....with a big long postOK...so I have forsaken my blog for many a month for a couple reasons. First, Facebook is just so much easier and there is less pressure to be profound. Second, I frankly haven't felt like writing about all that's been going on because it hasn't been very fun, let alone something I want to relive in words.<br /><br />But...<br /><br /><br />Something just dawned on me as I was cleaning the bathroom. (I know...weird. But my brain just never shuts off so when I'm doing something that doesn't require much concentration I tend to have small epiphanies.)<br /><br />Over the past couple of years I've been struggling a lot with my "spiritual walk" as they say (I don't really like that term as it is so overused, but anyway). It perhaps began when I got pregnant with Betsy, simply because I was tired and sick for so long that I just gave up doing much besides surviving, and then, once she was born, it was back to just surviving again since we weren't sleeping, EVER.<br /><br />Then, just as I was starting to come out of the new mom fog, my grandmother was diagnosed with terminal cancer and we lost her only 11 months later. Then we decided to move from Grand Rapids, where we'd lived and set down roots for 10 years, and resettle in the Cincinnati area for Myron's new job. This wasn't a bad thing, but it was stressful and another loss....of familiarity, of our church and church family, etc. It also meant 3 months of single parenting while we tried to sell the house in GR and Myron worked in Cincy. More simply surviving.<br /><br />We were barely settled when we had another difficult loss. Myron's father passed away suddenly. On the heels of that we decided to stop dragging our feet on having another child, feeling that new life was what we all needed right now. We got pregnant right away and were so excited. We were able to tell Myron's family all at the same time at our big Detweiler reunion. Betsy was excited and was already trying to communicate with her new sibling through my belly button.<br /><br />Then came another hit. At 11 weeks, I miscarried. It was horrible and gut-wrenching, but we tried again right away, feeling it was a fluke. Then, Halloween weekend I miscarried again, at only 5 weeks.Frankly, by this time I was a little...no...a LOT upset with God.<br /><br />I know intellectually that God didn't DO all this TO me and that a lot of people have a lot worse things happen and are still sure of God's love. But emotionally, I was, and to some extent, still am, kind of numb. It's hard to let myself feel because when I do it all just hurts too much. It's easier to go through the motions and pretend to be okay. It's easier not to engage with God because I'm not sure what to say to Him.<br /><br />Okay, all that to say that I heard a bit of that still, small voice today while I was cleaning the bathroom. (Guess He's still talking to me, even if the only time He can get my attention is when I'm scrubbing toothpaste splatters off the mirror.) I have one of those little flip things with quotes on it in the bathroom, mostly because it matches the decor. The quote said something about realizing that our life's purpose is to be transformed into being like Christ so that even crisis can be a welcome thing, if it helps us accomplish that purpose. Now, I am not suddenly thrilled with all that has happened in the last few years. But as I thought about that quote I heard that verse, "You are not your own. You were bought with a price, so honor God with your bodies." Then I realized...that verse doesn't say, "Only if your body is well and healthy and full of energy and sure of God and yourself and all is well, amen." It just says, "honor Him." Period. Which is a relief, because right now, body, soul, and mind, I don't feel like I have much to give. But that doesn't mean that God isn't still working in me or growing me and it doesn't mean that I can't still honor Him, even in my weakness. Actually, I think He says something about Him working BETTER in our weakness. Oh yeah. I forgot.<br /><br />It also made me realize that even the sick bodies of Grandma and Dad D. honored God, both in their lives and deaths. My body can continue to honor God, and be shaped by him, not only in spite of my struggles, but also BECAUSE of them.<br /><br />Anyhow...<br /><br />This is a nice big ramble to come back with, eh? But I'm hoping that by taking the first step to write even when I don't feel like it that God can help me get out of this funk. I'm seeing small glimmers here and there, more than I have in awhile. So here goes nothing. We'll see where it takes me.<br /><br />And if you've read this far, thanks for trudging along with me. I can use all the friends I can get right now. :)Molly Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594148415914559671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9862720.post-54580921219091902222008-08-20T11:24:00.002-04:002008-08-20T11:38:08.117-04:00At Nowhere Farm Under the Betsy MoonLast Saturday we spent a beautiful evening with Auntie Karin and Uncle Linford at their farm. Betsy has really come to love them now that we see them more often. She especially latched on to her Aunt Karin and later in the evening asked her to come sit on the swing with her. While they sat on the porch swing, (Karin told me later) Betsy had a heart-to-heart with her Auntie:<br /><br />Betsy: Our baby died. And I'll never get to hold it. But Mommy and Daddy are going to make a new one and it will probably peek around the door when I'm going potty. It will probably watch me doing it.<br /><br />Now how's that for poignant and hilarious and random all at the same time! We all had a pretty big laugh over that and also thought it was so precious that she would take Auntie Karin off by herself and talk this over with her.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKw4Nmeb0EI/AAAAAAAADEE/qbZYzr4aewE/s1600-h/DSC05410.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236622273042698306" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKw4Nmeb0EI/AAAAAAAADEE/qbZYzr4aewE/s320/DSC05410.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Chatting on the swing<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKw4ODTMwyI/AAAAAAAADEM/WEjxYHdjSmk/s1600-h/DSC05412.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236622280780202786" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKw4ODTMwyI/AAAAAAAADEM/WEjxYHdjSmk/s320/DSC05412.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Watching the full pink moon rise over Nowhere Farm. Auntie Karin dubbed it the Betsy Moon in honor of seeing with Betsy Boo.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKw4OS4B7vI/AAAAAAAADEU/cS8iYy0_EkM/s1600-h/DSC05413.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236622284961214194" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKw4OS4B7vI/AAAAAAAADEU/cS8iYy0_EkM/s320/DSC05413.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Under the light of the Betsy Moon...<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKw4PlutvUI/AAAAAAAADEc/q_L_jalsTdM/s1600-h/DSC05414.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236622307202284866" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKw4PlutvUI/AAAAAAAADEc/q_L_jalsTdM/s320/DSC05414.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Betsy just looked at this picture and sang "We're seein' the Betsy Moon!"<br /><br />What a precious time. We feel so thankful to have such wonderful family and to finally live close enough to visit like this! :)Molly Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594148415914559671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9862720.post-29287360017098570692008-08-14T20:25:00.004-04:002008-08-14T22:01:10.904-04:00I love my girl...<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKTX7118VnI/AAAAAAAAC8s/5QcIkl_d-UE/s1600-h/DSC05373.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234546089976944242" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKTX7118VnI/AAAAAAAAC8s/5QcIkl_d-UE/s320/DSC05373.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKTX8SjEPTI/AAAAAAAAC80/phi_mYQuJus/s1600-h/DSC05374.JPG"></a><br /><div>Betsy just saw a spider way up on one of our living room windows. Here's her reaction:<br /><br />B: "Look there's a spider WAY up there! There's spiders all over the place!"<br /><br />Me: "How do you think it got all the way up there?"<br /><br />B: "I don't know! [A look of deep thought on her face] It's a clue!"<br /><br />Me: "Is it a mystery?"<br /><br />B: "Yes! Maybe it climbed up some stairs? It has really strong legs to get all the way up there!"<br /><br />She's really into clues and mystery right now...the other day she said she was a "ta-tech-tive" (detective). :)</div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKTX7hdPagI/AAAAAAAAC8k/BjJiFB2auDw/s1600-h/DSC05372.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234546084504627714" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKTX7hdPagI/AAAAAAAAC8k/BjJiFB2auDw/s320/DSC05372.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>The first ponytail she ever left in for more than 15 mintues...she actually kept it in for a good hour!</div>Molly Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594148415914559671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9862720.post-17218808616392270282008-08-14T11:54:00.000-04:002008-08-14T11:55:23.639-04:00My Own Special Place<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKRVaBbWXPI/AAAAAAAAC8M/g97_mH_8xE4/s1600-h/DSC05369.JPG"></a> For Betsy, her own special place seems to be this laundry basket. She likes to put it over her head and sit in it while she watches TV. Funny, funny girl!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKRVaYdWeXI/AAAAAAAAC8U/86PhYpl84Es/s1600-h/DSC05370.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKRVaYdWeXI/AAAAAAAAC8U/86PhYpl84Es/s320/DSC05370.JPG" border="0" /></a> <br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKRVamzhSbI/AAAAAAAAC8c/UOuCy2D4OCg/s1600-h/DSC05371.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKRVamzhSbI/AAAAAAAAC8c/UOuCy2D4OCg/s320/DSC05371.JPG" border="0" /></a><div style='clear:both; text-align:NONE'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Molly Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594148415914559671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9862720.post-47947517945820579962008-08-13T13:35:00.002-04:002008-08-14T11:55:47.315-04:00Cooking with Betsy<p><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyb0zm39p9jiiOOZPngNza7PSHGK3ZzwOddJeftPpiW18V7YHC0xe_d_oOz8RTxPsloNUXYD4SBmWM' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><br /><p>Betsy likes cooking with us so much that today she asked to play with flour. I gave her a little and some bowls and spoons. She said she was making muffins and was adding baking powder, etc. She got embarrassed when I started filming her so I didn't catch her really cute baking instructions, but it's fun anyway!</p>Molly Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594148415914559671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9862720.post-36798431006121555532008-08-13T11:17:00.003-04:002008-08-13T11:39:31.895-04:00Some Betsy Happiness<div>Here are some recent Betsy antics...it's hard to be too sad with this funny gal around!</div><br /><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKL8YVA6tFI/AAAAAAAAC7M/GTm9onRG-cc/s1600-h/DSC05336.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234023211845989458" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKL8YVA6tFI/AAAAAAAAC7M/GTm9onRG-cc/s320/DSC05336.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div>Crazy face!</div><br /><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKL8Yqn5YlI/AAAAAAAAC7U/B7m_syH72_U/s1600-h/DSC05338.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234023217646625362" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKL8Yqn5YlI/AAAAAAAAC7U/B7m_syH72_U/s320/DSC05338.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div>Finding out what the big blue frog sounds like at the Newport Aquarium</div><br /><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKL8YzkPSxI/AAAAAAAAC7c/KtfoVXyfrmo/s1600-h/DSC05339.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234023220047203090" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKL8YzkPSxI/AAAAAAAAC7c/KtfoVXyfrmo/s320/DSC05339.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div>Riding the blue frog!</div><br /><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKL8ZnxxA-I/AAAAAAAAC7k/sP4sXHmwuC4/s1600-h/DSC05343.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234023234062582754" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKL8ZnxxA-I/AAAAAAAAC7k/sP4sXHmwuC4/s320/DSC05343.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKL-m_s3ORI/AAAAAAAAC70/ME4MJSEtkJk/s1600-h/DSC05352.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234025662846023954" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKL-m_s3ORI/AAAAAAAAC70/ME4MJSEtkJk/s320/DSC05352.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>Playing Legos with Uncle Joel</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKL-nEJcHLI/AAAAAAAAC78/NyB96vdhrK8/s1600-h/DSC05356.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234025664039623858" style="CURSOR: hand" height="240" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKL-nEJcHLI/AAAAAAAAC78/NyB96vdhrK8/s320/DSC05356.JPG" width="319" border="0" /></a></div><div>Mmmmm...I love smoothies</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKL-nU9CmDI/AAAAAAAAC8E/GN08k_gg_Jo/s1600-h/DSC05357.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234025668551022642" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKL-nU9CmDI/AAAAAAAAC8E/GN08k_gg_Jo/s320/DSC05357.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>Betsy in her very first carnival ride...the spinning apples. She loved this but screamed in terror the entire time we rode the "Crazy School Bus." </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKL-mrA4IsI/AAAAAAAAC7s/tZgLaYeUuW4/s1600-h/DSC05350.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234025657292825282" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SKL-mrA4IsI/AAAAAAAAC7s/tZgLaYeUuW4/s320/DSC05350.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>I love my Daddy!</div>Molly Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594148415914559671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9862720.post-66949622967919077832008-08-07T11:37:00.002-04:002008-08-07T11:42:17.497-04:00My Precious Little GirlMore from Betsy on our loss...I want to record these so I don't forget...<br /><br />The baby's Mommy and Daddy really miss it.<br /><br />I said, Yes, we really miss the baby and we don't understand why it happened. Sometimes it just happens.<br /><br />With a quiver in her voice she said, "I'll never hold the baby."<br /><br />She really does understand more than we know.<br /><br />Just now she said, "I'll find another baby." She found a dried bean on the floor (from some we let her play with awhile back) and said, "It's the size of a bean now."<br /><br />She wants so much to make things better...sweet girl.Molly Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594148415914559671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9862720.post-6792485671824675102008-08-05T22:18:00.003-04:002008-08-05T22:28:18.573-04:00Betsy's PerspectiveI talked to Betsy today about the miscarriage, telling her simply that something happened and the baby died and went to heaven to live with Jesus. She's been processing this all day and here are some of her precious little gems:<br /><br />After telling her the baby went to heaven: "But it will be back soon." Then she picked a flower outside and said, "I picked a flower to help the baby come back."<br /><br />I told her that we would pray that God would send us another baby. After I had been in the kitchen and came back in the room she said, "Is there a new baby in there yet?" (This one actually makes me laugh pretty heartily.)<br /><br />Tonight she piped up out of the blue and told Myron, "Mommy said the baby died." We talked about the baby being with Grandpa Detweiler and that Jesus was taking good care of it.<br /><br />At bedtime I prayed with her and we prayed that Jesus would take good care of the baby. She said, "But it's not here. We'll make another one. We'll make it's toes and it's head. When the sun comes up I will draw a new one."<br /><br />I'm glad she's working through it in her own way...she obviously feels comfortable enough to talk about it with us, which is really good and she seems to feel sad in her own way, and yet is also very positive about it too. She is such a healing presence to us right now...you can't stay too sad with those sparkling eyes and giggles around. We thank God for her...our precious little gift that we are even more thankful for now.<br /><br />tMolly Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594148415914559671noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9862720.post-81074187086176917832008-08-04T11:37:00.002-04:002008-08-04T11:47:48.967-04:00The Club I Never Wanted to JoinThis weekend we were initiated into a club that we never wanted to be a part of. Thursday afternoon I began spotting and just as it seemed to be stopping it began again. Early Saturday morning I began having terrible cramps that felt like labor. We spent from 6:30 to 11:30 am in the ER where they confirmed our worst fears. I had miscarried. The ultrasound indicated that the baby had stopped growing around 9 weeks.<br /><br />We are full of so many mixed emotions. We are terribly sad. We are so thankful for our little Betsy who has been so loving and encouraging, although she doesn't know what has happened. We are unsure of what to tell her so that she will understand. We've been surrounded by so much love from our friend and family and our Father in heaven. I go from wanting to stay in bed and cry all day and wanting to get up and go enjoy the rest of my summer and have fun with Betsy and try to move on. Part of me longs to get pregnant again as soon as I'm healed and another part of me is terrified of the possibility of going through this again.<br /><br />What else do you say. "God's grace is sufficient for me." That's what we will cling to.Molly Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594148415914559671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9862720.post-53589842489163927892008-07-31T11:28:00.004-04:002008-07-31T12:03:30.672-04:00Snapshots of JulyJust a few highlights of our July for your viewing enjoyment....<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SJHd_GZ2UqI/AAAAAAAAC6Q/Ud9MSlrAbvU/s1600-h/DSC05321.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229204718474384034" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SJHd_GZ2UqI/AAAAAAAAC6Q/Ud9MSlrAbvU/s320/DSC05321.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Betsy in her brand new ladybug sandbox.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SJHd_XMYXBI/AAAAAAAAC6Y/Ou2gS7GY_8M/s1600-h/DSC05323.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229204722981297170" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SJHd_XMYXBI/AAAAAAAAC6Y/Ou2gS7GY_8M/s320/DSC05323.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Sandy toes<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SJHd_5x8QGI/AAAAAAAAC6g/hvgu_AmUBFU/s1600-h/DSC05331.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229204732265644130" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SJHd_5x8QGI/AAAAAAAAC6g/hvgu_AmUBFU/s320/DSC05331.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Found this guy crawling out of our drain on the side of the house. Then I startled him and he slipped down inside. I felt bad....hope he could crawl back out!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SJHeAKua7NI/AAAAAAAAC6o/HJrB2ScF6TE/s1600-h/DSC05333.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229204736814279890" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SJHeAKua7NI/AAAAAAAAC6o/HJrB2ScF6TE/s320/DSC05333.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Betsy's sidewalk chalk ladybug drawing. She found a ladybug and studied it carefully and drew it's portrait. I think she's going to be an artist.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SJHcljIqPOI/AAAAAAAAC5w/PaE9yOfyZek/s1600-h/DSC05292.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229203179998690530" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SJHcljIqPOI/AAAAAAAAC5w/PaE9yOfyZek/s320/DSC05292.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Daddy showing off his muscles during a hike at the forest preserve.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SJHcmFurwhI/AAAAAAAAC54/1WXYKD_wNq0/s1600-h/DSC05293.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229203189284979218" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SJHcmFurwhI/AAAAAAAAC54/1WXYKD_wNq0/s320/DSC05293.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Betsy at one of her favorite places...the playground.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SJHcmX1JPXI/AAAAAAAAC6A/PpsYg52uZnQ/s1600-h/DSC05313.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229203194143915378" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SJHcmX1JPXI/AAAAAAAAC6A/PpsYg52uZnQ/s320/DSC05313.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Betsy and dandelions in the back yard.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SJHcmv8gEeI/AAAAAAAAC6I/yrcQauzS1Qk/s1600-h/DSC05318.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229203200617222626" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SJHcmv8gEeI/AAAAAAAAC6I/yrcQauzS1Qk/s320/DSC05318.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Basketful of cuteness<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SJHbIbmjQJI/AAAAAAAAC5Q/8BA-k4et2-Q/s1600-h/DSC05286.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229201580248744082" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SJHbIbmjQJI/AAAAAAAAC5Q/8BA-k4et2-Q/s320/DSC05286.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A game we like to call "Big Fish." Myron says, "Look at this huge fish I caught." Betsy yells, "Get the camera!" :)<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SJHbI8Tr_OI/AAAAAAAAC5Y/mVYvLdALVD8/s1600-h/DSC05290.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229201589027994850" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SJHbI8Tr_OI/AAAAAAAAC5Y/mVYvLdALVD8/s320/DSC05290.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Enjoying an evening jog around Grandma and Grandpa's backyard.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SJHbJBm0iNI/AAAAAAAAC5g/eoWN9YlCmLY/s1600-h/DSC05287.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229201590450424018" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SJHbJBm0iNI/AAAAAAAAC5g/eoWN9YlCmLY/s320/DSC05287.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Sunning herself at Grandma and Grandpa's house<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SJHbJmRVaaI/AAAAAAAAC5o/ieZULd8QEIM/s1600-h/DSC05291.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229201600292415906" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SJHbJmRVaaI/AAAAAAAAC5o/ieZULd8QEIM/s320/DSC05291.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Taking a ride, sporting my Thomas the Tank Engine shades.Molly Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594148415914559671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9862720.post-60246556145082309272008-07-30T19:53:00.003-04:002008-07-30T20:02:19.307-04:00Official Blog Announcement<div>Most of you who read this already know this, but here is the official Fleet Angel Blessings announcement:</div><br /><div></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SJEADxGHS0I/AAAAAAAAC5I/-rtDRUBxzcs/s1600-h/collage12.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228960707072445250" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SJEADxGHS0I/AAAAAAAAC5I/-rtDRUBxzcs/s320/collage12.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div> </div><div>We found out in early June that Betsy is going to be a big sister! (Sorry, I stole the t-shirt picture idea from my sister-in-law Wendy who is expecting too!)</div><div> </div><div>Official due date is February 20. Betsy's cousin Jake is scheduled to become a big brother around March 6 and Betsy's cousins Luke and Lauren are going to have a new sibling around the same time too! New cousins all around!!! How fun!</div><div> </div><div> </div>Molly Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594148415914559671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9862720.post-75924245729176649642008-07-10T14:14:00.008-04:002008-07-10T15:40:23.308-04:00Full HouseA week and a half ago the Detweiler Reunion Extravaganza 2008 converged on the greater Cincinnati area. We had 18 out of the 20 people attending sleeping in our house the first night!<br /><br />Two on couches<br />Two on the living room floor<br />Two on a blowup bed in the office<br />Three in one guest room<br />Three in another guest room<br />Four in Betsy's room, including Grandma Ruth in her walk-in closet (She WANTED to be in there, I promise you!)<br />And us in our big ol' king size bed that we offered to everyone else but no one would take. They are all way too nice! :)<br /><br />It was a really great time. The Detweilers are one of those rare families that really enjoys getting together and doesn't have a whole bunch of nasty tension and whispering behind each others' back...you know...the stuff that makes us glad that holidays only come once a year. As brother-in-law Linford said once, "We are not a perfect family, but we are a beautiful family."<br /><br />On Friday everyone arrived and hung out at our place, eating a big pot of soup in shifts as they arrived and enjoying getting caught up.<br /><br />Saturday we dodged storms and ended up with a lovely, but muggy, four hours at the forest preserve picnicing, playing frisbee, hiking and foraging for blackberries and mullberries. Betsy rode on Uncle Conrad's shoulders for awhile (which was a big deal...she really warmed up to her aunts and uncles) and picked mullberries from the trees. She had juice all over his head. Wish I'd had my camera. Then the sky got dark, the wind began to blow and the thunder rolled. Myron decided we better pack up. Just as we got the last of the stuff loaded up it began to pour like a monsoon...whew...good timing.<br /><br />On Sunday we caravaned over to Linford and Karin's Nowhere Farm for another lovely day of picnicing. Jonathan conducted a little church service for us and we took some time to remember Dad with tears and laughter, wishing he could be there too.<br /><br />We had a really precious and fun time...it went so well we're considering having Christmas here too! :)<br /><br /><br />Here are some pics:<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZcP4apZPI/AAAAAAAAC40/NPxGMi5QFo0/s1600-h/DSC05257.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221462245894612210" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZcP4apZPI/AAAAAAAAC40/NPxGMi5QFo0/s320/DSC05257.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Grandma Ruth and Conrad chatting on the couch,while others gather around the table and the kids play.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZcQBH92XI/AAAAAAAAC48/AJQqP21_64U/s1600-h/DSC05256.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221462248232180082" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZcQBH92XI/AAAAAAAAC48/AJQqP21_64U/s320/DSC05256.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A few of Betsy's cousins (she said for three weeks before they came, "My cousins are coming any second now!"): Michael, Jon, Seth, Hannah, and Jesse.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZbItGfQlI/AAAAAAAAC4U/iHG0njb5bqQ/s1600-h/DSC05262.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221461023086559826" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZbItGfQlI/AAAAAAAAC4U/iHG0njb5bqQ/s320/DSC05262.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Betsy dressed in her cute overalls and ready for a day at the park with her cousins.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZbJBInQPI/AAAAAAAAC4c/v5tF4a_3h_g/s1600-h/DSC05260.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221461028464181490" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZbJBInQPI/AAAAAAAAC4c/v5tF4a_3h_g/s320/DSC05260.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Betsy and Katie enjoying some Saturday morning cartoons together.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZbJuYTlsI/AAAAAAAAC4k/8JjoGjUhrDg/s1600-h/DSC05259.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221461040609597122" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZbJuYTlsI/AAAAAAAAC4k/8JjoGjUhrDg/s320/DSC05259.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Kathy, Donna and Peter chatting after Friday supper.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZbJ_e-6cI/AAAAAAAAC4s/2fl7QjJzHn8/s1600-h/DSC05258.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221461045201004994" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZbJ_e-6cI/AAAAAAAAC4s/2fl7QjJzHn8/s320/DSC05258.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Katie and her Daddy, Jon<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZZacERgfI/AAAAAAAAC30/n7ofVP5qK3c/s1600-h/DSC05266.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221459128728257010" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZZacERgfI/AAAAAAAAC30/n7ofVP5qK3c/s320/DSC05266.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Two of Betsy's best buds, cousins Rachel and Katie--on our way to Nowhere Farm (Uncle Linford and Auntie Karin's house)<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZZaogOvoI/AAAAAAAAC38/5SZrqWUWIqI/s1600-h/DSC05265.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221459132066741890" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZZaogOvoI/AAAAAAAAC38/5SZrqWUWIqI/s320/DSC05265.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The oldest cousin, Michael, investigating some leaves with the youngest.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZZbNDmbSI/AAAAAAAAC4E/vA9HoX7v6_s/s1600-h/DSC05264.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221459141878770978" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZZbNDmbSI/AAAAAAAAC4E/vA9HoX7v6_s/s320/DSC05264.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Stayin' cool in the shades<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZZbUf1NoI/AAAAAAAAC4M/anywbWEziw4/s1600-h/DSC05263.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221459143876228738" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZZbUf1NoI/AAAAAAAAC4M/anywbWEziw4/s320/DSC05263.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Grandma, Kathy and Donna chatting after our picnic lunch.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZXGth199I/AAAAAAAAC3U/_-ssJnF81HE/s1600-h/DSC05270.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221456590795044818" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZXGth199I/AAAAAAAAC3U/_-ssJnF81HE/s320/DSC05270.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Betsy surveying the land at Nowhere Farm.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZXGyIMnNI/AAAAAAAAC3c/mUIWtD__fHM/s1600-h/DSC05269.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221456592029654226" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZXGyIMnNI/AAAAAAAAC3c/mUIWtD__fHM/s320/DSC05269.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Caught Michael eating...<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZXHbAHB1I/AAAAAAAAC3k/cBie9OoncFY/s1600-h/DSC05268.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221456603001587538" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZXHbAHB1I/AAAAAAAAC3k/cBie9OoncFY/s320/DSC05268.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Uncle Peter resting his hurt foot.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZWIfl0dRI/AAAAAAAAC20/_Q1EKYB5cfE/s1600-h/DSC05274.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221455521901737234" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZWIfl0dRI/AAAAAAAAC20/_Q1EKYB5cfE/s320/DSC05274.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A lovely picnic under the sheltering shade of ancient trees.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZWJAkb-KI/AAAAAAAAC28/gPniPr_mlBE/s1600-h/DSC05273.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221455530754308258" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZWJAkb-KI/AAAAAAAAC28/gPniPr_mlBE/s320/DSC05273.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Auntie Karin preparing a grand feast<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZWJblwgPI/AAAAAAAAC3E/iBJRhVX_8XQ/s1600-h/DSC05272.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221455538007605490" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZWJblwgPI/AAAAAAAAC3E/iBJRhVX_8XQ/s320/DSC05272.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Auntie Donna and cousin Katie<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZWJ2vZ3JI/AAAAAAAAC3M/zK9OLjWZCOA/s1600-h/DSC05271.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221455545295821970" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZWJ2vZ3JI/AAAAAAAAC3M/zK9OLjWZCOA/s320/DSC05271.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />There were monkeys in them there trees!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZUbY1qwGI/AAAAAAAAC2U/dn6l9QUYq_U/s1600-h/DSC05280.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221453647483420770" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZUbY1qwGI/AAAAAAAAC2U/dn6l9QUYq_U/s320/DSC05280.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Betsy admiring Auntie Karin's pretty necklace.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZUb7RyOeI/AAAAAAAAC2c/Hfu9UobU12k/s1600-h/DSC05279.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221453656728156642" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZUb7RyOeI/AAAAAAAAC2c/Hfu9UobU12k/s320/DSC05279.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Three out of four Detweiler brothers posed for this picture: Myron, Jonathan and Linford<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZUcPffKoI/AAAAAAAAC2k/cUfKGOkZ_bc/s1600-h/DSC05277.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221453662154336898" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZUcPffKoI/AAAAAAAAC2k/cUfKGOkZ_bc/s320/DSC05277.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Seth and David high above the world.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZUcc6FGvI/AAAAAAAAC2s/SO_rY9W940c/s1600-h/DSC05275.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221453665755536114" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZUcc6FGvI/AAAAAAAAC2s/SO_rY9W940c/s320/DSC05275.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Betsy popping bubbles with Rachel<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZSssKYdHI/AAAAAAAAC10/Aie5FwnmW2E/s1600-h/DSC05285.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221451745705096306" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZSssKYdHI/AAAAAAAAC10/Aie5FwnmW2E/s320/DSC05285.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Betsy loves Linford and Karin's kitty Saul...she and Jesse were hanging out with him after lunch.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZStAwwVLI/AAAAAAAAC18/gK8a42d7xL4/s1600-h/DSC05284.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221451751234753714" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZStAwwVLI/AAAAAAAAC18/gK8a42d7xL4/s320/DSC05284.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Playing the big ol' grand piano.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZStk2baWI/AAAAAAAAC2E/Ld8DM70Lyp4/s1600-h/DSC05283.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221451760922224994" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZStk2baWI/AAAAAAAAC2E/Ld8DM70Lyp4/s320/DSC05283.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Maybe she'll take after her uncles?<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZSuFgScYI/AAAAAAAAC2M/GHObQWz_pEM/s1600-h/DSC05282.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221451769687732610" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SHZSuFgScYI/AAAAAAAAC2M/GHObQWz_pEM/s320/DSC05282.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Jesse, Hannah, Conrad and Kathy enjoying some of Linford's art books.Molly Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594148415914559671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9862720.post-27573144424507252982008-06-21T11:36:00.003-04:002008-06-21T11:44:47.080-04:00Random Moments<div>No overarching theme here...just some random pictures. :)</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SF0hNx2w6jI/AAAAAAAACvY/J3lArHzJ3gs/s1600-h/DSC05232.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214360464169953842" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SF0hNx2w6jI/AAAAAAAACvY/J3lArHzJ3gs/s320/DSC05232.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SF0hCN4zP0I/AAAAAAAACvA/58WsWPyqMek/s1600-h/DSC05229.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214360265536257858" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SF0hCN4zP0I/AAAAAAAACvA/58WsWPyqMek/s320/DSC05229.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>New apple pjs</div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SF0hClsDEwI/AAAAAAAACvI/wHTfbG4ir3o/s1600-h/DSC05223.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214360271925220098" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SF0hClsDEwI/AAAAAAAACvI/wHTfbG4ir3o/s320/DSC05223.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>Sweet gingham dress (although she's so tall now it's pretty much a shirt.)</div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SF0hDBh4SbI/AAAAAAAACvQ/U_UQaOaQC54/s1600-h/DSC05231.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214360279398762930" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SF0hDBh4SbI/AAAAAAAACvQ/U_UQaOaQC54/s320/DSC05231.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>"Take a picture of me in my hat."</div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SF0hBlj7tOI/AAAAAAAACu4/IIM9uqesrmE/s1600-h/DSC05225.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214360254711313634" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SF0hBlj7tOI/AAAAAAAACu4/IIM9uqesrmE/s320/DSC05225.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Like father like...puppy. :)</div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div>Molly Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594148415914559671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9862720.post-18355795482639028152008-06-08T22:27:00.002-04:002008-06-08T22:45:53.076-04:00Lovely EveningWe spent Saturday night with my best friend Rachael and her husband Jonathan and her cutie little boy Benjamin. They have a beautiful house they've built mostly with their own hands on several acres in the wilds of Southern Indiana. Her two brothers, parents and grandmother all live in the same area...they own about 200 acres between all of them. It was a great time...and so great to know that they're only an hour away now!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEyWq9jE5wI/AAAAAAAACt4/lPD6iWf7dXU/s1600-h/DSC05211.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209704533781178114" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEyWq9jE5wI/AAAAAAAACt4/lPD6iWf7dXU/s320/DSC05211.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Relaxing in the sunny dining room. Rachael's parents Charlene and Paul joined us too. It was fun to catch up. (Rachael and I have been best friends since kindergarten so her parents have known me most of my life!)<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEyWrSRGVOI/AAAAAAAACuA/tZqGL0_IiNU/s1600-h/DSC05210.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209704539342918882" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEyWrSRGVOI/AAAAAAAACuA/tZqGL0_IiNU/s320/DSC05210.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Benjamin making Betsy crack up.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEyWrzPVdVI/AAAAAAAACuI/MqDN3k4e0ms/s1600-h/DSC05207.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209704548193891666" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEyWrzPVdVI/AAAAAAAACuI/MqDN3k4e0ms/s320/DSC05207.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Fast friends<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEyWsf_HrjI/AAAAAAAACuQ/4u5CWV2Pgjg/s1600-h/DSC05206.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209704560205475378" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEyWsf_HrjI/AAAAAAAACuQ/4u5CWV2Pgjg/s320/DSC05206.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Cute boy<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEyV_YEWaKI/AAAAAAAACtY/UptPKCa1Zq8/s1600-h/DSC05218.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209703784985815202" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEyV_YEWaKI/AAAAAAAACtY/UptPKCa1Zq8/s320/DSC05218.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Betsy getting to know their bunny Cinnamon. Cinnamon left a few little "gifts" on the carpet and Benjamin quickly scooped them up in his little hands and offered them to Myron. (Myron threw them in the bunny's litter box.) Myron explained to Betsy that they were rabbit pellets. Later she told me, "Daddy helped put those things in the box." I said, "He picked up the rabbit poos, didn't he." She said, "Those aren't poos, they're rabbit pillows."<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEyV_79ey8I/AAAAAAAACtg/VtDUBXkFT6E/s1600-h/DSC05217.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209703794620681154" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEyV_79ey8I/AAAAAAAACtg/VtDUBXkFT6E/s320/DSC05217.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Stop with the xylophone already before I strangle you! (I think he's actually trying to hug her, but it certainly looks like he's fed up with her playing!)<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEyWAjGkk_I/AAAAAAAACto/ZS-VoGo3pQs/s1600-h/DSC05216.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209703805127791602" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEyWAjGkk_I/AAAAAAAACto/ZS-VoGo3pQs/s320/DSC05216.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEyWBbZ_0PI/AAAAAAAACtw/3cLF8RTvy60/s1600-h/DSC05212.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209703820241654002" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEyWBbZ_0PI/AAAAAAAACtw/3cLF8RTvy60/s320/DSC05212.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Posing--isn't he a handsome little man!Molly Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594148415914559671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9862720.post-77175324150024546362008-06-06T11:53:00.002-04:002008-06-06T12:01:31.683-04:00Bubble Blowing Betsy BooBetsy has just become an expert bubble blower. And check out those humidity-induced curls. If only <em>my</em> hair looked BETTER when it was humid!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEleqycO1VI/AAAAAAAACs4/-Szv8zo-ohs/s1600-h/collage.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208798533218391378" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEleqycO1VI/AAAAAAAACs4/-Szv8zo-ohs/s400/collage.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEleq2Oj-kI/AAAAAAAACtA/ENlypYFqkUU/s1600-h/collage1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208798534234798658" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEleq2Oj-kI/AAAAAAAACtA/ENlypYFqkUU/s400/collage1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SElercVmFOI/AAAAAAAACtI/fSe4-1P0yOU/s1600-h/collage2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208798544464844002" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SElercVmFOI/AAAAAAAACtI/fSe4-1P0yOU/s400/collage2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SElerjuThwI/AAAAAAAACtQ/dF3oOFkBaE4/s1600-h/collage3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208798546447533826" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SElerjuThwI/AAAAAAAACtQ/dF3oOFkBaE4/s400/collage3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Molly Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594148415914559671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9862720.post-41233294090054330372008-06-06T11:39:00.002-04:002008-06-06T11:51:53.723-04:00My Sweetie in Summertime<div>Summertime is here and we were able to break out the sundresses for church last Sunday. This particular dress was actually mine...looks pretty good for being 30 years old!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SElbsfzlvPI/AAAAAAAACsQ/pYgMAqO7pw4/s1600-h/DSC05157.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208795264040942834" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SElbsfzlvPI/AAAAAAAACsQ/pYgMAqO7pw4/s320/DSC05157.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SElbtOMYr7I/AAAAAAAACsY/rRtqZN2qHY0/s1600-h/DSC05160.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208795276492976050" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SElbtOMYr7I/AAAAAAAACsY/rRtqZN2qHY0/s320/DSC05160.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SElbttwM5qI/AAAAAAAACsg/maWgDSeQgvk/s1600-h/DSC05163.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208795284964697762" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SElbttwM5qI/AAAAAAAACsg/maWgDSeQgvk/s320/DSC05163.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SElbuTuQY4I/AAAAAAAACso/AsQmZEng5E0/s1600-h/DSC05168.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208795295157085058" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SElbuTuQY4I/AAAAAAAACso/AsQmZEng5E0/s320/DSC05168.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEldAlGcE9I/AAAAAAAACsw/VaKnK03pxJY/s1600-h/DSC05167.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208796708571190226" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEldAlGcE9I/AAAAAAAACsw/VaKnK03pxJY/s320/DSC05167.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div></div>Molly Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594148415914559671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9862720.post-49402291021241079952008-06-05T21:29:00.003-04:002008-06-05T21:39:10.749-04:00Turtle<div>Gideon went running into our side yard tonight and began circling something that I feared was a dead animal that he would try to make a snack. When I went to check it out I found this:</div><div> </div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEiT-5StefI/AAAAAAAACrw/n-3xI_u4_Qc/s1600-h/DSC05195.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208575677794449906" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEiT-5StefI/AAAAAAAACrw/n-3xI_u4_Qc/s320/DSC05195.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEiT_gDaZVI/AAAAAAAACr4/nGrpq1fExAM/s1600-h/DSC05196.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208575688199267666" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEiT_gDaZVI/AAAAAAAACr4/nGrpq1fExAM/s320/DSC05196.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEiUACVSnSI/AAAAAAAACsA/ydvtrvZCSyE/s1600-h/DSC05197.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208575697401060642" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEiUACVSnSI/AAAAAAAACsA/ydvtrvZCSyE/s320/DSC05197.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEiUAr8kJ5I/AAAAAAAACsI/8fzji25-Jzo/s1600-h/DSC05199.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208575708571641746" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SEiUAr8kJ5I/AAAAAAAACsI/8fzji25-Jzo/s320/DSC05199.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A snapping turtle about as big as my two hands was just hanging out in the grass. Gideon got too close and got a good nose snap. Betsy was smarter and kept a safe distance. :)<br /><br />Last weekend we were walking at the forest preserve and I nearly stuck my face into a five foot long snake that was stretched out on a branch that was hanging at eye level.<br /><br />We got wildlife down here in Ohio! ;)Molly Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594148415914559671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9862720.post-37592907049363369092008-06-04T12:23:00.002-04:002008-06-04T12:39:57.937-04:00More Funny Stuff from Our Gal BetsyHere are some recent gems from our funny little girl:<br /><br />Betsy does some funny pretending when she doesn't know you're listening...it's quite entertaining. The other day she was in the bathtub and I sat outside the door and wrote down what she said:<br /><br />"Little girl? Little girl named Betsy, where are you? Here I am, over here, making tea for your birthday. Wow! That's a lot of tea for me!"<br /><br />"For this recipe I need more blueberries. It's a yummy blueberry pie."<br /><br />"Red crayon, go up ahead and see some more fish! Whee! Whee!"<br /><br />"My buggy-wuggy wants to teach us a dance! Step one--wooo! Great job!"<br /><br />Singing: "I'm the est-i-best!"<br /><br />**********************************<br />Betsy found a penny in the front yard.<br />Me: You're really good at finding pennies!<br />Betsy: I know! It's like magic, actually!<br />**********************************<br />Betsy folded a piece of paper in half and dropped coins through the fold. She showed me and said, "I have to teach you something. It's pretty cool."<br />**********************************<br />She said that she was the cow jumping over the moon. Then she said, "I falled on it. I smushed it. I better make a new one."<br />**********************************<br />While taking a walk in the woods Betsy said, "This is fantastic!...Fantastic is Spanish for hello."<br />**********************************<br />Betsy gave me a big hug and said, "And the story is, Mommy and Betsy lived happily ever after."<br />**********************************<br />Her marker wasn't working so she held it up to me and said, "I don't think this marker is feeling very well today."<br />**********************************<br />She was leaning on the side table and lifting her feet off the floor and she said, "I'm good at pretending to fly like an angel."<br />**********************************<br />While at Home Depot buying paint: "That sign says, 'Do not paint the bathroom black.'"<br />**********************************<br />While I was praying before supper Betsy interrupted me in a whisper and said, "And thank God for the caterpillars."<br />**********************************<br />Betsy asked for Life cereal for breakfast. "Life jacket and Life cereal...they rhyme!"<br />**********************************<br />I said something to Gideon and Betsy thought I was calling her Gideon. She said, "I'm not Gideon. I'm Betsy. I have a blue shirt...and a face...and a nose."<br />***********************************<br />And finally...<br />Last night we spent a good half hour sitting underneath the basement stairs listening to the tornado sirens blare while some really nasty thunderstorms came through. Betsy was pretty scared. Once it had passed and we got her into bed Myron went to say goodnight. She was nearly asleep but said to him, "Thank you for keeping me safe from the storm."<br /><br />Precious little gal.Molly Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594148415914559671noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9862720.post-78728520728335479822008-05-29T14:45:00.002-04:002008-05-29T14:52:31.174-04:00Sign of the Times...Betsy and I just got back from the playground (where we met a bunch of cute kids who readily introduced themselves and told us all about their favorite everything...while their moms didn't even say hi. I actually tried to strike up a conversation with a couple of the moms but they just sort of smiled uncomfortably and went back to chat with their own friends. Sigh. Do I stink?!).<br /><br />I had to crack up as we were sitting there playing in the sand in the shade of the slide and nearby two preschool boys were having this conversation:<br /><br />Boy 1: I'm allergic to grass.<br />Boy 2: Yeah, me too.<br />Boy 1: My cousin is allergic to peanut butter AND grass.<br /><br />I know that I NEVER had a conversation about what I was allergic to when I was 4 years old!<br /><br />Betsy is probably going to be allergic to swings now...she fell off of it twice. Thankfully there was lots of sand underneath, but she landed pretty hard on her back and bumped her head the second time. Nothing a cool washcloth, some ice cold apple juice, and cartoons can't heal though.Molly Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594148415914559671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9862720.post-84685421927512820442008-05-27T11:24:00.002-04:002008-05-27T11:32:25.670-04:00Just a few more...Pretty girl<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwom0KgxhI/AAAAAAAACqU/S8Ev659TYo4/s1600-h/DSC05142.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205079916636325394" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwom0KgxhI/AAAAAAAACqU/S8Ev659TYo4/s320/DSC05142.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />New yellow flowers<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwonUKgxiI/AAAAAAAACqc/okN4x-Uo3a0/s1600-h/DSC05136.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205079925226260002" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwonUKgxiI/AAAAAAAACqc/okN4x-Uo3a0/s320/DSC05136.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Smiling at the butterflies<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwon0KgxjI/AAAAAAAACqk/LJGlYvgm2ds/s1600-h/DSC05128.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205079933816194610" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwon0KgxjI/AAAAAAAACqk/LJGlYvgm2ds/s320/DSC05128.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Betsy's watering can<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwooEKgxkI/AAAAAAAACqs/XVKxyjI5UXE/s1600-h/DSC05140.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205079938111161922" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwooEKgxkI/AAAAAAAACqs/XVKxyjI5UXE/s320/DSC05140.JPG" border="0" /></a>Molly Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594148415914559671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9862720.post-79416174883640373202008-05-27T11:05:00.002-04:002008-05-27T11:24:10.233-04:00A Rose By Any Other Name...Our roses started blooming this weekend! Isn't God amazing...what beauty!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwkN0KgxdI/AAAAAAAACp0/lAQln_vXhCQ/s1600-h/DSC05130.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205075089093084626" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwkN0KgxdI/AAAAAAAACp0/lAQln_vXhCQ/s320/DSC05130.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwkOkKgxeI/AAAAAAAACp8/VFF4tt9pKNQ/s1600-h/DSC05131.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205075101977986530" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwkOkKgxeI/AAAAAAAACp8/VFF4tt9pKNQ/s320/DSC05131.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwkPEKgxfI/AAAAAAAACqE/b78kgqbYiEI/s1600-h/DSC05133.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205075110567921138" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwkPEKgxfI/AAAAAAAACqE/b78kgqbYiEI/s320/DSC05133.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwkPUKgxgI/AAAAAAAACqM/UB-PQfnDYqA/s1600-h/DSC05134.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205075114862888450" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwkPUKgxgI/AAAAAAAACqM/UB-PQfnDYqA/s320/DSC05134.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Molly Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594148415914559671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9862720.post-58231993576156338152008-05-27T11:00:00.003-04:002008-05-27T11:05:25.307-04:00Pizza making with DaddyBetsy loves cooking with Daddy. And he's so patient with her. What a great Dad! :)<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwixUKgxZI/AAAAAAAACpU/2GjQbRVfGZU/s1600-h/DSC05115.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205073499955185042" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwixUKgxZI/AAAAAAAACpU/2GjQbRVfGZU/s320/DSC05115.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Squeezing on the sauce<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwixkKgxaI/AAAAAAAACpc/ffFVesnRfac/s1600-h/DSC05116.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205073504250152354" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwixkKgxaI/AAAAAAAACpc/ffFVesnRfac/s320/DSC05116.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwix0KgxbI/AAAAAAAACpk/JpO4EWs4AwE/s1600-h/DSC05117.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205073508545119666" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwix0KgxbI/AAAAAAAACpk/JpO4EWs4AwE/s320/DSC05117.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Sprinkling the cheese<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwiyUKgxcI/AAAAAAAACps/OmYei7EHG20/s1600-h/DSC05118.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205073517135054274" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwiyUKgxcI/AAAAAAAACps/OmYei7EHG20/s320/DSC05118.JPG" border="0" /></a>Molly Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594148415914559671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9862720.post-15517671500627714092008-05-27T10:45:00.003-04:002008-05-27T10:59:21.226-04:00Welcome, Summer!We had a lovely Memorial Day weekend with my parents. On Saturday night we watched Uncle Linford and Auntie Karin perform the debut show at the new National City Pavilion. It was a great show, but would have been more fun if we'd had a babysitter. Betsy did pretty well all things considered, but halfway through she was declaring, "I'm just very, very tired!" and "Are we done yet?"<br /><br />Sunday we went downtown to see the butterfly exhibit at Eden Park. It was neat, but packed! Here are a few pics...<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwfpUKgxVI/AAAAAAAACo0/XNl4M95p1TU/s1600-h/DSC05119.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205070063981348178" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwfpUKgxVI/AAAAAAAACo0/XNl4M95p1TU/s320/DSC05119.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />My dad is not going to be thrilled with this picture! :P<br />It was really warm and bright as you can see from Dad's squinting and Betsy's eye-shielding! And look at how color coordinated they all are...completely a coincidence...is that crazy or what?!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwfp0KgxWI/AAAAAAAACo8/KnAJT0GKJqo/s1600-h/DSC05120.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205070072571282786" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwfp0KgxWI/AAAAAAAACo8/KnAJT0GKJqo/s320/DSC05120.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Poor Betsy...getting tired and hot.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwfqUKgxXI/AAAAAAAACpE/KN8ra3583M4/s1600-h/DSC05125.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205070081161217394" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwfqUKgxXI/AAAAAAAACpE/KN8ra3583M4/s320/DSC05125.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Grandma, Mommy and Betsy amongst the butterflies (hey...Dad actually got in the picture too...holding Mom's purse. What a good guy!)<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwfqkKgxYI/AAAAAAAACpM/lLX230KCCnY/s1600-h/DSC05122.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205070085456184706" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDwfqkKgxYI/AAAAAAAACpM/lLX230KCCnY/s320/DSC05122.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The lovely flowers in the butterfly exhibit...I think there's a monarch hiding in there too.Molly Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594148415914559671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9862720.post-6137482100298385652008-05-19T09:55:00.003-04:002008-05-19T10:12:26.862-04:00Spring SaturdayHere's how Betsy spends her spring Saturdays at home...<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGJlWZZdrI/AAAAAAAACn4/2iY4cBnv-Sk/s1600-h/DSC05091.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202090319349905074" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGJlWZZdrI/AAAAAAAACn4/2iY4cBnv-Sk/s320/DSC05091.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Practicing her fake smile for the papparazzi...<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGJl2ZZdsI/AAAAAAAACoA/tHgGR3ohUy4/s1600-h/DSC05099.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202090327939839682" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGJl2ZZdsI/AAAAAAAACoA/tHgGR3ohUy4/s320/DSC05099.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Looking at things from a new perspective...<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGJnWZZdtI/AAAAAAAACoI/vnhs4QbzgkE/s1600-h/DSC05112.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202090353709643474" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGJnWZZdtI/AAAAAAAACoI/vnhs4QbzgkE/s320/DSC05112.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Marveling at the beauty of God's creation...<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGIvGZZdnI/AAAAAAAACnY/_hi-eSZJRLc/s1600-h/DSC05082.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202089387342001778" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGIvGZZdnI/AAAAAAAACnY/_hi-eSZJRLc/s320/DSC05082.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Soaking up some sun with a good friend...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGIvmZZdoI/AAAAAAAACng/DPQfdRZ62hA/s1600-h/DSC05084.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202089395931936386" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGIvmZZdoI/AAAAAAAACng/DPQfdRZ62hA/s320/DSC05084.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Looking really, really cute...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGIv2ZZdpI/AAAAAAAACno/zy3aCwOQUp8/s1600-h/DSC05094.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202089400226903698" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGIv2ZZdpI/AAAAAAAACno/zy3aCwOQUp8/s320/DSC05094.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Giggling in the garden...<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGIwGZZdqI/AAAAAAAACnw/sAdDS9MWJS8/s1600-h/DSC05089.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202089404521871010" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGIwGZZdqI/AAAAAAAACnw/sAdDS9MWJS8/s320/DSC05089.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Jumping for joy...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGHgGZZdjI/AAAAAAAACm4/ryZJedOLrMY/s1600-h/DSC05072.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202088030132336178" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGHgGZZdjI/AAAAAAAACm4/ryZJedOLrMY/s320/DSC05072.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />And again...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGHgmZZdkI/AAAAAAAACnA/1j4lfV9EekU/s1600-h/DSC05073.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202088038722270786" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGHgmZZdkI/AAAAAAAACnA/1j4lfV9EekU/s320/DSC05073.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />And once again...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGHhmZZdmI/AAAAAAAACnQ/PMCdYJBxylo/s1600-h/DSC05080.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202088055902140002" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGHhmZZdmI/AAAAAAAACnQ/PMCdYJBxylo/s320/DSC05080.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />And finally...taking a rest in the green grass with the yellow dog<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGHhWZZdlI/AAAAAAAACnI/YhrzNbCo1rE/s1600-h/DSC05078.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202088051607172690" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGHhWZZdlI/AAAAAAAACnI/YhrzNbCo1rE/s320/DSC05078.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Gideon enjoyed himself too...Good boy! :)Molly Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594148415914559671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9862720.post-85273838554269714882008-05-19T09:44:00.003-04:002008-05-19T09:54:30.754-04:00Home ImprovementHere are the results of our first painting project in our new house. We painted the half bath a sage green. The pictures don't really do it justice...it looks quite nice! (Except for the white patch behind the toilet that we missed...gotta touch that up!)<br /><br />Before: (plain white...it looks peach in this picture but that's just the light)<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGFwWZZdiI/AAAAAAAACmw/PSi2_2jEAwU/s1600-h/DSC05065.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202086110281954850" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGFwWZZdiI/AAAAAAAACmw/PSi2_2jEAwU/s320/DSC05065.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGFPWZZdeI/AAAAAAAACmQ/HRcsBrH2cR8/s1600-h/DSC05065.JPG"></a>After:<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGFQWZZdfI/AAAAAAAACmY/sVluvzjzBl8/s1600-h/DSC05109.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202085560526140914" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGFQWZZdfI/AAAAAAAACmY/sVluvzjzBl8/s320/DSC05109.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGFRGZZdgI/AAAAAAAACmg/YLMdNFNXpNk/s1600-h/DSC05110.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202085573411042818" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGFRGZZdgI/AAAAAAAACmg/YLMdNFNXpNk/s320/DSC05110.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGFRmZZdhI/AAAAAAAACmo/0UxdvRHGios/s1600-h/DSC05111.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202085582000977426" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PYkKm366oaQ/SDGFRmZZdhI/AAAAAAAACmo/0UxdvRHGios/s320/DSC05111.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Next we're going to do the upstairs full bath in the same color. It's fun to have a neutral colored house that I can decorate the way I want!</div>Molly Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594148415914559671noreply@blogger.com0