{Six Things We Love About YOU}

1. The little freckles on your nose
2. Your infectious giggles
3. Your never-ending ENERGY & ENTHUSIASM
4. How you naturally make people feel special & adored
5. Your willingness to try new adventures
6. Your snuggles, kisses & hugs

{Six Things YOU Love}

1. Staying Up Late
2. Surprises!
3. Chocolate Milk & Anything SWEET
4. Balloons
5. Board Games
6. Taking Pictures with Mom’s Camera

 {Six things you said this year that I never want to forget}

1. “Mom, I sure love life!  But when I die I want to be a in a garden next to YOU!”
2. “Tough guys don’t need band-aids.”
3. Me: “Mason, what are you proud of?”  Mason: “THESE!!!” (Pointing to his arm muscles)
4. “I am IN LOVE with this dinner!”
5. While eating his first artichoke of the season, “Mom, is this an animal?”
6. “I sure love having you as a mom.”

{Six things YOU put on the menu for your ultra special BIRTHDAY BREAKFAST}

1. Turkey Sausage
2. Pickle Juice
3. Hash Browns
4. French Toast
5. A Sugar Cookie
6. Chocolate Milk

We LOVE you, Mason. Happy Happy 6th BIRTHDAY!

to keep your word

to smile at a stranger

to share what you love

It’s never too late… to be enthusiastic

Our attitudes influence others.

Especially those who respect us.

Lack of enthusiasm can crush their spirit.

Maintain your enthusiasm for life.

For others’ lives.

It will boost your enjoyment.

It will energize your mind

and open it.

—Patrick Lindsay—

Before I had children grocery shopping was pretty painless; fairly enjoyable even.

Post kids, not so much. 

BUT…

when I see a face like this I am reminded that happiness can be found anywhere.

Taking photographs helps me to see my world differently.

It helps me to experiece life through THEIR eyes.   

Instead of being stressed out and frustrated

I can pause, click and see the world like my kids do.        

Sure, people look at me weird when

I have a toddler on my hip

and I’m taking a photograph of 

my daughter sprawled out on salt pellet bags.

But that’s okay.

Because what I see through them is

a rainbow of colors,

bright, smiling faces

and

isles & isles of joy.There is so much to 

explore

enjoy

and savor.

Maybe grocery shopping isn’t so bad after all.   

The simple act of hanging out with my kids is sacred.  Special. Wondrous. Joyful.  So much so that every time I look into their eyes…

 I feel God’s love surround me like a never-ending, warm embrace.  

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. 

–Thornton Wilder–

We are always in the presence of God.  There is never a non-sacred moment. 

–Max Lucado–

Now here is something to jump-for-joy about,

from the inspirational author Joel Osteen– 

 ”God sees you as a champion. 

 He believes in you and regards you as a strong, corageous, successful overcoming person. 

You may not see yourself this way, but that doesn’t change God’s image of you!”

When we exhasted this question book I went on the search for MORE DINNER GAMES! 

We are now loving–

THE UNGAME:   My dad  introduced me to this game when I was a kid. I’ve loved it ever since and it’s perfect for dinner questions!  It comes in several different versions— Christian, Kids, Teens and Families.  I found these are our local educational store.  

and

PLAY WITH YOUR FOOD:  Spin the dial and pick a “food” question card—                 

Ham it UP: Pretend you work in a shoe store. See if anyone can guess who you are and where they are.

Easy as PIE:  What candy don’t you like?

Mixed VEGGIES: Ask everyone… are you feeling sweet or sour today?

Use your Noodle:  T/F Insects are commonly used in yogurt, ice cream and juice drinks.  {TRUE! Carmine is a food dye that is extracted from boiling dried insects.} 

“God is in the details.”

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

[Oldest + Youngest]

[Cookies are made with butter and love--- Norwegian Proverb]

       And some colors:

[Circa 1997]

[Photo by Mason, age 5] I love those little TOES!

“When you look at life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses.”  Joyce Brothers

I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. 

Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living; it’s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. 

Which is what I do. 

And that enables you to laugh at life’s realities.

Dr. Seuss