Joy of Love: Day 7

Today's Prompt: Generations

Let's be honest, I'm pretty sure that a chip and dip bowl wasn't quite what Kelly had in mind when she posted today's prompt, generations. But this chip and dip bowl was handed down to me from my Grandmother, who used it a TON. Since I've had it, I too have used it a ton. [And yes, people kinda made fun of my retro bowl, but I didn't care, I've always loved it]

One day [October 31st, 2010 @ about 2:30 pm to be exact] I was sitting in my kitchen with my Mum and these girls: [I had a house full of kids, for a Halloween Party, and I was quietening them down with the Charlie Brown Halloween dvd] Come to think of it, it was eerily quiet, with a dozen kids in the house...

and I heard a PING sound... I think we all looked up towards the cupboard, because that's where the sound came from... But to be honest, I didn't think too much about it. Then, one day I went to the cupboard to get my beloved bowl, and this is how I found it. Split in two... A total clean break.

I felt really bad about losing this piece, but I did throw it away... As luck would have it, my Mum had an exact match [well, different color] and gifted it to me! Thanks Mum! I do have a silly sentimental attachment to it!

So, considering that my Mum & Dad are wintering in Arizona, and Barry's Mum & Dad have no plans to come over in the next week or so, I really wanted keep on track, so that's my generation story! [And I do love that chip bowl]

Joy of Love: Day 6

Today's Prompt: What they love

This one was easy-peasy. They both have stuffies they've had since they were itty-bitty babies. Mason has had Sandy since he was 4 months old, and Madelyn has had Girafee since she was brand new. Both are nearly thread-bare, and can barely take another washing. [Unfortunately both need to be washed on a regular basis] They are never to far from view. Mason does pretty good, leaving Sandy in his room most of the time. While Girafee is usually tagging along with Madelyn, where ever they happen to be in the house. They are a pretty darn important part of these kids lives. They LOVE their special friends.

Joy of Love: Day 5

Prompt: What do you love to hate about your loved one?

Look at those poor little lips... SO chapped. They were actually bleeding on Thursday. And yes, we try to keep her covered in lip balm or Vaseline. But she can't leave her lips alone. [And yes, I sneak into her room when she's asleep, and lather those little lips up] Because her lips are so very chapped right now, she's got this dreadful habit of stretching her mouth open... If you've seen it, you'll know EXACTLY what it is I'm speaking about, right Mum? I'm sure she's doing it, because the skin is so chapped and tight, and she's constantly feeling her sore lips trying to heal. But I can barely stand to watch it. It drives me insane. Anyone who doesn't know her and glances at her while she's doing this 'mouth thing' must FOR SURE think there is something wrong with her. That breaks my heart, that while she's at school, her little classmates are noticing her doing this [and how could they not be] I'm sure at some point someone will say something to her about it. We try to keep lip balm handy, and we try not to mention it too much, because that just seems to make it worse.

Little girl, you seem to have one little idiosyncrasy after another. I hope they don't get worse than this one...

Joy of Love: Day 4

Prompt: What they wear

My little boy requested 'skinny jeans' sometime in October. I searched and searched, but they were out of stock every time I looked. Then, a few weeks ago, there they were, a whole wall full of skinny jeans at Old Navy! I bought 2 pairs, and it's been hard to get the jeans off him to wash. He LOVES them, and will wear them every day. [Good thing there are 2 pairs] I'm sure everyone at school thinks he never washes them, but believe me, they get washed quite regularly. I try to mix them up with a pair of cords or khaki pants, but he LOVES these jeans!

Joy of Love: Day 3

Prompt for day 3: Then and Now


Wow... Look at those fresh young faces... Who are they? My 'then' picture was taken in February of 1995, a few weeks before I went to Yemen for work opportunity. That's right, Yemen. I was there for 7 weeks. [The picture was also taken in a time of film and when cutting around pictures was the norm... Need I say more? My photo albums from the early 90's are a fright... Some might even say that my wedding scrapbook is a bit... Shall we say dated...]

My 'now' picture was meant to highlight the change of hair color... [Don't worry, I got his permission first, of course. He knows I'm prowling around the house with my camera for the next month] I took a few photos of him but none of the pictures show exactly how much gray is peppered through his hair now. One look at the goatee however, and you can totally see it.

Lucky for me, I like the guy he was and I like the man he has turned into.

Joy of Love: Day 2

Prompt for day 2: How they look

These two raga-muffins spent nearly the whole day sitting on the couch, playing their Nintendo DS'. I say 'their', but the DS' really belong to Auntie Pat. [Who actually thinks I believe that she bought one for herself and that Uncle Don needed one too...] Sheesh

They were sent home with us over the weekend. Monday the kids had a professional day and were home from school. They could be found like this, sitting together on the couch most of the day. The morning light was streaming in the window right [to the right of Ms. Madelyn] It had been a number of days since we'd actually seen the sun, it was a welcome sight to say the least. I grabbed my camera and snapped this photo. I love how the glare of the sun softened the picture and put a flare on the photo. And Mason leaning over and kissing his sister was impromptu. I was in the right place, at the right time, with my camera at hand!

The Joy of Love Journey

Today was the start of Willette's Joy of Love class. During the next month we will be sent a daily prompt for a photo assignment of some kind. Over the next 28 days, we are to follow the prompts, and take pictures of those we love. Today's prompt was "What they DO"


This is a picture of my husband, doing what he does on pretty much a daily basis. He's working, in his home office. He does this each and every day, so that I am able to stay at home with the kids. I don't tell him as often as I should, how very appreciative I am, that I'm in a position to be home with the kids. I don't tell him as often as I should that because of him I'm living out my dream. I don't tell him as often as I should, that I am more grateful than you can know for all you do for us. Thank you Barry, for being such a wonderful husband and father. I love you.