Today was Will’s first day of kindergarten. Such a big day for him!  I was so proud to see how he walked right into his new school carrying his great big backpack, settled into his seat and began his school career.    He is such a good boy.

I couldn’t help but think of my aunt today. She would have loved this day so much.  Those of you who knew Aunt Connie, know how much she loved Will.  She probably would have greeted him at the end of the school day with a big bunch of balloons or sugary treat. It is days like today that I miss her more than I can put into words.  All of the firsts she will never see… I know she is seeing them. I just wish she was here with us to experience them all, so that Will and Maddy could know her and love her like I do.

This is a picture of my Aunt Connie and my Granny.  Both of them are gone now.  This was taken when Will was just 5 days old. It is probably one of my most precious photos. A simple snapshot but there was just so much love there.

The poem below was given to me by my Granny, when Will was just a baby.  Now is the perfect day to share it.  You can tell by some of the verbage that it was written long ago, but how true the words and sentiments still ring today.

World, Take My Son by the Hand

My son started school today.  It’s going to be strange and new to him for awhile.

And I wish you would sort of treat him gently.

You see, up to know, he’s been the king of the roost. He’s been the boss of the back yard.

I’ve always been around to repair his wounds and to soothe his feelings.

But now…things are going to be different. He’s going to walk down the front steps, wave his hand and start on

his great adventure that will probably one day include wars and tragedy and sorrow.

To live his life in the world he has to live in will require faith and love and courage.

So, world, I wish you would take him by his young hand and teach him the things he will have to know.

Teach him, but gently, if you can.

He will have to learn, I know, that all men are not just.   That all men are not true.

Teach him that for every scoundrel there is a hero – for every crooked politician there is a dedicated leader.

That for every enemy there is a friend.

Let him learn early that the bullies are the easiest people to lick.

Teach him the wonders of books. Give him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun,

and flowers on the green hill.

Teach him that it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat.   Teach him to have faith in his own ideas,

even if everyone else tells him they are wrong.

Try and give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone else is jumping on the bandwagon.

Teach him to listen to all men, but to filter all he hears on the screen of truth and to take only

the good that comes through.

Teach him to sell his brawn and his brains to the highest bidder,

but never to put a price on his heart and soul.

Teach him to close his ears on a howling mob, and to stand and fight if he thinks he’s right.

Teach him gently, world, but don’t coddle him because only the test of fire makes fine steel.

This is a big order, world, but see what you can do.

He’s such a nice little fellow.

- Anonymous

Taking time to smell the flowers.

Because big brothers are so funny…

The sound of silence is never good when you have a busy toddler in the house… it can only mean one thing.  Something is up.

Miss Maddy found the soap and decided to wash her hair with it… the bar soap, smooshed between her hands and toes and all lathered up.  I love how it looks like she’s saying  “oh no… what have I done?”

Our day seemed extra long today.  A certain little sweetie I know decided there are many more exciting things to be doing in this world other than napping.  After a looooong battle, she gave in and took a much needed snooze.  So, after dinner we headed out for a bit.  Being outside can always put a smile on her face. We took a little walk down at the river tonight to pick blackberries.  She definitely did more eating than picking, even robbing Will’s bowl a time or two.

Each day when I go to get her from her nap, she is holding her dear bunny to her face for one last sleepy nuzzle before reaching up for me to take her out of her crib.  Bunny is her best buddy, her lovey, her source of comfort.   “Munny” as she calls him, goes everywhere… dragging behind her.   Someday, he will be forgotten in a toy box somewhere but for now, he is loved.  So loved. Even his weekly washing (it should be daily!)  is a challenge…  you should have seen the horror on her little face when she once caught me tossing him into the dryer!

I wanted to capture this single quiet moment, when  she looks at me with those eyes, holding her bunny … such sweetness.

May the sun in his course visit no land more free, more happy, more lovely, than this our own country! ~Daniel Webster

We are all so lucky to live in this great country.  Thank you to all who have served and continue to serve for our freedom.

Wishing you all a happy and safe 4th of July.  As someone who lost a friend to drinking and driving on this weekend 17 years ago, please be safe out there on the roads.  ♥
Happy 4th everyone!
~ M

This post is about 2 months late… my little man turned 5 a few months ago.  Can 5 years really have passed since I first held my baby boy? As cliche as it sounds, there are times when it seems like only yesterday…

I had promised him a “date night” and we finally got a chance to sneak away last weekend. We went out on the town to a movie and then, of course, stopped for a few photos on the way home.

So a happy {belated} birthday to my silly boy.  Our world is a much happier place because you are in it.  ♥

And the true Will Ryan… 

I cannot tell you how much I love this photo.  The moment the shutter clicked, I knew I had captured “her”.  Sweet, joyful, innocent.     Everything brings her such happiness, even a simple clover patch on the edge of the road.   And everything she does, everything she is brings us such joy.     We are so lucky.

I am so excited to show off my new blog! I’ve been working on it for awhile now and I’m loving the way it’s turned out. There is so much more information available now in the menus. Please check it all out and let me know what you think!

And of course, I have to include a photo. This is Willy the Kid. He’s so into cowboys right now…   Doesn’t he look like one tough hombre?