Memories of Summers Past . . .

A summertime lollipop sticky face. 

Baby woodpecker.

These two brothers from another mother.

Cousins.

 

Heart-shaped hydrangea.

Hiking at Bear Mountain.

Baby.

Baby and mama.

Rockin' her 'kini!!

Sunflower in Cold Spring, NY

Our boy Brady.

Megan and Brendan.

Her happy place.

Mr. Bigglesworth.

Fun with friends.

Waiting for the parade to start.

Riding the Cape May ferry.

Daddy's girl.

On the beach in North Carolina.

A special bond.

Digging in the sand.

Senoia, GA.

Pure joy!!

Us.  💕

It's nice to look back on the little moments that may have been forgotten if they hadn't been captured thru my lens.  Sadly, my two older sons don't like to have their picture taken.  Grrr!!

Summer camp is over for Megan so we'll be looking for things to do to keep her busy until school starts at the beginning of September.  I haven't gone school supply shopping yet.  I think I'm in denial that it's only a few weeks away!!  I'm ready for some routine I think.  I'm usually a "fly by the seat of my pants" kinda gal but as I get older I feel like I need more structure.  I'm also ready for some purging of "stuff" that is no longer used and/or no longer loved.  I feel these urges a couple of times a year and it usually happens at the beginning of fall and the beginning of spring.  I have bags that are around the house that I'll fill with things that I want to get rid of as I come across them.  The next step is putting them in the back of the car and then dropping them off at our local thrift store that benefits homeless animals.  It's always such a good feeling when I drive away from there knowing that I've not only cleared out some things that will be used by people who will appreciate them but also helped some fur babies in the process.  Speaking of which . . .

I've been asked, once again, to take photos for the "Clear the Shelters" event that happens this coming Saturday at our local Rockland County animal shelter.  It is one of my absolute favorite events to photograph!!  Shelters around the country waive adoption feels so that people that may not be able to afford them at the moment can go to a participating shelter and bring a new member of the family home for free.  For more info click here .  I'll share some photos of last year's event later.  : )


Have a great week everybody!!


~ Wendy  xo

A Walk Around the Gardens . . .

They looked so much prettier a few days ago.  : (

These are my son's plants still waiting to be planted.  He promised it will be today.  We'll see.  : )

About to bloom.

Mr. Bigglesworth was following me.  : )

This baby sits in the bush outside of my office window and stares at me.  At night, he sits in the tree outside of the living room window and tweets at the top of his lungs.  This happens almost every night at the same time.  Very sweet but very loud!!  : )

 

I've been home since Sunday with a little girl with strep throat.  The doctor called today to confirm it.  She's had a fever and has barely eaten a thing in three days.  She seems to have taken a turn for the better today though.  I heard her singing in her room this morning and she just told us she's hungry.  The medicine they have for strep is a wonder drug.  Just a couple of doses and you feel a hundred times better thankfully.  Next week is her last week of school before summer break so I'm glad she's getting this over with now.  Lots of activities going on the next couple of weeks.  We need a healthy girl!! 

Anything exciting going on in your neck of the woods?  I have to catch up with my favorite bloggers now.  It's been too long!!  xo


~ Wendy

Some Saturday Randomness . . .

Sunset thru the trees.

Two turkey vultures in our backyard.

If you look closely you can see how his beak turns downward at the tip.  Very vulture-like!!  : )

Megan up a tree.

Definitely not shy in front of the camera!!  : )

I can't wait for that wiggly front tooth to come out!!!!!!

Lots of cold and grey days here lately.

The kids are off from school for the next week due to spring/Easter break.  Jim has a few days off as well.  Megan had a sleepover here last night with her best little girlfriend from where we used to live.  In a few hours we leave for Manhattan to pick up our "adopted" son Jakhai.  We haven't seen him since Christmas break and are really missing him!!  If you don't already know, we met Jakhai and his family seven years ago thru the Fresh Air Fund which is an organization that matches up inner-city kids with us country folk (haha!!) to get them out of the city for a week in the summer.  We fell in love with him and his parents and the rest of his family and have him stay with us during most long school breaks and for most of the summer.  Brendan and Jakhai call each other "brothers from other mothers."  I have to go thru my photos and post some of how much the boys have grown since they first met each other.  It's really incredible how God works sometimes.  We can't imagine our lives without Jay and his family in them!!

Megan and Cybele yesterday.  They've been friends since they were two.

 Brendan and Jakhai in 2013.  These photos make me smile for so many different reasons!!!  : )

    
Tonight we're going to visit friends that we haven't seen in way too long.  Their son is turning 21 and they're having a party for him.  We're really looking forward to seeing them.  And finally, tomorrow I take my last photography class.  Outdoor photography is the topic so it should be lots of fun.  Any special plans going on for you this weekend?  xo

~ Wendy