16 years ago today we were blessed with a beautiful daughter, our second.  Rebekah Ann was born in the evening after a long and arduous day of labor and tests to be sure that she would be able to survive out of the womb.  Little do the doctors know.  God is greater than all of their knowledge and tests.  True, her lungs were strong enough but they never thought to look at her heart.  I like to think that God took one look at her and decided that he couldn't do without her a moment longer.

Enjoy yourself in heaven, baby girl and remember that your mom, dad, brothers and sister are waiting to come and see you someday.

Four years ago today you left us forever.  I walked into Mary-Kate's bedroom and found that you had left this mortal world and gone to heaven to be with our heavenly father.  Four years ago today I lifed your lifeless body from the bed and knew that I had lost you forever.  My life would never be the same again.  Four years ago you were born and changed our lives forever, you came and gave us hope that our family would be larger with the presence of you and your sister.  Then four years ago today you left this world and took away that hope and changed us again.  You left a hole in our lives and in our hearts. 

Dear Rosemary you will always be with us in spirit.  You will always be with us in little ways that we cannot know as long as we dwell in this world but we will know them when we enter the next.

Outside my window...........the sun is shining and it is relatively warm.  The birds are singing and it is a perfect day to start the week out with.   It is truly amazing how the weekend can influence how the week begins.

I am thinking...........I am truly blessed to have the life that I have and the family that God has given to me.  I wouldn't have things any other way.  I hope I remember all this when times get a little rough as they will at times.

From the schoolroom..........there will be much scholastic endeavors going forth today.  Brett will be coming over for Biology.  Matthew will be continuing with his Math and Religious studies.  We have pared things down for the summer but have decided to stay in educational trim rather than let things go until September.

I am thankful for...........clotheslines, brooms, rakes, and hoes.

From the kitchen..........I haven't thought that far.  Perhaps sandwiches for lunch and then supper will be a surprise.

I am wearing.............pajamas still.  Overslept this morning since we got back a little late from our day trip yesterday.  But what a glorious day it was.  Didn't rain until we were headed back and were going to a movie anyway.  How is that for great timing.

I am reading...........nothing at the moment.  Too much work outside to occupy my mind and my time.

I am hoping............to finish building the tomato trellis today between loads of laundry.

I am creating..............a getaway right here in my own backyard

I am praying...........for peace in families.

Around the house............chores to do, fun to have, life to live.  Sounds like everything is as it should be.

One of my favorite things...........going to Ebeneezers to get ice cream on a warm summer evening.

A few plans for the rest of the week.............the usual plus make plans for our surprise trip for Father's day.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you..............

Yesterday we dropped MK and Matthew off with some very good friends and then stole away for a day of togetherness.  First we went to Taughannock Falls.  The hike is an easy one and the falls are beautiful.  I think I could sit at the overlook and listen to the water forever.

Then off three miles down the road to Buttermilk Falls.  This hike is a little more strenuous but the scenery is breathtaking and the falls have a little more water going over them than do the others.   We finished off the day by going to see the movie Up after it had started raining. 

Even though my kids cannot understand it, most of the day was spent talking and walking and just being together, something that you cannot do easily with children, even teenagers.

I decided to take the day off from all but the essentials today.  That decision has nothing to do with the fact that it is my anniversary.  It has everything to do with the fact that I possibly over did it a bit yesterday. 

I am in a battle to the death with the rabbits.  I discovered last evening that they have discovered my bean plants now.  That's okay though, I am going to build a fence around the garden to keep them out as well as shoot as many of the vile, evil creatures as I can.  I am also going to be getting a new dog.  That should help deal with the vermin.  (can anyone tell that I am not impressed with their cuteness?) 

Now that the heating season is officially over, I hope, I have moved my work station outside beside the garden and the pool.  The water is too cold for me to go in and probably will be all summer but it is nice to sit here and watch the others.  I also enjoy watching the wildlife in the field across the valley

Very often while I am sitting here, working at my computer, grading papers, reading a book, or just day dreaming, I look up and can see deer and turkeys in the field.  Other times I see geese and heron on the creek down in the valley below.

Earlier this spring I noticed that one of the posts that hold up the deck was sagging terribly.  Unfortunately it is also the post that my best climatis vine twines around.  While Adam was home on leave he said he would fix the post so that the deck wouldn't be sagging so much.  The next thing I know my climatis vine is sitting on the ground beside the garden and there is a new post holding up the deck.  MK and I cut out all of the old wood on the climatis and put it back with a prayer that it would survive the move.  As you can see it not only survived it is thriving.  So much for the rumors that climatis are delicate.

This garden by the house has been here since we have been married.  When I first put it in it wasn't as large as it is now, granted, since there used to be two small sheds there also.  But, after we tore down the two sheds, Doug let me expand my garden to the size that it is now.  Then, a year or two before he left home, Adam, know how I like stone walls, built me two stone walls on either side of the far end of the garden.  He also put in a walk around the back side of the garden along the deck that leads to the old apple tree behind the garden.  Beside the tree sits a bench that Ian fixed up for me.  When I am tired from working in the garden I sit on the bench and rest in the shade of the apple tree.  Each season, however, the garden has been taking over the walk and the lawn because it is slightly sloped toward the back.  Matthew has watched my efforts to uncover the walk each year and try to keep the garden in check.  This year he decided to use what he is learning and his own earnings from working with our neighbor and fix that problem. 

He has purchased all of the materials to run the wire and install and outdoor outlet so that the fountain has permanent electricity.  Then he poured a stable pad for the fountain to sit on in the corner of the garden beside the path that Adam built this spring.

Now he is building a retaining wall out of native stones that have come from the farm to match the other walls that Adam built.  When he is done 3/4 of the garden will be ringed with a stone wall.  That should keep the garden from taking over the lawn and the walk.  He is also planning on extending the walk all the way to the path that Adam put in and making it a little wider in a couple of places. 

I wonder if they could build a roof over this corner of the farm so I can live here year round?  It is becoming my favorite place to sit and listen to the birds, to say my prayers, do my thinking and dreaming, and have my last bit of commune with nature in the evening before I retire for the night.

 26 Years ago today this man turned me from a silly school girl into a bride.  26 years ago today he took a girl and made her into a woman.  26 years ago my life changed from just that into an adventure.

Thank you Douglas, and the answer to your question, once again is a wholehearted YES! in a heartbeat.

Outside my window..........a glorious sunrise and judging by my husband's efforts to keep the fire going in the stove, it must be plenty cold out.  Oh well, our anniversary is coming up and 26 years ago this week is was cold and there was even snow in the air.

I am thinking...........how quiet it is here at this hour without the big guy.  He was usually up at this hour and doing his exercises.  It just seemed to give the house a different feeling, a better feeling.

From the schoolroom........let the education resume!!!!! That's right, Matthew and Brett, today is the day that your vacation is over and your torture begins anew.

I am thankful for............beautiful days and comfortable nights.  Have had a slew of them leately and I am enjoying every minute.

From the kitchen.............leftovers for lunch and I think I will just resort to hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill after what I know is going to be a busy day.

I am wearing..........my usual early chilly morning uniform, navy sweat pants and a well-worn navy hoody.  Too early yet for the morning ablutions. 

I am reading...........haven't finished Henry VIII yet but I am getting closer to the end each day.  I think that all this good weather and time in the garden is cutting into my reading time.

I am hoping.........to do something about the rabbit problem in my garden.  I have lost several tomato plants to the varmints.  I guess I have to borrow my shotgun back from Ian and just sit out there and shoot a few.

I am creating.........contentment!

I am praying.........that the big guy is happy in what he is doing, that Jason grows as a result of next big step, that each of us strives to stay close to the Lord and walk in his ways.

Around the house...........the only sound is my husband prowling about, otherwise all is peaceful and calm.  That is until I go up and get the troops going for the day.

One of my favorite things..........new life in all its forms.  Wild flowers, vegetables, animals, new babies it doesn't matter I just love the signs that life is renewing itself.

A few plans for the rest of the week.............the usual rounds of holy hours and mass, our parish dinner tomorrow night, a doctors appointment on thursday, Thursday is also our anniversary, I wonder what Doug has planned?

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you............

This is actually a short video that I shot of Doug trying to hula hoop.  My husband is a wonderful man and he can do all kinds of things, but if it requires coordination forget it.