So they are building a new house...

Yup. My parents decided (without my consent believe it or not) to build a new house. It's not very far from where they are now, a little more obscure, away from two busy roads and sunk into the woods where I am sure my dad will relish the quiet and privacy...mom might need to get on a "chat" more now and then:)
I am truly excited for them, but wow! We have lived in the house where they are now for MOST of my life. I am sure they will have the same nostalgic quandries I do, but it will be weird to relinquish the rights to just drive up that driveway and walk into the house.
I am not a HUGE Miranda Lambert fan... but this song...well..mite have to claim it for awhile... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQYNM6SjD_o


It's funny I remember getting my room and thinking it was "my own", my very new room to which I completed it with lavender walls and unicorn bed sheets. I didn't learn to play guitar in my room, but I learned to write. I spent HOURS handwriting novels, yes hundreds of pages and I still have them. Of course, now I look at them and giggle, but back then, it was a brilliant masterpiece that would one day meet publication - I was sure of it ;) It will be sad saying good -bye to the house that owns most of your childhood memories and since I am SOOO good with change...I am sure I will adjust quickly :)

All in all - it will be an awesome move from my parents..I mean, they will be about two miles out of my way when I drive to work, but I guess it's not TOTALLY about me :D

OH and in a totally unrelated topic...
My song that I was belting out when I missed my exit after a photoshoot..is this one... luv it :) FREE - Zac Brown Band.... seriously - play it really loud while your driving...you might miss your exit too..it could happen.

Might not always get this lucky...

but as far my finding a photo of the week...this bald eagle made it happen. I was photographing another event - and he just flew overhead....cool huh?

Another Austin moment..

As he curls up beside me this morning and asks to snuggle...I have a mom moment..."of course you can." So we snuggle and watch Dinotrain together....to complete this moment, he looks up at me with big brown eyes and says.."I love you mama,"

Ah. such sweetness..and then..

"But I love chocolate too, actually I REALLY love chocolate and trains and dinosaurs and race cars and bulldozers and cement mixers."

So close to a Hallmark moment....at least I made the list ;)

Ah. May 16

It was seven years ago today my brother was t-boned by a van in which the impact allowed him to suffer one of the most serious brain injuries a human can sustain and live ( I use the term "live" loosely). I am not sure a "May 16th" with go by without those thoughts in my head nor will it pass without my parents reliving those hours where they learned their child had been hit and was facing emergency brain surgery...that would last eight hours with no promising out come...
this is a little of what my mom wrote in reflection of today:

Seven years, is it a long time or a short time? I guess it is all relative. To my mom, at 86 years old, it probably is a short amount of time. To my grandson, Andrew, it is his entire life.

Seven years ago, our precious Joshua was in a horrific car accident which left him clinging to life, enduring an 8 hour brain surgery. It is an old story but it will never end….to us.

God told the Israelites to set up memorials to remember what God had done for them. This is my memorial…remembering Joshua’s accident and knowing what God has done.

God does not want us to look back to remember those who have done wrong to us or to think our lives have been tough. As a Christian, I am a new creature in Jesus Christ. I WILL look ahead to my mansion in heaven. Until then I am to live here with the scars. Scars are reminders; I choose to be reminded of God’s graciousness during a time in my life when I could only utter, “God, this is too hard.” He knew, He cared, He supplied.

Amber introduced this song by Legacy Five to me. If I had the talent, I could have penned these words. They express where I was.

“Lord stay close to me, as I journey through the darkness of this great unknown.

Lord, stay close to me, though I've place my faith in You, I feel so all alone.

My heart trembles like a child as I walk each scary mile.

And the only prayer my lips can find to speak is Lord, stay close to me.”

Despite my doubts, my fears, and perhaps my anger, God did not leave me even when I “felt” so all alone, He was there. I will choose to look at what God has given us even though we all, as a family, suffered greatly during Joshua’s recovery. We were never given hope by medical doctors that he would survive, and if he did, that he would ever lead a “productive life”.

God had a different plan. His plan is perfect. Had Joshua died he would be celebrating his 7th birthday in Heaven. But, God in His infinite wisdom, chose to leave Joshua here, for a while longer. In the last seven years I have learned much: God loves Joshua more than I do, God can speak and lead Joshua when I can’t, God can give me peace to “let Joshua go”…again.

It took 2 years for Joshua to be able to leave home again. Then he lived and worked in Walton, NY for 4 years before moving to South Otselic, NY to be the local school’s IT person last fall. He is employed doing what he went to college to learn. He rents a house and maintains it very well. He has a lovely young woman in his life. He still comes home once in a while. And most importantly, He still loves God and serves Him. What more could a mother want?

So, next time you “feel” all alone. You aren’t the only one who has been there. Most of us have. The important thing is to KNOW that you are not alone. Our Creator God, God of the Universe, our Redeemer, our Fortress, our Comfort, our Great Physician, He is there with you, holding you, caring for you, and waiting for you to turn to Him.

Seven years? Compared to eternity?

--------------------------------------------------------

She's pretty amazing huh?

So, yes today was a melancholy day of reflection, but it was a good day all the same. There will forever be the unanswerable "why" - but really who are we to ask? I will forever be grateful my brother's life was spared, I will forever be grateful for what I have learned since then.

Just a few amazing moments...

I had the pleasure of photographing 34 World War II veterans from the local area be escorted to the Albany International Airport Saturday morning. A sunny morning and 40 bikers with American Flags and state police provided the ultimate escort through local towns until the war heroes were met at the airport. I had to wonder what was going through their minds. They were all 20 years old or so when they flew out of our country to fight against another. It was all so long ago, but to them, the memories are vivid. The emotions were written in their overwhelmed expressions as they watched policemen flash their lights and traffic stop to allow their bus to pass through. It was precious to see them talk and joke around with so many sad memories haunting their past. However, they would all say it was worth it, they all said it was for freedom. Yup, something I think my generation may take for granted more often they we care to admit. But, it was not taken for granted Saturday, not when I was able to hug and shake hands with so many men who seemed so impressed that a day was created just for them.
I have to admit, the tears came easy when I watched them all walk down the corridor of the airport and people awaiting their own flights stood to salute or clap for them. It's hard to explain the emotions that pumped through the airport Saturday morning, but it was amazing all the same.
Here is one of my favorite pics of the day: The rest are posted on my photography blog.

A challenge....

The idea is nothing new... in fact I kinda got it from Josh Lloyd when he challenged himself to photograph something every week. I photograph for work all the time, but there is something, well, rigid about that. So...I am going to try to find something "different" to photograph each week. Not sure what that will be, but I know when I drive around I often see something and I think, "hmm, that could be a neat pic". PLUS...this will force me to have my camera with me at all times because it never fails that when I leave it behind...I see something cool.

So, here's the first photograph....

He was sitting outside the gas station while I was waiting for someone...scratching off a lottery ticket...which I thought was fitting considering his hat ;)

Also in the week of small accomplishments. I have completed week two of Insanity...sheesh. AND. FINALLY. watched Casablanca...from beginning to end..with barely an interruption. It was ironic because then the following night I was watching a show and they kept quoting lines from that movie. Random. Oh and I was able to watch The Outsiders a bit ago too... two classics from two very different era's :). Mission accomplished. Now...deadline.

Lacey...

Once upon a time...there was a girl...who I roomed with at college...I cannot divulge all of our "endeavors" BUT I can say - though we had a blast in college...we have definitely morphed since those days at LU. The biggest change....we had children. However, Lace decided to have four, I stopped at two. The thing is...the very girl who stressed out over good grades handles four kids like a genius.

The best part is: when she writes her blog its hard not to giggle all the way through it. Why? Because if you ARE a mom, you just KNOW exactly what she is going through...but somehow she finds that awesome sense of humor....so check it out...

http://jakesaysmaybetomorrow.blogspot.com/2010/04/good-times-at-kindergarten-registration.html

When You Wonder If You Can Forgive THAT Person...

You can't really understand the pain of any circumstance unless you have traveled the road yourself. You can sympathize, but you cannot empathize. I cannot understand your hurt and you can't truly understand mine...unless of course...we have suffered the same.

If you have five free minutes, click on the post below. It is written by a friend of my mother's. They share a common likeness...a child who has suffered a severe brain injury.

http://steveandhannahsmith.blogspot.com/2010/04/update-42910-day-171.html

The circumstances are different in many ways, but the biggest difference is this : My brother's accident was simply that...an accident. It was horrific and gut wrenching, but there was no one to blame, unless of course we chose to blame God himself...but that was not an option. In this lovely mother's situation, her family was turned inside out and upside down by a drunk driver. Her blog is the statement read in court as the man was sentenced...please read and even if you don't have children - try to understand the depth of her forgiveness evolving from the caverns of despair. I pray most of us are never asked to forgive like this, but are we able to forgive the more "minor" infractions incurred on our rather thin skin? Just askin'. T'wasn't an easy pill for me to swallow myself.

*(after thought)

I was thinking of this post and had to add one little thing..matters of a hurt heart are never trite. I was never suggesting that unless you have gone through a major trauma in your life you should be open armed and forgiving. Each person has their own experiences and their own recesses of hurtful life events. The post was merely a taking off point, a point at which I hope, we can all sit back and hope perspective situates itself hand in hand on our walk through whatever that may be :)

Thought this take on "drugs" was a lil better than what I am used to...