Sunshine and Gratitude

Met one of my bestest friends for breakfast this morning.  It's been two months since we've seen each other.  Way too long.  We typically take a couple hours to catch up before we head our separate ways.  And I think we both feel more fulfilled when we part.  It's like that with good friends. 

I was almost moved to tears of gratitude this morning on my way to meet her. I looked up and saw a plane landing (I live near O'Hare International Airport) and its path crossed in front of the sun. It was a beautiful sight; one that I wasn't able to capture in a photo, but the image made me realize how blessed my life is.  Not sure what that has to do with a plane.  I just know that I was near tears.  I love this life. 



I captured this just shortly after seeing
the plane cross in front of it.

We had a family barbeque last weekend.  Most of my sibs and their families were there.  My sister-in-law's aunt also came and I just love this picture of Ava and my daughter talking to Auntie Josie. 

And then my absolute favorite human subjects when it comes to taking pictures are my three grandkids.  Such a happy bunch!

No fear in this little one! 
(I need to learn a lesson from her!)



Always one clown in the bunch! 
At 4 1/2 years old, he's chosen to take on that role!
(Maybe I should learn a lesson from this one, too!!)

 I've been reading a book authored by one of my blogging buddies.  Tracy Spaine over at My Thoughtful Spot wrote a book called Life through the Eyes of a Hurricane Doggie-Dog.  My favorite part is that each chapter ends with "I love this life."  Haven't finished the book yet, but I'm liking what I read so far. 

So that's a little bit of what was going on in my life this week.  Oh, and the new food thing...I tried two different dips.  Couldn't bring myself to try the avocado dip my son made (yeah, that's a visual thing about putting that color green in my mouth).  But of the dips I tried, I liked one, not the other.  Hey cut me some slack, people.  I'm trying!!  And I tried some German Potato Salad that my sister made and loved it.  Not too vinegary. 

Okay, that's all for now.  Hope your weekend has some sunshine in it!! And a little bit of cool weather.  And that you can wrap up this weekend by thinking, "I love this life."

Touch-A-Truck Date

Today, I'm giddy with excitement. I have a date...with my 2-year-old grandson. We are going to the Touch-A-Truck event. Every year, the town he lives in hauls out their big trucks, tractors, fire trucks, etc. and let's the kids climb on/in them and enjoy them. Last year, just barely over a year old and walking only a few months, this little boy nearly ran to each of the trucks. Today, a year later, he can tell you the official name of a "bobcat" vehicle. For those uninformed among us, a bobcat is actually called a skid steer loader and if you have a conversation with Cormick, he WILL set you straight. We've already had a conversation this morning, with him telling me which vehicles he wanted to see (dump truck and bulldozer) and him asking me what I want to see (fire truck). And he's only 2 years old!!!! I am so blessed!!

Will post pics of this year's event when I'm back home later this afternoon!! See ya!!

Sunday, 9/13/09 - Okay... update on my "date" yesterday.... we had a ball!! On the way to the event, he revised his list of what he wanted to see... besides the dump truck and bulldozer, he added EXCAVATOR. Yes, he used that word... How many 2 year olds do you know who will say they want to see an excavator? I'd guess most adults don't know what one looks like, but he pointed one out to me on our way to the place. I'm so in awe of this kid!! And he was in awe exploring the trucks.