Mwah-ha-ha-happy Halloween!

Photo editing is sooooo fun......but it's also a time-sucker! Had a lil' fun using picnik editing some recent photos. My children, furry and not, wanted to wish you all a very fun, safe and

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Dad's Birthday!

My Dad's birthday was yesterday and we enjoyed spending time with him and my Mom last night! Do Kyle and Ryan look a little younger here??? Well....silly me, forgot to bring my camera from the studio so I didn't get pictures from last night's celebration. The above photos are from September 27, 2003......these are a couple of my favorite photos of my Dad with the boys....just precious :) Love you Dad, Happy Birthday and maaaannnny more!!

Inspiration Monday......a day late

A Mother's Prayer

God, give me wisdom to see that today
is my day with my children,
that there is no unimportant moment in their lives.
May I know no other career is as precious,
no other work so rewarding, no other task so urgent.
May I not defer it, nor neglect it,
but by thy Spirit accept it gladly, joyously, and by thy grace,
realize that the time is short and my time is now.
For children won't wait!

-Helen M. Young

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My Aunt Jeannette mailed this poem to me a couple of weeks ago and I hung it next to my computer to help me remember all the wisdom it holds. For time is short and our babies grow up so fast. I also chose one of my very favorite artist's paintings to adorn this post. Mary Cassett's art is simply beautiful and touching. Hope you enjoy.......

My boys...my heart....

My favorite!!

My Mom doesn't care much for the serious poses, but I really like this one!

Last weekend I took the boys to a local park in hopes of getting some great photos of them with the beautiful autumn colors....well....it was a success! It isn't the most enjoyable thing for them to do, but I insisted. Remember last week's post about taking pictures of my furry children, a.k.a. Buster and Daisy, well it is a similar experience with my boys. One is serious, the other smiling...then vice versa......or silly, quirky smiles......or goofy poses. It was much easier taking their individual shots but even then, they were challenging. But like I do with the dogs....take many, many pictures and I am bound to get great ones!!! I am very pleased :)

Now....for some silliness....

You can almost see their halos, can't you?
They posed like this to be funny but I love it!

Inspiration Monday

The Cab Ride

I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I walked to the door and knocked.. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.

There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.

She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her.. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.'

'Oh, you're such a good boy', she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?'

'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly..'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice.

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice.. 'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now'.

We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move.

They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse.

'Nothing,' I said.

'You have to make a living,' she answered.

'There are other passengers,' I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.

'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life..

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.

But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

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I received this story in an email last week and as I read it I had tears streaming down my face. The gift of our time and kindness, especially to a person in need, can change the world.........

Freshly Groomed.....

My sweet furry children are smelling good once again.....and sooooo soft!! You have no idea what pains I go through to get pictures of Buster & Daisy...let me re-phrase that.....good pictures of Buster & Daisy. I take a cheese stick (because they will follow me anywhere as long as I have cheese) then I attempt to get them to sit or lie next to each other...but they are too excited about the cheese to get close enough to one another....or I get one to lay down and while trying to get the other one to lay down the first one gets up!!! So I do what I can and take many, many, many photos just to arrive at one or two suitable ones. All in a days work, I guess. But aren't they just the cutest?!?!!?

Here are a few not-so-good pics.....funny but not good.......

A leaf dropped from the tree.......

Whoaaaa.....lil' too close, Buster!

Not your prettiest smile, Daisy.

(She was so excited about getting cheese, she started barking)

Inspiration Monday

Cousins & brothers.....this is quite possibly the best photo I've ever taken.

Kyle & his faithful companions....

This use to be Kevin's Uncle Frank's house
that he shared with his wife and kids (4 or 5...can't remember)
.....wow are we spoiled these days!

Kyle, David, & Ryan with their walking sticks

Such a cool ol' truck

me & my boys :)

My sweet Ryan.....

Shrooms......I don't remember ever seeing so many mushrooms!!
They were in clumps like this everywhere!

Kyle, Ryan & David

Every year we HAVE to hike to the ridge or "mountains" as Ryan kept calling it. The boys (and dogs) ran up and down the ridge more times than I can remember. They would fall and roll.....it made me a nervous wreck. I told my sister-in-law, Debbie, "I can't watch anymore"...thank God no one got hurt.......boys........

Looks like fire, doesn't it?

This picture is so funny....Kyle's legs look ginormous!

FAMILY + NATURE = INSPIRATION

Aren't these "get-a-ways" why we work so hard the rest of the time? We were back at the farm in Manistee, Michigan this past weekend enjoying the beautiful weather and incredible fall foliage. There's nothing more refreshing than an autumn nature walk with family and furry children in tow. Hope you take the time to enjoy God's handiwork this fall.

Ronald Reagan.....a wise man

"Limited Government"
acrylic on antique wood 18" x 24"
©Teresa Kogut

This quote is from Ronald Reagan's farewell address in 1989. Do we really want the government so involved in our lives...making decisions for us....because they know what's best for us? Pay attention because that is exactly what is happening. (Sorry to be a "downer" today...... just sharing my concern for our country and our children/grandchildren's future)

Inspiration Monday

"FOCUS ON THE THINGS YOU LOVE & LIFE WILL BE BEAUTIFUL"

I don't know where I heard this quote....but I love it and wanted to share it with you. Isn't it true though...even when some days it isn't easy....focus on the things you love. The images above are some of my faves (and of course, art) but there are countless wonderful, just, pure, and beautiful people and "things" in this world......don't just keep them in your thoughts but go out and enjoy them!!