The Rainy Day

Rain 

The rain is raining all around 

It falls on field and tree,

it rains on the umbrellas here, 

and on the ships at sea. 

Robert L. Stevenson

Today we went to the farm to buy fresh milk and free range eggs. The rain didn't stop us, we put on our rain coats and boots and went exploring. Here is Henry in his pretty cool, dinosaur, rain coat.

Lucy was very sweet to pose for this pic of her in her 
red, polka dot, slicker.
Love the pink camo pants and sneakers  ;) 

We were inside the store. Zackary and Henry had a lot of fun playing with these rough and tough cowboys. The cowboys came out with their boots and cowboy hats, their wooden guns. They were a grave posse. I had to chuckle ...  Henry was equally serious in his intent on shooting the bad guys, but his shiny, dinosaur, city rain slicker made it hard to be taken seriously. 

Zackary's really cool rain boots. 

Kimberly's really pretty bleeding heart plant. 


It's been a really rainy day, kids have been inside a lot so mom let them use some of their internet tickets .. 


a good time 

And then dinner ... mmm ... 

A wonderful day

La Cucina di Elisa

This was Elisa's big day. She was in charge of the whole kitchen. They sold over 50 meals and it was her job to plan the meal, plan a cooking schedule, provide recipes and manage the fellow culinary students as they followed her instructions. 

The menu for the day

Chef gave her a thumbs up. She did a wonderful job. 

Her fellow culinary students enjoyed working with her. 

Happy Easter.....

The Baby of the Family

My baby is growing up. 

Elisa.
This is the weekend she took care of the Vermillion kids. 

She and Benjamin did an awesome job.
We all remember when Elisa was a chubby, adorable toddler.
Her blonde, wispy hair, her charming smiles.
Her screams and her giggles.
As a little one she held onto family and wouldn't let go.
She's still the same.
We all love you Elisa.
<3

WAITING for pictures and stories 

from my wonderful daughters 

Looking for Spring

speedwell

A light exist in spring

Not present on the year

At any other period -

When March is scarcely here 

... Emily Dickinson

Emily and Rebekah

Photo by Rebekah

A color stands abroad 

On solitary fields 

That science cannot overtake 

But human nature feels

 It waits upon the lawn

It shows the furthest tree 

Upon the furthest slope you know

It almost speaks to you

Henbit

 Robert Lewis Stevenson

 So when the earth is alive with gods

And the lusty plowman breaks the sod,

And the grass sings in the meadows.

And the flowers smile in the shadows,

Sits my heart at ease, 

Hearing the song of the leas,

Singing the songs of the meadows. 

Now

I've been thinking about my seemingly constant longing for what I don't have. I struggle to live in the moment I am in; thinking that things could be, and should be, so much better. Where is the line between wanting to do better, to be better and to wanting to have better? And even this begs the question, why must I always be better? Why can't I just be?

I am trying to quiet my mind; trying to hear God rather than to keep filling my mind with more and more and more information about what I should do, be, and have. Live now, not live for later.

However, this discipline is escaping me despite my best intentions.

I think this will be a longer process than I originally thought. Probably will be a day by day reminding, to put down the information, the opinions, and to pick up the quiet.