One of my favorite things~

photo by cheryl sparks

photo by cheryl sparks

I found this on Sanibel Island at Perriwinkle Place...

Some of our best memories are from Sanibel.

It seemed only appropriate that the photo of

Alexandra and "pupper"

Graham and "teddy bear"

be from the island, too.

Before you were conceived I wanted you.

Before you were born I loved you.

Before you were here an hour I would die for you.

This is the miracle of love.

Maureen Hawkins

I love these kids... they are amazing!

NEON EXTREME FOR FTD

I have to admit... I just love this

photo by cheryl sparks

Winter came down to our home one night
Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed slippers of snow,
And we, we were children once again.

Bill Morgan, Jr.

Every house, every room is different,

and you cannot be sure

of the exact position any object should occupy

until you try it out.

Michael Taylor, The Finest Rooms

photo by cheryl sparks

Susan Saint James Ebersol

Back when she was Susan Saint James... I wanted to be her. I loved her, I loved that she was "married to MacMillian" or Rock Hudson... Oh my gosh... LOVE!!

And then there was Kate and Allie with Jane Curtain.

She just seemed so real.

After watching her on The Today Show this morning, I am pretty sure I was right.

photo by cheryl sparks

Let us open our leaves like a flower,

and be passive and receptive.

John Keats

Passive and receptive.... as I look at my tulips, it seems so easy.

My head gets involved and I am quite sure I can busy myself

and make everything alright.

Silly me.

I will practice being passive and receptive.

My Guy

photo by cheryl sparks

Nothing you can say,
Can tear me away,
From my guy.
Nothing you could do,
'cause I'm stuck like glue,
To my guy.
I'm sticking to my guy,
Like a stamp to a letter,
Like birds to their feathers,
We, stick together,
I'm tellin you from the start,
I can't be torn apart from my guy.

Mary Wells

Friends

You don't choose your family.

They are God's gift to you,

as you are to them.

Desmond Tutu

photo by cheryl sparks

photo by cheryl sparks

Baby, It's Cold Outside

by

Frank Loesser

But oh so beautiful.

photo by cheryl sparks

Sometimes

holding hands

is holding on

to everything.

Mary

photo by cheryl sparks

Mary survived the marshmallow bazooka war on Christmas Morning.

There were mini-marshmallows all over my house.

I am still finding them.

The war was raging.

Grown children running through the house.

Hiding around corners for surprise attacks.

I heard laughter in the house.

It was wonderful.

Children, no matter their age are children.

Mary survived the war.

I can, too.

Mary's Song

by

Amy Grant

Breath of Heaven
Lighten my darkness
Pour over me, your holyness
For your holy Breath of Heaven


Do you wonder
As you watch my face
If a wiser one, should have had my place
But I offer-all I am
For the mercy-of your plan
Help me be strong

My Last Corner of Christmas

photo by cheryl sparks

It is without further ado that I mentally begin 2011.

Let the games begin.

Be Still and Know that I Am God. Psalm 46:10

photo by cheryl sparks

The fagility of the flower in this photograph has always amazed me.

How is that possible?

How does it survive?

Flourish?

I am feeling fragile.

Questioning how I will have the strength to survive this journey.

I tend to do that....

to think I must have that kind of strength.

Then I was reminded.

For I know the plans I have for you,

plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans for a hope and a future

Jeremiah 29