I grew up in the Catholic church, but not until now have I become intrigued with the architecture, style and history of the churches in our area. (Catholic). As I travel around our small community I have been taking snaps of the different church and it’s been fun looking up their history. My next adventure is getting inside these churches and taking more pictures!
I hope I got the church and location correct as I label the following shots. If I’ve made a mistake and you know about it, let me know!!! I need to find a better way to keep track of each one!
Roscoe, MN
Springhill or maybe Lake Henry??? (Help me if you can!!!)
Spring Hill or Lake Henry???
Richmond, MN
Me (to unbelieving friend): Really? You don’t believe in God?
Friend: Really. I’ve never seen God. You’ve never seen God. How can you naïvely believe there is such a “thing”?
Me: Well, can you prove there is no God?
Friend: No. Can you prove there IS a God?
Me: Ha! Funny you should ask…
(All photos taken 3.18.2011)
“Lord, thank you that you are not a part of my life.
You ARE my life. I love you.”
Enjoy some friends…
Enjoy some fun…
get a little crazy…
(What on earth????)
Enjoy some snacks (just a little…)
(I SAID JUST A LITTLE!!!!)
And be thankful for your wonderful life!
And now…
ON TO SPRING!!!!!
Take them seriously…
This weekend Carly, Mike and Ava came over and we celebrated Mike’s birthday! It was a lovely time, visiting, playing carbles, having a birthday dinner and a birthday cake! And…having Ava here is always extra fun for me! That little girl is so fun to be around!
After dinner we brought out the cake. Ava was so excited she could hardly wait to dive in! She watched Mike cutting the cake…and trying to be so patient! She was so excited that she kept saying, “Happy Cake, Dad! Happy Cake, Dad!” It was so cute!
I just love having the kids over…anytime, all the time! We missed Casey and Tony being there, but they had other plans. But, we know there will be more times to get together and enjoy each other’s company!
It was a fun “happy cake” weekend!
I hope nobody is looking…
Oh, hurry dad. I can’t wait!
Trying to be patient.
Maybe if Carly holds me it will take my mind off the cake!
Dad is taking his sweet ‘ole time!
The cake was good…now I think I’ll crawl in the suitcase and see where it takes me!
Relaxing after dinner and cake!
Oh sweet Ava…I love you!
I have always been intrigued with the Becker Power Plant. Last weekend when Brian and I went to the park to take the swan pictures, we drove around and found our way to the power plant. We got as close to the actual power plant as we could without violating the “no trespassing” signs, and/or sneaking through the gate. Brian kept telling me they were going to come and confiscate my camera and chase us away. What are we, spies? Sheesh!!! I just wanted to take pictures! It was actually kind of ominous being so close. But I really liked how the pictures turned out, especially with the sun behind all the smoke it made it look really…well, see for yourself!!!
That was a very fun day, and in a later post I’ll tell you the bad part of the day!!! But, not to worry…everything turned out ok!
Today was Paula’s birthday, so a few of us got together to help her celebrate! It was our first time at Fuji Steak House, and we had a great time. The food was great, as was the entertainment provided by the hibachi guy! And we had a great time meeting a couple who were there celebrating their 16th wedding anniversary (they were seated at our table!)
Never been there? Give it a try! It is lots of fun!!!
Go HERE to see Cheryl’s photo!
Today was a wonderful day to go out and check out the beautiful trumpeters on the Mississippi River! The last time we went was also a VERY cold day, but we don’t really stay long…just long enough to snap a few shots and watch the amazing swans putter around in the water. Very few actually get out of the water, and even fewer get up and fly when it’s this cold. Remember, the water is above 32 degrees, but the air was below 0! Also, notice how lots of them tuck their heads under their wings while floating in the water…guessing it’s much warmer under there as well!
The geese, however, seemed to gather mostly on the ground. I still can’t figure that one out…because it must be much colder up there!
God’s creation continues to amaze me. How he created some animals to be able to survive and thrive in the cold, how some might need to go hibernate, how some simply take off and head south for the cold months. At any rate, I give Him glory when I take the time to really take in His incredible creation, and thank Him for the beauty He has created!
Enjoy these photos! Then go and check it out for yourself! It’s fun! Oh…and don’t forget your camera!!! (Boots, hat, gloves, scarves…)
Enjoy God’s creation…no matter what the weather!!!
I got to photograph Kelly and Charlie shortly before Christmas. I waited until Kelly had a chance to use the photographs for her needs, but finally she gave me the “go ahead” to post some of them on my blog!
So…here they are:
What a nice couple!!!
If you have any constructive photo advice or opinions on any of these pictures, I would really LOVE to hear it. I’m all about making things better and would love to hear from you!
Thanks!
There’s something about a pair of twins I just cannot resist. Maybe because it is still so amazing to me that someone would have 2 babies at once! I don’t know why!!! My niece recently gave birth to twin (girls!) and I can’t wait to go and meet them.
Piper and Prairie are pretty special to me…just because I love their momma and their grandma and great-grandma so much (and auntie, of course!), and I’ve known them for quite some time! Today they came to church all cute and matching and both in braids and the cutest tights ever! They reminded me of Heidi! So, yes, I just couldn’t help taking their pictures!
Ohhhhh…the cuteness just makes me smile and smile and smile!!!
It started off innocently enough. A few good friends. Out for a very nice dinner. Celebrating Brian and my 30th wedding anniversary! Then back to our house for dessert and a (mean) game of Apples to Apples…
Sounds like fun? It was!!!
But…
After the games. After the dessert. After the wonderful time with friends. When everyone went home, I began to get sick. Blech…
Food poisoning? Flu? Ulcer?
I didn’t sleep all night…or all the next day (which was Sunday), or Sunday night, Monday, Monday night or Tuesday. Finally on Tuesday afternoon I got in to see the doctor. The stomach pain was almost unbearable (ask Brian what happened when we forgot the pain meds at the doctor’s office on Tuesday! I almost went ballistic!). I was certain I could not go another minute with the pain and illness, and if I didn’t get some relief NOW, I would certainly lose my mind. (No comments, please!)
Anyway, the doctor identified the issue as a probable gall stone attack. I was SUPER fortunate to get in to have an ultra-sound immediately (right at the doctor’s office) and yes, they did find gall stones. The doctor was concerned because the size and position of the gall stones in themselves should not have been causing that problem, so he decided to schedule surgery for the next day to have the gall bladder removed. Fine with me. GET IT OUT OF THERE!
The surgery was scheduled for 3:00 pm (if I remember correctly). It was a little delayed because of the doctor’s schedule, but the last thing I remember was being in the hallway down by surgery, talking to the anesthesiologist as he inserted an iv in my arm. The surgery was to be a simple same day surgery.
It took me awhile to figure out that something was going on, when I woke up and was in the cardiac intensive care unit. At first I guess I just thought I was in recovery until Brian and one of the nurses started to explain that I would need to stay overnight and have a bunch of tests done. Of course, I would have no way of knowing that while there were minor complications during the surgery because of scar tissue from previous surgeries I’ve had, the big issue was that while I was under my vital signs dropped suddenly, which indicated there may be heart complications. I’m glad I wasn’t awake to hear that! I was fairly calm about having to stay the night…since I was in a fair amount of pain and discomfort, it suited me just fine to stay as close to the meds as possible! It was strange though. That state of confusion your mind rests in when you’re on medication. I knew what was going on, but didn’t realize until days later the real issues. I do remember nurses coming in at 3 and 4 in the morning taking blood and doing tests, etc. Still, I was just content to stay in bed and rest (not have to move). By the next morning when the surgeon came in he assured me that all of the tests they took came out negative (obviously a wonderful thing to hear – although I will follow up in a week or so to check out other possible problems). I went home that afternoon…feeling pretty much like someone beat me up in a dark alley, but still thankful that everything turned out ok and knowing that I would come home to rest and get better.
It’s been close to 2 weeks now, and I’m desperately trying to get back to work. I feel fairly good, but I am extremely tired. I guess it takes a lot out of a person when someone digs in and messes around with your innards!
Isn’t it weird how these surprise events turn up in your life sometimes? It certainly took me by surprise! The Word tells us to not be surprised by these things! That anything can happen at any time! Boy, is that right! Are we practicing what the Bible tells us? To always “be ready, for the Son of God can return at any time”? Are we prepared for the unexpected? This was a very good lesson for me, and one I don’t ever want to forget. I was not prepared to have a major surgery, but there was no avoiding it! Will I make the best of my situation? I certainly am trying! Pastor Denny prayed with me before the surgery, and reminded me that “in all things God works to the good of those who love Him”. There are so many things that have made things better from my experience…especially my awareness for my family and friends, how much I love them and need to let them know that. It makes me even more desperate to share the Good News with more and more people, so that they too can live with pure joy, no matter what the circumstance.
Christmas was kind of a bust for me. I wasn’t very festive, that’s for sure! But my family was there and that meant the world to me, and I wonder if it really could have been any better? I don’t think it could have. I love them so much, and as I thought about lots of different scenarios, I know that God was watching over me and that I am just plain blessed beyond measure to have such an amazing family. I really have much, much more than I deserve or ever thought to ask for.
What a crazy ending to 2010!!!
Once upon a time, I met a little girl whose name was Ava.
Wait.
Let’s back up a little bit…
Once upon a time, I met a very nice young man named Mike.
Mike is Ava’s dad.
Oh. Wait.
Let’s back up just a little bit more…
Once upon a time, my lovely youngest daughter met a very nice man, Mike, who had a little girl named Ava.
Carly and Mike had been friends for a year or so when they decided maybe they would start dating. After a little while, Carly brought Mike home to introduce him to Brian and I, and yes, we liked him right from the start!
And it didn’t take much longer for Mike to bring Ava to meet Carly’s mom and dad, and, well, it was very hard NOT to fall in love with her!
That is the story of how I met Ava. And I’m hoping she’ll be around for a long, long time!
Once again, in an attempt to be inspired and work (HARD) on my photography I have decided to jump on the 1/365 bandwagon…ANOTHER time. Yes, I’ve done this before, and no, I’ve never completely finished the entire 365 days. Please help me to be consistent and stay on track!!! I really, really do want to commit to this and stick to it!
So, with that in mind, here is #1 –
Early Morning Fishing with Dad
I think my camera is getting rusty. I haven’t used it in forever it seems. I seem to be in quite a funk, and I don’t like it one bit! What can I do?
It seems as though the days are flying by so fast-no matter what I do to make each and every moment count I just can’t seem to slow down the clock! By the time my “regular” things are finished for the day, there is no time to be creative, write, take pictures…all the things I dearly love to do. So, what is going on?
Brian and I have had some great times getting ready for Christmas. Getting and decorating the tree, shopping and spending way too much money, a trip to the cities (yes, more shopping) and lunch with Carly, out to dinner with Casey and Tony (and more shopping). Decorating for a church function, planning Christmas get-togethers (still ahead!) and yes, even more shopping! All of this has been very, very fun and very productive! And yet as each day ends I struggle with my long list of things that I did not get time to do…with taking pictures at the top of the list.
I get it, I really do…ALL of us have the same 24 hours in our day! Right? But then, why do some of you have so much time to “do it all” while others of us never have enough to finish the things we really want to finish, or do, or try? If I am a total “time waster” then somebody please tell me! I’ll go back to Fly Lady if it’s just a matter of getting reorganized. I’ll try getting up earlier if that will make a difference (although in the past that has proven to be unsuccessful). I’ll quit reading for pleasure and only read when necessary…I’ll even leave the office at 5 pm if that will help the situation! What??? What is it??? Even taking a day off of work only caused me to be busier! Huh??? How does that work?
So, tonight I will rest. I’ve prepared for my (yes, busy) day tomorrow. I’ve completed my chores. I’ve got one quick trip to the laundry room to get to and then I’ll forget about laundry for now. I’ll take one…just one, picture to post here tonight. (First, I’ll clean my camera, if I have to…if it’s not really rusty, it is dusty for sure.) And then I will go and rest in the arms of my Heavenly Father. I will thank Him for being Lord of my life. And I will repent of wasted time, and thoughtless actions and I will thank God that “in my heart I plan my course, but the Lord determines my steps.” And I know that I will rest well tonight.
And pray.
Tomorrow.
Will give me more time.
To do the many things I love.
First.
Praise my God.
And.
Take at least a few.
Pictures…
(Getting ready for Inspire for Women’s White Christmas")
It was so much fun to have a “little” person at my house for Thanksgiving!
Sweet, sweet Ava!!! What fun!
So thankful for the youth of our church and our community…and for all the amazing leaders that pour out their hearts and lives into our kids!
Thank you, Lord, for every blessing you pour out on us.
Thankful for the full moon…shining through the skylight in my bathroom!
Chai latte!
Yep, it’s really that simple!!!
Wow! I’m behind!
I’m thankful for my little friend, Mateo. And the time I get to hang out with him.
One little boy and one cell phone camera…priceless!
Ha! Funniest kid ever!!!!
I am so thankful our youth group and youth pastor, and their heart for missions. What an awesome night it was tonight as these students gave…and gave BIG! It was a night to celebrate!
I’m so thankful to Brian for putting up our nativity scene while I was at work today! I was pleasantly surprised! Thanks, Brian!!!
(picture taken with my phone)
Today I am thankful for my church; which also happens to be my place of employment!
Wonderful people, a beautiful building, fun co-workers…
what a life...
Thank you, Lord!
(*picture taken with phone)
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