Thanksgiving 2008

For Mark's love, devotion, steadfastness, vision, protection, friendship, companionship, cheerleading, intensity, adoration, honesty, constant forgiveness, dedication, straight forwardness, being a Godly, devoted husband, father, church elder, business man and attorney.

For Matthew's intellect, kindness, passion, interest, tenacity, logical mind, brilliance in math, language and grammar, love & speed of reading, understanding, insight, loyalty to family and friends (Luke, Ricky, Ben, Zeb, Conrad, Joshua, Mr. T, Zane, J and Reese), tenacity, even temper, consideration, quick mindedness, honesty, excellent eye-hand coordination (in juggling) and physical ability (brown belt in Kuk Sool Won).

For Lily's easy going nature, beauty, love of beauty, constant creativity, love, attention to detail, poetic eye, steadiness, broad tastes, openness to change, sense of fun and excitement, grace, gymnastic ability, physical strength, loyalty to her friends (Savannah, Edward, Mr. T, Abigail, Hannah, Reagan and Jeadyn).

For Laura's consideration, ability to learn and grow, love, little hands, creativity, cuddles, energy, intensity, brightness, insight, sensitivity, poise, focus, single mindedness, strength, her naturalness in front of the camera, how she inspires art in me continually, fearlessness, attention to detail, clear memory, tenacity.

For Annie's sweetness, funny ways, continual delight, smile, joy, love of her family, chattiness, quick mind, adoration of her daddy, maternal instincts, passion for dolls, books and going to bed, understanding, independence, love of her siblings and little friends (Mahali, Nomi and Hope).

Pledge of Alligence

We say the pledge each day before school. I realized today that Annie, who is 2 1/2 could pretty much say it. This is too cute!

Beautiful Day

Heaven would make sense if every day looked like today. It was in the 60's, the sun was shining and we had no where particular to go. I worked on a art piece for my book while Annie painted on wood beside me, Mark & Matthew went to Karate and the girls were playing outside with the Clark boys. The back door was open, the kitchen clean and it was fresh and sunny, lovely.

After Mark and Matthew got home they got to work on the 'path', the others joined in. We are carving out a sculpture walk in our forest, inspired by the same in Dublin. Our plan is to make the path and then invite church friends to create family sculptures to display along the path in next years art festival.

By the time I made it out they had moved tons of rocks to line the initial part of the path. I got the rake and spent the rest of the day along side Mark and the kids marking out the path. We wound it around the back part of the forest with a big loop, perfect for playing chasing on. Kids running, laughing, helping, enjoying. Laura wore many different costumes, Annie cared for dolls, Lily trampled down that path with her best buddy Edward, Mr. T axed limbs out the the path and Matthew trimmed plants and built a log wall with Mark.

When they got tired and wandered off to play other places I got my iPod and filled up my mind with art and ideas as I raked. We made good progress, our path is taking shape. I can so envision adding sculptures to the path.

Mark made steak for dinner, lit a fire and we watched a family movie. Then the kids played in their rooms while Mark and I watched the movie 'Hulk', which I enjoyed until the big fight scenes at the end, but I was processing photos the whole time so the time was not lost!

We had brownies and ice cream for desert, bundled up in our warm living room.

I love my family. I love my home. I love my husband. I love my art. I love my life. Thank you God for all my blessings.

post for me

I have not looked at this blog for over a year. I re-read some posts and am SO pleased that I recorded our life a little in this way! I am so glad that I took that time to record stuff that seemed so obvious back then, but are details that I may have forgotten had I not.

I am wondering if I should journal here again! I have my art blog, I have my photo blog - which show parts of me, Shona, my vision. But what of our daily life? Will it disappear in details (at least I have the pictures) if I don't write is down?

I am so glad this is a private blog, no one can see it, unless they have an old link. I can really be me, not that my artful life is not me - but I am less free to say everything as I am conscious of creating a brand for my book, but here - who cares is I say something politically incorrect? it is my blog I can say what I want to. I hope Blogger never goes out of business or I will loose this record.