My silly 4 year old

More everday moments

Here's Adrian playing with Manny's toy. He, of course, prefers Manny's toys versus his baby toys.

Everyday Moments with the boys

I hope you enjoy these little videos as much as I do! Sometimes it's the little things that are the sweetest things about my day. Like hearing Manny spontaneously say, "Mama I love you." Or seeing Adrian light up when he looks at me with that huge smile. Or the way they giggle at each other. When I force myself to not worry about cleaning the house and just sit down with them and enjoy them in the present...life is bliss!

Beetles 1 - Jacquie 0

There is a battle occurring in my garden. And yet I feel like Ghandi in the middle of a minefield. Yes, it is our choice to grow things organically. I remember that. I could go in there and battle those dang Japanese Beetles and Squash bugs with tons of powder, sprays and chemical warfare. But...but...but...what about the children? I would hate for my kids to not be able to touch the leaves, eat the fruit, walk barefoot on the grass because I've just killed everything so that my garden will look better. The Japanese beetles are all over everything. My sweet peas, my grape leaves, my raspberry leaves, the pole beans...even my tomatoes!!! They are in the hundreds all over...EWWWWW. I tried a hot pepper remedy...I think they like it spicy. Well I can't blame them, I like it spicy too. ;-) I don't know, I know there are organic sprays, and perhaps I'll have to use that next time. Because they are winning. They've left my grapes a skeletal mess and are hungry for more.

If you have any ideas please email. Seriously...you have three days or I'm turning to the dark side and buying Real Kill. Other than that, things are growing very nicely!

Japanese Beetles eating my green bean leaves

Hope

Sometimes I take for granted this four letter word. There is such power and inspiration in the choice to hope. There is such freedom in letting go and having faith that things may turn out for the better. I was thinking about this while looking at my flower. You see, after one of my toughest winters ever, I was quite eager for spring, and as soon as it got a wee bit warmer, I bought one of my favorite flowers for the garden. The Black Eyed Susan. It is a beautiful yet humble little flower. It doesn't shout out for attention like a Rose, Dahlia or Peony. It is understated in its beauty. Perhaps that's why I like it so much.

During the spring I would bring it inside at night. One cool night I left it out a little too long and it all but died on me. I had a choice, plant it and see what happens or throw it away. Well, I decided to take a chance on my poor little flower. So I planted it, and had faith and hope that it would survive. Many, many weeks went by where it just looked awful. But I didn't have the heart to throw her away! I kept telling myself, one more week. Well, soon thereafter I saw an encouraging sign...dark green growth...just a little bit...but enough to give me hope. So I left her alone. I weeded around her, but pretty much just let nature take over. I could have added fertilizer or food but, I don't know, a part of me wanted to see how she'd do on her own.

My hope has paid off, she is strong, green and just about to burst forth with her first flowers. I can't wait! I'm so glad I had hope for her. I think we've all been in personal situations where we're either the gardener tending to our most desperate plant; or we're the desperate plant just praying that someone won't throw us away. That someone will love us and encourage us to live and grow stronger. That someone will have faith in us. That someone will hope to see us burst forth in tremendous beauty. Black Eyed Susan in May 2008

Black Eyed Susan in July 2008