Another boy photo shoot . . .

Brad found me a new model . . . Dakota.

Bradley, Michael and Dakota posed for some photos . . . I think the three of them look like a boy band!

Jamie's Exciting News . . .

Yesterday, Jamie and I had an interview with the Director of a group home in Shippensburg. While it is further than we had hoped, he is at the top of the waiting list there and they are expecting his room to be available within the next one to three months . . . (quick gasp). We have been waiting for this for a while, but now it seems to be nearly here! We are both excited, but nervous.

Jamie aced his interview and was accepted. Just this last week, we started working with a Transition Coordinator too - Meredith. She's great and will assist with the preparation and transition. His goal is to complete the group home program and then advance to a shared apartment program and then finally have his own apartment and live mostly independent.

Yeah Jamie!!!

Elizabethtown Horse Show . . .

Denita, Toby and Leslie all showed in the Elizabethtown Horse Show last Sunday . . . I went to help them and had a great time . . . they all took home ribbons. Reese (the horse) did awesome and Leslie was just too, too cute . . . she just can't help it!!

Jamie is officially engaged!

Two weeks ago, I took Jamie to Chastity's for the weekend in beautiful Muncy. She lives atop a hill with a stunning view. We lured her into the front yard under the guise of a family photo session.

Once Jamie's nerves settled down, he dropped to his knee, pulled out the ring and asked her to marry him. Yeah - I teared up! It was so sweet. Of course she said yes!

I made art . . .

Last night I was in the mood to make art . . . quite possibly it was a subconscious attempt to divert my attention from more important must-do's, but all the same it was a ton of fun to pull out the art supplies and I've got a frameable piece now!

Titled Rainy Day Flowers . . . This is a 12" by 16" mixed media work on canvas with an acrylic painted background and flowers handcut petal by petal from various papers with inked edges. Each blade of grass is handcut and applied. The entire piece is sealed.

Make me an offer . . . I had to pay $$ to get the hot water heater fixed this week, refrigerator fixed last week and the CD player broke in my car . . .

Bradley's Summer Job

Yesterday Bradley and his friend Michael decided to start their own business - yup, they are 12!! They have a mower and weed wacker and will travel . . . by foot to central (gulp) Enola.


Calling themselves MB Mowing, they have created flyers and in a moment of sheer marketing genius . . . asked me to take photos of them in matching shirts to authenticate their business. They even came up with a tag line - Hometown boys offering hometown service . . . at a hometown price. Ok, maybe I helped a little . . .

These flyers were then distributed to neighbors in a three block radius and we are just waiting for the phone to ring off the hook.


I gotta give them credit . . . it was delightful to listen to them discussing realistic topics such as who mows and who weedwacks, what about offering discounts, how much to charge and what to do if it is a one person job.


So they are just waiting for the phone to ring off the hook!

Leslie at the Rodeo!!

On Saturday evening, sweet, tiny Leslie rode a sheep at the Shartlesville Rodeo . . . the smallest kid and a girl no less . . . she placed second!! She held on for a whopping 52 seconds!! You go girl!

An Afternoon with Family . . .

This afternoon, Jen and Adam hosted a family get together. My cousin Chuck has the most BEAUTIFUL son and daughter. They both have amazing, big blue eyes that beg to be photographed. The highlight of the day was probably all the couples posing on the extra wide, old fashioned, wood swing in Jen's backyard . . . lots of laughter today . . .

Here are my favorites:

Bradley Goes to Camp . . .

This is the first time that Bradley will be going to camp with his cousins . . . far, far away. Four 12 year old boys away from home . . . I hope they don't get into too much trouble!!

The departure with cousin Zachary:

. . . and Chicken Corn Chowder!

Dinner is ready . . . I had leftover corn on the cob, white and red potatos, grilled chicken breast, so I just had to make Chicken Corn Chowder.

This is such a hearty soup that tastes even better as a leftover!