Scottish Festival at Bethabara

Here's some video of the Garner fam enjoying celtic music at the annual Scottish Festival at Bethabara park. We also visited the clan tents to track down some of Ron's Scottish roots. We found the MacCormicks and spoke with folks "of the clan" at length. Apparently, the MacCormicks were a very small clan, and being as such, they joined with Clan MacLean, a much larger clan, for protection. This clan called the Isle of Mull home. We got to see photos of said Isle, and the clan castle... gorgeous! It was all very fascinating. I ofcourse couldn't resist telling everyone there that they needed to read the Outlander series. :-) I am such a Scottish-wannabe. At least Ron and the girls have scotch blood coursing through their veins.

Mother's Day Musings

"He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children" Psalm 113:9

That was my verse. My prayer and my heart's cry going on 9 years ago now. Sometimes it hits me how blessed I am to be a Mommy. I wish it would hit me more often. But sometimes, unexpectedly, I am struck by the sheer wonder of having been blessed to grow and nurture two beautiful babies in my womb. To feel life grow and move inside was truly a miracle that I so delighted in, especially since there was a time when I didn't think I would get to have that experience that so many others take for granted. I was the pregnant woman that most other women secretly (or not so) despise. I adored being pregnant. Relished it, reveled in it, gloried in the miracle of it. And now my little miracles are 5 and 7. So hard to believe.

I remember taking McKenna to her pediatrician for a well visit. The doctor asked me if she was saying "Mama" yet. "No," I told him, "she's saying Dada a lot though!" Dr. Toledo looked at me and said jokingly, "Just you wait. There will come a time when you wish she didn't say your name!" At that time, I couldn't fathom that that day would ever come. Sure enough, Dr. Toledo's words have proved prophetic at times. "MOMMY!! McKenna hit me!" "MOMMY!! MOMMY!! I need (another) drink of water." "MMMMOMMMMM-EEEEEEEEEEE!" Yes, those are the times I wish they were saying "Daddy" (grin).

But then there are the times when those two syllables: Mommy (from McKenna) and Mama (from Molly) are uttered in such a way that brings a joy and love so deep as to break my heart. I am McKenna and Molly's Mommy, and I am indeed blessed.

Meeting John McCain