Preschool Graduate

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

Little Ballerinas

I happened to have my camera with me the other day at the girls' dance class. Thought you all might enjoy a sneak peek!

Eulogy for a Fish

Today was a very sad day for our little Molly. Her beloved blue Beta fish, Peter Pan went belly-up this morning. Our sensitive little 5 year old has been in tears, mourning the passing of this pet that she has cared for for about a year. When McKenna came home from school, we had a little service for Peter Pan, and buried him in the back yard, complete with little heart-shaped marker, stone, prayers and flowers. Ron and I have felt our hearts squeeze with sadness over how hard Molly is taking the loss of Peter Pan. She is such a tenderhearted little girl.

Ofcourse, we took her to the pet store this evening and let her pick out a new Beta. The one she chose is red. On the way home, we asked her what she wanted to name her new fish. Her prompt answer was, "Jesus". Ron and I both had to stifle laughter at the thought of naming her fish after our Lord and Savior. She was adamant, however, that she wanted to name this new pet Jesus. Neither Ron nor I could bring ourselves to call the fish by his newly given name, so once we got the red beta settled in his new home, we explained why we were hesitant to have her name her fish Jesus. After some thought, she seems to have agreed to come up with another name for him. We told her to sleep on it and make her decision in the morning, however. She is going to announce the new name at breakfast tomorrow. If it is still to be Jesus, then, so be it. I know He must be getting a kick out of the whole thing!

Despite her new fish taking up residence in his new home, it will likely take awhile for him to take up residence in Molly's heart. As she lay down in bed tonight, she asked what we were going to do next with Peter Pan. I told her that we did all we could to, and that it was all over, there's nothing more we can do except bring flowers to his little resting place. The finality of it all settled over sweet Molly as she said, "But I will never see him again", and the tears fell new and fresh. She is learning a very tough lesson today, but through it, hopefully she is learning to not only take her sadness to her Mommy, Daddy and Sister, but also to her Heavenly Father. And Lord, I thank you for our precious Molly who loves even the smallest of your creatures deeply. May you continue to grow in her the loving heart you have blessed her with, that she may shine your light and love to all she encounters.

UPDATE: The new fish's name is Heart.

Scenes from Molly's B-day Party

Molly and her friends celebrated her 5th (yes, 5th!) birthday this past Saturday with cake, dancing, balloon tossings, and general "merry-making". A good time seemed to be had by all. Take a look for yourself!