I'm continuing the alphabet theme today, but I seem to be stuck on the letter B for a little bit longer!
In the past few weeks B has stood for Birthday girl (our sweet Miss Lily turned two), Blankie (finished in the nick of time for Miss Madison's arrival!) and of course Beautiful Baby (welcome to the world, Madison!!).  This time B has a starring role in another Birthday, this time my lovely daughter's birthday which we celebrated amidst the Beauty of northern Wisconsin...

We finished our lovely day in Door County with a Bonfire and star gazing, while telling mildly scary stories around the campfire...

I am always so excited to walk through the quiet campground late at night for some serious star gazing!  

But today B also stands for something a little off the camping topic...B represents BOLD.  

As in hello, really short hair! My husband can attest to the fact that I never seem to have the same style for long, always changing things up with my hair.  After my daughter's wedding two years ago I just kind of kept growing my hair, with wild fantasies of classy updo's...sleek french twists and the wildly popular messy buns dancing like visions of sugarplums in my head.  But the sad reality is that my hair is way too thick (I know, I shouldn't complain!!) to stay on the top of my head for more than five minutes - no matter what I or my hairstylist did it simply came undone and I ended up the ponytail girl...

 ponytail after ponytail...

after ponytail!!

The ponytail, while certainly an easy-peasy style to maintain, never conveyed the mildly sassy, pizzazzy way I feel inside.  And the addition of reading glasses at work didn't help...

It was time for a change, so operating on the Go BOLD or Go Home theory, I scheduled an appointment.  Here I am in my car before the appointment...

 and here I am after the appointment!!  What do you think?

And just so you know, this post today was way outside my comfort zone.  I am notoriously camera shy and much prefer to be the one behind the camera, not in front!  You will probably never again see so many photos of me at once, but if I'm talking about being BOLD I guess it has to start with me!  Mary Oliver knew a thing or two about boldness as well, and I hope you enjoy her poem, Cobb Creek.  Let's all have fun making a beautiful splash today!

Last weekend marked our tenth year of traveling north to Door County, Wisconsin.  When life gets to be too much hurrying and scurrying and fretting, the solace of the north woods calms my soul and refreshes my spirit.  Time spent with my husband, daughter and son-in-law laughing, telling stories around the campfire and relaxing in the moment reminded me how precious our lives are.  Coming home Sunday afternoon we heard the horrific story unfolding in Orlando, and once again I found myself praying for families who have lost loved ones to gun violence.  The tragedy reminds me to never take a day for granted - to never miss an opportunity to say I love you to those that mean so much to me.  To not forget to live in the NOW, as there are never any guarantees for tomorrow.  

I Wake Close to Morning

~~Mary Oliver

Why do people keep asking to see

God's identity papers

when the darkness opening into morning

is more than enough?

Certainly any god might turn away in disgust.

Think of Sheba approaching

the kingdom of Solomon.

Do you think she had to ask,

"Is this the place?"

I pray for peace - for the families affected by the tragedy in Orlando, for those who are in pain, for those who face today knowing it is the last day on earth for a loved one.  May we all remember to not grow indifferent to the beauty of life.  

B is for...

Beautiful.
  My life is filled to the brim with beauty and loveliness.  This last week has brought so much joy to our family, starting with...

Birthday Girl

 Our effervescent, ever loving Lily celebrated her second birthday!

Baby Blanket

Lily "helped me" finish this blanket.  I chose green for this blanket - a second child needs an extra dose of color, right?

Beautiful Baby.  

And speaking of baby blankets and a second child, please let me introduce you to my lovely and sweet new grand-daughter, Madison Marie.  Today she is one week old!

 Big Sister

And of course the letter B also stands for Lily's new role as Big Sister.  

Have fun introducing this beautiful world to Madison, Lily!   

 

Phil said the lyrics of Stevie Wonder's song were running through his mind as he held Madison for the first time.  I couldn't agree more!

Isn't she lovely
Isn't she wonderful
Isn't she precious
Less than one minute old
I never thought through love we'd be
Making one as lovely as she
But isn't she lovely made from love

 

Isn't she pretty
Truly the angel's best
Boy, I'm so happy
We have been heaven blessed
I can't believe what God has done
Through us he's given life to one
But isn't she lovely made from love

May your day also be filled with love and beauty.
Happy June first!