Nature, Nest, Nurture

This is the Fierce Mama Bird. Yesterday my son and I noticed how big the baby birds had grown. Their smart mama built a nest in our Christmas poinsettia plant right outside our front door. Poinsettias thrive in a tropical environment so ours last forever. Just when we were about to remove it, however, we saw Fierce Mama Bird had built a fine little nest. We have watched her sit on her eggs until finally they hatched. Then we watched as she fed her birds. Fierce Mama Bird has fed her babies multiple lizards and other treats from our yard!

When we saw how big the babies were, I told my son, "She'll be teaching them to fly soon."

Shortly after that comment, I walked to our mailbox and saw the empty nest! I grabbed my camera and followed the chirping. I found them. But Fierce Mama Bird was still on guard! Go, MAma! Go MAma!

FIERCE MAMA BIRD

THE EMPTY NEST (outside our front door)

I'LL FLY AWAY, OH GLORY...
(two of the four baby birds...learning to fly)


RESIDENT BUNNY

MEL & TED AT THE DOG PARK

Andrew watched and waited for this park near our home to open. As my husband and I rode our bikes there Saturday, we were a bit wistful that Andrew had not been able to enjoy this park. But we both concluded, Andrew has far better. We love our boy and miss him terribly each day. Yes, we are smiling and even laughing again...but just underneath our smiles and in our laughter, there is a longing for Andrew to be present in our everyday lives. We console ourselves with the fact that Eternity is far greater than 12 years and 7 1/2 months. But, oh, how the emotion...the sadness and the grief...roll in like the waves of the ocean.

HONEYMOON ISLAND (summer '09)

ANDREW PUSHES US ON THE BEACH SWING HONEYMOON ISLAND ~

summer '09

My Handsome Son, Avery



AVERY STANDING ON THE ROCK

IN THE WILD BLUE YONDER


AVERY UPSIDE DOWN

This morning I am off for an adventure in the wild with my JENuine friend. Today for our Wednesday morning walk, we have a surprise planned for a couple of boys. Audra is in on it and will be our videographer. 'Should be fun. There are fake mustaches and lip gloss involved! Oh...and nature...and maybe a nest...and some nurture, too?

Edited to add: I totally forgot to use the fake mustache but we did remember the lip gloss. Audra recorded EVERYTHING. As long as my friend is agreeable, I'll share it here and on FB. We laughed so hard and you will not believe what we did. She, is indeed, my "Rain or Shine" friend. Today the sun shined.