Every Picture Tells a Story

Can you believe it?  I am posting again...one day after the last post. This must be what you do when your wife is working nights.  I wanted to share a few more photos from our Oregon trip. Shots I think tell a story all their own so there are no captions.  You decide what the story is behind each photograph.

The Crew

We have been home from the coast a little over a week and I have yet to post any photos taken while we were there.  Kim and I had the luxury of flying to Portland then driving for a short while to one of our favorite spots on this earth.  We did not miss the long trek from Boise to the beach.  We rented a house called the Octupus Gardens.  The garden, which lends the house it's name, was a lush oasis of green dotted with various areas to relax and enjoy the beautiful weather.  This portrait was taken in the garden, a lovely backdrop.  The beach was 2 blocks away from our house.  It was great fun to have all the kids close.  Both the Botkin boys and their darling little familes stayed with us at the house.  The Bishops were very close up the road.  We were able to make some wonderful memories during our few days of get away.  It was a relaxing rejuvinating time for us.  Our family is growing and such fun awaits us as we remember past and look forward to future adventures of the Woods, Bishops and Botkins.

Run for Autism Awareness

We did the Run for Autism Awareness yesterday. It was a beautiful day for a run (as if I was going run the entire 3 miles). I did more of a walk/jog which I was pleased about because I thought this old-tired-no-longer-svelte body would only be walking. As I ran the course along the greenbelt there were signs posted periodically along the way with facts and quotes about Autism. Of course Anson was on my mind as I was gasping for air and trying to ignore my ever increasing discomfort. I thought about how I had pitched a ball to him for at least an hour the night before and how quickly he took my instructions on how to stand and hold a bat. You all know me and sports so those instructions will most likely have to be corrected by Uncle Travis and Uncle Tucker. I tried to put thoughts of cardiac arrest out of my mind by thinking of how much Anson talks and is so much more willing to interact with people. I thought of Kendra and Barrett and what wonderful parents they are and what choice spirits they must be to have been selected as earthly guardians for this choice spirit. I thought of how blessed our family is to have such a stong and choice spirit willing to dwell among us and of how much our Father in Heaven must trust us with his care. I thought about the struggles Anson has faced and will continue to encounter as he progesses through this life. As my legs began to hurt and my feet began to ache, as my sweat soaked my shirt and my heart pounded, I realized what a small and insignificant sacrifice this few minutes of my time was. I look at Anson and know that he is an amazing individual. I think he is brilliant, although some may say I am biased. I catch him looking at me sometimes with the silent question of "Why don't you understand, Grandpa? It is clear to me." I look forward to the day when I will understand all Anson understands and will be able to share his unique perspective of this world and truly realize what a blessing he is in my life. How can you look at that smile and not know that he is a chosen son of God destined for greatness?

Pretty Women

 

Pretty Women....Fascinating...Pretty Women are a wonder...Pretty Women. I am blessed to have pretty women in my life. Of course my beautiful wife that has put up with me for 12 years and, for whatever reason, still loves me. I think she may even like me sometimes. I must have done something good in my childhood to deserve her. The other pretty woman in this photo is Sally Murray. She was here a week ago for Mother's day and we were lucky enough to have her share some of her experiences while in Africa. Kim and I were able to spend about 10 days with Sally and her husband, Steve, while they were living in Africa. It was an experience that will forever impact my life. Seeing her in her self proclaimed "Ghanaian Tent" and viewing photos of her adopted country brought back so many memories. I know both Kim and I struggled with our emotions as we watched the portraits of Ghana captured by Sally (I was honored that she had added a few of my photos to her presentation). You will never meet anyone that has a bigger heart and love without bounds. To have the capacity to love unconditionally is something I should strive for. I have a great example in my friend, Sally. She truly is an amazing woman. Not just pretty, but a beautiful daughter of God. I can see why she and Kim have been able to maintain such a deep friendship for so many years. They are very much alike in so many ways. Okay, Kim likes a little bling and sparkle once in a while and Sally doesn't like jewelry, Kim loves purses, bags, etc and I don't think I have ever seen Sally with a purse...they are opposites in many ways too, but they truly are "Soul" sisters. I know my life has been tremendously blessed by my Kimilee and by so many of her friends. It is a privilege to have wonderful women in my life. They are all Pretty Women and they are all Wonders.

Botanical Gardens

Kim and I took the Bishop children, the oldest three, to the Boise Botanical Gardens last Friday. It was an adventure. I was hoping to get some fun photos of the little tykes. The beautiful professional photos that were floating around in my imagination just waiting to be captured on my trusty Canon...well...are still floating around in my imagination. Attempting to pose these three was reminiscent of trying to herd a yard full of cats. Come to think if it, herding cats might have been easier. Don't misinterpret my meaning. I had great fun and the kids were more than wonderful, but herding these three little cats was hard work. Anson, Eden and Bo have wonderful personalities and spirits bursting with energy. This is what makes photographing them such a pleasure. I love some of the shots. I think I may have even captured a bit of those amazing personalities.

Easter

Proud Grandma with her two little Easter Boys. What is it about little boys with bunny ears that makes a Grandma so giddy??? They are two of the cutest, most handsome little men that walk this planet. The other children wouldn't let me take a picture of them with their ears on. I think they may have been concerned about the blackmail potential such a compromising photograh may have in later years. Personally I think they will regret not having their photo with their darling Grandmother. Someday they will appreciate this...

New Arrival - Dax Michael Bishop

Our newest grandchild arrived on April 2nd - a bouncing baby boy. I apologize I don't have all the stats. I do know that he looks an awful lot like his older brother Bo. He is a darling little thing and makes the cutest noises. I think his brothers and sister like him okay. A little slide show will be coming soon.



Bo wasn't sure he wanted to hold Dax but warmed up to him quickly.

I love this photo of Anson. What a precious scene this is.

Eden likes her new brother. She loves to hold him.

Life at the YMCA

I had the opportunity to escort Anson Bishop to the Y for his swimming lesson yesterday. Of course Anson was excited to go swimming, the boy is a fish. Well, the two of us walked into the dressing room and were confronted by a most unexpected site. Sitting on the bench was the largest man I had ever seen. By the look on Anson's face, I think he felt the same. I don't want to be cruel, but my heaven's, there were acres of naked flesh before our eyes. I tried not to stare. Really. I did not want that sight seared into my brain. No matter how hard I focused on the floor, the ceiling, anywhere, my eyes were drawn back to this view of, well, blubber. It was like a train wreck...you don't want to look at the carnage, but you have to. Did I mention we had the back view? Anyway, Anson continued to stare in fascination as the man hefted himself off the bench - remember, back view - to begin dressing. Anson, still staring, pointed at the man and stated in his quiet voice that, no matter how quiet, reverberated through the room "Grandpa, big bottom, big bottom, Grandpa". I made an attempt to shush him, but to no avail. Again, "Grandpa big bottom", then pointing to his own backside said "Little bottom". I was desperately trying not to laugh. The boy did make an excellent comparison. I hurriedly got Anson and his "little bottom" dressed and out to the pool. As Paul Harvey would say, "And now the rest of the story..." cannot be shared. My insurance won't cover the expense of intense counseling for the unsuspecting innocents that may read this...

This is one of my favorite photos of Arli. This was taken on her blessing day. She looks so serene and content. She is growing like crazy and only gets more beautiful every day. It is so much fun to have another baby in the house (although it is only for a very short time). I look forward to the Bishop baby due in a few weeks and then only a few short months later, the first Travis and Stacie Botkin baby will arrive. Babies, babies everywhere. My camera will be busy over the next few months.

Baby Girl Botkin

Baby Girl Botkin made her apperance this morning at approximately 8:25 AM. A great relief to her mother that she finally decided to make her entrance into the world. As you can see from the pictures she is sporting a beautiful head of thick black wavy hair. She is going to be a heartbreaker. Baby Girl Botkin is a svelte 19 inches long and weighs a girlish 7 pounds 7 ounces (I hope I got that right). She is a beautiful little thing. Beck was not sure what to think of her at first but started warming up to her and even smiled at her a few time. We are excited to have this wonderful new little addition to our family. We are truly blessed.

Ain't Love Grand!?!?!

Even though I have no photos, I did want to share a post on our wonderful, romantic get-away for Valentine's Day! We went to ...drum roll please...

The Red Lion Hotel in Boise Idaho! it was actually awesome and we had such a fun time! We were supposed to go to SLC, but because of several reasons, decided not to make the trip.
So, with a little help from our buddies at PriceLine, we had an economical, fun weekend right here at home!. We enjoyed each other so much, along with some great food, great movies, and great entertainment . It was just nice to be able to reconnect with each other, and have some quality alone time!

I am still so in love with my wonderful husband! Every day is a reminder of what an amazing man he is. How fortunate I am to have him in my life!

Love you , Honey!

Finally! Some pictures of Gpa with some of the grandchildren! Yes, I finally got a camera, and don't even try to compare my photos with his! We took the kids to Burger King for some Gpa and Gma time and some yummy(?) fries and chicken nuggets. Anyone who knows these kids, knows how much they love fries and possibly greater than their love of fries, is their love of ketchup! The greatest love of all, is our love for them!

A mathematics award winner!!!

Anson was honored at the Pierce Park Elementary Awards Assembly last Thursday, with a special award for great performance in math for the 1st semester! He got a cool medal on a purple ribbon and a very nice certificate. Mom and Dad (and Gma) are so proud! Way to go, Anson!

A few of Grandpa and Grandma's important things...

Superman's new cape


Beck's new favorite Christmas toy.
Eden transformed into a ballerina.


Who is the man behind the goggles?

Just a Thought

With everything that life has handed us the last few months, I started thinking. I know...dangerous. I was thinking how precious life is and how fragile. How unfettered our lives can be one moment and the next we are entangled in a web of complications, trials, finances, and on and on and on. All these "important" things distract our focus and shroud our perspectives so heavily we forget what is truly important. Family, relationships, spirituality, renewing and serving one another. To paraphrase a quote, "The most important things in life aren't things". I have to remind myself to savor those moments of joy we experience everyday. Shared laughter, the conversation of comfortable silence, the gentle touch of a child's small hand, holding hands with your spouse...the list is endless if you think about it. Just a thought.