Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real: Down South, Y'all! Edition

Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life
Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

Warning: This is another niece-heavy post!

What can I say?  My sisters have some of the most exquisite children ever born.  It's a burden we all must bear.

Ye be warned...
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So, we went on vacation to The South.  Dharma and Vance live in South Carolina now and just had that sweet baby so we took advantage of Redheaded Snippet's Spring Break from school AND her official visit to the University of Richmond to visit the land of "Ma'am," and "Y'all," and sweet tea!

 Pretty

I ask you: Is this not pretty?  I was taking a photo of Lulubee (trying it out--what do you think?) and Fidget upped the cuteness factor exponentially by crawling up into the shot.

Awwwwww....

Redheaded Snippet took this self-portrait during a walk to the pond.

Dharma and Vance live about two blocks from this lovely pond.  The weather was accomodatingly pleasant throughout our visit so kids and dogs were able to make frequent walks to see the ducks, skip rocks, and bask in the sunshine we've been so sorely lacking up in Jersey!

Happy

Sometimes I think it's a mercy these two (who I have started thinking of collectively as Snippety Fidget) are so far apart in age.  They are so much alike; can you imagine the trouble they would get into if they were closer in age?

And here we have the elusive Rosebud, caught in a quick cuddle with Gram!  This was moments before we had to leave to come home, so this cuddle was bittersweet.

Funny

Calvin's self-portrait submision.

I don't think we even have to ask her to make silly faces anymore.  As soon as the camera comes out, she starts making faces!

I forget what this is but it's somewhere in South Carolina and Calvin thought it was hilarious and warranted a photo.  It's a giant peach (apparently South Carolina is known for its peaches--I thought that was Georgia but then I'm a Yankee, what do I know?) and locals call it The Butt.  Not sure if you can tell from this shot, but it does rather look rather bum-like.  I suppose that explains why Calvin remembers it as one of the highlights of the entire trip.

This shot is also courtesy of Calvin.  It's his breakfast waffle from the University of Richmond cafeteria complete with the image of a spider, pressed into the center.  The spider is UR's mascot and Calvin thought that was just the coolest.  First, it's a spider (I mean, C'mon!) and second, it has a perfect little well to contain the perfect amount of syrup whilst the outer ring is the perfect place to pipe some whipped cream!

Real

I know I usually post "Real" pics that fall under the I-Can't-Believe-How-Crazy-My-Life-Is-Right-Now category but this time is a bit different.  This time, my reality is I-Can't-Believe-How-Wonderful-My-Life-Is-Right-Now.  The above is the scene that greeted us when we finally arrived home from a grueling ten-hour drive after a week away.  The Vicar wasn't able to make the trip with us and had to spend the entire week rattling around this house by himself (which he hates).  And when we were joyously reunited (we all missed him so MUCH), we were so touched to find he had prepared a snack and a cheery fire for us!  What a guy!

And this was the next morning.  Spring finally arrived!  The windows were opened, the birds were singing, warm breezes were blowing, and we just sat and enjoyed the patterns playing on the floor in the sunlight from the billowing curtains.  And I thought, "Wow.  This is my life.  This is amazing!"

And finally, a bittersweet dose of reality.

This is the 2013 University of Richmond Field Hockey Team.  There's Redheaded Snippet in the front row, third from the left.

One of the determining factors in the timing of this trip was Redheaded Snippet's official visit to the University of Richmond.  We got to tour the city, meet the rest of the team, spend more time with the coaches and generally remind ourselves why we're all so excited that our Snippet is going to be a Spider!  We really couldn't be happier about the way God worked this one out.  A year ago, we thought things were going to be very, very different, but this way--God's way--is worlds better than anything we could have orchestrated.

And isn't it always?

But it is bittersweet because it's another reminder that the days are just slipping away softly, like pearls slipping off a string.