He is clearly seen.

What happens to a person who steals their niece?  Now I know that my sister would not like it very much and I’m certain my brother-in-law would get very mad but is there a law against stealing your niece?  Do you think her brothers would beat me up?

I kid, I kid…..but I must tell you that I want to kidnap my Bella and never ever let her go home.  I just love her so much.  I love her for so many reasons (one of them is that she reminds me so much of my sister) but I loved her even more when she let me photograph her.

XOXO, Bella Sweet.  I adore you.

Dinner on the boat.  My sweet niece with us.  Beautiful weather.  Calm lake.  Swimming.  Water skiing. Tubing.

Perfect ending to a summer day.

Many years ago, I had a favorite lipstick color.  It’s bright pink, which is perfect for young 20-somethings. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve stopped wearing such bright colors.  I have one tube with about a quarter of an inch of color left in it.  The last time I wore this color was on my wedding day – almost 15 years ago.  It’s since been discontinued. Knowing that it was discontinued,  I saved the tube.  I’m pretty sentimental like that and the thought of not being able to get that color again caused me to stash that last tube.

As we were walking out of church this morning, Olivia was bouncing around in anticipation of her ballet recital.  And right there in the parking lot my tube of lipstick popped into my head.

I said, “Olivia, would you like to wear the same color lipstick to your dance recital today that I wore on my wedding day?”

Her little heart was so happy.

Our Lulu is half Tomboy and half frilly girl.  She really loves playing with the boys.  And she enjoys other little girls that play like boys.  However, if you give her a frilly dress and a mirror she’ll be set for hours.  Throw in a stage and you can leave for the day because she will entertain herself to the brim.

This morning she was in ballerina mode.  Later today after the rain subsides I will find her in camouflage shorts high up in a tree.

I stare at her a lot.  I’m fascinated by her.