Texas State Fair 2010

All posted images are compliments of the Argus Bean. I did not want to haul my camera around the state fair. We had a wonderful day. This little camera takes good shots with decent light. We had a total blast this year.

Unattended

Texas State Fair

Must document before I forget. Not an easy task.

We went to the Texas State Fair yesterday. Luka was not afraid at the animal petting arena. Danijela flipped. That is a totally different story. Luka put feed on his tiny hand & let the goats eat without flinching. I bent down between the two kids at one point. With the most sincere expression, both physical & verbal, he looked right at that goat & said, "I love you, goat."

My Hero

It's hard to explain.
My husband is my hero.

He loves me when I am unloveable.
He could have walked away countless times.
He chose to stay and how grateful I am.

He gave comfort when I was afraid.
He believed me and in me when others didn't.
He was gracious when I felt so lost.
You've have always been on my side.

God gave me life and grace.
God gave me Dejan and new life on earth.

Thank you for loving me.
Thank you for holding me.
Thank you for being who you are.
Thank you for your forgiveness.

Dear Facebook

I'm sure you are a really nice guy.

You serve a need for others to connect in this technology-driven society. I know some are addicted to you. I don't quite get it. Maybe I’m an oldtime blogger. I prefer the blog world. Things move more slowly. Most of my friends have abandoned their blogs. Facebook provides more instant gratification.

For me, it pulls me all over the place. I spent time away from family, both my function within it and recording it. I certainly don't need more distractions. I left you once. I returned because Moon Cookie Photography was started.

For me, the blog is a document of our family that will be a book, like an album, for us to enjoy for years to come. It won't include every thought (thank goodness). I'm considering leaving you again. I'm sorry. This is no reflection on my Facebook "friends" or a need to be less connected. It's about life balance and our awesome family.

Facebook may be the future. I need to be present today as a whole person, not in fragments.

Sincerely,
Angela

Jonathan Cross

Jonathan Cross is a local ceramic artist I recently met. He creates handmade ceramic planters for cactus and succulent, bonsai & kusamono. Below is a black & white image of the planter & cactus I purchased. This particluar image, to me, illustrates the texture & hard lines of the planter to which I was drawn. Please checkout his website.

Facebook 08.23.2010

I must live by the truth "God doesn't give you anything He can't handle." Our daughter entered Kindergarten today. It was difficult. I needed a shoulder or two, but Danny's was more than sufficient. She smiled walking in & skipping out of school as she described her new adventures & friendships.

Mama: She has her Tata's beautiful smile!

Cara: I got to talk to her via Skype today while she was at Devra's...so fun to hear about her first day of kindergarten!:)

Mama: Cara where are you when I need you to hold ME! You'd think I was the horrified child entering school. I miss you so much.

Cara: I cannot imagine! I was getting all emotional thinking about how tiny she was when I met her, and now she's starting kindergarten...she had a smile on her face the ENTIRE time we were on Skype, of course:)  Miss you too!!!

Chrys: She's her daddy's little twin! I can't believe how alike they look in that pic. Beautiful girl. So thankful she had a great day!

Gail: Oh how cute - I can't believe she has started school - know she will be the cutest and smartest in the class!

Rachel: She is lovely and so grown up! So thankful she had a great day!

Courtney: Hope she had an amazing day!! I know I never have a hard time when they leave me smiling to go do something new...it's when they cry that it is tough!!! Give her a hug from all of us!!

Vinh: Bravo Danijela!! Great pic!

We like this too ....

• Enusha
• Casey
• Ashleigh
• Elisa
• Rena
• Vinh
• Slobodan
• Amanda
• Kathy
• Wyatt

Kindergarten

We knew the day was coming, but oh how it arrived so soon. Raising children is an amazing blessing. It's the most important & difficult job I've encountered. As babies you want them to sleep. They grow & you measure their progress. They get picky about what to eat. Then the diaper battle ensues. And the inquisitive minds ask the same question repeatedly within a 10 minute drive. You either play along blissfully or crack. I did both fairly well, if that makes sense.

Today, our Danijela entered Kindergarten. I cannot explain adequately in words how my heart felt this morning or how it feels at this moment. She smiled brightly as she started her day. She was as excited to tell about all her adventures. It's amazingly difficlut to be without her. But it's also time to focus on the little guy before he turns this same corner.

Gruene, TX

The Proposal

Ellis Grace Bags

An amazing, creative entrepreneur lives among us. Now Devra is a celebrity too. Her Ellis Grace business is featured in The Advocate this month. Very cool.

I have one of her awesome bags that I take everywhere.

I'm going to try to post a picture of it today.

Vintage Trolley

Last week Mel invited us to travel downtown to the museum via vintage trolley. Our young guide was very informative. We rode sweet Matilda (1925) to the DMA with air conditioning condensation rolling down the exterior of the windows. Oh, how nice. Rosie (1909) the oldest streetcar in daily service in North America was our ride back. She, unfortunately had no condensation. That was a little tough with four tired children. Or this mama who is showing signs of age. 

It was a great experience for the children & informative for the mommies. The free DMA days for kids are crazy crowded. Taking the trolley was a perfect idea because parking would've been madness.

I didn't find the event to be very inviting. Yes, it's a museum. But a museum that invited children in after all. They don't allow beverages or food of any kind inside (checking every bag). And definitely touching the massive sculptures in the garden outside was a no-no. It's like asking a child to not lick the ice cream cone in his hand.

The Bean

Is that a little photographer I see down the hall?

Tata and Mama purchased The Argus Bean for Danijela in December 2009. It seems much longer ago because she's never had much interest in it. Things are changing. She chased Luka around the house @ the end of July trying to interview him via video. He thought it was a great time to run from her and laugh. She did too.

Sweet sounds.

Careful Rock

Luka has a serious "ouchie" on his hip. I asked him how he got it. He said from a "careful rock." I clearly needed to continue my investigation. He then clarified, "Tata said to be careful on the rock & then I fell." Case closed.

Gingerbread in July

I know they're not "real" Gingerbread Houses. Graham crackers work. And come conveniently wrapped in a box ready for use. Danijela & Luka created their master pieces @ camp. I'm thinking big people help was involved at some level.

Luka was excited to show me his. He was elated to smash it moments before these pictures were taken. He tasted it. Most of the project rested comfortably on the living room floor for the remainder of the day. He (or some other small creature) probably went back for seconds when I wasn't looking.

Why keep it if you have an opportunity to smash it to bits with glee? Good work, boy. Mama always has a broom handy.