black and white Wednesday - seashells, sand and sun

Natalie playing in the sand. (In black and white and color)

'My life is like a stroll upon the beach,

as near the ocean's edge I can go.'

~ Thoreau

Sunlight shimmering.

Seagulls flying overhead.

Soul is now serene.

~ Sherri Smith

'As the ocean is never full of water, so is the heart never full of love.'

~ unknown

'I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.'

~ T.S. Eliot

Three of life's treasures,

seashells, sand and sun.

My seashell collector Grace. Her mommy was too as a little girl.

'Why does the ocean rock the moon to sleep every night?

So the sun will wake and kiss the beach.'

~ J. Henson

'Happiness is a summer breeze,

sand between your toes, and your best friend by your side.'

~ unknown

There's always something special about spending an afternoon by the ocean.

The sound of the waves, smell of the salt air and feeling the sand beneath my feet

are a little piece of heaven to me.

It's almost hard to believe we were there 10 days ago.

We came home with so many wonderful memories.

And it's no surprise that just as the mommies are friends,

so are our daughters.
The little girls hit it off fabulously!

Natalie and Grace.

It's black and white Wednesday at The Long Road to China.

See what Lisa's up to....and check out many more pics that are linked to her blog.

Happy Wednesday,

 Spring is finally here

where we live!

Sunday snapshot - a perfect day

In February when my friend Grace invited little Grace and I to Florida,

it took me about 3 seconds to say yes.

Well not quite that fast but it didn't take me long to give her an answer.

I hadn't been to south Florida since I was in college,

and that was a long time ago.

The first day of our visit we went to a place called Butterfly World.

We have nothing like this (at least that I know of) in Wisconsin, so it was a treat.

(Beautiful Natalie with Grace in the background,

looking at the flowers.)

I have no idea what kind of butterfly this was(below), but he(or she)

seemed to be posing.

Opening and closing his wings, he stayed on the red flower.

At one point there were so many butterflies flying around us it was surreal.

I was afraid almost to move, we didn't want to hurt them.

Miss Grace.

We followed paths that wound through out this beautiful place,

surrounded by glorious flowers of all kinds.
We saw ponds, fountains and birds.

The kids ran through a little cave and cooled off in the mist.

We took a little break and had the 3 of them stand for a few photos.

Next into another 'room' where big Grace took little Grace and Natalie to look at orchids.

I stayed with Liam while he climbed in the bamboo.

Later he told me he was pretending he was a fireman in the bamboo.

Liam is every bit as sweet as he is handsome by the way!

On the way out, it was very warm and sunny,

the kids were walking across a hanging bridge.

They wanted to get to the bug room!

And the moms stayed back in the shade and took a few more pics of the girls.

It really was a fun day and a great introduction to south Florida!

(Um...and after seeing the bug room, I could have passed on that one. ;)

But the kids loved it and that's what's important.)  

I'm joining in on Sunday Snapshot,

hop on over and see more at Ni Hao Y'all.

something very special

Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things. ~Author Unknown

Lori, me and Grace.

Our trip to Florida was fabulous in so many ways.

And really the word 'fabulous' can't anywhere near describe those 4 days

staying with Grace and her family.

It was so much more than that.

One of the highlights was being able to finally meet Lori.

(Lori and her daughter Katie Starr)

I first found Lori's blog about 5 years ago when we were starting to paper chase for our dossier.

I soon fell in love with her family and noticed many similarities between the two of us.

We both were married previously and have oldest sons who are exactly the same age.

Now we're in second marriages and each have also adopted a daughter and a son from China.

Lori is probably one of the strongest people I've ever known and has a wicked funny sense of humor!

Deep inside, I knew we'd meet someday...and we did for the first time in person at her daughter Katie's 6th birthday party on Saturday.

Quite a while ago Lori made up this little acronym...'SFAM'...it stands for 'sister from another mom.'

That's what we call each other.

I had the pleasure of taking some of the pictures of Katie's party for Lori and Marc.

(My Grace with Katie Starr)

Lori's daughter Katie is beautiful, funny and very bright.

She's a gentle and kind little girl.

I was so happy Grace could finally meet her!

(Grace with 8 year old Natalie)

I believe I found Grace's blog about 18 months ago through Lori's blog.

Grace and I met in person for the first time a year ago at a photography workshop.

We started chatting through emails and facebook, and eventually phone calls.

Grace and I have very similar parenting styles, a touch of ocd about our houses (which is pretty funny)

and a love affair with our cameras.

And I found out that Grace and Lori live near each other and were already dear friends!

Somehow that didn't surprise me as they both are caring, kind, encouraging and genuine people.

I adore these two lovely women very much who share so much with me.

We all have wonderful husbands, a love of photography, and youngest sons who were born in China. 

Lori's son Ethan -5, Grace's son Liam - 4 and my Will - 5.

Next trip the Dads and little boys will be getting together too!

(The two 8 year olds - Natalie and Grace)

 These two new bff hit it off pretty much as soon as we arrived at Grace's home.
Let's just say there was bonding while playing Barbies.

I could write lots more but am saving that for a few more posts about our friends
and more pics showing our time in Florida!