Mom n' Me Monday...The Last Hoorah

Mom n' Me Monday was created in an attempt to make myself get in the picture with my kiddos. When my kids are grown, I don't want to look through my photos only to find that I am not in any of them! So, I'm on a mission to "capture" these memories.

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It's that time again.
Time to grab my camera and throw it at my husband.
Time to gather my little flock and "force" them into a picture with their ever lovin' mother.

Our weeks are full of Mom n' Me activities. Yet, nary a one do I capture on my camera.
So I shamelessly round them up, usually on Saturday or Sunday, and beg them to, at the very least, keep their eyes open.

I love being a mom.
I really do.
But I'm not gonna lie.
It's not for the faint of heart.
I'm so tired, physically and mentally.
I'm not really sure what is up with me.
I'm in a funk with a capitol F!
I am just plain spent.
Not a penny left.

Maybe it's the lack of summer sun.  Or these final days of home schooling. Or the endless chores, pointing long bony fingers, taunting and laughing at me. 

I feel like I am buried in a mountain of TO DOs, all things that have been neglected due to my extreme lack of gumption these days.

However, as I look through these photos...a tear escapes..betraying the emotions I am trying to hide. 

I am reminded that these little eyes looks into mine each day. 

Eyes full of wonder for what the day holds.

Eyes full of trust, knowing that they will be nurtured and treasured that day. 

Eyes offering love and acceptance.

Eyes looking for nothing but love and acceptance in return. 

There are no demands. No orders hissed. 
No expectations that the house be cleaned, or the drawers be organized. 
No accusations.

Just hope. 

Oh that my children would look into my eyes and see the same thing.

Oh that they would see His love in my eyes.

This thing we call mothering is not something I'm equipped to do on my own.
And thankfully, I don't have to.



I'm am painfully aware that in MY weakness, He is made strong.



He gives us beauty for ashes.



If we only let Him.



And I promise you this...
It is with complete gratitude that I'll trade His beauty for my ashes.
Any day.


And now, if I haven't already lost you...I'd like to take a minute to thank each one of you.  I truly have met some of the most thoughtful, sweet, encouraging people in this thing we call blog land.  Your comments and kind words have been sweet to behold! I am amazed on a daily basis.

For those of you who participate in this little meme, you know who you are...I have thoroughly enjoyed looking at your faces squeezed next to those of your children. 

Truly inspiring.

But alas, all good things must come to an end. (I don't really believe that..but it fits here.)  I have loved taking pictures with my children.  And that will not stop. But as for this little meme...well she is going to go away for the summer.  I know there will be quite a few weeks of camping and generally being away from my computer.  I'm not sure I want the weekly "commitment" of a meme. I'm not afraid of commitment, but "blog commitment" is a different story!  The good news is..you don't have to stop taking pictures with your kiddos.  In fact, I beg you to continue.  These photos, the ones D-man has so dutifully taken over these past months, have become treasures to me.  Treasures that I would NOT otherwise have, had it not been for this crazy meme.  So, while I reserve the right to post Mom n' Me pictures...it will no longer be a meme.  When September rolls back around...I'm sure she will be back...ready to roll. And while I'm not sure that is even "legal" in the bloggy meme world, it's what I gotta do. 

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I can't wait to see your pictures. You can grab the code under the button below and paste it into the body of your post. Then add your link into Linky tools below.

To use Linky tools, be sure to link your Mom n' Me Monday post, not your main blog url.

To do this, go to your blog. Click on the title of your Mom n' Me Monday post. The url in your browser window will become a direct link to that post. Copy that url and paste it into the Linky tools window, along with your name, or your blog's name.

If you don't want to grab the Mom n' Me button, just link back to the Peanut Gallery so other's can join in if that's what their little heart's desire :)!





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Mom n' Me Monday-{All about Feet}

Mom n' Me Monday was created in an attempt to make myself get in the picture with my kiddos. When my kids are grown, I don't want to look through my photos only to find that I am not in any of them! So, I'm on a mission to "capture" these memories.

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Sunday evening came crashing down and I realized I had no Mom n' Me pictures to share.
Shocking, I know.
As much as I begged and pleaded...my face was not cooperating.
It had nothing to do with the bad hair day I was experiencing.
And the 10 pound bags under my eyes were screaming to have their picture taken.
However, my face was having none of it.
It just said "NO".
And so I settled for the next best thing.
Feet!
Mom n' me feet, that is.

I didn't want my daughter to grow up and look back on our time together, only to find she had no pictures of our feet.
That would be tragic.
Don't you think?
Foot hug...anyone??


If you don't like feet.
I'm sorry.


But I enjoy feet.
They are good for walking, skipping, and jumping...
and squeezing mud.
They take you where you want to go.

Oh, those beautiful, hard working feet.
They carry the load!
Especially when your face isn't willing to!
Amen.

And for those of you who read Friday's Letter of Intent, I would like to say that blogger did absolutely nothing for me in regards to my missing menu bar.  Of course, I never actually contacted them.  I did slave over a new menubar.  Yes, my fingers bled yet again. But this time I saved a copy of the code.  See, I learn from my mistakes.

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I can't wait to see your pictures. You can grab the code under the button below and paste it into the body of your post. Then add your link into Linky tools below.

To use Linky tools, be sure to link your Mom n' Me Monday post, not your main blog url.

To do this, go to your blog. Click on the title of your Mom n' Me Monday post. The url in your browser window will become a direct link to that post. Copy that url and paste it into the Linky tools window, along with your name, or your blog's name.

If you don't want to grab the Mom n' Me button, just link back to the Peanut Gallery so other's can join in if that's what their little heart's desire :)!











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Mom n' Me Monday:{Grand Canyon Edition}

Mom n' Me Monday was created in an attempt to make myself get in the picture with my kiddos. When my kids are grown, I don't want to look through my photos only to find that I am not in any of them! So, I'm on a mission to "capture" these memories.

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We have had the extreme pleasure of having D-man's parents here for the week.  They came down from the Canadas. (as J-boy would say) Needless to say, I had a short term memory lapse and nary a "Mom n' Me" picture did I capture.

Lucky for you, we recently went on a "grand" vacation...in which we just so happened to visit the Grand Canyon. So we will call this week's Mom n' Me the "Grand Canyon Edition".
Isn't that creative?



L-boy and D-man are mysteriously missing from this picture.  They stayed in the R.V.  Apparently D-man was tired of my continual "photo-op" moments.  Thanks to a kind-hearted passer by..this moment was captured.




It was such a lovely day at the Grand Canyon.  However, we were there at the worst time of day for pictures.  The evil noon-time hour.  So these pictures are full of shadows.  I especially enjoy the spotlight of sun highlighting my nose.  It is definitely not an asset that needs highlighting!


We took a death defying hike down into the canyon. O.K., maybe it wasn't death defying, but we did have to navigate the mule dung left behind on the trail!

I've always loved taking pictures from this perspective. I take them all the time. So I nudged D-man to do the same.  Please remind me never to "nudge" him to take one of my backside again. And, NO, I am not wearing a diaper.

The End.

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I can't wait to see your pictures. You can grab the code under the button below and paste it into the body of your post. Then add your link into Linky tools below.

To use Linky tools, be sure to link your Mom n' Me Monday post, not your main blog url.

To do this, go to your blog. Click on the title of your Mom n' Me Monday post. The url in your browser window will become a direct link to that post. Copy that url and paste it into the Linky tools window, along with your name, or your blog's name.

If you don't want to grab the Mom n' Me button, just link back to the Peanut Gallery so other's can join in if that's what their little heart's desire :)!








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Mom n' Me Monday

Mom n' Me Monday was created in an attempt to make myself get in the picture with my kiddos. When my kids are grown, I don't want to look through my photos only to find that I am not in any of them! So, I'm on a mission to "capture" these memories.

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Our "Hoover Dam" experience was memorable, to say the least.  We were on our way to Sedona, and trying to make it there in a timely fashion.  Our plan was to stop at the dam on our trip back to Las Vegas.  However, as we drove across the dam, D-man, in all his infinite wisdom, explained that it was made of enough cement to pour a two lane highway from New York to San Diego.  I have no idea if that is true...by I was impressed.  So naturally, I had D-man pull over so the boys and I could jump out and gaze in awe at this enormous piece of cement!  Being in a bit of a hurry..I chose the quickest route across the road.  Before we ventured across...I told the boys that I wasn't sure if we were allowed to cross here but that if we did it quickly..no one would notice. 

We looked both ways, being the safety conscience parent that I am, and as soon as we were in the clear scampered across the road.  Yes, we scampered. Just as we approached the opposite side, we heard a large horn and then a booming voice over a loud speaker. Of course, I had no idea what it meant...that is until we heard these words, 

YOU HAVE CROSSED THE ROAD AT AN ILLEGAL SPOT. PLEASE GO AROUND AND USE THE STAIRS UPON RETURNING TO YOUR CAR!!

So much for our covert operation.  Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that we would be "called out" over the loud speakers at The Hoover Dam.  We quickly made our way to the lookout. A sweet, non English speaking man offered to snap our picture. And we quietly made our way back to the R.V.  This time, by way of the stairs.  

For the rest of the trip, every time we crossed a street, J-boy reminded me of the time that we got yelled at over the loud speaker at the famous Hoover Dam.  For some reason, I think that incident will not quickly be forgotten. Especially since J-boy has shared it with just about everyone and their mother! 

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I can't wait to see your pictures. You can grab the code under the button below and paste it into the body of your post. Then add your link into Linky tools below.

To use Linky tools, be sure to link your Mom n' Me Monday post, not your main blog url.

To do this, go to your blog. Click on the title of your Mom n' Me Monday post. The url in your browser window will become a direct link to that post. Copy that url and paste it into the Linky tools window, along with your name, or your blog's name.

If you don't want to grab the Mom n' Me button, just link back to the Peanut Gallery so other's can join in if that's what their little heart's desire :)!




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Mom n' Me Monday

Mom n' Me Monday was created in an attempt to make myself get in the picture with my kiddos. When my kids are grown, I don't want to look through my photos only to find that I am not in any of them! So, I'm on a mission to "capture" these memories.

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This is my mom.

I love her.

And this post was going to be all about her!

I had great aspirations to dig out some old pictures of us and share them.

I hoped to share a spattering of memories.

I wanted to tell you what an amazing woman she is.

It seems my plans for a poignant post were once again stifled.

Instead, I spent the evening in the emergency room with J-boy.

Seems he had a bit of an impaction.....of the fecal variety.

We had reached home sweet home after an all night, 19 hour drive.

Most of which, J-boy writhed in pain.

By last evening it was apparent that the pain was increasing and things weren't getting any better.

I don't know...the screaming might have had something to do with it!

So, I had the pleasure of hanging out at the emergency room from 6:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.

An ultrasound and an X-ray revealed an impacted load of "you know what" with a massive gas bubble trapped in between.

This, in turn, caused J-boy's bladder to be blocked and unable to empty.

He was a mess.

We are talking howling, sobbing, and writhing.

And can you guess who was there with me?

My mom!

As per usual.

She is always there.

In my sleep deprived state, I was having difficulty knowing whether to sob or to laugh hysterically at J-boy's antics.

While I know he was in a lot of pain...the DRAMA level was at an all time high.

When I needed a moment to turn away and re-compose..my mom would pick up right where I left off.

She cheered with us as J-boy described the enema he received and the massive "download of software" that came thereafter.

Her relief matched my own to see our little J-boy pain free and returning to his kind, sweet self.

So, while this was meant to be a tribute to my mom...life happened.

And, as usual, she was there.

Doing what she does best, serving her children and loving us well.

If I wasn't so exhausted and spent right now..I would RISE UP and call her blessed.

I'm sure she won't mind if I remain seated.

As Proverbs 31:29 so eloquently states,

“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,

but you surpass them all!”

Thank you, Mom.

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I can't wait to see your pictures. You can grab the code under the button below and paste it into the body of your post. Then add your link into Linky tools below.

To use Linky tools, be sure to link your Mom n' Me Monday post, not your main blog url.

To do this, go to your blog. Click on the title of your Mom n' Me Monday post. The url in your browser window will become a direct link to that post. Copy that url and paste it into the Linky tools window, along with your name, or your blog's name.

If you don't want to grab the Mom n' Me button, just link back to the Peanut Gallery so other's can join in if that's what their little heart's desire :)!





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Mom n' Me Monday

Mom n' Me Monday was created in an attempt to make myself get in the picture with my kiddos. When my kids are grown, I don't want to look through my photos only to find that I am not in any of them! So, I'm on a mission to "capture" these memories.
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We've been having lots of Mom n' Me time as of late.

But, alas, I'm falling back into my old patterns and not making the effort to get in the picture.

We've been on this adventure for 4 days now.
 I literally only have 2 pictures that prove I am here.

I really AM on this vacation.

I promise.

Starting tomorrow, I'm going to make the effort to throw the camera at D-man more often.

All that being said.

I will now share the two pictures that I do have.

This is the one and only picture of my children and me at the beautiful Zion National Park.

At this exact moment in time, we were surrounded by an East Indian family who was ooohing and ahhing over the sheer size of our family.

And especially over that cute little blonde haired baby "girl".

It seems to me we have gotten that "stare" more on this trip then ever before.

You know, that "do you know how babies are made?" stare.

I don't feel like a family of six is all that big.

But it seems as if others do!

Oh well, at least they didn't see all of us file out of our motor home.

They probably would have felt sorry for us and offered us some food.

Oh wait, that has happened to us.

But that's a different story.

Last night we drove 45 minutes just to grace this lovely restaurant with our "big" family's presence.

D-man and I discovered On the Border during an Arizona long weekend get away a few years ago.

I think our feelings about this restaurant must have been truly nostalgic.

For some reason, it wasn't as good as we remembered it to be.

Of course, our previous visit had been sans children and without a care in the world.

Yep, I'm pretty sure that is why we enjoyed it so much!

But the warm, crispy tortilla chips were delightful.

And can I just change the subject for a minute?

When I was little, I remember many adults telling me how "big" my eyes were.

I simply took it as a compliment.

But, after looking at this picture, I am beginning to wonder whether or not it was a compliment.

Yeah, now that I think about it...I don't ever remember "pretty" coupled with "big".

Just more along the lines of, "What BIG eyes you have, my dear!"

Oh well...they is what they is!

And look, C-boy has the same "issue"!

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I can't wait to see your pictures. You can grab the code under the button below and paste it into the body of your post. Then add your link into Linky tools below.

To use Linky tools, be sure to link your Mom n' Me Monday post, not your main blog url.

To do this, go to your blog. Click on the title of your Mom n' Me Monday post. The url in your browser window will become a direct link to that post. Copy that url and paste it into the Linky tools window, along with your name, or your blog's name.

If you don't want to grab the Mom n' Me button, just link back to the Peanut Gallery so other's can join in if that's what their little heart's desire :)!













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Mom n' Me Monday

Mom n' Me Monday was created in an attempt to make myself get in the picture with my kiddos. When my kids are grown, I don't want to look through my photos only to find that I am not in any of them! So, I'm on a mission to "capture" these memories.
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Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.

Build me a son whose wishbone will not be where his backbone should be; a son who will know Thee….Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail.

Build me a son whose heart will be clean, whose goal will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will learn to laugh, yet never forget how to weep; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.

And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, the meekness of true strength.

~General Douglas MacArthur

C-boy captured the above photo!!

He has showed quite an interest in my camera lately.

I decided it was time to give him the very first point and shoot digital camera that I owned.

All 2.3 megapixels of it!!

Wow...you should have seen him go.

Of course, he wants me to "blog" his pictures.

Inspite of the brightness of the sun and the darkness of the shadows,

and noise galore,

I love this picture.

Captured by my C-boy.

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I can't wait to see your pictures. You can grab the code under the button below and paste it into the body of your post. Then add your link into Linky tools below.

To use Linky tools, be sure to link your Mom n' Me Monday post, not your main blog url.

To do this, go to your blog. Click on the title of your Mom n' Me Monday post. The url in your browser window will become a direct link to that post. Copy that url and paste it into the Linky tools window, along with your name, or your blog's name.

If you don't want to grab the Mom n' Me button, just link back to the Peanut Gallery so other's can join in if that's what their little heart's desire :)!












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Mom n' Me Monday was created in an attempt to make myself get in the picture with my kiddos. When my kids are grown, I don't want to look through my photos only to find that I am not in any of them! So, I'm on a mission to "capture" these memories.
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We spent this weekend on our "de-forestation" project.

Yes, we live in the woods.

By woods I mean, 100's of pine trees and their offspring.

We are trying to "thin out" areas so that the trees that remain can grow strong and healthy.

And that's all I'm gonna say about that.

D-man, with his own two hands, created a great diversion for the kids.

What could be better than a swing, and a launching pad?

The boys have spent hours swinging.

So, I thought I'd join them for a bit.

I feel I should add a small disclaimer on my choice of outfit.

I know it's AandW Rootbeer meets "sporty Susie".

It's why I used a 70's action on all these photos.

Otherwise, the sheer clashing of colors might have sent you on your merry way.

I truly AM concerned about the safety of my children.

TRULY, I AM!

Why, yes, since you asked, that IS a bleach stain my pants.

Is there a problem?

S-girls first try on the flying machine.

Her evil mother insisted.

Poor thing.

I feel bad, I really do.

Did I mention there is a foam pit below??

And at the urging of my offspring and  my cheeky husband.

Against my better judgement.

I took the leap of faith...

And rode like the wind.

Due to the size of the branch(or the lack thereof) the rope is tied to,

I am officially making this my first and last ride on the "swing of death".

I choose to remain safely on the ground.

Until my next lapse of judgment, that is.

And, just because I can't help myself.

Do you ever get that feeling like "you're not alone" even when no one is in plain sight?

Well, I had that feeling this evening.

Sure enough, upon further investigation,

I found I WAS NOT ALONE.

This little blood sucking beast had taken up residence on my head.

And that really "ticks" me off!

Yes, I give you permission to cringe at that last play on words.

It is late, and I need sleep.

THE END.

I promise.

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I can't wait to see your pictures. You can grab the code under the button below and paste it into the body of your post. Then add your link into Mr. McKlinky below.

To use Linky tools, be sure to link your Mom n' Me Monday post, not your main blog url.

To do this, go to your blog. Click on the title of your Mom n' Me Monday post. The url in your browser window will become a direct link to that post. Copy that url and paste it into the Linky tools window, along with your name, or your blog's name.

If you don't want to grab the Mom n' Me button, just link back to the Peanut Gallery so other's can join in if that's what their little heart's desire :)!






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Mom n' Me Monday

Mom n' Me Monday was created in an attempt to make myself get in the picture with my kiddos. When my kids are grown, I don't want to look through my photos only to find that I am not in any of them! So, I'm on a mission to "capture" these memories.
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These pictures speak perfectly of the end of our week and weekend.
"Another one bites the dust" sums up the last few days.
So far we are 3 down and 3 to go!
And why is it that the stomach flu chooses to attack it's victims during the wee hours of the morning?
No, never does it make it's initial visit during the daytime hours.
It's definitely a night stalker.
Or at least in this home.



Oh, J-boy thinks he's so funny.
Little did he know the bug was coming after him that night.
I'm thinking this picture would make a great ad for Kaopectate.
On second thought, it didn't do a single ounce of good.
Thanks Kaopectate.

Thanks for your kind comments over the weekend. As of Sunday evening, we are actually on the mend. J-boy was the last casualty and after spending all day in bed, seemed to perk up by evening. I'm praying that D-man, S-girl, and L-boy will be spared. In my opinion, the stomach flu is public enemy number one.

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I can't wait to see your pictures. You can grab the code under the button below and paste it into the body of your post. Then add your link into Mr. McKlinky below.

To use Linky tools, be sure to link your Mom n' Me Monday post, not your main blog url.

To do this, go to your blog. Click on the title of your Mom n' Me Monday post. The url in your browser window will become a direct link to that post. Copy that url and paste it into the Linky tools window, along with your name, or your blog's name.

If you don't want to grab the Mom n' Me button, just link back to the Peanut Gallery so other's can join in if that's what their little heart's desire :)!

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Mom n' Me Monday

Mom n' Me Monday was created in an attempt to make myself get in the picture with my kiddos. When my kids are grown, I don't want to look through my photos only to find that I am not in any of them! So, I'm on a mission to "capture" these memories.
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S-girl is our dear, sweet little girl.
Today she is 4 1/2.
We saw her sweet little face, for the very first time when she was 10 months old.
On our computer screen.
We were immediately in love.




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This was the first day we held S-girl in our arms. Here is a short clip.
She had just celebrated her 1st birthday 4 days before.
She was terrified.
Her heart beat wildly in her chest.
I could feel it as she pressed against me.
She cried.
Silently.
Huge tears rolled down her cheeks.
And yet not a noise did she make.
My heart hurt for her.
She had most likely never seen anything like us before.

But this quiet, fearful little one, had a strength and vibrance that surprised us all.
One open heart surgery, and 3 1/2 years later, she amazes us each day.


Those first few weeks were difficult.
I questioned whether her fear would ever turn to trust.
Today her child-like faith is simple and true.


In those first few months, I wondered if this little girl would ever laugh.
Today she laughs louder and harder than anyone in our family.
Our sweet S-girl has 3 brothers who adore her.
And she adores them.
She can karate chop and wrestle with the best of em'.
She is always "game" for any adventure presented to her.
And there are many.
She hugs us daily and often just clings to my leg and says, "I love you, Mommy."
And we love her.
Boy, DO WE LOVE HER.
***********************************************************************


Now, because I loved my sweet friend Shannon's out take last week. (you know..the Arizona Mamma)
And because the majority of photos of "moi" turn out like this.
Because I believe this post has become much too serious.
I thought I would share this.


Look closely at my eyes.
Or don't.



Here, let me crop in nice and close.
For clarity's sake.
What is wrong with my eye.
I kid you not, one out of three photos of me looks like this.
I even try and make a mental note to keep my eyes somewhat "even" looking, when I smile.

Obviously, it doesn't work.
Does anyone have a diagnosis for what "ails" me?
I need all the help I can get.
Speaking of help, can anyone recommend a good anti-aging eye cream?
It looks as if I am in desperate need of some.******************************************************************************


I can't wait to see your pictures. You can grab the code under the button below and paste it into the body of your post. Then add your link into Mr. McKlinky below.

To use Mr. McKlinky, be sure to link your Mom n' Me Monday post, not your main blog url.

To do this, go to your blog. Click on the title of your Mom n' Me Monday post. The url in your browser window will become a direct link to that post. Copy that url and paste it into the Mr. McKlinky window, along with your name, or your blog's name.

If you don't want to grab the Mom n' Me button, just link back to the Peanut Gallery so other's can join in if that's what their little heart's desire :)!








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