Tree Frog

I held a tiny little tree frog in my hand. And I had dozens and dozens to choose from.......

Yesterday was a memorable day for my kids and I (it is Saturday today and I am back blipping from yesterday). We were invited to spend the day at a tree farm. The drive was gorgeous as we passed miles and miles of open green fields, diagonal lines of freshly planted trees, vineyards, and the view of the snow peaked mountain in the distance. We were headed to the farm to spend the day with two of my favorite girls and their kids. A day of walking in the mud, riding on a tractor, digging in the dirt, holding tree frogs in the palm of our hands, and strengthening relationships.

Oh and did I mention that it was also a day for photography? And that I finally had a day to spend with someone who loves and I mean LOVES shooting pictures just as much as I do? Well if I didn't mention it, then I'm glad that I cleared that up because what I learned yesterday about shooting style was incredible. And the fact that she instantly cleared up a long long time question that I have had about my manual settings and I was able to take that information, make the adjustments on my camera, and run with it. I shot all manual yesterday because I am realizing that the photos are better. The quality and the lighting is just better and clearer than automatic and for a long while, I have been feeling like I have been using automatic as my crutch. Very satisfied with my results but not progressing ahead technically as much as I have wanted to.

So yesterday we had the opportunity to spend the day on a farm. A wide open space of 40+ acres. Lines and lines of trees as far as your eye could see. I could get used to living around that type of beauty very quickly. A farm life is a busy life for sure. But busy in such a gratifying way. Being able to rise with the sun and check for eggs in the coop. Taking a stroll along the pond to say good morning to all of the chirping tree frogs. Hoping on the tractor to check out the property and the hundred of species of trees that have been hand grown around you. Living in a beautiful old farm house. 100 years old. Remodeled to perfection while maintaining the old natural charm. Listening to the birds sing as the sun begins to rise. Watching the sky change colors as the sun begins to set. Looking all around and realizing that your own hard work has produced a very productive and profitable tree farm. All because of hard work and dedication. And love. I have to add love because this family who lives here, they function and thrive from love. The support that they have for one another is incredible. They all work together. And this is why I say that love plays such a huge role in running and maintaining this beautiful tree farm.

T[hank you so much for such a great time yesterday. My kids were able to leave with heavy eye lids and dirt on their faces and to me, that marks a truly good and carefree day. A day of hard play and a day of new little friendships. Our kids are all such well mannered and kind hearted children and that fact alone tells me that we will all have many more experiences like this in our future. Thanks for the pizza and the donuts were fab!

-------------------------

Last night I met up with some other close girlfriends for dinner. It was a very busy friend-filled day. My husband met me about halfway from our house and the restaurant that I was meeting the girls at. He is so sweet to me. He had a new outfit for me because I had dirt everywhere and he also threw in my brown cowgirl boots. We met at a McDonald's because I was running late due to such an amazing time out at the farm. He fed our sleepy kids while I changed clothes in the restroom and then after a quick hug and kiss.....he was off to put them to bed and I was off to start round two of my day......dinner with the girls.

I have a very special group of girls in my life. Not every one of my girlfriends run in the same group. I feel like my selection of close best friends is very diverse. Yet if I gathered them all in the same place, every single one of them would get along fabulously. And that is because I choose my friends very carefully. It is important to me that the friends who I consider to be my 'best', are friends who continue to contribute love and compassion to my life. Friends who are just as excited to see me as I am to see them. Friends who listen to my thoughts with interest and laugh at my humor with a joy tear in their eye. Because that is what I do for my friends. I like to make my friends feel like they are truly special to me, because they are. And when the feelings are recipricated, I continue to grow as a balanced and emotionally happy person. Each and every friends offers a different perspective in life. Some are extremely liberal, others are conservative, and a few just follow the middle road. But I learn so much about different view points each and every time we are together. This strengthens and challenges my mind. I am a person who is blessed to have found true love in my husband. Blessed to have two precious children who I love with every piece of my soul. A large extended family that keeps me lifted up due to their unconditional love.....and friends who continue to add an extra spark in my life. A spark that I could not live without.

I certainly had no intention of creating the world's longest blip journal today but as we are all out on the patio enjoying this fabulous morning together, each of us engaged in our own little projects, I just had to take the opportunity to quickly type the words that have been so full in my mind today. If you have read this far, thank you! You are someone who cares about me and one thing that I have learned through blip, this world is full of extremely caring and thoughtful people!