Splish Splash, He Loves Taking A Bath

I've never met a child that didn't LOVE bath time and my 3 boys are no exception. Geeko, however, would spend his entire day in the tub if we let him. He asks, "Unna takey baf?" numerous times throughout the day. Some days it is just easier to let him splash his cares away - plus it gives Gams and his Auntie Leia some cute photo ops!




Above photo by Monkeys Jump
Above photo by Monkeys Jump

Brothers

My goodness would you look at those faces!!!? From a totally unbiased observer (cough,cough) these are 3 of the most gorgeous little guys I've ever seen! The camera just loves them... and so does their Gams :)




above photo by Monkeys Jump

I ♥ Faces Week 33

This week's theme over at I ♥ Faces is "Nostalgia." I am usually johnny-on-the-spot when entering and have planned what image to use etc. This week's theme gave me pause and caused many hours of going through archives to determine what image best fit the theme.

I finally decided on this image of Niko. As a child, I spent many hours in the back yard playing badminton (I want to spell it badmitten!) so when I found an affordable set, I couldn't help but buy it for the boys.

You can tell what Niko thinks of the whole thing!



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State Fair 2009

"Our State Fair is a great State Fair...."
I tagged along with the youngest daughter and her family while they visited the Indiana State Fair this year. Dillybar and Geeko had a great time seeing the animals and playing at the Pioneer Village.

Because We Love Him So...

There have been many wonderful things done by a lot of wonderful people in honor of my daddy.

A lot of food donated to feed hungry people... he would have been both pleased and surprised at the response. I just don't have the words to properly express my thanks for the words of comfort and the donations made in his memory.

My daughters and I decided on a more permanent memorial. Daddy so enjoyed the hummingbirds that came to his window feeder - it was one of the things he looked forward to when we brought him home from the hospital so we situated his bed in the front room so he would have a clear view.

Our memorial may seem strange to some, but the idea came to us all simultaneously and we just felt compelled and knew it was "right" for us. Three identical hummingbird tattoos... because he loved them so.... because we love him so.

It's So Hard to Say Goodbye To Yesterday....

While I knew I would one day write this post, I hoped that day would be far in the future. There are so many words, thoughts, images and songs flitting through my brain I only hope I can sift through them enough to make some semblance of order befitting the subject.

I wrote this post not long ago. My Father's Day wish was granted, although not in the manner I had hoped, when the Lord cured Daddy by taking him to Heaven on Wednesday, Aug. 5.

The weeks leading up to his departure (it was, after all, only a departure from this life to the next) were filled with love, laughter, hugs, kisses and many trips down memory lane. My sister and I left are daily lives to spend every last day we could with Daddy. We were blessed beyond measure to have had the opportunity to say the things we wanted to say and to hear the things he wanted to say. There is no doubt in my mind he left this world knowing how very much his girls loved and appreciated him. I was witness to God's love and mercy as he gently led Daddy home.

My brother-in-law, Kyle, wrote the obituary below. He also read the scripture at Daddy's service and gave us all comfort and food for thought.

Bennett Ray Collins, 71, of Versailles, Indiana, passed away peacefully August 5th in his home after an extensive battle with cancer. He was born on April 20, 1938 in Isom, Kentucky to Luther Collins and Mae (Sexton) Collins and he married the love of his life, Thelma Moore, on July 1, 1960. He retired from the IUPUI Medical Center in 1988 after 20+years of service. Bennett was a loyal Christian and a faithful member of the North Madison Church of Christ.

Bennett Ray is survived by wife Thelma (Versailles, In), daughters Kathy Smith (Indianapolis, In), Kendra C. Marks (Frankton, In), Sister, Francis Moore (Indianapolis, In), Brother, Lloyd Collins (Indianapolis, In), Grand Children; Leia Duty (St. Louis, Mo), Dejah Smith (Ingals, In), Nathan Marks (Frankton, In), Caleb Marks (Frankton, In), Shelby Marks (Frankton, In), Great Grand Children; Jalen T. Johnson (Greenwood, In), Dylan Smith (Ingals,In), Nikolas Wilson (Ingals, In)

Private Family Services will be held Friday, August 7th at the Harry W. Moore Funeral Care and Crematory (Allisonville Road Chapel @ 8151 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis, In 46250*317.849.6800) with burial at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens.

Family request that no flowers be sent to Chapel or burial site, nor any food items be delivered to any family member. Monitary donations can be made to the Open Hearts Helping Hands(http://www.openheartshelpinghands.com/), any local food pantry or to the American Cancer Society.

While he may be gone from my sight, I am so thankful to have the many photos I can visit from time to time.

I love you Daddy...