WISTERIA IN THE RAIN

This endless Maryland spring rain didn't keep us from a photo session this evening!! The wisteria at this beautiful location only blooms for a few days a year, and we have been waiting and waiting for it!! I had a great time with you guys tonight - here are a few pictures for you!

MY BEAUTIFUL GIRL

She just gets prettier every day, doesn't she? (And grows at least an inch a day as well).

NOT THE BEST IDEA

Teenagers.... Their minds absolutely fascinate me...

SKYPE SISTERS

A new world has opened up to me... yep...the world of SKYPE. It is sooo cool to be able to see my sister and her gang while we chat via the internet. Here you can catch a glimpse of the REAL Ryan family. I actually took pictures of my computer screen while we were chatting. Just doing my job as little sister, I'm sure there will be payback for this one..... but in the mean time. Here is my big sis and her kiddos (and her hubby) in all their glorious Skype action!! Sibling rivalry at it's best. Mom threatening the kiddos and then pointing her "big sister" finger at me when she saw the camera. I'm not even quite sure what to say about the picture of Karen looking off into space and little guy making finger animals, other than "that's the Ryan's". Enter hubby to see what's going on, then stopping a moment for a family photo (minus Coley). Then the youngest Ryan man doing what he does best - acting just like his dad!! Love ya Aunt Ki-ki!!

MY LITTLE HOUSE GIRLS AND BOILED PEANUTS

Today, Hannah did a book report on "Little House in the Big Woods". She was dressed as Laura, and Emily was dressed as little sister Carrie. Aren't they the cutest little prarie girls ever? I made these costumes about six years ago originally for Kirsten and Hannah. I can't believe how time flies. Emily doesn't look thrilled in these pictures, but she was counting down the hours until she could go help Hannah "do her report" at school. And for some reason, Hannah would NOT put her bonnet on her head. She is still just as cute though!

We received a very mysterious package today, with no return address. I was so delighted to open it up and discover FOUR bags of raw peanuts.....hmmmm...... somebody knows how much I LOVE boiled peanuts, and that they are not to be found anywhere in these northern parts. Most people around here have never even HEARD of a boiled peanut. We can't even find (very easily) raw peanuts that I can boil at home. So, the girls and I were thrilled to throw those peanuts in a pot and set them on the stove to boil!! I was so excited that I didn't think to take a picture of them until after the two bags had been opened!! Now the house is full of that wonderful summer time smell of boiled peanuts!! (Sorry, Beth, but it really does smell good). And thank you to that mystery person who sent us the peanuts - you know who you are, and I have a feeling she lives in Ohio!!!

HANNAH'S BAPTISM

Today was an amazing day!! Hannah has been asking to get baptized for about two years now. She has taken a Children's Baptism class and has a complete understanding of what it means. She has been SOOO nervous about getting up in front of the congregation and speaking those all important words - "I believe, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and I accept Him, as my Lord and my Savior". She has said those words for so long, but just couldn't bring herself to make that public confession. Well, today was the DAY!! We had an unbelievable service today, what we call at our church a "Baptism Splash". Typically, it is a day each year that many people get baptized on the same day, sometimes at a local river or lake. But today, we broke all tradiational rules of baptism!! (are there really any?) Our pastor gave a great sermon on exactly what baptism is, and gave a call for ANYONE to come and be baptized today. We disregarded our formal baptistry, and they set up an entire POOL on the stage of our church. Hannah had planned on getting baptized today, but there were literally HUNDREDS of people baptized today, that did not plan on it!! People were baptized in the only set of clothes they had! It was an amazing sight to see - people lined up around the church, many new-believers, waiting their turn to be baptized. I was fortunate to be able to capture most of them with my camera, and it has been so moving to review these pictures. There are some amazing stories already surfacing today - stories of a men's bible study that meets at Panerra every Saturday morning. For over a year, this group of men have invited the "Panerra guy" (who works there) to attend church. He came last week for the first time, and again today - and even HE was baptized today! There were even couples that were baptized, together, at the same time. I have so many pictures to share - but for today I will just share my precious baby girl getting baptized by her own Daddy while our pastor looks on........