Alamogordo Beehive, and a New Friend

I had to post about this man. I believe his name was Lawrence. He lives in the Alamogordo Beehive Home. We drove to Alamogordo on Friday, November 5, after taking the Lamesa homes pictures! We took these on Saturday November 6, 2010! When I first tried to take his portrait, he was not cooperative. He just kept saying, "Look, I know that you are a business woman, and you are just here, trying to make me smile, because you get paid for it." So, I went into small talk, and just started asking questions about him. He then said, "Hey, wait a minute, you don't care about me. You don't want to know anything about me. I know you are just here, to do your job." So, then I went for the secret weapon...Ray! I said, "Do you like kids? I have some outside, would you like to see them?" He responds, "NO, I don't like kids. I never had them, and I don't like them." Well, Steve went and got Ray anyways and as you can see with the pictures below...he DOES like kids...or at least Ray! :) He lit up like the fourth of July, and Ray even got an official solute from a World War II veteran!
I just LOVE these pictures! They really are absolutely priceless! It did make me wish he had kids that could really appreciate the captured joy! :)
What are we going to do, when we loose this great World War II veteran generation? They really are just amazing people!
By the end he wanted a picture with me and the kids, and asked me to send it to him with the portrait! It was really touching to see the change of heart, when I did take little time to love and listen, outside of taking his picture! He even kissed my hand, and told me if I ever was lonely I would know I had a friend.
And then it was really cute, because he asked to take a picture with these to gal pals he had at the home! He said, "Can you get my picture with these two ladies? They are my special friends." Too bad he didn't show off is smile!

It's so easy to "BEE" happy in the hive! :)

It is the time of the year, where we get to go around and visit Beehive homes in New Mexico and Texas, to take portraits of their residence! We began late Thursday night (November 4, 2010) to make the 5 1/2 hour drive to Lamesa, TX! We got there at 3:00 AM our time, but 4:00 am Texas time! We woke up, or sort of woke up, to be at the homes at 9:00 am! It is a great thing for the kids, because they get the opportunity to visit with the older residence, and the residence LOVE the kids! Ray and Brigham were favorites, because they were the smallest!

Well, I started taking some of the individual portraits, and I see a movement out of the corner of my eye! I look up to find Ray has single handedly found him a new friend! And not just any friend, a friend with WHEELS! He somehow connected with him, and talked him into giving him a ride around the home for the next 45 minutes, while mom took pictures! It was hilarious! They were totally cruising the Lamesa Beehive Home! And this resident just LOVED Ray!
He let Brigham get on for a while, but soon lost patience, for Brigham's inability to stay on at warp speed! He would stop and get the kids a candy bar, whenever he passed his room! In the above picture he was scolding Brigham for getting some chocolate on his pants! I decided to take Brigham out of the equation, so that he and Ray could just cruise!

And boy did they have FUN! I heard lots of giggling, and muffled conversation, as they would pass by! Ray really is just so good with the residence! He'll just walk up, and hug, kiss, or give five to any of them! He is my secret weapon, when we can't get someone to smile!
Loralyn couldn't help but jump in on the fun! She loves to be right in the middle of action! He put up with her, but it was Ray he had found a kindred spirit in! :) Loralyn just loved the ride!
When I went to take is portrait, he said, "Can I get one with my favorite buddy?" Ray didn't even hesitate! He knew exactly who he was talking about, and jumped in for a shot! Proving friendships come in all shapes, sizes, and ages! :)
Ray was leaving and just hugged this lady on the way out! The best part about it, is she was one that was really quiet! Guess he just knew she needed a hug!
This is Bunk! He was there the last 3 years we have done this, and the kids absolutely LOVE him! He is a total tease, and plays with them the entire time I take pictures! The nurses kept saying, "Be careful Bunk with your cane!" and then they would turn to us and say, "We are not sure how well his depth perception is, so you may want to watch out for him." He didn't do any permanent damage! :)
Loralyn, Lydia, and Bobby just hanging out at the Beehive! They are all really great with the residence! They are at the fun age where they will sit and have a conversation with them! They are good sports to go to work with mom!
This lady is just the SWEETEST person! Every time I bring Ray, she just smiles at him and watches him. She will turn to me and say, " I just can't quit watching him. He reminds me exactly of my son at that age!" So, needless to say, Ray has another perma-friend in the bag! :)
Here they are getting teased by Bunk! The cute lady kept trying to make sure he wasn't too rough with the cane!
Bunk with his buddies! :)
Ray just having a ball at the Beehive!
Brigham thinking Bunk is a lot of fun! He would walk up really slow, and then turn and run with a huge smile and laugh!
Bunk would pretend to be ignoring the boys, so they would sneak up closer to cane! :)
And then he would strike! This was very entertaining for all of us, and all of the residence! They loved seeing those little boys running and giggling!
But Bunk went WAY past his limits, when he went for Brigham's sippy cup! And as you can see, Brigham held on, and did not relinquish the cup!
Saying good-bye to an old friend! They really are just great homes for those that can't live by themselves anymore! We love being able to bring the kids, and letting them enjoy the the residence, and the residence enjoying them! It really is so easy to "BEE" happy in the hive!

September 17th...My Birthday!

So, for my birthday, Steve told me to go get a pedicure at Princess Nails! It is a really cute group of workers, and they do a great job! Anyways, I really thought the flower the lady did this time was very unique! I just loved it! And just the whole process of getting a pedicure was a great way to start the celebrating of my birthday!
I had been canning tomatoes all day, so when it was time to go get some TLC on my feet...they were ready!
Cute flower huh?!?
My friend Tami DeGolyer surprised me with some really pretty flowers and a gift card! It was such a great surprise! She did show up while I was still in my "bottling" clothes, and messy as ever...but that is the great thing about friends...how does that quote go?..."A friend is a person who really knows you, and loves you anyways"...or something like that! Thanks Tami!
Then my other friend Sharee Gariety came with another birthday gift of flowers and a gift card! I think I had a shower before Sharee came, so I was a little more presentable! Thanks Sharee! I LOVED the flowers...and the gift cared! My favorite part about the gift was shopping together! :) And we did get some great deals at Real Deals! The place we love to go, and our husbands don't love us to go! :)

Do I have great friends or what? And what is it with flowers? They really do just get you in a happy mood! I bet it would be fun to be the flower delivery guy!

I must say, one of my best talents is picking out great friends! I sure appreciated the gestures, and loved all the other thoughts, calls, and Facebook notes! They really just put me in a happy, ready to celebrate my b-day mood! Not that I need to be pushed! I wake up ready to play! Any excuse is a great excuse for fun!
And that night, Steve took me to dinner and a movie! I just LOVE him! I think he is my favorite thing about my last 34 years! Because he includes himself and the 5 kids we have together! And all night I just was SO GRATEFUL that I still just LOVE hanging out with him!

These pictures Lydia and Bobby took for us!
Kissing my prince charming never gets old! :) I even got a dip! Life is great when you got LOVE! I have always been a romantic at heart! Thank goodness I married someone willing to put up with it all the time!
And the big surprise was an appointment for me to get Lasik! I have since got it, LOVE it, and will have to post the pictures once I get them downloaded! Anyways, it was a perfect day! How grateful I am for the 34 years I've had thus far...makes me excited for the rest! Thanks to everyone who made it such a perfect day!

A Day of Preschool is COOL!

This year I decided not to do a preschool with Ray. Mostly because I am hoping we are so busy moving to the other side of the mountains, that I won't have time! He does LOVE having preschool, so I was very glad when his Aunt Natalie offered to let him go while she was teaching with her group! He came back having made this cute Halloween House...and, well, as you can see...he thought a day of preschool was REALLY COOL!

He ran in to show off to his dad the fabulous house he just made over at JJ's house!
Couldn't retain the excitement if we tried! Life was good that day for Ray!
He explained each candy, and why he put it where he did! Really cute idea Natalie!

Now that mom has documented it, it is CHOW TIME! Probably his favorite part of the project, was that it was edible art!

I just LOVE Ray's little hands! They look just like Steve's when he was little...or at least like the picture shows of when he was little! I hope they learn how to do all Steve's can do now!
Life is good when you are 4 years old, and had a day of preschool at your cousin's house!