A Reminder That I am Raising Nebraskans

Saturday was a warm day in Lincoln, reminding me that I am raising Nebraskans.  It was 85 degrees (maybe slightly warmer) and you would have thought it was 100 by the way my children were acting.  After playing in the back yard for no more than 5 minutes Madeleine came inside proclaiming, "it is sweltering outside"!  To which I replied, "85 degrees is NOT sweltering".

I grew up in San Antonio where 85 degrees is a cool blast and 50 degrees is down right frigid!

In spite of the "sweltering" temperatures and howling Nebraska winds, we took the girls to Holmes Lake.  There was some whining, but we promised them ice cream if they kept it to a minimum.  Other than just enjoying the fresh air, I wanted to get some more practice on our new camera; specifically the manual settings.  I find it easier to practice on still subjects such as one of our tulips that recently opened.

This is a picture of the prairie grass (I have no idea what it is really called) whipping around in the wind.

A lovely pine cone that has not yet fallen from the tree.

It is a bit harder to photograph my children in manual mode because I don't have time to tinker with the settings.  Exhibit A:

Steven and the girls could not get situated for a nice shot.  But sometimes in those moments you end up with a great unexpected shot like this:

With a little bit of cropping I ended up with a picture I love.  I also love this next one of Audrey wading through the long prairie grass (or whatever the heck it is actually called).

Steven snatched the camera away to take a couple shots (he can be a camera hog).  Signs of new life in between Audrey's finger tips.

My sweet Audrey

Rehydrating on a "sweltering" day.

A dragon fly.  Steven has wanted to get a decent shot of one for such a long time and this one is pretty good.

Two divas

Now back to the pictures I took.  Madeleine was looking pretty cool in her sun glasses.

Taking a walk.  Steven is such a big kid.  :)

Steven and the girls raced up a pretty steep hill to the dam.  I believe that dam is the highest point in our flat city of Lincoln.

I love the fact that Steven is pulling up his pants in this picture.

Victory!  They made it to the top!

It was even windier on the top of the dam.  I love this picture of Steven brushing the hair out of Madeleine's face.

Daddy's girls

Audrey was hot and tired.  We ate ice cream shortly after.

Sometimes, on days like the one I described above when we are all together and everything feels perfect, I will look at my girls and it takes my breath away.  Sometimes the feeling strikes me in a quiet moment when we aren't doing anything at all.  I will take a long look at them and think of how blessed we are that they are healthy.  However, there was a time not so long ago when Audrey was not healthy.

That was often a dark and uncertain time in our lives, however, by God's grace she survived and is a beautiful answer to prayer today.  She is sassy and spunky and I love her so much!  On April 30 my family and I will be walking in the March for Babies to raise money for the March of Dimes.  The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.  Your gift will support March of Dimes research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives. And it will be used to bring comfort and information to families with a baby in newborn intensive care (families just like us and many others you may know).  I fully understand that money is tight for many of you right now, but even $5 will go a long way.  If you feel inclined to give you can make a secure online donation by clicking on the bar at the top of my blog.  To those of you who have made a donation, thank you so much.  Your support means a lot to me.

I hope you all have a nice day.  We are going to enjoy the "cooler" weather today (65).  That is the kind of weather my girls love!  :)