Sweet Shot Tuesday :: Attie

Pentax k10D with a Tamron SP AF 24-135mm Lens, f/3.5-5.6ISO 800, 24mm, f/3.5, 1/30

Photo of Jack sitting with his new love, Alligator.

I know Sweet Shot Tuesday is supposed to be of new photos - however, this one isn't that old. I'm just now getting a chance to sit down and go through all of my photographs from winter break.

Classes start today. Wish me luck.

That's a Big Tire

There isn't much to do on a Minnesota farm in the winter (if you want to stay warm) other than looking at all of the farming equipment.

Time to Start Party Planning!

Jack's birthday is just around the corner - TWO? Where has the time gone? 

Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Sweet Shot Tuesday :: McKinley

I've been intrigued by Alyson's new personal photo challenges she's committed herself to - so I started poking around. Life with my 3 Boybarians has some fun photo ideas, including Sweet Shot Tuesday. So I thought I'd join the fun and post one!

Here's one I just took of sweet baby McKinley!

McKinley Rae

Another Line on the Door

Growing up, my grandparents sliding door going into the basement storage turned into a growth chart for all of us cousins. While we were on the farm, Jack was fiddling around next to it and it caught my attention. Now the shortest line on the door, Jack's life will also be documented with the rest of us.


I took a moment to inspect each of our many lines and found myself standing there, very grateful, of the close family I had growing up. There, on the door, were 7 names - Alyson, Derich, Alycia, Chauncy, Brandon, myself and Mikey (Little Mike, Mike ... Mikey) - a group of kids that were more like siblings than cousins. Close in age and location (somewhat) we were able to spend summers, weekends and weekdays together... years of memories rushed through my head: spending time at Lake Mary, building forts in the corn crib when it wasn't in use (leaving it for my grandfather to clean up ... ) - but most of all, the innocence of childhood and letting our imagination help us explore our backyards - and the world.

Unfortunately, we got older, moved around and now we catch up with each other by reading our blogs or facebook posts - and phone calls here or there - but we're spread across the nation tackling the real world, some of us raising our own children. Even though we usually only see each other on the holidays - I wouldn't say we've grown apart. We've all blossomed into the people we were supposed to be and I know I could count on them should I ever need anything. And sometimes, in the end, knowing your family has your back makes you a little bit stronger.

I know that I am fortunate to have the relationships I do with my family. I hope I can teach Jack the importance of family, as mine has taught me. I also hope he will be able to build and maintain relationships with his cousins, too.

(some photographs I stole out of my G'ma albums, took back to Georgia, scanned,
and replaced the next time I was up there - she still has no clue - ha.)

Have Train, Will Travel

(Quickly fast forward to Christmas morning - )


We brought Jack's train out to the farm and he couldn't stop playing with it! We're so happy he loves it so much! Keeps his busy little body - busy! He loves when you sit and help him build his tru-tru-prain's track, too.

Family Christmas

We had a great time in MN (I know, 2 weeks later). It was cold - and it was really white. But I loved it! Jack loved seeing all of the "'now"! We started the week off with dinner with my mom's side - and met cousin Todd's new fiance (& Matty's girlfriend, too!) so it was fabulous to put the faces to the names! The next day, the 6 of us (dad, mom, Derich, Bryan, Jack and myself) celebrated Christmas before heading out to the farm to see the rest of the rellies. Jack started calling mom 'Ballah' instead of Grandma and continued to call Dad 'Papa' and Derich 'Unc'. (Glad my composition notebook full of pictures it working out.) :)

Dad continues to justify his yearly spending by putting all of his purchases from the year under the tree -- used and wrapped. One year, he unwrapped a book about guns - with a bookmark! - and started reading where he previously left off.

Jack, as usual, hit the motherload with a new train (tru-tru-prain) and some more Little People. He also got his first Legos kit. (God help me.)


These pictures of Jack are my favorite. Dad put the train set in an empty box for Jack. Wonder if he paid attention to what kind of box. Made me laugh - and it will continue to hold Jack's train set. By the end of the morning, Jack was exhausted. But couldn't stop playing. We had our usual Gina Maria's pizza, loaded the car, went over the river and through the woods and to Grandmothers house we went!

Welcome, McKinley Rae!

A new baby girl has stolen Jack's heart! 'Baby Ma-Linley' is all he talks about. Mommy, Daddy and baby are all doing well - and I can't get enough of that precious beauty! (it's really special to see Robbie have a baby of her own - especially after watching her care for Jack for the last 'almost' two years!) They took McKinley home on January 1! What a way to start a new year!!

McKinley Rae Wilkes

December 30, 2010

6 pounds, 14 ounces & 20 inches

3:48 a.m.

Help Make a Difference

I know I have many holiday updates to post, but this is most important.

Caleb, son of friends Kari and Kanaan, was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy in 2010. I met Kari and Kanaan through cousins Brandon & Nia - and must say, they never cease to amaze me. I am proud to be their friend - inspired by their service, courage, spirit, leadership, and strength.

Though their hearts break for their son - Kari and Kanaan constantly push through and are taking SMA head on. Please keep their family in your daily prayers and take part in their fundraiser to help find a cure for Spinal Muscular Atrophy. They will be hosting a SMA Eat n' Run in March in Columbus, Georgia. Find the event on Facebook.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy is the number one genetic killer of children under the age of two. SMA is an inherited and often fatal disease that destroys the nerves controlling voluntary muscle movement, which affects crawling, walking, head and neck control, and even swallowing. Two new-born children are affected each day in the United States, approximately 1 in 6,000 live births. One in every 40 people carries the gene that causes SMA, which means there are more than seven million carriers in the United States alone. Currently there is no treatment or cure.

Families of SMA is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1984 with the mission to find a treatment and cure for SMA. FSMA is made up of more than 65,000 members and supporters and has funded more than $50 Million in leading research programs since its inception.