Friday, April 25, 2008

"Love's Triumph"

I have been so blessed the past few weeks to be able to get a better glimpse into the lives of some of my anscestors. My mom and I came up with an idea that we wanted to make a "Bailey" family cookbook, including recipies from my grandmother, her mother, my grandfather's mom, cousins, etc, and bring it all together in one book for everyone to have a copy. We have been going through multiple family albums, recipe books, etc in the past little while, and it has been such an amazing experience for me. A beautiful look at some of my anscestors lives, their triumphs and low points, marriages and births, etc. I feel so blessed to have so much information at my finger tips. Just today, mom and I found some poems that my great-grandmother had written during her lifetime. I had no idea that she had written anything at all, let alone beautiful works of poetry, and stories of her life during the Great Depression and WWII. I had to share this poem that she wrote...we are not sure the exact date of when it was written, but are assuming in the 1950's sometime. It is a beautiful work of art, that I felt needed to be shared. It is entitled "Love's Triumph".
Night-- and the only light,
The rays of the crescent moon;
A bare-foot lad on a lonely street,
Whistling a well known tune.
Softly he passed by the darkened huts,
On to the Court beyond;
Felt secure in this squallid part
Of the City to which he belonged.
He reached the Court and sought a place
On a low, ricketty seat,
That rested against a damp, brick wall,
Shut off from the dingy street.
And here in this squallid quarter,
He fell into a deep, calm sleep;
He dreamed a dream of Angels,
Traversing a golden street.
They beckoned him on, and he followed,
Rejoicing at each new sight;
Twas like the Piper piping his tune,
Calling first to the left, then to right.
He followed the host of Angels,
On past the Castles rich;
They paused before two stately dwellings,
The Leader turned, and said "which?"
Written in jewelled letters,
Over the Mansion door,
Were the words "Love" and "Riches,"
Twas a wonderful chance for the Poor.
"Which?" repeated the Angel,
Twas now for the lad to choose,
"Riches" and "Love" in the balance, -
Would "Love" win, or would it lose?
The lad glanced at each dwelling,
"Riches" was more splended by far,
But "Love" had a homely appearance,
The door was a little ajar.
It seemed to welcome him, -calling--
"Love" won, and the boy went in;
By the door he paused to read the words
"Love overcometh all sin."
The leader of the Angels
Paused out, and closed the door;
The little lad was fast in "Love"
And from "Love" would depart no more.
Then when the tiny sunbeams,
Found their way to that filthy court,
They danced around his little form--
His Soul was safe in Port.
Left all alone in this old world,
He had worked and struggled along,
Hungry and weary he trudged around,
Still in his heart a song.
Cold, and lack of nourishment,
Soon told on his weakly form,
God called him Home, for best He knew,
He Ne'er could weather the storm.
'Tis but the story of one lad,
But many there are in this land,
Who need the kind word we can give them,
So lend a helping hand.
Remember the words of the Master,
'Tis a sacred, holy, plea,
"For as much as Ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren,
Ye have done it unto Me."

My great-grandmother, Alice Cooper Bailey 1904-1982

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Family of Four

My boys are actually looking at the camera! A miracle! :) I didn't get smiles, but hey....this is a start!

Back to Bellingham

Just thought I would share some old funny photos of our crazy Bellingham days. I know that these are hard to see, but they bring back such wonderful memories, I had to share anyway. Teage and I met in Bellingham in 2000, and had a great group of friends all the years that we were there. We went to church together, had activities together, were silly together, and shared all the ups and downs of college, work, Institute, etc. with all of our wonderful friends. There are times that we really miss those fantastic days. Teage and I at a church dance
Kimmers and Jocelyn
All of us crazy girls on the dance floor (that is me second from left)
"Because we're blond!" (I'm in the black on left)
Sorry Nate....just had to share!! :)

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Swimming Swimming

We took our first swimming trip the other day! It was such a fun new experience with the boys, and we just had a blast! Both boys were a little apprehensive right when we got to the pool as there were quite a few other older kids there, and it was a little noisy. They held on tight to Teage and myself for about 10 minutes, and then decided that it wasn't so bad. :) In the end, both boys had a great time in their floaties, and didn't really want to leave!
Just had to share this picture of them in their adorable swim trunks. I couldn't get over how cute they were!!

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Updates

Well, the boys are definitely growing into their own unique personalities lately. And, learning all the time! It is just amazing to watch them master a skill so quickly. We are all doing very well, including mommy and daddy considering the boys are now sleeping through the night!! Yeah!! I can't even tell you how good it feels, to put the boys down in their cribs in the evening, and not have to go back in to get them until morning....what a relief! Teage is still doing very well at work, and just had a conference down in California that he was privledged to go to. I am busy busy with the boys, and doing a little photography on the side. We are enjoying being together, and sharing all of the wonderful memories!

Lucas and Dylan current likes and dislikes:

*Likes-
-Our new favorite thing is to watch the laundry as it goes around and around in the washer....so thrilling!
-Hamming it up for the camera
-Cherrios galore! And definitely sippy cups
-Crawling all the way up the stairs
-Getting into as much trouble as we can
-Bouncing on the big exercise ball
-Just got acquainted with the swimming pool, and loving it!

*Dislikes-
-Getting dressed
-Nap time :)
-Being confined in any way, shape, or form
-Cuddling (much to the dismay of their mother!!)
-Mommy disappearing for a minute or two

Dylan in one of his favorite spots lately! :)


Lucas hamming it up for the camera!

Dylan hamming it up