Today we took a family road trip to Avery Island. Avery Island is the home of the ONLY Tabasco factory. We took a tour through the factory where they bottle the sauce. It was an interesting process. We went through their Country Store full of all thing Tabasco. We got free small samples (although when they give three small samples to six people in one family it equals quite a bit!) which the boys are all anxious to try ;)
There is also a beautiful drive through the 250 acre property called Jungle Gardens. It is on salt dunes and there are many "sink holes" which have gardens and old trees in. There is also a lagoon where we saw many alligators. The boys were so excited because it was the first time they had seen alligators in the wild. The only other place they have seen them is the zoo.
There is also a bird sanctuary on the property. They have pier type structures in the middle of a pond full of snow egrets. Each Spring they come and nest.
There is a picture of a Buddha. It is over 900 years old!
More pictures are to come! There are a lot, and I got some great ones of the kids (even some with ALL of them in one shot!)
I was hoping to get some cute pics with Mads in all of the pretty flowers. I figured if she would just sit that would be good. NEVER did I think she would be SO interested in the flowers, which made for some CUTE pics. I just wasn't planning on me being in pics, now I wish I had worn a much more Spring color!!
In a little more than a nutshell:
I am married with 5 boys and we just got our (surprise) little girl. I should probably clarify by letting you know that only 4 of the boys are young children, the other one just acts like a young child. I am very girly, which makes for an interesting life - living in a house dominated by males (in all their glory). I blog so that maybe someday the kids can look back at this and see what they put me through - and what they can expect from their kids, someday!! Also, so that our family in far away lands can keep up with what is going on in our crazy lives.
When my husband first saw this title, he asked if it was because I was supposed to be THE dandelion surrounded by mud (all the boys). I guess it could mean that, but I read this one day and it really touched my heart and made me think:
When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard. My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff you can wish on.
When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money and I look away. My kids see someone smiling at them and they smile back.
When I hear music I love, I know I can't carry a tune and don't have much rhythm so I sit self-consciously and listen. My kids feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words. If they don't know them, they make up their own.
When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it. I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk. My kids close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing.
When I pray, I say thee and thou and grant me this, give me that. My kids say, "Hi God! Thanks for my toys and my friends. Please keep the bad dreams away tonight. Sorry, I don't want to go to Heaven yet. I would miss my Mommy and Daddy."
When I see a mud puddle I step around it. I see muddy shoes and dirty carpets. My kids sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers to cross, and worms to play with.
I wonder if we are given kids to teach or to learn from? No wonder God loves the little children! Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. - Author Unknown