Favorite Photos: Whose Idea Was This?

My daughter Crissy was then in the common childhood stage of "stranger anxiety" when this photo was taken of her and Santa in December, 1977.  She didn't care for him at all and started crying when Santa tried to talk to her.  Of course, her perception of Santa would change in later years ;)

Favorite Photos: A Mother's Love

A Tender Moment

There is no love like a mother's love,

no stronger bond on earth...

like the precious bond

that comes from God

to a mother, when she gives birth.

My daughter, Crissy 

with her newborn son Matthew

Photo from my archives, 2004

Favorite Photos: A "Grand" Event

"I'm a Grandma!"

My husband and I with our first grandchild, 

Damon Tyler Rowley

In the midst of life's chaos, we are sometimes blessed with those "golden" moments that remind us how grand love is.  I had heard other grandparents talk about how wonderful it is to have grandchildren but I would not comprehend their feelings until I had a grandchild of my own.

The experience of holding my grandson brought back a flood of memories when I became a mother for the first time- there was the joy, the love, the awesomeness of that moment when I held that tiny creation of life.  Then there was the panic, fear and wondering if I knew what to do.  Becoming a grandmother for the first time brought back the joy, the love, the awesomeness and the worries, but experience gave me confidence and by then I knew what to do- how to calm a crying baby, how to wipe a nose, change a diaper and give unconditional love.  

Photo from my archives, 1997

Favorite Photos: The Famous *Eye Roll*

This photo was taken in 1993, when our daughter Cherie was about 14 years old. Most teens that age already know everything, right?  She was no different.   When someone, including her father in the photo, said something she disagreed with, her eyes "voiced" her opinion- "Okay, whatever!".  I just happened to snap this photo at one such moment....

P.S. She is going to KILL ME for posting this ;)

Favorite Photos: Try These on For Size!

When my grandson Coby was two to three years old, he loved big shoes!  If there was an empty pair of shoes in the living room or bathroom, he would sure try them on for size then walk around the house in them.  It didn't matter if the shoes were spike heels, tennis shoes, flip flops or house slippers- he tried them all!  

I used to tell him, "Boy, you have a LONG way to grow before you fill those big shoes!".  It's nearly 8 years later and he's edging closer and closer to filling them ;)

Coby is the son of Cheresa Renae Bourgoyne and James Gerrick Rowley.

Photo from my archives, 2004

Favorite Photos: The Not-So-Perfect Family Snapshots- Bourgoyne Gathering

My entire clan rarely gets together for a family gathering.  The last time we were all together was September 2009 at our daughter's home in Tupelo, Mississippi.  We were attempting to get a family photo.  My son-in-law Ryan set up the timer on my camera so we had 10 seconds to hurry up and get ready for the snap.  Just before the camera clicked, my youngest grandson Nathan burped- then...

well, just look at my blue jeans!   ;)

Favorite Photos: Brotherly Love, Matthew & Nathan

My Grandsons, Matthew and Nathan

Two little sets of footprints, 

Two dirty little faces,

They'll catch frogs and chase puppy dogs,

Play ball and run some races.

Unknown of yet where life will lead

Or how the story will end,

No matter what path they walk upon,

I hope they'll be best friends.

They'll share with each other the memories

Of life they lived together,

They'll give each other the gift of laughter,

To carry them through stormy weather.

One day they'll look back through the years

And will find inside their hearts,

As long as they share brotherly love,

They will never be apart.

(Author unknown)

A post from my personal journal, 

dated April 26, 2009

Matthew and Nathan are the sons of Ryan Wesley & Cristina Fae Bourgoyne Curry