After being blessed with the birth of three boys, back, to back, to back,
I figured that 
She didn't look at it that way.
We were struggling financially and as far as she was concerned our family was complete.
Fast forward ten years and to our utter disbelief we had been blessed again,
this time with a baby girl.
This past weekend I finally made the trip to Pennsylvania to visit with our daughter Erica and our new son-in-law. Robin had visited several times before but I was unable to make the trek. This was an extra special occasion, the newlyweds had purchased their very first home after being in the market for over a year. So many other deals had fallen through as the market was crazy and they were smart enough not to get involved in a bidding war. Their patience paid off big time as the home they bought was exactly what they were looking for.
Being a tree hugger, the first thing that caught my eye was this GIANT Hard Maple tree, the kind that produces sap for making syrup. This tree is one of the largest Maple trees I have ever seen. My guess is that this monstrous beauty is over 250 years old.
My baby doll, as I still call her to this day, is one of a kind. Her benevolence defines her.
Her work ethic is impressive. Her love for her family is unwavering. She is adventurous and somewhat of a thrill seeker, which is a little scary. She has jumped out of airplanes, skied the highest 4 diamond trails she can find. Just last year she dove into the Susquehanna River to save a dog that was being swept away by the river's fast moving currents. She is a ball of energy.
It was not long after our arrival that she wanted to hang the bird feeder that I had made for her.
No problem, I figured that it would only take a few minutes to drape the cord over a branch, and she would be on her way to attracting some #featheredfriends.
Shortly after hanging the bird feeder, she mentioned that she had purchased a 2 x 10 piece of lumber, 100 feet of cord, and wanted to make a swing. She hustled to the shed and within a minute she returned carrying the wood she had purchased. I realized this was her way of petitioning me for some help, not a very subtle hint. 😁
She knows me very well. I have a hard time just sitting around, and in that way we are very much alike. I was all in. I rattled off a list of the tools we would need, a speed square, drill and drill bits, tape measurer, pencil, circular saw, level, and an extension cord. Again, she returned in a few minutes carrying everything I had mentioned. With very little assistance she cut the wood and drilled the holes for the cord. I was a little surprised by her skills with the power tools.
Within 15 minutes we had the swing made and got busy looking for the perfect branch on the Maple tree to suspend the swing from. She assured me that the rope was rated for 400 pounds. After making sure everything was good to go I tested it out, knowing that if it could hold me it would hold everyone else. After a few gentle swings I put my stamp of approval on it and swing we did.
When Robin realized the swing was up to snuff she gave it a go. Once she started to swing it was hard to convince her to share as she swung away like a little kid.
What a very special weekend. Spending quality time with Erica is always loads of fun and invokes feelings that make me want to hug her and never let go.
This is the view from the backyard.
Peaceful and productive, charming and alluring, natural and invigorating,
these are not only the features of this land,
but also characteristics that embody our BABY DOLL, Erica Lynn.