Sammy's Day

Spend the day with Sammy!

Swiftly on a drive down my street days later after finding Pedal, I was coming home from Bible study. Not nearly half way down my hilly road I see something small in the road. Passing it, I pulled over with the clear notion it was another turtle. 

With the car in park, I promptly walked towards the turtle making sure no cars were coming. He was the most precious one of them all. Smaller then Fred or Pedal on their found date. 

This little guy rode home with me in my cup holder as I continued driving down my street. Some say be careful what you pray for and here I was finding a third turtle. 

(notice he acts the same turned over now as the day I found him-see picture further below)

Often, I pick one day there will be a giraffe with lions and tigers in my yard or near by in the neighborhood. Since living in our current house we've seen giant turtles, giant snakes, a fox, big pretty turkey's, tons of deer, a hawk, an owl and even an actual alligator in my driveway one day!    

How'd we come up with his name? Well, the area of the street he was found was close to a neighbors house who's name is Mr. Sammy. So, what better name. Sammy! 

Sammy is still the cutest of them all to me and still remains the smallest of all. 

(his ride home in my cup holder) 

(look how darn precious-the moment I found him)

He was so hot and dried up looking when I found him. I love those perfect circles at the top of his under shell. 

Can you believe I found a third turtle?

Which one is your favorite so far?

Fred's Day

Spend the day with Fred!

When I was younger say around sixth grade I had a turtle who looked just like Fred. We found him on our front porch one day. Mom let me bring him inside. Where he lived in a white bowl on a bookshelf in my room. I put rocks found from our street along with water in the bowl. He was such a fun guy to have around. By say the time I was in 9th or 10th grade he went to be with Jesus. Sad! But it happened…

Often I prayed I'd find another one like him. 

Many, many, many years later I did. Well, let me say this, my youngest daughter found him. It was towards the later part of spring, school was about to be out. She was playing down by the pool probably chasing our dog. I heard the back door burst open. "Mom"! When I went to see what was up she was holding a bright green turtle who looked just like mine from childhood. My eyes sparkled. "Oh, babe!" He was precious. 

(this was the very moment she showed me at our back door)

After sharing my story of my childhood turtle my daughter decided to honor him naming her turtle Fred also. My childhood turtles name was Fred. Can you believe that! Moments of memories formed right before my eyes. 

Fred lived in a small bowl on our back porch for a few days. My soul was not as brave as my mothers. I wasn't about to let that turtle in my house.

On to realizing we should get a bigger bowl for Fred.

Leave it to my daughter to encourage me to stop at Petsmart one day. She picked out a 9 gallon glass aquarium for him. It was perfect.

See how much he has grown and changed in color. He was so bright when we found him now his color has darkened. His spots on his under side have smeared somewhat. He's truly one of a kind.

Below are additional pictures from the day Fred was found.

Look how bright green he was!

Above is the picture I posted to Instagram that day.

Below are additional things that happened on that day.

(down by the lake)

(keeping the sun off her back as she reads)

(our afternoon bike ride)

(things I was on a mission for, notice the date, the day Fred was found)

If you haven't already, you might like to read Meet the Turtles from last Thursday. Check back next Thursday to see which turtle I am spending the day with. 

P.S. Fred is celebrating my birthday with me today!

Do you have a turtle?
What's his name?
Or have you had one before?

Everything

In my morning quit time before the children awake

on this glorious summer day,

I reflect back at some old notes

written in my journal at the beginning of the summer!

Here's another turtle findings by our dog,

I wondered what she was tossing around

and chewing like a bone.

When I suddenly realize it was a turtle!

Bless his little heart, see the little

scratches on his outer shell!?

and the doggie lay rest in disappointment

I took the turtle away,

while the turtle lay

in his new home!

This little piggy went to the

MARKET! My youngest daughter

loves to treat us by making us

chocolate chip muffins...

I heart summer mornings!

I heart my quit time!

A reminder to myself,

what I struggle with

is not who I am!