The Black Family

Joshua Tree National Park: The Rescue

Michael and Jill decided to escape the pressures of real life and go to Disneyland during Spring Break. Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it’s off to Cali we go. Since Michael is a semi-professional tour planner, he planned a route back to Utah via a camping trip in Joshua Tree National Park. Although Princess Jill would have been more at home in the Disney Castle, she agreed to spend a few nights in a tent.

Their car died in the desert. So we drove down to lend a hand. As long as we were there, we took in a few of the wonders ourselves.

Find the native wildlife in this picture. We think he might have had Roadrunner for lunch.

These rocks are granite boulders, formed by volcanic activity. As the granite cooled and crystalized underground, cracks formed horizontally and vertically. Eventually the surface soil eroded, leaving these heaps of "toy block" piles of rock.

Joshua Trees are actually a species of yucca. They were named by the Mormon pioneers who likened them to Joshua's extended arms as he lead the wandering children of Israel in another desert. Michaels extended arms are reaching out to another wanderer.

Joshua Trees can grow over 40 feet tall. I think Jill and Michael are about full-grown.

These clusters bloom February through April. Beautiful!

Petroglyphs in the desert? The climate in this area was very different even in the 1800's. The area continues to get dryer and hotter, but once it was a pleasant plain complete with buffalo and rock artists.

Cowboys of the last century tried to create a dam to support a cattle ranch. It didn't last long, wonder of wonders.

These were the blackest lizards I have ever seen. Big too.

Jill was right about this scenery: "This looks like a scene out of a Dr. Suess story."

This is the Cholla Cactus Garden inside the park.

These may look soft, but believe me, looks are deceiving!

Michael got looking closely at these cactus and noticed little rocks and pebbles caught in the spines of the cactus. That must be just how hard the wind blows sometimes in the desert!

Yucca blooms

I Only Have Eyes for You

Looking into Grandma's soul

"What's that duck on your head, Grandpa?"

Corbin commenting on our new light softbox

The Colorado River Runs Through It at Moab

Sibling Boundaries for Newborns

Young siblings are so curious about newborns. And parents are forced right from the get-go to set boundaries about how to treat this strange new arrival. Mom and Dad want the brothers and sisters to feel love for and acceptance of the new member of the family without putting the baby at mortal risk! Here, right in the first 60 seconds of Jesse, Porter, and Eliza’s introduction to Andrew, the kids are exploring those boundaries:

Brook: "See how tiny he is? We have to be very careful with him."

Eliza: "Can I touch him here?"

Porter: "Here, Mommy?"

Jesse: "My baby."

Porter: "No Jesse, you can't poke him here!"

This picture of Jesse trying to maintain his spot as the youngest (and certainly therefore the most precious) in the family reminds me about Brent's reluctance to give up his spot to Jill. Some friends had come by to see our new little baby. After oooooing and ahhhhhing over the tiny little Jill, they noticed Brent hanging on my legs and asked him, "Can we take Jill home with us?"

To their surprise he answered with all the honesty of a toddler, "Ya, we don't need that dumb baby!"

Andrew will certainly come into his own and be loved and adored by everyone in the family, eventually. It is probably good to come to recognize that the universe is big enough for everyone and certainly, that in a family like Brook and Daniel's, there is enough love for all four children.

Announcing Andrew William Black

Before you were conceived
I wanted you.
Before you were born
I loved you.
Before you were here an hour
I would give my life for you.
This is the miracle of life.
Maureen Hawkins

Andrew joined his adoring family in Washington State. Since not many in the family will get to see him while he is a newborn, please endulge a proud grandma in sharing this glimpse into his arrival.