Happy Anniversary

I saw my parents tonight. On their 35th wedding anniversary. And didn't even think to give them a congrats (much less a card or a gift....).

Granted, the night was ruled by a certain 3 year-old's birthday. But still.

So, with a few minutes to spare before their day is over, happy anniversary Mom and Dad. You've done well, and are well loved ~

Seven Months

discovery

New and wonderful discoveries are lurking around every corner here.

Lord, grant me the grace to see them. to take them in. to abound in gratefulness for them.

my Spidermen

So yeah, the boys were Spiderman(men?) this year. They talked for weeks about being Angry Birds....but when they found out that Spiderman was an option the Birds got the boot.

I took them outside after trying on their costumes and before I could even get my camera set, they were off to save the day.

They aren't really sure who or what Spiderman is.......

But he must be cool. Sam's version even flies.

Learning from big brother how to cast a web~

This photo is my fav. I told them to give me a Spiderman pose.

And then a Spiderman face....

Charlie has a little better grasp on that.

Each year I wonder why we even "celebrate" this crazy holiday. It's not like I want my kids to come home with bags of cavities, nor do I want them to see scary faces on the streets. And what is it that we are celebrating anyway?

But I do love rubbing shoulders with my neighbors, watching my boys grow giddy with excitement as they transform into anything they want to be, and reminding them that they can always be just that. Teaching them that we celebrate freedom from fear (my made up reason to celebrate this year, even though I want to teach them the real roots down the road, as well as Reformation Day).

Fun times with my Spidermen and teddy bear.

And cousin Levi the giraffe!

a belated boo

first day of (sniff) school

We've turned a chapter.

School.

I thought there would be tears, but there were none.

Charlie didn't cry either.

Showing off new bags~

Happy (and out of focus...) school boys.

Brother was happy to be there. He would have loved to stay ~ if I would have too.

One last (obligatory) smile~

A friend recently shared a a song (based on an excerpt of The Prophet

by Kahlil Gibran) that moved me. I hope she doesn't mind me sharing too. I'd like to remember it.

Your children are not your children.

They are the sons and daughters of Life's

longing for itself.

They come through you but not from you,

And though they are with you

yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love

but not your thoughts,

For they have their own thoughts.

You may house their bodies

but not their souls,

For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,

which you cannot visit,

not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them,

but seek not to make them like you.

For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children

as living arrows are sent forth.

The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,

and He bends you with His might

that His arrows may go swift and far.

Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;

For even as He loves the arrow that flies,

so He loves also the bow that is stable.

With each year parenting seems to take on more weight.

Weight of emotion, of responsibility, and the need of something(one) greater than myself.

I'm so glad I'm not in this alone.

7 years happy

This morning I woke after 5 hours of sleep - drowsy and wishing the kids had waited longer than 15 minutes after the sun came up to wake. I stumbled around and tried to ignore what a disaster our house was. By 8am it was time for Lillie's nap. I closed my eyes with her while Bryan took the boys out for breakfast.

I thanked God for him.

This morning seven years ago I woke after only a few hours of sleep - glowing and rejoicing that it was finally time to get up! My best friend April was in the next room, and we spent the morning getting ready for one of the best days of my life. My wedding day.

I thanked God for Bryan.

I don't remember much about the details of that day, but I do remember what I felt. Yes, I was incredibly happy, but what I remember the most is that I didn't have a care in the world.

So what if it's a monsoon outside and my hair is a mess, I'm marrying Bryan today!

Even then I began to notice that I made some quick (and poor) decisions about dresses, flowers, colors, venue...almost everything, but I just didn't care. Someone had told me before to remember it was about a marriage, not an event. I thankfully took that to heart. As long as I had Bryan and a pastor I was happy.

And the best part is

7 years, 5 moves, 3 kids

and a lot less sleep later,

I still am.

Cousins

Today was my day to keep four little boys

(and one baby girl)

Poor thing.

She kinda gets singled out.

A Summer Day

I finally got to enjoy yesterday's meal, today

and two little boys who played (mostly) happily ~

a typical "off" day

Once a week my sister-in-law and I do this really great thing. We keep each others' kids. We take our babies with us, and due to our limited capacity to do such a grand thing it ends up only being 2-3 hours....but still. Free and wonderful childcare every week? Amazing.

So today was my morning "off" and after days of trying to decide what to do with it, I finally settled on staying home. A bit of cleaning, coffee sipping, and reading.

Dreamy.

Baby had shots the day before and was fussy all morning, throwing our schedule (of sorts) awry. I let her sleep as long as she needed, cutting an hour into "my" time. Only two hours....but hey, it's two whole hours.... I'm thinking as I jump through all the hoops of getting us out the door.

Husband then calls to say he has a buy one get one coupon for Ruby Tuesday's if i want to join him for lunch. I would normally scoff at the thought of Ruby Tuesday's for a date, but considering lunch usually means a peanut butter sandwich eaten while standing/towing a baby/putting out fires .... why yes, I would love to join you.

After dropping the boys off and reminding them to share, obey, and use the potty instead of pants I'm finally on my way. Less than an hour and a half left.....but a quiet meal with Bryan....it's all worth it. I sang along to Whinnie the Pooh for 5 minutes before coming to my senses and turning the station to NPR. I relished a few moments of education.

I decide to swing by a fabric shop since I have a few minutes before Bryan can leave. I then, regrettably, decide to buy some. The fabric was so-so, the line was long, and my precious time was ticking. If only I hadn't had the fabric cut I could just leave.

I finally make it to Bryan's office and take Lillie out of her seat, revealing a blowout. Major. Up to her ears. As I'm scrambling for a diaper and wipes I swear I hear a mean little voice in the depths that are my bag saying, "what mom leaves home without diapers and wipes"? No worries, I keep a few in the car. Dear husband just cleaned the car. cuss. I call him and ask, "did you take the diaper out of the car"? "Huh"? He is understandably confused. After a little explanation he is sent scrambling for paper towels. I then proceed to strip and "clean" her with a burp cloth and tea. Yes tea, my special treat I had just bought for my dreamy morning off. When I decide my efforts are good enough, we climb in the front seat to so that I can feed her. At least I can continue my education. Why oh why, did I have to park in a spot where 4 different people would come and go in the parking spaces right next to me? They each give me a stern stare as they think I'm about to drive off with a baby in my lap, then awkwardly come to the realization that I'm nursing. I see their retreating look of "oh, sorry", then pause of wonder as they realize my baby is naked. Don't ask lady!

Bryan at last comes to my rescue with a diaper. How he found a diaper in a company primarily consisting of men - and certainly not babies - I forgot to ask. Thank you, mystery person.

By this point I have concluded that there would be no restaurant sitting, but maybe we could squeeze in a few bites in the car. Bryan leaves to order while I diaper baby. and wait. and wait. Time's up, and baby is fussy. I leave, Lillie screams, and Bryan calls just as I pull onto the interstate to tell me the food is finally ready. Enjoy babe.

So now, 3 hours later, I listen to the whir of my washer fighting poop stains and nibble on a cold, leftover pancake. And think, my life is just as I want it to be.

four

i've been wanting to change the title of my blog for a long time now.

i've actually been wanting to do a lot of things, like writing more.

i'm always writing in my head, it just rarely makes it to paper (or the www).

so, this title gives me a little more grace.

right?

four months.

14 pounds, 4 ounces

24 1/4 inches

and a scream that made even the nurse say "wow".

wilwy.

baby

baby girl

girlie

baby cakes

lillie pie

lillie cake

chubs

smiley girl

cheeks

sister

bright eyes

sunshine

just a few of the names you are known by

but the one i hear most often comes not from me, but from your brothers, who affectionately and simply call you

wilwy.

(will wee)

tips on photographing a 4 year old

um, yeah.

i've got nothing.