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Saturday, December 31, 2011

New Year's Eve Day

Because I like to believe that I am neat and orderly, I will ignore the fact that I am about to post about New Year's Eve Day before I've even had a moment to look at pictures from Christmas.

But let's not get hung up on the details, hmm?

We spent the beautiful day just relaxing and basking in the being together and being home. Except the part where we loaded up the kids and their bikes and took off to one of the local parks. (Can I just throw out a high five to God for the 60-something weather in December?!?!??? Awesome!!) This particular park tends to flood. Every time it rains, I think. The older kids rode their bikes around while I sat on a bench and made a Playground Friend as she and I watched our 3 and 4 year olds get dirty. Joshua strapped Daniel into the baby seat on his bike and rode about for a bit, too.

Eventually the older kids came back and found that one of the sidewalks was still flooded over. They took turns riding through the water. The video demonstrates the personality differences in my Sarah Grace and Thomas.


Thursday, December 15, 2011

Five Minute Friday: Connected



START
~~~

We come into this world with a dependency on being connected. We cling to our Mommas those first few years as we discover the art of breathing, eating, walking, and talking. We make friends at each playground we visit, rarely remembering their names, but quite clear on the details of whatever game we invented.

School years give us a glimpse of understanding the world around us as we learn how numbers and verbs and history and construction paper all interrelate. We make friends with whom we tell our secrets and grouse about the cruelties of our inexperienced lives.

Soon our hearts are drawn towards the special bond of a lifetime. We say the I Do's and our lips meet, announcing to all present of the connection we have and the commitment we are making.

And it starts over, this time from a different perspective. We watch our bellies grow with the miracle of a child. How our bodies are connected to theirs for those magical months, and the beautiful fragility of forever wearing our hearts outside of us when the wrinkly, crying babe is laid in our arms.

We live our lives reaching out and making connections. We are a being made to give love and need love. Our hearts long to have deep and meaningful relationships. It's the perfect way in which God has designed us. It's overwhelming. It's beautiful. It's hard.

~~~
STOP

These five minute exercises generally find me unable to fluidly get my thoughts into order and tapped out. But I do so love them. How about you?

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

What We're Up To These Days

What's going on?

Not much of anything. Just one day at a time, doing what we do, learning little bits of this and that, and enjoying the holidays.

Family time is precious. We've had the wonderful gift of a lot of it lately. Even with commitments and obligations, we've had plenty of time home to just be who we are.

How about you?


Photo courtesy of Life's Mirror Images

Thursday, December 01, 2011

An Anna Birthday - 3 Years!

It's hard to believe that three years ago this little one was born. It was spitting snow outside, determined to be cold and slushy.

The weather wasn't the only 'determined' thing I ran across that day. Anna was born with high expectations and determined to do things differently than her siblings. Oh, and she did.

She still is.

She is such a joy to watch grow up. She still has preconceived ideas of how everything should work and isn't afraid to let you know when things don't come to pass as she has planned. She's spunky and humorous and strong-willed and loving.

For her birthday, she wants 'fwower cake dust wike wast yeawuh and Baby Sophie to come.' And folks, that is just what she is getting: A flower shaped cake and her favorite little friend, Sophie.

And hot chocolate. Because it's cold outside. I think she enjoyed it!

We love you, Anna Joy! Happy 3rd Birthday!!!