2/28/10

Ciao


Goodbye Olympics--I'll miss your company.

You've inspired my sons to dream big dreams...to become a bobsledder or a great hockey player. You've opened doors for many hours of creative play...ski jumping (off of the couch), snowboarding (down a "mountain" of plowed snow), competing in biathlons (on train tracks, nerf guns on backs...dad as the target).

You've made me proud to be an American.

So many nights of great competition. Amazing athletes from all walks of life, performing with guts, determination and heart.

You reminded me each and every night just how out of shape I am. Thank you.

While I'm sad to see you go, my bed thanks you. It's been missing me.


2/24/10

Cherishing



these last days where age is measured in months



I'm holding on as tightly as I can


but I can't keep my baby from growing up


I'm slowly learning that being a mother is about letting go. I'm so grateful that the letting go doesn't happen all at once, but in small stages, over time. Lord willing, someday my boys will take their place in the world... ready to do their part to advance God's kingdom. Eager to complete the good works that God has prepared in advance for them to do.

Lord, help me to prepare them for that day. Help me to remember throughout each stage, that they are Yours. A precious gift to steward, not for myself, but for Your glory.


In the meantime, I will cherish.

2/23/10

Not Lost


picture in memory of warm, no shirt days

Xan has a way of greeting me when I've been gone...for hours, or even -gasp- if I manage to sneak away to the bathroom for a few minutes.

He almost always says... "I found you! I thought you were lost!"... usually followed by... "Are you here? You're not lost?" ...just to be sure.

Yesterday we got to hang out with our dear friends who we hadn't seen in far too long. As we drove away, through tears, Xan said, "but I don't want them to be lost again!"
We love you A, J, and G!!

2/20/10

Olympian



He's my ski jumper.





And he's very serious about it.



2/17/10

Cookies

My rag-a-muffin (he needs a haircut, or at least some humidity) and I made these cookies today. The hands-on-ness of the recipe was perfect for him. He put lots of love into each step, and said over and over that these were going to be "the best cookies ever"!





love that his hands are still pudgy





tasting every step of the way





"rolled" in powdered sugar





the finished product





my Bible as a plate??





guess it works





lived up to "best ever" hype





Luca agreed





until he didn't

2/14/10

Happy Valentine's Day



"Oh my gosh, a year has flown past

Time sure flies and goes by fast
So get ready to go, and have some fun
Read every clue one by one
The rules are the same
You know the game
So on your way, and
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!
xoxoxo, Nona"


the clues





the treasure





the happy hunters




Thank you, Nona! We love you!!!

2/12/10

Misery Loves Company

misery





+ company





= love


feel better soon, my sweet baby

2/10/10

Bottom Feeder



So, we call Luca our catfish. Our bottom feeder. He is a master at finding the smallest things on the floor, and eating them. I'll be honest, I'm pretty laid back about it. Legos and other such choking hazards, we're on top of those. Paper, snacks dropped by brothers, napkins, no big deal. Despite my efforts to sweep my floor at least once a day, I'm pretty sure he manages to cobble together a full snack, just by visiting his favorite spots.






Several months ago, I was changing his diaper. I noticed some red in the stool. Yikes. Was it blood?? When I looked closer, I realized that it was FOUR pieces of red cardboard. Well, his systems are working!
A few weeks ago he was eating Cheerios. He was stuffing too many in his mouth, and began to choke. I threw him over my arm and gave his back a good wack. He promptly threw up, not just the Cheerios, but several pieces of cardboard (apparently a favorite) and a label. That's my boy! Who needs a dog when you have a Luca??

2/9/10

My Words

Yes, it's time to eat my words. I truly thought I would live and die, without blogging. I love to read blogs...I'm a blurker and a stalker, and a rare commenter. I've never been a journaler. Growing up, Jonalee kept meticulous record of all the happenings, and I was content to let my history be recorded by her. So now, if she threatens to burn our history (ahem... it's not all pretty!!), I protest.
I have resisted blogging mainly because I've wanted to live each day "in the moment", and didn't want to be tempted to "be" or "do" for a blogs sake.

The other day, David was excited to discover that when he turns eight (this August), he will be halfway to getting his driver's license. Halfway!! Are you kidding me? It was just yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital! I felt a little panicked, and wished SOMEHOW I could slow down time.

And then it happened. I was folding laundry, with my boys playing around me. I had sent Jonalee a recipe for snow cream. I wondered if she would make it, and figured I would read about it on her blog if she did. I thought about the pages of memories her kids would have to flip through over the years, and imagined David saying "Mom, why didn't you do that for us?" Something clicked. Life is too short NOT to blog! And so, this blog is born. Not as a way to "find my voice" (something Mark thinks I should do), not to showcase my creativity (there isn't much to show), but to try and capture the little moments of these days that are passing too quickly. I'm not a writer or a photographer, but my boys have a history to be written, and I want to do my part to preserve the moments, big and small.