Kids Were Here - May

This could also be titled, "This, too, shall soon pass". God help me to keep my sanity until it does pass. This is proof my kids were here. But bless them, at the end of the day I am so happy that the boys' whole life turns around these favorite toys that they CANNOT keep picked up if their lives depended on it. This is my messy, chaotic, perfect life.


Click HERE to see Erin's proof her Kids Were Here.

The original idea stemmed from a project by Ketti Phillips to document little elements around her house showing her children’s presence without showing them. It was a little study in seeking the small details that tell so much. A small group of her friends began the blog below. Click on the photo and check it out.

First Holy Communion

My baby is making her First Holy Communion this weekend. The nervous jitters are setting in. We went to mass in town last weekend to watch her school friends make their First Communion. Bigger parish, bigger ceremony led to her announcing, "I want to quit First Communion." 

Ah, honey, this is not something you can quit. This isn't dance or basketball or music lessons. (Not that I'd support her quitting any of those on a whim either. I'm a stick the season out kinda person.)

After questioning her on what First Communion meant to her and why it was important, I figured out she simply didn't want to get up in front of everyone. 

I do sympathize with her nerves, but have to laugh, too. This is the outgoing, confident girl who LIVES for her dance recital every year. Proudly performs in front nearly 1,000 people - mostly strangers - throughout recital weekend.

We attend a small country church. The parishoners are friends and family she has known her entire life. I think Father talked her back into it at his visit at our house this evening. He assured her it wouldn't be too scary and even let her taste the host and wine. 

Guess I better get to steaming that dress and veil.


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She did a "dress rehearsal" a few weekends ago so I could snap some pictures of her with the gorgeous windows in our little church.

Letters to my Children - My Little Man

Dear Jimmy,

"Mommy, can I have a long hug?"

From the little boy that prides himself on never, I mean absolutely never, showing affection of any sort, those are the words that melt my heart.

I don't remember when the "long hug" first appeared but you did think that up all on your own. It's pretty self-explanatory, but you always make me abide by the rules: 

1. it only happens at tuck-in time, 
2. you must be the initiator, 
3. you must be laying flat on your back with your covers tucked around so just your arms are out and I must hover above (see 5), 
4. it lasts only as long as you want it to, 
5. I can't squeeze too tight or it's over (which is hard when I'm hovering over you as not to squish you because I never get hugs from you so I want it to last even longer than you want it to.)

Your hugging rules sum up your rules for any human to human contact: you must initiate and it's totally on your terms or not at all.

Watching you adjust to kindergarten this year has been really tough. I know that you've struggled, too. The transition to school didn't come easy for you. I was afraid how we'd get through that first couple months knowing how you like to be in control of every situation. As long as I live, I will never forget the day I carried you kicking, screaming, and sobbing to the bus. You had hit the wall a month in to kindergarten. 

As you approach the end of the school year, I couldn't be more proud of how far you've come. You finally let your guard down. A little. I'm excited to see you excel in your daily work and, more importantly, care about how you're doing. I was so proud of you tonight as you decided it would be fun to write a book and needed help spelling the big words. By golly, I think you'll be a scholar yet!

Sadly, my little boy has slipped away while you were at school. Your innocence is waning. Your attitude has changed. 

I can't wait to spend the summer getting reacquainted with this new little man you have become.

I love you, bud!
Mom

This is the second installment in a monthly blog circle, Letters to My Children. I have adored reading others' letters and think it is a great way to document our life. I hope the kids will appreciate reading this, now and in years to come. Life is busy. I want to use this exercise to keep me present in the moment and remind myself what wonderful children I've been blessed with. 

Please continue through the circle by reading Kimberly Muro's letter to her son HERE.

Lensbaby Project, April

What a crazy spring we've had. I had so hoped that by the end of April I would have flowers blooming to play with my Lensbaby. Mother Nature had other plans. Instead, I will share the signs that spring is finally beginning.

From April 16, the tiniest hint of a tree bud. Taken looking directly down on it. The ground is still covered in snow.

April 21. Still snowy. I needed a pick-me-up so I bought myself flowers.

April 22. Snow. Again.

April 25. YAY!!!! Tulips are peeking out. A few days of nice weather. (And by nice I mean not quite cold enough to snow.)

April 27. First day above 80º. What a shock to the system. Remember that picture above from 5 days ago? LOVING the past two days. 

Please follow the circle around to Jerri Judd by clicking HERE.

Nothing excites me more than a sale!

I admit it; I'm a shopper. I love to shop. For almost anything. (Unless it's machinery-related. Boring. You'll have to get my husband for that.) Retail therapy is a real and effective treatment method, folks. It will cure all that ails you!

So in the spirit of shopping - check out the new print option available in the Shop. I was so excited to hear one of my favorite print labs was offering wood prints!! I'm offering special pricing (listed in the shop) through this Sunday night (April 28, 2013). That's right, a SALE!

Personally, I'm thinking of ordering this one. Plus maybe a few more. If you have favorites that aren't listed in the Shop Gallery, drop me a line and I'll get you set up!

Pete

Sure hope this recent snow (reflected in the semi's paint) means this old truck will get more of a workout this year. It's sat more than usual as last summer's drought severely decreased the hay crop.

Tacos

The snow has us trapped inside. Again. So....the boys are making tacos. Right now, Jake is the "meat" and our favorite fleece tie blanket is the tortilla. Yummmmm!

Harumph...

Harumph: an expression of disdain, disbelief, protest, refusal or dismissal.*

This is exactly how I feel about this weather. Do you see that date there in the corner? April 14, folks. APRIL 14th. APRIL FOURTEENTH. 

Even at this northern latitude, I don't think it's crazy of me to expect some spring weather. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about the moisture. We need it. Desperately. But, please, can it come in the form of rain? Mother Nature, can you just warm it up enough to stop the snow?

*It really is a word. Wiktionary says so. And everything you read online is true.

Letters to My Children - Eight years

Dear Patricia,

Today marks eight years since you blessed us with being parents for the first time. Daddy and I prayed for so long to be able to have a family and you were everything and more than we had dreamed of.

When I think back about your personality those first few weeks of life, I am amazed that the fiercely independent girl has not changed much. I see glimpses every once in a while of what's to come and am afraid it all will happen too fast. As I tucked you in last night, I whispered in your ear that it was your last night as a 7-year-old. You giggled and clapped, giddy with excitement. I fought back a tear.

You are losing your "little girlness". We pierced your ears this weekend. I glance your way and the little sparkles in your ears make you look so grown up. You've done a lot of that this year. You decided princesses are no longer cool. The Barbie house was deported, along with all your Polly Pockets and baby dolls. Instead, you love to dance and listen to music and can spend hours lost in a good book. When you brought home a bunch of Sweet Valley High books, it really hit home. I remember LOVING that series and I didn't think of myself as a little girl when I read them.

I'm proud of the amazing young lady you are. I love that you can see when others need a helping hand or a prayer and you so whole-heartedly give it. I see how you genuinely love your little brothers even though you often claim the opposite. Those moments where you take the time to read to Jake, play Legos with Jimmy, or just sit all together and giggle and tell stories are so precious to me.

Happy birthday baby girl. You truly are my sunshine. I love you!

Love, 
Mom

* This marks the first in a monthly blog circle, Letters to My Children. I have adored reading others' similar letters and think it is a great way to document our life. I hope the kids will appreciate reading this, now and in years to come. Life is busy. I want to use this exercise to keep me present in the moment and remind myself what wonderful children I've been blessed with. 

To continue through the circle, read Nikki Reiche Vassallo's letter HERE.

Lensbaby Project, March

Spring has [barely] sprung! Today was just what this vitamin D deprived soul needed. Sunshine melted the snow and it was nearly 40º. It put everyone in a better mood. Little man and I took a walk.

As usual, I had my camera in tow. This is installment three for our monthly Lensbaby circle with my friends from Clickin Moms. I love seeing what the rest of the ladies come up with! Please continue around the circle by visiting Utah Birth Photographer Andrea Lythgoe.