DKL

1.) Wore his shirt backwards this day because he wanted the print on the back to be on the front.
2.) Is totally digging sunglasses this summer...he just bought his third pair.
3.) Can entertain himself for hours and hours and doesn't need toys to do it.
4.) Is extremely creative.
5.) Always writes an apology when he gets in trouble.
6.) Would rather be outside than in (even in winter).
7.) Loves to snuggle, be held, be carried, suck his thumb and play with my hair.
8.) Falls asleep pretty much anywhere...in the car, on a chair, on the floor...when he gets tired he just puts his head down and he's fast asleep:) (sound familiar?)
9.) Doesn't like cheese.  But loves asparagus, mangos, Ezekiel muffins and bacon.
10.) Loves green, blue and silver.
11.) Prefers sleeping with me over his own bed.
12.) Loves to sing and dance and act.
13.) Has a momma who is breathtakingly in love with him.  She loves his face, his smell, his touch, his thoughts, his moves, his life.

I Told You

I told you the winter would go, love.

I told you the winter would go.

That he'd flee in shame when the south wind came.

And you smiled when I told you so.

You said the blustering fellow

Would never yield to a breeze.

That his cold, icy breath had frozen to death

The flowers, and birds, and trees.

And I told you the snow would melt, love,

In the passionate glance o' the sun;

And the leaves o' the trees, and the flowers and bees,

Would come back again, one by one.

That the great, grey clouds would vanish,

And the sky turn tender and blue;

And the sweet birds would sing, and talk of the spring,

And, love, it has all come true.

I told you that sorrow would fade, love,

And you would forget half your pain,

That the sweet bird of song would waken ere long,

And sing in your bosom again;

That hope would creep out of the shadows,

And back to it's nest in your heart,

And gladness would come, and find its old home,

And that sorrow at length would depart.

I told you that grief seldom killed, love,

Though the heart may seem dead for awhile,

But the world is so bright, and so full of warm light

That 'twould waken at length, in its smile.

Ah, love! was I not a true prophet?

There's a sweet happy smile on your face,

Your sadness has flown - the snow-drift is gone,

And the buttercups bloom in its place.


I Told You by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

I am srre

Yesterday Cooper and Duncan got new Nerf water guns. So proceeds the 27 trips in and out of the house filling the guns with water. It was only a matter of time before we had...shall we say...a little water "accident". So I gave Duncan a roll of paper towels and told him to clean it up. And so he did. But then got in a bit more trouble and was sent to his room. And this is what he made me in his room while he was "thinking" about what he did... Happy Tuesday everyone:)

Making me smile right now...

1.) The forest in my backyard. 2.) All the green right now. 3.) Duncan has a loose tooth. 4.) Guacamole. 5.) Getting (sort of) caught up at work. 6.) Traveling. 7.) Spelt scones. 8.) Dusting off my camera. 9.) Remembering I have a blog. 10.) Cooper on the pitchers mound. 11.) Flip Flops 12.) The best family and friends a girl could dream of. 13.) The thought of you all falling off your chairs when you see these posts.

Passover...

Rented tables and chairs. Little boys. Nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Brothers and sisters and boyfriends and girlfriends. Fresh flowers.Candlelight.

Wine, reading, laughing, singing, eating, story telling, picture taking and tradition. My first ever Passover (hosting).

A lovely evening.

Favorite time

At times I am asked (usually on a "personality test" or random question email) "what is your favorite time of day"? I have to admit I struggle with this...it's hard for me to choose a favorite. I'm definitely a morning girl (much to the irritation of some of my friends and family). I love the crack of dawn, hot tea and the hustle and bustle of a day starting. But gosh, who doesn't love happy hour? I love that time of putting work to rest and saying "ahh". Hanging with the boys. Hanging with friends and family. Even hanging alone... For that short while, forgetting what "has" to be done and just relaxing. But. Then there is bedtime. I myself have always loved bedtime. In fact, my parents always said "sleep" was my drug of choice. And as much as I love bedtime for myself...I might love it even more for my boys. Being six and seven and male means from the time you wake in the morning until maybe 30 minutes before you crash and burn at night you live at warp speed. You play and fight and battle and run and hike and explore and entertain and laugh and cry and jump and hide and trick and wrestle and tumble and it goes on and on until it suddenly stops... And it gets quiet. This is the time of day that just might be my favorite. This is when I find them on the chair in my room...reading Shel Silverstein or stringing me a necklace. This is when they smell like babies again. This is when they are soft. This is when it's okay to snuggle with mommy. This is when they slow down to a speed that I can comprehend. This is when Duncan still sucks his thumb. This is when Cooper loves to play Uno and read to me and tell me stories. This is the time that is so good for me...it grounds me and reminds me of what is truly special and important in my life. Yes...this is my favorite...

My current love affair...

Valentines from my children: Cooper: I love you because you bought me a Nintendo DSi. Duncan: I love you because you take care of me.

Keeping in mind...

After winter comes the summer. After night comes the dawn. And after every storm, there comes clear, open skies.

~Samuel Rutherford

Sunday afternoon

I'm not even sure what to say. I just love the photograph. My sister in law and I dream of creating a coffee table book...and we have lots and lots of ideas about what exactly would be in the book (every book is full of photographs)...but one idea is a book of body parts. This photo would definitely make the book.

This is Duncan on a Sunday afternoon playing at the kitchen counter. It just looks so "Sunday afternoon" to me.

I am blessed

because I have a niece who not only loves the camera as much as I do...but she takes beautiful photographs in the process. I finally got around to downloading my photos from the holidays and was overwhelmed when I came across these lovely pictures. She was at my house watching the boys a few days before Christmas - I love that she just picks up my camera and snaps away.

Love love love this one of the stockings and the tree. Awesome Kate.

But this one is particularly special. And this is the other reason I love my niece's photographs. She takes pictures of life happening. Of moments. She captures a feeling.

This is a photo of Duncan creating a book for me. On this particular day, Duncan got a little sad and missed me...so he called me and we talked for a bit and I suggested that maybe a nice way for him to express his feelings would be to make me a book. (1. I know he loves anything having to do with art/creating and 2. I figured it would be a nice way for him to convert a little sadness into happiness). My niece told me he got off the phone, went up to his room and came down with his arsenal of tools needed to create his book. Katie told me of how he diligently worked and colored on his masterpiece...he even made his own wrapping paper, wrapped the book and it was waiting under the tree for me when I got home.

Needless to say...the book was...well...perfect. Duncan's Luv Book. And not only did it help to make Duncan's day a lot brighter, but can you even imagine how it made me feel? I'll admit it...I cried (don't EVEN say you wouldn't have too).

Here is the page that Duncan was creating in the photo above...

The book itself is obviously a keepsake...but having the photograph of him creating the book and the story that goes along with it is an overwhelming added treasure. I love that someday I will be able to pull out this book and share it's story with Duncan. It's a simple story of a couple hours that took place on December 23rd, 2010. But it's also a huge story of an amazing event that occurred on December 23rd, 2010. Simple and amazing. Life.

*Thank you Baby Kate for the lovely gifts that I so often find on my camera. Thank you for your vision. Thank you for documenting. I love you to pieces sweetie.