At the museum

Light

If you listen,

Not to the pages or preachers

But to the smallest flower

Growing from a crack

In your heart,

You will hear a great song

Moving across a wide ocean

Whose water is the music

Connecting all the islands

Of the universe together,

And touching all

You will feel it

Touching you

Around you...

Embracing you

With light.

John Squadra

From his book 'This Ecstasy'

Bye bye baby

Turning 5 meant giving up a much loved companion. He has been just fine without it...a few moments of sadness but rising to the occasion. For Cooper I think it's more of "a deal is a deal"...he wouldn't go back on his word even if it hurts a little...that's just the kind of kid he is. For John and I it's a reminder that our baby is growing up...bit of an ache in our hearts, but a deal is a deal and we too are rising to the occasion.

And so

He's 5

Major life milestone.

This year's birthday morning went something like last years. Cooper came to my bedside early Sunday morning and lightly tapped me...then whispered "mom, am I 5 now"? "Yes sweetheart, you are 5 now". Next came a grin that truly made his face sparkle. He ran to the mirror in the hall to examine his new age. Then he was off to Duncan's bedroom..."Duncan, do I look familiar?...I am 5 now". Cooper then made Duncan come out to the mirror to stand side by side with him. Cooper said "see Duncan, I am taller...do you see where your head comes to on me? that's because I am 5 now".

I just laid in bed, listening and smiling...and I'll bet...my face sparkled a little bit too.

Ahoy, me hearty!

Join the fun.

History

Final stop on the way home from Pittsburgh...Horseshoe Curve in Altoona. My mom has been trying to get the family here for years ~ it was worth the stop. I love when I see all these neat historic (or just plain old beautiful) stuff right in my backyard. My handsome father and brother.

Love family, love traveling, love history, love creating history, love all the smiles and laughs on this trip!

Family + Travel

We drove to Pittsburgh this past weekend to visit some family on my father's side. This is my dad with his 100 year old Aunt Lenore. Does she look fabulous or what?! She was the best looking one at the dinner table...AND I think she had the sharpest mind too! She is an amazing woman that I am so glad I got to spend some time with. It was like sitting next to a history book at dinner and having someone read out loud to me...And here are our future Paleontologists (otherwise known as cousins) getting instruction before their big dinosaur dig at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. What a wonderful time we all had. Great to see (and meet some new!) family. Wonderful to get all the generations together to visit, reminisce and learn. Love that my children keep adding travel and more destinations and more experiences to their memories. Thanks to all of you in Pittsburgh for your hospitality, kindness and a wonderful visit. Looking forward to seeing you all again.

An invitation

To come to the party.

To embrace imperfection.

To create memories.

To take the time.

To step out of your comfort zone.

To make someone smile today.

To smile today.

To do something for yourself.

To do something for others.

To let it go.

To love.

Have a great weekend!

Time of change

Okay, so yes, I've been a bad blogger this last week. So to catch up: 1.) John and I celebrated our 11th anniversary on Saturday (picture above thanks to Cooper) 2.) Trying to get back into the "school routine"...getting everyone up, dressed, fed etc. 3.) Actually doing some scrapbooking...put together an Arizona book and just finished Coop's birthday invitations. 4.) Happy 38th birthday to me. 5.) Planning another trip away this weekend to Pittsburgh with my (entire Adelson) family Lots of change going on...change in seasons (starting to get a bit cooler here), going back to school (I was asked to be "Classroom Mother"), still thinking/planning/debating on when to build a house, changing focus at Comfort Keepers (very big recruiting push). All good changes, growth changes, moving forward changes...but changes that seem to be taking me away from the blog! I imagine that cooler weather will bring me inside more which means I will be in front of my computer more...which means more regular blogging (which I miss).

To my boys,

Today was your first day of school.

Cooper - you were excited to go back and see your friends. You asked me to hold your hand on the way in. You walked very slowly, hiding behind me for awhile. You were shy but not scared or sad. You gave me a big huge hug and a kiss. Your first day report from the teacher said you did just fine and that you wrote your name and drew a shark. Duncan - it was your first day of school ever! You asked me if you would make friends and I promised you would. You were very excited to finally be going to school instead of having to stay home. You seemed to have no fear...you walked right in to your classroom and started playing. You said "love you mom" as you waved and walked away. Your teacher sent home a report that said you deserve a great big hug because you helped pick up the puzzles and put them away + she said you spent a lot of time playing with the toy food. Cooper says you did make a new friend...a girl!

Labor Day Fun

We spent a wonderful day at the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon (yes there really is a Grand Canyon in PA). We hiked and grilled and talked and played and just had a great time. I got these beautiful photos of the boys with their Grammy K (my mom). I love love love these days with family...not only do I have a great time but I love the memories I am creating for my kids.

Summer mosiac

1. http://www.flickr.com/photos/neloqua/52135736/in/set-72057594074724548/">The Summer wind came blowing in from across the sea, 2. http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcline/539739831/">Shediac by the sea, 3. http://www.flickr.com/photos/loupiote/476301392/">DSC01612 - Bicycle sprocket and chain, 4. http://www.flickr.com/photos/goraiapick/2156411648/">HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008, 5. http://www.flickr.com/photos/solstice8207/601252178/">Butterfly blue, 6. http://www.flickr.com/photos/daiwilliamsuk/158471062/">Ice cream cones, 7. http://www.flickr.com/photos/zeetzjones/1014666274/">Heirloom Tomatoes, 8. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamelah/23522284/">fireflies in a jar, 9. Global

**seem to have trouble lately with the "credits" portion of my mosaic's...my apologies

High of 87 today...heading up to the lake. Our days of splashing in the pool are numbered...

Love the question

Rainer Maria Rilke : Have patience with everything that remains unsolved in your heart. Try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books written in a foreign language. Do not now look for the answers. They cannot now be given to you because you could not live them. It is a question of experiencing everything. At present you need to live the question. Perhaps you will gradually, without even noticing it, find yourself experiencing the answer, some distant day.

I found this quote and just loved it. I really like the idea of "loving the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books written in a foreign language". I don't know about you, but I seem to always want to rush to the answer. I am enjoying reading and re-reading this quote...I've been tossing around the concept of it all day. I really think I want to embrace it...thinking of printing it out and pinning it on my bulletin board at work. For me it will be something I need to keep going back to...I'll need the reminder.