Three Foot Vantage Point

Loving World

2011-04-09T19:34:00.000-07:00

Even when he's tough he's cute

"Mom, get out of the texting world and come to the loving world...and after that come to the real world." - Ryland

Seriously, it is sad when you kids call you out like that....the totally sad thing was that I didn't even hear it the first time...I was too wrapped up in that "texting world."

Who even knew what texting, or tweeting, or blogging was a few years ago? (ok...maybe more like 10 years ago) But it is true that we have so many opportunities to be distracted these days...our computers are laptops and go with us everywhere, our phones are constantly beeping and buzzing with new messages, updates, alarms...we (not all, but many of us) are constantly connected to the internet in some fashion, we text rather than talk, and when we talk we have a hard time tuning out in order to tune in.

Having said that...we, as a family, have really tried to work on this...it is actually one small reason why I have not been blogging much on here lately. When I'm not working, I have wanted to be present...be off. The kids always equate being on the computer with work. I don't want them to ever think we live to work...we do work to live, yes, it is a part of our life, but it is not our life...they are.

Addison and Richard on their date!

I do however, miss writing about them...miss reflecting and mentally noting their perspective. I honestly NEED to write because I have the WORST memory ever. I have to write or I will loose those moments.

A recent comment from Addison - "Daddy, do you think I'm pretty?"
I hope she always knows to look to her Father - both heavenly Father and earthly Father (who thankfully is an amazing daddy!) to let her know she is beautiful inside and out...don't all of us yearn for that?

2011-01-07T12:14:00.000-08:00

I am watching the snow fall...if it is going to be cold it might as well snow. At least it makes things beautiful! Yesterday I got a chance to catch up on some wonderful blogs (many of them on the right hand margin here) of some great friends. Their beautiful words and sweet pictures made me really want to re-do the last couple months. I have often stopped realizing that life is happening all around me, time is passing with or without me, and that all of it is a gift. I cannot earn it...I am not promised it will last forever....and (just as I wrote on my chalk board yesterday) it's not all about me.

There have been moments of sweet bliss and complete contentedness, but those have been swallowed by rushed to do's and hushed children. I have not taken notes, listened well, or been thankful enough for the love, beauty, fulness, health, and pure joy that is around me...around us.

Children have an unending ability to love, to forgive, to run wild, and to be present in the moment. My kids have much to teach me still. So....my 2011 resolutions are:
- listening instead of hushing
- choosing joy over guilt
- making right priorities rather than making everyone happy

I wrote on another blog this Christmas that the series of Holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years) was about being THANKFUL for what you have been given, GENEROUS with what you have, and HOPEFUL for what is to come.

I am hopeful that God is beginning a new work in me...

Addison is full of joy...ALL the time! I see God's love so alive in her.

These 3 (and Layla) have such fun together whatever they are doing!

Happy Birthday Jesus...thanks for these 2 most perfect gifts!

Ryland loves life and lives wide open. I just want to tackle him to the ground and kiss him all over!

This is just the beginning!

Warning...this post is all about me!

2010-11-05T09:57:00.000-07:00

Traditionally I have baned schedules. I have run from structure. But now I am reluctantly finding the need for both in my life. Too many undefined roles competing for my time has left me looking over the past couple months wondering where it went. Granted we did move, all the while trying to rid ourselves of the mass of items one acquires when living in a much too large house and now we are residing in a much to small space to hold on to the unnecessary. This new (actually a return to the previous) home is a welcomed change for all of us.

We loved our grand old stone house with all of its history and charm....it was a sweet place to be for 2 years (I can't believe it was really 2 years) and we will always fondly remember our days there...cuddled by the fireplace, filling it with lots of people around the holidays, Layla (our dog) opening the front door after she roamed the mountains, the smell of a fire in the winter and lilacs in the spring, Ryland's top shelf (bed), the weeping cherry tree, the privacy, the winter sky view out of our master bedroom windows, and even the ladybugs that used to take lodge there in the winter. In our new home we now move on to close quarters, but brighter walls, a secret passage way between the kids rooms (which they are thrilled to no longer be sharing a room), close neighbors (but good neighbors), my little garden plot, a place to ride bikes, an outdoor grill, a sleeping porch, and a new start. Richard might say that I am just never content, but it is not that I am not content...rather, I just love change! I joked the other day (quite cleverly might I say) that I am just like a vending machine....in order to get something good out of me you must give me change! Yep, that one is all my own!

Richard napping...so cute!

It was the perfect Christmas house!

The new place!

Well, here is to the change of seasons as well...I hear we are getting snow flurries tomorrow! I will post again soon...as I am getting back to the computer and virtual life...and back to sharing stories from a three foot (and growing) vantage point.

My heart is missing...

2010-07-29T13:35:00.000-07:00

I left my heart somewhere at camp and I think I might just lose my mind without it. My first born, my miniature Richard, my honey, my heart...is gone this week. She went to Camp Merri-Mac and is having the time of her life...I can see it in the pictures they put up everyday (yes, I check it about once an hour)! I also am blessed to have so many friends looking after her there. I get reports daily and it warms my heart...but that doesn't fill the so obvious gap we now have in our family. Life isn't the same here...part of our zeal is gone. I toy with the idea of hiking up in the woods and finding her so we can have a secret place we come to everyday to meet and laugh...but than I realize I would be forever pegged as that creepy mom who just couldn't let go. Wisely I have resisted this temptation!

Yes, we are having fun focusing all of our attention on Ryland and watching him rise to the occasion with his humor and goofiness...I mean someone has to entertain us! However, we all feel the void. I know I sound so sad, but on the other (totally amazing) side of this coin I am blessed beyond words to have her experiencing what she is experiencing, growing in every way, relying on God and other godly people there, and being the independent person she loves to be. She was so excited to go and every report has been that she is all smiles there...bringing joy to the people around her just as she has always brings joy to us. So this is just a moment to let you know that I am currently living without a portion of my heart, so if I seem a little less colorful or a little more downtrodden...this is why. However, I choose joy in knowing God has her in his hands and is molding her in ways that I couldn't!

I will leave you with my one and only quote from her these last couple days:
A friend at camp asked Addie: "Addison, what have you guys been doing tonight?"

Addison: "having so much fun!!!"
I love you Addison...more than I can express and I can't wait to tackle you with a huge hug and all the kisses in the world! You are my heart.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

2010-05-26T06:08:00.000-07:00

Mom, today is your birthday and because of your birth day (so very long ago....just kidding, Mom...45 is still so young) I get to celebrate so many special birthdays of people I love in my life. Your life has given life to not only your children and grandchildren, but the lives of all the others you have touched and loved. I believe you give life everyday as you teach and as you live your life with such hope. You inspire me, Mom...you always have. I love you so much! Happy Birthday!

On school...
Well, we had our first real parent teacher conference the other day...and we were so excited...both of us there, beaming, eagerly asking questions, hanging on everything the teacher said...yeah, I am sure Kindergarten parents are really annoying!!! It was fun though...the thing I was most excited about is when I asked the teacher if Addison was more of a leader or more of a follower at school, she said she was really neither. She said Addison likes to be around people and sometimes in the middle of the fun, but never seems to need to follow anyone. She sometimes just needs her space, doesn't care what everyone else is thinking or doing....whew, I was glad to hear what I thought I already knew...she is her own little bird, confident, outgoing, but not too swayed by the wind. I like it!

A couple things Ryland says right now:
"ice pickle" or "ice pockle" - for Popsicle...I think only because we refuse to correct him because it is soo cute. Like me, he also makes up words that sound like they could fit when he can't find the right word...for instance..."Mom don't pimp (pop) my pimple" or "Are you all wrapped up (covered) with booboo's too?" I like it and never correct him...after all he is my baby. He of course, like so many little squirts, says "fighter man" for Spider Man and "don't feed, Mom" for "don't speed, Mom."

Well, I just had to get the ball rolling again...it had been a while and, honestly, I stopped paying as much attention to the funny and insightful things the kids were saying...so...here I go nudging that ball.

Over 40"

2010-04-23T13:16:00.000-07:00

Aside from this blog being their "3 ft vantage point" the kids' height has never meant as much as it did in Disney World...the fact that they were both a hair over 40" was incomparably important! This meant that they could ride Splash Mountain...and Tower of Terror...and all the other good rides. Our trip would not have been the same without these scary but thrilling rides!
A couple things I realized along the way...

Ryland refusses to walk when a willing adult is around that will pick him up
Addison isn't afraid to let go and put her hands in the air
"Flash Mountain" (in Ry's words) is both of their favorite ride
a bag full of snacks is a must
I am a bit too worried about everyone having a great time
Richard likes the challenge of "working" the fast pass system almost more than the rides themselves
Annie has amazing endurance at 16 weeks pregnant but does not have amazing shoes
Dan (or as Addison called him "Danny") is the easiest person to travel with and easy to please...especially when a cold one is waiting for him in the end
Will "the thrill" loves a ride and is the most excitable little guy ever!
I consider Jon family

and Sidney loves to twirl...especially in her new Mini Mouse dress!

It was great fun! We made a little stop at the beach on the way back which was a perfect ending...no pics from that though.

During and after the ride!!!!

Check out Dan and Will in the back!!

Happy Birthday, Ryland!!!!! We love you to pieces!

The Easter Bunny Isn't Real

2010-04-12T09:29:00.000-07:00

Easter has come and gone but the candy is still around. We had 3 great Easter Egg hunts, a Sonrise service, and a couple family dinners, and some meaningful moments. It was great…we are extremely busy…but loving these gorgeous Spring days.

Warning: If wanting to perpetuate any fun but mythical beliefs for your children…please give Addison a heads up!

So we were at my Dad and Lisa’s house with Lisa’s sister, her husband, and their children from NYC. They all had much fun finding the 140 eggs around Dad’s house. Afterwards, sitting outside on a big blanket, somebody was talking about the eggs that the “Easter Bunny” hid and Addison blurts out “the Easter Bunny isn’t real.” In an effort to salvage the tail Donna, the mom to these 3 great kids, quickly said, “you just have to believe!” to which Addison said, “I do believe…I believe the Easter Bunny isn’t real.” Oh goodness, what do I say? Nothing…I had nothing…just silence and inward hilarity! Donna, I am so sorry…don’t let Addison around your kids during Christmas!

Ryland is my innocent and very literal child. It is always so genuine and so funny. A while ago Richard was giving him some golf lessons in the living room as Addie and I watched. Richard said, “Ryland, choke up on the club.” Holding the club in his hands Ryland started making a choking/coughing sound…and he was totally sure that was what Daddy meant. We were rolling!

Most recently Ryland was asking me for some cookies and I said, “Make me a puppy dog face and you can have some.” Ryland took his imaginary paint brush in his hand and began painting my face to look like a puppy face…he was saying “paint, paint, paint.” Not exactly what I meant, but he did get the cookie!

A little birdie told me...

2010-03-23T10:44:00.000-07:00

Ok, as I have been establishing my new position at Greybeard Realty (fyi - I'm still doing sales...so if you need me...) as their Guest Services Manager or Coordinator I have been delving in to Black Mountain and all this precious little town and it's richly talented business owners have to offer. Taken with my findings, I decided to do a blog for all those who love Black Mountain, those who call it home...and those who wish they did....and all those people out there who believe, as I do, that the most fulfilling aspect of traveling is not usually your destination but the unexpected treasures you find along the way...I believe Black Mountain is just this sort of unexpected treasure!
So, still a work in progress, I share with you my new blog...

http://www.blackmountainbirdie.com/

Whose keeping score anyway?

2010-03-12T19:13:00.000-08:00

I am most assuredly unsure about how I am ever going to answer the inevitable questions about where babies come from, how, etc. However, up to this point I have dodged the bullet pretty well. Ryland's latest question, "Mom, if a man eats too much will he have a baby too?" In that case Ryland must have been concieved by one too many bowls of ice cream....maybe that is why he is just sooooo sweet! Love 'em!

No sooner had I brought home this little taste of Spring, than Old Man Winter reminded me he's still king!

My favorite tree in every season!

Addison:

The other morning Addison and I were having a discussion about what she was going to wear that day. I had laid out this really cute ballerina shirt (CrewCuts no less!), a jean skirt, and off white tights...perfectly adorable by anyone's standard. Well, I came upstairs and she was wearing the her shirt from the day before (stains and all) and some jeans with holes in them...now I am not against jeans with holes (I mean the only "designer" pair of jeans I own are one's with holes...very expensive holes at that... and Addison's holes are always genuine, well-earned holes), but seriously?! For the next 15 minutes we had a battle of the wills. During which I argued, "Addison, we asked you in the store if you liked this shirt and if you wanted us to get it for you and you said, yes." To which she quietly said, "Mom, this was a Christmas present. I didn't know what you were going to get me." Oh yeah, she was totally right.

Addison: 1 Mom: 0

But then again...who is keeping score!

FYI - She may have won the battle but I did win the war with the shirt...however, she got to wear her holy jeans!

What makes you laugh?

2010-02-28T13:27:00.000-08:00

You can tell a lot about someone by what they laugh at. It is especially interesting when you are around extended family...you begin to see continuous threads of humor running through an entire family. Aunts and Uncles laughing, almost in unison, at the same moment. It is contagious and quite comforting. I have noticed this on both sides of my family...maybe it is my Mennonite background, but there is a somewhat dry and modestly stated humor, delivered most wittily by the very straight faced relatives. My Grandma is no exception. She is quite the story teller, very humble, and very witty with her one-liners...and the amazing thing is that she just turned 98! My Mom and step-dad Ted, myself and the kids drove up, along with many of the other family members to celebrate this birthday with her. It was a great time for the kids to connect...really for the first time with some of their second cousins, great aunts and uncles, and of course Great Grandma, Clara Miller.
Below are some pictures and some highlights from the trip...
- sharing with the kids a bit of our Amish Heritage
- gorgeous snow covered farmland stretching as far as the eye could see
- gigantic ice cycles hanging from every roof...some reaching to the ground
- kids were overjoyed to stay the night in a hotel...they walked in with a "Wow, mom this is amazing!"
- jumping on the beds...shhhhh don't tell
- quality time with family
- seeing and staying with my dear dear friend Susan (the cute picture below of her son Lane and Addie playing horse and bugging!)
- spending time with Grandma and seeing her age oh so gracefully!!!!!! We love you all!

Sign reads "Horse drawn vehicle parking only"

Our panel of wise souls!

Grandpa and his beloved guestbook!

I would love to hear from you guys....what things make you laugh?
Ryland laughs when an adult gets hurt (I guess he thinks it is funny seeing our weakness too)
Addison laughs at Ryland being silly and dancing
I laugh the most at Becky when she gets silly, at Richard when he is at his funniest around Jon and Jake, and any time I hear Ryland's belly laugh.

PPT

2010-02-24T16:41:00.000-08:00

What is PPT you ask? It sounds like a disorder or vaccine, but it is just initials I made up for being Paralyzed by Passing Time. This is the exact syndrome I spoke against in my first blog post. I said that I wouldn't "avoid blogging because I missed a link in the chain." Well, low and behold it happened....Valentine's Day. I just thought I couldn't go on with another blog post unless I included Valentine's Day...and I just didn't have the pictures or a big story from that day....

....however, I realized I do have one...and I will include it briefly, but to carry on with what I want to leave here on these random sheets of cyber paper, I will make this blog brief and hopefully capture a few child perspectives.

On Valentine's Night Richard took Addie on his annual VDay date and when she came home, beaming of course, she asked if she could tuck me in to bed this night...tired and willing, I obliged. She said a sweet prayer with me, and sang me two original songs...absolutely beautiful songs (in word...not so much in melody!). A couple of nuggets from her lullaby (which was basically a narrative of her life and her relationship with us and God) I will leave with you...

- She has two Fathers - one in the "air" and one here

- When we have left her and Ryland before and gone on a long distance trip she hasn't felt safe (talk about heart breaking!), but knew that she could always talk to God and he would never leave her, he would be right by her side - yes, tears were rolling down my face at that point.

- and Yes, she loves us so much...That was the best Valentine's any mom could get. If you haven't yet, I hope you too get a valentine's song one day!

Valentine's Day blog post - check!

Ok, Ryland's latest little question...When he has done something he thinks has irritated me or I have a certain look on my face he will say, "Mom, you happy at me?" with this fake desperate little smile across his sweet face. Oh yes, Ryland, I am very happy at you! You bring me such joy! The funny thing though is that it always reminds me of that commercial (local commercial of course) from that law office with all the ladies lined up talking about posting bail for someone saying...."Don't worry. R&R will be there. We ain't mad atcha!" Hilarious! If you haven't had the pleasure of seeing that...I am deeply sorry because it is a classic.

I will post again soon with more pictures from a recent trip to Ohio, but for now I just want you all to know that I am happy at you!...and with you!...and my cup runneth over!

And to my Valentine, Richard...I love you and you will always be my BEST FRIEND and have my heart!

"Ready, Go, Set"

2010-02-06T09:43:00.000-08:00

I adore that Ryland mixes words up...just like his mommy! Richard often reminds me that I often talk like English is my second language..when it comes to quotes and quips I just seem to have a missing link in my synapses. I love the kids getting older, but I will miss some of the funny things they say or the funny way they say them.

On the home front...life has been pretty typical January/February...everything but the weather actually. We have been getting all kinds of snow...wonderful on one hand (I have been trying to appreciate the diversion from the typically non-climactic winter); however, it does seem to add to my funky mood when I am cooped up in the house. I have to admit, I feel a little sorry for my family sometimes having to put up with my moodiness...I have been devouring gardening websites and digging up old garden magazines just to make me feel a little "Springy."

Addison has been learning to read and I have been so proud of her. She loves to learn. However, whenever we sit down for her read a book to me, she gets crazy ants-in-her-pants and it is like sitting next to a off-balance washing machine. She moves around non-stop and bounces and won't sit still. The other day I kept on telling her to sit still and finally she said..."Mom, wait one minute I have to do something." She got down turned around and said "Ladies and Gentleman!" put her hands up in the air and starting hopping, wiggling, and dancing like crazy. This lasted for a good minute or two while I laughed and then she came back to the table, sat down, and said "that is better." I guess she just had to get those ants out! Funny!

Ryland is pretending to kill the poor snowman!

This is what happens when you leave the kids alone for too long!!

Advise for 2010

2010-01-18T10:52:00.000-08:00

Some of our best discussions are in the car. This is one reason I have always loved road trips...whether it is just me and God, or me and my man, or our whole family, something about being strapped in to one spot, an open road, and the excitement of an adventure or just a night out makes us want to talk...so sometimes you just have to turn off the radio and listen. The most amusing lately has been the little conversations between Addie and Ry (for all you facebook friends...I used your advice...Ryland as a rule but "Ry" for short).

Most recently they were talking about getting older and debunking Ryland's apparent belief that he was forever going to be a kid. He was surprised and a little hesitant to think that he was going to grow up in to a man..."Are you still going to be my mom when I grow up?" (so sweet!) Addison responded casually saying, "She will always be our mom, even when she dies she will be our mom." - Nice, glad she understands that, but how disconcerting. That is our little realist I guess.

I do remember when I was young being convinced (possibly by fault of my dad:)) that I would grow up to be a man. I just thought that was how it was...girls grew up in to men and boys...well, maybe I didn't think it through really. Glad I got that one straightened out!

Moment of Insight for the Week:
Ok, so one night at the dinner table, of all places, Richard and I were having some silly conversation...ok, maybe it was a fight...we tend to "converse" loudly at times when we are upset. It was over something really ridiculous...mostly on my part, and after really beating our differing points of view into the ground, Addison pipes up "Let it go...it's over!" - We both looked at her and at each other...she was soooooo right! It was silly and it was over.
So, I challenge you this January...whatever you may be mulling over or hanging on to from 2009...
"LET IT GO...IT"S OVER!"

Just to make you laugh!!!!!

Year 2010: 1.4% complete

2010-01-05T19:37:00.000-08:00

Addison, who likes to be called Addie Grace most of all (but I am her mom and will 82% of the time still call her Addison...because that is, after all, what I named her), is about 79% Richard + 21% me = 100% totally unique Addison. It is totally awe-inspiring and quite incomprehensible how God takes two individuals and somehow combines them in some strange, fully unique, and always beautiful new way. And somehow you see traces of your smile or his laugh in this new and individual person. And then you see it happen again, but totally different....it is 100% miracle! I could go on about how I like percentages because they are so simple and how God is so infinitely not simple in his ways, but then I remember that this blog is intended to be roughly 92% about Addison and Ryland and how THEY see the world...not me.

So...

Addison, being very much (79% to be exact) like her father, has a great entrepreneurial spirit. The other day when it was about 29 degrees outside she set up, not a lemonade stand, but an ICE WATER stand on our front porch (Really?)...she made a table, got a pitcher of ice water, a stack of cups, a chair, a money box, made a sign and sat outside to sell water...so she comes in to me, as I was sitting by the fire (oh the warmth!), to see if I wanted to buy some water from her. Seriously? How much? She says $8! I told her that was crazy and nobody would buy water for $8...so she crossed out $8 on her sign and put $2...I told her the price was still too high and that she needed to be reasonable, but she said that was how much she needed...well, I was quite thirsty....and about a minute later there I was drinking a $2 cup of ice water. She went back outside to wait on the next customer...from where I don't know. Finally Richard showed up and somehow she suckered him in to it too. I had to stop her when she wanted to charge the babysitter for water also. She told me she wouldn't ask her to pay she would just let her read the sign...oh dear!

We have also been trying to get Ryland to stop sucking his two middle fingers...PLEASE, anyone have ideas? So far our pretty unsuccessful tactic has been to scare him by saying if he keeps it up he will have to get braces...so the last couple days he has asked me if he is going to wear bracelets when he grows up even if he is a boy. Uh oh...I think we need to explain!

Snow to Sand and Back Again

2009-12-29T13:23:00.000-08:00

Wow!!! This Christmas has been anything but boring...or even relaxing for that matter...but it has been fun and memorable. Almost as soon as the snow started here at home we headed to Tybee Island (outside of Savannah) with all of Richard's family for 4 days. We missed most of the BIG snow at home and several days without power, but we made many memories and had a great time together. I really adore Richard's family and appreciate each of them...and the kids, they played non-stop and spent a lot of time in the "hot pool" (the roof top hot tub), as Ryland so appropriately named it.

Star fish...before the bleach...

Roof top outdoor kitchen and "hot pool" with view of the lighthouse and ocean!!

Other than the occasional, "Mom, so-and-so says she is going to tattle tale on me!"...oh the irony!...I was amazed at how little fighting there was. A lot of this was due to Nana Cam taking all the kids every morning for a walk/run-around on the beach and letting them extinguish some of their energy early in the morning. They always came back with lots of great marine treasures to show us. (Tip: don't leave star fish in straight bleach for 4 hours...oops...their treasure turned into tiny pieces...but WHITE they were!)

Over the next week we went to my Mom's house in Charlotte, always warm and welcoming, left the kiddos at her house for a day to get "detailed"...she is like a car wash for kids. I can take them dirty and disheveled and pick them up clean, full, and sparkling (this time also dressed as Superhero's), came home for Richard to scrape driveways and me to set up a dozen Christmas trees for work up until Christmas Eve 7pm...ending in our slightly embarrassing but perfectly fitting Christmas Eve picnic dinner of pizza on our living room floor. Christmas day was great and full of meaning though...

A baby wrapped in a blanket laid in a manger by the Christmas tree (last year's comment from Addie..."Mom, that's not Jesus, that is Ashley (her baby)"), stockings by everyone's bed, presents, brunch, family, snow, fire in the fireplace, love...the works!!!!! It was perfect!
Then off to Dad's in Banner Elk, so festive and fun, 2 feet of snow covered in ice, sledding on our rear ends and not being able to stop, more presents, and food of course!

Now we are home to catch our breath a bit, see some more friends in town, and relish the lazy mornings and long days until the kids start school again and we get back to our rather hectically unpredictable days.

We are greatly blessed, and no matter what the circumstance or unexpected predicament we find ourselves in, I pray that we always see the blessing God has for us in the moment...and we pray that (in Addie's words) "God wraps his arms around you" this season and you too see the blessing.

About To Get Older

2009-12-08T10:04:00.000-08:00

So Ryland and I were sitting in my car having a picnic lunch in the parking lot of Lake Tomahawk park...yes, mommy was too cold to get out and have an ACTUAL picnic....so we were sitting there eating and practicing snapping. Ryland has the form down but no sound yet...however, after much practice we did hear a small snap and he looked up at me and said, "Mommy, I'm about to get older."

Interesting...he measures age by accomplishments not by the passing time. So he will feel and be older once he can snap. I think this means I am still 25...maybe wishful thinking, but I also don't know that I have learned to do anything new since 25...that can't be true though. I know that I learn things every day...like don't pour cold water in a glass dish just after it has been in the oven (it exploded instantly in our kitchen - one of my many mistakes while cooking). However, I like this idea for measuring age. Rather than feeling like time is slipping through your fingers every day, I could see time as being a slave to my learning curve...not passing me by until I have done something new...once again WISHFUL THINKING!

On the Addison front:

"Mom, I think I know the special person that Jesus has for me when I grow up!"...uh oh...so I said, "really, who is that?" (I have changed the name to protect the innocence of this sweet boy)..."Michael."
Wow! Can't tell Richard that one yet! I have to admit though...I like her choice!

Another note:

Right now as I am sitting here Jacob, Ryland's cousin and little hero, is teaching Ryland the line from 3 Muskateers but the version Ryland keeps saying is, "All for one, and one for two."

Photos by Addison

2009-12-05T07:29:00.000-08:00

Here we go...jumping back in to this fun world of blogging, but this time, for me at least, I think it is different. I am going to try my hardest to view this outlet as my random sheet of paper, jotting down bits, funny or insightful, from the life of a 3 and 5 year old that give me a glimpse of the world through their vantage point. I am letting myself, and you (but mostly myself), know upfront that I will resist feeling the need to document all the goings on in our lives, but somehow I do want to freeze the precious innocence, humor, and delight of raising these two little funny kids. I say this merely to take the pressure off of me because I know I will miss taking pictures of something like Kindergarten graduation and then avoid blogging because I missed a link in the chain and I just can't go on until I go back and find that link....So here we go....

We took these pictures back in early fall when it was still warm enough to wear sleeveless and have prolonged picnics in the park. Addie loves taking pictures and I love seeing what she sees...Here are just a few of hers...(totally unedited)

on the Rye front...I think he is going to have a funny sense of humor...

Richard was getting ready in our room the other day when Ryland was in there and Richard was just talking to me jokingly and said..."I am just trying to look like (pause)..." and Rye chimed in perfectly saying "...a dork." CLASSIC!

(I took this

picture, but I

just had to show

off his little heart

shaped birthmark

on his left shoulder!)