Dad,

You have always made me feel special. I knew without a doubt I was your number one and that's all that mattered. You always had time for me, lofty goals and expectations for me. You gave me something to reach for. Where would I be without that gentle and subtle push? I shudder to think! You showed me what hard work was and did it with a smile and a good laugh. It's the "small things" that develop an extraordinary character and my life was full of the small things. Thank you for being the greatest dad a girl could ask for!

Love,
Your #1

Boy or Curls?

I guess Andrew's hair was beginning to look a bit too girlish for Todd (it was getting a little fluffy)...or maybe it was the idea of having he and the boys looking like "triplets" that really appealed to him...Whatever the case, I walked in the bathroom and saw this:

I feel a little sad right now. I guess I wasn't ready to say goodbye to his darling curls. I suppose I never expected Todd to be the one cutting it (or at least not that short!)...he would threaten my life if I even hinted at the slightest trim. The decision to cut had to be on his terms. So after this:

And this:

And this:

We Now have this:

Our 1st Grade Graduate!

And here he is....

Out of the Crib

Andrew is all boy! Into everything, climbing on everything (even to sit in the top dresser drawer), never a dull moment nor a clean room and now, he's out of the crib. The other day I kept hearing strange noises and decided to check on the little guy about 30 minutes into his nap. Here's what I found:

Everything his brother holds dear was strewn about the floor, legos, baseball cards, bionicles. He hadn't gotten too far but boy was he enjoying his nap time....quietly I might add. So rather than force the issue of staying in his crib we decided to give him a chance to learn self control in his own bed. I have a feeling I'm going to miss sleeping in....there's no stopping him now when he wakes up early!

One more thing I forgot to mention...

Another reason for the lack of blog entries...

I have a bad camera. Yes, it still takes pictures though I am unable to preview them or make any setting changes. I actually have to look through the minuscule viewfinder (how did we ever exist before the digital age?). This was the consequence of an unfortunate spill on a well oiled bowling lane. Never, I mean NEVER attempt to chase after your 2 year old as he crosses over into no-man's land becoming the bowling ball himself. Or at least, don't put the camera in your back pocket for safe keeping! (I'm going to have to get this picture from my father-in-law...the only one who actually saw me go down and then was lucky enough to take the picture to prove it).

Blogging Train

I've fallen off the blogging train and I can't get back on....

I don't know...maybe it's my task oriented personality that gets in the way. But really everything I do is project based. Blogging should just be about checking in and remembering the special moments but mainly celebrating the mundane that will never be my life again...but for me it is a task.

First, I must take the time to notice and appreciate these moments, take pictures (simple for some but everyone is running from the camera these days), and then find that creative structure to enhance the interest factor. Easy, sure but that's not the end for me...I can't get started on my blog post until I've first read all 150 other blogs I subscribe to in my google reader, and then there are the emails I must read and the other pointless (no, it's all very important) Internet surfing that must be done. By the time this completes, I'm 60+ minutes in and nap time has ended. I find the computer so easily distracting!

So what projects have been taking up my precious small amount of free time? This month, it's been painting and first up was my long dreamt of master bedroom. For the last 3 1/2 years I have been dreaming of a beautiful shade of blue rather than the dark khaki green wall color we inherited. When it's finished (I mean when I've refinished my bedroom furniture to a nice distressed black and I've found and purchased my new black and white bedding, oh and don't forget the new headboard we need to build) I will post pictures. But painting one room is never enough so before I had time to enjoy and grow to love my new blueberry digs, I moved the painting gear next door and added a nice light blue hue to the kid's bathroom walls (I think this house has reached it's "blue" maximum). So now I need a designer (Lauren where are you?) to help me choose a complimentary color for my attached bathroom, oh and the draperies. I'm terrible with the details!

So for the moment...painting is done. What's next? Who knows, but for now we'll spend a brief moment getting caught up on our happenings blog style.

Mother's Day

We are not 'two peas in a pod', in fact we're more likely sewn from different vines.

But amidst all our differences there's a unity that is bound by trust and immeasurable love.

For you are my mother.

You are the one...the one who gave me life.

Who mended my scrapes, quieted my fears, taught me to love selflessly.

You helped me to understand exactly who I am, a daughter of God.

You taught charity through your actions, humility by your demeanor, and grace was ever present in your loving face.

We may not seem alike in the ways of the world...but I pray that my actions and thoughts, as I am a mother now, may emulate those taught daily and lovingly by you!

Happy Mother's Day Mom!