Bug

Sometimes life throws you for a loop.  You think you have things figured out and all will happen according to plan.  You feel you are adequately prepared for the journey.  But then that journey takes a completely unexpected turn and you are left wondering, "How did I get here?!"

I was able to visit my brother and sister in-law over the weekend.  They are on one of these unexpected life journeys and it was wonderful to watch them cope and adjust so gracefully, without the, "Why us?!"  mentality.  

My sweet little nephew, affectionately nicknamed "Bug", was born a little over a month ago.  He was born with an adorable little nose, perfect tiny ears, a really cool webbed big toe, a receding hairline, soft little kissable cheeks, pouty lips, a frustrating habit of sleeping through feedings,  beautiful dark eyes and unbeknownst to his parents, an extra chromosome. 

The only feeling I felt in their home for the past four days was the feeling of pure, unconditional love and a desire for their son to achieve his greatest potential....

....and upon seeing him and holding him and praying about him,  I know he will do just that. 

Love you Bug!

Savoring

I find her like this all the time.  On the floor, next to the bed. 

Crap, she caught me.

For many months now, every night before I go to bed I quietly slip into her room and I watch her sleep.  I trace her little nose, kiss her squishy arms and breathe in that unique, sweet, delicious toddler smell.

And every night I think, another night closer.  Closer to where this will no longer be possible.

It's alarming and depressing to see how quickly these girls are growing up.  It's like a part of me is wilting with each passing day.  They'll be teenagers before I know it and I'll be faced with an entirely different set of challenges.   I'll worry about grades, boys, cars, cell phones and puberty and I'll think back to these days and say to myself, I should have savored more.  I should have stressed less, played more, loved more, tickled more, imagined more...BEEN.MORE.  

So now I must go and do just that.  Savor. 

Twins?

Grandma Nee Nees at 6 months old. (with older sister)

Munchkin at 18 months.

She's got moves

Long lost relative!

We were contacted via Facebook by Uncle Chuck, a relative we never knew existed! He wanted to come for a visit!

The Market's Farm

Oh how I looooove the farmer's market.

As of late I've been trying to shift my family's eating habits. We eat pretty well as is but we need more organic, whole, unprocessed foods. And what better place to find those than this?

And of course we can't forget the samples. Munchkin here also stole a strawberry, a plum and almost made off with a large peach. Can you blame her? They are scrumptious!

Then the girls made a beeline for the crafts. And craft they did.

Maybe she thought it was finger-painting.

"I'm making this for the air conditioning man."

Backseat Driver

The other day I found myself explaining the rules of the road to a four year-old.

Well I'm allowed to turn right on a red because there are no cars coming and uh...well...because the policemen said it was O.K.

I can still go when the light is yellow. Sometimes yellow means slow down, sometimes it means I can keep going before the light turns red. (yeah yeah yeah....save it)

And then I give up. She's four. Simplifying traffic laws is surprisingly difficult.

But let me back track. The only reason I'm doing such a thing is because I'm chided, scolded, reprimanded if I don't go ONLY when the light is green.

Mommy, you have to wait until the light is GREEN!! Oooooh. Okay. Gotcha. What would I do without her? :)

In other news....

See the blades? They just ain't turnin'

Our air conditioning is broken. Peeeeerfect timing. It's August. It's hot. Duh.

Our management company is on top of things but first they have to send out a few different companies to gather estimates....over the next few days. Uh ok, we'll just be waiting here in the interim.....melting.