Ross 2010

Most of you know that I LOVE taking senior photos. If not, I really, really love the creativity and flexibilty that this type of photo has. I'm really excited about these and extremely proud of them. Enjoy!!

Happy 4th Birthday Goobley-Goo

Today, you turn 4 years old sweet Goo and I cannot believe the changes I have seen this past year as you now grow into the ornery little boy that we see every day.

You have an addiction to fruit snacks and candy. You would rather have a box of sugar from the store than a toy I think, which makes me wonder exactly what kind of sugary narcotic is in them. I use them as bribery and "positive reinforcement" to get responsive behavior. Please don't fault me for doing this.

Too early you were outed from your crib and grew accustomed to a full size bed that you shared with your brother. You never came to snuggle with me in the middle of the night because you were scared; You had your brother to fight off the monster lurking under your bed. This year you started coming to snuggle, even if it is very infrequent. Sometimes you come because your brother is in the top bunk and you feel alone. I treasure these times, bubby. Even though you take up 3/4 of mommy's pillow and sling your arm over my face, I love that you come to snuggle with me. Soon you won't.

4 months ago, you came to me and asked to plan the deck-a-rations for your birthday. You crawled in my lap and we searched the computer until you decide what you wanted.

You love birthdays.

Last week you became so bossy telling me that I needed more decorations here and that there were not enough there. You love the icing, the cake, the balloons. YOU LOVE IT ALL. So happy that you got the love of celebrating life from me. So fun to see that at least 1 person backs me up in the crazy amount of balloons I want to blow up. There is really never a thing as too much stuff at a party.

You have such a HUGE love for your brother. You watch and study his every move and want to be just like him in every way. I have a feeling that this will continue for many, many years.

You have a friend. A very best friend.

You have this little dance you do. Most parents would probably find it obnoxious but your dad and I think it is a true side of your personality that so few see. You stand up, in your character underpants, turn around and sing, "I can shake my bottom. I can shake my bottom." Really precious and ALWAYS makes me giggle.

Your favorite meals are ramen noodles and macaroni and cheese, just like daddy.

You carry a Spiderman mask in your pocket sometimes and wore it once into the Y Kidzone this week and last week during Sesame Street Live to see Elmo in person. I love that you feel more comfortable as your alter ego. Someday I will long to see your red cape flying through the house instead of in the box I will keep it as you grow.

You will always be my superhero.

Happy 4th Birthday Goo! Mommy loves you so.

The Diva Princess Emerges

Oh yes, I had been warned of the difference between little boys and girls. Believed it, yes, never understood it...UNTIL NOW!!!

I'm sure we all remember the first post of my little angel's sweet disposition and naughtiness from an incident in the not too distant past.

It was nice.

But the above face is one that I have seen frequently in the last few weeks. This, a select few of my lucky girlfriends can verify as they spoke to me on the phone while I shut myself in the closet as she screamed at me from the other side of the door for a Popsicle.

She's just precious.

So the Diva Princess has finally emerged in full force with phrases such as:

"I do myself!"

"Get way from me!"

"I need my Barbie princess!!!!!!"

"Leave me 'lone!!!!"

"He 'it me!!!!!"

and the ever lovely...... "NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!"

I myself was an angelic child and had none of characteristics of a demanding princess.

She must get it from her father.

Baby Love

Photos I was lucky to take of a sweet 5 day old princess, Adelyne.

Forget what huge miracles that God has created in such tiny packages.

Call me Stealth Ninja Runner

I am unbelievably, incredibly, jump out of my skin, exuding with excitement today.

Mondays are my running days, and this very Monday was the day that I ran further than I have EVER run without stopping.

3 miles

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I can't even believe it still.

I had been on this run 4 minutes, walk 1 minute thingy. Today for some reason at 4 minutes I didn't stop. "I just kept run-nig." As Forest says.

Last week in my crazy hard core/boot camp/kill me class, Missy, the instructor was talking about friends who would give anything to be able to workout, or run, or move in a way that our bodies could right now because of an illness or an inability. She said that it keeps her driven and motivated when she wants to stop, knowing that she can be active while her friends cannot.

Today, I had that picture in my head. An unbelievably beautiful sweet friend whose struggling with an unknown right now. Her face kept me going; kept me from stopping the run today.

The other face running through my head. My sister-in-law's, who is going to zoom passed me in our run coming up in April.

BUT, she's a runner.

I'm not.

Maybe someday.

Here's to setting a faster pace and not stopping.

Good day.

Unbelievable day.

Tough Topic

Last Monday, my Danno's grandmother passed away after finding out only 5 days earlier that she had acute leukemia and that it was not treatable.

We took the kids up to see her at the hospital. They were fine with all the monitors and cords and they filled the room with energy and noise. I was so scared sis would yank a cord from the wall in all of her bouciness, and a loud beeping would then ensue and a flood of nurses would storm in because my children were curious. But she didn't. Thank goodness.

Nan-na was in good spirits that day. She was able to communicate and talk to my kids amoungst all their boisterous energy. So thankful for that. 2 days later she was gone.

We had a discussion over whether to take the kids or not. Danno decided he wanted them to be there to play with cousins and other family. I wasn't really concerned about the babies. I knew they would never remember or question anything. But my J would know. He would ask. Dan talked to him because he has a way with words that I cannot explain. The door to our office opened after their talk and Jackson came out and sat down next to me. "Mommy? Nan-na died. Why?"

So hard. So very hard.

I explained to him that she was sick and how our bodies get older and are not able to fight disease like it used to when we are young and healthy. I said more. Not much more. Told him she had no pain and was with Jesus. He just quietly shook his head and left my side.

All I wanted to do was grab him and keep innocent. Oblivious to pain and death.

He prayed for her that night. I wish I could have witnessed that sweet innocent prayer that he said he prayed; that I could answer the questions that he wasn't asking me; that I would know what he felt.

I was dreading the day of the funeral for him, wanting to protect questioning eyes and thoughts. He said very little. Just observed and seemed very sad.

I think he aged 5 years that day. I know that questions are still to come when he's ready to ask us, and I pray that I have the wisdom and words to help him understand and not be frightened, but comforted.