My lefty and her tooth

Yesterday was National Left Hander's Day. Who knew!? So I'm celebrating my little lefty.. Addison.

She is so creative and artsy.  She's driven to do well.. But not if it requires going completely out of her way. ;) She loves music and dance and creative drawing and writing. She expresses herself well. Sometimes too well ;)  Right now, if there is a piece to the "left handed stereotype" that is missing, It would be that she's supposed to like math.  I don't blame her.

She is strong, opinionated, and emotional. She's drama and loyal. She is fiesty and endearing.

I don't know how much of this has to do with her preferring to use her left hand... But I do know she's my best girl. 

I sure do love her. 

And she's growing up too fast. Last weekend she lost her first tooth. I'm pretty sure she willed it lose since she's been insisting it was lose for about 6 months now! 

Either way.. It was wiggly! 

And Then It Was Out. 

And she is my big girl.. who writes with her left hand. 

Playing in the rain

What a good reminder to sit back and enjoy the rain.. Moment made possible by Micah's determination to "see da rain"!  He told me "sit in chair!"  So.. I did! I sat in a lounge chair on the porch and watched him enjoy life to the fullest! ... after a busy weekend.. I'm missing this time.

why not?

what?

A boy's gotta play outside...

Counting:  "one, three, five, ten!"  ummm.. I thought he was skip counting at first.. should have stopped while ahead!

Now that was fun!

Take some time and enjoy today!!

It was Christmas

Time escapes us when it is the Christmas season. Some time flies because we are enjoying time and fellowship with family and friends.  Some time flies because we are so busy getting ready for those times. Attempting to keep that balanced is hard for me.. actually doing it is even harder.

To be honest I have a difficult time during the holidays. Fuses are short and tempers ignite quickly, erupting into full blown fires that never really get put out completely.  The embers are hot the whole season long.. waiting to engulf a spark needed to flare up again.  Sometimes it is just easier to speed through, put the checks in the box, and wait for it to burn out.  But each year I join many well intentioned moms in saying "I'm going to enjoy this year and not get caught up in the craziness."  Honest... Did you say that?  Well, I can't say that there weren't times of getting caught up and or stressed out.. It happens. It just does.  And if you never had that happen to you this year... Wow!

I do think, however, that by just being aware of the way this time of year can affect me really helped.  Striving not for a "perfect holiday season", rather, an enjoyable one. A real one.  Taking with it the stress that is rushing to get gifts bought and wrapped in time,  but remembering to pray for the special person it is for while doing so instead of complaining about it helped keep my mind on the reason we celebrate. Trying to take things one day at a time, having small goals to accomplish, helped move me through all the To Dos.  Taking time for myself and working out we're also key... Even if I was going over lists in my head!

It was a fast month of preparation and decoration.  There have been Christmases in the past that have flown by and after I ask, "what just happened?" Only to realize... That was Christmas.   This year I didn't place specific expectations to leave me feeling let down.  I tried to just take it as it was.. And you know,,, it now answers the question with "it was Christmas!"

10 years!

Last week, November 30, was our 10 year anniversary :)  In some ways it is hard to believe it has been 10 years.  I wonder where the time went.  Then, I think of all the things that have happened over the span of 10 years... and it's hard to believe it all fit in! ..  3 beautiful kids, 7 homes, 6 duty stations, so many trips visiting the surrounding areas of our temporary homes,  too many friends to count blessing us richly, deployments and various times apart,  and memorable homecomings!
We have learned to take life as it comes and roll with it.  I used to be so not flexible when life threw curves.. it really messed me up!  But between having kids and living a military life, I have learned to be "a willow and not an oak" (a phase that used to annoy me in grad school when my supervisor would say it).   I wish she knew how I appreciate that phrase now!
Last night Matt and I got to enjoy a night away thanks to some of those dear friends I mentioned...  they kept all 3 kiddos! Basically saints ;).  Matt arranged for a stay at the Bayfront Westcott House, an adorable little bed and breakfast right on the water in St. Augustine.. America's oldest city.
We had a great time talking to each other (wow) and not using a stroller!  And the weather was perfect to walk around till 11.. yes.. all kinds of crazy!

down town st. augustine

sipping some wine on the porch

the bed and breakfast at night

view from the porch during breakfast

3 little words

This morning got off to a not so great start.  It was raining out and crawling back in bed seemed like the most desirable plan.. it could not happen of course.  What needed to happen was an extra quick get ready performance by the big kids (hahahaha.. i laugh at myself).  Typically I bring them to school because the bus comes at 7:45 and school doesn't start till 8:30, in which we live a distance of 5 miles.  So I know hurrying to get to the bus stop would result in a lot more nagging, yelling, and whining.. which is just a bad way to start off the day.  I chose to avoid.  Well, this morning.. my suspicions were proven correctly. Today I needed the kids to ride the bus today so that I could take Micah to a friend's house so I could volunteer in Garrett's class. 

*** Enter nagging, yelling, and whining. ***

After loading them up in the car (their stop is .5 mile up the road- we'd have to start at 6am!)  We get there
and......
We Missed The Bus! (of course). 

Driving to the school, knowing I was going to have to do some serious backtracking and would most certainly be late, was painful. Painful because I told them that buses, trains, planes, and ships will not wait for anyone... which echoed the voice of my swim coach on summer mornings telling me that I would miss the ship even if it were headed on a cruise.  Probably true.

It actually was a good lesson for all of us.  But I felt so terrible showing up so late for Garrett's teacher! I absolutely love helping in the classes.  Maybe it is because I grew up a "principal's daughter", but I get excited about the inner workings of the school.  Room mom, field trips, PTO.. sign me up!  crazy.  Anyway, there was a mix-up with the students id numbers for the computers that I needed to do testing on books they had read.  Garrett's teacher felt just as bad as I had because I couldn't do what I had come in for.  I read with some kids and that was fine.  Things happen.  life.

I was walking out the door and Mrs. H said sorry one more time.  And then she made my day.. heck .. my week!  3 little words.  She said "I appreciate you."  It resonated so much more than a simple "thank you" would have.  "Thank you" would have been fine.  But I bet I would not have thought much about it passed that moment.  But what she intentionally said stayed with me the rest of the day. "I appreciate you."  It made me smile.  It brought purpose to a crazy morning.  I felt valued. 

As our day to day life flies by we so often forget to tell those we love that we appreciate them and what they do.  We take each other for granted.  We rush out the door, and we miss the bus.  We miss so many opportunities to acknowledge someone, even in a little way.

 I wonder what would happen if today we told someone in our lives that they are appreciated.  Would that someone feel valued?  Would they then pass it on to another?   A chain reaction may be on the horizon!

Try it, would you?  It won't be comfortable,  "Thank you" is easier.  But it will be intentional and meaningful -and it might just leave a greater impact.

Just a thought to Pass IT On!

Put yourself in a cage!

In a cage?? what?  No, i'm not talking about an extreme form of time out.  I'm talking about PLAY.

The other day while talking to a mom whom I truly admire... I was humbled by the extreme PLAY that goes on at her house.  Humbled because it is She who is joining in.. big time!   I tend to think I'm doing  ok if I get in some good make believe time with the kiddos.. a tea party, helping to build a fort, making train and truck sounds.  You know, the usual.  Usual.  Usual holds nothing to playing "Zoo" and pretending to be an animal in a cage!!  Yep, she did it.  Later I was thinking about it.. and I'm not sure I would have been up for it. I don't know if I would have let myself be completely immersed in the play.  I would play "Zoo,"sure, ... but i kind of think I would volunteer to be the zoo keeper.. to maybe sneak some cleaning of my own  while i cleaned the "cages".  

And there lies the problem. "My Own".  Lately I am so focused on: getting things done, what needs to be done, and what isn't getting done that I end up turning "play time with the kids" into  

"My Own time.. with a side of playing.. till I can sneak away and do My Own thing".

 Does this sound at all familiar?  Please tell me I am not the only one!  Oh sure, it is a good tactic.. sometimes.  Just as (in my opinion) so is an occasional TV show to keep the peace in the dinner making hour.  But i think lately, sometimes has become the new Usual.  I guess with moving and having many many things that need to be done.. this is easy to do.  But I am thankful for this reminder to go ahead and get in a cage!  The work will still be there when the zoo closes!  ;)

I am sure this mom friend had no idea what she sparked in my mind... or how much I learn a lot from her- my little sis! :)  I love my sister and I love going through this mothering journey together.  The ups and downs are plentiful.  The frustrations are understood. The laughs are many.

Thanks Meg for taking "Zoo" to the extreme!  Next time, i will get in a cage!  LOL

here's a few pics of our kiddos this summer... it was a Super reunion!

lots of boys and one princess

my sweet sweet nephew, Reid

My older nephew, Alex, with Addie and Garrett playing with SLIME!

so "cool"

I will do that...

Olympic fever is high with us.. watching prime time and tuning in at times during the day.  My phone ringer is even singing me that glorious theme song!

The kids have endless questions about the sports, the scores, the medals, and the teams. Addison decided there should be a purple team... hummm wouldn't they have to add a ring for that? ;)

I've realized there are some real teaching moments within these conversations .. today it was about building each other up.  Addie said that she wants to be a "gymnasticer" when she grows up. She was watching the gymnast on the tv flip on the beam. She looked impressed and then stated "I will do that." 

Earlier in the day Garrett was "air swimming" during a race.. he then said "Mom, I think I will do swimming in the Olympics."  I of course told him i would be there watching (even though I know my heart couldn't handle that.. )

So at this point both kids that can talk have declared themselves top athletes, bound for the Olympics. 

Addie started doing her tricks and started crying because she can only do cart wheels and rolls.. not the tricks she was watching. Garrett then told her she couldn't do tricks like that.. to which Addie said "I will do that." And again,G told her it wasn't going to happen. 
{Enter teachable moment}

At that point they got an earful about telling someone that they cannot do something.. and how if you hear it enough - well you know. 

My point is.. it was a good life lesson. And a chance to show them that cheering for each other takes everyone further than contradicting a dream or goal.  Pointing out how the athletes cheer for each other even when competing is easy.. so take the next two weeks to pick out some teachable moments and really cheer for each other.  *\o/*

Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.
~ romans 15:2

These are my thoughts..

We are getting ready to make a cross country move. From the high desert of NV to the coastal area of northern FL.  I haven't talked much about our upcoming change ... basically because I do not like change.  But... I'm getting better.  A few years ago i would have said  "I hate change" and that is so not the case now. I have had practice.

I never have liked "ending" something good... a relationship, a good book (don't you always want to read the happily ever after?), a TV series... who didn't cry at the end of Friends or ER?!  I hated the end of high school and college (though i must say i'm glad now for those endings!).  One f the worst "endings" for me was when we had to move from our first duty station in Brunswick, ME.  We loved it there. I mean LOVED it.  It is so beautiful.. the summers are short, but amazing. Everyone is outside.. sitting in Adirondack chairs :) The coast is beautiful.. rocky, lush, and green.  Something i had not seen as i was used to vacationing in the southeast.  The falls are a gorgeous pallet of colors.  Some of my favorite memories have colorful foliage as the backdrop.  The winters were indeed cold and icy.  I like winter though.  I love sweaters and I wore one nearly everyday :)  Spring was wet.. blooming.  My allergies kicked in but the rain smelled good.
sigh... we just loved Maine.  As good as the surrounding small northeast town was.. the friendships we kindled were far surpassing.  It was our first duty station out of flight school.  We were taken under some wonderfully seasoned wings.. and stood along side of some other completely green newbies.  We went through deployments together, took care of each other, crafted, laughed, cried, and many of us entered another new stage of being a mommy!  Basically, we grew up into adults :)  and that was the worst part for me... leaving all those wonderful people.. even if some of them left me first or were moving soon after. (such is military life).

2 of my favorite pics.. Gull Cottage where we stayed in beautiful Oct. right before we left

I felt like if i left the place.. i was leaving the friends and with that the memories.  I had a warped view.  And man did i wallow in it.  I cried at the drop of a hat.  I was mad at Matt (I guess it was his fault because He was in the Navy and the Navy was making me change). ... yep.. warped.

I remember leaving and crying all the way to Boston (2 hours).  I would have loved to turn around, but of course we couldn't.  What i didn't realize at the time was how much I was robbing myself. I was so self absorbed in all the things i didn't want to leave that I had not given one thought to what was ahead for us.  I had no joy in the adventure of moving to a new area (hello.. there are a lot worse places than San Diego!) But i didn't want to hear any of that.  I let no excitement in.  I decided i hated San Diego before we got there, which lead to a miserable first 8 months or so.  I had decided I did not want to go through leaving friends that had become like family again.. so i would just go through this tour with out letting anyone really get to know me.  After all, Matt wouldn't be deploying this tour, so I was good.

 Not so much!  I am a "girlfriend" through and through!  I am a friend of other moms. I am a Navy wife who enjoys helping other families when the inevitable things go wrong during deployment. I am a friend who will sit and have some wine .. for no reason at all :)  I will watch your kids and i thank you for reciprocating. I need girls nights out!!  I'm not saying I'm a great friend... I'm saying I NEED girlfriends and the love that comes with a true friendship.  And once i realized that was what i was greatly worried about missing... I realized it was exactly what i was missing out on!

It was a slow process but i started letting people in and before I knew it .. I was happy in San Diego and I had some wonderful friendships too! (and .. yes.. I cried hard leaving there too.)  I started letting God work on my perspective and asked Him to "change how I viewed change".  and He did.  I stopped seeing it as an ending.  but as a beginning and most importantly a chance to continue.   To continue friendships from far away and to continue new beginnings for our family.   Sure, I can't keep up with everyone on a day to day basis.. but facebook sure helps!  And the friends that really became family.. we went through real day to day life together.. it doesn't matter how long it's been since we've seen each other or talked. 

So.. here i go again.  I don't want to leave my friends here.. but this time I am excited about our new beginning and the opportunity to continue.

linking to:

the hour i first believed.

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.



T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.

i know there are many more verses to that timeless hymn... but let's be honest.. it gets long. and it's the second verse that i can't make it past without feeling that lump in my throat and tears form in my eyes. it's a memory of my grandmother's funeral..

it's a common hymn played at funerals, i imagine. but for me it's more of a hope, rather than a memory. after the funeral was over, at the little reception, i was talking to my mom's cousin - a nephew of my grandma's- who gave a eulogy at the service. he told me of a time 13 months prior when my grandma was in the hospital awaiting a risky surgery for her 83 year old frame for pancreatic cancer. he told me how they spoke of Jesus and her belief in Him. as the conversation progressed she realized that she had never told Jesus 'thank you' for what He did on the cross for her, for all. and even though they share a birthday day celebration, she had never met with Him personally, only by tradition. so then before an uncertain day, she did.

I do believe that God gave her that year after her surgery, months of fair health, to lavish her with grace. in honor of "the hour she first believed". in that year she was able to meet my sister's future husband, mend a relationship with her sister, spend her last shared birthday with Jesus and with all of us. For me, most significant was that she was able to meet Garrett, her first great-grandson. While we were in ohio for that christmas... she got to see him roll over (i remember her calling me into the living room many false alarms, but he finally did it). i will remember her holding G and singing to him. and saying something in Italian that she said her mom would say. i also remember, laughing, as she passed G off to me saying "he's fat."

i think i knew that was her last chritmas. her health failed soon after that. clearly i remember leaving for the airport but going back in as she was sitting at the table in her pink "housecoat" forcing herself to eat - to give her a last hug and kiss. i admit, i knew. but i remember discussing how she seemed different that time. peaceful. not harboring anger. i talked with her in the living room more than on many other occasions.
.............................
flash forward to march 2, 2005. i understood why. i understood her peace. i felt grace and understood it was from "the hour she first believed".





A locket of my grandmother's.
she gave it to me, and i had a pic of matt & me in it.

under it was still a pic of her.

addie loves this necklace and has been wearing it
all the time... it's her "annie" locket.


Addie never met her, but she knows
this is her great grandma
who is in heaven
with Jesus.