walking

One of my favorite things to do is to take a walk by myself at dusk. I think it is the most beautiful time of day and it is funny how everything seems to take on a new look...even my perspective! Tonight I was listening to the Once soundtrack. Oh, I love it....especially Falling Slowly- which is on my playlist. I play it so often, Parker is starting to learn the words. Have you seen that movie? You should. So great.

Tonight I got to think more about this little phase we're in. I feel like my life has taken a slight turn and I'm a little less busy around the house. All of the sudden, Parker is (finally) a little more independent and Griffin is more independent than ever. Of course, they need me around alot still, but they need less and less of my help. It is a strange feeling. My work around the house seems to be getting done for once and then I often find myself watching the boys play. I play referee quite often. Don't get me wrong--life is still busy...I have a one and a three year old! But things are just slightly less frantic. Oh, and for this I am so thankful!

Since I have a little more time right now, I've been reading a bunch and just plain taking it easy. I'm trying to take it while I can get it during the summer. This might end up being a true lazy summer for me because I am gearing up to take on a new role in the fall. Lots of changes! Parker will likely be starting preschool and I will start watching my cousins two children full time!! I am so thrilled and excited. I've been having a hard time explaining why. I'm not doing it for the money...and I certainly know that it is NOT going to be easy to have four children all day...but my heart is just ready for this. I guess I'll just have to elaborate later...but I'm just so excited to share our life with those kids.

banner day

Griffin had quite a day. He proved himself to be more like a little dog than I thought AND a little boy may have saved him from quite a bit of injury. I'll explain...

*Well, remember this. He still does that. Yeah, nasty. Today it got worse. We were waiting out in our front yard for a friend to arrive and he leaned down to the only mud puddle in sight and slurped up a big gulp-full. I do offer the kid human beverages on a regular basis. He even knows how to ask. I guess the muddy puddle looked more interesting.

*Griffin was running toward the swings this morning and I couldn't catch up before the not-so-little boy on the swing (unknowingly) pumped his legs forward towards Griffin's head. The courageous boy next to him threw his body in between Griffin and the swinger and took the impact. Griffin just fell down and has a little bruise. It could have been much, much worse. What a brave thing to do...somebody is certainly raising their kid right.

Griffin won't remember this banner day for himself...so I'll do it for him:)

pictures from life

Since my blog has been sparse in the way of words...a few pictures from life these days:)


Parker going in for a kiss with Oma during Kelsey's birthday celebration:)


My dad trying to control Griffins craziness at dinner. Totally impossible! Maybe it was the two plates of pasta?

Yes, the sweet, defenseless little brother is bullying the older one...naughty, but funny!

21 candles in spain

My baby sister turned twenty one today. Twenty one...seriously? How could that have happened? I remember the day she was born and I became a big sister. I was so very excited that I actually lost my lunch over the ordeal. I've always been so proud to be Kelsey's big sister. So proud. I guess I was also given an opportunity to love Kels in a way that gave me a taste of what being a mother is about. We've all missed her so much...she's something special. I might also lose my lunch when she comes home in a month! She's still in Spain right now, and so we are going to celebrate without her at the Old Spaghetti Factory tomorrow night. I might even get Park an Italian Soda in your honor, Kels! Love you, little sister. I miss you like crazy.

griffinized

I came back upstairs after putting a load of laundry in and found Griffin on top of the dining room table looking quite proud of himself. And then I also found this:

As if my fruit bowl needed any more help looking pathetic!

relevant books

I think one of my unspoken resolutions for 2008 was to always be in the process of reading a book. It doesn't matter what it is....fiction, non-fiction, whatever. I've found that I am happier when I'm reading things that take me outside of my little world...amazing, eh? I've made it so far (without a gap) and have read some great ones! Some have been borrowed from friends or the library and others were purchased. But I'm halfway finished with Through Painted Deserts and I was starting to get nervous about what to read next. I found a great deal at Relevant.com....all of their books are $4 right now. Oh, how I love a bargain and some of them look really interesting. Check it out...and get reading!

and griffin stuff too

Oh, Griffin is at my absolute favorite age. He is yummy yummy and I could eat him all up. Have I mentioned that Griffin is absolutely hilarious? I wish I could be more like him. He loves everyone and everyone loves him--sorta like his father...just so darn likable, it can be annoying;) Me, on the other hand...well I have to work at being likable. I think I take a little time to grow on people!! Anyway, this post isn't about me...Griffin deserves his own happy post.

Griff is at the totally-obsessed-with-two-things age. Parker went through this at this point too. I hope everybody's kids do this. I really, really hope that it isn't just genetics playing out here. Because I really hope they didn't inherit my obsessive nature. Arghhhh....there I go again--all about me! I could have written this entire post about Griffin in two words:

Goggy = Doggy
Ballball = Ball

Griffin believes that every ball is his and he must have it. Now. Or else. We saw cantaloupes in the grocery store the other day and he had a mini-fit over not being aloud to touch. Intense, I tell you.

When Griffin finally woke up out of his post-seizure slumber on Monday, he opened his eyes, took a look at Joel's shirt and yelled....

"GOGGY!"

Yeah, I was hoping that he would look deep into my eyes and whisper a "mama" or something. But no, goggy has taken over. But what can I expect at this age? He'll grow out of it and soon I will again be the love of his life.....;)

p.s. Parker took this picture with my camera today...in addition to the other 70+ photos:) Didn't he do a nice job?