Bound for greatness

This girl was born for something great.

Like maybe the stage and she will follow in Aunt Jayme's footsteps.

I cannot begin to tell you how she blesses my heart. And melts me.

Here she tells of how her tooth came out last night, with a little help from her big brother.

She would hardly let me touch the tooth, but he, oh HE is allowed to help with tooth pulling. It's quite an honor.

And so she has lost another tooth. The much anticipated Other Front Tooth. The one that was momentarily upstaged by a silly little bottom tooth that popped out earlier this week. The one that now leaves her mouth exquisitely gaping and not a little like her infancy when those top two came in after her incisors.

Sweet little face.

A little late with the change of seasons

Wow. It's a little chilly with the snow on my background picture. I've already missed spring, I guess I should change that and maybe the warmth of JULY will help me to get back to writing.

Just watching Oliver play

If it has wheels, he's going to line it up.

He's very much like his big brother in this.

Sorry it's a little dark.

Blue eyes turn Hazel

And he can balance a turtle on his head. A very talented seventeen monther.

Getting warmed up

I started writing here because just after Annabelle was born my sister moved 900 miles away to pursue her dreams and I wanted a way to keep her close. In May of 2009 Jayme graduated from the Boston Conservatory and in October of 2010 she completed and performed her thesis (both events I was blessed to be able to attend.) Now with the possibility of a move closer to her roots, and the growth of my family, it seems the mission of my writing has evolved a bit.

I find I'm writing more for my children, to make a record of their days and to remember the precious things they say.

I considered just writing again starting from today, but that would create such a large gap in our year, and I don't want to miss anything for them. So, I've decided to back post a bit. Hope you don't mind!

Today it's very cold outside and we're expecting up to twenty inches of snow. We're on winter break, and although I have many chores waiting for me it seems like the perfect time to get started. Again.

Community Children's Choir Christmas concert

My heart swells as I watch them up there singing these beautiful classic Christmas songs that the very talented and dedicated directors have taught them.

This concert has become such a special part of our Christmas tradition and this year Bronwen is thrilled to be in it too.

Birthday boy in the house

Yesterday was Noah's 9th birthday. We spent the night before in Roscoe IL with family celebrating his cousin's birthday and picking up our new puppy.

Today we had the family over to celebrate this great boy.

not this one, though he's pretty great too. Grandma and Grandpa sure think so!

This one! the one punch drunk with puppy love. The one who has stolen my heart and melts me with his dark chocolate eyes. The one with a servant's heart and a deep tenderness for the things of the Lord. He's going to do great things someday and I know this because he's already doing great things now. He's got what it takes. It thrills my heart to see how the little ones look up to him already.

i think their older cousin C is teaching them the finer points of gel window art.

I don't know but she may be telling him how to take care of split ends. That would not surprise me at all.
cousin M with a knowing look and a twinkle in her eye. She's such an amazing girl!

Best buddy B, because what's a space party without your right hand man?

Oh right. And this happened two nights ago. I may post about it later.

Cupcake frenzy from the cupcake Grandma.

The eldest lady in the family holds a tete a tete with the youngest and littlest lady.

Gotta love the technology. Aunt Jayme, faithful as ever to attend every party via skype from Boston.
No, it's not a frog it's a rocket ship!

Clever placement of the candles makes this rocket looking ready for blast off!

Happy birthday Noah!

A new addition

Introducing the newest member of our family! Purple girl was born August 23 into a litter of 13! Her mama's such a trooper. The breeder color codes the babies and this one was dotted with a purple spot on her shoulder. Of course my girls were thrilled and want to keep calling her purple girl. She still has no name that we all can agree upon.

We picked her up yesterday, on Noah's birthday. That's why he has such a goofy grin on his face. He just turned nine and he has a puppy. She's the family pet, but he reminds me, we did get her on his birthday.

Cooper, the resident Jack Russel doesn't quite know what to think, but he hasn't realized she's a dog yet.

for a new look

Did you notice? Something must have happened to the link where I pinched my last background. The colorful cut paper flowers are missing so I am faced with a decision: use another free background, or perhaps purchase a custom made one.

As I am determined to come back to regular blogging, and thereby exercise my stunted writing ability and exorcise the cursed writer's block, purchasing a custom template is rather appealing.

However, I can be slightly parsimonious and may just stick with another freebie.

Pop in now and again because one of these days I'll be sportin' a new look.

Swimming lessons

We have the best swim instructor. She loves the kids and well we love her. lots.

Grace is so amazing, she even lets Aurora join the underwater circle. Do you see her there on Grace's shoulder?

Annabelle has no trouble holding her breath and going under. She barely puffs out her cheeks even. Just smiles and bobs under, sometimes not even closing her eyes.

Bronwen on the other hand is much more hesitant - and is always the last one under, and won't get the top of her head wet.








Really, they're all very comfortable in the water.

Memories in Sweden

When I was in college Grandma, Aunt Bev and I went to Sweden where Grandma's brother's family lives. Here we are in one of her neices front yards. I'm terribly jet lagged but enjoying the trip of a lifetime.

I had promised to take Grandma some day. I'm so glad Aunt Bev could come along.

Painting

I'm painting again and it feels good.