tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88393835982130466322024-03-13T07:50:40.865-07:00the blankie chroniclesLife in the north woods with three kids, two dogs, and one husband. We love to explore, imagine, create, laugh, and above all, we try to choose joy in every moment.Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02408630005976395741noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839383598213046632.post-69836454911976607022010-01-05T11:13:00.000-08:002010-01-05T11:16:51.293-08:00RIGHT THIS WAY (please)KEEP MOVIN'!<br /><br />I'm just a click away:: <a href="http://www.theblankiechronicles.com">The Blankie Chronicles</a><br /><br />Come on over-- I've missed you!<br /><br /><br />WHY people are not getting my posts in Google reader is beyond me (sorry). If you are new, have a look around right <a href="http://www.theblankiechronicles.com">here</a>. And if this is popping up in a reader by folks who think I've vanished, I'm <a href="http://www.theblankiechronicles.com">here</a>! Really! I'm loving all my new readers and subscribers, but I do so miss some of my old blogger days peeps!!!Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02408630005976395741noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839383598213046632.post-12769056107896809692009-09-10T08:24:00.000-07:002009-09-10T08:34:14.622-07:00The final wordOkay everybody, I give. <br /><br />I am on the wrong side of the digital divide, and I'm embracing that fact. So here's the deal:: I'm burning a new feed today for my new blog, and that means this subscription won't automatically hook to the new posts....but I do have all of my subscribers addresses and I will input all of those into my new subscribe button....All you'll have to do is click the confirmation email you'll receive and we'll be back in business. I do SO hope you won't disappear, and please contact me via email kate@ncpublish.com or blankiechronicles@rocketmail.com if you aren't getting updates or don't receive a confirmation email. <br /><br />For those of you following me via google or another reader, I can't do much except ask you to please hop over and add my new site to your reads....and thank you profusely for doing so!<br /><br />In the meantime, you might have missed the following posts::<br /><a href="http://www.theblankiechronicles.com/blog/2009/09/monthly-mindfulness-the-mantra.html">monthly mindfulness:: The Mantra</a><br /><a href="http://www.theblankiechronicles.com/blog/2009/09/inside-outside-.html">Inside:: Outside</a><br /><a href="http://www.theblankiechronicles.com/blog/2009/09/farm-fresh.html">Farm Fresh</a><br /><a href="http://www.theblankiechronicles.com/blog/2009/09/its-amazing-how-fast-things-change-a-few-days-ago-max-and-i-were-biking-through-a-nature-preserve-in-town-i-was-awed-by-hi.html">Jumble</a><br /><a href="http://www.theblankiechronicles.com/blog/2009/09/right-now-at-this-very-moment-um-isnt-that-the-same-thing-i-am-in-bed-typing-without-any-little-people-clamoring-over.html">Monthly mindfulness:: sticking point</a><br /><a href="http://www.theblankiechronicles.com/blog/2009/09/since-much-of-my-time-is-spent-at-home-learning-and-teaching-alongside-my-little-ones-including-homeschooling-in-this-blog-i.html">Our classroom</a><br /><br />Thanks again for following along-- I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the new site (if I haven't already;))...<br />-kKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02408630005976395741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839383598213046632.post-25365976005936914142009-09-03T07:37:00.000-07:002009-09-03T07:39:08.279-07:00I swear, the subscription thing is ALMOST fixed. In the meantime, please do pop over <a href="http://www.theblankiechronicles.blogspot.com">here</a> and read my mantra for the first installment of Monthly Mindfulness. Many thanks friends!Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02408630005976395741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839383598213046632.post-59018150954057466712009-09-02T06:21:00.001-07:002009-09-02T06:24:02.903-07:00We're getting there...Workin' out the kinks...<br /><br />Hello my friends! I haven't quick worked out the kinks of this whole transferring subscriber thing....<br /><br />New post up (today and <a href=" http://www.theblankiechronicles.com/blog/2009/09/-announcements-.html">everyday</a>)-- just click <a href="http://www.theblankiechronicles.com">right here!</a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02408630005976395741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839383598213046632.post-1861619272483784532009-09-01T06:38:00.000-07:002009-09-01T07:09:34.299-07:00I'm MOVING!I’m sitting in the dark as I type this, a baby sleeping across my legs and a growing boy’s arm flung across my stomach. Justin is out of town, I picked up multiple writing gigs with deadlines all looming today or tomorrow. Homeschooling will kick up next week. <br /><br />And in the middle of that, I decided September 1 HAD to be the day I welcome you to the new blog. <br /><br />Hmmm...<br /><br />On one hand, I’m typing in the dark, longing for sleep, still with a pile of stories yet to be written. One the other hand, it is a perfect opportunity for me to start thinking about my new monthly mindfulness focus, especially because I’m kicking it off with the topic of time.<br /><br />A perfect opportunity for me to remember that this new adventure can and will require flexibility. You know, the kind that requires a lot of deep breaths, a lot of to-do list revisions, and a lot of "long run" vision. The kind I had to exercise a bit of last week when we wen to the fair, where I tried to hold back overtly loud sighs as my boys learned how to shoot guns (in a very non-sanitary environment no less) <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpNnjFKFLIVH3OYdBXE-rMtrks-c3HVPvsfXwyC8kAm5d4Y-iqM-Scst77P17M2xHA3oiAxqPAIffwGplvi013fjU9mUSPDr3X1Mrx974hGwDrba_AjatMBOHow0_zgLUAAPFi3T_hWM/s1600-h/IMG_4330.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpNnjFKFLIVH3OYdBXE-rMtrks-c3HVPvsfXwyC8kAm5d4Y-iqM-Scst77P17M2xHA3oiAxqPAIffwGplvi013fjU9mUSPDr3X1Mrx974hGwDrba_AjatMBOHow0_zgLUAAPFi3T_hWM/s400/IMG_4330.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376497280104540946" /></a><br />and rode rides run by people who looked intoxicated,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtW944y6A0vav_tItKn3PogGPlYJ1EF3EyP4AQ4vaznzXwDEVIiy_OaE86yl9zOru3SPFDVZO6h8Dd-2w7akysDjRlBnZD6_PnRXuNdN5tvAClEtHfYUMGGL04b0yTKUBN3-EzSOqVy5U/s1600-h/IMG_4328.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtW944y6A0vav_tItKn3PogGPlYJ1EF3EyP4AQ4vaznzXwDEVIiy_OaE86yl9zOru3SPFDVZO6h8Dd-2w7akysDjRlBnZD6_PnRXuNdN5tvAClEtHfYUMGGL04b0yTKUBN3-EzSOqVy5U/s400/IMG_4328.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376497715985612194" /></a><br />and chose foods like this at the midway.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_Id3tocj7Qyul1a_SyZpPn5vVMTQvqtQdwBKs7DAj34moiSnum5FsYHq5750tySJGjv__8M-D_3AmUHKLpZFBPrPEO-RwROOsLH5vefNhPZ9nouaM4Nd_mjv8GdWA27pLYHHmrOrWBA/s1600-h/IMG_4346.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_Id3tocj7Qyul1a_SyZpPn5vVMTQvqtQdwBKs7DAj34moiSnum5FsYHq5750tySJGjv__8M-D_3AmUHKLpZFBPrPEO-RwROOsLH5vefNhPZ9nouaM4Nd_mjv8GdWA27pLYHHmrOrWBA/s400/IMG_4346.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376498081716443586" /></a><br />Of course, that deep breathing paid off in these faces,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWXO7B9zSlCs7QmQlkJaB2z3kDQtAHfKpvQXS0MOcJcftkY7zqD-7RXKpTMraIYdIYwK1u1MjfpvwGa69NiEgJloOLiDUBvt8b__jcd8zvgUIvtFpWb217sO8XMvAg9hJONRVrJYFdXQ/s1600-h/IMG_4358.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWXO7B9zSlCs7QmQlkJaB2z3kDQtAHfKpvQXS0MOcJcftkY7zqD-7RXKpTMraIYdIYwK1u1MjfpvwGa69NiEgJloOLiDUBvt8b__jcd8zvgUIvtFpWb217sO8XMvAg9hJONRVrJYFdXQ/s400/IMG_4358.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376498669007589186" /></a><br />and in the fact that this is the prize of choice in my house<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisT-EP0Xx_LHqhxvX9zA9XKsWEJhy68gki_dO27MYbL9CfL_SbwyozYM_7HJIvAqEvcA0epMSTSckHJbKLgRIkmfQGdcEDdtYdfFnjd3iOpE3Y6AFdM8DWO8T6BFWfJ98yJhfpaRGZqCI/s1600-h/IMG_4329.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisT-EP0Xx_LHqhxvX9zA9XKsWEJhy68gki_dO27MYbL9CfL_SbwyozYM_7HJIvAqEvcA0epMSTSckHJbKLgRIkmfQGdcEDdtYdfFnjd3iOpE3Y6AFdM8DWO8T6BFWfJ98yJhfpaRGZqCI/s400/IMG_4329.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376498659803775842" /></a><br />and, perhaps best of all, after one bite of cotton candy, I got a rousing round of "Yucks!" Yup, this is what we had leftover upon leaving. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnjFGLAYvxAw3QT-fUS25rga03TBFs_VQDiaESqpvXq41j4KwM3DjeAvyuTq8ix3Iq1cdZxU3xp5M7PtrhomPFkXJea9AeXQJZwoZ1Y2Slp55dyI48XIhQB6sCHgJ-bkG-OVu-0lLaIk/s1600-h/IMG_4365.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnjFGLAYvxAw3QT-fUS25rga03TBFs_VQDiaESqpvXq41j4KwM3DjeAvyuTq8ix3Iq1cdZxU3xp5M7PtrhomPFkXJea9AeXQJZwoZ1Y2Slp55dyI48XIhQB6sCHgJ-bkG-OVu-0lLaIk/s400/IMG_4365.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376498682082901090" /></a><br />Not so bad. A little flexability. A few deep breaths. I have a feeling this is going to be a mantra of mine now that we're going live with the everyday posting...<br /><br />So without further ado: please come visit me here::<br /><br /> <a href="http://www.theblankiechronicles.com">www.theblankiechronicles.com</a><br /><br />And excuse the construction dust. No one ever said I would understand what the heck “custom css” means. But we’ll get there.<br /><br />*If you aren’t getting updates from me this week, please pop over to the new space and resubscribe. We’ll kick off our “real” daily posts tomorrow.Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02408630005976395741noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839383598213046632.post-60073535522986789462009-08-23T20:49:00.000-07:002009-08-25T19:13:48.187-07:00In this moment:: One More Weekend<span style="font-style:italic;">In this moment::<span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span><br /><br />I am:: watching our baby become a little person with a big personality. A personality that involves a lot of silliness<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1MEJQnU979Ik2G5jb5y0PNWljserckJdkToZbdwo-DgorhkrX066MYgbBvNoW_bomYgEeI2LlGzNuwlle-XrY8-hy2qCY0YWAqTDSBDuJ1LMoOX2KqzjoyewCU68LQhRsHufeCxCfRBM/s1600-h/IMG_4217.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1MEJQnU979Ik2G5jb5y0PNWljserckJdkToZbdwo-DgorhkrX066MYgbBvNoW_bomYgEeI2LlGzNuwlle-XrY8-hy2qCY0YWAqTDSBDuJ1LMoOX2KqzjoyewCU68LQhRsHufeCxCfRBM/s400/IMG_4217.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374088176571744642" /></a><br />and a bit of sass<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN07FRyYFhxB8RSRXBHICCQZCxnOx-BGhyAlfEwwwRs21-h4F5gwlOcmo3R0V5knEUfpwzZEG7Bv4zcOzPqyZshwY62V_uhPVoeY4vS9QmFVIf79-i_P_vBwqzKg7qLjD-JHzgE4JRkig/s1600-h/IMG_4179.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN07FRyYFhxB8RSRXBHICCQZCxnOx-BGhyAlfEwwwRs21-h4F5gwlOcmo3R0V5knEUfpwzZEG7Bv4zcOzPqyZshwY62V_uhPVoeY4vS9QmFVIf79-i_P_vBwqzKg7qLjD-JHzgE4JRkig/s400/IMG_4179.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374088189207809282" /></a><br />and apparently, an obsession with Converse high tops. Yup, she's definitely my girl.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRHZ5uKmrSMs_R5v5gI3FF9noT3C1dQwrgICltDCTVX2z1ocuSvcgvpml82vZqvYLBtZYUvDrVCk9KThwbSoJ1CsprK7XPsRPw6Qw2xTCmK38ct0kFDrO6KxZ8T7XmIsu7vZuQfTnrMI/s1600-h/IMG_4240.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRHZ5uKmrSMs_R5v5gI3FF9noT3C1dQwrgICltDCTVX2z1ocuSvcgvpml82vZqvYLBtZYUvDrVCk9KThwbSoJ1CsprK7XPsRPw6Qw2xTCmK38ct0kFDrO6KxZ8T7XmIsu7vZuQfTnrMI/s400/IMG_4240.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374088183386487394" /></a><br />I am:: feeling the coming change in season. The light is slipping away so quickly, the wind is shifting, the clouds have returned. We run outdoors the minute the sun warms the sand<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPIqr7Ro7-Uj0Xj1scq5bRafGtQcCeEtVlQX-mPFWyeee1I_6VPwEpMpiGdEEoGrQiAtFhWpPNIAfM0cA1NQOXa-TPaF3JIyQxG82bFjrmF-PpOMOJahZfuNzOuPtF-S1OXTb65FwDtI/s1600-h/IMG_4134.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPIqr7Ro7-Uj0Xj1scq5bRafGtQcCeEtVlQX-mPFWyeee1I_6VPwEpMpiGdEEoGrQiAtFhWpPNIAfM0cA1NQOXa-TPaF3JIyQxG82bFjrmF-PpOMOJahZfuNzOuPtF-S1OXTb65FwDtI/s400/IMG_4134.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374089423296293682" /></a><br />but we're trying to embrace the cooling afternoons (and pajama days)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6L4cAcWnbGn8tmtyKm_rAQpc-TER8h5yHiVGXhS6aFXpWHW1fm6kZAH3y7tX1k7wduYscaDePxeZzu2R8Ve7BBgLAecYrSojD1y5juOWDD9BxlaRaso_CZjSpOamv0lz24d5NmRHaQXs/s1600-h/IMG_4193.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6L4cAcWnbGn8tmtyKm_rAQpc-TER8h5yHiVGXhS6aFXpWHW1fm6kZAH3y7tX1k7wduYscaDePxeZzu2R8Ve7BBgLAecYrSojD1y5juOWDD9BxlaRaso_CZjSpOamv0lz24d5NmRHaQXs/s400/IMG_4193.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374088709496506882" /></a><br /> when the rain pours down so fast Max is sure it is really "falling up."<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NUI9bKmK0FWpqmeyFHt6vWKqgLv3snfS2zLyRzZWy7Ih6UsjagiJJ54AsNYYL_NpHLkOzOxHgCPHIppaN4ukRDm2Ns07h1xkITiGhCzDgK87o7reUFt3NgpDaRrZt1515czcui3-Fbo/s1600-h/IMG_4202.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NUI9bKmK0FWpqmeyFHt6vWKqgLv3snfS2zLyRzZWy7Ih6UsjagiJJ54AsNYYL_NpHLkOzOxHgCPHIppaN4ukRDm2Ns07h1xkITiGhCzDgK87o7reUFt3NgpDaRrZt1515czcui3-Fbo/s400/IMG_4202.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374088714060001938" /></a><br />I am:: filled with satisfaction in a dreary Saturday spent indoors, playing, napping, and eating a divine meal not prepared by me (yahoo, daddy-o!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWHFuZWbzC9fRs-wsTkYPGYUZZgY4JRlvH399qfIIHIbmXc7VnWk9dV8FOP5dQdggTqnctM9_K16LHEXhS49wC5rN2piGBpgukiLc2WunBlL9gLjEvJFQCnTAFTTMGAJaYNPbMUQ79I0/s1600-h/IMG_4212.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWHFuZWbzC9fRs-wsTkYPGYUZZgY4JRlvH399qfIIHIbmXc7VnWk9dV8FOP5dQdggTqnctM9_K16LHEXhS49wC5rN2piGBpgukiLc2WunBlL9gLjEvJFQCnTAFTTMGAJaYNPbMUQ79I0/s400/IMG_4212.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374089432974150258" /></a><br />I am:: getting geared up for a year of adventurous living and learning with my first born-- because yes, I do a lot of thinking at the beach;)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApN2ETHDMX37jJ5WdSQgwF5X78HZzNoHtqCUxkn9ArvCdI9v0NmF84GxauNd_kN5nYwuwtxEEWSwwRVJS4a5IZxnrqGkmkOntn1zfPO1kHXvWkFdrbqWL1OabsluTLnzgR9idRy6fFF8/s1600-h/IMG_4132.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApN2ETHDMX37jJ5WdSQgwF5X78HZzNoHtqCUxkn9ArvCdI9v0NmF84GxauNd_kN5nYwuwtxEEWSwwRVJS4a5IZxnrqGkmkOntn1zfPO1kHXvWkFdrbqWL1OabsluTLnzgR9idRy6fFF8/s400/IMG_4132.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374088721620328626" /></a><br />I am:: realizing that these posts-- after 11 weeks-- are coming to a close, making way for a new series of weekend recaps, and a daily dose of words that will center around a year of redefining time and self and the way we learn. I'm so very excited to start this work-- and am so very grateful you're coming along.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EuGiP9X2UoQcrLsKvuZcvxr4kM9wc18KAbstTZLbfL72tdUdESqwtH-AMPTtZ5pEjJhsE3UCD8_1cScd4aux9uBF4qSd4YU0Vy1_D0OrSB3kevgYMGHHwqShyf0rCroakzKe62S3t5Y/s1600-h/IMG_4236.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EuGiP9X2UoQcrLsKvuZcvxr4kM9wc18KAbstTZLbfL72tdUdESqwtH-AMPTtZ5pEjJhsE3UCD8_1cScd4aux9uBF4qSd4YU0Vy1_D0OrSB3kevgYMGHHwqShyf0rCroakzKe62S3t5Y/s400/IMG_4236.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374089442254173506" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02408630005976395741noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839383598213046632.post-29884160476964747862009-08-20T07:00:00.001-07:002009-08-20T08:10:38.937-07:00Fantastically Free!I was planning to post about my massive re-organizing mission, and I will, but not today. Because today, I just need to celebrate the goodness of friends. I need to write down-- and fully recognize-- how it feels as if the universe is making sure I know our family is walking down a path that is <span style="font-style:italic;"> just right for us.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloqq3ToBVgzGKR3tVFLRcXP_jiE6KOz2Kq2JfnsJt1lS_zOyT9ODVddyNVXBD6GHl1oCgD5zIXfph6aQcFkw2189r1twyl_toobwPdnq4o4Lfx-orlOLZSaV5f-MrNXCBdiTc8F-vczw/s1600-h/IMG_4967.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloqq3ToBVgzGKR3tVFLRcXP_jiE6KOz2Kq2JfnsJt1lS_zOyT9ODVddyNVXBD6GHl1oCgD5zIXfph6aQcFkw2189r1twyl_toobwPdnq4o4Lfx-orlOLZSaV5f-MrNXCBdiTc8F-vczw/s400/IMG_4967.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372061319718738338" /></a><br />This summer, while sitting upstairs in our craft nook, looking at a blank space that needed *something,* I decided to go thrifting. I hit every thrift store in our area, with growing determination that what I needed was an old school desk. I found one, in poor condition and just an era too early (it had a bench seat attached the the front and no seat for the actual desk). Every other week, I revisited shops. I sorted through church parking lot sales and garages. And when we made the decision to return to a homeschooled life, I felt even more invested in finding a desk that would be perfect for the space AND the way we learn. <br /><br />Enter my friend Tammy, who had no clue I was searching for said desk, when she offered to give me (for free!!) a 1950s version she bought years ago. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2X2IBSxLB0gvFVY2sFRF-80dUg_a6XaFYGVyxQcPthxlo35CmqUF2au3ijyzzvdKviRd1QSl9cT8whK13kc86WgbXqbnkxGK256hiodpAPQ8-j8oGEeMGCpm6iZOeTsFEfejPAcZ_PI/s1600-h/IMG_4171.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2X2IBSxLB0gvFVY2sFRF-80dUg_a6XaFYGVyxQcPthxlo35CmqUF2au3ijyzzvdKviRd1QSl9cT8whK13kc86WgbXqbnkxGK256hiodpAPQ8-j8oGEeMGCpm6iZOeTsFEfejPAcZ_PI/s400/IMG_4171.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372058734153471218" /></a><br />A brief sanding of the metal, a five dollar can of spray paint and one hour later it was exactly what I'd hoped for all along.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOg_vHmrLQOQYd1ed-hdHoe-0er3TjL9lja7y52PClH5lZ5ti6uNuEqhtSL6-qEdhQ38m-6zD1nxjlrJku-rj7h3KSNN_qoFp7XLsJ_midL2GXcO0axAKARfEsX8dJ7l63_IKYhCOoeE/s1600-h/IMG_4192.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOg_vHmrLQOQYd1ed-hdHoe-0er3TjL9lja7y52PClH5lZ5ti6uNuEqhtSL6-qEdhQ38m-6zD1nxjlrJku-rj7h3KSNN_qoFp7XLsJ_midL2GXcO0axAKARfEsX8dJ7l63_IKYhCOoeE/s400/IMG_4192.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372058737344158354" /></a><br />I've been flying high on my good fortune for the last couple days, so excited to welcome this new piece of furniture into our home. The boys have already done "homework" there, and we've spent a good chunk of time talking about the feeling it has-- this sense history, of other children's stories.<br /><br />That desk was enough to make me feel even more excited about our homeschool year. And then? I got a call from another friend who had just moved to a new house and was prepping for a major garage sale. She offered a sneak peak to snatch up homeschool resources that she was no longer using. I rushed over, and nabbed all of this<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbJH8oSnaFZ7-pGYwuldOuQDeXs3LSVtdPAs0LLbalFQ5_iUaveQkHAYNsjeeIU-GHayJTeFpyJA6TOXzgn5-SX_zc4WlWBCaGP8rwRBbwy6-dzuzMea8RiDNv16rgy7Ij7Nmz4fpKRU/s1600-h/IMG_4185.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbJH8oSnaFZ7-pGYwuldOuQDeXs3LSVtdPAs0LLbalFQ5_iUaveQkHAYNsjeeIU-GHayJTeFpyJA6TOXzgn5-SX_zc4WlWBCaGP8rwRBbwy6-dzuzMea8RiDNv16rgy7Ij7Nmz4fpKRU/s400/IMG_4185.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372059136142726690" /></a><br />and this (new to us Hanna's!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Rwg-u_PccfkxMVFzxPcwXaOx3051qTIpQJ8gSGZEAq88DG5CPEC4iqxt45Aa_6oIQmnpfiZXo_1Pm-618f5xuQiOONROvzxl8FeZ1yA_UfPxho7-cLjHwIEytn__XkJ4L4C2mQvnHsQ/s1600-h/IMG_4188.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Rwg-u_PccfkxMVFzxPcwXaOx3051qTIpQJ8gSGZEAq88DG5CPEC4iqxt45Aa_6oIQmnpfiZXo_1Pm-618f5xuQiOONROvzxl8FeZ1yA_UfPxho7-cLjHwIEytn__XkJ4L4C2mQvnHsQ/s400/IMG_4188.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372059119768310610" /></a><br />and this<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9yFKWuQSfvG8UKv8xT9vbkPqTb5zvjYcQ62x6ZH-GXkU1WxIsFArLaaQc_UOA-FYi_wYQA7Yh_EItiQEIKH-3asOL0BjLojvqPgJ0-Eag5Wvbb2SpkauSnbZMiMgWK2VUZRvQ_tsS2M/s1600-h/IMG_4190.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9yFKWuQSfvG8UKv8xT9vbkPqTb5zvjYcQ62x6ZH-GXkU1WxIsFArLaaQc_UOA-FYi_wYQA7Yh_EItiQEIKH-3asOL0BjLojvqPgJ0-Eag5Wvbb2SpkauSnbZMiMgWK2VUZRvQ_tsS2M/s400/IMG_4190.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372059478807766770" /></a><br />and when I started to take out my checkbook, that sweet friend shook her head with a smile and refused to let me give her a single penny (I plan, however, to use <a href="http://checkoutgirlcrafts.blogspot.com/2009/08/ready-to-sachet-tutorial.html">this tutorial</a> to whip her up some lavender sachets).<br /><br />Wow. A free desk. Free school supplies. All coming this week, all a surprise. Sometimes, when you make a choice and settle into it, I think the world makes way for everything else to fall into place. A little faith and trust (and pixie dust?) goes a long way. Knowing that feels so, so good.Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02408630005976395741noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839383598213046632.post-62240711123740877782009-08-17T09:21:00.000-07:002009-08-17T18:46:37.478-07:00In this moment:: Weekend Ten<span style="font-weight:bold;">In this moment::<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br />I am:: soaking up every bit of sunshine. We've had so few warm, blue sky days this summer, that when the sun decided to burst through the clouds last week (and actually stay out for five days and counting), our entire community seemed to step outside and celebrate. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWidMuDoVprYpJBLN0dZFs7tgnzCGkGcJdJu2Pm3WoBnwybE9CxUk6KFrs6dHpuQjiWKXzWNXWso-ib2TO7QHHywnDbGIjz8B_SpnS9xseaIOPJU-xScXiXScb-5G7GE8_hXwF0iHe2eE/s1600-h/IMG_4157.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWidMuDoVprYpJBLN0dZFs7tgnzCGkGcJdJu2Pm3WoBnwybE9CxUk6KFrs6dHpuQjiWKXzWNXWso-ib2TO7QHHywnDbGIjz8B_SpnS9xseaIOPJU-xScXiXScb-5G7GE8_hXwF0iHe2eE/s400/IMG_4157.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371035794672755762" /></a><br />because this is what we wait for, what we know will eventually come.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtPSij-gxE4Omgca0uKGvnSFoBfLU9O7IHxniST1BI6HfsnJ9f2xcbz_m_DNAqfZT6_pp9b_BCHQgcDdL3KTG2Pl_55x5KVYngNJMAObxlCDaBxyDiNwiraCwcVJmFx2ntr04UFk1GFw/s1600-h/IMG_4140.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtPSij-gxE4Omgca0uKGvnSFoBfLU9O7IHxniST1BI6HfsnJ9f2xcbz_m_DNAqfZT6_pp9b_BCHQgcDdL3KTG2Pl_55x5KVYngNJMAObxlCDaBxyDiNwiraCwcVJmFx2ntr04UFk1GFw/s400/IMG_4140.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371040215695845794" /></a><br />I am:: cooking up a storm. It hit me this week, that the fresh foods of our local farmers will soon be turning to fall flavors, and I went into stock-mania mode. Marinara sauces and blanched greens are filling my freezer to the brim. If only I hadn't had that dream (the one where I canned tomatoes the wrong way and then ate them and, well, you know...), my shelves would be filled to the brim too. Ah, well.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNmcA7tbDlTFAJ6EJryEvMm5x7g8XFDOC5QCu0mGnPj1sV2_bYP6mPgs1dBkYwjSmo8JEO5gd5WcwvpdVnIRlFkPDiKHUmszp9mYyNt3B-e89GCdjyR90Cntha_qD5-nXH8k76QPIP0o/s1600-h/IMG_2800.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNmcA7tbDlTFAJ6EJryEvMm5x7g8XFDOC5QCu0mGnPj1sV2_bYP6mPgs1dBkYwjSmo8JEO5gd5WcwvpdVnIRlFkPDiKHUmszp9mYyNt3B-e89GCdjyR90Cntha_qD5-nXH8k76QPIP0o/s400/IMG_2800.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371036604981235282" /></a><br />I am:: buried in the crafty delights of this book. And even if you aren't a sewing-project kind of person, I still say you need to add this to your stash. It's filled with the simple truths of life: choose joy, live with ease, and enjoy the ride. Plus, it is a very good thing to support people like <a href="http://www.soulemama.com">Amanda</a>, who make their own paths and celebrate mamahood with such style.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSrV5iQXXZz0LOQEslVslp9jM3FCpk_uvjZ2eHIxG2k9suPBh5Yo9Y_F292pwUPnG0cpLa7f989xQyG7-ItBMCiVt2vVYt6BM4I_rEPgCtloM2hi22dQWolxfoKPrg2K86i15vWV6t0w/s1600-h/IMG_4168.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSrV5iQXXZz0LOQEslVslp9jM3FCpk_uvjZ2eHIxG2k9suPBh5Yo9Y_F292pwUPnG0cpLa7f989xQyG7-ItBMCiVt2vVYt6BM4I_rEPgCtloM2hi22dQWolxfoKPrg2K86i15vWV6t0w/s400/IMG_4168.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371036973909242834" /></a><br />I am:: brimming with excitement for Noah, who passed into the Mate ranks of sailing school during the last week, just in time to hear promises of junior race team next year. Not only did we watch him fall in love with a sport this summer, we also go to watch him conquer fears and join into a community all of his own. What a gift.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaJ4wtYZJh7E54fAT1tI-snUdrze84PIDLokPkSTsnOwt5_lyTLa_KDhkhB3Yfxx3l0YqD349U41SerlgQZk4KODQpXHt8S53S9gIXHxEY02qt9et7TKbCI5ecBDcEaZnZNc74isHy3A/s1600-h/IMG_4101.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaJ4wtYZJh7E54fAT1tI-snUdrze84PIDLokPkSTsnOwt5_lyTLa_KDhkhB3Yfxx3l0YqD349U41SerlgQZk4KODQpXHt8S53S9gIXHxEY02qt9et7TKbCI5ecBDcEaZnZNc74isHy3A/s400/IMG_4101.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371037276960991218" /></a><br />I am:: loving this guy, and not just because we're married.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhWiZvT0hZitJHTQK3-P6byS7k4kEGFnzAozUzPcSPTofSn8ixuVNfxdGTOUmzaPHcE0ZHBXlWSaAi2SGsbAKHz5snQMSCowIMsl0h477FMu4rVmkm02vASmoEAo-ij2WViS8L2rYPPs/s1600-h/IMG_3028.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhWiZvT0hZitJHTQK3-P6byS7k4kEGFnzAozUzPcSPTofSn8ixuVNfxdGTOUmzaPHcE0ZHBXlWSaAi2SGsbAKHz5snQMSCowIMsl0h477FMu4rVmkm02vASmoEAo-ij2WViS8L2rYPPs/s400/IMG_3028.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371038467326977202" /></a><br />I am:: organizing and de-cluttering and all of the things I need to do to make space in my brain and heart and head for a homeschool year. There's much to say about this subject, so I'll elaborate this week, and today will just say this: it feels so good to minimize, centralize, and put a little order into our joyful chaos.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW16GzMLo9bB00-B-9VzCAXYkoM5gBhZ14OuFm2MIQPxS46b7Pi0kNpzjk0uiQ6A2LAy4SuMdKceH352FbskN6eukW9006JuRvR9r6NYBQZ334Z701bgSlN7myg-luuTqOomRC2rQZGEQ/s1600-h/IMG_4107.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW16GzMLo9bB00-B-9VzCAXYkoM5gBhZ14OuFm2MIQPxS46b7Pi0kNpzjk0uiQ6A2LAy4SuMdKceH352FbskN6eukW9006JuRvR9r6NYBQZ334Z701bgSlN7myg-luuTqOomRC2rQZGEQ/s400/IMG_4107.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371038849370012594" /></a><br />I am:: aware that just as this<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglD1EmJpqH8EsQ6hFRcqxeyHz_3SMMUPBOj5E3RGBbkCAnpR7mfsZMUpykKXG4if5n4U0dmgfaDo4cI9Nxb5jUd17caxsKiayt8iWFuVdWPxy-9MrVV499KkEW8BAMwOtPiyqlkBinwg0/s1600-h/IMG_4012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglD1EmJpqH8EsQ6hFRcqxeyHz_3SMMUPBOj5E3RGBbkCAnpR7mfsZMUpykKXG4if5n4U0dmgfaDo4cI9Nxb5jUd17caxsKiayt8iWFuVdWPxy-9MrVV499KkEW8BAMwOtPiyqlkBinwg0/s400/IMG_4012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371039440416271202" /></a><br />becomes this,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dh06O857WDJBlTz1tusvUegmbCyyiAU6TY_ZNuXTFQKXZfbjY0v7J0v55wZqu79igEx5DTwz6IuXwo2tutIIE9BptSFWLaZLuN62qJKbU_m18LCwBAo-CXpoXDMvlLZDAoRuAjgW8vY/s1600-h/IMG_4158.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dh06O857WDJBlTz1tusvUegmbCyyiAU6TY_ZNuXTFQKXZfbjY0v7J0v55wZqu79igEx5DTwz6IuXwo2tutIIE9BptSFWLaZLuN62qJKbU_m18LCwBAo-CXpoXDMvlLZDAoRuAjgW8vY/s400/IMG_4158.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371039435173252722" /></a><br />Our experiences are part of a natural cycle, but also, the result of effort and dedication and commitment. My friend <a href="http://takefiveanytime.blogspot.com/">Tom</a> always says "bloom where you are planted." And this week, I honor the beauty of doing just that.<br /> <span style="font-style:italic;">(by the way, as I typed that sentence, I was treated to a nose-to-nose encounter with a hummingbird on my front porch. Bloom indeed)</span>.Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02408630005976395741noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839383598213046632.post-42871518013262665402009-08-13T08:32:00.000-07:002009-08-14T09:06:27.280-07:00Date Night<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-VAJBBKhYx6lDg5JDE_AaJ0is1cZgWdz6XgnCunk0PNkpFSARdnbF-pn5bKqgC220syjxBrI1lawWCoeu9bS7hyphenhyphenZ3WqO2kPMyjCI1Hf2VCxhw9-oHxeza55WfPwLCtc05g6gZgE48RQ/s1600-h/IMG_7075.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-VAJBBKhYx6lDg5JDE_AaJ0is1cZgWdz6XgnCunk0PNkpFSARdnbF-pn5bKqgC220syjxBrI1lawWCoeu9bS7hyphenhyphenZ3WqO2kPMyjCI1Hf2VCxhw9-oHxeza55WfPwLCtc05g6gZgE48RQ/s400/IMG_7075.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369815774202185634" /></a><br />Last night I had one of those wide-eyed, awe struck simple flashes of a second that had me almost using my sand-laden fingers for a good pinch, just to make sure I was awake. Just to make sure that this is really, really my life.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74xbeUGwtTXNE9DTHGTWOeUKNmQSmdMPgQhqeOoZL1UwbT3Y6t2Xjzd8p8ItWmeOsvUTWa9fabWS2kNxQB-IuB2nFcMvmeZtzJvJmDuFH6fITPgv2gNmBgtJYVuova1tChW0NIK_zMPw/s1600-h/IMG_7086.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74xbeUGwtTXNE9DTHGTWOeUKNmQSmdMPgQhqeOoZL1UwbT3Y6t2Xjzd8p8ItWmeOsvUTWa9fabWS2kNxQB-IuB2nFcMvmeZtzJvJmDuFH6fITPgv2gNmBgtJYVuova1tChW0NIK_zMPw/s400/IMG_7086.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369815801309350066" /></a><br />Here's a rundown list of why...<br />:: flat water kayak to the point, a sandy carved out tip of land that welcomes the vibrant waters of Little Traverse Bay to its shore.<br />:: Swimming in said bay, the freshwater slice of heaven we live alongside. The water was cold, the first twenty steps a careful balance along slimy rocks. And then, a few steps of sand...and nothing. The bottom drops out like an underwater canyon, and you can peer down into its clear depths and see light bend and dance and when you come back up for air--I don't know-- you feel brand new.<br />:: Sharing a towel, fresh made pasta dinner and Bells Oberon beer with my husband. We watched the sun start to set behind us. Looking forward, we caught another daily ritual of nature as the bay shifted, camouflaging into the darkness of night.<br />:: laughing as we paddled back to the mainland, and getting ice cream without any small hands to wipe or chins to clean (although he did have to wipe my fleece twice).<br />:: Riding home under a star-filled sky, and remembering to appreciate that we live in a place that puts planetariums to shame. Our black nights are that deep. The ceiling of our world is a constant switchboard of stars.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0L_xZnm-IuhYuEbcWO8aHIJNVwoLdbrIGRtPP9oQMq95KC_H4EvtTa7lcMQ0oHHOZyzS5LPXpcjyImkXYgGhNDvM5M2uK1NLy5LHNuOj1qfYdprO9jmQnHMmSa4T9YG86d33sjfHfDKE/s1600-h/IMG_7070.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0L_xZnm-IuhYuEbcWO8aHIJNVwoLdbrIGRtPP9oQMq95KC_H4EvtTa7lcMQ0oHHOZyzS5LPXpcjyImkXYgGhNDvM5M2uK1NLy5LHNuOj1qfYdprO9jmQnHMmSa4T9YG86d33sjfHfDKE/s400/IMG_7070.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369815782241276242" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">(photos all taken from a previous date...last night we were so excited to get out, we forgot the camera!)</span><br />Ah, date night. Every Wednesday Justin and I sneak away for a few hours, mostly to kayak and catch the end of daylight along our hometown's horizon. There are so many reasons I look forward to these evenings. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAYAb5EDq4f5yAzaXeVO1COAAizkoT1cbQ4pjodqs2rclEsVG6SaxZnhE_iuZ27TmMhbw5OMYm37P7jmpJjkyBUDlnIsgTkZg1Z8gtl-ZWt4QiVAhZZRMaMq6KSRJXZmFxZlx-yJ2qXo/s1600-h/IMG_7080.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAYAb5EDq4f5yAzaXeVO1COAAizkoT1cbQ4pjodqs2rclEsVG6SaxZnhE_iuZ27TmMhbw5OMYm37P7jmpJjkyBUDlnIsgTkZg1Z8gtl-ZWt4QiVAhZZRMaMq6KSRJXZmFxZlx-yJ2qXo/s400/IMG_7080.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369815810573714018" /></a><br />:: the ability to recharge<br />:: the fresh eyes I get each time I look back at our town from the water<br />:: the silence that comes with a sleeping household upon return.<br /><br />But mostly it is this: the conversations, both spoken and not, I get to share with my partner in life and parenting. <br /><br />Something I've come to understand-- especially as we've added more little ones to our flock-- is how important time together (and by together, I mean, just the two of us) really is. It gives us a chance to catch up on the little things, like how I secretly wish earwigs would disappear from the planet all together, or how his legs are sore from a hard ride. It allows us to take trips down memory lane, laughing at how much we've grown and changed, sometimes together, and sometimes with one person running in circles until we again find our stride. We talk about really big ideas and family values, we dream and scheme for the future. <br /><br />And we sit, side by side.<br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMfIgVlOH7mEl7Mzmz9u9OnbG2yucD2i-OlquZTdjLZWMhycOG_dukWF0e_rBo7aOG7m8Q82RP_Giq-yELLQR92peTi9v42kNlGjw0PqYJAoYkvbzTTCcBbFRCSZWhypI9st_Q6Nnlwk/s1600-h/IMG_7069.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMfIgVlOH7mEl7Mzmz9u9OnbG2yucD2i-OlquZTdjLZWMhycOG_dukWF0e_rBo7aOG7m8Q82RP_Giq-yELLQR92peTi9v42kNlGjw0PqYJAoYkvbzTTCcBbFRCSZWhypI9st_Q6Nnlwk/s400/IMG_7069.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369816665755071346" /></a><br />One of the million things I've learned about the parenting journey-- especially for mamas who think a lot about what it means to parent-- is that if you have a partner to share in the load of life and love, being connected opens up so much more space for energy, creativity, and joy. And for those who balance the juggling act on their own, well, that's one more reason why we mamas need to live in community and a shared spirit of celebration and purpose-- because we should all be each other's belay system, if you know what I mean (and if not, never fear, I'm cooking up words on this very subject right now)!<br /><br />Here's to the time you carve out for your papas-- whether it is a few hours or a few minutes, time on the water or a walk in the woods...or maybe just meeting on the front porch or back deck for some quiet time once the little ones are asleep. Just put it on your schedule-- once a week-- and see what happens. I promise, you won't regret it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkkdRG-VJbLgUEgD1GQ4iUGRCN5hTvMK4xtMbBr6eHh6pd0I0xiE95ACOguABYFIRcATnyMMQp9_OG2SRomDaHXpPQmiBxIXwqk8ZmNK77Dnyc-u_23gOVg4ve1j1M_4Xm7WcQSlSDMw/s1600-h/IMG_7089.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkkdRG-VJbLgUEgD1GQ4iUGRCN5hTvMK4xtMbBr6eHh6pd0I0xiE95ACOguABYFIRcATnyMMQp9_OG2SRomDaHXpPQmiBxIXwqk8ZmNK77Dnyc-u_23gOVg4ve1j1M_4Xm7WcQSlSDMw/s400/IMG_7089.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369815791239601906" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02408630005976395741noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839383598213046632.post-74503123855949004132009-08-10T19:09:00.000-07:002009-08-10T20:35:14.115-07:00The sort-of post-vacation post, and a little bit more.So I probably shouldn't have said "big announcements" because they aren't <span style="font-weight:bold;">so<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> big (as in, no, mom and dad-- I'm NOT pregnant);). They are more like "big to me" things, but still, I'm glad you care...and I'll tell you all about them at the end of this post. How's <span style="font-style:italic;">that</span> for suspense??<br /><br />I am never very good at post-vacation postings. Remember last year and my promised-but-never-materialized post on our North Channel trip? Well, I'm thinking this year's trip is going to shape up the same way. I have tried all day, sitting in front of the computer-- but aslo while doing the laundry, making dinner and swimming in the lake-- to figure out why I'm brick-wall blocked when it comes to writing about our trips on the water. Maybe it is because there are so many moments that make me sigh deeply and feel so full of the good stuff of life that I just can't reproduce those experiences with words. Even on a trip that included some very big waves and some very non-sleeping children, the memories that shine through look more like this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8r6gmJ1MARFeSt_Hqps7u4CsHawdkuOm4t4vFfcKb7dZP43QuVWL3r8IKPbpDJHbO9azN2Ohn0WRhaAm4AyzjjkBcmgo5qxYfeGr9V03qScofxhCc_6jZJwrkGzoDBU_1bh3d7z5JP4g/s1600-h/IMG_3902.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8r6gmJ1MARFeSt_Hqps7u4CsHawdkuOm4t4vFfcKb7dZP43QuVWL3r8IKPbpDJHbO9azN2Ohn0WRhaAm4AyzjjkBcmgo5qxYfeGr9V03qScofxhCc_6jZJwrkGzoDBU_1bh3d7z5JP4g/s400/IMG_3902.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368533569655877010" /></a><br />and this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSUkVIPLHcXxqcWF7cSQJanMBvUKbNyPX56Fw2kT1FHJB-r_PCmL3DPJIw2JxtzNOD08SJqIh7L0-SWzuWmWtoDY4lC_MWr2dCuy5AzrdvJ4zLJ6k0H1nlHFkO81OolD2qqaLSUXBeqQ/s1600-h/IMG_3613.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSUkVIPLHcXxqcWF7cSQJanMBvUKbNyPX56Fw2kT1FHJB-r_PCmL3DPJIw2JxtzNOD08SJqIh7L0-SWzuWmWtoDY4lC_MWr2dCuy5AzrdvJ4zLJ6k0H1nlHFkO81OolD2qqaLSUXBeqQ/s400/IMG_3613.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368533565178596514" /></a><br />and this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRYAYT8tTvKucIbUeH2_XES-E6sNXJNI4vSucTYGgovS_5DJ3KCeEMPteUSTaWTj3YCuQoq5nlVCvwq8JQqTIqpuHPla-mwXnwAsP75UDy0tQ4jVde74UFS6DXiLGCrVveWy6J6jOvXI/s1600-h/IMG_3495.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRYAYT8tTvKucIbUeH2_XES-E6sNXJNI4vSucTYGgovS_5DJ3KCeEMPteUSTaWTj3YCuQoq5nlVCvwq8JQqTIqpuHPla-mwXnwAsP75UDy0tQ4jVde74UFS6DXiLGCrVveWy6J6jOvXI/s400/IMG_3495.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368533559876897826" /></a><br /><br />While I can't show you some of my favorite snapshots, or share the coolness of the uninhabited islands we explored--one complete with an old Native American burial ground, spirit houses still intact-- (sorry, Traverse Magazine has the rights to share those next July),<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcH9rIiop2bbESvs1aZgAM5fOxhH8Vw1Xu2diekCpj8cdaJCBEtYLrZeNvY2yooW243HdrISx32SFRyG7sUXz6R6IFN8LVDAom4Xa4YvEnnVu6yRV_0J4mnJNSXpDyAvpzZ117cbSTHEc/s1600-h/IMG_3958.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcH9rIiop2bbESvs1aZgAM5fOxhH8Vw1Xu2diekCpj8cdaJCBEtYLrZeNvY2yooW243HdrISx32SFRyG7sUXz6R6IFN8LVDAom4Xa4YvEnnVu6yRV_0J4mnJNSXpDyAvpzZ117cbSTHEc/s400/IMG_3958.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368535360126241282" /></a><br />I can offer up some generalities-- afternoons spent exploring new places, discovering old fish towns,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwepdpJxUE6NgCAv9W_Okk1nyTbN93rU6h96ho6m6ojaQ2YOx69N1MqcG1n0IczAhADN4QKS0Dbv_lh-SghWpwDCr5GfDlPcruXtVNAkC0dhQ3hadbsPhg5vawk1K-_pY79M_iueL24_s/s1600-h/IMG_3533.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwepdpJxUE6NgCAv9W_Okk1nyTbN93rU6h96ho6m6ojaQ2YOx69N1MqcG1n0IczAhADN4QKS0Dbv_lh-SghWpwDCr5GfDlPcruXtVNAkC0dhQ3hadbsPhg5vawk1K-_pY79M_iueL24_s/s400/IMG_3533.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368536183688721586" /></a><br />breathing in the life of the lake,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaS6WPmB-9enZ64MLCbCM7NdYeSbH5xgWuX0iWTW9LgwNQZk4dB3cKJ8YJXAsXJhbU1nnmkQyQwKvgCL1RfxwWqI4d2e6SPJg2qj7wHHd8SQX56z8v0k6nFxostFOHKYKkc9Y353qwCPU/s1600-h/IMG_3813.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaS6WPmB-9enZ64MLCbCM7NdYeSbH5xgWuX0iWTW9LgwNQZk4dB3cKJ8YJXAsXJhbU1nnmkQyQwKvgCL1RfxwWqI4d2e6SPJg2qj7wHHd8SQX56z8v0k6nFxostFOHKYKkc9Y353qwCPU/s400/IMG_3813.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368536195290654546" /></a><br />finding the perfect walking stick,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KCvOKN-162kHWr_6a1Lhc8KlRMF0KG9nXayhv7JunUTD6pxl0brb2gu8latkqb9qVF3YwUsnMml0spU5EM_pnxzJ-UkCs1nTeb4tjS2Ooy0MxYWeAbPgw1SxNqWjosoEVRqxZl6Uko4/s1600-h/IMG_3812.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KCvOKN-162kHWr_6a1Lhc8KlRMF0KG9nXayhv7JunUTD6pxl0brb2gu8latkqb9qVF3YwUsnMml0spU5EM_pnxzJ-UkCs1nTeb4tjS2Ooy0MxYWeAbPgw1SxNqWjosoEVRqxZl6Uko4/s400/IMG_3812.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368536189717234210" /></a><br />and discussing the ingenious nature of nature (and in particular, of spit bugs).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4llc-WUQ_A4jZlzH1WxZG8rnZIDVeJ8UZEhdDiu7NawylgiKNuFFlbHm1EVbValpCzgzRdBtsAo_Z0TwO8Ux1PDYqWNAOXoRkxYq1oKBM3mD8qNrgNYEiXrcCdSjBcrE_ZBY9x5nUXo/s1600-h/IMG_3776.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4llc-WUQ_A4jZlzH1WxZG8rnZIDVeJ8UZEhdDiu7NawylgiKNuFFlbHm1EVbValpCzgzRdBtsAo_Z0TwO8Ux1PDYqWNAOXoRkxYq1oKBM3mD8qNrgNYEiXrcCdSjBcrE_ZBY9x5nUXo/s400/IMG_3776.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368536199689174050" /></a><br />And of course, I can share our out-takes-- those family moments that I saved just for here. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2KAlk0t_D9m-YYqd8qXhoYzZvpM6wE1pdMp_sV8im7FqY7UTBWsIUjQq0xfwn_TzoL9SOq5ESoZD9O_KtmwWrdGDag3kOF43wU0vVXtmH41cI9IKx37g137PpkwX7fazmG7mkhXeHZY/s1600-h/IMG_3872.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2KAlk0t_D9m-YYqd8qXhoYzZvpM6wE1pdMp_sV8im7FqY7UTBWsIUjQq0xfwn_TzoL9SOq5ESoZD9O_KtmwWrdGDag3kOF43wU0vVXtmH41cI9IKx37g137PpkwX7fazmG7mkhXeHZY/s400/IMG_3872.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368533931209188962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhlLMrIIO9YiAc4iLXDjp199nos67VfNfLvVi1jX3BKuI9iYa2vPCDYD_i8WXHjIfwWSi5xOPXNeCaWS5bVy0gqXWJpYPWhbE4NerzG_BNu02yKWHLmPnUX4R8z8vgG-gYA-aKDJA6HE/s1600-h/IMG_3528.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhlLMrIIO9YiAc4iLXDjp199nos67VfNfLvVi1jX3BKuI9iYa2vPCDYD_i8WXHjIfwWSi5xOPXNeCaWS5bVy0gqXWJpYPWhbE4NerzG_BNu02yKWHLmPnUX4R8z8vgG-gYA-aKDJA6HE/s400/IMG_3528.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368533925305778930" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfO59arsBiqYzAF0fAyd4HhnjqdaAGBkV3LSHGtDt47_do8DqVEjp861YeAQTUgLoeceS3B_2-eahauJltI9tev463srDy9Gbl37CYFmmh22nyZ3bOKfylFz2KsSUp7MGb-Jx2ZJCrUqE/s1600-h/IMG_3503.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfO59arsBiqYzAF0fAyd4HhnjqdaAGBkV3LSHGtDt47_do8DqVEjp861YeAQTUgLoeceS3B_2-eahauJltI9tev463srDy9Gbl37CYFmmh22nyZ3bOKfylFz2KsSUp7MGb-Jx2ZJCrUqE/s400/IMG_3503.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368533923412178610" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDvWUOalzvwoKxIMDnWG1J0owZYDAvhWlDcyCw_7pcQsJJ2w9QtnQe7lhyH1CAyT5DNtJUJcJGkavrOYfwxgvW8brOvQFFMLqMn7o3T8CBZd_N6CF-FslFhtfkgzvH-ImSAwxCzZJGC8/s1600-h/IMG_3976.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDvWUOalzvwoKxIMDnWG1J0owZYDAvhWlDcyCw_7pcQsJJ2w9QtnQe7lhyH1CAyT5DNtJUJcJGkavrOYfwxgvW8brOvQFFMLqMn7o3T8CBZd_N6CF-FslFhtfkgzvH-ImSAwxCzZJGC8/s400/IMG_3976.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368537450026783058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCD11ACJ9WgK2nKhfsfrS57rRWxNXzvd5v9OP9QwwnMhJStdWi93aFn3DIfbBo0ZCRr3Fx7C7dHjFdl2IuiMhlwAEk5M7qQr_lpkqrfThmuSxGQW8BK_6L_-f0dMusuPt2sU76NFps8w/s1600-h/IMG_3796.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCD11ACJ9WgK2nKhfsfrS57rRWxNXzvd5v9OP9QwwnMhJStdWi93aFn3DIfbBo0ZCRr3Fx7C7dHjFdl2IuiMhlwAEk5M7qQr_lpkqrfThmuSxGQW8BK_6L_-f0dMusuPt2sU76NFps8w/s400/IMG_3796.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368537439325295426" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhSl54hWzWDNvhXkel94FiFWMYOl0NcvJwQbvYjDzGDzxIjuj__IrlpD3rxh143vjNdRb347wWiUx7QEsQZdDw6jdsOLbbmSgQWH5Zigu40BH-SwusqBDNJaEM4ICTqmkYfbm-pegJPI/s1600-h/IMG_3687.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhSl54hWzWDNvhXkel94FiFWMYOl0NcvJwQbvYjDzGDzxIjuj__IrlpD3rxh143vjNdRb347wWiUx7QEsQZdDw6jdsOLbbmSgQWH5Zigu40BH-SwusqBDNJaEM4ICTqmkYfbm-pegJPI/s400/IMG_3687.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368537433853638130" /></a><br /><br />Sometimes, even as a writer, I understand that a picture can say more than a bunch of words. I think that's the case here. I'll let the sweet expressions and never-ending blue waters speak for themselves.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDuaDGOcqGLOhyp0c-jFM6BuVHd-Qtbh-oAYgBbYqC2TJ5RuV5pFaPevMaknw-UxytxKIG62CN-ckm51j3lrfnl8Q9ZOk2GLN-GEKuM3J_V7eNJnWcqUx7VPIbihVRHVCGun260S0XQk/s1600-h/IMG_3769.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDuaDGOcqGLOhyp0c-jFM6BuVHd-Qtbh-oAYgBbYqC2TJ5RuV5pFaPevMaknw-UxytxKIG62CN-ckm51j3lrfnl8Q9ZOk2GLN-GEKuM3J_V7eNJnWcqUx7VPIbihVRHVCGun260S0XQk/s400/IMG_3769.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368534416780114882" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6UIN7QhWtBY1ZATiGwUaQ7cpm20otLBjxE7z5dXEZSE1U7116GiIkiLa8SmdI8dGtVIwSMrNexjs3XIungm4PhBM3rDy_P3znb47FTUMN1b0phetm5L6c2Z6YHCRhWKd0GoRrwvSJ-k/s1600-h/IMG_3755.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6UIN7QhWtBY1ZATiGwUaQ7cpm20otLBjxE7z5dXEZSE1U7116GiIkiLa8SmdI8dGtVIwSMrNexjs3XIungm4PhBM3rDy_P3znb47FTUMN1b0phetm5L6c2Z6YHCRhWKd0GoRrwvSJ-k/s400/IMG_3755.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368534409479572594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAP07DGRpietqRhuQvqaa2NpBBBij3s7yBPajk4beA0VQwscxiNyQnN5DgAoYYH6qwQwlMH9ClcaeKLi8ll3UKkkGsZBVXdK-SjODV9WcQ0IeD3cCKwohKIbF_WeHd0w_4MZG4qjll28/s1600-h/IMG_3749.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAP07DGRpietqRhuQvqaa2NpBBBij3s7yBPajk4beA0VQwscxiNyQnN5DgAoYYH6qwQwlMH9ClcaeKLi8ll3UKkkGsZBVXdK-SjODV9WcQ0IeD3cCKwohKIbF_WeHd0w_4MZG4qjll28/s400/IMG_3749.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368534404510601826" /></a><br />Our last night was spent anchored in the middle of a quieting harbor.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbqvcShyGLS2ljYPC_HQSp0RPt1Yhh2l4IDFTVEbLhMKFonevT5X2YSaIyH16ZT1HK4kY8LKPcMPDy20bf53FuxWAkRlEZ4YesAB9tR0nNBWOnp8B8SEsrqwFW13-DuuV3phDhcFjvco/s1600-h/IMG_3973.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbqvcShyGLS2ljYPC_HQSp0RPt1Yhh2l4IDFTVEbLhMKFonevT5X2YSaIyH16ZT1HK4kY8LKPcMPDy20bf53FuxWAkRlEZ4YesAB9tR0nNBWOnp8B8SEsrqwFW13-DuuV3phDhcFjvco/s400/IMG_3973.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368534865017185010" /></a><br />Port side facing the thick pines on shore, bow pointed at the horizon created by lake meeting sky, the five of us sat, still, and comfortable, together. The sun was setting in both places, water and air, blue, gray, orange, pink, and yellow bleeding into each other and rippling around us. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0DgxuKbdwgXgdwJvDNKt1XsEgxYsJ_DmJJe_LXI388mAHmPR7BXasm5eqJW6PvfhP7xok7X0ItyL-ztrnhMqhB3YDhlW_Fq1HEPJbZlTOLjKw0FmqOlwafepecNU4Fuu2RD1Rxl00WY/s1600-h/IMG_3878.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0DgxuKbdwgXgdwJvDNKt1XsEgxYsJ_DmJJe_LXI388mAHmPR7BXasm5eqJW6PvfhP7xok7X0ItyL-ztrnhMqhB3YDhlW_Fq1HEPJbZlTOLjKw0FmqOlwafepecNU4Fuu2RD1Rxl00WY/s400/IMG_3878.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368535137569078162" /></a><br />Soon, it was just four of us. The baby asleep, the boys and I hunkered below together, sharing a bed and sharing blankets, as I read to them from Grayson, a lovely little book about a girl, a baby whale, and well, so much more. As the boys began nodding off, I tuned in to the sounds of the lake lapping against the boat's hull. There was something about the noise-- about its closeness-- that humbled me. I crept up the small set of stairs alone, where I was able to catch the moon rising. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlew8rta80hnPuCV80iHSZFFRud6S4-T31wIzxFlH6eu5WbvPcCeSbAJ8IOCxbBA2L7BanyoVTxHDdJ4TXVVi4CC6hl0BhF8To0rRE6bq3WvHv9Zp8K2mHsDtlp8CT9S2za_8UhYxIZo0/s1600-h/IMG_3925.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlew8rta80hnPuCV80iHSZFFRud6S4-T31wIzxFlH6eu5WbvPcCeSbAJ8IOCxbBA2L7BanyoVTxHDdJ4TXVVi4CC6hl0BhF8To0rRE6bq3WvHv9Zp8K2mHsDtlp8CT9S2za_8UhYxIZo0/s400/IMG_3925.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368537619380619602" /></a><br />The moon and its reflection. Really, need I say more?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Okay, all....on to the not-so-big announcements. <br />1) We are-- after a panic-attack-induced-but-great-year-at-our-public-school-- returning to the rhythm and life of a homeschooling family. And I'm so looking forward to sharing that journey, and our way of learning, in this space.<br />2) Speaking of this space:: it is going to change come September. I'll be moving to a new blog format, one that I think will feel just right for our growing experiment of choosing joy, living with purpose, and learning together (and I say together, because certain family members will, on occasion, take my place-- adding, a new and appreciated dimension to this little world). <br />3) Gearing up for that change, I will be around these parts a whole lot more. And once September hits? You'll find me here everyday. Yup, every. single. day (a new post up each morning, by 9 a.m., to be precise). I do so hope you'll follow me on this new adventure.<br /></span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02408630005976395741noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839383598213046632.post-2579965959371160282009-08-09T20:09:00.000-07:002009-08-09T20:29:53.681-07:00In this moment:: weekend nineI have so much to tell you, but it is late and we're fighting the sicks over here and I want to be forming coherent sentences when I put my fingers on the keyboard. So really, this is just to say we've returned from vacation (not to be confused with staycation)...a week spent on Lake Michigan, getting reacquainted with its beautiful, messy nature, and in the process, with each other as well. So this weekend, my <span style="font-weight:bold;">in this moment</span> is simple::<br /><br />I am:: ever so very grateful for these people and these moments. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycRy8sbUfzJrPtK7G4lRLqIJNoTGsp9dFDna2ClvBqW_2kbzTNGzfd7WHFtAv8lczCcA9ZhRiDhk2LqlXkbtcI7T7VJcuRVKiF-Xw33ptIzlTa-f2m87ClF5rYHfssVMzimvpYsfLVV0/s1600-h/IMG_3823.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycRy8sbUfzJrPtK7G4lRLqIJNoTGsp9dFDna2ClvBqW_2kbzTNGzfd7WHFtAv8lczCcA9ZhRiDhk2LqlXkbtcI7T7VJcuRVKiF-Xw33ptIzlTa-f2m87ClF5rYHfssVMzimvpYsfLVV0/s400/IMG_3823.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368170024752904162" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF81yO_widcITva8GQIr8bupBN8lcZCWOL3jwWs0VmQI3_hpEbEF2vo5tPXLStOXNAjjGl2_6Ng8L9vLxarN10CDW1oL6ZVLb_bJvg4yhG2HhXl7Ec45UZXGRLhX8CzFmWS3NrliA4_FE/s1600-h/IMG_3450.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF81yO_widcITva8GQIr8bupBN8lcZCWOL3jwWs0VmQI3_hpEbEF2vo5tPXLStOXNAjjGl2_6Ng8L9vLxarN10CDW1oL6ZVLb_bJvg4yhG2HhXl7Ec45UZXGRLhX8CzFmWS3NrliA4_FE/s400/IMG_3450.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368170023580551842" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOIjzjfKedtaWL9-rthee_g5xLSWychrSydrz1dGCHNXF1TUux-aKmb0TNRG1kw2zyFofa8RxSGtudVnBQBzf7FO-L0jnbgOrF9oVUZDOP2F3RdW1Hz-xf83yF-xFJ3hwml_-MY8JSIc/s1600-h/IMG_3962.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOIjzjfKedtaWL9-rthee_g5xLSWychrSydrz1dGCHNXF1TUux-aKmb0TNRG1kw2zyFofa8RxSGtudVnBQBzf7FO-L0jnbgOrF9oVUZDOP2F3RdW1Hz-xf83yF-xFJ3hwml_-MY8JSIc/s400/IMG_3962.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368170017680449794" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7wZJnDI93S_oVRzDp85H9mwHvzbrYehboxDzSvXVjrFY1IWXprhA_-cBeNgslQQxUy7P7-Fe-C2S0FXyqlhcGjXh-kpRJ0plpnh1gnr7VTJHegBOhYlMpS3KwovHFbv937uRHNhMOmI/s1600-h/IMG_3478.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7wZJnDI93S_oVRzDp85H9mwHvzbrYehboxDzSvXVjrFY1IWXprhA_-cBeNgslQQxUy7P7-Fe-C2S0FXyqlhcGjXh-kpRJ0plpnh1gnr7VTJHegBOhYlMpS3KwovHFbv937uRHNhMOmI/s400/IMG_3478.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368170014538053394" /></a><br /><br />And I'll be back, tomorrow-ish, with some big announcements, and plenty of words.Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02408630005976395741noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839383598213046632.post-26281444031054869562009-07-21T18:59:00.000-07:002009-07-27T20:26:35.655-07:00in this moment:: weekend eight (or nine...I've been slacking)<span style="font-weight:bold;">In this moment::<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />I am:: spending a lot of time in our rocking chair. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJCID1RF4qCg5XHWir97o-eOGiPo69UKVg5HyK6xLOCLzI_U4ULzicZSOvn-bWafa8N_-CFIvIL70A16N60h5fZKk8z_dj0FhUeZqr_wwJcSTfChAAbINlGjdvq6RgwhI8f8ehoMaXLM/s1600-h/IMG_2914.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJCID1RF4qCg5XHWir97o-eOGiPo69UKVg5HyK6xLOCLzI_U4ULzicZSOvn-bWafa8N_-CFIvIL70A16N60h5fZKk8z_dj0FhUeZqr_wwJcSTfChAAbINlGjdvq6RgwhI8f8ehoMaXLM/s400/IMG_2914.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363344097262414418" /></a><br />I am:: trying to soak up the simple pleasures of summer, like reading outside in a warm breeze<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3SawPCEy8uwOrfHnqKfv74T4bQb1xXUEEt3q-Ct2-Ocp7knddrKYEYsW0AeNWTLUMQwWSPacE5fu22DYh6HP5qfWNwg1vty2O8mFQnxHM3cpW9K2jwG18NvB5T69QM65tESsTJOsGAxU/s1600-h/IMG_2906.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3SawPCEy8uwOrfHnqKfv74T4bQb1xXUEEt3q-Ct2-Ocp7knddrKYEYsW0AeNWTLUMQwWSPacE5fu22DYh6HP5qfWNwg1vty2O8mFQnxHM3cpW9K2jwG18NvB5T69QM65tESsTJOsGAxU/s400/IMG_2906.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363344110924448818" /></a><br />and taking time to notice the beauty of bubbles that climb the stems of pansies in glass<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmv5dYs-wbfKf6SR_Z7vtZp2lt1cpHLUkI2A0KCOB7NuuOoNxw9ZSK2vuAdTgFQMMRA7MMle5SjvE0i0U_nT5JQMH4i6rkT9pwOJLzUVL_2ZgT8dehtmYRMO_FuEiR5wAt9nOoUdNRhQs/s1600-h/IMG_2908.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmv5dYs-wbfKf6SR_Z7vtZp2lt1cpHLUkI2A0KCOB7NuuOoNxw9ZSK2vuAdTgFQMMRA7MMle5SjvE0i0U_nT5JQMH4i6rkT9pwOJLzUVL_2ZgT8dehtmYRMO_FuEiR5wAt9nOoUdNRhQs/s400/IMG_2908.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363344092251198802" /></a><br />and watching my children watch the rain come down.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxNDzonA-nImrbbic9rt4AXj-my0fEleAfARHE-9qmJ40-WLZltOOiQ8cfnaflyGNfLSHKZL_QS0eWgawGEY2uKTvQeOB_Cf1sev6Er7utHd8SkDcLI4lZ-P-Iecqmbw5SpOTRvrJKes/s1600-h/IMG_3194.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxNDzonA-nImrbbic9rt4AXj-my0fEleAfARHE-9qmJ40-WLZltOOiQ8cfnaflyGNfLSHKZL_QS0eWgawGEY2uKTvQeOB_Cf1sev6Er7utHd8SkDcLI4lZ-P-Iecqmbw5SpOTRvrJKes/s400/IMG_3194.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363341923019720450" /></a><br />I am:: all about the mini dress. Because, well, just look!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFOPgVfhEwENvdwBGF_C2Zt9PvbepjROzkMv2nU03dMzb1e39Vpb5bxB9sFWMme84AwXC9oi5sOmJdCUtJZjxJSk-xijHHOjFJ88KusdUx36v6L70hQF0xQFHlXmv_sW9L5gFuLhUIwo/s1600-h/IMG_2623.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFOPgVfhEwENvdwBGF_C2Zt9PvbepjROzkMv2nU03dMzb1e39Vpb5bxB9sFWMme84AwXC9oi5sOmJdCUtJZjxJSk-xijHHOjFJ88KusdUx36v6L70hQF0xQFHlXmv_sW9L5gFuLhUIwo/s400/IMG_2623.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363345708980030274" /></a><br />I am:: grateful for the abilities Noah and Max and Lizzie have for reminding me how to play. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDdMxlBJCQ10Wccz_8-rFy9AMGUyLts-OjsgYL6YaAPbb7psmvgUfIoeeyhHeRi5lelSFKl5Lc48ux6w1H-KMV_Y3o0JZlaT4gBDu7Nu_sr7ETWAbgaLStu5inQs9WE7u1OHEb3x_btk/s1600-h/IMG_3273.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDdMxlBJCQ10Wccz_8-rFy9AMGUyLts-OjsgYL6YaAPbb7psmvgUfIoeeyhHeRi5lelSFKl5Lc48ux6w1H-KMV_Y3o0JZlaT4gBDu7Nu_sr7ETWAbgaLStu5inQs9WE7u1OHEb3x_btk/s400/IMG_3273.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363341943512027730" /></a><br />I am:: amazed that it is almost August.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWGoq-l_b29fDccaXLdnQjRivzuKp4idIKIyGKNKPjcKk4YX10geES9lVvq_e7vSO3qJUPFNVGB7SRozpOEXPwLEcvXMUTajD0WnWalu1WjgDHELUsoBqrlNtoBdNCWA0AaV0eFtRHKY/s1600-h/IMG_3161.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWGoq-l_b29fDccaXLdnQjRivzuKp4idIKIyGKNKPjcKk4YX10geES9lVvq_e7vSO3qJUPFNVGB7SRozpOEXPwLEcvXMUTajD0WnWalu1WjgDHELUsoBqrlNtoBdNCWA0AaV0eFtRHKY/s400/IMG_3161.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363341922119758338" /></a><br />I keep coming back to this awareness or understanding or prayer, this knowing of life gliding by so quickly. Because of that, we must be willing to stop and notice-- no, more than notice-- to stop and breath deeply and appreciate the simple and lovely, like the dance of wind on a blade of grass.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNkc189IYswSRXmZxOek5Xhj97GfN86SG6f9_tsQrmGtidAhAbbfvLGWDm9g_usmSYNl8GNgcFqmu_uunjUzXyGjzHIGaRCJjXKSm-YxwfNbh3gM2nLP2g6oONkAemv355fwWSo4NnMY/s1600-h/IMG_3253.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNkc189IYswSRXmZxOek5Xhj97GfN86SG6f9_tsQrmGtidAhAbbfvLGWDm9g_usmSYNl8GNgcFqmu_uunjUzXyGjzHIGaRCJjXKSm-YxwfNbh3gM2nLP2g6oONkAemv355fwWSo4NnMY/s400/IMG_3253.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363341933735360066" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02408630005976395741noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839383598213046632.post-6846923988151683322009-07-21T18:41:00.000-07:002009-07-21T19:18:56.712-07:00Saying goodbyeA few nights ago, I sat at the edge of Noah's bottom bunk. His sheet was curled around him, a shroud covering even his head. He was so still, like he was already asleep. I waited, listening to sounds outside; the slow buzz of a bee at dusk, the building winds whispering rumors of a storm sitting somewhere on Lake Michigan; a motorcycle revving miles away. I waited, because I knew at some point the rock still lump beneath the sheet would give itself away. There would be a shudder or a swallowed onset of tears.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqA6ziquH6cSyzLbga3rzZz2M2AsFotyWHldrWImVsT5mCqkei1xqPOY-H3A46gfZ8ZN_BYjH7R_-c47aYNwEqh6si1g3YiZhikTsahvU3OLjMRVnF701YGrE9xyNzqB-KaFTZFbA7L8/s1600-h/IMG_2330.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqA6ziquH6cSyzLbga3rzZz2M2AsFotyWHldrWImVsT5mCqkei1xqPOY-H3A46gfZ8ZN_BYjH7R_-c47aYNwEqh6si1g3YiZhikTsahvU3OLjMRVnF701YGrE9xyNzqB-KaFTZFbA7L8/s400/IMG_2330.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361100546989648210" /></a><br /><br />One of Noah's best friends moved away on Sunday. And by away, I mean a distant island called Unalaska, in Alaska.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSQbjAl1TizKknPifmQY9DJdWHkRB8SNE7ZwqnICbsJe_Xf_Hevsq5H9Jth8-mEy_i2-iJNJO03AHz2ABBTXfsAb4QsOAJ6CByLB0Um5kVhmnDryrCpfx336941uvg3IpsoZN_tXs0mY/s1600-h/image1_650.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSQbjAl1TizKknPifmQY9DJdWHkRB8SNE7ZwqnICbsJe_Xf_Hevsq5H9Jth8-mEy_i2-iJNJO03AHz2ABBTXfsAb4QsOAJ6CByLB0Um5kVhmnDryrCpfx336941uvg3IpsoZN_tXs0mY/s400/image1_650.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361103220213634610" /></a><br /> Google it-- distant is probably an understatement.<br /><br />We did the sleepovers and the as-much-time-as-possible play-dates in the weeks leading up to Liam's departure. We did the reminders of emails and skype accounts and summer-time visits. We even got a blank book out and had them start writing a story together, to be mailed across the miles and written in by each of their hands. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCE7bkvRtOIqkpVFtkNVCa4Rb1FPQfAdmEzTeiTk48YnMiuBuy7YPSBdFvaHflSB7nXv2YvLRp0l5pEvHPx26GjVSCI9WsDO529V6r6IpjG2Y3X2OBqeHy_ZeAmGFvYm4ZY7648T5cgEM/s1600-h/IMG_3010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCE7bkvRtOIqkpVFtkNVCa4Rb1FPQfAdmEzTeiTk48YnMiuBuy7YPSBdFvaHflSB7nXv2YvLRp0l5pEvHPx26GjVSCI9WsDO529V6r6IpjG2Y3X2OBqeHy_ZeAmGFvYm4ZY7648T5cgEM/s400/IMG_3010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361100554441385634" /></a><br />Still, the first time you have to say goodbye to someone so important is never easy. <br /><br />Slowly, the sheets began to rustle. My boy's sandy blonde head appeared, tears welling in his eyes.<br /><br />"I miss him already," was all he said.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mmuRU-K5GeIE39LraFAhhFXsYEnTWNkZaubRYm8uQTJlZbuQlNbm1Dd-1hBilRIG2GYEjlyQKXCQ1SvLzI8x6pA_etTo5ut8MqAAV-XNF7PTnmWW7f622KCJmbIhPcEC3qOg_0A1MPg/s1600-h/IMG_3121.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mmuRU-K5GeIE39LraFAhhFXsYEnTWNkZaubRYm8uQTJlZbuQlNbm1Dd-1hBilRIG2GYEjlyQKXCQ1SvLzI8x6pA_etTo5ut8MqAAV-XNF7PTnmWW7f622KCJmbIhPcEC3qOg_0A1MPg/s400/IMG_3121.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361100561494454418" /></a><br />Curling up beside my firstborn, I tucked his head beneath my chin and sighed.<br /><br />I said nothing. I just tried to get our breathing in sync, a trick I learned was so calming to him as a baby. His legs stretched so far down the bed our toes almost touched. I realized just how big he was getting. I realized how soon I might be grieving miles of separation with those I am raising to go their own way. And I tried my hardest to let those thoughts pass with the billowing clouds outside. I tried to go back to our breaths, to be there in a way that said nothing, and everything.<br /><br />Because sometimes, it is the silence we need the most.Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02408630005976395741noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839383598213046632.post-87113978930806855202009-07-15T14:40:00.000-07:002009-07-15T20:51:53.453-07:00Upon ReturningToday, Max and Lizzie both curled up with me-- one on each leg-- and rocked on the front porch. The air smelled like rain and felt like the after steam of a good bath. Weighty clouds hung lazy in the air as pockets of blue began opening around them. <br /><br />We were waiting for Noah to return from sailing and stretching the post-nap wake-ups with the rhythm of the chair and the sound of its rocking against the wood boards beneath us.<br /><br />It was quiet. It was unhurried. It was just enough time for me to listen to both children, their breaths and slight sighs. I noticed the way Max's legs nearly reached the ground as they dangled over mine. I smiled at how Lizzie's hair was indistinguishable from my own. We rocked and we watched the world without a place to go or a thing to do.<br /><br />And that, my friends, has been our motto these last few weeks. <br /><br />Where I live, the Fourth of July draws more folks into town than any other time in the year. We have parades and art fairs, huge fireworks and lots of friends from afar in town. It is a non-stop party, for the kids and adults alike, and by around July 7, we all very nearly fall apart. <br /><br />So we go on stay-cation. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn16Nx1S2hXpYyxrGTiadJws1NEClsNSqTRFmgGCCX311G22l-RFifbYv5FOrIDgSYIxLJM0zIl5ce-F5keuyDqkbDYkiKnaPhq7CwWPNtxTzxJ_z9p_GkDyfA4dZZevbguJAc17ZuMqc/s1600-h/IMG_2730.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn16Nx1S2hXpYyxrGTiadJws1NEClsNSqTRFmgGCCX311G22l-RFifbYv5FOrIDgSYIxLJM0zIl5ce-F5keuyDqkbDYkiKnaPhq7CwWPNtxTzxJ_z9p_GkDyfA4dZZevbguJAc17ZuMqc/s400/IMG_2730.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358894150168202162" /></a><br /><br />We hunker down, we hang out, we make last minute plans and plenty of trips to the beach. The laundry piles up and then dwindles down. The dishes get done in the morning, maybe. We eat with friends and we let bed time roll around when it seems right-- which sometimes means 7:30 and sometimes borders on 10 p.m.. For me, this deviation from routine can be tricky. I've been known to fret about what it says about my mothering or my ability to stick to the rules. <br /><br />And then it only takes on evening of flipping through photos from the last few weeks to realize that these are the moments that are defining our lives. Little laughs and late nights, quiet glasses of wine on the porch and noise-filled evenings with friends-- this is the stuff of being, the joy of raising a family.<br /><br />Just take a look:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMedqPa7XdmndnD2OKQ6u0p0fu53u9h-rKDyyirKI3ZDy5CLKa_OgqtF-wJ_wZ65F5GU_bwfuWXXhKu8zeyaL8AA1oLMomzL8lBwMVZJNKyKBZkNEq7R7AFxLokTDkkc1Zi2079jih_iU/s1600-h/IMG_2901.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMedqPa7XdmndnD2OKQ6u0p0fu53u9h-rKDyyirKI3ZDy5CLKa_OgqtF-wJ_wZ65F5GU_bwfuWXXhKu8zeyaL8AA1oLMomzL8lBwMVZJNKyKBZkNEq7R7AFxLokTDkkc1Zi2079jih_iU/s400/IMG_2901.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358894632396980162" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcdDfNVii71Q9Lgp4m_BUp6rFmqveFvxluDaNjFxCSg7GYY4JtE5bnEqoHvwd-phn3sKCk1MCwAhokVS4BTvYnFEPl45hPt0NaYBUost5u1b125r0PifJSWfCt1m5rgINXxUQj_wCAn8/s1600-h/IMG_2441.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcdDfNVii71Q9Lgp4m_BUp6rFmqveFvxluDaNjFxCSg7GYY4JtE5bnEqoHvwd-phn3sKCk1MCwAhokVS4BTvYnFEPl45hPt0NaYBUost5u1b125r0PifJSWfCt1m5rgINXxUQj_wCAn8/s400/IMG_2441.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358885907828790098" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBmgPgWJYdLic6Z-pDtnoRNmMmxKf_bLSw0PctqLr-A2oX2AotkMnCIZESQRN-tNSKp7uHSY-0UbOKnVD-1f0JYn-DbJ1q9hQeSSaOMMkHsvZcPl334yUBDr2n_QvA3GDW-4PtxqdudI/s1600-h/IMG_2701.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBmgPgWJYdLic6Z-pDtnoRNmMmxKf_bLSw0PctqLr-A2oX2AotkMnCIZESQRN-tNSKp7uHSY-0UbOKnVD-1f0JYn-DbJ1q9hQeSSaOMMkHsvZcPl334yUBDr2n_QvA3GDW-4PtxqdudI/s400/IMG_2701.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358885955078726514" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAr63ai9ELfnqvUgIzpB8hUbz01vA2RZXbC6Q3KTpU4fss6V2NcxX4Y5yNImfJ_Vld6-68pn66tMPL0OtFnZC6SqlyzLPylx5IzHtfyLjaBm1-SYoLQvc7f8UHxmSKQcWkPD0eC1pudU/s1600-h/IMG_2716.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAr63ai9ELfnqvUgIzpB8hUbz01vA2RZXbC6Q3KTpU4fss6V2NcxX4Y5yNImfJ_Vld6-68pn66tMPL0OtFnZC6SqlyzLPylx5IzHtfyLjaBm1-SYoLQvc7f8UHxmSKQcWkPD0eC1pudU/s400/IMG_2716.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358892490568518546" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEoZh_0pJHZytPQAFydry-Hz2hjyhd0tSy12ey8wd3m-BtPR2VqasYGncVyf0ZRjaTwTWdVgMt_jjKANDvIXhTRvwgFMV-fiS9v62npRoOLGR0MQnuHyemYAAosfAyIOB1zPRsmBZygY/s1600-h/IMG_2379.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEoZh_0pJHZytPQAFydry-Hz2hjyhd0tSy12ey8wd3m-BtPR2VqasYGncVyf0ZRjaTwTWdVgMt_jjKANDvIXhTRvwgFMV-fiS9v62npRoOLGR0MQnuHyemYAAosfAyIOB1zPRsmBZygY/s400/IMG_2379.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358897306183731906" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGb-SUQtMJPOh81-YlMw5OXtwRd7eBD-fnsMuLq-LzA4QjoStmKc1AZdl6LlRsmbCk5rWNRfkSTWKrFiVDHx1e28hOP5I-bFbZC3dLY3bvqFY67O4nn6oab7-Pj3t3GQMcKBUzuZOyhJY/s1600-h/IMG_2526.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGb-SUQtMJPOh81-YlMw5OXtwRd7eBD-fnsMuLq-LzA4QjoStmKc1AZdl6LlRsmbCk5rWNRfkSTWKrFiVDHx1e28hOP5I-bFbZC3dLY3bvqFY67O4nn6oab7-Pj3t3GQMcKBUzuZOyhJY/s400/IMG_2526.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358897301406655794" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UUZal70HWDGjUQKutgeYqXT_bFSwx89ROYY_MLWBaheNEYRZ5QF6S6zWwyijmxyE6rklWroPAAlU4N5sRjI2Y57f9uqMv5Hdb2OUQQj7V42iolDuJM2XyIGIlCARSkqbiFozKgQiP5c/s1600-h/IMG_2738.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UUZal70HWDGjUQKutgeYqXT_bFSwx89ROYY_MLWBaheNEYRZ5QF6S6zWwyijmxyE6rklWroPAAlU4N5sRjI2Y57f9uqMv5Hdb2OUQQj7V42iolDuJM2XyIGIlCARSkqbiFozKgQiP5c/s400/IMG_2738.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358897290630613362" /></a><br /><br />These pictures make me realize that my children are so in-tune with stay-cation rhythms. They know when to speed up.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6p0S-UdfYqCv83zc6up-9Vg5Y1JbjoMvN1rucRSI5cgm_DKhu2LqtoL1o3WZ-zDEii3eqv1X4vLknCSzy1HNYwEe74Nk7gpwyIPFy-eZA3CuxVWCRgeftcyHmy-KTCJpA-aRNoOR5YzQ/s1600-h/IMG_2680.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6p0S-UdfYqCv83zc6up-9Vg5Y1JbjoMvN1rucRSI5cgm_DKhu2LqtoL1o3WZ-zDEii3eqv1X4vLknCSzy1HNYwEe74Nk7gpwyIPFy-eZA3CuxVWCRgeftcyHmy-KTCJpA-aRNoOR5YzQ/s400/IMG_2680.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358885941495959170" /></a><br />They know when to slow down. Um, okay, that might be a stretch.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cLNnQmVUXZXk46Nj-akkoHW_61knZ8Cq_hgt-ZvxVi-3xHHZOj9GdJSL5Mu3FeSgw7iilzhJTKAG0r44-oAPZ2IuqOajzVcRHLZQ15XgfVyk16ehEGpF4iPvH7p-LFtSlT8IFzLrT-g/s1600-h/IMG_2718.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cLNnQmVUXZXk46Nj-akkoHW_61knZ8Cq_hgt-ZvxVi-3xHHZOj9GdJSL5Mu3FeSgw7iilzhJTKAG0r44-oAPZ2IuqOajzVcRHLZQ15XgfVyk16ehEGpF4iPvH7p-LFtSlT8IFzLrT-g/s400/IMG_2718.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358893221102626850" /></a><br />They know when to go wild (as in, bumper cars a-la cozy coupe action) <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjsocAOyfVR8lARRyICos9fptq2TJW_SKYZFtvjkEaWuMEdFt7lqXmvgnSfW8SM-Eimid21srrLud6D1HGVznKKHhuOUWM3jL8asHlDMGvWrTwOPuHpVOFXmhuy1I9vIYR-ws-_LuSS4/s1600-h/IMG_2822.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjsocAOyfVR8lARRyICos9fptq2TJW_SKYZFtvjkEaWuMEdFt7lqXmvgnSfW8SM-Eimid21srrLud6D1HGVznKKHhuOUWM3jL8asHlDMGvWrTwOPuHpVOFXmhuy1I9vIYR-ws-_LuSS4/s400/IMG_2822.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358895121048668770" /></a><br />and when to hang out with a board game or a book.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaP-yB4dBjy3LImCd2oFiR7nOTdGl9_rR6oZhOlc2enO33jAS1e3eGyTaX2BMnDEdt0SjtVkauVWxVRcflXhlRirATTYzvCs89TObh-o_A8j0SeI7uTNlOjj1q50zEoAw78wNYCs2cEzM/s1600-h/IMG_2590.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaP-yB4dBjy3LImCd2oFiR7nOTdGl9_rR6oZhOlc2enO33jAS1e3eGyTaX2BMnDEdt0SjtVkauVWxVRcflXhlRirATTYzvCs89TObh-o_A8j0SeI7uTNlOjj1q50zEoAw78wNYCs2cEzM/s400/IMG_2590.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358885931990859698" /></a><br />Nothing stands in the way of them living in the moment and they remind me of the bliss that comes with doing the same.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5ch2t_ziTZvxA0pPzETehj5OU642ZpEijitjadmTIc28jbB0SF1hnWu8e2936TSUcFy_ZI_XpT6FTKSai1Zrj2VVzHXhq6NP0tqEW8Sa8bsA_7ar8-rBfT0aDSa2pfiJCTO3qZdv0a4/s1600-h/IMG_2619.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5ch2t_ziTZvxA0pPzETehj5OU642ZpEijitjadmTIc28jbB0SF1hnWu8e2936TSUcFy_ZI_XpT6FTKSai1Zrj2VVzHXhq6NP0tqEW8Sa8bsA_7ar8-rBfT0aDSa2pfiJCTO3qZdv0a4/s400/IMG_2619.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358885933614937746" /></a><br />It makes you smile, doesn't it? It makes me celebrate the choices we make, big and small, that allow us to live in this place. It makes me look forward to what tomorrow will bring-- but more importantly-- it makes me soak in right now (<span style="font-style:italic;">soaked is a very literal term, as I've just returned from dinner via a friend's boat and am truly sopping wet. to. the. core. Presently am ringing out my ponytail. Thank you, Lake Michigan).</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjj9gQHD49S6R3x59u5EAXa5xm5QEfOrYXsOcEqGDkjKJHGB8RXkBMm7QKBJLNjzC4_z-jyqGmFNyPVuSciWp8dVGdYCcSY3VRqBVDwN6s5saTXZGeXywZ6Qll7SfINT0xt0ZBosGz34A/s1600-h/Photo+1037.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjj9gQHD49S6R3x59u5EAXa5xm5QEfOrYXsOcEqGDkjKJHGB8RXkBMm7QKBJLNjzC4_z-jyqGmFNyPVuSciWp8dVGdYCcSY3VRqBVDwN6s5saTXZGeXywZ6Qll7SfINT0xt0ZBosGz34A/s400/Photo+1037.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358898339598280850" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02408630005976395741noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839383598213046632.post-4770254417060560542009-06-28T14:56:00.000-07:002009-06-28T20:01:53.333-07:00In this moment:: weekend seven<span style="font-weight:bold;">In this moment<br /></span><br />I am:: finally finding the rhythm of summer. And it involves a lot of this<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNCzXht2cN2bZJBbaGsnuo4Y83K0q_aVY0uCL4qZcKRO_DK5pAFkqOMt0ZhW3jhJtfRRu0QhKTbBW9WXlqu0nlhMAE_QwCyXVOICjQ7d0kAzZufpKDXMS11NP0ZJ6IIUKiDx8NNezBpg/s1600-h/IMG_2260.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNCzXht2cN2bZJBbaGsnuo4Y83K0q_aVY0uCL4qZcKRO_DK5pAFkqOMt0ZhW3jhJtfRRu0QhKTbBW9WXlqu0nlhMAE_QwCyXVOICjQ7d0kAzZufpKDXMS11NP0ZJ6IIUKiDx8NNezBpg/s400/IMG_2260.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352509550076422674" /></a><br />and this<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hKjHxUza6xg1ikhNLk1feVddbM709DPSbEGp85iInmlA4L2c6NOURcA3mBVzytJNLkyUvZ4jJGGnTTEsHAN6cDBKe46ducedAnlUXIAoEXBkpfPzfDhpuccVpO2oRYrVBMemx3JZzVw/s1600-h/IMG_2418.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hKjHxUza6xg1ikhNLk1feVddbM709DPSbEGp85iInmlA4L2c6NOURcA3mBVzytJNLkyUvZ4jJGGnTTEsHAN6cDBKe46ducedAnlUXIAoEXBkpfPzfDhpuccVpO2oRYrVBMemx3JZzVw/s400/IMG_2418.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352575947837661954" /></a><br />and, of course, this.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif90rY66RdJYIV3NXyRx3PG7p1qHYK_nrC9BpiehIH8r2DO-4iGr-dOSRlY2_FlxmqeJWk9qeG3OzEHGBCobUILKNkSiT4tNuilrQTg-nx2OrcTTCfQGs2xOCqBPO2V9WVXV4iqReHtUU/s1600-h/IMG_2324.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif90rY66RdJYIV3NXyRx3PG7p1qHYK_nrC9BpiehIH8r2DO-4iGr-dOSRlY2_FlxmqeJWk9qeG3OzEHGBCobUILKNkSiT4tNuilrQTg-nx2OrcTTCfQGs2xOCqBPO2V9WVXV4iqReHtUU/s400/IMG_2324.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352509555368657522" /></a><br />I am:: still smiling about a week spent with friends, new and old and in between. Dinners and play dates, girls nights and coffee breaks. Also, am realizing I don't talk and shoot pictures very well, which is why I have no options to illustrate my point.<br /><br />I am:: loving the morning-till-night hours spent playing outside that make falling asleep, mid-book, on the couch, a daily event. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rcwr3ukQcpSluApxkHDCnKxMDlS_Lcd4RS6WeUGeFIk70ihOPYHpndwCz22gtQ2bTbICp2tPGdJwnM1PcarxjVBvq1wDFRDbLonkh-lK7zv93B4okM3RFYbU078GV3SV0uztmqCx9So/s1600-h/IMG_2359.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rcwr3ukQcpSluApxkHDCnKxMDlS_Lcd4RS6WeUGeFIk70ihOPYHpndwCz22gtQ2bTbICp2tPGdJwnM1PcarxjVBvq1wDFRDbLonkh-lK7zv93B4okM3RFYbU078GV3SV0uztmqCx9So/s400/IMG_2359.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352511993412632162" /></a><br /><br />I am:: probably gaining five pounds a week from eating ice cream cones. But when you live in a town where it is normal to see kids eat ice cream in their pajamas-- on Main Street-- well, it just. can't. be. helped.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAA36Ex43H3grZqu6yvhkjqyn2x5jAe6g7X3-6U69YgQ4vWaxEIR26kHVbwnqT3ckRp3n91g9e3qSTCaQyov59BTgqMQyUxJy_FRyfp_fjG5ZPr-MlcUsXIIEwUC6rus83UiMC7ZUMyG8/s1600-h/IMG_6895.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAA36Ex43H3grZqu6yvhkjqyn2x5jAe6g7X3-6U69YgQ4vWaxEIR26kHVbwnqT3ckRp3n91g9e3qSTCaQyov59BTgqMQyUxJy_FRyfp_fjG5ZPr-MlcUsXIIEwUC6rus83UiMC7ZUMyG8/s400/IMG_6895.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352512012029311218" /></a><br /><br />I am:: remembering to be awed by the fact that this is my life. While there are reasons to think about leaving-- jobs, lower costs of living, less seasonally-driven work-- the fact remains: we are still here. We choose this place because of the way we become extensions of water, woods, fields, beaches. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNG0YPal-hmeve1sjfy0MeD0jbfuZcFGEEFievg0UnKOgQB84_LJ33qElgKeYVDvKZMtwHzJKTN41VM8uSpGuZdUmw7t6a5OD58mQO2f0OFpUAQxWuB4FxsJwxTnk4cFovlh4fC23BPQ/s1600-h/IMG_6887.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNG0YPal-hmeve1sjfy0MeD0jbfuZcFGEEFievg0UnKOgQB84_LJ33qElgKeYVDvKZMtwHzJKTN41VM8uSpGuZdUmw7t6a5OD58mQO2f0OFpUAQxWuB4FxsJwxTnk4cFovlh4fC23BPQ/s400/IMG_6887.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352579105725905682" /></a><br />We choose this place because of the colors sunsets splash across our children's faces, <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6y4-ynWP-VqhA9vgqW7i70F5IjCRnHJfpdL_G4ZbpCIWDyJ4JBClj1y2ePOMTRCA27y__Vkx54bdojvmEObPFJspxT6m-flWZ5p24dWn40WtdHqWmc08sJboJzHoh5oL8wkft7cVhYY/s1600-h/IMG_2293.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6y4-ynWP-VqhA9vgqW7i70F5IjCRnHJfpdL_G4ZbpCIWDyJ4JBClj1y2ePOMTRCA27y__Vkx54bdojvmEObPFJspxT6m-flWZ5p24dWn40WtdHqWmc08sJboJzHoh5oL8wkft7cVhYY/s400/IMG_2293.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352512003560429106" /></a><br />the way sand is always in the sheets, <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGLMz9T_BK0VJCs2EMAjhOM8XpRUwIfweCYDe6V1DV9QWhyphenhyphenXxtrbTVSDaEc9aZi-BkIrpcM9nbniVWqTskZ4UX-sN5OMHbda7gVc8K0YLoNgstyaMgbFTbNaqVzPVGt6AUmN8XEYlp3E/s1600-h/IMG_2319.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGLMz9T_BK0VJCs2EMAjhOM8XpRUwIfweCYDe6V1DV9QWhyphenhyphenXxtrbTVSDaEc9aZi-BkIrpcM9nbniVWqTskZ4UX-sN5OMHbda7gVc8K0YLoNgstyaMgbFTbNaqVzPVGt6AUmN8XEYlp3E/s400/IMG_2319.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352575939566355490" /></a><br />the way we know our roots have dug into the earth, deep and rich with gratitude. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-qDW0_P5K_vfAk9rjtzycrgge8OK5qO0rqTFbOJm3Skw8hQPpx2UuEPvbaab3KXF2yclKppNdWWWfUbdOYSaNGGpAueos6dt6FsSQ_KubKgGP8J25w-QIsA7J52C0cqtisNfb1tg7Bk/s1600-h/IMG_0725.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-qDW0_P5K_vfAk9rjtzycrgge8OK5qO0rqTFbOJm3Skw8hQPpx2UuEPvbaab3KXF2yclKppNdWWWfUbdOYSaNGGpAueos6dt6FsSQ_KubKgGP8J25w-QIsA7J52C0cqtisNfb1tg7Bk/s400/IMG_0725.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352579095719565586" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02408630005976395741noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839383598213046632.post-25781438228575872562009-06-22T13:37:00.000-07:002009-06-22T19:43:01.359-07:00In this moment:: weekend six<span style="font-weight:bold;">In this moment::</span><br /><br />I am:: obsessed with baking, which I have never liked in my life, but suddenly adore, particularly when baking with rhubarb.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCSfCYfQ0WCvIc59702Pme8Sxbt8matRs3IZWqTEPFBb0HPKKDabCBcX6kzc0bY5gOCGjrKNbKdiQ1kYRJyAFaKist4wBBfDp4TKwKjEuoaYuiz54lFkNlv4z7HLZS2n1pYaczq6jVB0/s1600-h/IMG_2200.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCSfCYfQ0WCvIc59702Pme8Sxbt8matRs3IZWqTEPFBb0HPKKDabCBcX6kzc0bY5gOCGjrKNbKdiQ1kYRJyAFaKist4wBBfDp4TKwKjEuoaYuiz54lFkNlv4z7HLZS2n1pYaczq6jVB0/s400/IMG_2200.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350260426902896658" /></a><br /> And chocolate chips,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6GyK3FbXy0uZ3xKLVQLr-qSCQ0UKWXOiYNMS2OEW-bFaqec_kXDHJKYkfz1yav_K-YSm9Mee-PtIAL4a3IlmHZCheJpt33e1QPG55PKUKtMJKdR2R-1CDjBitt3X0m03mHljSKs5wPY/s1600-h/IMG_2245.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6GyK3FbXy0uZ3xKLVQLr-qSCQ0UKWXOiYNMS2OEW-bFaqec_kXDHJKYkfz1yav_K-YSm9Mee-PtIAL4a3IlmHZCheJpt33e1QPG55PKUKtMJKdR2R-1CDjBitt3X0m03mHljSKs5wPY/s400/IMG_2245.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350260442308768354" /></a><br /> although I've yet to combine the two.<br /><br />I am:: loving the vintage finds I keep scoring, like these painted wooden folding chairs, the perfect addition to a long stored antique wooden bistro table.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFX24aWFKY-vI5w2YsiK3JF4e8BxTZOIypSb4eBGOfwMYdFUuzhizwOH49anXwMjJ0Gagiq2GhBP0BXGLgvnHbMg9fT6jscVXJMebEP8HG7EDU9DDpprfHj6usZccJuWbVVcAoBI-H6E/s1600-h/IMG_1255.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFX24aWFKY-vI5w2YsiK3JF4e8BxTZOIypSb4eBGOfwMYdFUuzhizwOH49anXwMjJ0Gagiq2GhBP0BXGLgvnHbMg9fT6jscVXJMebEP8HG7EDU9DDpprfHj6usZccJuWbVVcAoBI-H6E/s400/IMG_1255.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350347591703571250" /></a><br />I am:: sipping sun tea every day. Because there is something about sun tea, and summer, that make me sigh in the best of ways.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHTfrWrrsinyrUwdauRRlRJolm0ffxB68BQ2nIE0uiYrSGMQmhHnuSfRf3iKEQLjI36bjFf8q81Xy3ElLQhJ0aJPwEIq3_tLhY7fzHIUjPAdoNbAVHyP8aj1abkfg_YgrhtBjsJHlcew/s1600-h/IMG_2216.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHTfrWrrsinyrUwdauRRlRJolm0ffxB68BQ2nIE0uiYrSGMQmhHnuSfRf3iKEQLjI36bjFf8q81Xy3ElLQhJ0aJPwEIq3_tLhY7fzHIUjPAdoNbAVHyP8aj1abkfg_YgrhtBjsJHlcew/s400/IMG_2216.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350260433420429330" /></a><br />I am:: observing summer through the eyes of three ages: the wonderer;<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHinC1JmKgxSm7x5G-a4Q4XX5uQIw_xRh1MyHYJHKranXNufKZXN3BXEfEQJx8asEP2sotMlLvMs9uILlieAMQhbmYEzBuf4StDQDoE7lK4YhBiQgKHbH3drR1zNcY0M_v1pHOw9XcbU/s1600-h/IMG_2154.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHinC1JmKgxSm7x5G-a4Q4XX5uQIw_xRh1MyHYJHKranXNufKZXN3BXEfEQJx8asEP2sotMlLvMs9uILlieAMQhbmYEzBuf4StDQDoE7lK4YhBiQgKHbH3drR1zNcY0M_v1pHOw9XcbU/s400/IMG_2154.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350342653798761506" /></a><br /> the watcher; <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYgYyATy5hCeCjz56KplP5_72EZ9NcGne2DxgYGTBOzM4gJRE_-g6sN628gzV080cuIePljnEAs6OzfYyZA8e2Q9ONi8kYDMdYUTV0fAHk7We0Av2yF8QiJiVuc5NN2t1P0SzA6MtR6M/s1600-h/IMG_2028.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYgYyATy5hCeCjz56KplP5_72EZ9NcGne2DxgYGTBOzM4gJRE_-g6sN628gzV080cuIePljnEAs6OzfYyZA8e2Q9ONi8kYDMdYUTV0fAHk7We0Av2yF8QiJiVuc5NN2t1P0SzA6MtR6M/s400/IMG_2028.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350342637731224498" /></a><br />the one who is beginning to understand it all.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9USCm0Kitdi_QgBBPZikFGvQe926Qko3L0EDf-5R8085nJfi-CXeqVBj-JQk9M_2x6Du0J2z6UmCE86jLe6A0Y_wq4dvoWGZ3e4x5hwczBY-uxj5J_F8DQWgm7nbIYNV_RF0ZAw8rLmg/s1600-h/IMG_2053.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9USCm0Kitdi_QgBBPZikFGvQe926Qko3L0EDf-5R8085nJfi-CXeqVBj-JQk9M_2x6Du0J2z6UmCE86jLe6A0Y_wq4dvoWGZ3e4x5hwczBY-uxj5J_F8DQWgm7nbIYNV_RF0ZAw8rLmg/s400/IMG_2053.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350342641614024722" /></a><br />I am:: noticing that all of these things take time. The baking, with its ingredient preps and kneading or stirring or waiting, brings moments of meditation. The thrifted treasures were around for many years before making it to our home, and still, they stand strong. Watching a pitcher of water seep into a deep amber as the tea spreads through it somehow feels like slow motion magic. And tastes that way too. And then, there are those three little people. Who have been doing a lot of this<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JuUBS3PRI4JgSZbcAsJ87htSeg00aKqk6s8kwTN4qdVX7lD2Y-sc_FTayFMmxHxxUjpZwNHYhzhIUyJeFoKQRPoFer9FnKEacebYllZ7S3nfs1N7ACeqsHajssgGdT2EMp4NMCFx3t8/s1600-h/IMG_2242.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JuUBS3PRI4JgSZbcAsJ87htSeg00aKqk6s8kwTN4qdVX7lD2Y-sc_FTayFMmxHxxUjpZwNHYhzhIUyJeFoKQRPoFer9FnKEacebYllZ7S3nfs1N7ACeqsHajssgGdT2EMp4NMCFx3t8/s400/IMG_2242.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350260439661568930" /></a><br />this week, and testing me again and again on patience and parenting presence. But still. One look back at this week's worth of pictures, and somehow, I return to center. I remember this time will not last forever. And yet, I do so wish it would.Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02408630005976395741noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839383598213046632.post-87240949350160526572009-06-17T19:47:00.000-07:002009-06-17T19:57:12.368-07:00Talking about my girlI'm going to be pretty much wordless today. Because this girl leaves me speechless (and smiling) a whole lot.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgrcDHkoBbF1yRyC72ji9u0kocHDFTJb7YK8QsFEPQXdTNYCRQB03v-3vodQoLne8aGtghBZahXue4LHSyy_T-UenBiWP66qg-1UeXEUGVuD05Rz2_00An5RRdHL7Z0eAemSAhToTkI8/s1600-h/IMG_1995.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgrcDHkoBbF1yRyC72ji9u0kocHDFTJb7YK8QsFEPQXdTNYCRQB03v-3vodQoLne8aGtghBZahXue4LHSyy_T-UenBiWP66qg-1UeXEUGVuD05Rz2_00An5RRdHL7Z0eAemSAhToTkI8/s400/IMG_1995.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348495398912298626" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoF1oSL8HN3yr0tP2Zhc0PWSLtTolggp7U2yGQEoK1JzVljhPBUhNQmFabt-z_rLkXFfx-ZiNJx47uGXRDCzcFspRb-ElDNpjwPbkkxKC8QrFDMeNZ_nCO2gw3kp_4GzcBgQR20Zo8rqU/s1600-h/IMG_1999.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoF1oSL8HN3yr0tP2Zhc0PWSLtTolggp7U2yGQEoK1JzVljhPBUhNQmFabt-z_rLkXFfx-ZiNJx47uGXRDCzcFspRb-ElDNpjwPbkkxKC8QrFDMeNZ_nCO2gw3kp_4GzcBgQR20Zo8rqU/s400/IMG_1999.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348495409142982594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlDZ3H07oDFJwYM0I-4CFaUTSsq4aBn6braU905cYI_DkRn6sCVT_TKSLb9ypUlpqPrjHuLJSbRAwxDDlxsbs13Ol63OPRuWTOvnzdjBhtiTMyhhlc4yFRrYg4fXYYOkQ0TrZR5FMB3o/s1600-h/IMG_2005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlDZ3H07oDFJwYM0I-4CFaUTSsq4aBn6braU905cYI_DkRn6sCVT_TKSLb9ypUlpqPrjHuLJSbRAwxDDlxsbs13Ol63OPRuWTOvnzdjBhtiTMyhhlc4yFRrYg4fXYYOkQ0TrZR5FMB3o/s400/IMG_2005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348495413556624466" /></a><br /><br />Sometimes, mamas feel things that are so big, and so raw, that I'm fairly certain there are, well, there are. no. words.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7sB6lqMWWV51Xww5jvv5YKg1JITT_2ljtHacPkFV98yWSt3GB0syyYJxEp0AONs4Cp3PYBCPUf0A2dCImJvkAx1ReaoE5uipPeCEQydfiq0S18Up9pxkA9LOv3hNrY3HSqQI4KiRq-Mw/s1600-h/IMG_1992.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7sB6lqMWWV51Xww5jvv5YKg1JITT_2ljtHacPkFV98yWSt3GB0syyYJxEp0AONs4Cp3PYBCPUf0A2dCImJvkAx1ReaoE5uipPeCEQydfiq0S18Up9pxkA9LOv3hNrY3HSqQI4KiRq-Mw/s400/IMG_1992.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348495416492084962" /></a><br /><br />Quite simply, all I could do today was look through a lens and smile. Because I'm in love.Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02408630005976395741noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839383598213046632.post-12949282906694156782009-06-14T18:58:00.000-07:002009-06-14T19:42:35.448-07:00In this moment:: weekend five<span style="font-weight:bold;">In this moment::</span><br />I am:: loving the long-awaited return of date night. Especially because it is summer, and we live where we do, and we found a sitter that can get all our children to sleep. On time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMbOz3vvZDD0Z8VYxJdMfgVDB87zKTeD8z_CjZeZGz7uGndcXpsbs3hcchdTsFLfES-cTc5Jfa3KCDM_rFiGaz2DWxxpVnskfelTHSvBfQrcLeNawVhRY7Y3uEsIUK-rEM8Uf4LUQtk0/s1600-h/IMG_6866.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMbOz3vvZDD0Z8VYxJdMfgVDB87zKTeD8z_CjZeZGz7uGndcXpsbs3hcchdTsFLfES-cTc5Jfa3KCDM_rFiGaz2DWxxpVnskfelTHSvBfQrcLeNawVhRY7Y3uEsIUK-rEM8Uf4LUQtk0/s400/IMG_6866.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347371543109537346" /></a><br /><br />I am:: amazed at the difference a year makes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUS4JQtlwRBMFpCvxtT-zauRrCOcpoHxvUmE2UNjIneJZSaPniu938-v0uvu5UilucWCBTOSknlmf3M_ygDJ0_B9MoLJZ9_99hsZpmAYOBxBaRDTVHGvRnV49yibKHzEGdJKIIzJ1jPg4/s1600-h/Photo+323.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 324px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUS4JQtlwRBMFpCvxtT-zauRrCOcpoHxvUmE2UNjIneJZSaPniu938-v0uvu5UilucWCBTOSknlmf3M_ygDJ0_B9MoLJZ9_99hsZpmAYOBxBaRDTVHGvRnV49yibKHzEGdJKIIzJ1jPg4/s400/Photo+323.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347373189571723186" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTnZhyphenhyphenqucKeicLwromECIn_cb56BJZa4-eWDMs8LyEvSRG2WZ6VTeRt-TI6PjToFnqET3LAOqOGnFnOX0bpKfM4vJZDftF3E-rXRm4U4G8z4lBm8dnqft9Cdf_ZoQ4eh1W_jziz58rNg/s1600-h/IMG_1957.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTnZhyphenhyphenqucKeicLwromECIn_cb56BJZa4-eWDMs8LyEvSRG2WZ6VTeRt-TI6PjToFnqET3LAOqOGnFnOX0bpKfM4vJZDftF3E-rXRm4U4G8z4lBm8dnqft9Cdf_ZoQ4eh1W_jziz58rNg/s400/IMG_1957.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347373191982794978" /></a><br /><br />I am:: reaping the good foods of our local farm and even more, reaping the joy that comes with our children spending time there each week.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4GgdrOV2Bb0KD2OUMlWh7yManx0Bxc8_LH-JYWC7LHdl0a-DYVgD8tDTtPXPGRoXgWlMl2Ljwbo_ycSz7O-dYY0fpK1PMcxJ-iofKLeGslV9MEhMKQR7Cd6SNWyBhI3IsQWzil1ZwDQ/s1600-h/IMG_1097.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4GgdrOV2Bb0KD2OUMlWh7yManx0Bxc8_LH-JYWC7LHdl0a-DYVgD8tDTtPXPGRoXgWlMl2Ljwbo_ycSz7O-dYY0fpK1PMcxJ-iofKLeGslV9MEhMKQR7Cd6SNWyBhI3IsQWzil1ZwDQ/s400/IMG_1097.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347374756798258098" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFz0PPId91tA1_JnbuJUrDqBXdLjcAQZCXLT_zDozYEDhluOA_ko0Zvy_4xqAWUZp7bHSPAn8o67RQlgsLNrVx0TcvxA4MxLDrJea5IJiTbNwK9l3rzK0t5GjZqvySO2baObbt-6tzwY/s1600-h/IMG_0844.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFz0PPId91tA1_JnbuJUrDqBXdLjcAQZCXLT_zDozYEDhluOA_ko0Zvy_4xqAWUZp7bHSPAn8o67RQlgsLNrVx0TcvxA4MxLDrJea5IJiTbNwK9l3rzK0t5GjZqvySO2baObbt-6tzwY/s400/IMG_0844.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347378998014683842" /></a><br /><br />I am:: celebrating the return of eating every meal outside.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghW-Mi5Q3oNz5HlBIm_pyrYzkt3_p7TBqZArsocfDH6Wex5-fiB2AQTXl-NBZttYKHZ4_LJS0HMCUEy-uvnINA6aPnYwwQEHPgEGRYl27A8WdCRoqoObjzsrzV3PO7aUfexKd8XajRCdw/s1600-h/IMG_1978.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghW-Mi5Q3oNz5HlBIm_pyrYzkt3_p7TBqZArsocfDH6Wex5-fiB2AQTXl-NBZttYKHZ4_LJS0HMCUEy-uvnINA6aPnYwwQEHPgEGRYl27A8WdCRoqoObjzsrzV3PO7aUfexKd8XajRCdw/s400/IMG_1978.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347376996812448114" /></a><br />(sunglasses optional)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJpc18lyZk6Fk5VHWE-uEL0Dg2HiXW2r5a1NJJq32L95xukmq-YEzg8t5u07YEUNPL7Ir6pNYwPAo00TOX3HvGGP_D3zxMyj7W3t_iB1pisgUXl0taq8AubRLWKp_W0HWPp5_UnqQ2Uc/s1600-h/IMG_1986.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJpc18lyZk6Fk5VHWE-uEL0Dg2HiXW2r5a1NJJq32L95xukmq-YEzg8t5u07YEUNPL7Ir6pNYwPAo00TOX3HvGGP_D3zxMyj7W3t_iB1pisgUXl0taq8AubRLWKp_W0HWPp5_UnqQ2Uc/s400/IMG_1986.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347377002462800130" /></a><br />and of family bike nights.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJW7p_O1cO7ZpM1XNbVIcTN2Rtq9PM9gdlho6GixnQZ13jMTgP7hsc3FrIylt7ian8WX6qUpO04nK1fWPJcRoyWaoTBlo3wXLpNd92F2abbtPhV7vhmiK9qx72mFcEf98URi5PtREdgR0/s1600-h/IMG_6894.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJW7p_O1cO7ZpM1XNbVIcTN2Rtq9PM9gdlho6GixnQZ13jMTgP7hsc3FrIylt7ian8WX6qUpO04nK1fWPJcRoyWaoTBlo3wXLpNd92F2abbtPhV7vhmiK9qx72mFcEf98URi5PtREdgR0/s400/IMG_6894.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347377012429361650" /></a><br />and dirt. Lots and lots of dirt.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oGK11JEhmfZXFAdPG-hfEniMGEtreUVvADSp-2A6Sryupr5XEM8mbZvlGyP6hEP50U0hbkcYb3ckGYiY9AN3mMX7p5gQcoM7qGBu0AKlWoRIjJCclGJC47Qp8CxkxGQJSj97c90UnW0/s1600-h/IMG_1970.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oGK11JEhmfZXFAdPG-hfEniMGEtreUVvADSp-2A6Sryupr5XEM8mbZvlGyP6hEP50U0hbkcYb3ckGYiY9AN3mMX7p5gQcoM7qGBu0AKlWoRIjJCclGJC47Qp8CxkxGQJSj97c90UnW0/s400/IMG_1970.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347377939995816802" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-0LY9tjPZG-APu_99H6U9r_rDVWgy9fxuQMaSzNi6TRRvmefIWw-C3ScI0gMIEmQuTWHtpSTwK-IE_6HzqgWTzFGAjnC9ay-KTWuL6e27ePmcuhG0fOyG9nJqTIHciKGZwdVuci4ocU/s1600-h/IMG_1971.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-0LY9tjPZG-APu_99H6U9r_rDVWgy9fxuQMaSzNi6TRRvmefIWw-C3ScI0gMIEmQuTWHtpSTwK-IE_6HzqgWTzFGAjnC9ay-KTWuL6e27ePmcuhG0fOyG9nJqTIHciKGZwdVuci4ocU/s400/IMG_1971.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347376996355391394" /></a><br />Ah, summer. Welcome back. We've missed you.Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02408630005976395741noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839383598213046632.post-50933293324189350532009-06-12T17:55:00.000-07:002009-06-12T18:51:37.438-07:00Sail Away<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QYYJ7MD60oPZvRJ-zG4Nmnyatf3MyWrQIrt7VtWM2dKIDeEPjS660x4z9YjL2SQ_KoX4pbQuE47-qlYzSJK__TU4YXU54QQbkZ-Y8AjK7cYDFUMN6zLa41YeqFFDFar4aevFvzIzkkY/s1600-h/IMG_1759.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QYYJ7MD60oPZvRJ-zG4Nmnyatf3MyWrQIrt7VtWM2dKIDeEPjS660x4z9YjL2SQ_KoX4pbQuE47-qlYzSJK__TU4YXU54QQbkZ-Y8AjK7cYDFUMN6zLa41YeqFFDFar4aevFvzIzkkY/s400/IMG_1759.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346618906510642338" /></a><br />I don't write a lot about this guy anymore, not because he doesn't fill my world with stories-- quite the opposite-- but since he turned 10, and started making faces like the one above almost every time I pull out my camera, I've become so aware that his life is becoming his own. And that means I need to be careful when I want to write about Noah, to ask his permission to send my enthusiasm and awe out into this great abyss. <br /><br />But I couldn't let this one go, and so, I was kindly given the green light by my little sailor man (who will, no doubt, be ready to string me up if he decides to read this..."Little sailor man" is not exactly a cool nickname).<br /><br />I wrote a year ago about Noah discovering sailing (and sailing inspired Fourth of July floats). <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyh9TnkyFnPXcSUWFYXfY-urY7a65G7t55msBWmBVYFsJ_R_jcJjqP9ysUuh7qozDe5v3wkE3Sat5YT11R-T6ukRrHHGYoCq_8WhfpgarMQarId6Y9YqTN4KV0p2KUP6HsyvGrxmDgoZo/s1600-h/IMG_2774.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyh9TnkyFnPXcSUWFYXfY-urY7a65G7t55msBWmBVYFsJ_R_jcJjqP9ysUuh7qozDe5v3wkE3Sat5YT11R-T6ukRrHHGYoCq_8WhfpgarMQarId6Y9YqTN4KV0p2KUP6HsyvGrxmDgoZo/s400/IMG_2774.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346620863676042274" /></a><br /> He loves everything (but capsizing) there is to the sport. He talks about these things: how fingertips flutter instead of sink as they skim the water when under sail; the way it feels be called for skipper the first time; the smells of lake and wind and sun and stinky boat that melt from his skin into his sheets at night; the totally awesome teenagers, like Josh and Norm, <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3PdXxhXIL90iyPpx9EfkaljJUwlE4QrI5yTPQbKxPKJpi74lb94nakxwMJdgvVhCkFAOBaVg2LVBJrbvrdgm_7vOkcfMJr4PIGv8UoWcZyEgCmNY8Tmr0E_i8lpOlH0SOaFIix1DZlU/s1600-h/IMG_3564_2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3PdXxhXIL90iyPpx9EfkaljJUwlE4QrI5yTPQbKxPKJpi74lb94nakxwMJdgvVhCkFAOBaVg2LVBJrbvrdgm_7vOkcfMJr4PIGv8UoWcZyEgCmNY8Tmr0E_i8lpOlH0SOaFIix1DZlU/s400/IMG_3564_2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346620870674003858" /></a><br />that he gets to hang out with every day, as if they are truly the epitome of a life well-lived. <br /><br />This winter, while waxing poetic as only Noah can to a sailing legend who happens to live in our town, my child got a very big invitation: to sail with this wealth of knowledge every Tuesday night during the Yacht Club's race series. Justin, who, in a previous (aka pre-married) life made a living racing sailboats, heard this news like it was a gift from heaven. Noah, who knew Norm (the teenage hero) also crews the boat (as does his sailing school director) heard that he got to hang out with "the coolest dudes ever" for three extra hours a week. Me? I just heard sailboat. fast. child on board.<br /><br />This Tuesday was Noah's first stint on Surprise. We were both nervous wrecks before he hit the docks. I ran around doing those things a mother does when she's nervous; I overfed him. I dressed him for the arctic circle, during a monsoon season, even though it was 50 and not raining. I checked and rechecked his lifejacket. I forced him to wear said lifejacket the second he stepped out of my car, in the parking lot, 200 feet from the docks.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5EgqK9QxYkEvpI-X5jXqr9BvVtjknauLAlPSlyN6Wj2VjQlzGntSzHA-J7cLlYK1RMIetZ4NVyzw3eSItbNNq1g0hIog-Dd0EXHYkik6iQmGP30WG76awwVUKa3cK4stkjww8cGCNsk/s1600-h/IMG_1758.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5EgqK9QxYkEvpI-X5jXqr9BvVtjknauLAlPSlyN6Wj2VjQlzGntSzHA-J7cLlYK1RMIetZ4NVyzw3eSItbNNq1g0hIog-Dd0EXHYkik6iQmGP30WG76awwVUKa3cK4stkjww8cGCNsk/s400/IMG_1758.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346620863015354674" /></a><br /><br />(hence the "are you kidding me" expression, I think).<br /><br />For Noah's part, his simply sat in the backseat, asked me to turn up the radio, and said in a quiet voice, "I'm nervous." and "You think I'll be okay, right?"<br /><br />The minute we arrived, however, that fog of fear lifted (for him at least) and he was on the boat faster than I could unbuckle Lizzie from her carseat. I stood on the dock for a few minutes, feeling strange and somewhat ackward. He had not needed me to walk him down, to get him settled, to go over pick up times or safety rules. He was simply gone, learning the ins and outs of the boat without even looking back to see if I was still there. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQf4HjoPUkJm9WHICgc1FsqlcaHBB6AlvcX3yBQUajuMQr3ynk3JCaCAsJAKxph4JlFTtIEMSSV7-CNeMJtMDsR1RAZHGfxyH-jwXkWSlohWEXVK1wRTy1_1UQIRegLAL2d2JM-K7icD4/s1600-h/IMG_1765.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQf4HjoPUkJm9WHICgc1FsqlcaHBB6AlvcX3yBQUajuMQr3ynk3JCaCAsJAKxph4JlFTtIEMSSV7-CNeMJtMDsR1RAZHGfxyH-jwXkWSlohWEXVK1wRTy1_1UQIRegLAL2d2JM-K7icD4/s400/IMG_1765.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346618920472322786" /></a><br />So I snapped a few pictures. And tried not to cry.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZ2UB9GalG79dWjxs_qYyLcHCzWDEdYeqV1nT4vUQT5uUXW0BtKELiVcIPG4nLyt9U_YemmqGagW5MOxdHizMyQE5-ctKLWEqK4olp1aTDIRmiTm47rU7jMMjQZwEfM5nsGIhK2zUhq8/s1600-h/IMG_1763.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZ2UB9GalG79dWjxs_qYyLcHCzWDEdYeqV1nT4vUQT5uUXW0BtKELiVcIPG4nLyt9U_YemmqGagW5MOxdHizMyQE5-ctKLWEqK4olp1aTDIRmiTm47rU7jMMjQZwEfM5nsGIhK2zUhq8/s400/IMG_1763.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346618917252922834" /></a><br /><br />For those of you who have older kids, you know this scene well. This moment when you understand that you've arrived at the day when your child feels independent enough to let go without looking back. I didn't know how to feel, so I concentrated on Lizzie squirming in my arms, the chill of the evening air making her bare feet search for warmth again my skin. She would point to Noah's direction and clap, nestle in against me, and then go back to pointing and clapping. I think she got it as well as I did.<br /><br />Soon enough, the boat left its slip and began disappearing into the harbor.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvalG8kIeOXJLkgxsVORdUUzXjolwFL7LJ3Y3G6Fh6rE0vjgnGcOiMei7zN0fd0p9zwt2BsW0Xe8UIAf0ldY2ILpWtnMFkhfyaopnlUC8gOWEx4CQWUlgGkgbNYkDNrn-CuFqUHsaOL9I/s1600-h/IMG_1783.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvalG8kIeOXJLkgxsVORdUUzXjolwFL7LJ3Y3G6Fh6rE0vjgnGcOiMei7zN0fd0p9zwt2BsW0Xe8UIAf0ldY2ILpWtnMFkhfyaopnlUC8gOWEx4CQWUlgGkgbNYkDNrn-CuFqUHsaOL9I/s400/IMG_1783.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346618929542973746" /></a><br />I went home and began bedtime routines. The baths, the jammies, the snacks. Something kept pulling me back to the water though, and so I packed up Max and Liz and drove along the shore. My breath almost went from me when I saw this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEAY-Gyi91LTDinc1yp9lVVOcELNAkQhLKfxE4Mjk9htcZS1EGigQnGlbR8gTYnzRu9spw7Sde41ef43WdVyYarhsLE6f9x2h4W3k2wDJX6-D1XJ84wvoepaoGs7xq4lkyuos-EeKKyA/s1600-h/IMG_1789.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEAY-Gyi91LTDinc1yp9lVVOcELNAkQhLKfxE4Mjk9htcZS1EGigQnGlbR8gTYnzRu9spw7Sde41ef43WdVyYarhsLE6f9x2h4W3k2wDJX6-D1XJ84wvoepaoGs7xq4lkyuos-EeKKyA/s400/IMG_1789.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346618933004409794" /></a><br />Do you see? How very far away these boats are? My baby! My first born! On the other side of the bay in a sailboat-- in a race no less-- without a parent's watchful eye. Tension leapt into my breathing. I stopped the car and starred. And then, from the backseat, Max said, "Oh, mom. Noah is racing! Way over there! He is the coolest dude ever." His envious sigh was so big and so reverent that it brought me back to reality. It brought me back to this amazing, beautiful truth: my baby is growing up. And he is one cool dude.<br /><br />Sailing has been known to draw plenty of metaphors for life. I'll skip that stuff, since it's Noah that is the sailor, not me. Instead I'll simply say this, Noah did something all on his own-- without my protection or guidance or safety net. He's changing. He's learning his way and I'm so filled with respect and admiration that it aches...in the best possible sense of the word. This growing up stuff might not be so bad afterall.Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02408630005976395741noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839383598213046632.post-4034797295352650832009-06-08T12:50:00.000-07:002009-06-08T18:34:52.736-07:00In this moment:: weekend four (better late than never)<span style="font-weight:bold;">In this moment::</span><br /><br />I am:: grateful for every giggle I can get out of my daughter. Cutting four top teeth at once brings little in the way of smiles, but for some reason, the camera always shows her shining.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSW9SWXD7Axq2uns3jpLfF0YGjAyAAYCLMhc-fzgQp2gjQiUl20gMe4pFRR5OCsX8y6jbseNMR2F-VDyE0nb6MjUJeGR4rjrLvzXMgOMDFlo5YBz6WuCWoNiKsAJbvi8ql6n4e30pLqL0/s1600-h/IMG_1721.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSW9SWXD7Axq2uns3jpLfF0YGjAyAAYCLMhc-fzgQp2gjQiUl20gMe4pFRR5OCsX8y6jbseNMR2F-VDyE0nb6MjUJeGR4rjrLvzXMgOMDFlo5YBz6WuCWoNiKsAJbvi8ql6n4e30pLqL0/s400/IMG_1721.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345049296438307634" /></a><br /><br />I am:: finally finished obsessing over more than 2,000 pages of smut which I loved getting lost in, and yet, am too embarrassed to name here. Whew.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGOdyntwFC9Xbp2tkb1skbSunavQOjhmleV-BJqoH-2N3df0JLyxItGqQ7rsa2Elyvx_id14X-RRl0UeZw5TRQMai7uHSVotAB90jNb_F0ml-o1aTPmsbO9URbs9ieK3X8Sra6SBIm5Q/s1600-h/Photo+1008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGOdyntwFC9Xbp2tkb1skbSunavQOjhmleV-BJqoH-2N3df0JLyxItGqQ7rsa2Elyvx_id14X-RRl0UeZw5TRQMai7uHSVotAB90jNb_F0ml-o1aTPmsbO9URbs9ieK3X8Sra6SBIm5Q/s400/Photo+1008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345052753523604482" /></a><br /><br />I am:: planning projects, both the kind that are tangible, and the kind that are anything but. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMKGTb_3NTfq1Y3o7b5FvfT9HihtyqBNF7hKxmC1q8keT_xoVDf_INmYZcW0txuDazyt-pFaxoTH_Bj4ZgvGCShPX4VWxN1JfKizMmi9xQSikrEchC3pxVVKG0neG1wQDWb9xBgTeN8w/s1600-h/IMG_1508.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMKGTb_3NTfq1Y3o7b5FvfT9HihtyqBNF7hKxmC1q8keT_xoVDf_INmYZcW0txuDazyt-pFaxoTH_Bj4ZgvGCShPX4VWxN1JfKizMmi9xQSikrEchC3pxVVKG0neG1wQDWb9xBgTeN8w/s400/IMG_1508.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345052747703272738" /></a><br /><br />I am:: eating leftovers from last night's dinner with friends and marveling over how much easier it gets to feed nine children at once, as they get older and more, well, self sufficient.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GyrWq4TPim2RpBvG2U_0He3rQTdR5iexiZvQBwFj-dCilg41kLnsGa6-Cf-2wXDetHPdYI5RPj_wsVPQexjBsSz0XzE6kt9gSC6oXyBplN20nlHbClXX8XEMahzJuGNiYc23UHGAmM4/s1600-h/IMG_1725.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GyrWq4TPim2RpBvG2U_0He3rQTdR5iexiZvQBwFj-dCilg41kLnsGa6-Cf-2wXDetHPdYI5RPj_wsVPQexjBsSz0XzE6kt9gSC6oXyBplN20nlHbClXX8XEMahzJuGNiYc23UHGAmM4/s400/IMG_1725.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345051172223755826" /></a><br />I am:: thrilled for the onset of summer schedules, just two days from now. There will be sailing school and naps to guide our days, but little else to dance into our rhythm.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2K6slYVCBkN48bfZdtsVYnEUCk6FsdNJLOAIBaMMqBK8nFKi4Iicj4gxq-PSP82CB4s5RB_Jow2WXAHYw7dDbwxV6nnM8wjCmsvgbNQuumbgzmRJ5SLq3Ol-GoTdq7nTbHIQtEUlwNg/s1600-h/IMG_1527.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2K6slYVCBkN48bfZdtsVYnEUCk6FsdNJLOAIBaMMqBK8nFKi4Iicj4gxq-PSP82CB4s5RB_Jow2WXAHYw7dDbwxV6nnM8wjCmsvgbNQuumbgzmRJ5SLq3Ol-GoTdq7nTbHIQtEUlwNg/s400/IMG_1527.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345051189799050722" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmeV-D0IiwJrBulzVuW2orEZJVC9Zp9oY2w3Hs16Jq9N-IUgRQ_ZtMadUWNhn0DztN0oBFxsY3ZOR2Z8Wp34slm7h-M0VczH5Fs5s7U8GdGyFGnTjWn_YmGgp7lGEKJlIquftGp2k_Cg/s1600-h/IMG_1545.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmeV-D0IiwJrBulzVuW2orEZJVC9Zp9oY2w3Hs16Jq9N-IUgRQ_ZtMadUWNhn0DztN0oBFxsY3ZOR2Z8Wp34slm7h-M0VczH5Fs5s7U8GdGyFGnTjWn_YmGgp7lGEKJlIquftGp2k_Cg/s400/IMG_1545.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345051178609041538" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09D1dL9YF8CD2O8yEP1PGPNpeWKiLAA2ZPXXFnplpEK2WNbCyutz6A_n6nDE5G-_PgHx16XFBJ-elHzEa0Al0r8riN5PwI_3wsVb_7lCmUAIz4azwxo6r31P0N5LGtOKWd8ST8y8hyphenhyphen1o/s1600-h/IMG_1513.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09D1dL9YF8CD2O8yEP1PGPNpeWKiLAA2ZPXXFnplpEK2WNbCyutz6A_n6nDE5G-_PgHx16XFBJ-elHzEa0Al0r8riN5PwI_3wsVb_7lCmUAIz4azwxo6r31P0N5LGtOKWd8ST8y8hyphenhyphen1o/s400/IMG_1513.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345051175196238930" /></a><br />which is lovely, because<br />I am:: working toward transforming my view of time, aware now that each moment brings its own dawn, its own joy, its own space to simply be.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGqGtjhAKND3Odzu4WXUooFa_05aI6wzXfMQzl-BQZ_4R40qu1c3iEDbq7pF0s9uKCZ7wAUAgstX_NAxo89n63RVccT8UgRo61roG3QwGU8-CRkuyPO-p15emDB0zRn_bZErIs_GeRHw/s1600-h/IMG_1504.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGqGtjhAKND3Odzu4WXUooFa_05aI6wzXfMQzl-BQZ_4R40qu1c3iEDbq7pF0s9uKCZ7wAUAgstX_NAxo89n63RVccT8UgRo61roG3QwGU8-CRkuyPO-p15emDB0zRn_bZErIs_GeRHw/s400/IMG_1504.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345057588704079090" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02408630005976395741noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839383598213046632.post-60725072842345389722009-06-02T20:57:00.000-07:002009-06-03T06:31:55.960-07:00And he rides.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaz5NL887RglSH7wUC7E6v_pYT2dLjfPuuq1Ro04wyt_OAd-PDhjhym-8xcXkeLfj0FxSmuyfyyoCBeGm9let2xk13pZpnOAmUb3FyYRkhQ9ScWnGVC0fZUxZID68c4Yd5hY60hRZztRM/s1600-h/IMG_0036.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaz5NL887RglSH7wUC7E6v_pYT2dLjfPuuq1Ro04wyt_OAd-PDhjhym-8xcXkeLfj0FxSmuyfyyoCBeGm9let2xk13pZpnOAmUb3FyYRkhQ9ScWnGVC0fZUxZID68c4Yd5hY60hRZztRM/s400/IMG_0036.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342945969513180082" /></a><br /><br />I love this child.<br /><br />Ah, Max. A middle born in every way, my sweet boy got a little bit older yesterday. A little bit more independent. A little bit more like his big brother. Yesterday, we bid farewell to his training wheels.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHuk1-nr7THnW4CAbS_aebhbdBs8nQsX5NbiJqu5b5LSE66a6Eo56Vuu7nBle6k8YAP-MhhvP4WCCepSPKeqElPDPEWZZT0SNFGlQ0mz2rYTasfpqrbhg8nuw459DdogIjQBXrgTnjZLI/s1600-h/IMG_1304.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHuk1-nr7THnW4CAbS_aebhbdBs8nQsX5NbiJqu5b5LSE66a6Eo56Vuu7nBle6k8YAP-MhhvP4WCCepSPKeqElPDPEWZZT0SNFGlQ0mz2rYTasfpqrbhg8nuw459DdogIjQBXrgTnjZLI/s400/IMG_1304.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343064239684235410" /></a><br />The idea was all his, as he sat around the kitchen table early in the afternoon and said, quite matter-of-fact in his four-year old voice, "I'm having dad take my training wheels off of my bike. Then I'm going to ride around in the grass. And after that I am going to just go really, really fast."<br /><br />Really fast. <br /><br />I remember late November 2006, Max's wispy blond locks blowing every which way, his sherpa patagonia vest (my favorite kid's clothing item ever) zipped up tight in the late fall wind. We'd just handed down Noah's old Red Flyer tricycle, and there was a look of sheer determination in Max's eyes. A look that said, "I don't care if my feet don't touch the pedals. I'm makin' this work."<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVr77YSmznCM0L8IerY6Yn1y33cj_I7YjWUx3E40Imr-EwyrG1nYUO4zDEf-ulIwpnvlw491rzTLDQdCib66AOpxXv7atDuGztdbyCvQqQt_pEVbJCgh2LgHQoZrbt6I74tSs7YARFFk/s1600-h/ry=400.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVr77YSmznCM0L8IerY6Yn1y33cj_I7YjWUx3E40Imr-EwyrG1nYUO4zDEf-ulIwpnvlw491rzTLDQdCib66AOpxXv7atDuGztdbyCvQqQt_pEVbJCgh2LgHQoZrbt6I74tSs7YARFFk/s400/ry=400.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343093329136272482" /></a><br />And he did.<br /><br />Now I find myself standing in front of that same Red Flyer, only it isn't Max messing around with the handlebars and pedals. It's Lizzie. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDN9u6XOE9gDISEUGskInhKaOavnmIrPxttVNtDDU0OWbrq5ykxSm2tAyBaf8xuo2_qPlYqytayv2FVtIx0zw1yaNkJmlqpa9r0zYcb_KPhXqvklFSNttBQ112tRHSYn1OOaFO9tjDt_A/s1600-h/IMG_1317.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDN9u6XOE9gDISEUGskInhKaOavnmIrPxttVNtDDU0OWbrq5ykxSm2tAyBaf8xuo2_qPlYqytayv2FVtIx0zw1yaNkJmlqpa9r0zYcb_KPhXqvklFSNttBQ112tRHSYn1OOaFO9tjDt_A/s400/IMG_1317.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343064244744267890" /></a><br /><br />Max is zooming up and down the driveway, his training wheels wobbling and buckling under his speed. Yes, I thought to myself, he's ready. So soon.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiyOnVt86pcvnJwF9fxsTqxdQlL7A9nCMYAbnJKHJkHDG1SivbBsbVTKyiQ26-eM57ABkXYGlJf9zK-Kn2LeOjLcioxI5psBy2sM1DB2LmMi6c4FeSb90Np-TsXyPQDZV1i7_YLCANlA/s1600-h/IMG_1315.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiyOnVt86pcvnJwF9fxsTqxdQlL7A9nCMYAbnJKHJkHDG1SivbBsbVTKyiQ26-eM57ABkXYGlJf9zK-Kn2LeOjLcioxI5psBy2sM1DB2LmMi6c4FeSb90Np-TsXyPQDZV1i7_YLCANlA/s400/IMG_1315.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343069286607278770" /></a><br /><br />Justin came home from work early and set about making a true two-wheeler. There was so much excitement in the air.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQhz1BD0YfysreZCLYONsFHXJ2zzRqpk0mchLG_uf8HiVLkkQO7Z2NHpJ6-MFzyCFco9baO2Ml3cr3-dIzvM0NR58VgABhyKOKgIY7wOyeH0zfy_XPlM8WhkjOJDJ3RZqoJnzv3d8zQ8/s1600-h/IMG_1322.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQhz1BD0YfysreZCLYONsFHXJ2zzRqpk0mchLG_uf8HiVLkkQO7Z2NHpJ6-MFzyCFco9baO2Ml3cr3-dIzvM0NR58VgABhyKOKgIY7wOyeH0zfy_XPlM8WhkjOJDJ3RZqoJnzv3d8zQ8/s400/IMG_1322.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343064251173187186" /></a><br />I found myself skipping between video camera and still frames, trying to hide my need to protect, to control the situation from behind the lens as I watched Justin run alongside, and let go, Max teetering and toppling over again and again.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmdT_rRaBP3yOkY0urZ9ujlTSk0CNXqRhngVmWwEHmef8NnE_3hfzc57px05YH1PDyl2iEOzyllMDTBro8rfRRnKP01bPsMXVON1GqoUQT91NNL-qyOeWznYIy0ORSzPq3r_lFExAF1U/s1600-h/IMG_1343.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmdT_rRaBP3yOkY0urZ9ujlTSk0CNXqRhngVmWwEHmef8NnE_3hfzc57px05YH1PDyl2iEOzyllMDTBro8rfRRnKP01bPsMXVON1GqoUQT91NNL-qyOeWznYIy0ORSzPq3r_lFExAF1U/s400/IMG_1343.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343067175041366994" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYXQh06HDwD4LkGizi4J-PVeIPKrJFZq7htV0cLd7Ns9hIlaTU5OYzttOF6cDuIt6YvJWvGKYV_9zQXKnoCK6mTwsiN4g4p0RZVsF1BoKmFeEgqKQy1tjos8K34wHccgE-Ewsa6nCM3k/s1600-h/IMG_1351.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYXQh06HDwD4LkGizi4J-PVeIPKrJFZq7htV0cLd7Ns9hIlaTU5OYzttOF6cDuIt6YvJWvGKYV_9zQXKnoCK6mTwsiN4g4p0RZVsF1BoKmFeEgqKQy1tjos8K34wHccgE-Ewsa6nCM3k/s400/IMG_1351.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343064254927242834" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2vfx-pkoZ5pvDFimMi9oB4CO6k4eItZmB-dbEd6rBzST4czdwiUcijh2B8rBz0YaxHx6J9M7jRUt4Ag8nlEAXhyphenhyphenlOp3v44r05sMRgsl-zqdcRC5MG00M8WstJ_Lzk_BZmSOOfr07jss/s1600-h/IMG_1372.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2vfx-pkoZ5pvDFimMi9oB4CO6k4eItZmB-dbEd6rBzST4czdwiUcijh2B8rBz0YaxHx6J9M7jRUt4Ag8nlEAXhyphenhyphenlOp3v44r05sMRgsl-zqdcRC5MG00M8WstJ_Lzk_BZmSOOfr07jss/s400/IMG_1372.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343067164629008242" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1id0GyaBfFaSu0GFg5rz7rHfow7qyX3IMCNQ2DrOYS9AhyphenhyphenkLR9r0sZrr9ajoam1FxjckWA0ooPvkPUkRwhpKYDsDY0vRtGEPu1OCh0GvSbJSnkgENo00gDS54m6m-XgibAXusD96mK8/s1600-h/IMG_1361.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1id0GyaBfFaSu0GFg5rz7rHfow7qyX3IMCNQ2DrOYS9AhyphenhyphenkLR9r0sZrr9ajoam1FxjckWA0ooPvkPUkRwhpKYDsDY0vRtGEPu1OCh0GvSbJSnkgENo00gDS54m6m-XgibAXusD96mK8/s400/IMG_1361.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343067168811228546" /></a><br /><br />My natural instinct was to run alongside yelling things like "Justin! Hold him tighter!" and "Careful, Max! Careful!" But everytime he fell, he had a face that said "I. Love. This."<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIrySiwMrFpGJ8KlAb4Y7D-D9sex1CLPnmxSllLmKlpXuxMRkkxpjlEKPOUch7_dasg2fvpGYHi6bCqf-aCvvIUud-G9cneTtq2rEWK0WzxuHiXUeKk2fth8CiF_HbqmPQ9fpVKxCHvk/s1600-h/IMG_1360.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIrySiwMrFpGJ8KlAb4Y7D-D9sex1CLPnmxSllLmKlpXuxMRkkxpjlEKPOUch7_dasg2fvpGYHi6bCqf-aCvvIUud-G9cneTtq2rEWK0WzxuHiXUeKk2fth8CiF_HbqmPQ9fpVKxCHvk/s400/IMG_1360.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343067181506454498" /></a><br />So I bit my lip. I watched a group of ants scrambling in and out of a pile of sand along the side of our driveway. I took a breath and looked up as Max screamed out my name.<br /><br />And this is what I saw:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1asCjBqJveUj5iC_eULD_snAiqNgEFJZRA9ZxZwtUz-DmvA8GzNKKUOpZThRhU1-tTp585TJ0o0IRtgPRiAx5WhmA_jWYKjxN0zKyV3BwpucNXOogsLWvoGUQmXeAkp7x7Kpw_xHp8A/s1600-h/IMG_1396.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1asCjBqJveUj5iC_eULD_snAiqNgEFJZRA9ZxZwtUz-DmvA8GzNKKUOpZThRhU1-tTp585TJ0o0IRtgPRiAx5WhmA_jWYKjxN0zKyV3BwpucNXOogsLWvoGUQmXeAkp7x7Kpw_xHp8A/s400/IMG_1396.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343069278641995138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0MX8FePRAJH18dLKyNYNwP-CabaevQYLNq2H4PsOekKlNBrXs0t9H3MQpzDcDiWCuIqN6i_hcEeJYW5gtkZUYVbNL7OGSzR7FL6fVpGgUis0DAEr8amBh_BoknFRXmNXDQTARi-O1a8/s1600-h/IMG_1387.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0MX8FePRAJH18dLKyNYNwP-CabaevQYLNq2H4PsOekKlNBrXs0t9H3MQpzDcDiWCuIqN6i_hcEeJYW5gtkZUYVbNL7OGSzR7FL6fVpGgUis0DAEr8amBh_BoknFRXmNXDQTARi-O1a8/s400/IMG_1387.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343069284088376866" /></a><br />I so, so, so love being a mama.Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02408630005976395741noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839383598213046632.post-90024850970184449412009-05-31T09:35:00.000-07:002009-05-31T10:24:37.864-07:00In this moment:: weekend three<span style="font-weight:bold;">In this moment::</span><br /><br />I am:: loving the fact that Lizzie's idea of a good time is carting around the laundry for me.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAc7UjbO1T8hrhWOkUSIlFMV_dMwfCvS-u_py28WLvN9auwE1l91P6iLw66uTEpD4OXz23ifgQs1VOnbc3XgNmMJsrD5oW26AJMGrggyKma1f0hmq15c5evYmz9H5IMgPzELtW7Tf6Orw/s1600-h/IMG_1041.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAc7UjbO1T8hrhWOkUSIlFMV_dMwfCvS-u_py28WLvN9auwE1l91P6iLw66uTEpD4OXz23ifgQs1VOnbc3XgNmMJsrD5oW26AJMGrggyKma1f0hmq15c5evYmz9H5IMgPzELtW7Tf6Orw/s400/IMG_1041.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342028591852306466" /></a><br /><br />I am:: having so much fun watching Noah play soccer, more for his natural celebration of teamwork than anything else.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2fNrJ0RzivMe1BsFAYzRnGPKePrxOTp7TXPESaJvtAaQSztUIGZkyNtP0NP-r9MTj5LK0ztx9QNjA48tDKSCH7iAip8og1V32AK6tmfwgT0bw5-WX3fgXX5bLJfXXhyphenhypheneUzlvlxgIX9s/s1600-h/IMG_1177.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2fNrJ0RzivMe1BsFAYzRnGPKePrxOTp7TXPESaJvtAaQSztUIGZkyNtP0NP-r9MTj5LK0ztx9QNjA48tDKSCH7iAip8og1V32AK6tmfwgT0bw5-WX3fgXX5bLJfXXhyphenhypheneUzlvlxgIX9s/s400/IMG_1177.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342030846215206866" /></a><br /><br />I am:: moved to tears when watching Max nap-- on the couch or my bed or the floor or where ever else his four-year old body gives out-- as I see glimpses of his baby days and his growing kid-ness all woven in the threads of his blankie.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjCAp7euyurfBiDizAn9krBylQC1WLqM1N9BwVgQtYj919JBe4iCxb9xErTuKzw5Lmnf_zTHV2E8SZvLlwNgn6-81TkOcQLbP9sCL3oYxsrx-b-90AHpTOXCc0gR4BpUIlZnD0u0A7Y0/s1600-h/IMG_0894.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjCAp7euyurfBiDizAn9krBylQC1WLqM1N9BwVgQtYj919JBe4iCxb9xErTuKzw5Lmnf_zTHV2E8SZvLlwNgn6-81TkOcQLbP9sCL3oYxsrx-b-90AHpTOXCc0gR4BpUIlZnD0u0A7Y0/s400/IMG_0894.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342034845946915618" /></a><br /><br />I am:: thinking this through the lens of our anniversary.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgnIhQzauRLWd0Q16I1wdm5f9ha4KVmkeeB8IQ6UZe_01SPIyLL9jTy8DnAualFm8bs7DbYO7qoLqB5O_6kTLxYXd11JWbfqXqTFyZ7o9kdd5tr7LkANkfRLj0u2ZO0Cb2UaUBXkfN5o/s1600-h/IMG_1238.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgnIhQzauRLWd0Q16I1wdm5f9ha4KVmkeeB8IQ6UZe_01SPIyLL9jTy8DnAualFm8bs7DbYO7qoLqB5O_6kTLxYXd11JWbfqXqTFyZ7o9kdd5tr7LkANkfRLj0u2ZO0Cb2UaUBXkfN5o/s400/IMG_1238.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342036860908995058" /></a><br />As the years pass, I am coming to understand that we celebrate more than our commitment to each other when we remember our wedding day. We are remembering to be joyful in the little things. I know just how much milk to put in his coffee. He understands the look on my face that says I need a break (now). We can look at our three children, humbled, knowing. Yes, an anniversary is not really about a wedding at all, because that piece of paper means nothing compared to the choices we've made everyday since. To plan. To get off track. To forgive. To love. To grow, each day, together.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJ6VLb-8Q2U0-ZKt247Z9cOyKHWHhDHYwYW3LPmGCXm8FBDmq0xI2dmNyrypeiSgcxSIF2rNvaPE2uw7qUyQ31gpzzU8-0jjwzcV-V6owi0wANTCuDpkP4Y7O2ww0W5T54FmQ8HWwpZk/s1600-h/IMG_1241.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJ6VLb-8Q2U0-ZKt247Z9cOyKHWHhDHYwYW3LPmGCXm8FBDmq0xI2dmNyrypeiSgcxSIF2rNvaPE2uw7qUyQ31gpzzU8-0jjwzcV-V6owi0wANTCuDpkP4Y7O2ww0W5T54FmQ8HWwpZk/s400/IMG_1241.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342039464934343282" /></a><br />(and grow with such <span style="font-style:italic;">maturity</span> too)Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02408630005976395741noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839383598213046632.post-7932529593122188732009-05-28T19:47:00.000-07:002009-05-30T03:37:31.380-07:00Just maybe, the meaning of life<a href="http://www.elizabethpollie.com"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9acY-OrxNJiChfwaqStUauiiVYsN3SZfzJw4E6YscAy6h7ZyCUv7FEECLIcOs0YPlD-OSnZ9d3_iJ2CGdYDhnRgEXj7kUwvxPd2Xuu45woIzp-hWLmN3_0M8ell1GYGRodUeJg1PSXE/s1600-h/watersedgelg.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 330px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9acY-OrxNJiChfwaqStUauiiVYsN3SZfzJw4E6YscAy6h7ZyCUv7FEECLIcOs0YPlD-OSnZ9d3_iJ2CGdYDhnRgEXj7kUwvxPd2Xuu45woIzp-hWLmN3_0M8ell1GYGRodUeJg1PSXE/s400/watersedgelg.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341562335388880338" /></a></a><br />Two nights ago, I saw the most beautiful sky sweeping across our town's little harbor. Walking our two dogs at 8:30 p.m., I stood on the bluff and paused, feeling revrant and awed as I watched a thick line of fog move in to cover the land across the bay, giving the illusion of a canvas with wet colors or a bowl of melting pink and orange and creamy grey ice cream or, I don't know, something mythical, something unreal. As the dogs pulled me down the hill, I knew the gravity they were contending with was not a vertical pull, but a horizontal one. Whereas the rich rows of lilacs edging up from the hillside were slowing me down, the call of the lake, nearby, not frozen and yet so still, was driving my Teton and Dakota into a near-frenzy. We moved swiftly toward the shoreline, and when we got there, I was stopped in my tracks. By beauty.<br /><br />Have you ever been stopped in your tracks by beauty? I kicked myself for not having my camera, but in that rare and fleeting timeframe to get outside-- without small children, without a to-do list-- I left without thinking. <br /><br />And maybe that's okay.<br /><br />I needed to see this horizon, vast and full, and not through a view finder. If you close your eyes and picture a shawl, made from the most wispy tangerine-colored yarn, spreading across a pale blue sky, reflecting in a pale blue lake-- that is what I was seeing. A sliver of a moon was shining through, and as the wall of fog softened, it dipped into the water, stretched up like a dance. It was 49-degrees. I inhaled, taking deep and slow bouts of cool evening air, silent and absorbed in each breath,<br /><br />because it carried <br />the lake, the sky, the sounds of waves of birds, of breeze <br />into, out of my body.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">By the way, that painting, which feels a lot like that night, was created by <a href="http://www.elizabethpollie.com/">this artist</a>, whom I am lucky enough to know and admire.</span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02408630005976395741noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839383598213046632.post-56081799378416723832009-05-23T07:16:00.000-07:002009-05-23T13:39:58.628-07:00In this Moment:: weekend two.<span style="font-weight:bold;">In this moment::<br /></span><br />I am:: wearing my first hand sewn skirt. And I'm so very happy about it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijC47jxyKo-dViaPlm-ib3dQvklES4Cx9gyVjwLjiTeIQASFyPApnM_AyD67L1_O1sG9Jupk_rK6DB1Mpd6ei6mqIZAHi8SVHljd5oE_ApXRkpwcuYP0LXvSn710vVrf25bf7M8MV3zV4/s1600-h/IMG_1007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijC47jxyKo-dViaPlm-ib3dQvklES4Cx9gyVjwLjiTeIQASFyPApnM_AyD67L1_O1sG9Jupk_rK6DB1Mpd6ei6mqIZAHi8SVHljd5oE_ApXRkpwcuYP0LXvSn710vVrf25bf7M8MV3zV4/s400/IMG_1007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339120946495001602" /></a><br /><br />I am:: falling in love with the book <a href="http://http://www.amazon.com/Homemade-Life-Stories-Recipes-Kitchen/dp/1416551050/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243110292&sr=8-3">A Homemade Life,</a> with its rich recipes and sweet prose. And I'm so very happy about that too, especially after just finishing the book Infidel, which disturbed and challenged my thinking in more ways than one.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzNIls8QHGMAOTNYDO8XdQggq7V2Hnj78FfzTVGcEdENpUcLDIkkH-FhLKxd860ibhDDb3Twg-0_ikI6lfe6fzktv_FCWhIJ0vl0ZpGnSgCKwUOOs4VZhp1ft68hgDaRoxdBTIBdKY4s/s1600-h/IMG_0881.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzNIls8QHGMAOTNYDO8XdQggq7V2Hnj78FfzTVGcEdENpUcLDIkkH-FhLKxd860ibhDDb3Twg-0_ikI6lfe6fzktv_FCWhIJ0vl0ZpGnSgCKwUOOs4VZhp1ft68hgDaRoxdBTIBdKY4s/s400/IMG_0881.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339107948014710418" /></a><br /><br />I am:: still sighing over Max's words this morning, "Mama, you make the best pillow."<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNG8YL-FwOp7iJsCLxIwdrq22juB3f5b-iUR06XUCxeymm4eB-chQxY4N8M2W0yPbGmMJaCka5REzL__Yad4sGlMtGu7QFau11pVxYffrCbjbgx7C_bJwMRxgnLzGrATMbbjsi7CDhjoQ/s1600-h/IMG_0913.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNG8YL-FwOp7iJsCLxIwdrq22juB3f5b-iUR06XUCxeymm4eB-chQxY4N8M2W0yPbGmMJaCka5REzL__Yad4sGlMtGu7QFau11pVxYffrCbjbgx7C_bJwMRxgnLzGrATMbbjsi7CDhjoQ/s400/IMG_0913.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339113945258069474" /></a><br /><br />I am:: still grinning about Noah's exclamaition last night "Mom, I totally love your laugh."<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUbFeTjEUzZsGnlDgpqU-xGNrq1_qFrjPxvvRi7qSGh4UhfQiVbT2G0AjWeq81ur9IL5-sHz-MNKNPHDi2iaW1nA4YokIl38B_dGmCzAMgU2e59hloWPcTKWvJMmfYZpG4p6Evgg4w7o/s1600-h/IMG_0988.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUbFeTjEUzZsGnlDgpqU-xGNrq1_qFrjPxvvRi7qSGh4UhfQiVbT2G0AjWeq81ur9IL5-sHz-MNKNPHDi2iaW1nA4YokIl38B_dGmCzAMgU2e59hloWPcTKWvJMmfYZpG4p6Evgg4w7o/s400/IMG_0988.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339115127581853778" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nVMsGsFjbjm7_hV5gVxeQVjtA9aFDgJlkldmLl5NoGODax6UCuhJaTPQNAoirk6yT7oabzZ8d2m8aiWRej-lwySDxAPx9s6dCexoXrBQqUpoim4ntPWse_5UxHUIrNSRmY9UQwXD8FU/s1600-h/IMG_0644.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nVMsGsFjbjm7_hV5gVxeQVjtA9aFDgJlkldmLl5NoGODax6UCuhJaTPQNAoirk6yT7oabzZ8d2m8aiWRej-lwySDxAPx9s6dCexoXrBQqUpoim4ntPWse_5UxHUIrNSRmY9UQwXD8FU/s400/IMG_0644.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339111858637898818" /></a><br />I am:: feeling in tune with my choice to stay home, raise a family, grow our life; looking forward to planting our garden and later, washing dirt from small fingers; wondering how to be an activist without actively over-committing; thinking it is a luxury to wonder such things; wanting to write a poem after reading these words: <br />"When I grow weary <br />of the ceaseless prattle <br />of my brain-sealed <br />mind-talk, the inner <br />play-by-play man/<br />color commentator who <br />never lets the action <br />speak for itself, I<br /><br />split off, stand away,<br />become the benign, <br />vigilant watcher<br />of the entity named"<br />...<br />which is part of a poem by <a href="http://www.mayapplepress.com/BookPages/Renker.htm">this writer</a>, one of my favorites, and also, my friend.<br /><br />I am:: learning to be okay with-- no, that's not quite right-- learning to celebrate the me that I am, inconsistent, full of conviction, always scattered and sometimes just. simple.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifB16SX7D11hMV2x7Td0WizWfdo9lXRL4O7IKJ5Y03MSavQLHo46B4ViAReQzzs-phyF15QvedEP3D9Ee-4QaL7unTm0CdhpaPMQPr8FhMH6SZ_-Ghkz87au8hBxUaHGA0SZbTEAZO9rQ/s1600-h/IMG_1003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifB16SX7D11hMV2x7Td0WizWfdo9lXRL4O7IKJ5Y03MSavQLHo46B4ViAReQzzs-phyF15QvedEP3D9Ee-4QaL7unTm0CdhpaPMQPr8FhMH6SZ_-Ghkz87au8hBxUaHGA0SZbTEAZO9rQ/s400/IMG_1003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339114616966846706" /></a><br /><br />Happy weekend.Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02408630005976395741noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839383598213046632.post-61070431823552629752009-05-20T09:59:00.000-07:002009-05-22T07:04:33.112-07:00MilestonesThere are a lot of big milestones happening around here lately. Noah, at 10, has now stayed home alone while I ran to pick us up our favorite milkshakes from downtown. It was a whole seven minutes and 28 seconds, not that I was counting (deep sigh of relief). Max is actually opting to sleep in his "big boy bed" (as in, the futon mattress on the floor of our room) instead of hurling himself headlong into our bed when he wakes in the middle of the night. Lizzie's vocabulary is steadily increasing and she's slowly moving toward more food, less milk in her daily diet. <br /><br />But there are the small milestones too, the ones that slip by unnoticed if we aren't paying attention. I found myself privy to one of these moments last night, as the kids and I headed out back for a pre-bedtime walk in the woods.<br /><br />When we hit the tall grasses of the field, Lizzie normally squawks and throws her arms up in that "Mama-carry-me-right-now!" kind of way. Which I do. The entire time we are out walking. Occasionally, she'll let me set her down, so long as I hold her hand. Tightly. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdL-y109zrohqeK8EbBfPUA_K4aI9nG_Yusnyed3GGWkrCelfOQJL2hMuJWLhZXVeYXEx8hiDuCkjGOCHysyqAPTE4uuLJhOc_VoBCVnBlrma5XlCpm252xIrKtisclSXvB1wC-00ZJAE/s1600-h/IMG_0563.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdL-y109zrohqeK8EbBfPUA_K4aI9nG_Yusnyed3GGWkrCelfOQJL2hMuJWLhZXVeYXEx8hiDuCkjGOCHysyqAPTE4uuLJhOc_VoBCVnBlrma5XlCpm252xIrKtisclSXvB1wC-00ZJAE/s400/IMG_0563.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337958827843741394" /></a><br />As the dusk light gathered around us yesterday, however, something happened: she. let. go. I don't know if the whoops and yells of her brothers, far ahead and in a full-on stick sword battle caught her attention. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ds_qFOb714XYPYVPuH2U-Uux-iuAEllx9pDeLAnuXtej5uO6t_0oZhu0iuOl5SZ-OuB4KC7oYnCT5SAiAbgqRThoSVnegBXsq8cdj458XOiYpV7HCr9rX5MpqQOmb8obCmwqNMc1cnE/s1600-h/IMG_0599.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ds_qFOb714XYPYVPuH2U-Uux-iuAEllx9pDeLAnuXtej5uO6t_0oZhu0iuOl5SZ-OuB4KC7oYnCT5SAiAbgqRThoSVnegBXsq8cdj458XOiYpV7HCr9rX5MpqQOmb8obCmwqNMc1cnE/s400/IMG_0599.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337960326672574962" /></a><br />Or maybe it was our dogs, circling like she was a lamb that needed herding that distracted her.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBLpdwxOL8C39I0KSsReFDtXtefbstEIuSJ80x4eWmWgJkGVAWRkeOlBDgHIU0Vg4GSkA0y8dSgOc76L3vNBzJFpvlxUnW6ySdiLYC7sJKEJTaGV6ozV19Lu7aaFBCfWzmn0req7shus/s1600-h/IMG_0543.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBLpdwxOL8C39I0KSsReFDtXtefbstEIuSJ80x4eWmWgJkGVAWRkeOlBDgHIU0Vg4GSkA0y8dSgOc76L3vNBzJFpvlxUnW6ySdiLYC7sJKEJTaGV6ozV19Lu7aaFBCfWzmn0req7shus/s400/IMG_0543.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337961291019815698" /></a><br /> Or it might have just been this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9VYvArkkt78qSEF9wMysJdvL7qM0O05OYS52ledLI9kG97xlj1Chv71x-dwT765I1vYJ3FKRuHxO2nU3-UvswVykSrDVICtxevlmcL3MgDXFhVkmzGSSf8sv9e0-COwEIlOUKcXJiVw/s1600-h/IMG_0606.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9VYvArkkt78qSEF9wMysJdvL7qM0O05OYS52ledLI9kG97xlj1Chv71x-dwT765I1vYJ3FKRuHxO2nU3-UvswVykSrDVICtxevlmcL3MgDXFhVkmzGSSf8sv9e0-COwEIlOUKcXJiVw/s400/IMG_0606.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337959567380162514" /></a><br />Whatever it was that made it happen, My little girl let go of my hand. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmne0r1WQK1eFLbDFia5gOOjn_YbGg2FgnmaKebs8tl4-bmXFwpCIqBV8harOtlPIOiuXyfYNFfaNKkT2VvHg5_Mvf6xO_vc-t92Yg4d-gkr4RhiiTp-LR9SxXTdWEI0ZQqhLuyYCsRGk/s1600-h/IMG_0595.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmne0r1WQK1eFLbDFia5gOOjn_YbGg2FgnmaKebs8tl4-bmXFwpCIqBV8harOtlPIOiuXyfYNFfaNKkT2VvHg5_Mvf6xO_vc-t92Yg4d-gkr4RhiiTp-LR9SxXTdWEI0ZQqhLuyYCsRGk/s400/IMG_0595.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338016947090019602" /></a><br /> She began to walk away from me-- tentatively at first-- as she reached over and touched everything in sight. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2yDJu2GzFQ1QvEU4fi0JdziuLMbHw8KzunILsG7TIRN0GCSGDrpM0YoBENDb1WEzxAfnIL1Lr5OeT7fg_BGqjxAwu2A2mCdePb23kWDdzLcCqr8ODJnQ_dIC8f6Vj2HHclrPz8OrTWA/s1600-h/IMG_0593.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2yDJu2GzFQ1QvEU4fi0JdziuLMbHw8KzunILsG7TIRN0GCSGDrpM0YoBENDb1WEzxAfnIL1Lr5OeT7fg_BGqjxAwu2A2mCdePb23kWDdzLcCqr8ODJnQ_dIC8f6Vj2HHclrPz8OrTWA/s400/IMG_0593.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338018908810540274" /></a><br /> She came back once or twice to steal a hug before venturing off again, a little further...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4mQNikXlr5mfdUOmmymvI6MIPBhuftjNDe79aN3CXgqOSZ1_2LXY27jV6Bee1nRRxLSavSRpLRhYO8zP0_EJ1CFCWynrZgTAlCbP_CGTY2izJATimxj47mUV7m0g7QIWujem891-Y28/s1600-h/IMG_0590.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4mQNikXlr5mfdUOmmymvI6MIPBhuftjNDe79aN3CXgqOSZ1_2LXY27jV6Bee1nRRxLSavSRpLRhYO8zP0_EJ1CFCWynrZgTAlCbP_CGTY2izJATimxj47mUV7m0g7QIWujem891-Y28/s400/IMG_0590.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337990332482600034" /></a><br />As for me, I just hung back, watching her go. I took a few breaths, knowing I was seeing her gain a little independence, a little desire to explore the world around her all on her own. High in an old oak, a mourning dove cooed. Its song seemed full of peace and promise, as it carried my girl forward.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0GmcrGhp-Ltulg_dBsJcq8Pdl8sFm3ZnoOCzE0wapSEYOTKdxyyZisztt48x_UvyoK9rzRn8lgFR06HZy5HunKFGiStn6FG4tuO0Se_zzX_LzukTTn46Vqfgo7NgAuBCaH9KZCI52w0/s1600-h/IMG_0585.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0GmcrGhp-Ltulg_dBsJcq8Pdl8sFm3ZnoOCzE0wapSEYOTKdxyyZisztt48x_UvyoK9rzRn8lgFR06HZy5HunKFGiStn6FG4tuO0Se_zzX_LzukTTn46Vqfgo7NgAuBCaH9KZCI52w0/s400/IMG_0585.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337987602870057122" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">*I disappeared for a week (something to do with a dead computer...sigh) but I'm back, and do plan to post here at least twice each week. You can also find me at<a href="http://www.cluckandtweet.com"> Cluck and Tweet</a>, where I post crafts and recipes and silly domestic matters every other day (and on my off days, my partner in crime is much funnier than I). I'm also still <a href="http://community.mynorth.com/profiles/blog/show?id=2345865%3ABlogPost%3A24588">here</a> at MyNorth, where this month I'm focusing on fun things to do outdoors with the little ones.<br /></span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02408630005976395741noreply@blogger.com8