We got it!

Isla said it felt like Christmas.
Macrae said it was the most beautiful day.
And Rhett pointed and said "no!" (SNOW)

Just a little

A few moments of snow followed by a little sun...leaves very little snow on the ground. 

The kids don't care...something about snow is pure magic. 

Rhett was so excited just to be outside he wouldn't come near me for fear I might drag him back in the house.  (See the smile on his face?)

Macrae was just happy that both his coat and boots are green.  "Green's my favorite color! Thanks for my green coat, mom!"  Apparently it's been so long since he put it on, he forgot it was green. 

You can't see it but Isla made a nametag today that read "Mrs. Parker" because she was planning on playing school with the boys.  Oh, and she brought her hand sanitizer outside because all good teachers use sanitizer.

My Funny Valentine

Thanks to the fact that 2 of my friends "liked" two of his friends, in 1992 we went out on our first date;

It was a Valentines Tolo Dance.  

We didn't really talk, let alone even dance together.

Our jeans couldn't be any tighter (but I'm glad they are back in style. haha)  I'm pretty sure he weighed a buck fifteen.  Luckily my "mall bangs" were tamed-ish that night.   

In 2002 we were reunited.  It took us a couple months to realize we had been meant to be together for every Valentine's Day hereafter.  

love you, babe!

Happy birthday my man

(it's a few weeks late.  but i'm just digging through photos.)

happy birthday my best friend and companion for...ever! i love you!

 -loved all my boys blowing out the candles together.  

It was THE BIRDS

The sun was shining.  I had an old loaf of bread in the fridge.  I took the boys to feed the DUCKS.  

It didn't go as planned...

Stupid Seagulls SWARMING

Rhett runs for his life! 

THE END

Brother Love

a few weeks ago Isla came to me and said "MOM, macrae is always following me everywhere i go! and i'm so tired of him following me!  "

before i could even think of a response macrae (who was just two steps behind her) says, "that's because i love you, isla!"

isla was flattered and they ran off together.

imagine my surprise when two days ago macrae says "mom, rhett is always following me and i don't like him following me!"  

i reminded him that he follows isla and he does so because he loves her...so rhett must love him too.

the last week has been crazy.  the two boys have been serious BOYS.  lots of wrestling, mess making, and running going on around here.  it's driving me crazy.  i am not sure how to deal with the noise and chaos.  i don't like it.  but what am i to do?  put the kibosh on their fun??  sometimes i get angry with them when they sneak out of the backyard and end up down the street.  (it's a bit embarrassing when the neighbor brings them home right?)  and i do make them stop when i find them covered in toilet paper, pieces all over the bathroom and the bites out of the roll? or the endo files all over the carpet...

 but ultimately, i'm trying to relax and let them be brothers.  

 

 

On copyrights and other questions

tonight's dinner conversation between isla and macrae was about copyrights and who had the copyright to the pattern of mandarin orange slices and the way they were laid out on the counter.  i wonder what is being taught in elementary school these days?  i'm getting my moneys worth. that's for dang sure!  and macrae is now asking me how to spell things...since he goes to (joy) school now.  these kids...this life...it is beautiful!

it's been a struggle to sit down and write.  what should i say?  i have thoughts that i should be recording here but well, i am not sure how to express them without seeming as though i'm crying out for help.  i certainly am not crying out for help.  (okay, sometimes i am.)  but this time in my life is difficult.  it is sad.  it is confusing.  at times i am so overcome with sadness that i can barely breath. but all of the melancholy feelings are also lined with the joy of what i have...the life that i live.  

questioning eternity and all of that.  it's a bit heavy.  

look at baby joshy.  if you want to kiss his face off i won't blame you.  i do!  if this is what eternity is all about, then count me in!  

Just so you don't feel down after reading my post here, watch the following video.  I'm not a photographer but Scott Schuman really inspires me.

 "you never know what it is...you just let it happen...it's almost like falling in love a little bit every day..." 

this is how i feel about my life...i'm falling in love a little bit every day.  if you don't already know The Sartorialist, it's time you did.