sweething: etsy

I LOVE etsy. Etsy is an online marketplace for buying & selling all things handmade.... their motto is: Buy, Sell, and Live Handmade. Anything you could possibly want to buy you can find on etsy. Last winter, I bought the kids matching hand-knit hats, pink for G and blue for Little Guy. They got so many compliments on them! This red one was the tops, though. So adorable! If you get a chance, go to http://www.etsy.com/ and get lost for a while...

Have you ever....

had to tell a dear friend that her child has died? I have now.

No matter how grown up your babies get, apparently after they pass, when you close your eyes and picture them, you remember them at the age when they were most precious. For my mom, she sees my brother as a sweet 2 year old, sitting under an old tree in front of the house during the summer of '66, pretending to bring her hamburgers and coke for lunch while she rested in the shade; a relief from the heat of the house which was stifling in the last weeks of pregnancy.

For my dear friend, she sees her son as a quiet, dark eyed, 8 year old boy, always wanting to learn more and more and more about every subject and lovingly doting on his youngest brother.

I hope these memories never fade for them; and that whenever they think of their lost boys they are able to remember them only with the love and happiness of a life lived, not the pain of a life lost.

Superdog! & his trusty sidekick, The Cutest Baby East of the Mississippi

I had the pleasure of meeting my very first Superhero this past weekend. Sure, he was a little small in stature, but he made up for it in enthusiasm. I have a feeling that one day Superdog will be the proud protector and defender of his trusty sidekick, as she is destined to be quite a little beauty.

Kindergarten already??

I cannot believe it. G started Kindergarten this week. It has been QUITE an adjustment for all of us.... well maybe not Mister so much. G, Little Man and I are up at 6:15 every morning now. It really is inhumane to force people get up that early on a daily basis. "Why are we getting up in the middle of the night, Mama?" is asked at least once a day.

On the first day, the entire family got together and took G to school. We parked across the street and walked her into her class. Her teacher, Mrs. Oaks, is really fabulous, and she has TWO assistants in her class. 18 kids with 3 adults, I like the sound of that. G is having a great time in Kindy, although she still hasn't learned any of the other children's names yet. She has the worst memory for names... she comes by it honestly; I do also. I will remember a face and a voice for years, but by the end of a conversation I have probably forgotten your name *hanging my head in shame* Don't be offended though, sometimes I forget my kid's names, too.

She started riding the bus home from school on Tuesday (Mister drops her off in the mornings on his way in to work). She looves the bus, especially when I don't fall asleep on the floor with Little Man just before it is time to go and pick her up at the bus stop. Happily we have very sweet neighbors who are kind enough to walk her home.

Wednesday G was the "Super Singer" in music class. Today, she decided she isn't much for T.P. (P.E.)

And so we are now a family with school aged children. Well, child anyway. Scary.

Emma's Sneak Peek

I had the privelege of photographing this little one yesterday. She was JUST the sweetest thing. What a great way to spend a Saturday morning :)

One more step to self sufficiency

So my kids are pretty good at taking care of themselves. Other than needing me to unlock the pantry and change a diaper here or there, I could pretty much stay in bed all day and they would find a way to feed and entertain themselves for a day or so. However, there is the one most favorite food item which thus far has required my assistance... the dreaded peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

G wants PB&J for breakfast everyday. I refuse to make PB&J for breakfast. Ever. The complexity of the task is too much for me before I've had at least 3 hours to become fully aware. The preparation of the ingredients, the spreading, the crust removal, the crust disposal and then of course, the putting away... so much when she could simply have a nice Kashi toaster waffle or a organic Nutrigrain bar. Both of which she can fix herself.

So, yesterday, when she inevitably asked for PB&J for breakfast once again, I finally told her yes. She was taken aback but thrilled. Until I told her she could have it, but she had to make it herself. I assisted her in the tasks of opening the jars and instructed her on the proper method for spreading the butter. I showed her where we keep the crust cutter offer, and then, when the sandwich was complete, she had to clean up before she could eat it. Boy, was she proud of herself. She has made PB&J for herself for every meal since, and I am confident she will master the art of proper PB spreading shortly. And then, my friends, I shall be free.

Dear Babies...

I am sorry you couldn't stay here with us so we could get to know you better. Your momma is a really amazing woman and your daddy is one the best friends a person could ever have. They were so very excited to have you in their life, even if for just a minute. I hope you will keep them company, babies, as they go on and grieve you. I hope you know how much they love and cherish you, and that somehow you can help them to find the strength and calmness now. It isn't fair that you can't be here. It isn't fair at all. I hope you are in a beautiful place, twin angels. Rest your tiny heads in peace.

Much love...

Susan Taylor

What a great name. I have the privilege of knowing two women by this name (both by marriage) and they are just wonderful people. I was even invited to photograph the wedding of one of them recently. It was an amazing night... the food, the people, the dancing. I have never seen an event more filled with joy and laughter. Congratulations, Susan & Tim, I sincerely wish you the very best in your life together.

Here is a sneak peek from your big day... These were taken during the preparation....

Sweet Caroline

This is a little one whose session I have been working on lately... Sweet little thing.

I am having some good days now and then so I am trying to catch up on all the editing I am so far behind in doing. Hopefully by the end of July all will be back to normal(ish) in this house...

ON Hiatus

Hello out there. This pregnancy is really kicking my tush. Every day I wake up, feed the children, fold some laundry, take a nap. Feed the children, go outside, take a nap. Feed the children, go to bed. I can't seem to concentrate on anything for longer than 30 minutes at a time, so editing is slow going right now. I am having these really terrible stomach cramps and dizzy spells that I never had with the other 2, and as always the nausea is here. I apologize for everyone who is waiting for things from me, I am doing the best I can at the moment. Hopefully I'll feel much better in a few weeks.

Gotta go lie down again.