Tulip Time

It's that time again. The tulips have bloomed, the sun is shining, and ice-cream as big as our heads is calling our names.

Jen and Keoni came all the way from Boise to spend a week with us!

Playing hide-and-seek

Eating Flowers

Oh, what a beautiful world!

Imagine

P.S. Photos courtesy of the artist featured in the first picture in this post. That's right- these were taken by an 8 year old. No enhancements...the only thing Mom did was crop.

Jay

This angelic looking child makes me crazy. Pounding my head on the steering wheel, pull my hair out crazy. He doesn't listen, he doesn't obey, he looks at me and does the opposite of what I say...usually with a twinkle in his eye and a big grin. He throws tantrums if his socks have the slightest wrinkle or if he "feels something" in/on any of his clothing he takes it off- no matter what/where we happen to be. He's had so many near death experiences that I've lost count (darting in front of cars, running away, climbing up, climbing out etc. etc.) He has also attempted to kill his baby brother on numerous occasions...but I like to think that in his own tender hearted way he is really just trying to toughen Izaac up for the real world. But above all- Jay is FUN. He is brimming with possibility and imagination. Today he insisted that he was Spider-man. So I took Spider-man and Izaac to the gym this morning. We walked through the doors of the daycare and as the kids noticed him they began to whisper and their eyes filled with wonder. And then they followed him around and asked themselves who was Spider-man? Jay was in character and wouldn't talk under his mask. 90 minutes later when I picked him up, they were still following him around and one little boy told me adamantly that Spider-man didn't want to leave yet. Jay turns the ordinary into extra-ordinary.

Gratitude

I was feeling rather dark and dreary after Jaylon left...but luckily I'm back to my (mostly always) cheerful self. Thus the change from the black background to the happy spring background. (Ok ok, I'll admit it- I'm also superstitious enough to hope my sunny background will bring the sun and warmth back to Washington. Hopelessly optimistic, I know). Tonight I have been thinking about the amazing friends and family I've been blessed with through the years- and especially this year when I've really needed that support. There have been countless occasions over the past 8 months when my burdens have become weightless from something as simple as a phonecall or an email or a visit. I am so grateful for my friends and neighbors and family. I never would have thought that I could still be happy while missing Jaylon so much- but thanks to dear dear friends and family- I have been mostly happy all of the time. God has been so kind and merciful to me and to my family and He has surrounded us with a literal army of earthly angels. My heart is full to overflowing.

Hello and Goodbye

I don't trust myself to sound like anything except a pathetic country western whine- so I'm going to let the pictures do (most) of the talking. 1st Night home: Celebrating Izaac's birthday

Say bye-bye to his little curls. Dad cut his hair a few days later. NO mullets allowed in this house.

Baptism Day. A little hectic. I really regret not getting pictures of Mamie and Papa or one with Ellie and both of her parents would have been nice.

Ski get-away at Crystal Mountain. Lovely. Relaxing. Refreshing. Heavenly.

Played lots of soccer. Watched lots of soccer.

Jay wouldn't let him out of sight and constantly wanted Dad to hold him.

Getting reaquainted. They liked each other after a few days.

Roasting s'mores on the beach.

Fire is always a big hit in this family.

The zoo.

We also bowled, went swimming, went to the movies, played lots of Wii, went on a few dates, Jaylon took Ellie shooting (she loves guns now), went running and ate too much.

Here are a few more images for you: Re breaking a leg. Getting drop kicked into the ocean. Big hammy fist in the gut. Ripping heart out of body (think Indiana Jones). Saying goodbye again was an exercise in agony- but totally worth it to see him. And for those of you who might be tempted to tell me that I'm "on the down slide slope" or "only 4 months to go" well...it's kind of like pregnancy. It gets more painful and time goes more slowly and you get more miserable as time goes on and on and on. I guess I lied. Welcome to my country western song.

Big DAY

It's been 7 months and 5 days since we were all together...and exactly one year ago today Izaac was born. 7 hours till he lands!!!! To say we're excited would be an understatement. What an unreal and fantastic feeling to know we're going to see him so SOON!!!

Life this Week

We've had a t.v. stand for almost ten years but a few weeks ago the doors broke off. I decided that I didn't have time to screw the doors back on. That would be too much work. So instead I went to Walmart and bought a new t.v. stand. This is what I found when I opened the box: I spent 4 1/2 hours getting through the first 6 steps on the first night. I nearly cried when I opened the booklet to discover that I had 18 steps to go.

Twelve hours, 1,000 screws (maybe a little less) 50 nails, buckets of sweat and blood later...

I have never built anything this complicated. I feel almost as proud of myself as I did after delivering Izaac without so much as an advil. Though both of these "accomplishments" were a direct result of my own stupidity. Live and learn, eh?

In less than a week:

Izaac will get to be hugged by his Daddy again!

In less than a week:

Jax and Jay will get to hold Daddy's hand.

In less than a week:

I get to look at him, stand next to him, hug him, smell him and rediscover life as a complete family. I can hardly wait. Pray for our soldier to travel safely and swiftly home.