Monday, November 30, 2009

Porch & Deck




We are ecstatic about the newest addition to our home. For the past five years, we've been dreaming of building a place for the kids to create memories. We had a sketch that David created through a software he found online but it was pretty vague and everything was "up in the air" as to what we wanted to see it happen. I had two things on my wish list - a place where we would be bug-free for the majority of the year, and an outdoor flat place for the kids to play on. Our backyard is sloped and there wasn't much play space. We really didn't know what the outcome would be like when we started demo'ing the deck on that cold January day, the first day of construction.
329 days, countless hours of labor and hundreds of lumber later, this is what our dream project looks like. And the best part is that I got my wish list. When David started, I held my breath. I knew it was going to be a very long year. It was a huge sacrifice for the both of us. In a way it has brought our family together closer. There were many days I wanted to wave the white flag and for David to stop drilling. But when I looked at David sweating and so driven into what he was doing, it made my job look so easy.
We could not have done it without wonderful friends. Each one of them brought their own expertise into the project. Sure, it would have been easier (and more expensive) to hire someone to build. But, there's something deep inside of David I see a tremendous amount of pride and ownership that he DID it. He took the plunge and completed it. I see this as an analogy to the many triathlon races he participated since high school. He never gives up and finishes what he starts. I love you, David. Thank you for doing this for our family.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

All Mine

This one is my buddy all day, everyday. Some days I can't believe how many messes he can make and how much he needs me every waking (and sleeping) second. But then when he snuggles up on me and gives me kisses, all that work just melts away. This is my view of him for most of our day. He's either hanging on my arm looking up at me with his big blue eyes or on my hip. I am truly blessed to be his mama.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Thanksgiving: The Feast

We hosted Thanksgiving at our home this year. My parents joined us. The dinner was delicious and the company was even better. Each Thanksgiving we go around the table and say something we are grateful for. It was unanimous that each one of us was grateful that we could all be together. I feel truly blessed. As you can see Forrest could not wait to start the feast.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

My Little Indian



Summer's 4 years old class put on the cutest Thanksgiving performance yesterday. It was so fun to go and see all of her friends and her teachers. I love seeing her little face light up when I walked into the sanctuary. When they all lined up in front, Summer gave me a wink and of course I winked right back at her. They sang a lot of songs. We had so much fun together and I am already excited for her next performance.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Down the Memory Lane: Forrest








One would have never guessed that my Forrest was a colic baby. Forrest is a sweet boy. He has this gentle side of him that I just love. Forrest goes to Summer and gives her lots of unsolicited hugs and kisses all day long. He adores his big sister. His presence into this world has completed our family. Forrest loves to have his back rubbed every night before going to bed. I cuddle next to him, with my eyes closed for a moment or two. The other night when I opened my eyes I saw was his little hands in I Love You handshape, with his striking blue eyes looking at me. It completely melted my heart. Even at such a young age, I love that Forrest knows how to express his emotions. As I have mentioned in my other posts, I try to capture these little moments as much as I can with my Forrest. Life gets so busy with two little preschoolers that it is easy to get carried away. I am so blessed to be your mommy and I love to watch you grow up into boyhood, Forrest. I love it that you make me smile even when I'm exhausted at times. xoxo.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Down the Memory Lane: Summer








My Summer is a happy girl. As a baby she loved to smile and still does. I wanted to add some photos of the kids when they were babies before I started this blog. When Forrest came along, she welcomed him and loved her little brother from the very beginning. There was not one bit of envy found in sweet Summer. I'm grateful for her loving and somewhat humorous personality. Summer does not give up easily - she is determined to get what she wants. That stubbornness serves her well only if she knows how to use it well. Today while I was waiting in the carpool lane, I saw Summer walking out of the preschool building with her face beaming when she saw her brother waiting on the playground. She pointed to Forrest with such excitement. She looks after him, and vice versa. I'm blessed they have each other to grow up together and to share life together. I know there will be the typical sibling rivalries and such but it makes life more special and meaningful. She's a mama's girl. Keep on radiating that beautiful smile, Summer. I love you so much. I am so honored to be your mama.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Granddaddy's Visit

Forrest and Summer loved their special time with granddaddy. He spent the weekend with us, in between his three weeks long work in New Bern. Granddaddy has a special place in his heart for the ocean. We went to Wrightsville Beach for an afternoon of fun play in the sand. When Summer woke up this morning, she was sad she didn't get to say good bye to Granddaddy since he had to leave very early. I told her we could call him, and we did. I don't think i've seen Summer so happy to just to hear his voice on the phone. I know both Forrest and Summer genuinely love their Granddaddy.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Vroooooom


Forrest is like a little cartoon character to me. He is so expressive with his face and his little hands are just to die for. I love it. This boy loves to trek around the driveway in his little red Radio Flyer tricycle. Today he rode around while I unloaded the groceries from the car and he was making vroooom sounds around the front yard. I went out to get the mail and he followed me while pedaling. He is a lot of work and into absolutely everything but with his cuteness level off the charts it somehow makes it so enjoyable at the same time. It is not forever that I will be accompanied to the mailbox and around our house by the little red Radio Flyer tricycler. I need to soak it all up now.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Geckos

One of the best things about living right next door to nature is the exposure of wildlife and natural resources to our children. I love it when their curiosity leads them to trying new things. We have so many geckos around here, every time you turn you would see one. Summer is learning how to be quick to catch geckos, but not quite fast enough. She asks David to catch geckos for her so she could hold them as if they were puppies. She knows to hold it so gently. Forrest holds them, too! But he let his go too soon, so that he could come in the house to tell me, "Take a picture of us, please!" I didn't know what was going on until I saw a gecko in Summer's hands then I understood. I, of course, grabbed my camera. So sweet. I absolutely love it.