I had (and still have) a post in my head, but while sorting through and editing the photos I took this weekend, I came across one that stopped me in my tracks.
I took it all stealth-like and Honey did not know it even existed until I showed it to him moments ago.
Somehow, some way, I ended up married to this Man.
A man who loves God with his whole heart. Who loves me more than I ever thought I could be loved. Who treasures and cherishes our children even more than I do. It is true.
My children have a Daddy who exceeds everything I have ever dreamed of and prayed for. I am, and will be, eternally grateful.
Reunited, And It Feels So Good
Date: Sunday April 27, 2008Posted in: Emily, Family, Graham, Honey, Nathan, me
For well over a week, my poor camera was barely used. I took the sum total of twenty photos in ten days. I usually take at least twenty photos each day. It was a combination of bad weather (SNOW) and a bunch of other distractions (WORK) that made my camera gather dust (figuratively). The last few days have been full of fun and photos, so brace yourselves.
Have. Photos. And. Stories. Must. Post. Can’t. Stop.
On Friday, Honey and I spent the afternoon shopping. The intent was to go and buy shrubs for around our house and deck (which we did), but we thought we’d take a gander at some spring clothes. A week from now I start a seven-week teaching contract that will keep me beyond busy. A shopping excursion will not be possible during that time (of insane craziness), so I thought I had better shop while I had the chance.
I found myself trying on two shirts that I usually avoid, style-wise. They are long, and loose, and pretty. Usually that style makes me look pregnant, but these two did not. I think it was due to the length of them (upper and mid-thigh). I was smitten, and then realized that if I were to buy the extra-long white shirt, I would have to also buy an article of clothing I have been staunchly against (For myself. Because I wore them in Grade Ten. And hate the flashback photos.)
Leggings.
I bought a black pair. Yes. Yes, I did. It will be different this time. At least that is what I keep telling myself.
Moving on. Honey and I had a wonderful dinner and then drove down to the water. There is a great ice cream shop in the old downtown core, so we shared a cone and walked along the lake.
I would have panned more to the left, but there were some young punks chillin’ there. A girl with a big camera did not faze them. Or make them move.
Honey hates getting his photo taken, so this was all I could get.
On Saturday the sun was still shining. We spent the morning spring cleaning inside/working outside. After lunch Miss Emily went for her daily nap and I was inspired to go for a run. I have been doing a Step Boot Camp two nights a week and love the changes I have seen in my body. Honey likes it too. He patted my butt while I was making lunch and was pleasantly surprised by the firmness.
That’s right, baby.
I decided to blow the dust of of the jogging stroller/bike trailer and go for a jaunt with the boys. Graham told me I could take ONE picture.
.
That would be at least one hundred pounds of BOY in that there stroller. That I pushed. While running. For THIRTY MINUTES.
To be honest, I did a variation of the fartlek (Not a fartlick. I don’t even want to know what that is). Basically, I walked for a bit and ran for a bit more. It was hard, but it felt good.
We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening playing outside while Daddy worked on the landscaping. It felt good to be outside, to feel the warmth of the sun on my skin, to take photos of my beautiful (although crazy) children.
Graham again told me I could take just one photo of him. It does not even look like him, what with his pinched and constipated-looking face. Its on Flickr if you really want to see it. I picked up the camera to snap again, and this is what I got.
Turkey.
Nathan is always up for a photo op.
And Miss Emily is at that lovely stage where she’s too busy to notice me much. I can (and do) snap away with wild abandon.
There are more, but I have had not had time to edit them all.
Sunday has been filled with more of the same, including pushing those two boys in the stroller. I ran even further today. I am going to get fit if it kills me.
It just might.
I wore the burnt orange shirt (Not black! Or white! Or brown!) to church this morning, paired with my new jean capris.
Maybe I do look pregnant. I can assure that I am NOT. And will not ever be again. I still think the shirt is cute. Added bonus? Sucking my stomach in is not required.
Miss Emily also got gussied up.
The girl. She likes dresses. She says, “Nice” and “Pretty“, and does pirouettes for Her Daddy.
It is awesome.
The dress is one of about TWENTY-FIVE pieces that Ali mailed to me this past week. With each and every item, I gasped (Audibly!) at the cuteness. Stay tuned. Fashion week(s) to follow. That Ali. She has great taste.
Here are a few more photos of my girl. I am beyond giddy that I have her to dress up.
From the back.
Happy to see Daddy driving up the driveway.
Running and waving at Daddy.
I like this one, because the contrast of “girly-girl” and “ATV-lover” is awesome. Maybe she will one day ride a motorcycle like her Mommy used to.
So, yeah. My weekend was awesome. And yours?
Playdates Are For Grown-Ups Too
Date: Friday April 25, 2008Posted in: Emily, Family, Friends, Honey, me
I am a Mom, with three small children. Life is busy. That just might be the biggest understatement on the planet.
In the midst of the busyness, I do my best to get together with my friends. Why? Because my friends are also moms, and also have crazy children. Somehow, when we get together,we manage to have some pretty sweet conversations amidst the chaos.
Thursday mornings have fallen into a (pretty great) routine. My good friend Amanda (She who first clued me into what a blog even was almost three years ago) usually packs up Avelyn and ventures out into The Sticks to hang with me and my brood. She is all sorts of wonderful.
Emily and Avelyn have a tenuous relationship. They are toddlers. It is ALL ABOUT THEM. Sharing? NOT IN THE VOCABULARY. They are getting better, though. Instead of taking out the bulk of their aggression on each other? They take it out on their respective Mommies. Awesome.
They took a break from throwing cups and doll strollers at us (and each other) to have a Goldfish break. They were being all cute and looking over the back of our Breakfast Bar chairs. Amanda commented that it was a good photo op. She was right.
On Saturday afternoon, Honey and I left the kids with my brother Lance (Who lives with us) (He is eighteen and does not eat a single fruit or vegetable…any bets on how long he will live?).
We put Miss Emily down for her nap and asked Uncle Lance if he would take a photo of us.
We then got into the truck and squealed and shouted and hollered about the FREEDOM drove away.
Today is Matthew’s thirty-first birthday. I have been pondering how to celebrate this amazing man that I get to call my husband and came up with a splendid (in my humble opinion) idea.
(Here is last year’s post, if you are interested. I’ll also post the photo taken during our dinner out.)
I think he is pretty neat.
I am going to make a list of thirty-three things that I love about him. Sweet, and simple.
Honey? This list is for you.
1. Let’s start with the obvious, shall we? You are HOT.
Mmmmm…
