Too Many Moments

Date: Monday February 18, 2008
Posted in: Emily, Family, Graham, Honey, Nathan, Parenting, me

(Brace yourselves for a bazillion photos.)

This weekend has been one of the best that I have had in a long time.

I have been trying to figure out what made it so special. We did not really do anything out of the ordinary. We puttered around, ran errands, went to church, hung out as a family. You know. The usual. But it was different somehow. Better. I think I finally figured out why.

It was SUNNY.

Not only was the sun shining, it was actually giving off heat. Enough warmth that we could be outside without scarves and mittens. Will wonders never cease?

On Saturday afternoon Honey and I took the boys outside while Emily was napping. For the first time in many (Many!) months, they wanted to go on the swings. It helped that there was no biting North wind.

Oh, swings. How the kids have missed thee.

Me? Not so much. I don’t “do” under-ducks.

The upper half of our sledding hill has melted away. Nathan (aka Big Z) would not let that stop him. If it were up to him the dude would “snowboard/surf” every. single. day.

We are up in the mountains, which is colder than it is “in town”. A ten minute drive is like a whole different climate. Case in point. Did you notice that there was no snow in this photo (Some of you did)?

And that she is only wearing a hoodie? It is warm. Spring is just around the corner. It has already arrived “in town”.

Sunday arrived and I thought that I would take yet another photo of the three kidlets all gussied up.

Why do I torture myself with these? I HAVE NO IDEA. There is a whole lot of yelling going on.

And you should hear the kids.

This is the best of the bunch.

I need to stop these while I am behind.

As we headed out the door, I grabbed the camera. Miss Emily has become Miss Independent and wants to walk everywhere instead of being carried. She’s pretty proud of her bad self.

Here she is as we returned home.

I lurve her.

After she awoke from her afternoon nap we headed outside as a family. Part of our time outside was spent as me in my Mommarazzi role.

Hey Graham? Can I get JUST ONE nice smile?

Dude. PLEASE TRY AGAIN.

OK, seriously? Can you please give me a sincere smile? How about if I pass some gas?

There we go.

Miss Emily was busy sitting on the quad and putting the key in and out of the ignition (Don’t worry. The safety was on.)

The girl really is a mini-me. What are the odds that she will ride a crotch-rocket like her Momma did?

My eye was drawn to her hand playing with the throttle.

And also? The contrast of her girly boot against the quad’s 4×4 sign.

After eleventy billion tries, I managed to get a shot that that included her eyes.

I never tire of them.

Mister Nathan, the middle child, is always up for me taking his photo.

He will take all of the attention he can get. I gladly give it.

The thought of leaving these three amazing children for a week’s vacation is hard. Matthew and I talked about this yesterday afternoon. We both get all weepy if we actually stop to contemplate the fact that we will be a world away from our flesh and bone for seven whole days.

I have been thinking and praying about it, as has Matthew. We have both come to a peace about it all.

Yes, we will miss them.

Yes, they will miss us (even though they will be thoroughly entertained by grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins).

Some people put their relationship on hold while they are in the throes of dealing with small (and big) children. When the kids are grown, they look at each other and wonder who the heck they are looking at.

We do not want to be those people.

We are going to spend a week where we are not “Mommy” and “Daddy”. We will not be an “accountant” or a “lumber broker”. We will not have chores, or meals to cook, or laundry to do. No cares, no responsibilities, no worries.

We will just be Matthew and Angella.

It is going to be all sorts of awesome.

32 Comments

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Yes it is! And well-deserved. I’m thinking you need something behind you that makes the kids laugh every time. Gets their attention, etc. Three subjects gussied up, can’t be easy for a good capture. I suppose cookies wouldn’t work?

witchypoo’s last blog post..Peep of the Week

Comment by witchypoo on February 18th, 2008 @ 4:58 am

I totally remember living in the Valley and just waiting for the clouds of winter to clear away, had a little deja vu when you mentioned it……I am so excited for you to go away, YOU need it, it will be more then AWESOME!! Have fun!!

Comment by Heidi on February 18th, 2008 @ 7:05 am

It is! SO excited for you

Great pictures as always!
Have a great, fantastic, relaxing fun time and tell me ALL about it when I see you in less than 3 weeks!

YAY! YAY! YAY!

oh and so jealous that you are getting spring already. Seriously, we need to get out of this winter *cough cough* wonderland.

Kami’s last blog post..Ack! Yipee and look what I did

Comment by Kami on February 18th, 2008 @ 7:21 am

Sounds lovely!!

We had a quite nice weekend as well. No idea why it was so ideal, but I bet you the weather had something to do with it as well. Spending time outside was good for ALL of us.

Nice pics too!

little miss mel’s last blog post..and on the 12th day, I moved.

Comment by little miss mel on February 18th, 2008 @ 7:30 am

Sounds wonderful, and enjoy the trip! So glad you had sunshine too - it’s a-ma-zing!!!

Ashley’s last blog post..These Magic Moments…

Comment by Ashley on February 18th, 2008 @ 8:22 am

It will be awesome. Jordan and I are planning a getaway together to some place tropical this coming up winter. (We are planners!) I’ve only left Abby for one night so I’m ALREADY worried about missing the girls. But we need it. And deserve it. I’m already excited!

Comment by Jen on February 18th, 2008 @ 8:25 am

I’ve been trying so hard…look at my latest pics, I think you will be proud.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lamasdulce79/sets/72157603879382050/

cndycream’s last blog post..The Big Rose

Comment by cndycream on February 18th, 2008 @ 8:41 am

Gorgeous pictures!

It was so nice to see the sun this weekend. It’s exactly what I needed. Today it’s foggy, but there’s promise of sun, which is so exciting. I cannot wait for spring to arrive!

Sharon’s last blog post..I’m moving…

Comment by Sharon on February 18th, 2008 @ 8:55 am

Whoops - I forgot to change my blog address on this computer. Just commenting again so that I don’t have to remember to change it the next time I comment from here.
Sharon’s last blog post..Olympics and a marriage!

Comment by Sharon on February 18th, 2008 @ 8:58 am

it IS going to be awesome but i can see how it would be hard to tear yourself away from those bundles of love.

Comment by sizzle on February 18th, 2008 @ 9:23 am

You’ll cry on the plane flight over. You probably cry the first morning you wake up, even if you are in paradise. All you’ll want to do is talk about how great your children are for the first day or two. You’ll spend a good amount of time here and there calling home.

THEN.

All the relaxation will sink in, you’ll feel more at ease and fluid, and you’ll really enjoy yourself. You won’t feel any tension in your shoulders. For just a few days, you won’t be worried about meals and baths and school schedules and which child is getting into what.

THEN.

You’ll contemplate calling your family to figure out how to fly in the kids so you can stay an extra month.

I write from recent experience.

You are going to have such a great time! Enjoy!
LVGurl’s last blog post..Happy Valentine’s Day (wow, what an original title!)

Comment by LVGurl on February 18th, 2008 @ 9:24 am

Thanks for dropping off the photo! We had a fantastic weekend, too. Lots of playing at the park with the kids and trips to Starbucks! Yesterday afternoon we went to a 2nd birthday party and then out for dinner at Theo’s. Yum! I don’t think Spring is here to stay yet but we are enjoying it for now!

Comment by Tamara on February 18th, 2008 @ 9:58 am

I’m pretty excited for you to adventure together.

Elizabeth’s last blog post..?Valentimes? and theeeen?.

Comment by Elizabeth on February 18th, 2008 @ 9:59 am

yay for a bazillion photos! you guys are going to have a blast!

songsinblue’s last blog post..love?..

Comment by songsinblue on February 18th, 2008 @ 10:12 am

I have to ask? What does lurve mean?

Comment by Robyn on February 18th, 2008 @ 10:58 am

Hope you enjoy your vacay!! And, yah, we’ll probably be seeing you wednesday night
Teresa’s last blog post..Roxy Girl

Comment by Teresa on February 18th, 2008 @ 12:42 pm

hey, i came across your website a couple weeks ago from ali at cheaper than therapy and have been hooked ever since.
your kids are adorable btw
and i see you went to briercrest too…as did i. small world.
i’ll be checking in….

Comment by Melissa on February 18th, 2008 @ 2:05 pm

Those pictures are seriously amazing.

And it’s scary, but I can see how easy it is to lose your identity and become “mama” and “papa”. I have to work on not doing that.

joyce’s last blog post..that was just a “pop quiz”…

Comment by joyce on February 18th, 2008 @ 2:54 pm

Okay seriously, I know I’ve said it a billion times, but your little girl is SO gorgeous!!!

Yea, I’m with ya - it’s SO nice to do things just the two of you! My parents never really got along when I was growing up so Noah and I pay extra special attention to making sure that we have time together as much as possible. Just the two of us. Even if it’s just watching Home Improvement after the kids are in bed. I love it!!

I can’t wait to see your vacation pictures!! I may have to imagine myself there, as I am SO SICK OF SNOW!!!!!

Mrs. Wilson’s last blog post..Healthy(er) Chocolate Chip Cookies

Comment by Mrs. Wilson on February 18th, 2008 @ 3:49 pm

Beautiful photos, beautiful thoughts. Sending you hugs : )

Victoria’s last blog post..Satiating Your Curiosity. Or Not.

Comment by Victoria on February 18th, 2008 @ 5:40 pm

Dude, you’ll have each other to do.
Too much?
Sorry, totally the truth.

moosh in indy.’s last blog post..I will NOT let depression win. Or Craig.

Comment by moosh in indy. on February 18th, 2008 @ 5:40 pm

Dude, we just said goodbye to T (we leave for San Francisco first thing in the morning, so we left him with my parents tonight); I cried so much, and it’s not the first time I’ve had to leave him for a trip. It’s hard, but at the same time, you’ll be okay once you get to Mexico, and trust me–the trip will be amazing.
metalia’s last blog post..Books, Baking, and Spontaneous Dancing (AKA, My Weekend)

Comment by metalia on February 18th, 2008 @ 7:59 pm

You are in Canada and it is WARM while I am FREEZING MY TUSH OFF???

SO not fair.

(Wah!)

Loralee’s last blog post..Sideblog:Peep of the Week

Comment by Loralee on February 18th, 2008 @ 8:45 pm

I don’t know how it’s possible, but your kids seem to get cuter by the second! Love Miss E’s little church outfit! Great pictures for a great weekend! We actually had some sun here too - it was sooo nice! You guys are going to have a great time away together!

Comment by Michele on February 18th, 2008 @ 10:38 pm

What a great bunch of pictures, looks like a really fun weekend of hanging out.

You will have a blast on your holiday, it will fly by and before you know it you’ll be home again. So enjoy!!

Kristin’s last blog post..My Sunshine!

Comment by Kristin on February 19th, 2008 @ 12:15 am

My husband and I spent 6 hours away from the boy this past Friday and that was awesome; we were just us and not Mommy and Daddy, like you talked about. Sometimes I think parents really need to do that, to reconnect to themselves.

claire’s last blog post..Ketchup

Comment by claire on February 19th, 2008 @ 6:13 am

you will have a wonderful time… yes, missing them is part of the deal, but think of the return home? so sweet!

Holly’s last blog post..My Sensitive Boy

Comment by Holly on February 19th, 2008 @ 6:58 am

what a fun weekend! We had some warmer temps, just a tease, since today it is below zero!

We middle children, we like the attention!

Kristabella’s last blog post..Tales from a Weekend

Comment by Kristabella on February 19th, 2008 @ 1:57 pm

How have i never caught that Graham looks like he was spit out of your husbands mouth. They look identical in the one photo of him smiling..uncanny! So happy for your wonderful weekend. God loves to do that to us, just a raw appreciation for family time.

Filtering Life’s last blog post..Corners of my home

Comment by Filtering Life on February 19th, 2008 @ 6:16 pm

That is awesome. We did that last January and the minute we stepped into the airport it was a holiday…no one to worry about but you (temporarily, thankfully). You will be a better mommy after your time away. HAVE A BLAST!

Comment by SarahD on February 19th, 2008 @ 10:11 pm

That sounds like an awesome weekend to me! Any weekend that I can get those kind of great, natural shots are pure perfection. Glad you had a good times, and I know you’ll have a good time as a couple only
Niihaus’s last blog post..Pitron?..SHHHH!