Today I watched the Father of my children, who is walking this journey in life with me and I couldn't help but think of the bumps, bruises, and joy we have experienced together.
We have made two beautiful miracles together
We have weathered the first scary and awesome months after having them.
We have taken turns holding each other through dark times.
We have argued.
We have supported each others dreams.
We have looked at each other over heads of puking children and knew we'd be next.
We have grown up together.
We have grown together.
We have experienced loss together.
We have experienced true happiness together.
We have learned together.
We have laughed together.
We have.
You have showed me love.
You have showed me joy.
You have showed me my weaknesses.
You have showed me my strengths.
You have showed me your weaknesses.
You have showed me your strengths.
You have showed our boys how to become men.
You have showed me laughter.
You have showed me the pains and joy of growth as a person.
You have showed me a side that no one else sees.
You have showed me how to forge ahead.
You have showed me how to do doughnuts in the snow.
You have showed me how to stop and breath.
You have.
I have been thankful for you since you entered my life.
Thank you.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Spring
It is SPRING! Yes, I know, it has been "officially" spring for a while now, but we finally have had warm weather, flowers are blooming, and two little boys smell like dirt and sweat. So with that, this is how I know Spring is here to stay:
10. I've fixed approximately 4,335 cuts and bumps in the last week. Okay, so maybe more like 4,094.
9. I'm killing spiders like it is a sport.
8. The Ferret hasstolen borrowed two of my mixing bowls to make "wo-um farms".
7. I've realized how white, white legs can really be. Yikes.
6. The dog thinks chasing stray/horny cats is fun.
5. I smelled a skunk as soon as I walked out onto our porch one early morning and hightailed it back into the house because my luck I'd interrupt his nap on the porch.
4. I'm at the end of the week before finals and I'm doing everything in my power to NOT study. I'm brilliant at being evasive.
3. Mr. Helpful is biting at the bit to get his Volkswagen ready to drive.
2. Weasel fell out of a tree.
1. I'm looking forward to the smell of dead fish wafting off a certain large lake
near by.
10. I've fixed approximately 4,335 cuts and bumps in the last week. Okay, so maybe more like 4,094.
9. I'm killing spiders like it is a sport.
8. The Ferret has
7. I've realized how white, white legs can really be. Yikes.
6. The dog thinks chasing stray/horny cats is fun.
5. I smelled a skunk as soon as I walked out onto our porch one early morning and hightailed it back into the house because my luck I'd interrupt his nap on the porch.
4. I'm at the end of the week before finals and I'm doing everything in my power to NOT study. I'm brilliant at being evasive.
3. Mr. Helpful is biting at the bit to get his Volkswagen ready to drive.
2. Weasel fell out of a tree.
1. I'm looking forward to the smell of dead fish wafting off a certain large lake
near by.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
A blessing
Seven years ago today, I was laying in a hospital bed exhausted, crying out of joy, and completely freaked out. We were the proud (leased up to 18yrs old) owners of an 8lb 3oz sleeping bundle of squishy - yet cute - baby boy. Mr. Helpful and I stared at him, at the ceiling, and then at each other as we realized that we just entered a foreign land of nursing and no sleep. A land that was now ruled by a sleeping dictator who would (non-too-gently) teach us patience, the true meaning of sacrifice, love, and the joy of watching someone who we could only create, navigate a huge world.
Weasel was born and we could not have asked for a more perfect child to be ours.
Weasel was born and we could not have asked for a more perfect child to be ours.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Mr. Helpful
Crap.
For a split second I thought I just shouldn't say I was indeed who Mr.Helpful thought I was. I mean, the guy didn't even know my name. Right? But how do you do that to a stranger who gets you coffee on a dreary winter's day. So, with every intention of holding a small conversation, I turned and unknowingly faced the one person who would end up saving me from one of the darkest most lonely times of my life. And when I faced Mr.Helpful, I knew exactly who he was. Actually, I knew about him and had briefly met him before, but so briefly I only remembered his name and that he seemed nice.
My first impression was right. Mr.Helpful was nice - so nice in fact that before I even knew what was happening, we were laughing over an odd small town story in the newspaper and hours had breezed by us. And before I really, really knew what was happening, Mr.Helpful and I had come to a point where we were just talking, but it was obvious neither of us wanted to leave. And then came the words I unknowingly didn't want to hear: "I've got to go." Which were followed closely by, "What are you doing today?".
For a split second I thought I just shouldn't say I was indeed who Mr.Helpful thought I was. I mean, the guy didn't even know my name. Right? But how do you do that to a stranger who gets you coffee on a dreary winter's day. So, with every intention of holding a small conversation, I turned and unknowingly faced the one person who would end up saving me from one of the darkest most lonely times of my life. And when I faced Mr.Helpful, I knew exactly who he was. Actually, I knew about him and had briefly met him before, but so briefly I only remembered his name and that he seemed nice.
My first impression was right. Mr.Helpful was nice - so nice in fact that before I even knew what was happening, we were laughing over an odd small town story in the newspaper and hours had breezed by us. And before I really, really knew what was happening, Mr.Helpful and I had come to a point where we were just talking, but it was obvious neither of us wanted to leave. And then came the words I unknowingly didn't want to hear: "I've got to go." Which were followed closely by, "What are you doing today?".
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Coffee
There is something almost ritualistic about making coffee. One step rushed or forgotten, one scoop too heavy or light, and nothing is the same. When I was younger and kid-less, I would start my day off with a smoke and a cup of coffee. There was something comforting in waking up with the silence of the morning and just being. My mornings now are filled with the noise of boys playing legos and all of us heading off to school, but I cherish the days that J leaves a fresh cup of coffee for me before he fills his Thermos for work.
J and I actually started our path together over a cup of coffee in a greasy spoon joint. I had come to a point in my life where things were not working the way they should. I had lost my place to stay the day before J and I ran into each other. I spent the night at my cousin's place, and instead of going to church with them, I decided to go for a drive. It was cold and gray outside with a nasty mix of rain and snow spitting from the sky. I remember feeling so lost that day. I had strayed from who I wanted to be, and no one seemed close. I was deep in the middle of a poor me moment, when I decided I'd go see a friend at her work. I looked horrible. My eyes showed signs of crying through the night, I slept in my clothes, and I had to leave where I was staying quickly, so there was no thought of a toothbrush. I was (as my 19yr old self would have said) "looking pretty hit". Shell (my friend) worked at an old restaurant in town, so I figured I'd have a cup of coffee, continue to feel sorry for myself, and figure out how in the world I could get a shower and my stuff. But, there were other plans set in motion that day that would change my life forever.
As I walked in, I saw a guy sitting to the right of the counter. I made sure I went to the left - far to the left. Shell came by to see me and promised to come back to grab me a cup of coffee. As she walked away, I heard a voice from my right say, "I'll get one for you." "Crap" I thought, "Crappity crap". Out of all days, I have to run into someone helpful. But he spoke of coffee. How could I resist? Mr. Helpful was walking around the counter at this point.
"I'm a regular, so I just grab my own coffee. Want me to get some for you?"
I was able to muster out a "Sure. Thanks" all the while freaking out inside because this meant I had to face Mr. Helpful. And *I* looked worn - which didn't mean I was interested in what Mr.Helpful thought of me, but you see, in my poor me moment, I forgot one of my major rules in life: Never leave the house looking bad because it will be at that point, you run into someone you know or be in a position where you should look at least half way put together. A recurring image of my grandmother as she stood looking in a mirror by her dining room table making sure her lipstick was perfect and her hair done before she left to go anywhere invaded my brain.
"Cream?"
"Uh..."
*oh my goodness..at least LOOK at the man*
"Yes.Thanks."
I thought I was in the clear as he walked back to his stool until he said, "You're Dana's sister, right?"
Crap.
J and I actually started our path together over a cup of coffee in a greasy spoon joint. I had come to a point in my life where things were not working the way they should. I had lost my place to stay the day before J and I ran into each other. I spent the night at my cousin's place, and instead of going to church with them, I decided to go for a drive. It was cold and gray outside with a nasty mix of rain and snow spitting from the sky. I remember feeling so lost that day. I had strayed from who I wanted to be, and no one seemed close. I was deep in the middle of a poor me moment, when I decided I'd go see a friend at her work. I looked horrible. My eyes showed signs of crying through the night, I slept in my clothes, and I had to leave where I was staying quickly, so there was no thought of a toothbrush. I was (as my 19yr old self would have said) "looking pretty hit". Shell (my friend) worked at an old restaurant in town, so I figured I'd have a cup of coffee, continue to feel sorry for myself, and figure out how in the world I could get a shower and my stuff. But, there were other plans set in motion that day that would change my life forever.
As I walked in, I saw a guy sitting to the right of the counter. I made sure I went to the left - far to the left. Shell came by to see me and promised to come back to grab me a cup of coffee. As she walked away, I heard a voice from my right say, "I'll get one for you." "Crap" I thought, "Crappity crap". Out of all days, I have to run into someone helpful. But he spoke of coffee. How could I resist? Mr. Helpful was walking around the counter at this point.
"I'm a regular, so I just grab my own coffee. Want me to get some for you?"
I was able to muster out a "Sure. Thanks" all the while freaking out inside because this meant I had to face Mr. Helpful. And *I* looked worn - which didn't mean I was interested in what Mr.Helpful thought of me, but you see, in my poor me moment, I forgot one of my major rules in life: Never leave the house looking bad because it will be at that point, you run into someone you know or be in a position where you should look at least half way put together. A recurring image of my grandmother as she stood looking in a mirror by her dining room table making sure her lipstick was perfect and her hair done before she left to go anywhere invaded my brain.
"Cream?"
"Uh..."
*oh my goodness..at least LOOK at the man*
"Yes.Thanks."
I thought I was in the clear as he walked back to his stool until he said, "You're Dana's sister, right?"
Crap.
Friday, February 25, 2011
And another thing...
So I couldn't help but post twice in one day. Plus, I get to share a really cool site that helps inspire others with beauty and spiritual nourishment.
The gals at Wild Olive are having a giveaway until March 1st. All you have to do to win one of their very cool hoodies is: "Like" them on Facebook, post about their giveaway on your blog, or follow them on Twitter.
Check out their other merchandise while you at their site. Who can resist a cute shirt?
The gals at Wild Olive are having a giveaway until March 1st. All you have to do to win one of their very cool hoodies is: "Like" them on Facebook, post about their giveaway on your blog, or follow them on Twitter.
Check out their other merchandise while you at their site. Who can resist a cute shirt?
Howdy
I wish I had something witty to write you. Some big adventure to tell you about that has kept me away from my blog. Some reason besides Facebook stalking that has sucked all my free time. The truth is, right before I went to come back to blog, life threw huge curve balls that sucked all the words out of me.
The truth is...I was forced to look at life from an angle that sucked. A friend, a young, young, friend was taken abruptly away from his beautiful family. J's grandmother was re-diagnosed with cancer (this time in her brain) and even though we had minimal contact with her, it sucked to watch her life fade. I watched an Aunt lose her father and mother within months of each other. They were role models for anyone, and were part of my good memories when I was little. Then another soul I know (a choir director from my high school) was whisked away entirely too early. 5 deaths all within 6-8 months of each other. 5 deaths that have had me on my knees more than anything in my life.
So I am slowly coming out of a weird, empty spot in my life. I hug J more. I cherish the warmth of my babies as they climb into bed with us. I complain less about small things. And I thank God for the life he has blessed me with. I've changed, yet I don't know where those changes will bring me.
On a much lighter note: We are doing pretty darn well. Weasel will be 7 next month, and Ferret is growing like a weed.
The truth is...I was forced to look at life from an angle that sucked. A friend, a young, young, friend was taken abruptly away from his beautiful family. J's grandmother was re-diagnosed with cancer (this time in her brain) and even though we had minimal contact with her, it sucked to watch her life fade. I watched an Aunt lose her father and mother within months of each other. They were role models for anyone, and were part of my good memories when I was little. Then another soul I know (a choir director from my high school) was whisked away entirely too early. 5 deaths all within 6-8 months of each other. 5 deaths that have had me on my knees more than anything in my life.
So I am slowly coming out of a weird, empty spot in my life. I hug J more. I cherish the warmth of my babies as they climb into bed with us. I complain less about small things. And I thank God for the life he has blessed me with. I've changed, yet I don't know where those changes will bring me.
On a much lighter note: We are doing pretty darn well. Weasel will be 7 next month, and Ferret is growing like a weed.
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