Day After Day...

So much of motherhood (and parenting in general) can feel so repetitive. It's a struggle for me to find joy in the daily tasks, to not let exhaustion cloud the beauty of the moment. On this day I spent time with just my two kids and Dave. It was an hour where no one else in the world mattered and we were fully present in our surroundings..soaking up these precious moments with Mae and Owen. They both continue to teach me how to let go and embrace them as they are, embrace what life brings you. Being content with less, running around less, and realizing what you thought you wanted to do really doesn't bring fulfillment are a few other things I am being taught. Thank goodness we have these little ones in our lives to bring perspective to our complicated adult worlds!

Happy Birthday, Owen!

Owen is finally one year old! This year has flown by...yet with many long days and nights. Owen was thrilled with his first cupcake..red velvet with cream cheese frosting (and sprinkles compliments of Mae). Owen keeps us smiling as we watch him half crawl/half walk to the sandbox, as he digs in the garden, as he obsessively picks up leaves by the stem, and as he eats like a horse. (He tries to whinney like a horse, too!) Owen still loves animals with horses, dogs, and cows being his favorite. He has many loves in his life: dad, Mae's favorite stuffed toy Ted, his blankey, his new wolf, any and all food, his squeaky lamb, finding the moon in the sky, his dad's soccer ball, the red wagon we pull him in daily, food, crawling into Mae's room to wake her up from her nap, and his favorite part of the day is when his dad coming home in the evenings.
Thank you, Owen, for being our little boy...and thank you, God, for letting Dave and I be his mom and dad while on earth. Love you, boy!

Goodbye, Hoppy!

Sweet Hoppy. We had over a year of life with you. Mae and Owen LOVED bringing you carrots, visiting you in your hutch, and watching you hop around the house. A favorite memory was watching you jump into our fireplace while a fire was going! Luckily you survived! A crazy day for you was when you had 10 kids chasing you around the back yard during our spring party! Owen misses watching you through the cage but Noah will miss his little friend the most.
Thank you for being part of our family!

Mae Turns 3

Really? It is time for Mae to be three years old? Mae is really a 10 year old trapped in a 3 year old body. Not really since she loves princess dresses, baby dolls, and dancing...even though most of us gals still enjoy all those things throughout life. :) Mae is so full of life. These days all she wants is to be given devoted attention as she twirls in her dresses, plays with her stuffed animals, and pretends in her room. To capture her heart, one only has to be present, focused, and be authentic. She knows when you are bluffing. She is so aware that she now will make me walk over and look at what she is showing me, even though I say that I see it. Owen challenges her a bit. She now has to share her time and toys with him. Some days she wakes up and he does everything wrong, other days she is eager to share almost anything with him.
Mae and I still have lots of fun together, even though much of my energy is now being diverted to Owen. When I do focus and get down with her and involved in her play, I am transported back to my 3 year old self and find pleasure in diapering cabbage baby and saddling up plastic horses.
Thank you Mae for making me laugh, for preventing me from taking life too seriously most days, and for being my constant companion.
Happy Birthday!

Checking for Rain

This was the week earlier in the month that it rained almost everyday...oh, to have those days back again! Last night we shared a meal with our long time friends, the Young family. Troy and Stephanie, along with their four fabulous boys (Tristan, Coleman, Blake, and Timmy), are moving from Mississippi where they've been for at least 12 years. In August, the six of them are packing up and moving to Littleton, Colorado where they will begin their new life in the West...pursuing their dreams of opening a retreat of healing and rest for believers. The first step is seminary for Troy and then on to the mountains to set up this retreat. To witness this transition in their lives is really amazing. It reminds me that God is active in our lives and will lead us on great adventures, life changing journeys, if we learn to listen to His voice, act in obedience, and trust Him completely. Hooray for the Young Family!!
As Mae keeps tabs on the rainfall in Tulsa, I will be practicing being quiet and listening to God's voice in my life.

A New Relationship

As Dave and I were driving home from a fun dinner, I heard babbling coming from both sides of the back seat. Mae and Owen were 'talking' to each other...Mae reverting back to baby talk for Owen's sake. They both were smiling and fully enjoying their interaction! I could see Owen's arms wildly waving toward Mae and saw him straining forwards to get a better look at her. Mae was staring at him while she made funny faces as she talked to him. It really was adorable! Hopefully this was the first of many good and fun moments that occur only between the two of them.

Newly Wed

Our first photo together, besides the thousands of wedding photos we took! We were on our honeymoon in Belize. Today is our 6 year anniversary and tonight we watched our wedding video for only the second time since we've been married. Hoping it would be a delightful experience as we laughed and remembered that sweet day, I decided to bring us both down by getting extremely emotional over it all. On my wedding day there was a lot going on besides Dave and I, yet that is what I focused on. When I watch it again, I don't focus on Dave and I and instead I find myself feeling all the emotions that go with the 'other stuff' that was going on. My parents had recently separated and were divorcing, I was leaving an incredible family in Mississippi (the Youngs) and saying goodbye to that chapter of my life, and my mom's health was steadily declining. On top of that, to see both my mom and grandmother (who are now both deceased) brings so much longing from my heart. To be with them, to hear their voices, to be under their authority and guidance...I miss those times. I also found myself grieving over what could have been. My life with Dave is far better than that wedding day, by far. We have had many adventures and still do to this day! Yet I find myself wondering if I made wrong decisions on where to live, what jobs to take, etc. I'm at a point in my life that I'm realizing how quickly time passes. I may not have very long, I might have 60 more years, but either way I know I need to be living out of who God made me to be, or I'm wasting time. I fear that I am not and I'm not sure where to go from here...

We Will Miss You, Kirby

One of my favorite memories of Kirby is when he lived with Dave and I in Salida for one year. He would come out of the house each time and roll in our mulch. Kirby got very dirty that year and he played hard, too! Several times he went with us snowshoeing, with Brandy and Noah, all while snow balls formed and grew larger as we hiked along. Sweet Kirby...he was so loyal to Julie, to my mom, and to his ball. He had the sweetest temperment, was amazingly soft and fluffy, and always wanted to jump up on your lap..especially if you were laying out by the pool. Kirby, I am so glad Julie picked you! Thank you for loving on all of us, for posing for so many photos, and giving us lots of years to enjoy you. Now you can rest.

Dave Loves Turtles

It's true. He loves any turtle, anywhere, doing anything. We could see them at the aquarium in a tank and he is enthralled. We could find one in the wild (such as this one) and he is totally captured by the reptile. Most likely Owen and possibly Mae will turn out to be the same way. Which I would much rather our children be excited about nature and animals than excited about staying inside to play...so far they are happy anywhere!
This photo was taken while we were on a family trip (with Julie and Jared) at Cypress Spring Ranch in Texas hill country. There are few places on earth that compare in beauty..rolling hills, fresh live water, cypress trees everywhere, sunsets that are so peaceful, and the constant sounds of animals (exotic and native) throughout the days and nights.

The Blazer Family

This is our best shot at looking casual and natural while being photographed by our dear friend Brooke Shepard (www.brookeschwabphotography.com). Mae is not convinced that this is even a good idea. She ended up crying after this photo and didn't stop until after her nap. Kerrville, Texas is the perfect backdrop for family fun.

Owen's Throne

This is my little man. Owen is now babbling, showing preferences in all areas of life, and loves hanging with mom and dad. His greatest love, however, is Mae (his big sister)...and then Noah (the family dog).

Chore Time

Mae loves helping around the house during our chore times! All she needs is a little direction and she is off. Days at home are her favorite. Mae loves when her friends come over to play and equally loves staying at home with just Mom and Owen. We spend lots of time in our backyard jumping, playing house, building forts, watering the 'garden', and anything else we can think of. Owen plays on his picnic blanket and watches the action. Life with little kids force me to be content with less action, less going. Most days of the week we stay at home, with a few trips out here and there. I find that when we do get out, Mae is eager to get back home. (I need it for my sanity on days that I'm too tired to stay engaged the whole day!)
Banana bread is baking in the oven, the house is clean and quiet, kids are healthy and sleeping, Dave and I are excited to spend time with our friends tonight...life is good.