sea air

"I could never stay long enough on the shore; the tang of the untainted, fresh and free sea air was like a cool quieting thought."  -Helen Keller


I often saw her alone...digging in the sand, jumping waves, and running on the shore.  I would call to her to join us...and she sweetly declined.  Her contentment was tangible.  She played with the ocean like she would play with a friend.

love

"One guiding truth about life is that what you offer to others, you strengthen within yourself." 
Becky A. Bailey, Ph.D.

We had a few difficult days last month, Sophie and I.  She was testing limits and boundaries and I was tired.  I browsed our bookshelf one night before bed and gathered a few parenting books we have.  I set them beside our bed.  Finally, this morning, when our house was quiet...and Sophie's episode is temporarily over...I picked up a favorite- I Love You Rituals.

I followed the instructions found on page 6:
"Stop reading this book for a moment.  Think about your children and how much you love them.  If they are at school or a room nearby, just wish them well.  From your mind and heart, allow the feelings to overflow and send them a silent blast of love."

I am not sure whether my children and husband felt the "blast of love" I sent their way this morning...but I know that I did.  A warmth seemed to fill the room and peace settled in my heart.  I continued reading-

"You offered your children love and security by wishing them well, and you yourself welled up with love.  The same is true when we offer criticism and blame.  When we see what is lacking in others, what they are not doing, and what is wrong with the world, we simultaneously feel lacking.  You cannot go through your day seeing what is wrong and go to bed happy."

I tend to be task oriented.  I am often found reminding my family members what is yet to be done in a day.  I tend to focus on what needs to change or improve.  How much more motivating and happy would we be if the focus shifted to the people we are...the love we share...and the growth we have made?  I want to greet my family today, when they return home from school and work, with love and attention...eyes fixed on one another...ears open...holding hands.  I want to fill the atmosphere with questions instead of commands.  I want home to a place of refuge and a place of love.  This book set me on that path this morning.

photo: taken on the Brooklyn Bridge Jan. 1, 2011

independence day

Independence day (I have said this before) is my favorite holiday!

Yes...even more than Christmas!!!!!

NO stress...beautiful weather...celebrating with the community...flags flying....!!!!!

We had a few family members call to ask if we were going to the fireworks (July 3rd)...YES!!!

A few of us went to dinner (Cafe Rio + Yogurtland seemed like a better idea than grilling this year) before we headed to the golf course.

Dede beat us to the field...and saved some great spots!

The kids rolled, ran and played as we waited for the fireworks to start.

Normally I avoid large crowds at all costs...but the 4th of July is different---

I love seeing throngs of people united in celebration of this country we love!

 On the 4th a few of us went over to an early breakfast at the church...

we spent the afternoon at the pool...

gathered in Park City @ Amanda's for a bbq in the evening...

and then we finished off the night at the rodeo (a first for us).

What a wonderful...beautiful land we live in!

I feel blessed to be a citizen of the United States of America.

We are rewatching the HBO series John Adams this month!

I bought a biography to start reading...my next book!

I have been listening to Battle Hymn of the Republic from this album on repeat for two days!

I also finished gathering the documentation I need for my DAR application this month!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!

enlarge her world

Sophie and I were both suffering from a bit of chill in the early afternoon.  I was craving a day at the beach-  sitting on warm sand listening to the ocean.  We decided to find the sunniest window in the house.  We grabbed her reading workbook and began.  It had been a week since we had picked this one up.  She was a bit rusty.   She was cold so she climbed on my lap and we made sure that we were in the most optimal spot for sun.  As she worked and read I saw a woman pass by outside our window on a walk.  She looked to be in her later 60s.  She had a big smile on her face as she advanced passed our house.  Initially I was a bit envious.  A brisk quiet walk on a sunny afternoon sounds like a treat to me.  Then as I listened to my little girl working...P A R K, D E E R, H U N T I N G, G I R L...I realized I was enjoying the highlight of my day at that very moment.  I also understood immediately that this time goes sooooooo fast and teaching my little girl how to read is really the biggest treat of all.

"There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world.  Love of books is the best of all."

Jacqueline Kennedy

Sophie is the biggest book lover in our house.  Every night, after she is tucked snugly in her bed, she climbs out and gathers piles and piles of books.  She turns on a little side light and quietly browses every page.  She sometimes reads them to the dolls or stuffed animals that have joined her on her bed.  It brings her so much joy.  I hope she holds a love of reading and books forever.

Christmas Grandparent Party

We are so blessed to live so close to so many of our relatives.  My girls have all of their grandparents within 45 miles...and even a great-grandmother (one great-grandma lives in a different state).  We see them often.  Usually it is in large groups with lots of cousins, aunts and uncles around.  The kids tend to run off and play and don't sit and visit as much as they do in small groups.  So we invited all of our local grandparents to a Christmas dinner party at our house.

We served:

roast beef

mashed potatoes

homemade rolls 

(the first time I can ever remember making them!)

a green salad

(with pomegranate, pistachios, grapefruit, and shredded carrots and a lemon dressing)

carrot cake for dessert

It was a busy afternoon...but worth every minute to have them with us at our table.  It felt good to serve them just a little bit.  They have done and continue to do so much for us.  After dinner we performed the Christmas songs we have been learning and asked them to sing a long with us.

Sophie-  Jolly Old St. Nicholas

Kate-   Jingle Bells

Ellie-  Oh Come All Ye Faithful

me...with Kate accompanying-  Sleep Well Little Children

group-  Away In A Manger

After the music we gave them each a gift.  The grandfather's received the Lower Lights Christmas CD.  The grandmother's received books that reminded us of them.  Great-grandma received a dvd- My Fair Lady (she is a fair lady).  My sweet friend also made Christmas holly pins for each of the grandmothers.

It was such a sweet evening for us.  We asked each of them as we visited what their favorite Christmas memory was--

Nana Miller-  She said that as a young girl, she worried herself sick every Christmas about whether she would not receive what she hoped for Christmas morning.  One year in particular...she felt ill from worry on Christmas Eve.  She woke up that next morning with all that she hoped for...and a special doll with a beautiful coral dress handmade my her mother.

Papa Miller-  "besides turkey & stuffing?"

Great-grandma-  She remembered last Christmas.  She had beautiful quilts made for each of us...grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She loved seeing them in her living room rolling up and cozy each in their own quilt.

Grandma Sally-  She remembered receiving a beautiful doll from her sister, who was quite a bit older than her, with beautiful outfits for the doll.  She also remembered an ice skating outfit.  It had a beautiful full skirt with pom-poms along the bottom.  She remembers ice skating with cousins on the lake that Christmas.

Grandpa Davis- He remembered the year that he and his brother received skis.  He was so surprised.  He remembers finding a hill and skiing that day.  He loved skiing and eventually worked on ski patrol at what is now Sundance.

After the party was over I asked the girls what their favorite part of the day was.
Ellie- playing our songs and watching them open their presents
Kate- Carrot cake
(her first time trying it!)
Sophie-receiving Christmas treat bags filled with tiny toys and stickers from Grandma Sally

We are so grateful for these special people in our lives.  We hope they will come every year to celebrate this beautiful holiday with us.  My plan was to take their pictures with the girls in front of the Christmas tree.  When the house was quiet and our guests had returned to their houses...and I looked at the lights of the tree I realized that I didn't take one picture.  I was enjoying the evening so much, I completely forgot.  I will do better next year...and leave my camera out...and ask Danny...actually the girls (they always remember) to remind me!

Halloween in Wonderland

Unseasonably warm...
I was insisting on sweaters...but I was a bit overdressed for the temperature!
We haven't been big "trick o' treaters" in the recent years past...
and I loved it!

The girls had the day off of school so we took it easy at home...
getting things like music practice and reading done...with extra time.
It was so nice.
The girls played...first in the playroom and then in the backyard.
The day really was beautiful.
I changed sheets, washed and folded laundry, organized the playroom, read with Ellie, played guitar...

We headed over to a friend's home for dinner and to gather our kids for the evening's adventures.
Her white bean chili was AMAZING!!!!!
The kids were dressed up...excited and LOVED knocking at each door!
Sophie tripped (that long hoop skirt made it tough to keep up with big sisters) after the 6th door and she was DONE!  She wanted nothing more to do with the candy adventure.  I went home with her.  After a bath we snuggled on the couch and read this and this, with an occassional interruption at the door.  She loved handing out candy.

Ellie and Kate continued with our friends through a spooky lane, a few more doors for trick or treating and then a neighborhood spook ally.  Our friend JR was trying to encourage part of the group who were afraid to go through the first time.  He offered a dollar if they would do it.  Kate and Ellie quickly responded, "WE WILL!"  So off they went!  With buckets full of candy and a dollar bill each---"Alice" and the "Madhatter" came home with huge smiles on their faces.  What a wonderful day!

I wish I could have stayed out later with my camera.  There is something magical about a Lensbaby and nighttime light.  It added and eeriness to the pictures that I love.  I wish it would have given me a little less blur on their faces when I took their costume pictures.  At one of the houses...they had a blue light and everything white glowed a radiant blue.  The crescent moon was eerie over the housetops too.

Happy birthday America!

The Fourth of July weekend is my favorite holiday!!!

There is such a wonderful gathering of celebration~

friends, family, warm weather, good food, swimming and FIREWORKS!

Our weekend began with swimming with friends all day Friday!

We cleaned up just in time for a date night at the hospital with dear friends
the Williams and Theobalds.

(They are AMAZING by the way!)

Saturday morning I went up the canyon and assisted my sister in law on a photo shoot.

She is wonderful...and so are her friends.  

As I walked down the path back to my car I could hardly believe what a beautiful world this is--

and that my home is so close to such physical majesty.

Back to the pool for swimming, tennis & pizza for the afternoon.

A bbq at our house with friends and family.

Fireworks seen from a cozy deck with dear friends and family~

while kids ran and played below. 
(Thank you Mandy!)

Sunday we were privileged to learn more about our country, 

it's military and our freedoms from a wonderful captain in the Air Force.  

I was humbled with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat.

We had a quiet day at home...with a nice evening walk.

Monday began with an early morning breakfast.

We enjoyed especially singing God Bless America & America the Beautiful with a trumpet solo.  

The boyscout color guard and flag raising, 

with hands on our hearts, was a special reminder of the importance of our nations flag.

The girls loved the children's bike parade (bike's adorned with decorations).  

Friends and family over for games and play right after....

and then movies on my bed (how did I catch a cold in JULY!?)

As the girls finished music practice and baths we heard fireworks!

We stepped out onto the deck in our pjs and I grabbed my camera.

(I don't think I will ever take firework pictures without my lensbaby again!)

I am so grateful for....

wonderful friends and family

the freedoms we enjoy in our country

men, women and families who sacrifice so much to protect those freedoms

the beauty all around us

the communities all over this country that gather and celebrate together~

Happy birthday America!

without saying a word

He just came in from the cold- climbed up the stairs.
He was exhausted..."I'm so tired" he said to me.

He had been up since before 5:00 a.m. with a snow shoveling assignment.  

Later, we went to church and then out to tackle more snow (at our house and for some neighbors).

He was glad to be inside.  I could read I NEED A NAP! all over his face.

He was turning to head into our room and Ellie pleaded from another room---

"Dad will you play outside with us!?"

I never even heard a sigh or moan...

"I'll be right there!"

His boots and coat were back on in a flash.

They headed outside...

jumped on a snow covered trampoline
played with Charlie
played on the swingset
& even made a snowman.  

He taught me so much without saying a word---silent as a snowman. :)

love is~

They couldn't be more beautiful people...both inside and out.

It was a special day.

What a wonderful way to begin a new year.

There will be fireworks and celebrations every year for their anniversary.

Danny and I were so grateful to be part of their special day.
Their friends...who we count now as our own friends...
were beautiful, gracious, supportive, and enthusiastic,
truly wonderful people!

The bride and groom were married in NYC.

They wanted pictures on the Brooklyn Bridge.

There were people everywhere...

they were celebrating with us~

taking their pictures, cheering and congratulating the bride and groom.

It was absolutely perfect!

 her mother's pearl earrings

 a letter for the groom

 a letter from the groom

her smile

 poised~ on the Brooklyn Bridge

"Just Married!"  a celebration~

evening twilight

We are so happy to have Whitney as part of our family~

I am grateful to have her as a sister.

We love you both!

as the weather changes

This fall has been absolutely wonderful!!!!!!!

We are in the second week of November and we are now feeling a chill.

It has been so warm before this week.

To make the snow and cold weather more enjoyable we have done a few things that make it more fun:

• sweater shopping!!!!!!!!!!
• beef stroganoff at Zinn Bistro (oh my word...I can't even describe it!!!!!!!!)
• homemade tomato soup with grilled cheese on sourdough
• throw a few snow balls (that would be Sophie throwing them at me)
• reading new books on the couch
• practice Christmas music on the piano
• pot of beans with corn bread

We will miss the summer (we may or may not have driven out of our way to pass the pool today)----

but will do what we can to appreciate the colder weather.

hustle

 you hustle...

when it's time to run...

to hit a ball

to pick them up
(you won ball pick up today!!!)

to avoid being hit by your instructors when you play "star wars"

to huddle for instruction!

you loved...

early morning on the court

your teachers

learning to hit

gathering the most balls

it has been a struggle to find your favorite sport

soccer...felt intimidating

dance...confusing

gymnastics...painful

tennis...you LOVE!

p.s.  i loved the way you were excited to set your alarm clock on Thursday nights this summer.  i loved the smile i found on your face when i picked you up after your lesson.  i loved to see your enthusiasm as you played.  i loved that you wanted to practice when we visited the pool.  i loved that your instructors played fun creative games to teach you effective technique.  i love that you look up to them.  i love tennis outfits!  do you!?  :)

daddy "teached" me~

Yesterday Sophie and I had several hours alone.

I took full advantage of the ease of just having one child with me...and ran quite a few errands.

Sophie was cheerful and helpful where ever we went.

She was absolutely delightful to share the day with---

even when demanding--- "Mommy, carry me!"

As we were driving in the car to pick up her sisters I said,

"Sophie, you are so fun to be with and always so cheerful.  I love you."

She replied, "My daddy learned me that."

To clarify I asked, "Did daddy teach you that?"

"Yes, daddy teached me that."  she said very matter-of-factly.

Yes he did.  Yes he did.

photo:  Newport beach, March 2010

green thumb

The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, 
the wise grows it under his feet.
-   James Oppenheim 

I feel like the stage of life that surrounds us now is the soil preparation stage...

We are preparing the soil for our children:

their happiness

their ambition

their hearts

their spirits

We are preparing the soil for our life together:

when children are independent

when we have all day together

with all of the time we need

I am reminded that the small efforts I put into the little things each day can bring about wonderful fruit.

I hope I have a green thumb.

photo:  our garden soil just as the seeds were sprouting

flowers from Grandma's garden