A New Season

Summer is nearing its' end.

Another season is just around the corner.

I will miss the tall grass


and the sight of my boys enjoying its' cool loveliness.



It's been a difficult summer for us and we ourselves are starting a new season in our lives.
This summer we got our diagnosis of autism (high functioning) for our Christopher.

I share this with you not for attention or sympathy, but because I truly feel like I have received such an abundance of help and support that I need to somehow pass it on. I have had wonderful words of support and comfort from friends and family. I have found help in other mother's blogs, emails, and phone conversations about how they too have suffered the heartache of realizing their child isn't quite "normal". They have helped me realize that it is okay to grieve for that "vision" of a perfect child and learn that that child still exists.



Christopher is still that funny, charming, intelligent, sweet boy that I have always known - he will just have some extra challenges to deal with. I have grown a huge admiration for him and his ability to rise above his "limitations." I write this to all you mothers who have felt heartache for your child or who have dealt with the criticism of those who do not understand. I have been so blessed to have so many individuals miraculously come into my life and make my burden lighter. Thank you.


I promise my next posts will be much more uplifting.
My life is truly truly blessed.

The Ol' Ball and Chain

It's been 6 years.

SIX!

Seems like just yesterday we were these young, naive, enamored engaged people. (you think our Engagement Picture Squirrel is still alive??)


Okay, so we are still kinda young, naive, enamored people.
We just have a few things and a few more years under our belt.
Happy Anniversary to us! (on the 21st)

It's beginning to look a lot like . . . . .

Today is a little rainy.

A little chilly too (okay, it's 70 - cool for an August summer day).

It is so cozy.

I lit my apple cinnamon candle,

turned on a little Bing . . . . . .

Christmas music


(I know. I know.)

We decided to break out the paint brushes and go at it.

Some went at it a liiiiittle more than others.

This one wasn't so into it.

I love those cozy, overcast days.

I can't wait for fall! . . . .
and Christmas, of course :)

Things We Love Lately . . . .

Oh my heavens!!

I really needed to do this post today.

Ugh.

(Do I say that every time?)

I love juicy watermelon in the summer.

I love that I finished her. (remember?)


Love her.

We loved going to the zoo with grandma.

I love bedtime stories.

I loved the amazing sky yesterday after the thunderstorm.

View from the back . . . . .

and from the front


(these pics were not altered. all my neighbors gathered outside can attest. so amazing!)

I love the times where they will sit lovingly beside one another


. . . . without hitting, screaming, kicking, and tattling.

What do you love lately??

You bet we are . . . .

We are artists.

We . . . . create.
We . . . . . . . discover!

To be an artist you have to be very careful about choosing the right medium.

You must be scrupulous.

Finding that perfect color is like finding gold.

Artists pay no mind to what others may think about their technique.

To be an artist you must be overflowing with eagerness and enthusiasm

If the crayon isn't to your taste . . . . try the marker.

Use it to decorate a box car that can be enjoyed by all.


Notice the dramatic contrast, the modern lines.



Such talent.

Letting Go . . . .

Right now the kids are playing in the garage.

Don't ask me why.
Today, the garage is a magical place where there are new smells, new adventures, and apparently a scary dragon who needs to be slain with the broom.
My grown up mind is thinking - dirty feet and bikes out of place.
But, I'm letting it go.
I'm letting kids be kids.

Why is this such a hard lesson for me to learn?
I was a kid once, right?
Of course, our kids need guidance and boundaries, but sometimes I find myself trying to rule and contain the chaos they brought to my life instead of letting that chaos turn into fun and learning.

Sometimes it's okay to let the boys play cars on the deck in their underwear.


You probably wonder if my kids ever wear clothes. We've had a lot of underwear pictures lately. Maybe I'm letting go a little too much ;)



It's okay to let my little guy make a lego city on my kitchen counter and leave it there for a couple days.


Counter space is highly overrated.


It's okay to have a movie party


in our pajamas and eat popcorn at 9:00 in the morning.



It's okay to let go sometimes and let my kids be kids . . . . and people.

They are people here to live their lives.
They aren't just my life experience.

They are having little life experiences of their own.


Right now it's the experience of rummaging through the garage and chasing each other with old paint rollers.
They've gotta be learning a lot from that, right?

Things We Love Lately

I love a lot of things.
I really do.
I've been dealing with some tough stuff lately (aren't we all) and that's when it is difficult for me to remember the things I love.
Isn't that the most important time to remember the things you love?
Sheesh.
I'll try harder next time.

I love that Andy has learned how to give hugs. Great big, sweet, lovable bear hugs.

I love that I have reordered my magazine.


I love to read it in the bathtub (tmi?) and dream that my house looks like the ones in the pictures. Clean (ya right), in style (ha ha), perfect (I am dreaming).

I love that Davin and I got to go to a movie . . . in an actual theater . . . . . by ourselves!! It's been years. Yes, YEARS.


It was a fun and fascinating movie.

Wow. This was one boring post. Make me feel better . . . .

What are you loving lately???