Hard Times Come Again No More

I needed to hear this song today. I don't care for the video, but the version is one of the most beautiful I have ever heard.

Dancing Queen

This is a formal apology to Sophie for her genes. But hey, maybe dancing is recessive. Fingers crossed.

A Sophie Weekend

It seems like every week heralds something new with our 2 year old. Whether it's a new word, skill, or story from day care, we can always expect SOMETHING to make us slap our foreheads, pull our hair out, or simultaneously "awwww"

I wish I'd taken our camera yesterday to our visit with Great Grandma and Granddad. Sophie and her Great Granddaddy (who have taken quite a shinning to each other) spent a considerable amount of time studying an ant and Bob told me that he thought they would make some steps to learn how to interview said ant. In moments like these I feel the full force of gratefulness that Sophie is getting to know this exceptional man.

The other day, Sophie was carrying around a beautiful native american doll that Maw Maw got her for her birthday. She lovingly placed it on a chair and said, "Maw Maw." She then went and got a big, round stuffed animal that makes a farting noise when you squeeze it, put it on the chair next to "Maw Maw" and said, "Pa!" I told Roy's dad not to read too much into it.

She's always had a thing for horses and this passion is ever expanding. After she rode her horse (aka our broom) around the kitchen, knocking off glasses and appliances with every turn, I gave her a yard stick instead. This has become one of her favorite toys, but I admit I'm growing tired of singing the theme song to The Lone Ranger. (I also appear to be the new queen of blurry pictures. My apologies.)
Also for her Birthday, Sophie recieved a small table and 4 chairs from her Granny. This has been a welcome addition to our life and we did some rearranging in the dining room to make room for it. I took this picture to be used in a future blog post, a before and after that will make an appearance in a short time. She spends a lot of time sitting at the table, setting out tea for an invisible Trenton, Aubrey, and Ella, playing with playdough, and coloring. She pours tea from her tea set every day and asks for coffee in the mornings. I think it might be time to invest in some decaf English Breakfast and introduce her to the finer points of a tea party (Thanks to cousin Rachel for the inspiration!)
Sophie's newest obsession appears to be clothes. Many, many mornings are a struggle with her a) not wanting to take off her pajama's, or b) not wanting to wear clothes at all. Other mornings she knows EXACTLY what she wants to wear and fortunatly, none of these things have been too hot or too cold for the weather. Lately she's been really into accessories, always wanting a ribbon in her hair, a bracelet on her wrist, or most recently, a "bandaid" (headband). Recognize the dress, mom?
And she wants to wear them everywhere.
This girl knows how to throw a tantrum, obsess over Wallace and Gromit, Elmo, and Homer Simpson, and give us fits in how badly she wants to sit at the computer and look at pictures. But mostly she's the sweetest girl. We picked her up from daycare sometime last week and her teacher told us that another little child had bitten her arm. He told me that this child was upset and crying. Sophie went to give him a hug, and he had bitten her. We, of course, were not happy that she had teeth marks on her arm, but we were so touched by this inherent desire of hers to be so loving and kind. I hope that she never loses this spirit especially in this all too often unkind world.

Michael Palin for President

Thanks to Ben for this little gem.

Autumn motivation

I'm not sure to what I can credit my new found source of motivation. Maybe it's the simply gorgeous (though dry) weather we've had lately, or maybe it's the turn of the season. Last night, driving to Georgetown to have a couple of beers with of two of my most favorite people in the world, I noticed the browning of the grass and trees - such stark contrast to my last drive out there in late spring when everything was so green and new. All I could think about was the pair of handmade socks on my feet, the Chuck Taylors that had been unearthed from the back of my closet, and the hooded sweatshirt that was going to keep my toasty warm while sitting on the deck overlooking their land and horses.

I have the urge for going, as Joni Mitchell would say. To move along, make a change. A new house would be so great, a bigger house to make room for a family that will hopefully grow in the next couple of years. But the truth is, we're not in a position to move, nor is it necessary that we do. We love our old, flawed house and our diverse neighborhood, it's just that restless spirit in me that has always been there.

So I'm learning to channel it into other projects. I've decided to paint my dining room and have developed a course of action for minimizing the amount of time wet walls will be at toddler level. We're doing a thorough budget and walking through the house to identify all the projects that need to be either completed or started so that if we decide to sell our house, we can. We want to have the freedom to say, "This is a great opportunity!" and jump on it.

As I re-read that above paragraph, it strikes me as almost funny how my definition of "free" has changed. Sure it's appealing to have only enough stuff that will fit in my car, to have no commitments and just take off to wherever I feel led. I hope one day to get back to this, maybe upon retirement when the kids are gone and Roy and I sell our things and take off. But for now, this level of freedom is most desirable.

Wow, I really am growing up.

Why Do I Love Weekends?

Because of mornings like this.
and afternoons with the cousins.
There's time to make cupcakes from scratch.and look for Buckeye's at the park.
We get to see Riley. (Oh I love that boy)
and take advantage of the beautiful afternoon light.
Then it's all topped off with pizza and beer at a favorite restaurant.What's not to love?

Another.

After spending year(s?) reading about these children, it was pure joy to be able to meet every one of them in person. And every morning, Sophie wants to wear her "'liza Shoes".

I'm sure I'll be doing this for weeks...

Dad sent me this picture today. It's one of my absolute favorites of the girls, ever.

a love-filled week

This past week, Roy, Sophie and I journeyed to Newton, KS for the wedding of the beautiful Caroline Graber to Mr. Christopher Saxl. It seems only fitting that a week-long vacation based on marriage would leave me feeling so filled with love.

We left last Saturday, stayed the night in St. Louis and continued to Newton on Sunday. Sophie did quite well on the car ride, thanks largely to suggestions I received from all of you. Things that worked best to distract her: stickers, food, orange juice, and a last minute magnadoodle purchase.

We arrived at the house we rented and were overwhelmed by how nice it was, how stocked with food, and our good fortune to be able to spend a whole week. We walked around the campus where Roy and I met and coudn't believe how young the students were. I mean really! They must be allowing younger and younger students into college these days.

Tuesday night we went to Brad and Rachel's, where we were treated to a delicious meal and wonderful company. It was amazing to see Rachel again and it was as though we picked up where we left off... even though where we "left off" 10 years ago was a completely different place. Owen was 9 years older than when I last saw him, and Sophie made a good friend (and dance partner) in Lauryn.
Mom and dad arrived late Tuesday night and spent most the rest of the week with us. My brother Jeremy, Sister-in-Law Stacey, and Niece Ella joined us for too short a time, but those moments were pure quality and joy.

We had friends over that night for burgers and a little birthday celebration for Sophie. I have almost no pictures of this event, but I know my brother got a few of all the kids. I will post those when I get them. It was wonderful to see my cousin Jen and her family, as well as the people I have gotten to know so well over blogger. My only regret of that week was that I didn't get to spend more time with this group.

Ah, but the reason that took us there... the love filled wedding of Caroline and Chris.

The wedding took place in a beautiful barn in Hesston that Carrie decorated with birds, lanterns, and white lights. And Sophie made a good friend in Carrie.
Kansas was plagued with rain. We set up tables and chairs at the reception site, only to return the next day to find the ground under the tent saturated with 3 inches of water. I called Carrie to give her the bad news, and she took it was the grace I have come to expect from my best friend. "I guess the worst part is, I can't blame my dancing on the grass." We bridesmaids dressed ready for anything.
And Carrie was a stunning bride.
So this love... this love that made my heart feel huge... I got to watch my best friend marry a wonderful man who I know will treat her right and make her happy. I saw friends I haven't seen in 10 years and it was even better than I expected. I loved on my brother, sister in law and neice, even though it was only for a little more than a day. Mom and dad spent quality time with all of us, left with Sophie after the rehearsal AND the wedding so Roy and I were able to stay out late. And I met wonderful people. Chris and Carrie's friends and family were fantastic, and I was so grateful to be able to get to know them.

I'm crazy tired and behind on sleep. Sophie is all out of whack with her schedule and we hit the ground running when we got back into town. But my soul feels both heavy and light with love; like a hot air balloon carrying in its basket dozens of people who have filled my life with joy.

Is there a better way to celebrate a union of two?

a much happier blog.

So the last blog was a bit of a downer. This one is better.

Sophie found the shoes I bought for Carrie's wedding and clomped all over the house. She does VERY well in heals.

On Monday she insisted wearing this outfit all morning, despite the fact that the hat fit her perfectly 18 months ago. You can't see it, but it is perched precariously on top of her head.

I love the movement in this picture:

and the end result. This child is all about the hug.
and this is more evidence of her lack of cooperation in wearing pants and diapers.

As our little bird turns 2, I can't believe the time that's passed. And yet she IS a two year old... she IS developing her personality, and we learn so much more about her every day. I'm excited to see what adventures this next year brings.

I'm Pissed Off

and I don't get pissed off easily.

On my way home today, I heard Kentucky Senate President David Williams interviewed on our local NPR station. I wish I could find the exact quote, and I'll look tomorrow, but basically he said that he approved of Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin and was impressed that her 17 year old daughter decided to have her baby. He said he knows that many Democrats think she should've had an abortion, but he thinks it was a good decision to keep the baby.

EXCUSE ME!?

As a Democrat and Pro-choice woman, I take serious offense to that remark. I am pro-choice but in no way does that mean that I think choosing to have an abortion is the right decision. I do, however, think that in certain cases, women need to have a safe, clean place to go and it is no business of the governments.

Furthermore, if you're pro-life, be damn well pro-life. Anti-death penalty, anti-war, anti-taking of life in any form, under any circumstance.

If this woman, who also opposes birth control in every form, opposes putting polar bears on the endangered species list, supports the banning of books, and believes in abstinence only education becomes president... I just don't know... I just don't know...