Sunday, November 30, 2008

40




Today my husband is 40! Happy Birthday Brad, I love you.

Thank you Kathy and Kate for helping me with this.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

The Day Before





























Our home is primed for joy!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Supporting and Opposing Arguments



Red chair, brilliant!



Red door, so brilliant!



Red knobs, superb!



Red sweater hand-knit by grandma for Rosemary, precious!



Companion red Elmo, darling!



Red lips (this abstract art was created by Lulu), inviting!
p.s. that one is for you Tim.




Red shoes, divine!












Red...um...sparkly...uh...

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

The Great Escape

I captured a dozen balloons last Saturday.



They fought and squirmed as I forced them into the back of my vehicle.




One, couldn't handle being confined and therefore exploded before I could reach home.




I tied them up, so I could keep them down (balloons are well known for making a break for it).




I turned my attention away from the prisoners so I could focus my attention on being the best mother in the world (that's right, it's a throw down) and make (from scratch) 1 bug cake and 1 red velvet cake.



You see, bugs are held captive in our home as well. Abram, or better known as 'Frankenstein's monster', over zealously stuffs them in pockets, mouths, or in palms, where they sadly meet their maker.






All the while, I heard whisperings of mutiny.



There was a trial by fire, and the verdict was unanimous.




There would be no freedom for the elastic covered helium, only new wardens.



There was a last meal,



carnage,








tales,



suspense,








and great emotion.
The night ended, each going it's separate way, tied now to the wrist of a small oppressor.



When the morning broke, there flew, high above it all, one lone leopard print rebel, ecstatic that it freed itself from tiny sugar-sweetened fingertips, untethered, unbridled, sovereign.


And there it still floats, yet 6 days later, prideful, belligerent, pompous.

It dares me to come after it.

Just wait little balloon, your days are numbered.








Our Christmas pictures are over at Kate's blog.

Monday, November 17, 2008

The Son and a Peony



Upon giving birth to my first child, my bud of a heart-yet immature and fairly idle, began blossoming with the fullness and detail of a double peony.



The layers of softness multiplied and expanded. The colors and sweetness swelled and heightened.



I naively thought love was full.



When a son was placed in my arms this day, 2 years ago, a richness and vibrancy enhanced the beating of this posy.



Perhaps it is a bout of vanity when seeing enormous brown eyes, fringed generously in black, that I see my own. And like Narcissus, entranced by his reflection, I will meet my doom by mesmerization.



Perhaps it is pretension that leads me to believe that my boy's beauty is angelic and may (perhaps) reflect a bit of goodness upon his mother.



The origin of this flowering is arguable.




But there was a love born of need.



From the pleas and whispers of "momma", to the gentle yet demanding embraces thrown about neck and knees, my son needs me.



And with each onset of drought and chill, I need him.
For with this love my soul is made perennial. And with each smile, my heart becomes evergreen.



Happy Birthday Abram.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

On 4 Years



Tomorrow we celebrate 4 years of Lucia Louise, affectionately and endearingly known as 'Lulu'.



Tomorrow we celebrate 4 years of beauty, tenderness, graciousness, tenacity, and authenticity.



Tomorrow Lulu celebrates pink, ponies, chicken, letters, whipped cream, balloons, kitties, and lace.



Tomorrow I celebrate more love, stronger love, desperate love.



Tomorrow I celebrate the guidance that a broken heart and a contrite spirit bring.



Tomorrow I celebrate passion, passion for advocacy, consciousness, and charity.



Tomorrow, I celebrate 4 years of blessedness.