Leaving...

Liam- won't quite do a real smile at this stage - 3 yrs old :)

Luke- a week away from being 5 yrs old. :)

My brother, Jenny and the boys left today to start their Portugal adventure. They were able to be here for a few weeks- time to just be, have dinners, play games and more games, hug, laugh and wrestle with those boys. Abby got some great cousin time in, even had Luke for his first spend the night at our house, right before he turns 5. It was really hard to say goodbye I love them so much. Passport applications were mailed today though, in hopes that we get on that plane and fly ourselves to Portugal to see them in the next few years. I can't wait to hear about their adventures of finding a house, learning the culture, about the markets, and the boys' Portugese school. I can't wait to hear about the bars, the food, and the wine that everyone says is fantastic, the beach, and mostly the people- what they are like and how lovely they are. I can't wait to see you there.

Christmas Day 2010
Christmas Pajamas!! Finally he is awake so we can open stockings!!
Sleepy Wes and I on Christmas Day

The Snow

Thinking to myself and wondering just how many more years i have to be taller than Abs- not many.

Wessy trying not to fall on the slippery snow- his tongue must help!

Joe and Wes looking all good. :)

Love This....

November Snow!

The sledding crew- Cousin heaven!
Jake, Abby, Angelina, Luke and Liam.

Wessy all suited up to go out. Had his first sled down the bunny hill. Once down with Jake and once with his momma!

Happy Happy

A full moon and snow today. Funny how birthdays go.... another day, sweet phone calls

and messages, a dinner with my family. Friends coming over

for hugs.... how it used to be about gifts when you were young

but as you get older you see the true gifts are just the people themselves with their

arms around you tight, their smiles reflecting yours.

Today

Today the sun was sought, cookies were made, long naps had by the littlest.

A few jobs are more complete, the floor is semi-clean, and baths were taken.

I smiled more and I just didn't feel as heavy.

The fire crackling, the fish tank bubbling, Joe reading to Abby, and the moon comes out again...goodnight.

These Days

It feels quiet in the blog world for me. Hard to write when things feel unsettled.
I feel like some days its all i can do to get through... laundry, tired kids, tired parents, feeding people.
Maybe its the light going away here, or the weather getting colder, hormones getting crazier.
In the middle of me I go from unsettled to full anxiety it seems.
I'm trying to work on myself... ways that i can find reprieve from my chattering brain.
I'm trying to eat a little better and sleep a little more.
I'm trying...

Our genie/belly dancing girl on Halloween







Wessy jumping out of the rocking chair

"Abs, will you go pick some beets?"

"Sure mom."

Yeah... Papa is home!

Wessy

This morning Joe brought Wes into bed as he was leaving for work.
Wessy says, (high pitched) "hiiieeee Mama."
sweet.

beautiful

A bit sad for Saturday morning but its so beautiful.

Orcas Island

A trip to Orcas Island for out 10th anniversary.

So lovely.

10 years...

Our sweet little cabin near Deer Harbor

The view from the cabin out to the water.

Looking West

Goodbye Orcas... hopefully we will see you again soon.

How do you write about 10 years together, a whole lifetime since we walked down the grass aisle in the field. Strange how it seems like so long ago and yesterday at the same time.

A few days of just us.... so nice.

ER and Fairies

He is fine, after a trip to the ER with a really high fever and what i learned are myclonic seizures. Apparently they can be totally normal when you have a high fever like your nervous system is irritable. It was a bit scary for momma with his fever so high and this jerking, calls to the doc on call at midnight and of course it would be on a night Joe was working nights. He was super brave having to get a urine specimen and blood work, the ER doc said he just had a virus, that we were to just treat the symptoms. After a second night of little sleep and being covered in vomit this morning he is finally looking better, playing, smiling with no fever left. This is the first time he's really been sick, ughgh i hate it. Hoping we all sleep like rocks tonight.

Tonight in the bathroom while Wessy was taking a tub.

Abby: Momma did you know that there is a Wessy fairy?

Me: What do you mean?

Abby: I mean there is a fairy inside of Wessy, its his soul.

Me: Like there is a fairy with wings and everything inside him?

Abby: Yes, exactly.

Me: Wow, i really like that, that means maybe when each of us die our soul fairy gets to keep living and playing.

Abby: Yeah, that is what i think anyway.

There are times as a parent that you are able to separate yourself from this "job" as being responsible for their safety, morals, and general upbringing and are able to just see them for their own people and how magical they truly are.

Soul Fairies, I think its brilliant.

Awhile

Us girls heading down the road to the corn field to pick some fresh corn for dinner. Yes the girls purposely got lost and then wanted found quickly. One of those perfect sunny fall weekend days. hmmmm.












Abs at La Push- a day trip to see some stormy waves. I love that we have been coming here since she was tiny, that this place will be part of her.


Little Wes looking at the water








Abs and Joe at Rialto Beach.

Starting to feel like Fall

One of my favorite sunflowers growing in the garden right now.














One of the pumpkins starting to get orange!!

Soccer has started. She has the same coach she has had for the last 3 years and she is thrilled. Another cool thing- they have numbers this year and she got my old number "7."

Little Wes standing up when he is supposed to be eating- knowing he is being a stinker and apparently loving it. Great.....