september 2007

baby sister, baby

what is real love?
what is true strength?
what is pure beauty?
I was a witness to them today.
the overwhelming power of love, of strength, of beauty.

life.

it doesn't come easily (although her calm grace made it seem so!)
but it comes from love, with strength.
Life is pure beauty.

happy birthday Evita Rose Elizabeth

for the love of reading/ September 2007

he got up from the couch
read the last word from the book, zebra, just before closing it and tossing it on the coffee table, void of coffee, spilling over with more books
and then he let out a little laugh
followed by a very content sigh

even at age six
a good book is a good book!

tomatoes / December 2007

"I wonder why I don't like tomatoes?....They ARE my favorite colour....I guess they are just too squishy."
~Cadence Everett


I want to be five again.
I love having the honour of being Cadence's mother.
but sometimes...I wish I was her little peer...
I wonder how differently I would see her.

She is so very matter-of -fact.
but so free with her love giving.
I want to be five again...unaware of my ability to withhold love.

My daughter is a miracle.
everyday I see
more and more
"such a person"

a brother uncle/ Feb 2008

"sometimes after Sean leaves from visiting
I feel like I am floating in outter space- without a jet pack
so I can't get anywhere..."

~Daniel Everett

how is it that my six year old can express his feelings in such a beautiful sciencefictionay way as to make me say "yes, that is exactly how I feel"
except not just when Sean leaves, but all those I love.

you have to admit Daniel has come a long way from the crying screaming melt downs he use to have when Sean walked out the door, he is much more poetic these days...

we were recently talking about how times flies, how Sean use to be Daniel, ...the little guy who use to run to me each day as I got off the bus from school, the little boy I missed so much while away at college that all I ever wanted to do was come home and visit . the boy who I had to stop picking up and carrying around once I was pregnant with my own child, Sean was about ten at the time...I guess ten year olds don't need to be carried around really anyways...

now Sean is, well, much taller then me, and in a couple more years will be out on his own...and Daniel will be the "big cousin" that everyone climbs on...weird.

I need to get a jet pack

air drums in the van

couch buddies at Christmas

everyone's favorite uncle (sorry other uncles - you are all tied for a close second though...)

always willing to play

always willing to love

Written Feb 2008

"Raising children is presented at first as a true-false test, then
becomes multiple choice, until finally, far along, you realize that it
is an endless essay."

Anna Quindlen,
Newsweek Columnist and Author


I like this.
I can't even count the number of times I thought maybe we were doing it all "wrong".... I see now after a few years of trying to get it "right" that there are so many ways to raise a child.
Each child deserves to be raised as an individual,
we try our best to do what is "the right
way"
and it's hard,
but wonderful, so wonderful to watch a child grow!

Three children call me Mama.
Each of them with different needs and desires.
I pray for the strength to know how to give them each what they need.
to show them the right kind of love
to work together with their Dada in showing true love, and confidence, forgiveness, patience, kindness, compassion and faith.

Writing three essays at once is time consuming! But I am in no rush to be done.
If I don't have time to do this with my children, will they have time for me?
I thank God for the proof readers in my life, our parents and incredible siblings, cousins and so many wonderful friends. For your encouragement, wisdom, support, and love. Know that I am always here for you the same way you have been for me. AN d of course praise God for my writing partner Darryl! Who is by far the most creative and patient, loving, and hilarious person I know. The father of our family, the one who first brought the joy.

I hope to finish our essays with a smile on my face, and (at least ;) ) three pairs of once little arms around my shoulders, loving me despite any failures, loving me because I tried my best to love them.

Thank you God
forever thank you.

christmas goofs

like darry in so many ways...except one loves to mow the lawn and the other hates it.

Sora our sweet love

planting one on mom...
still doesn't mind kissing his mommy on the lips.

Evita our little treasure

Auntie Alisha with Daniel

Grandma Patti with our kids and the other "big" cousin, Erik.

our darling Kai

Della Sunshine

Gabriel our "first love" and Joshua and Jasmine.

Clark's quote of the day; · September 28th, 2008

"I airbended my snot back in my nose!"


someone has been watching a bit too much Avatar...

ahhhhhhh FrEaK oUt!!!

how can I be such a utter failer at everything I do?
today ends lacking.
it lacked that patience I told myself to have.
the love
the honesty.

I feel totally under a large blanket of pressure.
a spirtiual attack?
perhaps.
yes
but I can't blame my behavior on others.
cant' say the devil made me do it.
I know that only I can make me do.

and I let it all happen today.

but,
children are so loving
so forgiving

I recognize my critical nature comes from the home I grew up in.
and yet I am *fairly* well adjusted and secure.
so too, I hope, my children will look back and see the joy
the love
the fun times.

please don't hang on the mistakes.
please know that under the freak out loose it mom is an I love you more than words can express mom
you are worthy
and beautiful.