When I Grow Up...

Sunday....while showering the dirt off Youngest Son after a long weekend camping at Detroit Lake....a conversation occured.

Mama: Someday you will be a Papa.

Youngest Son: I don't want to be a Papa when I grow up.

Mama: What? Why not?

Youngest Son: Papa's have to work everyday. I don't want to work everyday. I want to play.

Mama: Oh....

Youngest Son: Play everyday. (With emphasis and arms folded.)

Back with Gratitude

Hello. It has been a while. Since then and now. Much has happened. Perhaps one day I will tell of it...but for now I am simply grateful to be back. (Even if back is not what it once was.) I will start with some Gratitude. Gratitude Monday on a Thursday.



92. My very own little viking. (Complete with sticky Red Lollipop face and hands.)




93. Oldest Son and his Rainbow Lollipop. It was a must have that turned into a should not have. (I recall they did not taste well when I was a child as well. I am thinking Disneyland.)




94. Brothers. They truly melt my heart.

95. Sisters and a niece. (Truly a blessing to have sisters.)

96. The way the sky reflects off the wet sand.

97. The little footprints that walk upon it.

98. The wild ocean. (The way it makes me feel.)

99. Oldest Son and his BEAUTIFUL eyes. (I know I say this often. True. There is great love here.)

100. Boy Cousins. (I enjoy the differences in hair. Makes me smile.)

101. The photo contest loser. (It was tragic, but I could not pick my own son. He will get over it. It was only a LIFESAVER after all.)

102. Youngest Son. (This photo tells the truth about this boy.) He is unique. He is sweet. He is silly. He is clever. He is a handful. He is pure boy MAGIC and I love him so.

And so it begins...

You see that boy with his arms in the air? The one most excited about the goal? That is my boy. That is Oldest Son at his first soccer game. My heart swells with pride at this photo. No...he did not score the goal. One of the other boys did. That did not stop his joy. Simple. Pure. Joy.

He had joy when he had the ball. (Note the grin on his face.)

He had joy as he lined up the dreaded "Soccer Triangle." (Love that sweet look on his face.)

More joy as he kicked that ball down the field...the wrong way. (He had the ball! Who is he to care what way it goes? I don't think he even heard all the shouting that he was going the wrong direction.)

And the ball...the soccer ball. I never wanted to do this. I never wanted to spend my weekends at games and my weekdays at practice. And I ask myself...why do I do it? And the only answer I can come up with is for the joy. The joy Oldest Son has when he plays. Simple joy. How can a Mama ask for more?

So...go the wrong way if you like. You never have to make a goal for me. You don't have to be the biggest or the best. You just have to be you...and keep your joy. (And when I cheer and shout...just know that is the competitive side of Mama. I always enjoy a good game and taking sides.)

Yes...that is me at a soccer game. (I guess Husband had to document this.) And sweet Youngest Son. Poor boy. It is rough being the little brother at a soccer game. Especially when they break out the treat bags! Hang in there little one. You will grow up all too soon for this Mamas liking!

Keep smiling Oldest Son. Keep running and playing with all your heart. I sure do love it!

And while all your teammates are focused on getting warmed up...you just turn that little head and smile. The smile that melts me every time I see it. The smile that came when I least expected it. One of the best smiles to enter my life. The joy in your spirit is unique and rare and wonderful. Smile on Oldest Son...and Hello Soccer.

Gratitude Monday...Crescent Bar Style

80. Sometimes the best things in life are the little things in your life. (This is all the kids on the last day of our "Friendcation.") I sure do love all the little things in my life. They are pretty sweet most of the time and a little sour some of the time!

81. The joy of watching Husband and Friends Husbands as they work on Project Sandbar Waterslide 2010. Just good, albeit gritty, fun!

82. Pulling Husband in the early morning sun behind the boat he loves!

83. Oldest Son and his sweet smile.

84. The simple happiness that is having both Oldest Son and Youngest Son looking at the camera at the same time! (This happens only once or twice a year at best!) (They love the boat too! Like Papa Like Sons.)

85. Sweet Youngest Son and his love of the "Pool."

86. His too cute for words goggles.

87. The way he says "Look at me Mama!" (Said just before diving under the water and popping his head up to quickly look and make sure I was looking!)

88. Youngest Son and his sweet soul. I am afraid he is getting older.

89. Two of my three sisters.

90. How we all wore black swimsuits on the same day...without planning.

91. The help those two girls give me on vacation. They are truly a blessing.

The Rose Parade

Oldest Son and Youngest Son watch the Portland Rose Parade. The fact that they are both in the photo and that it is not blurry is a small miracle.

Youngest Son looks onward with one of his Cousins in the background as well. It makes you wonder just what a parade looks like through the eyes of a two year old boy?

Loved this float. Love Portland Town. Such a great place to call home.

My sweet little Niece. It was her birthday this day. I bet she thought the parade was just for her! Happy Birthday to Me!

Oldest Son loved his free red balloons. I let him pick a chocolate from Moonstuck. We had come with Grandma Grape. There were too many fun things to count!

"Time Is of the Essence" by Irene Foster

Now is the time to get things done...

wade in the water,

sit in the sun,

squish my toes,

in the mud by the door,

explore the world in a boy just four.

Now is the time to study books,

flowers,

snails,

how a cloud looks,

to ponder "up,"

where God sleeps nights,

why mosquitoes take such big bites.

Later there'll be time

to sew and clean,

paint the hall

that soft new green,

to make new drapes,

refinish the floor -

Later on...when he's not just four.

"Can we go at the dead end again?"