I made a thing...Day 3

Oliver - age 3

I made a thing. Day 2

Pregnant with Ollie. :)

I made a thing...numero uno.

Miniature art.  3.5"x3.5"

Dear Summer

Dear Summer,

Today I go back to work and leave you for another year.  I am so sad. Do you remember when the whole summer was ahead of us and all I could do was bask in your promises? Sigh.

I know you don't actually think I'm sad this morning, but that is only because I have to buck-up and end this.  Don't worry about me, I have a wonderful place to work and lovely people that I enjoy spending time with.  I just need to rip the bandage off, you know?  I have spent the weekend moping around trying to convince Dustin to start playing the lottery so neither of us ever have to work again, but in my heart I know that this isn't actually a solution to saying goodbye...you still have to go.

I think what I'm mourning is the passing of time, you know?  An end to one more of your warm lovely seasons, in which you provided my family with camping, lakeside swimming, gardening, craft beers, library trips, bike rides, unedited time together... the list goes on.

You really outdid yourself this year.  You weren't just a summer, you were this pocket window of time that provided my family with beautiful things.  You also threw in some doozies too, but I'm older and wiser now. I no longer expect perfection - even from you.  Even when I am drunk on your sun-drenched days of May that are so full of promise for the coming months.

But I'm not writing to criticize.  I'm writing to thank you.

•   Thank you for teaching my five year old to tie his shoe.
• Thank you for watching my seven year old perfect gear shifts and long distance riding on his new bike.
• Thank you for listening to the words of my 2 year old form into beautiful conversation and hilarious commentary as he gently (or not so gently) approached 3. 
• Thank you for convincing my not-so-brave boys to jump off the end of the dock at the lake. 
• Thank you for organizing my utensil drawer, and then my closets and eventually my garage - getting rid of an enormous amount of access that flooded our lives.
• Thank you for overwhelming us with God's creation through rivers, lakes, mountains, beaches, and forests.
• Thank you for listening to my children learn Bible School songs that led to spontaneous concerts throughout every day.
• Thank you for bringing me together with my parent and the brother who has spent the majority of our adult life living too far away from me - for providing our children with a place to grow up together.
• Thank you for the few days you allowed us to throw open our windows and let the outside in.
• Thank you for Lake Michigan beaches, reunions, airplanes, concerts, ice cream, peach cobbler, giant blueberries, watermelon, corn on the cob, and your night-time sounds.

You've really outdone yourself. You weren't just any summer. You were one of the most precious seasons of my adult life, and I'm so glad to have known you.

I can't wait to meet you again.

Your slightly more tan friend,

Tiffany
xoxo

O turns 3.

My sweet baby boy.
Today you told me you are not a baby.  I guess you're right. I promise I will try my best to resist the urge to call you my baby boy.  But I also promise you that I will forever think of you as such.

To think that I didn't know you just three years and one day ago seems nuts.  I can't imagine for a minute our family without you in it.  You have had us rolling on the floor with laughter since the minute you figured out how to work a room with your smile. You sense of humor and timing add many beautiful things to this family unit.  You'll do anything for a genuine laugh, and you are good at it.

This past year you have found your words and your voice.  You use your words to make others laugh and to push against the control of your older brothers.  You aren't afraid to say how you feel, nor do you shy away from telling us what you want.  I hope you go forth in your life with this confidence, but find ways to also filter it with love and patience.

Your favorite show is Thomas (when your brothers will let you watch it) and your favorite toy is anything you can push outside while running as fast as your little legs will go.  You received approximately 25 Rescue Bots for your birthday and you love every single one of them. Your best friend is our young neighbor boy of your same age, and you two get in all sorts of trouble together, yet I love watching you play together.

Baby boy, I love you so much.  I wish for you a year of laughter, patience, and the knowledge that our love is shining on you even when we aren't together.

I'll love you forever sweet boy,
Your Mama

Backpost: This Little Birthday Boy

Written: 5/24/2015

My Dear Dear Oldest Boy,

Today you turn seven and I am completely floored at what a big boy you are.   Where have the last six years gone so quickly?  I will always miss your chubby cheeks and the silly ways of your toddler years, but I am so excited to watch you grow into a boy. 

Right now your favorite television show is Rescue Bots.  You got a new bike for your birthday and you seem to be a real natural at riding it. You love baseball and soccer, and you are learning so much at piano lessons with Mr. Mark.  You are now an excellent reader and love to read stories to your youngest brother whenever he will listen.  Your favorite thing to do is listen to music on the headphones.  Will you be a musician someday?

In a few weeks we are going on a big trip to New England that will include climbing mountains, camping, and kayaking.  I have no doubt in my mind that you will thrive while we are there.  You love hiking and just being outside. 

Bear and Monkey are still always by your side, but I can see you becoming less dependent on them. You dish out kindness to others without condition, and always offer sympathy when you see a person that is upset or hurt.

Have I mentioned that I think you are amazing?

You can find ways to create something out of nothing (like bus mirrors or hitches). Your energy in contagious to your brothers (sometimes not in the way I would prefer). J I can’t wait to see what the next seven years hold for you.

I’ll love you forever,

Your mom.

Adventure 2015

 Eureka - Indiana - Toronto - Montreal - Sumner, ME - Bar Harbor/Acadia - Portland - Adirondacks - Buffalo, NY - Ball Lake, IN - Lake Michigan

One week ago we pulled into our driveway road weary and full of excitement.
For a little over three weeks we had been packed (and unpacked, and packed again) into our tiny little car with a tent, camping stove, five sleeping bags, and enough clothing to get us through for a spell.

This trip had been 9 months in the making.  It was designed to be inexpensive, unplugged, and adventurous.

It was NOT a vacation.

Don't get me wrong.  Parts of it were relaxing.  Large chunks of it were absolutely good for our souls.
It's just that nobody made me a margarita, which in my mind = vacay.

There is actually not a thing about it I would change. 

I learned a lot about my kids.  I grew a new and more powerful appreciation for my partner.  I climbed a big mountain. It was all pretty awesome.

There were difficult moments.
People cried (and not just kids).
People whined (and not just kids).
We accidentally made my 7 year old and ourselves go on a 17 mile bike ride.
It rained unrelentingly into our tent.
Our giant trunk-hogging camping stove never worked.
Anything involving being in the car was totally dreadful.
Accommodations were at times imperfect.

But there were shining perfect moments.
All three kids climbing a real mountain.
Wearing swimsuits all day.
Painting the mountains with my five year old.
Bathing in the most serene lake I've ever laid eyes on.
Treasure hunts.
New friends.
Reunions.
Ferry boats.
Golf carts.
Sandy beaches on the ocean.
The phrase repeated over and over again, "Best vacation ever!"

But I must emphasize for clarity.  It was NOT a vacation.