Melissa

{I wrote this last year...really sums up how I feel today as my first baby turns 28...so I thought I'd re-post}

She is life's greatest gift to me. The gift I never asked for or knew that I wanted. By the time her little brother came along, I knew how good this motherhood thing could be. He was wanted and wished for because she had been. This precious girl who made me a mother turns 27 this weekend.

Her first moments were spent with her eyes wide open. She was born ready. It seems to me she came to us wanting nothing, and giving every bit of her little self. When her eyes were open and fixed on you she pulled you back from wherever you'd wandered and planted you right in the moment with her. My first "living in the moment" moments came locked in those eyes.

As a baby she was the embodiment of peace. Which means she slept. A lot. And hardly ever cried. At all. I'm not even kidding a little bit. Watching her coo easily in her crib, I caught glimpses of that spiritual peace that passes all understanding.

The first moment I remember noticing how deeply she cared about other people, we were with a group of friends on a day trip. Every time we got on or off the train, or sat down at a cafe or left a museum, she'd look around to make sure everyone was there. She was three. I could tell stories about how thoroughly-completely-wholly she cared for her baby brother. Or how blessed the families she nannies for have felt. Instead, I'll just keep on watching and learning.

Planes, trains and automobiles. She loves them all. Travel. Adventure. Her first solo over seas trip was at age 8. {and by solo, I mean she and her 5 year old brother traveled as accompanied minors} I love how brave she is.

Then, there's her wide open heart. If you've ever found a place inside of her heart, you'll always have a place there. She's fiercely loyal. And has taught me more about forgiveness than anyone else I know.

My brother used to tell me when Melissa was a child that she had an old soul. She's so sensitive and intuitive. And brings out the faith in me. She trusts in goodness. Always helps me to see the good.

So, as her birthday approaches, I thought I'd take a minute to tell the world about a few things she's taught me over the years. Presence. Peace. Loving Kindness. Bravery. Forgiveness. Faithfulness. From that first wide-eyed moment until now, I've loved learning....with her and from her.


{Joining Tamar for some Good, Random Fun}

fifty-four

"Goals transform a random walk into a chase."

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

My fifty-fourth year on this planet is complete. Complete with love and family. I could just stop right there. I am loved. My husband and I celebrated our thirtieth wedding anniversary this year. It's a wonder-full thing to be able to say that we are closer to one another and happier together than we've ever been. Our family is healthy, strong, close. We go through things, sometimes tough things, and emerge with softer hearts and closer connections on the other side. Yes, this alone 'completes' me.

As I look back over the year, I am also struck by how many genuinely wonderful friendships I share with an eclectic collection of remarkable humans! From dear old friends, to heart-connected-cyber friends, to best of best friends .... all the way to some brand new friends who will make this year one that I'll always remember. Wow. Even writing that humbles me. I am blessed beyond measure.

This year has been marked by change. Somewhere, deep down inside of me, a shift has occurred. I've gone from living with my health and well-being last on my list, to prioritizing the 'care and feeding' of me! I could fill a book with the attempts that I've made over all the years of my life to make this vital change take place....but I'll just say as I head into my fifty-fifth year, I'm living in my body in a way that I never have. And this is good. Oh, so good.

It has taken many years and the unconditional love of many people to bring me to this point. Every attempt, every crazy health choice I've made, have all contributed to me being ready for the journey that I am on today. I celebrate my birthday today with all of the pieces of these fifty four years - the pieces that still fit in today's picture, and the pieces that I've had to cast aside. Every moment, every morsel contributes to who I am as I type these words. And for that - for all the pieces - I am grateful.

One of the many things I've learned this year as I wander around "my" pond, is that having a goal changes my time outside in nature. If I head over to the pond hoping to spot the swans, or capture the heron, or see a spectacular sunset...well, I'm pretty sure I miss more than I actually see. I loose all sense of being in the moment, of appreciating whatever might cross my path. I find myself getting tense and sacrificing the fun and the joy that come from being in one of my favorite places. When I walk with no camera, I just keep moving and let the place work it's magic. When I carry my camera, I tend to follow the light - whatever the sun is showing me that day, I pause to capture it.

I've tried to carry this lesson into my daily life where goals, deadlines and responsibilities tend to pile up and become the norm...become the elements that structure my world. My prayer for this coming year is to continue to learn the art of staying in the moment ... not only in my unstructured wanderings, but also through my ordinary days. Not instead of living responsibly, but as I live responsibly. I find myself eager to pursue growth without chasing it down or imposing artificial deadlines in the process.

So, on this chilly, gray and rainy November 17th, I send this off into the blogosphere with a smile on my face, and gratitude - so much gratitude - in my heart.

Joining Tamar for

The Good. The Random. The Fun.

Stormy

I love this boy.

He's my baby. My second. My youngest.

And today he turns 24.

The past few months have been stormy.

In some ways the most challenging of his life thus far.

It's been hard to watch the down moments.

No mama likes watching the hard stuff.

He's had to dig down deep,

find some determination

and push through

the muck.

As we celebrate him today

{and tomorrow...even his party got pushed around by a storm!}

I will remember the boy as I hug the young man.

I will wish that his next year be more carefree

and that the storms around him subside.

That's what I'll wish as he blows out his candles.

While I'm wishing,

I will also be praying that lessons be well learned 

and that character will be well formed.

Cause that's what mama love does.

It wishes for the magic to take away all the muck...

and prays for the muck to work all its magic.

One thing's for sure.

In or out of the muck,

I love this boy.

"Storms make oaks take deeper root."

George Herbert

Linking up with

Little Things Thursday

and

Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop

What do you see?

I see family.
A familiar card game, hours of uninterrupted time together.
A puppy who cant quite make sense of a glass table.
And the puppy's uncle and grandpa who enjoyed teasing him and confusing him.

I hear laughter.
That familiar sound coming from two kids who bring out the comedic side of their dad.
And that giggle that comes when their inside jokes go right over our heads.
Or the "HA!" that comes when they quote something, or finish a sentence...in complete unison.
I hear memories relived, dreams shared...I hear life stories being told.

Maybe the nicest thing about my day yesterday was knowing that we've got hours more of this right around the bend. With Thanksgiving {read more family time} only two weeks away, I didn't have one single melancholy moment wondering when we'd all be together next {yes, I know I shouldn't do this, but I do!} I'm tellin' you, this mama's heart needed a large dose of these sights and sounds

I woke up today so profoundly grateful that I got to spend my whole birthday in my happy place.
That right-in-the-heart-of-my-family happy place.

Linking up with

Project 52

On my birthday morning....

I see trees of gold,

Birthday roses too!

I see books I love

in our house for two

and I think to myself...

What a wonderful world!

I see mem'ries we've made

On shelves all around

The places we've been

the friends that we've found

And I think to myself...

What a wonderful world!

The color of the leaves,

so pretty 'round each bend...

And my coffee made warmer

thanks to the gift of a friend!

I've got friends, far and near,

Saying, "Happy Birthday to you!"

Could Google be saying

"I love you??"

I hear babies cry,

I watch them grow,

They'll learn much more

than I'll ever know.

And I think to myself,

What a wonderful world...

Oh yeah

{as I turn fifty-three}

I think to myself,

What a wonderful world!!

So happy to be linking up with Kathy 

and the wonderful

Song-ography

gang!

{apologies to Mr. Armstrong for my edits!}

The Puppy Turns One

"Happiness is a warm puppy."

Charles M. Schulz

On this, the first long weekend of the summer, we were supposed to be on vacation.
But alas...we aren't those who camp in rainy, 45 degree weather.
So we had a puppy birthday party instead!

There was lots of good food
but the cake was the best part!
{this is the people cake...the puppy had his own}

Believe it or not, there was a candle to be blown out
and the sweet sound of silly folks singing Happy Birthday!

In between all the crazy fun
there were plenty of cuddles, and the caressing of the soft texture of puppy ears.

If there was anything that could make up for the drowned out camping trip...
it's this cuteness overload!


Linking up with
Sunday Citar
and
Scavenger Hunt Sunday

Black & White Wednesday: 50th

When your brother turns 50

and lives in Hawaii....

you make him a sentimental gift and send it via air-mail...

and try not to be too sad that you can't spend the day with him.

Enough about me.

My renaissance man of a brother
is a kind man.
He truly lives as he imagines
and follows his dreams
all around the world.
He inspires me,
teaches me
learns with me
and loves me.

Happy Birthday, baby brother.
I love you right back.

Frosty Birthday Morn

 Fifty-two.

Does that mean that I am finally playing with a full deck?

I like that idea!

I thought about listing 52 things that I "know for sure"...

...but then immediately knew I didn't know that many things for sure.

So I picked up my camera and walked out into 

my frosty birthday morning.

And knew that this day

{this year?}

was going to be about listening to my heart.

About continuing to silence the "shoulds" that still fight their way to the

surface in my mind.

About following my passions.

This morning?

A few minutes with my camera.

Some blog time.

Hot coffee.

Country Music.

This afternoon?

Craft fair!

Sharing about scrapbooking

and meeting new scrapbookers!

Tonight?

Date night.

This will be the 30th time we've celebrated my birthday together.

Doesn't get any better than that!

Happy Birthday to me!!



Linking up to the fall finale
with Kristi here

New Device ~ Old Tunes

I remember my parents' record collection.

Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass.

This or that city's philharmonic orchestra.

I remember my first albums...Beatles,

Elton John, Oklahoma, My Fair Lady

and each and every Barbra Streisand.

Let's not forget Simon and Garfunkel,

Jesus Christ Superstar...A Chorus Line...

I've survived the transition from albums

to cassettes, owned a boom box,

bought Cd's and "wore" a Walkman.

Now, on the eve of my 

fifty-second birthday, I'm proud to say

I own a brand spankin' new

iPod nano. Join with my generous 

family in welcoming me to the 

21st century! And celebrate with me 

as they help me turn her

into the soundtrack of my life.

Birthday Boy

happy birthday to 

my

star gazing

wave catching

music writing

body stretching

heart following

favorite

one and only

baby brother

Linking up with Heidi!

my baby turns 22 today

this is one of my favorite pictures of my boy

takes me back to France

{where he was born, and spent nine of his years}

takes me back to cuddles

and giggles

and days of batman, star wars, legos, pooh and peter pan.

as wonderful as all that was

{i mean, look at all that sweetness}

i wouldn't trade today for yesterday

celebrating 22 years with him today ~

celebrating the life he's building as a young man

and the true, loyal friend he is

to me and to so many people...

i love our long talks
the cards he makes
and the way he makes us laugh

i do love him to pieces

happy birthday 'baby' boy

This Space

"Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul."

                                                    Samuel Ullman


I celebrated a birthday this week. My 51st. 


Thinking back over this year I realized that last year at this time, I had not yet ventured into the blogsosphere. It was odd when that thought hit me. Because today this space, and those with whom I share it, have become so important to me. Part of my daily life. 


My enthusiasm for writing has been reawakened. 
My eagerness to create, and learn new things has been stimulated.
The warmth I feel towards friends (both new and old) has heated up.
My passion for all that revolves around building strong families has found expression.
My devotion to story-telling, and multi-generational interaction has deepened.


I'm thrilled that I've found bloggers that are my age. And love the blogs of younger moms with bright, beautiful, energetic children! I sit with poets and philosophers while I sip my coffee. I've visited corners of the world and played in friends' backyards. I've cried and laughed heartily with folks I've never actually hugged. 


And I am enthusiastically trying many new things! 


You've gotta love the joy on the faces of those sweet girls in that photo! (They are the girls my daughter gives her days to ... she's their nanny!) I love it when she shoots me a photo filled with their adorableness in the middle of the day. And I LOVE visiting blogs where the faces of beautiful children light up the screen. It's with that kind of joy, enthusiasm, warmth, passion and devotion that I hope to live my days. 


THANK YOU FRIENDS OUT THERE FOR SHARING YOUR ENTHUSIASM WITH ME!!!
IT"S CONTAGIOUS!!

Friendship and a Birthday!

How true is this?

Got this from a bestie a few weeks ago.

The friends who know us, who trust us, who listen

and aren't put off by the messes we make ~

you know, the friends IN IT for the long haul ~

Cindy's one of those friends!

We go back to college days - pre husbands, pre kids.

Generous, thoughtful, creative and fun!

{Competitive - my 'words with friends' enemy!}

An AMAZING mom!!!

She hates crazy weather, so I'm sorry she has

to deal with Irene on her birthday.

I do LOVE her ~ and her wonderful family!!

Happy Birthday Friend....we'll celebrate when the

winds and rains leave us!

Eighty Years Young!

A man of eighty has outlived

probably three new schools of painting,

two of architecture and poetry and

a hundred in dress. 

Lord Byron 

I'm thinking that society's changes have

sped up since Lord Byron penned those words.

We could ask my Dad ~ he's celebrating his eightieth today!

And he knows things. Always has.

One of the best things about my dad is

that he's always learning things.

I love that about him.

And,

I love that he's an architect ~ that can take an open space

and turn it into some one's home.

I love that he 'grounded' me.

{Roots}

Put a good head on my shoulders, taught me to think.

Gave me a home, shared his history,

and let me know my life was mine to map out.

And I love that he let me fly.

{Wings}

As my kids leave the nest, I know not to smother.

Cause my dad trusted and respected me

through the good decisions and the bad choices.

He's a great dad!

And whenever I see a globe, a newspaper, golf clubs,

a Phillie's hat, a #2 pencil, a film camera,

a crossword,  the Thinker statue, puzzles....

I think of him!

Memories built from lives shared!

So, today, I wish him the happiest of birthdays.

Would love to be with him and throw him a HUGE party
{he's earned it after all!}

But blog love it is.

You're the best, Dad!

For the Birthday Girl!

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."

Marcel Proust

We met cause we both love scrapbooking.

We can talk about everything.

Eventually get around to laughing about most stuff.

I've loved meeting her friends

and I adore her kids!

Don't know if she knows that she came into

my life when me and happiness

were going through a rough patch...

she sure has helped bring us back together!

I hope she knows that I treasure our

friendship!

And I hope she's has a very happy birthday!

Here's to you, friend!

Someone's Turning 50!

I've known you for thirty of your fifty years. And I've loved you for most of that time. I've watched you hold on to the best that each piece of your life has offered you and calmly let go of the rest. From your family and your roots in Oregon, you were given confidence, loyalty and an ease of being that is so admirable. You've always loved the out doors and music and you know how to relax and have a good time! You work at whatever you're choosing to do with a determination, steadfastness and diligence that amazes me. As a husband you have shown yourself to be faithful and forgiving. Full of laughter and eager to love. As a dad, well, you've had so much fun! You are adored. And respected. You have been someone for the kids to laugh with and someone for them to turn to. You're our rock.

There's not gonna be a lot of fanfare today, or any big surprises. But, at home {taking the night off from studying} and celebrating with the three of us who love you so much, I hope you know how deeply you are loved.

Happy 50th!