33 years old - an elevenses birthday!

And again, it has been three months since our last post. I have no comments, other than to say I am the mother to an active toddler, also carrying a part-time job, and keeping busy fending off a developing passion for knitting.

Today I turn 33 years old. I came downstairs this morning to a birthday card in Graham's highchair (from Graham) and one slid under my laptop (from Pat). Nice touch, guys. I felt uber-special and loved from my special men. Thanks to those of you who have sent along greetings. And to my brother Andy, the words on your blog made my day shine (although many of the IDs pictured made me cringe!).

Possibly the biggest birthday gift I have received is that over the last 8 days, we have had about 7 occasions where Graham's "poops" have gone into the toilet and not into his diaper! We've only had two sessions involving successful peeing in the toilet, but man, I will count my blessings - I would prefer to have to change less messy diapers any day!! For the record, this wasn't even something I mentioned; it all came from Graham's inclinations, and this I accredit to God saying to Himself ... "hmmm - let's see -- what will Molly really be surprised by this year, and what will she be just thrilled to have happen?" Well thanks God, you really got me on this one, and I am loving it!!

Graham is starting to count on his fingers (not even close to being right, but preciously inaccurate). He is counting in both English and Spanish; for this we can thank his teachers at school. He asks to pray for his teacher Jessica every time we mention praying, and will often asks us to pray for her out of the blue - he folds his hands, earnestly looks up at us, and shakes his hands, saying, Ettica, Ettica, Ettica, Ettica! We reply by opening up our prayer to Jesus, praying about what's going on with a little prayer for Jessica, and then we close our prayer in Jesus name. I do admit a secret "concern" that he may grow up thinking that Jesus is a short nickname for Jessica. Funny kid. Heart of gold.

Pat goes to San Diego for a work-related conference on Sunday. My mom and brother will be here part of the time he is gone, and Graham will spend Monday and Tuesday with them while I am at work. He calls my mom "M-nom-nee" which is his interpretation of Grandmother. I know he's looking forward to his time with them - I sure am!

See you around ...

On our sick kiddo ...

This weekend we had a sick toddler. It is the first time Graham has been this sick - high fever and waking in the nighttime. It's also been a new step in my realizations that I am the Mommy now ... it makes me remember how good it felt to have my Mom next to me, to just be near her, or - even better - in her arms when I was feeling icky sicky. Actually, this is what first triggered my mommy-instinct that something might be amiss ... constant up-up-up, Mommy Mommy Mommy, and long-lasting snuggles and shoulder-head-resting from a boy who can't sit still on my lap for longer than 2 min.

Although it has been really hard seeing him unhappy (and his nose is so snotty!), it has been great for me to see that Graham has a special connection with me. We are also working to make sure he understands that Daddy is comforting too. This works out well for everyone ... it contributes to Graham's learning that Daddy is safe and "home" too, gives Pat the opportunity to comfort, and gives me a few hours off!

[I do have to say, what a kiddo! Look at the smile on his face above ... this is the attitude he has had the majority of the time he's been feeling icky. This year has been amazing as we've been watching elements of his little personality coming to light!]

Other highlights from this weekend - Graham now knows about football. If he sees it on TV he says FOOTBALL!! This does come out a bit more like BOO-BAH!! But with the enthusiasm in his voice and on his face, we know he's talking about football. Yes, this does come from his mommy and daddy. He also says "Touchdown!" but this requires a bit more coaching.

While we're on the topic, Graham also now knows about TV. We had been doing a pretty good job of keeping it pretty low-key, but now after a few times watching with family, he says Tee-bee-Tee-bee-a-bee and points to the TV as if to say, can we turn that thing on again? Although, I have noticed that it seems that watching football is different than watching other stuff. Very good. As it should be, I suppose.

I'm working on updating our Shutterfly site, and will have all pics updated soon. I will also be posting Christmas pictures here too.

If you're wondering if you might have been left off our Christmas card list, please stop wondering. You were not left off - we simply did not send cards this year ... it was an "off" season for us, but we are looking forward to sending one next year!!

Just watched the movie Bella; not what you'd expect, but lovely. Feeling deeply introspective; maybe it's the music [what a soundtrack] or the beauty of the story, and the rich love of Jose's family... or the realization/recollection of the depth and meaning a child brings to life. I just find myself pausing and wanting to record my thoughts.

Oh ~ for the ability to capture my thoughts! They are here and so meaningful, and then they flit away the very next moment:: an idea to make marriage more meaningful, a tradition I'd love to establish, a thought about pursuing meaning in life, the balance between comfort and conserving -

It seems I'm so quickly on to the next thing ... the next "urgent" thing - how many important things am I missing? How do I capture the ideas I have had, these ideas that might lead me to identifying emotions, and the meaning behind them?

Now distancing myself from the immediacy of that emotion, I see ... I do know; I know I need space and time. This is something I need to learn to give to myself; I need to learn how to find.

Now, I am going to go take a bath. Good night. And God, I love you still, and deeply fully wholeheartedly.

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Finally sleeping!  I don't know if it was Uncle Andrew's contagious personality also sharing the backseat or if he just wasn't tired till a few minutes ago ... 
We're on our way back from Leavenworth, wa where we spent a great weekend with Andrew.  Thanks for meeting us, Bro!!

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Yes it's spaghetti ... Reason number 45 why we need to get around to putting in cupboard locks!!

Well hello there!

Hello. It's hard to know what to share sometimes ... and I have been intentionally weeding out some things that require extra effort. You haven't seen us on Facebook in quite a while either, I know. I do check the blog just about daily, as if to see if I've posted anything more - really, it's to see if any of our friends have. If you haven't checked out our friends' blogs, please do! Lots of stories of joy, fulfillment, kiddos, happiness ... they're great. It's great to be able to get a glimpse into the thinking of our friends and the special - or sometimes simply normal - events going on in their lives. Because I enjoy your posts so much, I suppose we should share one in return.

We realized recently that summer is just about over. Oh wait, it IS over! September 22, right? The official first day of FALL? Well not for us - we're busting out the barbeque, enjoying burgers, steaks, corn on the cob, biking as a family, and enjoying walks in the city on Sunday afternoons. We tried fishing one day a few weeks ago, but it was quite anti-climactic.

My analysis on our allowing summer to pass us by? Aside from the loss of my dad, I used to have a huge picture window in my office, which would inspire creative summer behaviors in years past ... this year I'm sequestered away in a little box where my only window to the outside world is outside of my door, and across 5 rows of cubicles - just a small sliver of a window, really. I'm going to try working from home one day a week during the fall; we'll see if I can get more exposure to light at the kitchen table.

Graham gets more and more precious every day. I am, of course, including pictures - enjoy them, I'm hoping there will be more. I have not downloaded since the beginning of August, again, it was something that got "weeded" out for a time, but now I'm feeling more in the mood to share ... and taking advantage of it while it lasts.

Love you all, and thanks for your prayers!

This is at the coast with friends in August - Graham loved reading with Kurt!

... at the coast with friends in August

... waiting for Daddy in the car before leaving for the coast with friends in August :)

... still waiting ...

Graham's favorite place right now - the couch and trunk make this quite the cozy little book nook; and he's content quietly turning pages and reading to himself. Hasn't torn a page yet!(okay, maybe just one when Uncle Andrew was here)

Just hanging out playing ...

Our first family fishing trip!

Little fisherman ...