Grateful Edition:December 2012

New beginnings. Birthday blessings. Birthday celebrating with Ben. Brother Ben. Resolving conflict. Helping carry another's burden. Cuddling with Little M. Date with Micah. Watching a movie in the theater. Laughing with my husband. A slow morning and breakfast conversations. Christmas shopping almost done. M's first report card. Health. Quiet evenings. Kim. A working heater. Micah. Celebrating the life of my lovely husband. Couple date with Colleen and Van. Hot chocolate and walks home. Homemade cake from Jon. Walks to release pain. Forgiveness. Hugs. Friendship from Vander. Breakfast out with family. Family - so thankful to have them close by. M's kindness to others. Watching my sweet boy be honored in front of the whole school. Motherly pride - despite my daily failings. Time to rest. Children coming home. A brothers joy. Colleen - my old same. A postworker who calmed my emotions. Finding HOPE. Uncle Tom. Couch time with my guys. Take-out dinner. Christmas morning celebrations with Micah and M. Ben. Elderberry syrup. Seeing Uncle Kenny. Table time with the Osborne men. Surprise from Brother Ben. Chatting with Amanda. Train ride with M. Time with Herrboldt family. Surprises. Health. Time with the Osborne family. Love from Brother Ben. Safe travels. A night of relaxing. Fingerprints done! Micah's embrace. PJ day. Celebrating Zach. Safe travels. Time to grieve. A supportive husband. A down day. Books to distract my mind and heart. Sharing meals with family. Walks with my guys. Peter and Kelli. Brother Jon.

Winter Adventures

It's been so nice to be back in Laramie and enjoying some free time. We've been trying to get out and play in the snow as much as we can. 

Small Moments

Pondering

Justice is a garment.

Love is a thread.

Merry Christmas!

Old Friends Reunite

I had the opportunity to meet up with my dear friend Cassandra this evening. 

Her friendship has been a true blessing over the past 15 years. She has definitely seen me in some of my worst moments. Despite this, and the fact that our conversations grow fewer and farther between each time, she is someone that I feel knows the depths of my heart and offers encouragement with truth. We met having the energy for a brief visit, but two empty cups of chai and five hours later we finally parted to make our way back to our families of boys. I was so thankful for this time with her.

A Holiday Train Ride

The little man hasn't been feeling well for a few days so this is as much excitement as he could muster. Regardless, we had a great time as a family. 

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Driving to Rapid City for Christmas we passed a bed and breakfast. I pointed it out to Micah and the little man stated, "Bed and breakfast? That sounds like the perfect combination!"

Shirt Buddies

Pondering

"You tell what you know  what you've earned, what you've learned the hard way. You watch it fall on what seem to be deaf ears, and you mutter something under your breath, something about pearls before swine. But then ten years later you realize that one fragment of your story has now been woven into someone else's, a very necessary thing, a bridge to a new way of understanding and living. I didn't need proof from a theologian or a tip from a church practitioner. I needed a piece of a story, something real and full of life and blood and breath and heartache, something way more than an idea, something that someone had lived through, a piece of wisdom earned the hard way. That's why telling our stories is so important.
Tell the stories of love and redemption and forgiveness every time you experience them. Tell the stories of reconciliation and surprise and new life everywhere you find them."
                                                                             ~Shauna Niequist

A Good Friend

Without intending to, I had the opportunity to attend an all school assembly where the little man was awarded for being a good friend. His teacher stood up and told the school that part of being a good friend is seeking forgiveness and offering it as well. This is why she chose M because he demonstrates this with his classmates. It was a proud momma moment - way to go buddy!

Happy Birthday Micah!

Jon made a delicious homemade red velvet cake for Micah's birthday. 

Unfortunately, Micah is on the fourth day of not feeling so well. He did crawl out of bed long enough for us to sing to him and cut the cake. 

The Nutcracker on Broadway

A Doctor in the Making

The little man has been doing some yoga with me and we were talking about our hips. 

M wanted to know exactly what your hips look like so we pulled out the anatomy app and had a little discovery time. 

More Birthday Celebrations

We drove down to Denver to celebrate our birthdays. We enjoyed a lovely evening watching a movie on an actual movie screen (not our tiny laptop). Once the movie was over we walked around downtown and then slowly enjoyed a four-course meal of fondue (the last fondue meal was celebrating our 4 year anniversary with our dear friends the Biebers). We had a great time! 

How to Look Shocked

Birthday Celebrations

A Writer in the Making

"I am at the California Zoo."
The drawing is of a cheetah.
It is going to be hard for me to not save every single piece of writing..I love them too much!

The Perfect Way to Enjoy a Weekend

Grateful Edition:November 2012

I forced my junior high students to spend the month of November writing down thankful thoughts. For all their hard work I made them gratitude books. 

Chatting with Melissa. An afternoon. Comping home. Working it out. Breakfast dates. Books on tape. The ability to help. Flexibility. Indian food. Wine. Colleen. Colleen and Melissa. Presenting with Colleen. Coming home. Flowers. Sleeping. Cuddling with M. M's prayers. A supportive husband. A hug from Shelly. Cookies. Sunrise. Loren. Positive feedback. Colleen. Day with the Little man. Kim's wisdom. Family. Joy from M. Safe travels. M's love for Sundance. G & G Rempfer. Redneck shows. Hanging with Lisa. Laughing with Micah. Coffee with Von/Mom. Car chats with Micah. Hugs. Watching M ride a horse. A date with my husband. Tanner and Amanda's hearts. Coming home. M's excitement to be home. LJHS students. Colleen's presence. Things that can be said without being said. Hearing M talk to baby Amen. Time with Kim.

A Photographer in the Making

Kids Say the Darndest Things

M: "I love Sundance."

SJ: "What do you love about her?"

M: "I love her lungs, her blood, her red blood cells and white blood cells, her pancrease and her heart."

A Cowboy in the Making

Happy Thanksgiving

Kids Say the Darndest Things

We were lucky to be able to spend the holiday with Micah's grandparents. We enjoyed their company and the many comments shared by Little Man.

SJ: "What will you do when you see Grandpa Calvin and Grandma?"
Little M:                                      "Move really slow because they are old!"

Grandma R: "Now who are you?"
Little M: "My mom told me you would ask that because you forget things sometimes!"

Little M: "I want to play tennis. Who ISN'T old and wants to play with me?!"

Thankful for....

With my students we have been reflecting on what we are thankful for this month. I have been trying to ask the Little Man when I remember to. The other night at church they had post-it notes out for people to write what they are thankful for. As I was filling mine out, M came up and wanted to write his own.....

Needless to say I started crying and was overwhelmed with the heart of this boy I have the privilege of calling my son. I couldn't bear to post it on the board and leave it at church so I stole it and brought it home where it now hangs on our fridge as a beautiful reminder.

A Mountain Biker in the Making

Laramie Lego Land

We met up with M's best buddy and checked out the trains, the legos and even had time for a trip to the park. It was a good way to spend our Saturday. 

A Beautiful Morning

Kids Say the Darndest Things

I went to say goodnight to M. and he was already laying in bed with his eyes closed. Suddenly he opened his eyes and said,

"You scared me so bad my eyes went big!"

The Best Way to Come Home....

Flowers from both of my guys!

A Little Taste of Korea

A little taste of Korea with the lovely Melissa while away at a conference. 

Pondering

Something worth considering on the eve of Election day.....

How to Celebrate a Day Off....

Pajamas and Puzzles

Kids Say the Darndest Things

This morning as I was showering M. farted. He immediately said,
"That wasn't me. It was dad."
I asked him how that can be when he isn't even here.
"He farts so loudly so it was the echo of his fart."

I am sure Micah appreciates that.

Grateful Edition:October 2012

Another warm day. Harry Potter. Enjoying one last long lunch. Chai tea. Seeing M run to us. JM @ SPES. Dinner with Becky. Friendship that survives the busy times of life. Seeing the leaves fall. Smells of fall. M's joy for snow. A family visit. Lunch with Micah. Warm car seats. Knowing truth. ELL community. Wine with Melissa. A cup of tea. Brainless time. Wyoming Ethiopian community. Hugs. Car lights working. A found friend. Zuchinni bread. My bed and sleep. Bittersweet. Dinner with Colleen and Van. Conversations with Kim. Micah coming home. A dance party in the living room. Homemade pizza. Vander. Connie and Todd. Walks to the park. Reading. Warm weather. Matt. Colleen. "13 friends" brings laughter. Colleen. Matt. Excitement in an arrival. Sitting down for a 10 minute lunch. Soup. Dinner conversation of the good, bad, fun, beautiful, and gratefulness. Sibling support. Lemon cookies and a knee-to-knee to provide comfort. Colleen. Lunch delivered. Not having to cook. A glass of wine. Naps in the car. A few moments. Breathing deeply. An Aeropress. Sonja. Reminders that what is good is not always easy. Email from Melissa. A cute lego. A cup of tea to end the day.

Happy Halloween!

Problem Solving

It's Here!

Pondering

"We need 4 hugs a day for survival.  

We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. 

We need 12 hugs a day for growth."

 -- Virginia Satir

Pondering

"I've spent most of my life 

and most of my friendships

 holding my breath and hoping 

that when people get close enough

 they won't leave, 

and feeling that it's a matter of time 

before they figure me out and go."

~Shauna Niequist

 Bittersweet

Micah's View for the Week

Micah is spending the week up in Jackson with his 5th grade class having some amazing learning opportunities.

We on the other hand are quite ready for him to come home - thank goodness for good friends to share dinner with and fill our time up with love and laughter.

Buddies

Brother Ben For a Week

How Sundance Passes Her Time

Why it is Good to Have an Uncle

Pondering

"By building walls, and wearing masks, and refusing to admit we need help, much less ask for it or accept it, we're shortchanging ourselves and our friends  We're trading authentic friendship and rich relationships for smoke and mirrors and false pretenses of perfection." 

Mary, Giving Up On Perfect

Some of My Roots...