Another 365 days of family life

I am not mailing a holiday letter this year. Fingers crossed, we will send out some recent photos but who wants to read a holiday letter anyway? Aha! Here you are. So here goes an annual update for all visitors to my humble blog...

First of all, we haven't made any headlines. No incarcerations, lottery winnings, alien visitations, burning-building rescues, impressively high summits reached.

We don't even have any pet acquisitions, medical procedures, or furniture rearrangements to report.

There was one big change. I quit my job. Since February, I have been a SAHM (in Internet speak that means "Stay at Home Mom" and also "Sh@& A$@ Ho Motherf#@*er" - I think both apply). We had not planned on making this change and in fact, I quit only four days after we decided it was what I was going to do. But we all needed some more nurturing, support, and connections to the compmunity. We all needed more flexibility and time.

Days at the house are wonderfully full, exhausting, and occasionally quite gross (ahem nose picking, getting thrown up on at Ikea, and pinworms!!!). And very busy - with new things like school roles (2nd year as room parent), volunteering, and various community projects.

Ultimately, It has been wonderful. I really appreciate the chance to give back and invest more time in our kids, our schools, and our community.

And the family - what have we actually been doing these past 365 days?

Trains. Mostly trains. Building them. Crashing them. Building them again. The boy loves this. The boy could do this all day, every day.

And glue guns. And glitter. And fabric. And just about any combination of things that you can put together to make ART. The girl lives and breathes for this. Mom joins in a lot and makes her own messes sewing and crafting. Must be in the genes.

And building. Engineering. Creating. Realizing just how cool it is that their Dad has master Lego skillz.

Then there's all this growing. Darnit-all, they won't stop growing!!

Mom has to stop, lean over and pant every time she remembers that next year Henry will be in kindergarten. Just HOW has time gone by so fast?! Lucy uses the adult dictionary. She recently asked if she could have a phone that texts! Henry uses the "whatever" hand sign and is nearly independent in the pool. Our once-blobbish creatures are growing up!

There is a lot of reading. We have checked out more that 500 items from the library. True, many of these were barbie readers, formulaic fairy adventures, and books covering the schematics of various engines. But there were some great reads in there too. One wonderful aspect of spending so many years reading to children, is that we have been exposed to a large portion of ALL the authors in the children's section. We have discovered some new favorites (Oliver Jeffers, Alison Jay, Jane O'Connor, Donald Crews, Tom Lichtenheld, Brian Biggs) and revisited many still beloved from our youth (Richard Scarry, Arnold Lobel, Beatrix Potter, Margaret Wise Brown, E.B. White, Maurice Sendak, William Steig, Syd Hoff, Dr. Seuss).

Henry's book obsessions interests have hovered around engines, dragons, robots, and (yes) trains. Sometimes reading to him has unexpected results - like the time he adopted a pet spider named "knuckles" after reading Charlotte's Web. Our very sweet kid. With a very creepy spider in his room for a long time.

We are thankful that Lucy is reading well enough that we no longer have to read her barbie and fairy books to her (Queue hallelujah chorus). Instead, Jeremy has taken delight in watching her mind explode as he has read her the first three Harry Potter books and The Hobbit. BOOM!

This year cemented the ritual of Friday movie night. There is to be pizza at dinner. Must be pizza. Then jammies. Then movie starts with popcorn. Has to be popcorn. Sometimes (please oh please oh please) there are a few treats hidden within. Five gummy bears are happiness. Ten marshmallows are a cause to celebrate!

Game night is also new. But instead of Candyland and Uno (as I had planned), we play mostly made up games that include adventuring under blankets, pretending to make kids into burritos, jumping through obstacle courses, or dancing to kid favorites (Everything is Awesome and Roar might be their top faves for the year).

Fighting entropy cleaning takes up far more time than we ever though possible. Turns out, the kids are very good mess makers. With all that goes on, the place can go from relatively neat to hurricane wreckage in a flash. We love to play with other kids but having several kids over to play means our whole house is a blender with the lid off. Legos. Everywhere.

Amidst the chaos, I like to feign civility pairing classical music to household chores. Chostakovitch - Valse N. 2 for carpool. The Barber Of Seville for picking up toys. Goldberg Variations for office filing. Yo-yo Ma playing Bach for just about anything. Strange pass time? Well, I dare you to go through the car wash listening to The Lakme Flower Duet and not be moved.

The kids are learning to love music. Grieg's In the Hall of the Mountain King is a perpetual favorite. I'm happy to be passing on my love for classical music to them, as my mother did for me.

After the kids are tucked in bed, parents find escape in watching Star Trek reruns and Hannibal episodes. Mystery, adventure, gore - bring it! There is sweet relief in letting go of any thoughts related to reality, family, and life balance.

We traveled quite a bit. We visited Nauvoo, Illinois where my mother was serving a mission. There was one fun (and very loud) trip to Great Wolf Lodge. And we spent most of the summer traveling through Idaho and Utah.

We took our first family camping trip, staying overnight at Nehalem Beach State Park. We forgot matches, but the campground had outlets to charge our phones. Somehow, Jeremy managed to feed us with recipes he probably hasn't used since scouting days. Yes - tinfoil dinners are every bit as good as we remember! The kids loved it all so I'm sure we will be pressured into camping again soon. Maybe we will even remember matches next time.

July 24 was the eco-fest film awards and presentation of the eco-hero award for 2014 to Papa. Seeing Papa honored and featured in The Lost Fish on the big screen at the Hollywood Theater was bitter sweet. He would have been overwhelmed with all the attention. He would be so happy to see that his work for the lamprey is moving forward. Papa was also featured in DamNation which came out this year (now on Netflix). It is a blessing that his voice, his laugh, and his fabulous face are so beautifully captured in these films.

July 26 was the one-year anniversary of Papa's drowning. The family and many friends gathered for his stone setting. In some ways, this whole year was about accepting the loss of Papa. And about trying hard to bring the purpose of his life into ours.

Jeremy continues his great work for all Wy-Kan-Ush-Pum (salmon people). He did presentations in many schools this year including Lucy's and Henry's. We enjoy supporting him whenever possible, especially when that includes winning a hula contest and playing lacrosse.

And now this is getting ridiculously long.

But how can I possibly some up 365 days for our family?

The number of dishes washed? The number of noses wiped on my shirt? The number of times we have asked children to put on their shoes? The clothing sizes grown through? The number of socks we have lost? The number of sticky items I have found on the bottom of my purse? The number of I love you's and hugs? The number of moments I want to pull my kids into my lap and never let them go?

Whatever the numbers, it all adds up to something wonderful, something exhausting, something so amazingly precious and beautiful it is sometimes hard to breathe.

We are so blessed. So grateful for our health and our friends and family. So grateful for peace and love in our community. So grateful to be together.

Our best wishes for all the same to you.

With love,

Margaret

See some (not very organized) 2014 photos

I'd like to give leukemia the finger

Dear Bodhi,

Someday, when you are a strapping young man jetting off to build schools for the peace corps (or perhaps finishing your law degree?) you can take me to lunch. Because, let's face it, you're going to owe me. And when we sit down, I will tell you the story about how once, long ago, you were a very sick boy and a whole lot of people wanted to help you get better.

And how somewhere in that time...perhaps the very moment this picture was taken, your mom became my hero.

We love you Bodhi Isabell. Get better soon.

Love,

Margaret, Jeremy, Lucy and Henry

ps We got your back. Go Team Bodhi!

Chemo fashions for a baby?

While on Doernbecher's cancer unit, I noticed that the babies and kids on the unit were either not wearing clothes, or wearing ill-fitting hospital gowns. During treatment, their skin is ultra-sensitive. The oft-washed flannel sheets and gowns didn't seem very comfortable. I certainly wouldn't want to wear pajamas made out of that stuff, even if they did actually fit.

Finding my friend's baby something to wear seemed like a small way to help him. I decided to try tshirt fabric because it is what I prefer on sensitive skin and most kids like it. I like to sew so I'm trying these items.

• T-shirts adapted with snaps (for pic line access)
• Tube top and line holder (for Hickman line access)
• Arm warmers, leg warmers, slippers for child hospital wear

I'll update the post as we try them out and find out what adjustments need to be made for them to work.

Another item to try: infant or toddler hospital gown

T-shirts adapted with snaps (for pic line access)

These instructions are for making a tshirt that a baby or child can wear during chemotherapy or if they have a pic line (peripherally inserted central catheter) for any other medical reason.

What you need:

• Tshirt (at least one size up from current size) 
• Sewing machine
• Snap tape, or snaps and snap setting tool

Instructions:

On the Tshirt, cut down the back and across the shoulder top of the shoulder where the pic line access is needed. Or, you can do both shoulders as I've done in this example.

Use your sewing machine's zipper foot to sew snap tape along the edges that you've just cut.

From the back: shoulder and center snaps open.

From the back: shoulders snaps open, center snaps closed.

From the back: all snaps closed.

From the front, it looks close to a normal tshirt.

On the cutest baby around, it looks like this:

Bodhi Gowns could help many kids in hospitals. If you would like to help, stay tuned for more information at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bodhi-Gear/742824705803496

Tube top and line holder (for Hickman line access)

These instructions are for making a shirt that a baby or child can wear if they have a hickman line (central venous catheter) for chemotherapy or any other medical reason. It has a pocket in front to hold tubing away from baby's hands during play.

To make one, you'll need:

• Stretch knit fabric
• Sewing machine or serger
• Instructions: follow this pattern

On a sweet, 7-month-old baby, it looks like this:

Arm warmers, leg warmers for child hospital wear

One item that seems like it would work for any child in the hospital to wear is leg warmers and arm warmers. They could go with the hickman hider, adapted tshirt, or a hospital gown.

There are great brands made of woven knit like these Baby Leggs.

But again, I think tshirt fabric is ultimately more comfortable and softer on the skin. So I'm going to try sewing some and see how they work out. Or maybe someone out there wants to try sewing them and let me know how it goes...

A pair of jokers

You are both a couple of standup comedians lately. Some of your material is coo coo, but you get strong points for effort and you find some genuine laughs here and there. Here are a few of the jokes you have come up with on your own.

From Henry:

Q: Why did the human say meow?
A: Because it had a cat in its mouth.

Knock Knock
Who's there?
Bullet train.
Bullet train who?
Ding ding ding ding.

Why is your face so small? (No, we don't really get this one but you LOVE it.) 

Punny laughs from Lucy:

Q: What does a cat call Mjölnir? (Thor's hammer, pronounced me-ull-near)
A: Meowlnir.

Q: What does a mermaid use to wash her hair?
A: Clam poo.

Crazy kids. But do you what's really funny?...Your face!

Happy birthday, Mom

"For a long time, we grew side by side; our roots will always be tangled. I'm glad for that.” ~ Ally Condie, Matched

Somewhere over the past year, my age hit one half of yours. I finally reached the age you were when you had me. Your life seems so connected to mine that it's hard to believe I missed half of it – so much happened before that 38th year!

I missed your youth in Fillmore. Your days traveling with your mom and Annie. Your countless performances in the band and orchestra. The spectacle of you as prom queen, homecoming queen, and cheerleader! I wasn't there when you graduated from college. When you got married and bought your first home. You already had 4 children and 13 years of marriage behind you before my very first day in the world!

Only now, that I am reaching this point - do I realize just how much I missed. A whole other lifetime I have only glimpsed through pictures and stories. A lifetime that holds up all that has become of mine.

“Parents rarely let go of their children, so children let go of them. They move on. They move away. The moments that used to define them - a mother's approval, a father's nod - are covered by moments of their own accomplishments. It is not until much later, as the skin sags and the heart weakens, that children understand; their stories, and all their accomplishments, sit atop the stories of their mothers and fathers, stones upon stones, beneath the waters of their lives.” ~ Mitch Albom, The Five People You Meet in Heaven

I was there when you had another child, got divorced, managed a business, sold the home you raised us in and moved. Moved again twice. Played music for a thousand different events. Survived the passing of your mother and many relatives and friends. Helped your kids through missions, weddings, college, and having kids of their own. Volunteered thousands of hours for the church and other organizations. Made friends. Lost friends. Loved your grandchildren to pieces. Finished a full time mission in Nauvoo.

I am so proud of you. So amazed by your life and your being.

The next 38 years are stretching out in front of me. So many opportunities and pathways I can't even imagine yet. Two kids to raise! So many to lose (you!!). Who knows what I will have to survive and accomplish.

I am daunted. And I am inspired.

I am ever so thankful to have such a wonderful mom. So grateful that our roots are tangled. So happy that while my life moves ahead into the unknown, it will always lead back to you.

I wish I could see you every day. I will treasure whatever time I get and always wish for more. 38 years with you has hardly been enough.

With all my love,
Margaret

Our absentee grandfathers

We have a grandfather deficit in our family. Really, I've always had one.

My mother's father died in World War II, long before I was born. Photos and stories about him have offered inspiration and life lessons. He was a doctor, a remarkable person, and a wonderful father to my mother. But a dead man is not a source of loving hugs or endearments. He couldn't spoil me on my birthdays. He wasn't there to take me on a special outing that gave me the feeling that, just for a moment, I was the center of someone else's world.

My father's father was very ill by the time I was born. He had several strokes that robbed him of his dexterity, ability to speak clearly, and sometimes even control over his bodily functions. By the time I was out of diapers, he was in them. And none to happy for it. He must have been frustrated and angry with his situation. He was not a happy man. I do remember sitting on his lap, he touching my arm with somewhat spastic pats. I remember his constant drooling and urine smell. Again, not really any story book grandfather moments.

No ring-side cheering for me at sports. No flowers and over-the-top praise for me at performances. No absolutely biased comparison of me above all others in the world.

I read the book Heidi over and over as a kid. I didn't realize until much later, that part of it's enchanting pull for me was the gruff-but-loving grandfather character. He instantly adored Heidi and cared for her in just the way she needed. It was something my heart really wanted but I never had.

I really wish I could say it was different for you.

But my father is almost entirely absent from your lives. He cares for you in his way and has given you some gifts. But I don't think he will ever remember your birthday, or show up to take you somewhere special. It is unlikely that he will ever know you well, or become a person to turn to during a difficult spell. Unfortunately, this was largely the case for me as his daughter. Other things are more important to him. Parenting was something he never had much time for. Harsh? Well, in the 26 years since my parents divorce, he has never stopped filing lawsuits against my mother. In the same period, he has called me on the phone less than a dozen times. Not exactly a solid track record.

And your Papa. Well, he is gone. He was the first and only person to "father" me in a way that I always wanted. He loved us all completely. And he was a wonderful grandfather to you and your cousins. So wonderful that he literally died to save one of you. And he would have done it for any one of you. He would have done it for me.

And just like my ideal, he was tough on the outside.

And marshmallow soft on the inside.

And more, he seemed to understand and love you, before you were even born.

Luckily, you have the best father I can imagine. Being his partner, seeing all he does for you, somewhat makes up for the lack of fathering and grandfathering that I've had. It was all worth it to get to the place I am now.

But I am selfish. And wish you had a present and loving grandpa too.

One of the kids in Lucy's class has a grandpa that comes nearly every week to help with reading, class preparation, and whatever else needs doing. This week had him cutting out paper books (tedious!) and shepherding boys through the changing room during our class visit to the school pool (wild!). And he seemed happy to do it. Happy to be there for his granddaughter. Showing oh so much love, merely by showing up.

I just want to say thank you Gary Suttenberg. Thank you Dick Young. Thank you Bob Keddington,  Tom Tuite, Bill Bahles, and all the other committed grandpas I see loving on their grandkids out there. Bless you for doing that thing that no one else can do for them. Bless you for being that person that loves them no matter what. My kids may not have that but I'm forever grateful that they get a glimpse of it through you.

xo,
Margaret

Signs of fall

Crocs are put up and rain boots are out. Fall is officially here.

Used car sales are definitely up

During a sick day home from school, we made up the game "car store" where we put prices on your toys and sell them to each other for real coins and monopoly bills. It is fun and has some math and currency practice. Fun! Learning! Yay!

Since then, I have bought and sold the same 20 cars from you approximately three hundred thousand times. Driving me crazy! Not so yay!

Your dad added a bunch of business lingo to the game which (thankfully) adds some variety. Hearing your sincere business talk cracks me up. Above, you are saying something like: "I've been thinking of going into the ice cream business..."

Going into the ice cream business? My crazy kid. I think you are right in the middle of 4-year-old boy business. And though it drives me bonkers from time to time, I absolutely adore you for it.

Xo,
Mama

Yawping together

When Walt Whitman said, "We were together. I forget the rest," I think he was talking about our summer. The three months of activity (out of school, on and off the road, and all over town) are already a blur in my mind.

The question isn't what did we do, but more what didn't we do? It was full speed ahead, jam packed busy-ness.

I am grateful for our adventures but keeping up with the fun hasn't been easy. Let's just say my ability to simultaneously handle exhaustion, frustration, boredom, and chaos has been greatly expanded.

I am almost SURE Walt Whitman was thinking of our summer when he wrote "I sound my barbaric yawp over the rooftops of the world." A loud yawp about sums up the state that our summer has left me in. Visually, it looks like this:

Yes. I am REALLY looking forward to recuperating during the coming school days. Hopefully, I'll be ready to give it another go by next June. Hopefully.

See more photos here.

Living a compassion-centered life

(I gave this talk to our congregation today)

I think it has been more than 15 years since I have given a talk in church. To be fair to me, this is the first time I’ve been asked. To be fair to our meeting planners, I would not be surprised if there was some concern about what I might say.

That is ok. If there is a “typical Mormon,” I am not it.  I am not even sure if I am considered a “good Mormon.” My testimony, once shattered, was very difficult to rebuild. It is unique, filled with holes, and changes often. The call to obedience is often difficult for me to answer. The plight of those hurt by Mormon culture has become impossible for me to ignore.

So, I am who I am. Neither awful nor perfect. But grateful to be true to myself and to keep trying. Grateful to be comfortably accepted by this ward community. Colonial Heights Ward is a very special place.

Giving a talk on living a christ-centered life is a small service I am grateful to do for you.

Christ is the cornerstone of our religion. The touchstone, the back drop, the yardstick for all things to be measured by.

Our focus on his life and works makes us different than some other Christian denominations. It may seem subtle, but as a person who has worked in visual marketing and brand design, I can tell you that there is a big difference between gathering rooms that feature paintings of Christ administering among children, versus Christ’s agony on the cross.

As part of our focus on His good works, everyone in the church is given opportunities to serve one another and the broader community.

One turning point in my faltering testimony happened when I asked an area director for Mercy Corps (a good friend) how he recommended I donate household items and food for the survivors of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and Tusnami. “Give it to the Mormons,” he said “They are often the first ones to show up with supplies.”

I was heartened to hear the respect in his voice. At the time, I was deeply grieving something that I felt was a great misstep by church leaders. It was a great relief to hear we were doing something right. Something important and good for mankind.

Recently, our family traveled to Nauvoo and I realized that I can trace my family back through eight generations of Mormons. It is amazing to me, particularly, to imagine the women that came before me - what their lives were like and what we might have in common. Some of my great-great-great grandmothers were second or third wives. Some left lush homelands to travel into the deserts of Utah where they were called to irrigate and build towns on sand-covered prairie. Some were happy. Some were not. Many lost children. Some lost husbands and remarried. My mother was probably not the first to live in a dysfunctional marriage but, as far as I know, she was the first to be divorced.

Our culture has changed. Our sensibilities have changed. Even many church mandates and rules have changed.

This is not surprising. Change is inevitable and required for growth. Marvin J Ashton wrote:

How often in life do we set our own roots into the soil of life and become root bound? We may treat ourselves too gently and defy anyone to disturb the soil or trim back our root system. Under these conditions we too must struggle to make progress. Oh, change is hard! Change can be rough. 

The Lord does not want His church to become root bound and stagnant. Constant revelation through the prophets is needed for the growth of His kingdom.

Change is necessary and hard! Being the first at anything is scary and difficult.  I am so proud of my mother for braving the way to a healthier family for me and my siblings. I am in awe at my ancestors who built communities in Scipio, Holden and Fillmore, Utah - towns hundreds and sometimes, thousands of miles from their places of birth.

But some things are constant, right? Like the Ten Commandments: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” and on down. God gave Moses these rules to separate right from wrong, black from white, God from Satan. And they are serious. We are talking written in stone by God serious.

But then the rest of the scriptures meander through a variety of cultures and lives (many of them prophets) whose experiences following God sometimes lead them to break those rules.

Nephi killed Laban. David killed Goliath. The Israelites utterly destroyed the inhabitants of the promised land.

Obviously there are contradictions here. Perhaps this “know the rules” - “choose the right” business isn’t so cut and dried after all.

The real world is full of gray-areas, complex characters, back stories, messy circumstances, changes of heart, redemption, 3 billion pages on the internet.

Turns out the line separating right from wrong is not so easily carved into rock - but perhaps can only be taught by example. And learned through a lifetime of trial and error, contemplation, and growth.

The life and teachings of Jesus fill a fundamental role for us as individuals and as a church community. He is the example. The higher law. The essential and unchanging road map to an enlightened life and happiness.

Jesus used some his last moments to teach: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you. … By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:34

Love one another. Such simple words. Such a profound edict.

My favorite gospel topics delve into the meaning and fulfillment of Christ’s love.

Moroni defines Christlike love as “charity.” He wrote:

And now I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of men is charity; wherefore, except men shall have charity they cannot inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy Father. Ether 12:34

Gordon B. Hinkley spoke of Christ’s love as “mercy.” His words:

The Son of the everlasting Father, was the epitome of mercy. His ministry was one of compassion toward the poor, the sick, the oppressed, the victims of injustice and man’s inhumanity to man. His sacrifice on the cross was an unparalleled act of mercy in behalf of all humanity.

I personally find more resonance with the word “compassion” - which is a primary focus in another world-religion, Buddhism.

Now, my favorite article of faith is the 13th “if is there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.” In that spirit I share the words of His Holiness the Dalai Lama:

Compassion is an aspiration, a state of mind, wanting others to be free from suffering. It's not passive -- it's not empathy alone -- but rather an empathetic altruism that actively strives to free others from suffering.

Love one another -  a charitable heart, merciful dealings, compassion, a state of mind, a life of empathetic altruism.

How is this to be accomplished?

Brother Dieter F. Uchdorf says:

To follow Christ is to become more like Him. It is to learn from His character. The Savior invites us to learn His gospel by living His teachings. Ancient and modern prophets described it with three words: “Keep the commandments”—nothing more, nothing less.

So we are back to the commandments - the rules. And following the example of Christ.

• But what do miraculous loaves of bread teach us about our daily lives?
• Did the man who walked on water have 6 months of food storage?
• Did the man who raised lazereth from the dead always buy organic? Or return his library books on time?
• What of his personal habits? His marriage? His parenting?

Christ’s exemplary life provides a wealth of inspiration but he did not give us all the specifics. Most of the slate has been left purposefully blank for us to fill in.

Luckily, we are not left completely alone to find our way.

Also in his last sermon to his disciples, Jesus promised the Father would send another comforter, the Holy Ghost saying, “He shall teach you all things.” John 14:26

The scriptures promise us great rewards and happiness in the afterlife if we follow christ’s teachings. Life experience and even modern research tell us that living a life full of service can make us happier right now.

Here are some related findings by science:

• One study showed that active volunteers, on average, are twice as likely to feel happy with themselves as non-volunteers. ~ Crist-Houran 1996
• In another study, life satisfaction was found to improve 24 percent with the level of altruistic activity ~Williams, Haber, Weaver, and Freeman 1998
• In another study, greater community interactions increased happiness by almost 30 percent. ~ Sugarman 1997

Service truly is twice blessed: with benefits for both the giver and the receiver.

Gordon B. Hinkley said:

Generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are those who are obsessed with themselves; the happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others...By and large, I have come to see that if we complain about life, it is because we are thinking only of ourselves.

From Uchtdorf:

In the end, the number of prayers we say may contribute to our happiness, but the number of prayers we answer may be of even greater importance. Let us open our eyes and see the heavy hearts, notice the loneliness and despair; let us feel the silent prayers of others around us, and let us be an instrument in the hands of the Lord to answer those prayers.

I am not perfect. None of us is perfect. This church isn’t perfect. But when I am with you or when I think back through the eight generations of Mormons that came behind me  - I see that we are all trying. We are moving forward. And at our best moments, we are continuing a beautiful legacy of christlike love. A legacy of compassion. If we continue to change and grow, and to center our lives and our church around Christ, the world can be a better place, and we can find greater happiness and accomplish great things.

I see the possibilities in the very faces in this room. And I thank you for the kindness - the service, the compassion - you have shared with me and my family.

From The Lion King:

He lives in you
He lives in me
He watches over
Everything we see
Into the water
Into the truth
In your reflection
He lives in you

She sews.

You just finished sewing camp at Rewear. Here are a few of your hot-off-the-sewing-machine projects.

Pieced pillow

Fabric collage

Stuffed seahorse

Appliqué sea snail

Painted wall hanging with pressed flowers

My favorite is your embroidery project.

You drew your own pattern

And my VERY favorite is the BACK of your embroidery project!

Gah! Laughable and wonderful.

Can't wait to see what your little fingers sew next. Maybe we can do a project together.

Henry 4.5

Four and a half year old Henry wants to be...

...a bullet train driver and...

 ...a dragon.

Is no longer a...

...cheap sushi date (you can eat more than Dad!).

Still loves pipes...

...anything with wheels, food, and...

...getting really, really, really, really dirty.

Always wants to go to Safeway to...

 ...watch the cart go up the escalator.

Loves climbing on...

...everything.

Getting almost too good at...

...tree climbing.

Recently started loving...

 ...drawing and also...

...writing.

Up for...

...almost anything. 

Refuses to stop...

...growing.

Even though he looks like this:

Mama still sees this:

We love you Harry Henry Hen. But this growing this has got to stop.

Love,
Mama