Enjoying the Small things..

I was sure of three.
I can't totally speak for Ed, but I remember knowing in my heart that he was good with two.
Then one day he opened up to the idea of three and I began doubting.
We had two healthy and incredible boys.  Why rock the boat?  Why push our luck?  Could my body handle it?

I am not sure when I came across this blog. But Enjoying the Small Things, written by Kelle Hampton, is one of my favorite blogs to read. For me it is a mix of fantasy and inspiration. Her life is unbelievable to me...trips to the ocean, fashion that rocks, little girls that are always adorable, mothering tips slid in between musings about ordinary daily moments with chalk, cupcakes and little shoes. Her self taught photography amazes, and her honesty that in life she finds the sunshine with rainbows and unicorns whenever she can. I know her life has it's challenges. BIG ONES. And her honesty and ability to share her story is just so inspiring.

I do remember reading about her daughter Nella's birth story.  I remember crying.  I remember realizing that my fear of "rocking the boat" was no longer a fear.  Kelle's honesty and perspective.  Her story made me ready for anything.  One afternoon I asked Ed to read it.  And he always plays along and reads or listens as I read posts that hit me.  And I remember glimpsing a pause and maybe even a tear.  And I remember him saying, "it would be okay." 

My biggest worry about convincing Ed about having a third was the fear that our third would come with challenges that I couldn't even comprehend but, only imagine.  But when he assured me "that it would be okay." I realized that Kelle's story had given him a glimpse at some of the challenges that could come along and I saw that we would be up for it.

three became a reality.
 And so we had Sydney.  And she has so far been perfectly healthy, a life changer for sure, but also once again a pretty normal life changer.  My point.  I can give just a teeny tiny credit to having a third to Kelle's blog.  

Kelle just came out with a book and this is a little clip sharing about the book she has written.  Her words always touch me.  And here she speaks, summing up the story she tells in her book, Bloom. 


I know that you can see her as a little over the top. When I read this post I thought, "WHAT! Who the heck has wine in an orange grove while clicking your heels with friends." But you know what, you go girl. If you have that opportunity, enjoy it. I told my friend Kim that I hope we can meet in a Midwest MN apple orchard next fall and click our heels and toast to life.

Reading blogs can be dangerous.  You can forget that reading blogs casts somewhat of an illusion because you only see a bleep of their day, their life...their story.   And you forget that they have piles of laundry, dirty dishes, crabby kids, door slamming moments, and the flu going through their houses too.  My sister says once in a while that she has friends that wonder about my life.  That even my silly little blog casts an illusion to some.  This cracks me up but I can see how it might look that way. 

When I read some blogs I have had to take breaks because the things they share sometimes cause me to think unrealistically about motherhood.  Healthy home cooked meals, perfectly dressed children, parenting ways that ALWAYS work, organized to the max houses, and counter tops that are clutter free.  Kelle's blog has her own way of possibly casting an illusion that every day is about friends, over the top kid parties, fashion...unicorns and rainbows...as she pokes fun at herself often.  But the thing is-- I have never had to take a break from her blog.  For me, her blog doesn't cast an illusion of a perfect life.  But rather it casts a reminder.

She reminds me to sit down on the drive way and play chalk with my kids.
She inspires me to find a nook of nature in our little town and make it a tradition to visit.
She reminds me that as a stay at home mom I can wear lipstick (I don't, but I could). 
She reminds me that getting dressed for the day can be fun and jeans and a tshirt are okay but so is adding a fun necklace, scarf, or wearing a pair of heels.
She reminds me to grab up the moments with friends.
She reminds me to document the little ordinary pieces to our day.
She reminds me to change my attitude by going on an adventure.
She reminds me to think outside the box and look for the heel clicking moments and if they aren't presenting themselves then seek them out or make them happen.
She reminds me that the unexpected moments in life can be looked at as opportunities.
She reminds me that life is all about perspective and though we can't control what happens to us, we do have the power to control how we react and what we make of our life.
 
As I watched that video clip and saw pictures of her girls and realized that I have enjoyed watching them grow up, so far.  I realized how blessed I have been to have had her words part of my life.  And some may see that as silly.  But in life you have to figure out where you draw your inspiration.  And one of the places I have found is blogs.  And Kelle's inspires me.  I suggest you grab a glass of wine some evening and give her a moment. 

Enjoying the Small Things has been a reminder to find my moments each day, even if they are little ones, that show the beauty in my life.  

So much gratitude...

“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” Dr. Seuss

Wow.  Yesterday you all made me smile.  I AM IN LOVE WITH ALL OF YOU.  I asked where you were reading from and a whole bunch of you took a moment to say hi, introduce yourself, say such kind words.  I had a grin on my face all evening and Ed would hear me giggling and would say, "What? Did someone else say hi."  It really meant the world to me.  I could hardly fall asleep. 

It is a busy time of year.  And just like many of you, I read my blogs in my reader during moments in the day when I can squeeze in a second.  So I am not always the best at commenting.  But I know how fun it makes it and I cherish the friendships I have developed these last couple years through comments on my blog and leaving comments on other blogs. 

Blogging started out for me about documenting my boys lives - for them.  And it slowly became more of a reflection place for me.  And then I started making connections with other moms and realized what a place of inspiration and support it was. 

I want to thank you again for taking time to read.  I want to thank you for saying hi every once in awhile.  It really is so motivating and exciting to put a face or name to some of you. 

I would like to reply to my commenters but I notice many of you don't have your blog profile set up for receiving emails back.  So here is what you need to do...and this is going to change your blog reading/ commenting experience. 

1.  When you are logged into your blog click up on Design in the upper right hand corner.
2.  Then click on Account up in the upper right hand corner.
3.  On that page click on edit email settings.
4.  ADD YOUR EMAIL. 

This should solve it.  Then when you leave a comment on a blog the blogger can reply back to you via your email.  If your email is personal and you don't want it out there.  Set up a new email account and have that email forwarded to your regular email and then you don't have to worry about managing two email accounts.  You will be amazed at some of the AWESOME bloggers that will reply to your comments.  Friendships can form and it is so fun.  Throw a comment my way to give it a try and I will respond to you.  If I don't respond then you know it didn't work.


OR

If you have a thought or idea that goes along with a post that I write you can leave a comment and select the anonymous button (but PLEASE just sign your name...even, just your first).  Comments left without a name make me sad.

Commenting and sharing your thoughts makes the whole blogging thing SO MUCH MORE FUN.  It becomes a conversation...over a latte, in our pjs, in the middle of the day, when you haven't talked to anyone who is more than 2.5 feet tall :)

Once again, I really appreciate hearing from you.  It means the world.  The kind things you said about my blog made my heart swell.  Seriously.  Burst.

Today:

I am going to snuggle a teeny wee one and cherish some girl time with my friend Kim.
Maybe a little laundry. 
Maybe not.

Have a great Tuesday.  Really. 

Ultimate Blog Party

I think spring has finally arrived here in Minnesota...which means the days are longer, which makes for more time to blog and read blogs - yeah, right.  But I'm going to try and join in on the fun of 5 Minute for Mom's Ultimate Blog Party.

Hi!  I'm Sarah...the lover of naptime.

I used to think that naptime was when I could get a little me time to blog among other things.  My first son, Charley(6) was a great napper...but my second child decided napping needed to stop at the age of 2 1/2...and with the addition of our third (Sydney - born January 2011), we aren't quite on a nap schedule yet...so to say the least...this mama isn't really getting any naptime breaks.

FOR THE LOVE OF NAPS! 

My blog is my little place to share my reflections on life as a wife, mom, and woman.  I love that my blog allows for me to find a wonderful moment each day to celebrate, while also keeping it real and sharing in some of the realities of motherhood.  I also love to share pictures, recipes, offer fun activities to do with your children, and just ramble on.  So take a look around and I hope to find a minute to stop and visit you if you leave your info.  I am always looking for inspiration.

A couple posts to check out...

The "F" word...

Tomorrow I GET to have a great day

Kabobs - KABAM!

Kid Activity:  Land, Air, Sea

Making it last...

 This morning I woke up in a quiet house to full blown WINTER.

Recently, my sister wrote a blog post about visiting my grandpa with my brother and others. They went with the intention of interviewing him. They asked him all sorts of questions - for which he answered or couldn't answer.  I cried while reading her post because I missed being there.  Granted, if I had been there with my clan things would have been more chaotic.  But the moments of hearing those details must have been amazing.

In her post she wrote:

During a quiet time my brother said to all of us "see, this is why you should write about your life". It totally clicked with me. Even if you don't think you have done anything special or out of the ordinary with your life (no matter how old you are), someone will want to know about it. You may have children, grandchildren or great grandchildren who won't be able to picture the life we now lead in 20-60 years. We may forget the mundane or normal things we do each day that would seem so interesting to our family in years to come. Those details that we will probably forget could paint images of our past for those in our future. Even the little things such as favorite meals, what you would do with an extra $100, what the Holiday's were like and what your cell phone was able to do for you.

When I read this I realized why I blog.  I started out just playing around with the whole blog thing.  And then I shared it with family.  And I realized how quickly and easily I could take a little conversation, an outfit, a moment of my life or my boys life, and I could jot it down to better remember - to make it last. 

I have had friends who have said things about how my boys aren't going to read all of these blogs - and I let that statement sink in, my heart a little heavy, and then I thought about it more and I have a feeling that in the not to far off future my boys are going to love going through my blog and reading about all the little things they have grown up learning, doing, experiencing. 

Not to be a downer, but I also think, if something were to happen to me, I love knowing that they can look back at this blog and read it and hear my voice.  They can hear my struggles, my joys, and my thoughts on motherhood. 

I think of the future and ponder the idea of a daughter-in-law who would find it interesting to know the little details of how their Love grew up.  I know I love hearing and seeing glimpses of where Ed came from.

Blogging for me has become a place where I can find the moment(s) during the day that I want to remember, forget, change, grow from, share, reflect on, and know that in a year or 10 years I can go back and maybe remember a little better. 

 I think I will remember the little things that my boys do and say, or how they say or do something, but there is so much and so many stages.  So I blog so I can remember. 

This post titled Realizing Life said,

The next day I moved through the house with different eyes. I saw the busy hum of what we were about with fleeting but tangible beauty. It won’t last - can’t last - and will be gone before I know it. So I began to make note of things I saw, felt, and cherished. A scrap of paper here, a note on my calendar there, and some plinking away on the keyboard at day’s end. It took some time. But how could I not? Writing it down makes it last.


Blogging helps me feel like it will last. 

 

Favorite Lady of the Week...

Today I am honored to have been chosen to be picked as Purse Bloggers Favorite Lady of the week.  You can pop over there to read my attempt at an interview.  Also spend some time checking out her blog.  She is a fun blogger who writes about all aspects of life. 



I have been living without internet access for the last 7 days while on vacation in the northwoods and have unpacking and laundry coming out of my ears. I am hoping to get some posts up regularly this week....even today! Stay tuned!

Thank you and give away!

Woo Hoo! About a week ago I hit 100 followers. And just recently hit 100 subscribers. Around New Years I decided to put my blog out there and try and challenge myself to grow it a little. I started the 2010 with 15 friends and family that had signed up as "followers" and so I have definitely grown my little blog just a wee bit. In the grand scheme of blogs my blog is still just a tiny little spot...but it is my spot. And I am so proud of each comment, follower, hit, and email. They make my day. They motivate me to write.

I started this blog for my boys and my family and friends who don't live close enough to see us daily or even monthly. But it has turned into my place to reflect and pause and take in the little moments as a mother. It has become a fun hobby and spark for some fun friendships.

Thank you to each of you - who take time to visit, read, comment, and email. You make blogging so much fun!

In celebration of you, I am giving away two kids chopsticks (the cow and duck). They are called Animal Cheater Chopsticks. They make meal time here fun (and you know how I feel about family meal time). My boys each have a pair and LOVE them.

How do you win:

Throw a comment down below telling me a little about yourself so that I can get to know you, and make sure to leave a contact...since some of you don't have emails that link up to your profiles.

For a second entry - become a follower and leave a separate entry telling me that you follow. YOU MUST LEAVE a separate entry to get two chances to win!

I will use Random.org to pick a random person to win the set of chopsticks on Thursday!



***I purchased the pair of cheater chopsticks for this giveaway.

Messing around

I am playing around with layout etc. Please be patient as things will probably change and look wacky for a day or two!

INPUT NEEDED

I have read and know that dark backgrounds and light text are not encouraged in the blogging world. It is hard to read and hard on the eyes. I need your input. PLEASE BE HONEST!

Where are you from?

This past weekend we drove north to Ed's hometown to visit his parents. When we got far enough north we turned on the radio (because the boys movie was finished - it is a 4 hour drive). And I laughed immediately when I heard the gentleman who was dj-ing the radio station - TOTAL UP NORTH voice...or maybe it is the up north radio station itself. Anyways, I LOVE IT!

Then we passed some bars and outside there were several (like 20) snowmobiles lined up. Only Up North!

As we listened to the radio station we heard them announcing that some bar was going to have a meat raffle - only up north.

And yet the two lane roads that are surrounded by tall pines, small lakes, or the view of Lake Superior tempt me to convince Ed to quit his job and move north...you feel at peace and your shoulders relax.

I have a site meter on my blog that lets me get a hint at who is stopping by my blog (only a hint - it doesn't tell me exactly. For example my mom's visits register as a city 30-40 miles away). Anyways, I have noticed lately that there are people that stop by from Canada...and Europe...and Ohio....and Tennessee and Michigan, and North Carolina....and it amazes me. It reminds me that our world is not all that big. I wonder if you come from up north surroundings or the lifestyle of the big city.

Anyways, if you stop by give a shout out and tell us from where you are coming from...list a state or a city or a country. I would love to see if my site meter is at all accurate! My comment thingy allows you to respond anonymously so don't be shy.

Happy Monday Evening! My goal is to be sleeping by 9 pm....in hopes of being a little less edgy tomorrow :)

COMPLETELY OVERWHELMED.

This blogging thing has become more than just a journal for my boys. Around the new year I made it one of my resolutions to try and get more involved in the blogging community. I vowed to comment more on the blogs that I read. The ones that inspire, motivate, and help me know that I am not the only one going through these mom/homemaker journeys.

In the last month I have gained followers and have been gifted comments that have turned into little conversations. I can now see how friendships can form and grow from this blogging experience.

Amy, from her blog New Nostalgia, found herself in my google reader  after another blog linked me to her post on Keeping Your House Picked Up .  I found myself commenting on her thoughts and the thoughts spurred little conversations.  The other day she asked if she could feature me on her blog. 

HONORED.  I. AM. TOTALLY. HONORED. 

Today she featured me and some of my goofy kid food ideas.  I am completely overwhelmed. 
Go here to take a peek at the kind things she wrote.
Amazed and honored...did I say that already? 
Thanks Amy for making my day!

Delurking day....

I began blogging over a year ago...a good friend shared her blog with me and encouraged me to play around with it.  I am a teacher and I am currently taking a break to be home with my two boys.  Teaching is a profession that offers a great creative outlet...not being in the profession on a daily basis I found blogging started to cure me of my need to create.  So I built a nice family blog that I shared with friends and family.  I kept them up to date on our daily comings and goings. 

I soon discovered that writing a blog was fun but reading other blogs was incredible too.  I found inspriation and validation in knowing that there were other women going through many of the same day to day experiences and finding humor and happiness in the journey.  As I read I started having thoughts that I wanted to get out...so I started stepping away from just sharing a snapshot and a blurb.  I started reflecting and sharing more about my journey as a woman and mom.  Posting a picture of the zoo and saying we had a delightful time is great but taking a moment to reflect on a peak and valley to my day started giving me pause.  It encouraged me to slow down and even on a rough day find a moment I wanted to remember or change. 

I am in awe that there are a number of family and friends and friends of family and friends that stop by and read my ramblings.  I am NOT a writer and actually, for many years growing up, I stressed my mom out with my poor grammer and writing skills.  So you might notice I over use the ...... and other silly things.  Sorry. 

I love that people email me thoughts or share their day.  It has brought me closer to old friends from high school.  It has connected me with new mom friends that live right here in my neighborhood. 

While reading other blogs out there I notice that many speak of friendships that they have made through blogging.  Connections that have changed their lives.  Women who get together once a year and enjoy wine and conversation.  I LOVE the idea of this. 

I decided that this year I wanted to continue to enjoy reading blogs and to continue to challenge myself in the writing for my blog.  I am also challenging myself to connect with more of the blogs I read.  Most of the time, in the past, I have enjoyed reading so many blogs....many are listed on the left hand side of my page.  I rarely commented...and then I realized...that just like me...they probably wonder who is reading what they write and what do they think.  So I have challenged myself to say hi, throw out a comment, and engage in the conversations that are out there in the blogosphere.  It has been so fun! 

As mentioned on Playgroups are No Place for Children

So today, I challenge anyone who stops by my silly little blog...to say hi!  STOP LURKING! And tell me a joy that you have had today.  Is the sun shining, are them temps more reasonable, did your little one get his coat on without a battle, did you get out of the house on time, was your parking spot prime, did a coworker have a joke that gave you a smile, is your day almost over, is tomorrow Friday?  Was your coffee extra yummy, did you get to sleep in, did your husband leave you with a kiss, are you caught up on laundry... What has given you joy!

Thank you so much for stopping by and reading and for taking a moment to comment or email every once in a while.  It really does put a skip in my step!  2010 my goal is to make even more connections while still making this a place that will give my boys a glimpse who their mama was on a day to day basis...because I would give anything to know how my mom did it - and did it well!

Happy Thursday!

Thoughts on music and other random things...

I miss it.
So it is there....at the bottom.  You just have the choice to turn it on or keep it off.  It shouldn't play automatically now.

Does that work?

By the way...I am not neglecting my family today - with the blogging I have done.  We had our "Christmas" day yesterday.  We were expecting to travel today.  So we have just had a relaxing day at home...which means...a few stolen moments to putter around on here.

I hope you have all had a wonderful day.  Thank you for popping by to read and visit.  Thank you for putting up with my rambling, venting, reflecting, and sharing.  Thanks for allowing me to try to be inspiring, humorous, reflective...deep.   Most days my thoughts seem silly and random.   Thank you for emailing or throwing out a thought every once in a while.  When you take a minute it is like a little gift to me.  Blogging is a hobby of mine and I am glad that I have readers that take a moment to share in it with me.   

Thank you Amy, Grandma Charlie, Aunt Katy and others who have taken time to send Charley Box Tops for his school.  He will be turning in his first 50 after the holidays.

Merry Christmas friends and family and anyone else out there.  Enjoy your holiday evening and weekend!  

No more music...

So we were discussing the blog last night...and the topic of music came up.  My brother brought up the point...are there any other blogs, especially bigger blogs, that I follow, who play music.  Nope.  I have read advice that says not to have music playing on your blog.  I have some close friends that have said they like the music...but my brother pointed out...readers who are checking at work might be annoyed.  My husband then said that if you work in a hospital and you check it at work - the music part of the blog takes up bandwidth that could keep a doctor from getting results that he/she needs to get quickly...causing serious health repercussions.

He also pointed out that you open a blog and then you go from there and soon you have 5 tabs open with different blogs and you don't know which one is playing the music.  Once again annoying.

And there are friends' blogs that I read who have music that I don't prefer personally - and so...I think it is time...to take it off.  Let me know if you want to know what we are listening to in our house from time to time.  But for today...I am going to take it off and see if I can survive. 

Why the move...

So September 7,2008, a good friend encouraged me to sit down and just putter around with blogging. Who would have thought that it would have become something that has become such a big part of my life. I started blogging to help keep track of my boys' lives. I have been terrible about filling out baby books and organizing photo albums and now realize that this allows me to not only keep track of the typical things but also the little conversations and quirky personality stages that they go through. I am so thankful to have a friend who inspired me to take the time to give it a try.

Maybe my boys won't give a hoot, but if I could have a journal of my mother's that gave insight into her day to day thoughts and feelings as I was growing up I would devour it. To be able to read little stories of my childhood would be hilarious. To know what got her through the long winter afternoons...how she dealt with three kids coming home from school all jabbering away about our day...how she survived making dinners and lunches all those years.

As a stay at home mom I find that my blog gives me something that I do for myself - even though it is mostly about the boys. But the day to day life at home can at times be lonesome or isolating. I find that I start to appreciate this special time less and less from time to time and since I have started blogging I have noticed more gratitude. Each day I strive to find that moment that I want to remember or reflect on. In NO WAY are my days just filled with happy baking, playing, and inspiring motherhood moments - even though some of you might think that as you read...but it is really hard to write about the less top notch moments (like this weekend when Henry and I had a power struggle over a freakin' hotdog during dinner with guests.) I try to include honesty with truth of less prouder moments because I have found that my blog has become more than just a record of my boys lives..it is a way for me to appreciate, reflect, and slow down and be present for all these precious moments that occur in my life.

Blogging has encouraged me to practice writing. Growing up I struggled with the rules of writing. My mom wanted so badly to get me a tutor so that I could get some help with the rules. I will shout from the rooftops that I still don't have a clue when to use lots of punctuation. I use the word 'that' too often and I use .... way too much. I type like I speak and for me it works. I AM NOT a writer.

Blogging has turned me into a MAC girl. Soon after I began blogging my husband and I started fighting over the computer at night, my brother announced he was going to sell his one year old MacBook. We jumped all over that and my life has never been the same.

Blogging has given me resources to other mom's who have inspired me to cook, bake, craft, and try many other ways of thinking and living. I LOVE to read blogs. This is one of the reason I am changing blogs. By getting rid of our last name in our title...and in all old posts (along with any friends or family's last names..)I trust I can correspond with other bloggers by commenting and interacting with them. It is such a fun part of blogging.

Blogging has also inspired me to slow down with my photo taking. To take more pictures. To look at life a little different. I want to keep growing as a photo taker.

Blogging has made many of my friendships stronger but has also brought new friends into my life. I know that friends of friends/family have read my blog and I encourage you to email or throw a thought out there. My blog is no longer just for the grandmas. I am excited to make some new friends through it!

We all have our passions, hobbies, and interests...the things that relax us. That make us happy. That give us pride. My boys are my life right now. I have put my teaching on hold and have chosen to enjoy this time. And some people might think it is silly, but blogging does help "make my day" as I capture and think differently about everything...from making dinner, folding laundry, playing matchbox cars, guys, and blocks, to finding time for me and the other people in my life. Blogging is a little thing...but isn't it the little things that mean the most.

We will kick off the new blog with a give away later this week!

Welcome!

Pondering...

I have been having a lot of thoughts about my blog lately and I am pondering the idea of re-starting with a new title that doesn't include our last name. I need ideas for a new title....HELP! If you have any ideas send them my way! I hear a good title is key! I am not rushing into this, but want to really think it out so that I don't have these second thoughts and have to restart again. I am just thinking about trying to expand my reader base and questioning the use of our last name. Thanks for reading!

Blogging?

So I started this blog for my boys. I still write it for my boys. I also write it for myself. It is a way for me to reflect on my day, find those moments that are meaningful or memorable, and it is a creative outlet. I also LOVE reading blogs. They inspire me to try and cook better, be a better mom, and to look at life with a more positive outlook. What is blogging? Here is one definition. The key word today that stands out to me is interactive. It states, "The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs." I will admit that I do not leave a ton of comments on many of the blogs I read but I am trying really hard to comment more often. I am finding that these people, who I don't even know, will respond and email me after I comment. It is so cool. I know I write mostly as a journal about our day, which doesn't invite too much interactive energy...but I would like my blog to be more interactive. Whether I know you or don't know you - whether you read my blog because it is linked on a friends blog or whatever....take a chance and comment. It does not say compliment -You do not have to agree. It says comment...so just tell me something about your day, give your opinion, a thought, a response, ...etc. Just say hi! I will try and write more interactively. Those friends who have become followers, email me, or leave a comment - you make my day. You motivate me to write more. Thank you!

So to encourage some interactive-ness....leave a comment telling me what you are thankful for today and I will have Charley pick a random number and the person who commented first, second, third, tenth... etc....will win a little fall treat. Comments for this give away will close tomorrow evening at 9pm! Your fall treat will arrive via snail mail or it will be personally handed to you by me or Charley :) Good luck!

Oh and if you are a follower you get your name in the drawing twice!

Maybe....

Maybe, my boys won't find value in the fact that I am writing this blog for them. But if I could get a peek at my mom's world when she had us all home for a summer and it was just a random Tuesday morning--- I would love to know her thoughts, feelings...I would love to know what each of us was doing and what she was doing. So I do think that someday they might read this and find value. I was also thinking that if anything , yes morbid and sad, but if anything were to happen to me this would give them a little glimpse into who I was as their mama. Anyways...I have been trying to capture Henry running in the last week. It has been tough. But his darn run is so damn cute. He gets his one hand into a fist and starts chugging along. His other arm swings more normal but the one arm just works so hard to help him run faster and faster. Here is the best I could do.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Will I survive...

Will I survive without my trusty companion. Ed has his doubts.

I am almost positive that I won't have Internet access...at least not on a moment to moment basis like usual for the next few days. Yes, this will cause me some distress.....but hopefully my boys will keep me insanely busy, cocktails with my mom and sister, snuggling with Eli, chatter with old friends, and the calm of the north woods (I know not as far north as Ed's hometown - but always my up north) will keep me from going into blogging withdrawal. I do plan to blog offline during the week and post as soon as I work out a connection.

I asked my brother if he remembered having Internet access up there last year. He said he didn't think so...and it was a good thing. Hmmm...probably a good thing for people who might get sucked into working on vacation. However, my Internet access isn't for work...it is like having my journal and pen along.

On another note....Henry had trouble falling asleep tonight. We finally got him to sleep and an hour later we heard him shouting. Ed went up to find him standing and talking about something. He did go back to bed but the whole while I was thinking...what are the next few nights going to be like. So we came back downstairs to start up the movie again and I said, "Should be an interesting week ahead of me." and then I laughed. Ed said, "It isn't funny. I wouldn't do it." I asked, "Do what?" He then said, "Take those two up there by myself."

HA! HA! HA! ...then I sat there for the next 20 minutes freaking out inside my head wondering if I was completely insane for doing this alone. This year is different because both boys will be on the move and will need to be supervised at all times....being so close to the water. But then I also know that we will be surrounded by wonderful family and friends who will help me out. Charley is going to have a fun playmate this year for the whole week. And we will survive. I am very proud that I travel with my boys on my own. I love that I can do it. It is a lot more work than being home. It would be easiest to just stay home. But tonight, when I asked Charley about the cottage he remembered the restaurant on the lake that we can boat to. He remembered paddle boat rides, fishing with Grandpa, jumping off the dock, taking showers, and the little green room. He remembers the Kendricks (and even used "the Kendricks" in a conversation he initiated last week), he of course remembers Paul, and he knows it is my favorite place to be.

I know there will be moments in the next week that I will contemplate packing up and speeding home to a clean house, space, routine, and Ed. (and without my friend Colleen to have my secret breakdown with....) But those moments will pass, the sun will pop out, a loon will appear, the wind will change, and Ed will arrive to find us sandy, tired, sun-kissed, and happy. There is always more worries anticipated and it usually is just a fun filled week and our worries were not needed. So relax little sister - it will be a great week with your burrito. It all works itself out. Let's remind each other to take a deep breath and go with the flow. I am going with the phrase..."It's always 5 O'clock at the cabin" - margarita anyone.

Happy Monday folks!