My Shadow.

September 3, 2010 | Filed Under Eliza Dove, Love is..., Photos | 7 Comments

Eliza,

You are my heart. But you already knew that… I tell you all the time. Your chief concern in life is to be included in everything. It doesn’t matter what is going on, you’re there. In fact, you are playing at my feet as I write this.

It’s no wonder that you are an expert at applying make-up, you diligently study me as I apply mine. You lean over Judah’s shoulder during school – I think you may learn nearly everything by osmosis. If I’m dressing myself, styling my hair, throwing laundry in the washing machine, working in my garden… I can guarantee that if I take three steps backwards, I’ll trip over you.

Because not only are you my heart, you’re my shadow.

Last evening you helped me prepare our dinner of chicken nuggets, sweet potato biscuits, and sliced up tomatoes from the garden. You were happy, happy. You had woken up a wee bit grumpy from your nap but perked up with an offer to help me cook dinner.

This is your spot.

What am I going to do when you don’t have that soft belly anymore? My heart will break.

We started off by peeling a sweet potato. You wanted so badly to be good at peeling but… you’re just not there yet. Thankfully you have no qualms about asking for help. We put our hands together and peeled as a team. You smiled up at me and I was reminded of just how much I love you.

Next we broke up bread and placed in the food processor – your favorite part is pushing the buttons. Bravery was the name of your game; you didn’t even jump at the loud noise or put your hands over your ears though I badly wanted you to so I could take a photo of your chubby hands and facial expression.

While we were waiting on the bread crumbs to be chopped I asked you to smile for mama’s camera. For a second you did but there was a yawn that sneaked up on you. I admit, this was exceedingly more cute than your hands on your ears.

I did end up with a smile. I feel the need to capture as many squished up smiles as I can before grow out of them. Even a heart of stone cold ice would have to melt when you flash your smile.

I crept upstairs after you had gone to bed for just one more kiss. Sometimes I need one more. And you always humor me. Thanks for that.

Love you,
Mama.

I love my people. And Crossfit.

July 11, 2010 | Filed Under Crossfit, Daniel, Eliza Dove, Judah, Love is..., Uncategorized | 6 Comments

(addendum) Looking back on these photos… this is definitely a “We do Crossfit” themed post!

Rain=Love (and mosquitoes)

June 28, 2010 | Filed Under Eliza Dove, Life Stuff, Love is..., New Mexico, Photos | 8 Comments

I’m such an old lady. One of the things I love to do in the evening is sit on a chair in the front of my garage (this is only because I have a psuedo front porch) and watch the world go by.

I love it best when there’s a rainstorm. Watching the rain fall is calming to me and let me tell you, I need all the calming moments I can get. My life is nuts.

Last night we had one of those moments… a quiet rain, chairs in the garage, the kids were chill… it was nice.

I love that ‘Ol Glory still flies proud even in a drenching rain. Nothing can hold her down.

And when it was all over, we saw the world through rose colored glasses.

The sky was pink, the clouds were pink, I would swear that even the air was pink. The Southwest has kind of stolen my heart.

If this photo doesn’t make you…

June 23, 2010 | Filed Under Eliza Dove, Eve, Judah, Love is..., New Mexico, Photos | 7 Comments

laugh…

(post playing in the dirt, hot dog roasting, s’mores eating and pre-bath)

Or smile…

(anyone who has a younger/older sibling totally gets this photo)

Or melt a little…

(they are best buds)

Maybe we should have a ‘lil talk!

I’d love for you to vote for me today if you have an extra half minute. It’s a once a day vote on this photo that I submitted to “My Air Force Life.”

Vote Here for my photo – #673 – (I’m on page 7 today)…. no registering or info involved!

If we were neighbors, I’d bake you copious amounts of cookies for doing this for me! Instead a simple thank you will have to do.

Thank you!

It’s Friday! Amazon Delivered!

February 27, 2010 | Filed Under Daniel, Eliza Dove, Eve, Judah, Love is..., Photos, Sewing | 17 Comments

I present to you….

My new sewing machine:

I’m excited. I think. More scared, to be truthful. I waited like five hours to open the box. It frightened me.

When I bought my first dslr camera, I opened the box and was able to start taking photos. Not good photos, but photos nontheless. With the sewing machine, I opened the box (it was a struggle, man. I think I broke out in a sweat trying to pry the freakin’ machine out of the box!), took the machine out and stared at it. And then I took a photo of it. Because that’s what I do. I think I heard it laugh at me, actually.

I’m not sure what my next step is. Perhaps buying some of the accessories I need? Reading the manual, for sure. Fabric?

Yikes. I’m intimidated. But excited too!

But I was (and the kids too!) more excited to see Daniel come walking through the door. Best part of the day (any day), hands down.