6.

I watched you walk toward your school the other day.

It was early and cold.

Your coat was on, your backpack was full, and your vest was in your hand.

Your pant leg was up over the top of your boot on the right side.

Your hair was sticking up all over the place.

You crossed the street with caution and then turned to see if I was still parked across the street.

I was.

 You smiled.

And you waved.

And you melted my heart ... again.

........................

There are so many things that I dream for you.

There are so many words I want you to believe about yourself.

There are so many memories you've given me.

..........................

Today {December 18th, 2010} you are 6.

Today ... you will melt my heart ... again.

Today ... you begin another journey around the sun.

Today ... is a celebration of you!

Be blessed my sweet boy.

Be blessed.

Photos by Lukes Photography.

just because.

he's precious.

he's using words like {delicious} and {gorgeous} and {beautiful}.  all the time.

and he's at this {magical} age in his life that I don't ever want to forget.

never ever ever.

friends.

Mason & Easton.  Kindergarten, 2010.

When Mason started school just a couple of months ago, there were quite a few  things I wasn't certain of.

Like the schedule.

I have to be at work at 7:30 ... he doesn't start school until 8:15.

I can't leave until 3:30 ... he is done at 3:15.

He goes to school 4 days a week ... I go five.

Like his friends.

Who would he play with?

Where would he chose to sit at lunch?

What kind of influence would he be on others?

How would others influence him?

Would he be well-liked?

Like his teachers.

Would they notice that he stutters when he's tired?

Would they see his love for all things farm/ranch?

Would they realize that he is a work in progress?

Would they take care of him they way he needed to be cared for?

...................................

Well, 3 months later, I can say with a fact that there is no other place I'd want him to spend his days.

He has wonderful friends.

He has a great morning routine. {thank you Jenny and Easton}

He has a teacher that {gets} him and loves him and truly cares about him.

He has made relationships with people without his parents by his side.

And I'm more than proud.

...................................

He's observant. 

He watches how others interact.

He pays close attention to the {friendships} we have as adults.

He sees our family's friendships change and grow ... and learns about his own friendships in the same way.

So as he grows as a {friend} ...  my only prayer is that he desires to be the friend that is true to what he says he is.

True ... through his words.

True ... through his actions.

True ... through his thoughts.

...................................

He's a work in progress ... as a son, a brother and a friend ... but he's definitely on the right track!

what the camera hasn't captured ...

my broken phone. (in pieces)

the frustration in my voice with those I love most. (over and over and over again)

the lasagna made for our family.

the hoarseness of my voice.

the bags of cough drops I've consumed.

a Sunday filled with community, Christmas trees, crafts and so much more. Festival of Trees Family Day - definitely one of my favorite things to be a part of.

Christmas books opened and read every night.

shopping at Goodwill (with my boys) and finding just the right things.

the Christmas jar I received - filled to the top with money.

the phone calls and conferences and meetings.

the torn up mudroom/entry to our home thanks to {Rusty Mae}.

the gingerbread men and women and children that have found their way into room 1.

the sugar cookies {from Halloween} decorated beyond recognition.

the prayers I've prayed.

the questions I've asked.

the answers I've given.

..........................................

Life.

Still being lived ... and still being captured ... just not by the camera.

Peace.

more of those {moments}.

the ones where magic is happening all around you.

the ones where your kids know that they're the most important thing in your world.

the ones where dancing ... and singing ... and celebrating the beginning of this joyous season gives you every reason to smile.

the ones where it's {perfect} in every. single. way.

.....................................

This Christmas {Ball} for our kids was put on by our friends Ben & Missy.

It was amazing in so many, many ways.

Dance cards.

A formal dinner for the kids, made by the kids - macaroni and cheese, corndogs, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, jello, fruit salad, olives, little weiner wraps, rice, meatballs, cheese, crackers, ravioli ... the list goes on and on.

A talent show.

Learning how to {take a bow} and a {curtsy}.

The story of Baby Jesus and a little {acting too}.

........................

I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday evening in December.

Thank you Ben & Missy ... and kids!!

It was an evening we'll remember forever ... well, at least until next year.  {grin}

moments to remember.

You know what I'm talking about ...

those moments when there are jump ropes and tractors everywhere you step.

those moments when rather than eating at the table, you stand at the counter and enjoy the cheesy bread and dipping sauce and pizza right off the cooking tray.

those moments when juice spills and tears fall.

those moments when you laugh at the most ridiculous things.

those moments when your son thinks {little swimmers} are the same thing as {pull-ups} ... and the mess it creates.

those moments when you are trying with all your might to wiggle that loose tooth free without scaring your child to death.

those moments where you look around and see the life you're living and embrace it for what it is.

................................

I took one picture last night.

It's not perfect, but at the same time it is.

And after receiving an email from a friend yesterday about feeling overwhelmed with picture taking and sorting through the thousands of pictures and feeling the urge/need to edit everything ... I took my own advice.

I turned my camera on, took a picture & smiled.

Life was captured.

And even if it's blurry, or not quite the right color, or just {off} ... well, that's what life is all about.

Embrace it, remember it, and be {ok} with it.

{excitement} captured.

and a moment remembered.

farewell November ... hello December.

November 28, 2010

- a powerful message from Pastor Dave on self-control.
- being able to cry and not worrying about who would see me crying.
- true friends.
- a nap with my toddler.
- sunshine, snow and my view.
- the discernment and will-power to know when to say "no."
- Peter Pan LIVE with Leslie as a STAR!
- McDonald's with "family."
- phone calls, a listening ear and encouragement.
- recognizing a "funk" for what it is and turning it into something different.

November 29, 2010

- a classroom filled with kids ready to learn.
- robust vocabulary and the stretching it does to the mind.
- co-workers that share their ideas and offer to help.
- TUMS and cough drops.
- new wind shield wipers.
- emails from Mason's teacher.
- Quicky Lube.
- Tacos ... we would probably eat tacos every night if we could.
- being able to laugh about the ridiculous parts of my day.

November 30, 2010

- a safe drive to school ... even it did take an hour.
- other cautious drivers.
- an envelope filled with LOVE.
- meaningful conference with parents.
- news from Darcy and a trip "home" soon!!
- sincere conversations and opportunities to share my faith.
- prayer.
- friends that think about you and let you know it!
- hand print tree trunks.
- a messy house - it means we're home and we're alive!
- scrapbooks and the memories they hold.
- temperatures above freezing.
- BUNCO being rescheduled for me. :)
- the way Mason says Joseph like "Jophes" and thinks he's saying it right.
- falling asleep on the couch with Mason snuggled up with me.
- my mom & personal publisher!!

........................................

It's been quite a month!  A lot of activity, fun family memories & a lot of growth (in so many, many ways).

At the beginning of this {attitude of gratitude} I had no idea what each day would bring ... but I did know that "each day would be a day filled with opportunities to see and know and taste the goodness that God has to offer."

As I took the time to journal both with pen and paper and here, I recognized the ordinary parts of our days that really were winks from God.  I tried to focus on the goodness those moments held, and I'm proud to say that gratitude really did become a natural way of thinking/feeling despite the emotional roller coaster some days offered.


As we welcome a new month and another beautiful season, my prayer is that the {attitude of gratitude} will continue to light our path & offer light to others as well.
 
.............................
 
Psalm 66:1-3
Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth! Sing about the glory of his name! Tell the world how glorious he is. Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!Your enemies cringe before your mighty power.