A Freckle Sighting

Perhaps only a freckle-obsessed mother would notice, but both Moose and BiggiE are sporting the faintest of freckle sprinklings. As a toddler, Moose usually referred to my freckles as sprinkles, which I've always felt makes them sound more desirable since sprinkles are usually associated with something tasty and sweet like a cupcake or donut. Two Thomas boys with sprinkles, please.

The Power of a Moment

I had a chance to sit in a vineyard in the warm sunshine this week. The black dormant vines with the bright yellow mustard flowers growing out of impossible green grass always makes me feel reflective. I suppose it is not surprising that I felt especially reflective this week since my husband was in a car crash from which he shouldn't have walked away.

The words from a song I haven't listened to in 10 years have been replaying over and over in my head:

You know the number of my days
Come paint Your pictures on the canvas in my head
Come write Your wisdom on my heart
Teach me the power of a moment
-Chris Rice

I have been really learning about soaking in the most of each moment this past year. I feel like Os's accident is an exclamation mark on everything I've been putting into practice. I am so thankful I will be able to continue to enjoy my journey with Os. For me, that is the power of a moment.

A Long Day

It has been a long day.

Os is fine, but he was in a very serious car accident this morning on the way to work.

We are so thankful for God's mercy and we ask you to join us in praying for the other driver's family -- they may not even know what happened to him yet.

Os crawled out of his car and came away with only minor bruising and a small fracture in his eye socket that should heal on its own. He was released from the emergency room by the time I arrived to pick him up.

Os's mom has been in town for a visit, which was extremely helpful, and we are so thankful for all the offers for help and prayer that has been pouring in.

We are well. We are sobered and thankful. We praise God for His care of us.

Blueberry Bagel, Please

The other day BiggiE and I were doing a little grocery shopping with Jelly Belly asleep in her carrier. I decided to get BiggiE a little snack to munch on while he drove the little cart car during our shopping. The following exchange occurred:

Me: BiggiE, do you want a bagel?

BiggiE: Yes, I want a blueberry one. (No "please" added I realize. Someday my kids may consistantly add one without prompting. I'm not holding my breath.)

Me: Okay, you can have a blueberry one.

As we pull up to the bagel case I see there are no blueberry bagels.

Me: Aw, Buddy, they are all out of blueberry bagels today. What kind do you want instead?

BiggiE: A blueberry one.

I am now crouched down by the cart car in my calm-mommy-explaining position.

Me: BiggiE, there are no blueberry bagels today.

I proceed to list the flavors that are present.

BiggiE: I want a blueberry one.

What is so amusing to me (in hindsight) is that BiggiE is also displaying the utmost calm. He is not raising his voice or whining, just repeating his statement very matter-of-factly. Anyone that's every had a two-year-old knows this is not always the case.

Me, rheortically: BiggiE, if there were a blueberry bagel, would Mama give it to you?

Then with barely masked exasperation: Show me where the blueberry bagel is?

Wouldn't you know, BiggiE patiently points up to the second bin from the left. Stacked right next to the cinnamon raisin are... You guessed it. The blueberry bagels.

(I should note that, unfortunately, we don't all always keep our cool like in the above conversation, but why post those? I'm hoping those occurrences fade to a dull memory. Knowing they happened is enough and I don't really want to remember the specifics.)

Blanket Love

My mom's friend, Marge, has knit blankets for each of my children and I thought a group blanket photo was in order. Marge's blankets are the boys' special lovie they always sleep with and we're curious to see if Jelly Belly follows suit.

Moose is proudly posing with the bears and he and BiggiE having been taking very good care of.

Tahoe 2009

Our 2nd annual trip to Tahoe with the Hughes and Mathisons. It is such a blessing to have friendships where all the kids (and adults) get along. I guess we'd have to in order to have seven kids, ages 5 and under, in a three bedroom house for a weekend.

Jelly Belly loved all the attention.


Livi, Reese and BiggiE took a break from the snow with a little painting.

Livi, Reese and Leif helping Dale with the snowman.

Jelly Belly ventured out to catch a snowflake on her tongue.

Moose on top of the huge snow fort the dads built with the help of Carson and Moose.

Michelle, Carson and Moose inside the snow fort. Spacious...

Jelly Belly -- Three Months

Our friends in New Zealand sent Jelly Belly her official Buzzy Bee gear. We still have the Buzzy Bee pull toy Moose got as a baby when we lived in New Zealand, so the tradition continues.

Moose and BiggiE love showing off their sister. In this picture, Moose shares Jelly Belly with Maggie, one of his favorite friends.

The famous "Thomas Stare". We have almost this exact photo of Moose as a baby if you change the hoodie to blue.

This is typical Jelly Belly expression when she is playing with Papa. She is so expectant, like, "What are you going to do next?"

Sweetie Sweet, we are smitten with you.