two more

cute pics of my boys that is. :)

First Day

Today was the first day for 3 of my bambinos -

It was his first day of Pre-K. He is staying at LaPetite but moving up to Miss Sharon's class. Because she is working to get them ready for Kindergarten, the rules are a little stricter in her class and there is less babying. He's not too happy about it. The nice thing for him is that Miss Lisa is moving up with him (she always makes him feel safe and comfortable) AND 2 of his angels (Lexi Vick and Emily) are back from summer break.

It was his first day of 5th grade at St. Luke's. This will be his first full year there. He was mellow and calm and happy this morning. He said he was ready to see his friends and get started. When I picked him up at lunch time. He announced that he is one of 3 boys in his class. 3 boys - 11 girls. Good odds, daddy would say. I asked him how his day was and in usual Nathan fashion, he said "AWESOME!". Everyone needs a child like Nathan. :)

Today was her first day of her internship and her LAST semester of college! She was less than thrilled about the fact that (1) she will be working very hard for free (2) she actually had to pay money to be working very hard for free (3) she has to dress up for the job..... I keep telling her to keep the finish line in sight!

And just so that he's not forgotten, Zach seems to be adjusting really well to the dry heat of Arizona. He is impressing all of his superiors and settling in just fine.

All cracked up

We sat together tonight eating pb&j for dinner. It was just one of those days. I asked you how school was and as usual you answered your simple, "Good". "Well, what did you do?", I asked. You replied that you played with your "angels". "Oh", I said. "Well, who are you angels this week?" "Emily" "Paige" and "Miss Lisa" you answered. "Well, what about Morgan? She's one of your angels." I asked. "No. Not anymore." you said. "Today we cracked up". - Thursday, August 20, 2009

Caleb, you crack me up.

TODAY'S LESSON

If you don't like what you're seeing, change your perspective.

Last night, I was just finishing up work and Scott called me downstairs. "Come quick", he said. Not sure whether to be concerned or excited, I went quick. He took me outside and said, (yes, HE said), "Look at the lighting out here. Isn't it amazing?". First of all, I nearly peed my pants. My husband loves me so much that he is now looking for light and getting excited enough to call me to share it with him. And second of all, it was the most interesting, eerie, beautiful light I had ever seen. The sun was setting to my right; there were black storm clouds in front of me and bright blue blue sky to the right. That combination cast the most amazing light on the soccer team playing across the street. It was magical. After, I gathered myself (remember, my husband noticed this light - yes, that still gets me) and went to get my camera. The three shots above were all taken at the very same time. I just changed my perspective. The first was looking east where the big fat cumulus clouds were hanging out in a bright blue sky. The second shot was straight in front of me where the storm cloud was trying to figure out what to do next and to my right, the big warm summer sun was setting through the trees in a spectacular way.

I went back in after soaking in the moment and thought about the life lesson God was sharing with me. It's all about focus and perspective isn't it? You see, so often, I stare straight ahead. I see those storm clouds brewing in the distance. I fuss and complain because I don't like rain or want another storm. I fret about what we will do if it floods or the winds break something or worse yet, lightning strikes. BUT! If I would just move my head and look to my left or right, I would see gorgeous blue skies or the miracle of God's sunset. I would bask in warmth and goodness and beauty rather than gloom and dread.

I am grateful for God's lessons (those gentle reminders that He whispers into my soul through the majesty of His creation). Truth be told, I needed it. I get so consumed by work and the things that I'm not getting to do, that I often lose sight of the beauty and blessings on either side of me. What an important reminder to stop for a moment and change my perspective. The good on either side of me is more real and tangible that the possibility of that storm up ahead.

Remember, Laura. Look up AND look around!

Chicago

Zach and I hopped on the Metra on Wednesday morning to head Downtown. It is the first time I've been on the Metra from Oswego to Downtown. It's about an hour trip but so much better than fighting crazy city traffic and drivers.

Zach's only goal for the trip was to walk around downtown and hang out. OK, I can do that. :)
We started out at Union Station and walked to Millenium Park. It was a bright bright hot Chicago day and of all my shots of the "Bean", this is my favorite. I love Zach's reflection and what it says about what we see inside of ourselves. Cool, no?

Then we headed down Michigan Avenue.

They had these amazing sculptures outside of the Tribune Building. This one was at least 20 feet tall (looks to me like they might be discussing medical billing..what d'ya think?)

And this was another sculpture

On our way down Michigan, it was so warm, this water looked inviting. Do you think Chicago water is really this blue? Neither do I. :)

We had lunch at the Cheese Cake Factory in the John Hancock building and then hunted down one of Zach's favorite stores.

We headed back down State Street for about a million miles ;) to Union Station and a long but relaxing Metra ride home. We hardly spent any money (just the train ride and some lunch) but it was one of the best cheap adventures ever. I sincerely enjoyed my day with him.

He's struggling a bit too

There has always been a special relationship between the two of them. Zach has been there since his beginning. He changed plenty of dirty diapers. He let him rip his room apart. He built him oodles of Lego towers only to have him knock them straight over. He could often be found sleeping in bed with him because he woke up with a bad dream and sought out his big brother. They have a bond.

During this visit, that bond was rekindled in a big way. Zach understands him. They are so much the same (big hearts, gentle spirits). Nathan adores him. He is who he looks up to. They played together - worked out and ran together - they were just great together. Today was a hard day for Nathan too.

BROTHERS...It starts out like this

Then leads to this

And to get some leverage, he does this

But in the end, it's really all about this

How lucky they are to have one another and how blessed am I to call them mine. :)

Struggling a bit

It has been a bit of a hard day for me. One of my favorite people left. He was such a pleasure to have home for the last 3 weeks. He, Nathan and I are like 3 peas in a pod and it was just special to be able to connect and bask in his company for a time. EVEN though I know this is all part of his journey and I am so proud of the man he is becoming, my heart is just a little broken. sigh...

He is just so handsome, isn't he????


I am so glad I ditched work yesterday and spent the day with him. We took the Metra to Downtown and walked and talked - just him and I. I LOVE YOU, ZACH.

going back in time...

I have so much to catch up since Zach has been here. We really have been busy with a trip to St. Louis to hang out with Sissy, bike rides, hikes, Starved Rock, shopping and a trip to Lego Land. It has been my goal this summer to really be present with the boys and these 3 weeks we have with Zach. I am proud of myself for how much fun we have had together but honestly all I've been able to stay on top of is the boys, work, and well, that's about it....

do you think Albert Einstein likes having little boys poke him in the eye or scraping his tongue?

Downtown Chicago in legos.... the buildings light up and everything..so cool

Wouldn't you like to hide in the cape of a superhero some days?

The boys asked Zach to build them a boat out of these giant legos. Of course, they started out helping but run away to play and left him to finish. He did a good job - I think he'll always be an architect at heart :)



Here's what they did while he built


What a fun place it was! The Lego creatures were incredible and we also saw 2 4D movies about Bob the Builder and the spooky ghosts. A definite Chicago must do. :)

Because

photos cause me to fall in love with them over and over again.

Because photos capture them right now in a way that will always help me remember - I am "bottling their youth" so I can open it up and enjoy it's fragrance even after these days are long gone.



Because they remind me to be present and make me grateful when I can see that I am.




Because there is SO VERY much goodness in our lives and having visual reminders always helps me, especially on challenging days.


Because I've been taking pictures in my head all of my life - it's just that now I have a sweet camera instead of my deteriorating brain :)

My incredible husband gave me my first "real" camera all those years ago. Little did he know what a gift it would be. :)

All these photos were taken yesterday on our visit to Starved Rock State Park. We hiked, fished (more correctly, we played with worms), ate a yummy picnic lunch, had an impromptu "team building session" on a log across a creek, melted in the heat but above all else, we spent some fun time together as a family. :)

Just so it's documented, this is just one set of the MULTIPLE sets of stairs we climbed to get to the top of Starved Rock. It was 93 degrees with 89% humidity. Everyone was allowed to complain just once about the heat - we all did.....

My son...

It has sincerely been a pleasure to have him home for the past 2 weeks. He is more like himself again - settled, confident, easy to be with and fun. The little guys are enjoying him IMMENSELY. He is such a good big brother. He is patient with Caleb and he and Nathan are best buds. As a mom, there is nothing sweeter than to see your child doing well and your favorite people loving one another. I will always be grateful to God for this path and His faithfulness to our son. AND to the US Air Force. They have given him a purpose and pride and have helped him to realize and embrace all that he has inside.