Nine Ordinary Years.

Dear Billy, 

It's been nine years since the day we made our vows.  No longer newlyweds, it seems easier and easier to get sucked into the schedules and demands of everyday life.   Some days we're merely in survival mode.   You do your part, I do mine.  There are times that we're too "needed" to talk about our own needs. It’s the sort of thing that could quietly hollow our hearts until they echo empty if we let it.

Despite all of this. The realities of life. The responsibilities of children and work and every other commitment we've signed up for… my heart will never hollow for you.

Nine years ago, when everything was fresh and new and effortless, I made a promise that I would keep my love bright and my heart beating for you.  And that will never change.

That wild boy I fell in love with is still alive in you, even when you're folding laundry or giving our babes a bath.  I see him in the sparkle in your eyes and in that smile that still stops my heart when you catch me off-guard with it.

Our days may have become more ordinary, but I will never forget that our love began from something truly extraordinary.  When I fell for you over 13 years ago it was completely disorienting in the best way.  Now there is trust and easiness where there once was newness and spontaneity.

The lines around those irish-smiling eyes are getting deeper after nine additional years of being one of the most lighthearted, generally happy people I've ever met.  I have never loved you more.

I notice how time and three children have reshaped me as well.  But you've never made me feel more loved.

There are times we fondly remember a freedom and slowness to life that we no longer have.  But I could not imagine a better life. 

It's a wonderful thing to be loved so completely and to be so completely in love.  To be surrounded by our children who make our lives feel full.  Our everyday reality is everything I ever hoped for.

My heart is still bright and beating for you.  And will continue to be every single day of our beautiful, ordinary life.

Happy Anniversary.

My whole heart,
Sara

I found a CD of pictures a few weeks ago that I thought was lost.  Here's what was on it:

Billy had our friend, Tom Intfen, come by the house to take pictures before I got home from work on Friday, 6/11/09.  I love that I have these pictures right before he proposed.  I opened our front door to find a very nervous Billy, candles and rose petals.  I wish either of us could remember what he said :)  

Dancing an Irish jig to our wedding band, The Elders.

You win some/You lose some: Sully's Soggy 3rd Birthday

Invitation for Sullivan's "Hide-and-Seek Birthday Brunch"

We had Sullivan's 3rd birthday party yesterday.  Otherwise known as the day it was supposed to be 90 degrees and sunny with no chance of rain.  When we woke up to a dreary morning I couldn't believe it.  I checked the weather again...the trusty weather-people said the rain should clear by 10am.  Ok, fine, the party starts at 11.

So we stuck to the plan and set up the party at the pool.  As 11am neared it became clear that the rain was not going to stop.  My heart sank for Sully.  I thought he was going to be so bummed.  But as soon as Billy showed up to the park with the boys my initial disappointment with the rain was combated by the bright smile on Sullivan's face.  He lit up when he saw the decorations and his donut cake.  He didn't care at all that it was raining.  The boys danced around in the puddles singing "happy birthday" while waiting for guests to arrive.  Suddenly the weather made no difference to me either.

All was fine until we saw a flash of lightening.  That's when I decided the fun rain-party was not safe.  So we took the party back to my messy, non-party-ready house. Not that I do too much when people are coming over anyway, but I usually at least try to vacuum!  Oh well.  That's life.  I mean...the 0% chance of rain all week made me comfortable enough to not even THINK of a back-up plan for the party.

Either way, the whole family pitched in moving the food/drink/decorations from the park back to our house.  

Within 10 minutes the Mimosa/Bloody Mary/Iced Coffee Bar was set up in my dining room and we barely missed a beat.

And we were able to collect many books for The Family Conservancy!

 

Little guests got to take home "Hide-and-Seek" bottles...

Sully had a great time playing with cousins, opening gifts and playing hide-and-seek at home.  

Later in the afternoon, post-nap, they woke up to sunny skies.  So we decided to head back to the park for another try.  We packed up leftovers from brunch and ate and splashed around and played games.

Hide-and-seek treasure hunt in the pool. Fletch was the ref.

That night as I was getting Sully ready for bed he said "Saanks (thanks) Mom - best party I had"  

Some days things don't go as planned, but turn out better than you expected.

Merry Christmas...in July!

Waiting for December is so tough when you're a kid.  The boys have already started their Christmas lists and are currently trying to wrap their minds around all the events we need to check off our list prior to December 25th.   Max likes to name them in order...Back-to-School, Halloween, Fletcher's birthday, Thanksgiving and THEN Christmas.  It seems so far away.

So, just for fun, I surprised them with Christmas in July last week.  Who wouldn't want to celebrate Christmas more than once a year?  

It was hot and humid outside, but in our house it was a winter wonderland.

 I have to admit that blaring the holiday music first thing in the morning put me in a great mood.

The night before, I told the boys to wear something either red or green and that I had a surprise for them the next morning.  They came up with some hilarious guesses as to what the surprise was, but for the life of them couldn't think of what the colors green and red had to do with anything?!

They were so excited when they saw what it was :)

Bagel snowmen and watermelon trees. And we always need green juice.

I had a couple small crafts that I bought at the end of the season last year to give them as "presents".

Concentration.

Then he got really artistic and started sprinkling "snow" from the table on his mask.  So creative :)

Then they made little snowman ornaments.

And "pretend winter" wouldn't be complete without a snowball fight. So we headed outside in the heat to throw snowball water balloons.

 At this point I had to put down the camera because I was about to become the target :)  All three of us ended up drenched because once the water balloons ran out they, of course, resorted to using the hose.

Christmas memories being made in the summertime.

100 Acts of Kindness

About a year ago we started a "Kindness Counter".  It hangs in our kitchen and we use it to keep track of the nice things the boys do without being asked.  Things like: sharing your snack, letting the other be/choose/go "first" (trust me, being "first" is huge right now), being positive and encouraging with each other.   

It also works in reverse...you can loose "Kindness Points" for doing unkind things, too.  Things like:  riding your baby brother like a horse, chasing your sibling with the hose on full blast while he's screaming/crying, and trying to pee in the toilet while the other happens to already be using the toilet.  One step forward, two steps back :)  

But they finally broke 100 last month!  

When we began there was no prize or reward offered.  I told them that they don't get "treats" for being kind.  You should be kind for kindness sake.  The act of  flipping the cards to the next number when a point is earned proved to be all the incentive they need.  They love it.  And the shame of being the one to lose points is a good enough motivator to try to be kind.

However, once we hit 100, I felt like a little acknowledgment was due.  That's a lot of kindness.  So I surprised them with a chocolate Skyscraper from Winstead's.  They had never seen anything so grand.

We barely put a dent in it, but the boys were in sweet, brain-freeze heaven until they couldn't take another bite.  We ended up leaving with three to-go cups of chocolate shake to put in the freezer when we got home. 

And we'll continue to work on the way we interact with each other...one kind act at a time. 

Fletcher | 8 Months

Dear Fletcher, 

I've got my happy baby back!  Your bottom teeth finally broke through the surface (just barely), thank goodness.  However I can see more are planning to give you trouble soon.  It looks like they're all going to come in at once, so I think this reprieve from teething pain is sadly going to be very brief.

Also, you're CRAWLING (see video below)!
Freedom.  You love it.  It's adorable to watch you explore/cruise around on your own free will.  The only downside is that I now have to constantly check the floor for half-eaten pretzels and game pieces left behind by big bros.

 You eat like a champ and it shows in those chunky thighs.  You'll have a check-up next month, so we'll see how much you've grown!

However, I don't think your smile could get any bigger...

The happiness I see in your eyes. That sweet face.  It's everything to me.

You are such a magical part of our lives, little mister.

My whole heart, 

Momma
***********Fletcher Crawling Video***********