One Baptism

Faith is so important to me.
Thankfully, it's also important to the man that God chose for me as a partner.
Religion isn't always the easiest topic of conversation, but faith is the root of it all.

Even though Tim likes to tease me about his Son's wearing a gown, or about how I pick football/hunting/younameit weekends to do big events, he knows the meaning of it all.

I'm thankful that our family thrives on all things love and faith and family.  When it's time to support a family member, these two sides that Tim and I have brought together join in on the moment and the celebration.

Payton was welcomed into the church this past weekend wearing what I like to think of as the oldest baptismal gown on record.  He was welcomed by the church and by family (both near and far).

I pray that both of my boys know how important it is to find yourself in your faith.  That they find where and how they fit into it all.  Nothing is exactly as it seems and no one is perfect, but having faith in the greater good of people and believing in a spirit beyond this life moves us all forward. and really what is better than forward?

I look forward to the days of religious education classes and secretly I hope that Tim and I can find the time to get more involved to grow our own faith base as well.

Family surrounds us. 

Forward surrounds us.

Faith surrounds us.

(Ultimately though, we have to let all of those things inside first.)

So Long Summer, Hello Fall

Here it comes. Do you feel it?  It's speeding up.
Life.
A co-worker today told me today that there was only 3 months until Christmas. This is one of my favorite seasons of the year. That little glimpse of saying goodbye to everything that's terrific about summer:  The sunshine, the lake, backyard BBQ's.  Then looking right next door and saying hello to Fall:  The change in weather, the crisp feeling in the air, the holidays and the togetherness.

When September begins every year I hold on tight and don't let go. It never fails. Labor Day is the beginning of the end of the year. It just is.  It doesn't matter how often you tell yourself to slow down or how excited you are for all of the events that are coming, it all happens so quickly and then you blink and you're trying to figure out your New Year's Eve plans.

Being lucky enough to spend quality time with family and seeing how Cameron actually knows and remembers people now has taken it all to a whole knew level.

The Boys' "Pops" and "Gram" came to visit and when I say, 'two peas in a pod', I really mean it!

There is always sunshine in these smiles, it doesn't matter what season it is.

Time in a Bottle

My Grandfather used to listen to Time In A Bottle by Jim Croce on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. I remember the cover of the CD, the old stereo system and how the volume dial actually felt like it was turning something up. I never really understood it, but I eventually knew the words by heart.

Years later, as I look at pictures and see our family growing (in age and in size) or when Cameron gets his picture confused with Payton's I really can feel that song seeping back from my child hood.

Payton is only 5 months old and there's already so much change. 

In 5 years, if you're looking for me, I'll be the one in the auditorium, on the field, in the classroom, who is laughing with tears in her eyes wondering where the bottle is that I filled up with all of these moments and all of that time.

Dear Nugget

Another month has slipped by, 5 months, how does it go so fast? Don't get me wrong, I'm excited about you getting out of the newborn phase and into the baby phase, especially since it means you're SLEEPING! Thanks for that, by the way.

You:

Roll over

Smile

Laugh

Watch everything so intently

Know when someone isn't there anymore and you don't like it.

Love your big brother

Like it even more when he makes you laugh

Are so patient

Until you aren't

Suck your thumb, humph

Still.spit.up. It drives me crazy.

Just started oatmeal cereal and we'll just say that your thumb and I are going to have quite the love/hate relationship.

Play peek-a-boo

Still have blue eyes

You are a joy and we all love you so much. 

You are growing and making so much noise these days. You and Cameron seem to have a language all your own. The teachers at school love on you all day, every day. They laugh at the routine (or should we say performance) that you and your brother give them daily. The drop off, the loves, the way that Cameron touches your feet and gets right up in your line of sight to tell you what to play with and then give you a kiss goodbye.  He tells you to have a good day and it makes my heart melt.

Thank you for an incredible first 5 months. Thank you for being so chill and giving us all the time to adapt from a family of 3 to a family of 4. Your round us out perfectly sweet boy. 

We love you to the moon & back, 

Mom