Thankful for coffee

Yes. You read that right. It's November and everyone is showing their gratitude for the important things in life. Spouses children health.... and I am thankful for coffee? Trust me, I am overwhelmingly thankful for many more significant things than this and I promise - justice will be served to each and every one. But for today? It's about the java.


For me, my love of coffee has very little to do with the caffeine jolt (although I never get decaf because the fully loaded always taste better!) and lots to do with the cozy feeling that goes along with a warm cup. Meaningful conversations with the people I love often happen over a cup of coffee. From one person's 6-shot-espresso-with-extra-flavor-and-chocolate to another's shade-grown-beans-french-press-brewed-with-agave-and-soy-milk concoctation - they all seem to mirror the pesonality of the one who drinks it. I also find that coffee dates are the starting point for many new friendships. ("We should meet for coffee sometime!")


I love that just-right feeling of having coffee in hand before a long road trip, and the smell of a freshly brewed pot at home which adds a peaceful and comfortable sense of routine. And I'll just call it like it is folks. I think it all boils down the the fact that I feel like a grown up when I drink it. Thanks Joe!

Thankful

A few months ago a good friend told me about an accident her son had where he fell off a bunk bed and got a concussion. Naturally, I was empathetic and felt bad for her and her little man. It didn't make a huge impression on me though. It just seemed like one of those tales of parenthood that everybody has and I didn't "get it". I saw it through the light of the happy ending and it didn't sink in how scary this actually was to experience.

Last night I had one of those experiences. It changed my perspective on such parenting experiences. Aly and Peyton were goofing around before bed. The 7-year-old fell on the 2-year-old. I turned around to see her red-faced and clutching her side with the strangest cry coming out. I could see that she had gotten the wind knocked out of her. I scooped her up and patted her back and tried blowing in her face to get her to breathe again. Only instead of getting her breathing rhythm back she went completely limp in my arms and her eyes rolled back in her head. I laid her down on the couch and she began twitching as though she was going to have a seizure. This was NOT what I had expected. I panicked and called 911 and in the process totally lost it on my other 2 kids who were not in any way understanding what was happening.

Before I had even finished my call with 911 Peyton had snapped out of whatever happened and I didn't even have them come out. She was so totally fine, but needless to say - I was not. I will never forget that feeling or forget the way she looked - so incredibly vulnerable. It has made me very thankful for many things today. I am so thankful that little miss Peyton is 100% fine. I am thankful for my husband who came right home to check us out and calm me down. Thankful for Noah who in his 11-year-old-wisdom prayed for Peyton when I was to flustered to form a complete sentence. Also, thankful for good friends who I can count on to come over on a moments notice and helpt me "debrief".

Life is good.

Back at school

Important day today... Summer came to a close (MUCH to soon!) and the kids started school. They were all smiles when we dropped them off and all smiles when we picked them up. Couldn't have asked for anything better. It so refreshing to be able to walk 2 blocks and be right there instead of having to load up into the car. It was significant for Noah because it was a new school so he's the new kid but he had no complaints and said he wasn't even nervous. It was special for Aly because it was her first day of kindergarten! The beginning of an amazing journey!









Here's Noah in his class...


And here's how I found Aly during dinner tonight...

Look ma! No Hands!

Well, not exactly, but here is Peyton showing off her latest trick. She been flipping onto her tummy consistently for about 2 weeks now.




She also has lots to say these days. Here a little bit of her chatter...

End of the year

It's just a quick little slideshow so you all can see some pics. There's a few from the Lilac Festival Torchlight Armed Forces Parade, Aly's kindergarten graduation, and Noah's last day of school. It is very bittersweet as we have decided that this fall the kids will be going to our neighborhood school. Westgate has been such a tremendous blessing in the kids lives but for many reasons we know that this is the right decision. I also included a video sure to melt your heart.

The Binky

Humor me while I get a little sentimental.... P.S. This was actually written about 3 weeks ago.



My daughter took a pacifier for the first time yesterday. Big deal huh? Well, actually it is kind of a big deal – for a couple of reasons. First, for the last month I have been physically attached to my little peanut night and day almost continuously. I have loved the snuggling! But in the process I have been forced to neglect my other two kids, my house and just about everything that can’t be done one-handed. Peyton is a smart one. She smells the difference between mom and anyone else – even in her sleep. So she’s been held almost constantly, and to top it off she hasn’t taken a pacifier at all – just a finger will work to soothe in between feedings. But the yesterday she took the pacifier for nearly a full hour. It was an amazing hour. I made the kids a dinner that actually required use of the stove. I cleaned. I helped Noah with his homework. It was really pretty blissful. After I took care of all those things I went and took a look at Peyton – happy and content with a “binky” in her mouth. And… (here’s the Big Deal #2)

I got sad. The last month has been a big chaotic and crazy. But it’s such a brief period of time when a baby is small and utterly dependant on mom. I know that in reality she is still utterly dependent on me, and I also know that there is no way we could continue for any length of time in that same routine. However, the realization hit me that the journey has begun. She has taken her first little step toward independence. Today the binky…maybe next month she’ll be able to sleep in her own bed…In a few years she’ll have her first day of kindergarten…and then ten years later she might be driving a car. It all goes so fast and I’m trying to savor and remember these moments as well as the milestones.

That’s all.

A tale of a girl's first bath...

Oh cruel twist of fate that this content sleeping angel is about to meet...


Her adorarable big sister is ready to assist in the torture...




What a face!


She is finally thinking this is not so bad...






One of those weird poses you can only do when you're under 1 month old...


And the finished product! Hmmm... we seem to have quite a few pictures of her screaming her head off which is funny because she is acually a really peaceful child. We swear! She really is!


~The End~