Friday, March 27, 2009

The Evolution of a Blog


My 100th post! Feels like something to celebrate. (Strawberry Shortcake should do the trick!) I believe some reflection is in order as well.

 My first post held hope of preserving our family’s memories and was an attempt to somehow shorten the mileage between us and our relatives. I wanted Carlos’ mom and my mom to participate in the daily activities of their grandchildren as much as the distance between us would allow.

In these first posts I told stories of Matthew learning to ride a bicycle sans training wheels, Natalya’s first bites of rice cereal, and anything else that would portray what my life looked life as a mother of two young children. I created a digital scrapbook of sorts, accessible to relatives and friends with a few quick keystrokes.

As I grow and evolve as a mother and keeper of memories, this blog evolves as well. The kids are growing up at unflinching speed. Matthew, almost five years old, begins kindergarten in September. Natalya is surpassing the baby milestones with each passing day. I cannot help myself from feeling like everything is happening too quickly. Feeling like I must slow life down or at least push the pause button several times a day and relish in the moment.

 I photograph the parts in our day that cause me to pause momentarily, grateful for the small moments that add up to a lifetime. This is my meager attempt to be present with all I have now, all I am now, and all I love now. I post them to remember the small moments, the beautifully mundane. These are the stories that I want to share.

Yes, the big accomplishments and big occasions are important. You only start walking once, there is only one first day of preschool, and birthdays only happen once a year. These turning points do not go unnoticed. However, they don’t reflect the love and joy we experience daily as a family. The littlest things make my heart skip a beat. They best illustrate how lucky I am. They are my story.

Monday, March 23, 2009

On a Lazy Sunday

Matthew identifies each and every letter and number that we cross paths with. Him and I took a long walk and plenty of opportunities presented themselves.

I suppose it is time to put the strap lock back on the fridge. She looks so proud of herself. :)

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Highest Honors

The kids and I are so proud of daddy. A 4.0 gpa in his x-ray technician program. He's smart AND intoxicatingly handsome!

Friday, March 20, 2009

shadow play


sissy concentrated intently, trying to figure out what was following her around. 

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Peace and a Contagious Smile


peace. matthew's newest favorite way to pose for a photo. really stinkin' cute.

cheerleader baby is what matthew calls talya when i put her hair in pig tails. loo-loo's, we call them. to me, she looks older and older each time i post a photo of her here. sweeter as well.

Monday, March 16, 2009

she chattered as the wind whipped through her hair. 

Sunday, March 15, 2009

The Men in my Life

My three favorite boys... life is good.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009























































I am still fighting a terrible cold that is leaving me exhausted and achy. Lucky for me I have these two beautiful kids. 

They say love and laughter are the best medicine. I have mounds of each.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

One Day, Two Trips to the Park





Yesterday was stunning in Portland. So gorgeous that we made two trips to the park. It was 58 degrees and the sunshine created friends out of strangers and smiles out of frowns. Every time we get a day like this one I think, "This is why I live in the Pacific Northwest. No place compares to the beauty found here."  (Have I said this before. Probably. I think it all the time.)

Talya loves being outside. Last spring and summer she was so little and couldn't do much when we were outside. Now, though, she loves swinging, sitting in the grass and feeling its tickle, and trying to climb up the slide. She even tries pushing the screen door open at the smell of a sunny afternoon.

We all know how Matthew loves being outdoors. Heck - he doesn't even mind if it's raining. I can't keep him cooped up for long before symptoms of stir-crazy set in. And that is bad for all of us. :)

A special note regarding the top photo of Matthew: To most, Matthew's smile probably looks forced and inauthentic. But I know the truth. This is the "I love you, Mommy" smile. The smile that lets me know that my son is proud of himself, glad to be who he is. A smile that says he knows that I love him to the moon. I cherish these smiles. They make me feel like the luckiest person on the planet.