There is something so special about a creek when you are a child, it holds the promise of adventure and hidden treasures. Down the street from our house is a hidden creek that our kids spent the better part of Monday exploring. The bigger boys, and a few more from the neighborhood, took off into the wild, built a fort and tried to snag a few crawdads. Aaron helped the little ones and I on our own adventure.
And here is my contribution to your life today: This is a small inexpensive laundry hamper that you can purchase at Target. Throw all your sand toys in it, turn it sideways and shake out the sand! Please, hold your applause.
Aaron’s secret talent… sand designs.
So last night was the “soccer party extravaganza” for my two teams. Both teams have practiced alongside each other all season, so we decided to do one big party for all of the kids. Everything went perfectly, we ate pizza, handed out trophy’s and had yummy cupcakes for dessert (I made Jane’s famous Reese’s cupcakes and they were a huge hit). I don’t think I can adequately express how much I loved being connected to all of these little people, I really am going to miss seeing them each week. But one of my girls just happens to have her own fan page on Facebook! Lacy is an amazing little girl with an even more amazing story, from her fan page:
Lacy was institutionalized for nearly three years at a children’s sub acute facility. Her birth mother was mentally unable and unwilling to care for any of her eight children properly. Her adoptive parents, both respiratory therapists, fostered Lacy for a year and then adopted her right before her fourth birthday. When Lacy arrived at her new home two months prior to her third birthday she was unable to run, climb stairs, feed herself properly, etc. Lacy spent most of her days acting out emotionally and physically against herself and those around her. With great consistency and a lot of love, that part of her slowly faded away and the most amazing little girl blossomed. Lacy has worked through more issues than people ten times her age could ever imagine and continues to develop into the most incredible human being around. At times, her parents are convinced that she is a 35 yr old person stuck in a 4 yr old body. There is a lot of wisdom, insight and humor packed in such a little person.
Lacy’s fan page is called Lacy Says, her Mom uses it to chronicle the hilarious things Lacy says. Some of my favorites are:
After using an entire roll of tape on her fingers to, “create a force field of security” she decided to rip it all off telling us, “this is just freaking psychotic, man”
and
“So Dad is working for the next few days? That means I will have some alone time with you… and Dad won’t be around here telling me what to do – of course you will, so I will have to do stuff when you aren’t watching.”
and
Dad: Lacy, here is your water for soccer today. Lacy: “um, actually I will be taking Starbucks, thanks.”
You guys have to fan miss Lacy Lou so you to can read what Lacy Says! You can click on the links above or just type Lacy Says into the facebook search.
My picture with Owen was super blurry, but Kendra’s came out okay.
Lacy and I
Hurry the baby as fast as you can,
Hurry him, worry him, make him a man.
Off with his baby clothes, get him in pants,
Feed him on brain foods and make him advance.
Hustle him, soon as he's able to walk,
Into a grammar school; cram him with talk.
Fill his poor head full of figures and facts,
Keep on a-jamming them in till it cracks.
Once boys grew up at a rational rate,
Now we develop a man while you wait,
Rush him through college, compel him to grab
Of every known subject a dip and a dab.
Get him in business and after the cash,
All by the time he can grow a mustache.
Let him forget he was ever a boy,
Make gold his god and its jingle his joy.
Keep him a-hustling and clear out of breath,
Until he wins--nervous prostration and death.
---Nixon Waterman
Okay, the last line is a little dramatic, but I have always loved this poem. When things get stressful and I am rushing through my day-to-day checklist, I try not to forget that each day is one, in only a handful, of my little ones childhood. And even if I can’t give my kids the world, I can let them know how much I love them every day as they grow up. My hope and prayer is that they will go out into the world with the knowledge that no matter what, Momma loves them. And I do. I love them to pieces.
Hmm, I am really going to have to figure this two blog thing out! For those of you who have not subscribed to my lulabelle blog, I have two new posts up over there. November is shaping up to be a busy month, so it may be a little quiet around here for a bit. In other news… my son is 13. I am the mother of a teenager. This small fact continues to shock me each and every day. That is all.
Pop on over to my new photography blog, designed in collaboration with the wonderful Derek Paulo! We are still working out a few bugs, but I couldn’t wait to share it with you guys. I am keeping my personal blog as well, but all of my client sneak peeks will now be over on the Lulabelle Blog. See you there!
This Halloween was packed with friends. We started off Thursday with Ken’s Halloween parade at school, she was a cheerleader! I think this is her “Ready? OK!” pose.
Saturday we went to Flipside’s Trunk or Treat. Kendra was Tinkerbell and Owen was Optimus Prime. Owen was either jumping at me or krumping in these shots, I’m not sure.
Liam recycled the old werewolf mask from last year.
Two of Riley’s friends spent the evening with us. These three are always running around our neighborhood together and goofing off. I affectionately refer to them as the three stooges. Once we went trick or treating we had a grand total of 9 kids and 5 adults with us. We only went down two streets and each kid ended up with 3 pounds of candy! Seriously, we weighed it. That’s 12 pounds of candy in our house alone. Lord help us all.
Maybe this is why the boys are always over at our house? I think my brother Justin and I spent 50% of our childhood up in the pine tree in my parents backyard. Clearly Riley is following in my footsteps, next stop, trapeze!
When we got to the beach, it was an absolutely perfect California day. The weather was gorgeous, I sat on the shore with my toes in the sand, watching my kiddos run through the water, laugh and look for shells. At that moment everything was right in the world. If I had a jar, I would have stuffed that time into it and saved it forever. I think that is why I love photography so much. I have a horrible memory for everyday things, the little day to day moments just seem to slip away from me. But when I look at these pictures, it all comes rushing back… the warmth, the laughter, the smell of the ocean, the sand and water droplets sticking to my babies, all of it. And now I do have that day forever, not in a jar, but captured in these images.
The growing I mean. It’s too much too fast. 13, 10, 5 & 4? Just make it stop.
I love how my kids look at each other.
Heart stopped beating, please send help.
Just for fun.
Then it was off to the beach…
I have no idea what a senior picture should look like, but I took some pictures with a senior in them, so that works, right? Katie might be my little sister, but she is actually taller than me… all of my siblings are as a matter of fact. We are opposite in appearance, but our hearts match!
Next year she will be off to college, venturing out on her own, so it was really nice to be able to spend this time with her.
Sisters. Beach. Ruby’s. Need I say more?
