All good things must keep going

You thought I was going to say "come to an end," didn't you? Well, let's just throw that phrase in the trash and delete it forever. It's too pessimistic for my taste! Life is rough; we don't need crap like that to hold us back. 

Tomorrow will be my last full day visiting with my sister in Denver. My oldest sister and I road tripped it out here on Monday, and we've been having fun and laughing it up ever since! 

But just because our time together is ending doesn't mean we won't be taking with us all these nuggets of love, fun, and friendship! I'm thankful I could take some time off to enjoy this time with these girls. They are forever inspiring me by their hospitality, love, and keeping it real. We stay connected with my other sisters and a couple of nieces through a group text. We text everyday, all day! So although we're spread across five states, our iPhones are spanning the time and space between us. 

While we've been in Denver we eaten some amazing meals (thanks Andy!) and gone skating (I didn't don any skates; I break out in a sweat and my hands start shaking just thinking about it), shopped at Ikea, drank wine, played a visious game of spoons, gone to the aquarium, eaten a wine popsicle, logged countless miles on my sister's old lady glider, and gone on a walk up to a 6,310 ft. lookout point near my sister's house. Today we're going on a mountain hike--with all three children. I'll keep you posted on how that turns out.

A new footprint

Vincent's class did clay footprints. They did them last year for Mother's Day. I'm amazed at the difference, and maybe a little sad too. Sad that I haven't loved up that baby inside him and pushed him so hard to grow into the two year he is today. I think we'll always struggle with that; me holding onto that snuggle side of him that was him for so frustratingly long while pushing him to take the leap without me holding his hand, to know it's OK to carve out your curiosity on your own and make your own path. 

Passions

Nora Roberts wrote in a reader's note in the beginning of Blue Dahlia {yes, I'll read Nora from time to time, along with the classics: Twilight and Pride and Prejudice}: I don't have hobbies. I have passions.

I feel this way. A hobby seems to imply some indifference to the subject. But I love what I do in my pastimes, passionately. I'm no expert in everything I do. I'm a moody knitter, a wanna be sewer, an inspiring prints designer, a loving gardener {i fall madly in love with every flower}, and an aspirational writer. I'm passionate in all these. 

Our paver patio is done

Break open the bubbly! Do some shots! Put on your flip flops and head over because our patio is done!

We actually need to finish doing the sand to fill in the gaps and maybe leveling a few pavers that settled a little, but nothing a good whack with the mallet can't fix.

If you remember we had one row left to do. But before we could finish it we had to buy one more piece of edger. While the in laws were here on Sunday and could watch Vincent, we quickly plowed ahead and put down the final pavers.

The moment was more anticlimactic than I wanted it to be. Maybe because we needed to hurry and go eat because dinner was ready. I wish we would have reveled a little longer in completing a long, sweaty project that took a year to complete. Instead it was swept away with the next moment. It's a project that marks two wildly different summers for us. 

Last year was bitter hot and Vincent couldn't walk, so entertaining him was impossible without help. This time last year we were certain he was autistic. Jonathan was needing surgery and we had to stop early on in the summer and on the project to tackle that. This summer: The weather has been mild and cooler; Vincent's not only running around the place, he owns it. He's happy; he talking and counting, and asking all sorts of curious questions and making crazy cute statements. Jonathan is all healed and no longer in discomfort. In hindsight, it's amazing we even had the willpower to tackle such a big project last year. I'm proud we did it, but I'm not sure we'll be doing it again. I owe you a final amazing picture. Standby because, to me, summer has only just began!

Breakfast

Breakfast is my most favorite meal of the day. It usually doesn't take long to put together and I love the flavor.

Right now I'm on a Greek yogurt and fresh fruit kick. There's nothing quite so luscious as creamy thick yogurt paired with slices of juicy fresh peach or tart raspberries. 

I also love hard boiled eggs, hormone free and all that good stuff {they taste way better, believe me}. This week I paired it with a slice of stone ground wheat bread {Nature's Harvest, super yum}, and Rainer cherries. Yum and beautiful at the same time. 

I think good food should be beautiful too. It makes it taste more amazing. Next year I'm hoping we can plant a little garden {carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, green beans--we'll see what else my inner Martha cooks up}. Lately I've not shied away from putting food on Vincent plate I'm certain he won't eat {and more certainly will play with}, but know in time he'll come to recognize, try, and some day love. It's wonderful to see him make those choices already. As long as I leave it to him and don't force him, he generally will try everything.

Kansas Belle

Chugga chugga choo choo! A few months ago I saw a little flyer for the Kansas Belle dinner train. Stop the train. You read that right! How fun does that sound? What's more is they do entertainment like murder mysteries onboard for more money.
We plan to leave Vincent with Grandma and Papa one weekend and meet up my sister to go. It departs from Baldwin City. It's a little pricey, but it sounds like some good entertainment. And I've always wanted to go on a train {and eat}. Check it out and get on board.

Love the life you live, live the life you love

Bring on Friday, where all my troubles will melt away. Not really, but a girl can dream {big time}. I'm still wrapping up some freelance writing. I would totally be done by now if two things hadn't have happened: a) I lost power on my computer and didn't save my notes from a story interview, and b) sources would have talked to me sooner. But it's all good! It'll get done come hell or high water.

I'm still searching for a new job. It's a never-ending quest full of boosting my low self esteem and really showing people what I can do. I don't think I interview well. I lose my train of thought a lot {there's a reason I'm a writer, not an orator} and I have a nervous laugh with a quirky sense of humor that most people probably don't get {except for my husband, who I'm thankful for everyday for laughing at my jokes}. The truth is, I probably have way too much experience for the jobs that are out there, and it's put me in an awkward situation where I have practically do a performance to tell them I'll take the pay and the job—despite the fact that I should be making more because I don't make enough, for what I do, to begin with.

Vincent wrapped up his physical and occupational therapy this month. We had stopped doing our private therapy sessions we were paying for back last year after he started walking on the advice from our therapist there that the rest was about to fall in line and he didn't need her to make it happen. We still kept him on with Infant & Toddler services, which is more or less a glorified Parents as Teachers program. In any case, we're happy to have successfully gotten Vincent on track and up to speed. This time last year he couldn't even walk. Now he's a walking, talking, jumping bean. Well, maybe not some much jumping, but he's close. He can count to 15, knows the Clean Up song which he sings when he cleans up his toys without being told, prays before every meal and before bed, says he wants a hug when he really wants to be held. I'm enjoying this age. So much so that I sometimes wonder if we have it in us to do the baby thing again {don't worry, we will}. We were beyond blessed with a difficult baby who transformed into a sweet, smart, and a little too charming boy that only tests the respects of Mom and Dad.

I've started grilling. I'm in love. Makes me want to research cuts of meats and fish, buy those veggie grill baskets, and read my grilling bible.

My house has become more of a home lately. Not because I've decorated it much more than when we moved in 3 years ago, but there's so much I love about the space. Currently my favorite room is my office {that I still need to paint}. It has an odd ball mix of decor, but it's organized, functional, and has a touch of whimsy that I adore.

Last, Baby George? Really? I admit, it's growing on me as a future king's name. I just hope Kate was cool with it. I can't imagine anyone telling me what to name my child, royalty or not.