Love + Two

Well, It's Sunday....we made it through another chaotically blissful week. It's 0600, Avery and Tyler are still fast asleep and I'm doing laundry and dishes. I like to wake-up early on the weekends so I can finish my cleaning/housework. That way the kids and I have the entire day to enjoy without squeezing in the cleaning/housework. I thought I would take a moment to "pause" while my next load is washing/drying. I don't have anything super exciting to post, but did receive some disappointing news this week. My mom and stepdad won't be able to fly up here to visit for Thanksgiving. When I got the news, I cried the instant I hung up the phone. It feels like I've had more Thanksgiving dinners without family than with family. It JUST isn't the SAME! Times like Thanksgiving are supposed to be crazily busy and filled with people who love you. Looks like it will be just the 4 of us....and that just makes me, well... I better get back to the la...

As I sit here...this beautiful "nearly fall" morning...sipping my coffee, I can't help but think. I've struggled for a long time with how to put this into words...but I'm going to try today. My hope is that once on paper (or internet blog that no-one but me reads), it will all make sense. I'm reflecting back to how much has changed over the last 3 years, with the additions of my 2 darling children. I'm always amazed at how fun life is...watching the world thru their eyes is more enlivening that I ever understood. On another note, and the one that concerns me, is how friendships change. I guess all relationships change/mold/morph...but I'm really shocked at the friendships that fizzle down to a nearly non-existence. I can't help but have a feeling of sadness when I think how close I used to be with some people (bffs)...and now its as if I'm the only one who cares. It seems the change happened shortly after having children, so my thought ...

Well, this year the anniversary of the tragic terrorism attacks against America fell on a Sunday. The kids and I listened to the reminder bells, reading of the fallen names, and watched the family members viewing the opening of the World Trade Towers Memorial. I could help feel a sense of peace knowing that this anniversary gave us the opportunity to pray in the Lords house on the day of remembrance. We didn't talk much about the attacks... rather Bob went to work after church and I reflected internally while playing with the kiddos. Right before going to bed, while saying our evening prayers, I asked Tyler to pray for all our fellow Americans who lost someone due to 9/11. With his big brown eyes and a serious look, he simply looked at me and said, "No fight." I couldn't have summed it up better!

We had the blessed opportunity to take a few days off work and travel to Kentucky for my cousin Alicia's wedding. We did the best we could to not interrupt the kids too much...but, they handled the car ride fairly well....minus a few cheerios showers and wanting to wiggle. All I can say is thank goodness for dvd players in the car! I wanted to take a moment to share a couple of pictures...I've been playing with black & white!