Canadian Fun!

With all the Olympic excitement, we were inspired to take our aspiring Olympian out for his first skate. He liked it till he fell and then he was done! I think he thought that he would be able to skate like the Olympians on TV. He did amazing! He skated around with us and this little push thing. What happened to just pushing chairs around? That's how I remember learning to skate.

Lots of fun and we will do it again soon!

Real Life

We have had a tough few weeks. Runny noses, puking, sore throats, tantrums, whining, anger and exhaustion have been more present than I'd like to admit lately. Add 2 feet of snow and you can guess how I have been feeling. Trapped comes to mind. It seems that there are stages with children that are difficult and then as soon as you are about to call it quits, they change and you've entered a stage that you never want to leave. One that is complete with "Mommy, I love you so much I can't even believe your my mommy". However, we've left the season of I love you's and replaced it with the earlier mentioned behaviors (including myself in the list list).

I saw these picture as I was looking through photos trying to come up with some for a picture wall I am working on. It captured how I felt. Small and lost. I was about to include "alone" in that list, but then remembered that that is far from true. Not only do I have a God who is walking right with me through hard days (even if I don't feel like he is), I have a husband who loves me and encourages me. A mom who listens to me and understands how long the days can be. Friends who don't judge, but love me and love my little stinker. Friends who are even willing to look after him for me. Really, I have it so very good. The ordinary days are truly the best ones. Read this quote the other day and felt inspired by it.

"Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day, I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return."

Then this morning, I listened to this message and my heart was encouraged after too many days days of feeling discouraged.

Anyways, here is the real me, just thought I would share what has been on my heart this morning. The good days and the bad. Real Life. Hope it encourages you readers, whoever you are :)

Favorite Little People

Liam was invited to one his favorite little friend's birthday party the other day. It was at a bounce place and when we got there, he just ran in and screamed with delight. This is seriously two of the only pictures I got that is not blurry. They never stayed still.

If you know me, you know the light is not ideal. But, wanted to remember these funny little faces.

Baking in the snow

I made these yummy apple muffins this morning. We are all snowed in. As much as I hate to admit it, it is pretty outside. But, I'm sick of winter. I'm feeling a bit antsy and so I decided to bake and take picture of my baking.

Here is the recipe. These are my mom's recipe, passed along to me. Enjoy!

1/4 C butter

3/4 C sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 egg, slightly beaten

1 C flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 1/2 C chopped apple

1 Tbsp cream

Cream butter and sugar. Add vanilla and egg (slightly beaten). Mix the dry ingredients together and add to butter/sugar mixture. Stir till moistened. Add apple and cream, mix with spoon just till apples are mixed in.

Cook at 350 for 20-25 min.

I think the trick with these is not to over mix them.

Thanks mom for the yummy recipe.

xo

Sparkle

B and I were talking last night about how much I love shooting into the light. I am obsessed with backlight and flare. I actually find it somewhat boring to not shoot into the light and of course this little obsession drives me to want to live in a warm climate all year around where there is lots of light instead of lots of snow. Any job prospects in Florida or California for B??? I'm all ears!! I really think that this is what inspired me to start taking photos in the first place. It was the first thing I wanted to know how to accomplish when I got my camera. Even before I was taking photos I was always talking about how much I loved the the late afternoon light at the cottage. I love the sparkle of it.

I took this photo the day before we got 2 feet of snow. Maybe I will post some of those pics soon. But for now, let's just admire the hope of spring and the pretty rainbow in this one photo of my boy.

Ava

Ava Rosemeyer.

Loved. Remembered. Cherished.

August 22, 2003-February 5, 2007

xo