Of the hundreds of pictures I’ve taken recently a handful take my breath away. As I prepare to spend another few days away from my babies, these carry me through as my best shots!
Category Archives: Sis
Momma’s Girl
The slight
caramel glow
of her
rounded shoulders,
her plump tummy
~ whispers of our
first summer ~
memories floating by
like the
soft cotton tufts
in the humid
June air.
As she takes her perch
upon my side,
instinctively her
chubby arm
wraps tightly
around mine,
anchoring her there.
The comfort I find
in that small habit
overwhelms me
more than I’m prepared for.
I know
how much my heart
longs to see her
each morning
as I quietly
approach her,
sleeping sweetly.
Butterscotch tendrils
curl haphazardly
around her
angel’s face.
A subconscious smile
dances across her
rosebud lips.
A slight dimple
the only
“imperfection”
in her creamy complexion,
glistening
with traces of a
deep summer sleep.
Gently,
I lift her to me,
bringing her home
to the crook
in my neck,
where we both
awaken
to the deliciously sweet
fragrances
of one another.
I wonder
if she treasures
these moments
as much as I do.
Then,
I feel the squeeze
of her grasp
clinging to me again,
and
I smile
knowing that
she is
her
Momma’s Girl.
Perfect Picnic
So, it’s been a couple of weeks and I haven’t written much about our trip…it’s not for lack of desire, believe me. Here I thought summer would offer some time to rest, relax and recuperate! I think I have most of the pictures I snapped ready to share, so you can expect to be bored riveted for the next few days as I give an account of our first cross-country (well, sorta) road trip.
Knowing our kiddos are accustomed to at least 4-5 hour trips to the upper peninsula we figured that getting in an 8-hour driving day would be just about right. That meant we hoped to stop for the night in St. Louis, MO. We choreographed our departure just perfectly and were on the road by 2:40 am (yes, a.m.) and made it a good 4 hours before the kids woke up! Even though we’d left on only one dim light as we carried the kids out of the house, there was a minor moment of panic as Calder began announcing “It’s dark, Mom! Look at the lights! It’s dark outside. Where we goin’?” We sat in silence for several miles and he soon fell back to sleep!
Here’s a couple shots at one of our pit-stops where Seneca enjoyed some lunch while Calder wandered around playing with his slinky! I wish I remember where it was – all I know is it was H-O-T and H-U-M-I-D!!
We finally arrived in St. Louis where we enjoyed a picnic under the arch…because after all is was only 11am!! That’s right. There we were at our destination for the night before noon!
(He dropped his sandwich and was pretty upset that he couldn’t finish it!)
Crazy perspective – but I love that I captured her kissy face! She did this non-stop all week!
The first of many family pictures on our vacation adventures!
This one is my best shotfor today! I’m ga-ga for the sunflare!
As we headed back to the car, we heard heavy sighs from our full-bellied babes. Exchanging a knowing glance, we loaded up and continued on our journey as they settled in for their afternoon naps.
While the entire journey was better than we could have ever imagined, those moments of peaceful sleeping were priceless! We weren’t retrieving thrown toys from the furthest nooks of the backseat, singing “She’ll be Comin’ ‘Round the Mountain” or “Oh Susanna!” for the umpteenth time. Turning our anticipated 8-hour day into 14 hours (well 13 with the time change) was impressive to say the least.
I’m quite sure the kids were in need of some space to run around, so we encouraged them to do just that. Of course, the pool was fun and refreshing, dinner was delicious, but of all the things they enjoyed the most – the air conditioner provided the greatest entertainment for the night!
First Road Trip – Check
A few months ago mornings around our house began to get a bit dicey. The kids seemed to be getting enough sleep, but thanks to my DNA, they are not morning people! To accomplish the required tasks and get out the door on time, we started a little oral checklist that has served us well.
Nearly two weeks ago, we employed that little tool (among new little trinkets and yes, a borrowed DVD player) to help us complete the 1,000 miles one-way trip to visit my brother and sis-in-law in Oklahoma City.
A: “Mama?”
C: “Check!”
A: “Daddy?”
C: “Check!”
A: “Calder?”
C: (goofy grin and slight pause) “Check!”
A: “Seneca?”
C: “Check!”
A: “And away…”
C: “we goooooo!!” (enthusiastically, arms outstretched and waving since that’s the extent of allowable motion in his 5-point harness car seat).
I’m sure you’ll be hearing much about the excursion in the coming days, so for now I will share the pictures we snapped while visiting the Oklahoma City Memorial. I know my little ones won’t really remember being there, and the impact of what happened isn’t something they can yet comprehend, I hope these images and their future experiences will help establish a sense of community and compassion in these wonderful little lives!
The inch-deep fountain was very powerful to me. You can also see the chairs on the left of this image that signify the lives lost in the attack. They are arranged based on the floor the victims were on, and the smaller ones represent children. Though we were there during the day, it seems that the bases of the chairs are illuminated – which I’m sure is also very moving.
Leaving their mark.
He was very interested in the tiles – what a sweet heart he has!
A closer look at this shot brought tears to my eyes as I recognized the little zebra toy as one my own children love!
She looks so grown-up here!
Poor little guy fell asleep in the car en route to downtown. I love this shot of him snuggling with his Uncle Luke! A little late, I know, but this is my Best Shot today!
Cornwell Crew 