fantasy or reality?

So, I am in the middle of a great book. The kind of book you think about when you're not reading it & only wishing you were reading it. The kind of book that you stay up to the wee hours of the morning just to get a few more pages into it. The kind of book you truly feel you are a part of. And a friend who has finished the book a while back talks with that grief you feel when a good book ends. And we were talking about it on the phone the other day & it hit me.....she knows how the story ends. This story that is so presently alive for me has come to completion for her, and for many others I assume. But how is it possible that something so very real to me right now could already be over?? These trials that this person I am reading about have in actuality already been resolved?? And yet it is so.

And pondering this strange thought process today reminded me that I have heard this before in a different context. In the context of my very own life. This story that I am in the midst of, these decisions that I may be struggling over......have in fact been decided. My story has been seen in completion. And the fears & worries I feel in the present all have a purpose in the end. And I can't see it, because I am caught up in the middle of this book.

Now, I am off to finish this book.

trendsetter?

These pictures just make me happy. And those goggles?? What is the deal with those goggles?? First & foremost, let me tell you that they never once kept the water out. Each & every time she came out of the water with them on they were filled with water. Is she a trend setter? Will this become the latest of 4 year old fashion? Actually, I have seen worse fashion statements made by none other than myself. But somehow she wears the mistakes better than I.

should we seek help?

Now, I know this is normal...but why? Why in the world is it normal to go from this......

to this...in 2.2 seconds? What is about the age of 2 that creates this extreme melo-drama. Something that I was led to believe would just be present in the XX chromosomed children of mine. But as I look around i realize that my 2 year old boy is not the only one who seems emotionally unstable at times. We were at the beach, for crying out loud......it is the equivalent of DisneyWorld in their minds....so why the temper tantrum?

And now that I've posted it.....I have to say that he was pretty dreamy the rest of the trip....I just found it hilarious that within 2 clicks of the shutter button something major occurred....and now I wonder if my husband asks these questions about me from time to time. Now that I think about it - I'm certain he must.

Off to think about the similarities of my 34 year old personality and that of my 2 year old.

10+ months

Here's a little greeting from the beach - this one kept me on my toes....she was ALL over the place. She had herself contained here, as you can see, so I snapped a quick one.
Will certainly post more later.

beach

Well, we're at the beach......relaxin & eating all sorts of things that I'm certain God never intended for food...and I'm loving every minute of it. I can't wait to post pictures & share some stories - it's been a good time for all of us.
We got here & the first day we walked outside & the oldest paused, turned her head a little & said, "I smell sand"
She captured it! That's the beach smell & I have never heard it described as perfectly as that 4 year old did.
Hope you're having a great week.....update with pictures real soon!

these 2....

These 2 LOVE each other. They all love each other - but it is so funny to watch these 2 very very young people express how they care for each other. The way he stands by her crib to say very "matter of factly" - "good morning" & the way she burst into squeals & applause at the sight of him. Or like at lunch today whens he patted his head & kindly said, "No no. Not right now. I eating my lunch."Sweet times. Crazy. But really sweet.

my boy

Well, I got myself a new computer :). And I am learning that it takes a lot of time to reorganize one of these things. I thought technology was supposed to save time & i've never found that to be true. Anyway, not the point of this post. I was getting my pictures up on the new computer & was looking through them as I went. And I saw this one........have i posted this one before?
Sorry, if I have. I ran into a friend the other day & he mentioned that of the 20 times he's seen my boy he's had this shirt on 18 of those 20 times. I think he's dead on right. We do love our Superman shirt.
This picture captures so much of what I think I will remember about him being 2. He's a carefree kid. Just content to be on the path as long as he can stop, point & speak to any bugs along the way. And he usually moves his head around as he walks....or when he talks....he can be very expressive & "matter of fact." Like in this picture, I imagine that he's saying something like, "I am walking on the sidewalk, Mommy" or "my name is TWO" or "my shirt is red" - "no buddy - your shirt is blue" "no, mommy, my shirt is red"
When I was in labor with the 1st i was told by my OB that I was very "matter of fact" - I have wondered ever since what that meant....how sweet of God to give me a boy to show me.
So this is just a post about my boy :).

I am only surprised that his crocs are not on backwards. Another thing I will remember about him being 2.

the 4th

I am fully aware that today is like the 10th of July & that I am way delayed in posting anything, but better late than never, right?? We spent the 4th with some of my family up in Tennessee - it was wonderful. Relaxing and peaceful & i have tons of pictures on memory cards & memories swimming around in my head - but i thought it would be good to post these 1st. The kids loved the fireworks & they really were spectacular.

My big girl woke up that morning to put on her red white & blue that I had laid out for her & she asked "why, Mom? why do we wear red, white & blue?" and "Why, Mom? Why are we going to a parade?" So I gave her her first "we are celebrating our great nation! The freedom that we take for granted! The freedom that you even are ALLOWED to wear that adorable little skirt & shirt that we have the freedom to buy a Target! We have a Target in this great United States of America! And the breakfast you ate today - do you realize how incredibly fortunate we are?" And I am not sure when she walked away or how long I stood there with my hand over my heart talking to myself.....but I think Daddy will get all of the questions from now on. I fell certain that Mommy has been relieved of her duties temporarily.
But it was a great day. I'll post other pictures in a little while when the kids are not screaming & nipping at my heels. Enjoy these for now.

You'll notice here that she is in brown.....well, it is late in the day & I don't prepare multiple holiday outfits...the other one was just plum worn out after all of the picnicing & bike riding & candy catching. But isn't that a fun picture???