front row view

Jackson loves being outside and LOVES watching his Dad do pretty much anything. I wasn't dressed yet (hence the screen) so this was my solution to not having a fussy baby inside with me. Lily just loves strollers, so she joined the ride.

remembering

A long, long time ago, when Adam and I were just starting to hang out together, I went to his house to pick him up. Some kids came to answer the door, with Adam following them. One of them pushed the screen door open, and Adam stood behind one of his nieces, probably Berlyn, to tell me he was almost ready. As he talked to me, he put his hand on Berlyn's head while she stood there, and I was kind of taken aback by how gentle the action was (we were in high school - I didn't see too much softness in the boys I hung out with). Years later, when we were talking about getting married, I kept on thinking back to that memory and how much that small gesture touched me - looking back now, it was a major factor in making the decision to marry him; I wanted someone who would be a good father and remembering that time seemed to seal the deal for me.(Lily is perpetually naked except for shoes so she can go outside. She hides in the bathroom and puts her clothes down the laundry chute - the only times I'm not grateful for not having to haul dirty clothes downstairs)

So here we are two kids later. I have watched countless interactions of him with Lily and Jackson that show the same tenderness that impressed me then and lifts my heart with love for him now. I am so glad he is the father of my children. He has lived up to my expectations of being a great dad. I love you Adam, and hope you had a wonderful Father's Day filled with reminders of how much we appreciate you.

one cute bather

When Amanda was here, she bathed Henry in our sink. I had totally forgotten that option! Poor Jackson only gets to shower with his Dad "occasionally" (read: not often enough). So a few days later we tried it out with great success.
I forgot some last minute details after taking off his diaper. He currently loves playing in the dishwasher.The kids *love* playing on our bed, especially now that we have our summer time satin sheets. Helps out with having no air conditioner.

company

Amanda and Henry have come and gone. It was such a great week! It was so nice to have someone around to go on walks with, cook with, and just talk to. We made a bit too many treats, but went on long walks by the river and Beus Pond to (partly) make up for it.One of Amanda's favorite (I'm pretty sure it was her idea) games to play when we were younger was "Queen Sabrina." :D It was an awesome game. I'm sure that is why she is such a good cook today - she would obey my every command, including making treats for me. So I tried to switch roles last week, and it was totally working until a chocolate cake we made spilled *way* over while cooking and suddenly I was on the phone and she was scrubbing my oven. I guess some things never change. I hope the fact I did the dishes all week, including all 30 bowls she used to make strawberry cupcakes, was a nice break for her (I tried to commandeer the cooking after that).Lily absolutely adores Amanda. She thought it was pretty darn neat every morning that she and Henry were still around.We successfully got all 3 car seats in. That means no van for our next baby. Yahoo!

flying high

Lily loves loves loves swinging. Jackson loves wood chips. I love Saturdays when we have a plan to spend time as a family. Adam loves having weekends at home instead of traveling.

I am currently having a beautiful week with Amanda, who is visiting from Colorado. I am really enjoying having her around.

my "baby"

Lily is 2 1/2 years old. She is still such a joy to me, while of course exercising her right for "opposition in all things," keeping my sanity on edge with her toddler ways. Sometimes to tease her I will hold her like a baby and sing "Rock-a-bye Baby" - she thinks it's pretty funny, and will sometimes hold her doll or even our shampoo bottles in the shower and sing to them, too. And even though she can drive me crazy (all day if we are in the right mood), I can't remember what life was like without her and I can't believe how much more I love her than when she was first born. That said, thank heaven for prayers - who knows what life would be like without being able to ask for patience.