Middle School

Shianne started the 6th grade yesterday.  Yes...I am now the mother of a Middle School Student.  It was a big step for her this year to go to a school that was different from all of her friends.  Shianne was fortunate to get into Howard Street Charter School.  This school offers such a great opportunity to her with it's small class sizes, innovative curriculum and dedicated staff.  I am already impressed with their communication and energy.  Shianne is looking forward to the art classes, choir and drama program.  It is a commitment for us to get her to school since it is on the other side of town.  The quality of program is worth this sacrifice.  I have already set up a carpool schedule that should make it easier on our group of West Salem parents.  I am so excited for Shianne and this opportunity that she has.  I am still in disbelief that I am the mother of a 6th grader!!

A Hug

I spent the day with my family today at the State Fair.  The kids were so excited to go around and see the rides, eat the food and pet the animals.  As parents, we just followed along while stuffing them with gastro-intestinal disasters while hoping to catch something interesting ourselves while they were momentarily occupied.

I was not expecting to see anyone that I knew.  Well, Salem is a small town, so I knew that I would see lots of people that I knew.  What I am talking about is someone who has really known me since I was a child, even from before I was born.  I don't have many people that can say that about me.  One little tap on the shoulder and I was greeted with a big hug from someone who KNOWS ME, knows my story, loves me.  A hug that I did not realize that I needed so much.  I was flooded with warm memories of a family I once had.  It felt so good to me to be in their presence.  To introduce them to my children.  Children that they knew existed, but did not know how to find me or if I even wanted to be found.

Shianne asked "Who was that?" when we walked away.  How do I explain this to her?  I realized in that moment that there is a whole part of my life that my children do not know.  They have no idea the people who are in my past.  The stories I can tell or that can be told about me.  I always think it is just easier to block out my story.  Easier for me and not fair to them.  It is often just to painful to tell them that they do have a family and why they have not met.  It is truly sad to know the disastrous condition that my family is in.  I could not even bring myself to tell the truth today.  But with that hug, I knew that I was loved.  I did not have to say anything, the truth was known.

We parted ways and I know that I will see them again in the near future.  This makes me really happy.  More hugs are to come.

A Week of Fun

This past week has been filled with so much fun.  Of course the highlight was Calum's first birthday party.  On Saturday we filled our house with friends and laughter.  It was so great to see everyone and to hear the laughter all around us.  We had a huge bounce house for the kids and two kegs for the bigger kids.  We asked everyone to bring canned food to donate to the Marion Polk Food Share and I am thrilled to say we gathered 104 pounds for the donation!

Calum was so excited about the balloons.  The morning after, he was thrilled that the balloons had fallen down to his level.

He was not quite sure what to think about all the attention on him, but that cake sure looked tempting for some reason.

He soon found out why that cake was so tempting.  He was thrilled as soon as it hit his lips!

That was DELICIOUS!!

I had everything planned so well that I was actually able to sit back and enjoy our friends.

After the party was over, Shianne had some of her friends spend the night.  They chose to sleep outside in the bounce house.  They had so much fun.

We did not finish the kegs at the party, so we had friends over again on Sunday night to polish off the leftovers and beer.  Preseason football was on and there was even more laughter.  Monday rolled around and it was a repeat of Sunday night, but this time, the kegs were floated!!

I declared Tuesday a "Family Day."  We took the kids to the Enchanted Forest.  Nora Beth had never been there.  As soon as we walked into the park she was overjoyed.  It was as if this place was created just for her.

She ran through Storybook Lane reciting all the Nursery Rhymes.

The rabbit hole was so much fun to go through.

 Calum held up really well and had no problem just hanging out on my back.  He was thrilled whenever I put him down so he could walk around.

It surprised us, but Calum laughed all the way through the play.  He found it amusing every time the actors fell or jumped into the audience.

Just as it was starting to get hot, we decided to head home and work on a few projects around the house.  After dinner, we had family movie night.  Even Nora Beth sat through the movie The Blindside.

It was sad to say goodbye to the past week of fun.  Today was spent getting Shianne ready for School on Monday.  Summer is soon to be over.

One Year

A year ago today we met for the first time, face to face.  I had already known you for many months as you grew inside my body.  I felt your movements.  I learned what you liked and did not like.  I dreamed about you.  I was so excited to meet you for the first time.  You were everything that I imagined and then even more.  I was so in love with you from the first moment I held you in my arms.  Your sweet little, chubby body.

This past year has been so wonderful...getting to know you.  You are such a sweet baby.  Always there to cuddle with.  Always ready to giggle.  I just can't get enough of you.  I have been on such a high since you have been born.  I have a hard time expressing just how happy you make me.  Our souls were meant to come together.

This past year has been filled with so much joy.  You seem to make everyone around you smile.  Your sweet little smile just makes me melt.  I now have a hard time remembering life without you.

Calum...I love you!

More Lora Cross Photography

Again, I am completely spoiled by Lora.  She did a wonderful job with the kids last night.  We headed over to Silverton and did a variety of shots around town.  To see even more from this photo shoot go to Lora Cross Photography and enter password    calum    under the "proofing" section.

Wordless Wednesday

Bamboletta Play Date

I had a Bamboletta come for a play date today.  I was so excited that my friend Julie brought her over to me.  She is even more delicious in real life.  I MUST HAVE ONE OF THESE DOLLS!!

She had breakfast with us.

Then played the piano.

We had a tea party on the deck.

She went down the slide.

And even played on the swings while wearing her Zozo outfit!

First Haircut

I took Calum in for his first haircut today.  I know that his hair was not very long, but I wanted to have it cleaned up a bit before his one year pictures are done this weekend.  I went to the local barber here in West Salem and was just thrilled with the service.  Calum had no problems getting his hair cut...not a single tear.  He kept laughing as if he was being tickled.

I think he looks super cute with his hair cut.  He in not my little baby anymore!

Wordless Wednesday: Besties!

Bamboletta

 

I have never been into dolls.  They were just never my thing.  Shianne is much like me.  Dolls never did it for her either.  Well, except for Baby Alex, whom she found while playing at Grandma's house.  Shianne always kept Baby Alex in perfect condition.  Along came Nora Beth and Shianne gave her precious Baby Alex to her little sister.  Nora Beth has taken great care of her little "baby" and has never expressed great interest in getting more dolls.  Baby Alex has always made her happy.

I have come across this adorable Bamboletta Waldorf style doll.  There is something about her that just speaks to me.  She is handmade with such love.  I want to dress her up.  I want to knit little outfits for her.  I might even let Nora Beth play with her.  I can even get matching Zozobugbaby outfits for her to match Nora Beth's.  Calum might even need a little boy Bamboletta.

Is it crazy to want to play with dolls at my age?  Imagine the tea parties she would attend.  The wardrobe she would amass.  The bed I would make for her.  The hours of fun she would have at our house.  I will find a way for her to come to our house!