Back-blogged

I can hardly believe it has been over two months since my last blog and I have missed this space! I’ve been so busy with my end-of-the-year holiday to-do list, just like so many of us, and so my little cyberspace nook has had to suffer a bit. But here are a list of occurrences that I wish I could have shared in more detail from the past sixty-plus days. I still may try to sneak in a few more details of the below, but in case I can't, here's what I've been up to lately:

Megan and Soccer
Jacob
4th Anniversary
The Dish
Grampa's Visit
Halloween
Making Kringlas
Sarah is 16
Projects with Lauren
Maternity Pictures/ The Warren Family
Dizzy Spells
Nathan's Happy Meal
Kelly, Jen, & Liam's Family Picture
Thanksgiving
“Breaking” - A String of Dilemmas (Computer Breakdown, Jeep Breakdown, Neighbor Break-in)
Polar Express Train Ride
Cuaron Family
Keri & Matt’s Engagement Photos
Kosinski 2010
Santa Claus x 3
Our Christmas Card
A Slow-paced Christmas
Avatar Movie

Just to name a few,
Dawn

On the Ranch

On the day of our semi-annual family yard sale, I was incredibly distracted by the antics of Nathan and his "Poppy" so I strayed from the various odds and ends among the tables and racks strewn about in the front yard and followed the ranch boys to the backyard.



Nathan has added "mule" (mee-yule) and "tractor" (tra-tor) to his vocabulary, words that come from the mouth of very few 19-month olds. But given his experiences and interests, one can easily see how that happened.

First, a ride on the dolly. I loved those rides when I was little!

Then the intrigue with the Belle, the mule.

And the harness chains for Belle were like a swing for Nathan.

Then, for his favorite: the John Deere tractor.

Already shifting gears.

(He started out in one of his sister's yard sale shirts because he had creme on his arm where a cactus got him, but once we saw all the picture opportunities, we quickly changed him into the most appropriate John Deere green shirt!)

Grandfather and grandson maneuvered circles on the John Deere around the yard.

As I snapped away, Gayle says to me, "This is making him so happy, and by 'him,' I mean both of them."

My dad said with twinkly eyes, "This is what dreams are made of."

Yee-haw,

Dawn

It's Another Boy!

Inside Gayle's womb grows a baby boy with a steady heartbeat. We all wait eagerly to meet this new being who has already captured the hearts of those who call him son, brother, grandson, nephew, and blessing. But there's no pressure with these roles, little one. Just be.

With much love,
Auntie Dawn

Liam at One

And all at once, my little brown-eyed nephew was one year.

But once, he was only one day.

His first birthday party was wonderful.

There was cake,

presents,

friends,

family,

and it wouldn't be like Liam without a good wondering walk.

Happy Birthday, amazing little wonder! I love you!

In Wonderment,

Auntie Dawn

Behind the Fence

Birds gather ornamentally at the tippy top of a bare-limbed tree. Perfectly spaced gaps separate them on their high perch as they sing and chatter loudly at twilight, interrupting each other with both important and frivolous mentionings of the day.

Ignoring the chain link fence below, they suddenly rise together as one entity and swoop through the swirly sky, proving the fence can not confine them like some sort of giant birdcage. I marvel at their cohesiveness and wonder if all that chirping was an orchestrated plan to fly in a great synchronized circle from tree top to invigorating rush and back again, or if their stunt was just a game of follow the leader.

They are free to explore the sky above, but they seem to respect the imaginary boundary line of the fence hugging their tree... all but one, that is. One daring bird brakes away from the flock and crosses that boundary line, maybe to bravely see what I'm all about.

He quickly finds his way back, however, and all the birdies continue their multiple conversations, now oblivious to me on the other side of the boundary line.

They seem to take comfort in numbers and familiarity back behind the fence again. They're within safe boundaries even though they have great capacity for more and the necessary tools to fly away. Even though they're free, they confine themselves to the lure of the tree's best qualities, behind the fence.

It's nice to have a safe, familiar, comforting branch of my own lined with people who are there to push with encouragement or pull with open arms for whenever I beat my wings and venture beyond the comfort of my fence.

From Behind a Fence,

Dawn

Sunny

A dose of sunflowers is a good frown remedy. I happened upon the happiest of flowers as it danced in the sunlight. It waved me over to capture its joy and it easily made me grin. If the corners of your mouth need a lift, may a sunflower find you.

Smiling,

Dawn

A House of a Different Color

We have a new house! Well, no, not really. It just looks like a new house because we've had it painted.

Before:


After:

The new an improved little house is beaming, and so are we.

Dwelling,
Dawn