Don't you just wonder...

...what happened?
I sure do.
I wish I'd kept some notes with these pictures!
And my other question...
Is it wrong to use your camera at a time like this?

August 2006
Pre-remodel

Lent

Remember the phrase "practice random acts of kindness"?

That's our plan for the Lenten Season this year.

Rather than give up a tangible "thing" (only to greedily snatch it back again in 40 days), we are going to give up our time.

Each day we will report back to each other...describing the moment in our day where we did something or said something that was unexpected...and kind. 

And maybe one moment leads to two or three...

Kids and Cameras

You never know what you'll find when you let your kids use the camera!
I'll call this "Perspective of a Cowboy Killer"

I'm assuming the thumbs up means "mission accomplished"!

In the future, I'll post more "kid pictures"...they are quite interesting to say the least!

Letting Go

Sounds so dramatic doesn't it?
Its just a simple 5 minute walk up the street, across a road, and into a neighborhood school playground with a friend.
It is something that I did at least 3-4 years earlier than her when I was a kid...every day...all over the neighborhood...and without a cell phone!!

For me, this is a moment of some fear...for her, its a moment of pure sweet freedom.

I'm torn between knowing that she needs this...opportunities to be with her friends - outside the confines of home, family, school and the ever roving eye of MOTHER!  I'm torn between that and the fears I have of "what if".
The "what ifs" need not be named.
They are the same fears shared by all the parents that I know.

In fact, this is a ongoing discussion.

Is it really worse "out there" than when we were kids?

I don't know...

What I do know is that at some point we need to let our kids out of the house!

What are the costs of holding her too close?
When will she learn how to handle herself in situations where we're not around?
There's always going to be a boogeyman out there somewhere - there always has been.

We all take that step when we are ready...

Jenelle

Love comes so easy with her.

I've Caught It!

Bieber Fever!

Yea, I know I'm a little too old - I mean, he's a little too young - but I can't help it!

The kids and I saw "Never Say Never" last night with our friends and now we have the fever!

This is a most talented kid!

The movie was very motivational and...dare I say...moving!

I loved his female fans!
They were absolutely possessed with something beyond their control.

A true testament to the power of hormones.

I remember it well in my Shaun Cassidy/Andy Gibb days.

The best part of the evening was when the movie ended.
Ivan was the least excited to go that night.  In fact, had Donald been home, he probably would have just stayed at the house.
But, he was forced to tag along.
At the end of the movie I leaned down to the seat in front of me and asked him how he liked the movie.
The boy couldn't speak.
He was sobbing.
He loved the movie, the music, the story, the background of Justin Bieber's life...all of it!
He couldn't understand why anyone out there would be a Justin Bieber hater.

I love that boy of mine!

We got home no one could stop talking about the movie.
I played some music on my itouch and Ivan decided it was time to break out some dance moves.
He had been inspired by JB even though he won't admit it!

We should probably just continue on with the karate lessons.
And, uh...
...let's keep this little post between us okay?

Hurry Up Daylight Savings!

This is my life these days.
Driving.
With carpool and swim team and karate and study hall and other school events, I drive.
A lot.

Its a necessary evil.
We are not overly scheduled and I think the kids need the activities - and they enjoy them.
But it does take a lot of drive time.

Its not so bad when its light out.
But when its 20 degrees outside and dark, my mind and body scream, "Get some cozy pants on and stay in the house!!"
Yes, cozy pants.

It won't be long now...March 13 we spring forward!
What will I complain about then?

P.S.  Please notice that my speedometer reads "zero".  I am not driving and taking pics at the same time.  I'm about to turn.
P.P.S.  This is Photo 11/365.  So far I'm sticking to it.