night out

While Dare played with Spud across the street...

 We had a much needed night out.  And, of course Miss Tara is always willing to come join the party!  (even though she wasn't feeling the best...such a trooper!) 

He is pretty fun. 

sweetness

My sweet bubbers. 

So grown up at 9 whole months!! 

Dad always lets him play with hats in the morning before going to Andrea's.  

(I think it is a distraction so that he can get ready to leave for the day.) 

Trying out something new isn't always what I have it cracked up to be!  I wanted him to try out the sippy cup, it has the same texture and type of material as his bottle nipple, but he was not having it, and got so frustrated! 

"Mom it's not working!!" 

Playing inside the box with all the toys seems to be much more fun for him lately!  He does this almost every time we get one of his toy boxes out.  

farmington bay

It has been a long time since Ryan and I have taken a drive out to Farmington Bay.  We decided after breakfast at Sunshine, to head up there to see if we could spot any bald eagles (and also lull Dare to sleep for a late morning nap!)

Even in the inversion, you could see the beauty.  

(I was bummed I didn't have my other camera, because there were 2 beautiful bald eagles perched up high on a tree branch.  The Samsung photos are a bit too grainy to even save.)  

We enjoyed the quiet of the snow packed preserve, and the shimmering ice on the weeds and branches. 

A nice little detour does the soul some good! 

six

Happy Anniversary to us!

Six years go by in a hurry.  

So much has happened and so much has changed.

Ultimately, all for good.

I am grateful for the love that has bound us together through it all.

Sickness and Health.

Rain and Shine.

Happy and Sad.

Thick and Thin.

I've got your back Ry, and I know you have mine.

Cheers to a lifetime together and to many more to celebrate. 

all in a day

Dare was just full of it yesterday. 

tearing apart his nursery

hamming it up, while mom was restraining him (so he wouldn't knock over the full length easel mirror)

"organizing" moms makeup

sneaking away

"helping" mom clean

reading about an attitude adjustment

yet again, stealing bogey's food

sneaking away again

vehemently vetoing nap time

stealing one of moms suckers

helping mom in the kitchen while she makes a bottle 

playing peek a boo while mom sits on the couch trying to catch her breath

cutie

Sharing a few of my latest posts from Instagram. 

I can't get enough of this lil man. 

never know

CloAnn.
You are my loyal friend. My confidant. The only person I have ever known who is truly non judgmental. I never, ever have felt anything but love and acceptance from you. For 13 years we have sat together consistently every 3 weeks, a few hours each visit, and although it's my work, it doesn't feel like work. We just share. We bond. We laugh and laugh. We talk. Any topic, any discussion...it's all fair game. I don't know my place, my job, my livelihood, and my circle of dearest clients and friends without you. You have always been there. So consistently. .....it doesn't seem possible that this is all now "what was". I'm so sad. Sad to lose someone so unique in so many ways. My life will be touched forever because of your imprint, which will remain a place in me where only you could ever touch.

They say in your faith that angels don't have wings....but in a sense I think they do, because they have ability to move and roam and exist with a freedom that you longed for so badly, but couldn't attain.

So, my dear friend CloAnn, you are an angel now. Free. You are better off with wings. Just promise you won't forget me, and that every once in awhile you'll let me know you're near. It seems so final to say goodbye, so I will just say "until our next visit". I love you.
-Hannie 

anew

I was reading a post on a random website this morning, and what she said rang so true to ME that I felt as if she had written this for me.  I hope she does not mind that I use her words.  I will give her credit... HERE...

 

"I will say that 2013 was a great year for recognizing more that weaknesses are really secret strengths. When I am aware of my weaknesses--the things I've spent years wishing I could change about myself--and embrace them without being defensive, I can find ways to use them for good.

Growing older is always a journey of becoming a better version of yourself--a journey that will and must include both happy moments and hard moments.  It's how you weave them together, drawing lessons from both, that gives you the power of creating a beautiful life."

 

After I read that, it caused me to pause and really think about how much better off I am right now, than I was a year ago.  And, outside of the arrival of baby Dare, none of that has anything to do with a tangible object, a person, or an event.  It is all about personal growth and learning. That is where I find most satisfaction and joy.  Knowing that I have better understood something about myself, on a deeper level, and gotten out of my own way so that I can see me for me, and others for who they really are...  this equates to more personal happiness.  I see it as a stepping stone to deeper inner strength.  To more outward compassion and love.  To more time spent on "pause", then "move forward".  To a stronger desire to really know and understand others.  To the knowledge that EVERY encounter matters, as it may be the last.  To a huge appreciation for wisdom in so many around me, and a desire to know it.  To humility.

 

The water calls for my husband.  It is his solace.  It is what he is drawn to, and what calls peace inside of him. It is where he feels most whole.  It is in the moments that I spend with him right on the water, that I see him most rested and calm.  Physically, mentally, spiritually. 

 

Although the water does not call for me like it does for him, the sunshine that is usually there with it does.  And, once the sun, the fresh sea air, and the wind are on my face, I look toward the ocean and I am sucked in. I love that it never ends.  I love the energy of it, the strength of it, and the feeling of cleansing that it provides.  I love that for me, the ocean represents forgiveness.  Each mark in the sand, each blemish made, is soon washed away, and with no judgement, as if it were never there. It represents consistency. Always there. Always.  That is what the water is to me.  A cleanser, a purifier, a teacher. 

 

But, for both of us, it heals our souls.  And for that, I long for, and I love the moments when we can be at the ocean together. 

 

So, in this new year, I approach with more humility for what really IS, a desire for continual growth and learning, and a stronger propensity to see and feel outside of self.

 

 

 

Our friend Andra took the above photo in Hawaii this new year.  In it I see cleansing, renewal, hope for more,  bright possibilities ahead, and forgiveness.