reading matter.

this sumer i've jumped back into reading. not that i haven't read in the last few years, but i'd get really into a book, let it take over my life for 48 hours and then not read again for 2 months. this summer i've tried to be more balanced and pace myself. the boys are also older and a little more independent, which means i can read for longer than 5 minutes without an interruption. usually i don't pick up my book all day and after dinner i get a couple hours in.

so what have i been reading? well, like most young women (ok, i'm not that young) in the US, i read the entire twilight series. the series really drew me in and i read all four books in about 2 weeks. they are fun and easy to read. after that i read 'the host' also by stephanie meyer (twilight author) and really enjoyed it as well. not quite as easy to read (as it was written for adults, not youth) but a great story.

i just finished 'love walked in' by marisa de los santos which is a fun, sweet story about a thirty-something woman whose life changes in a beautiful way.

now i am reading 'nights of rain and stars' by maeve binchy. she wrote 'circle of friends' (remember that book/movie from about 12 years ago? it was minnie driver's first big role). it took me a while to get into it, but i've really enjoyed the story and the characters.

notice a trend here? yep, i like fun, happy stories. i can't handle anything too sad or violent. like has enough drama on it's own, i want my entertainment to be light and uplifting. so, what are you reading? anything fun i might enjoy??

sweet little girl.

today was a crazy day that didn't stop! we are still talking with the school staff to figure out the best placement for david. we'll have a meeting next thursday, so i'll keep you updated.
thanks for your insight and encouragement.
i am open to various possibilities and we'll see how things shape up.

i got to have coffee with my sweet friend, Jen and absolutely could not help taking pictures of little Gracie playing on the kitchen counter.


Isn't she darling?

friends.

thank you. your sweet comments, encouragement and prayers mean so much to me. i had such a hard time writing about my grandma. it feels so personal and i have been trying not to let the lump in my throat take over and turn me into a blubbering mess. my grandma passed away about half an hour after after i posted about her. we are so glad she won't be in any more pain and that she is home with her Savior. i can't begin to imagine how free and joyful she is now. ok, moving on before i fall apart...
yesterday was david's first day of school. i was nervous, but met with his teacher and LOVED her. she is amazing. and the staff working in the classroom? the best! the problem? david is tiny. he literally 20 pounds and about the size of an 18 month old or a small 2 year old. The rest of the kids tower over him and because they also have special needs, aren't particularly careful about not bumping into (or completely smooshing) him.

i arrived 20 minutes early to pick him up so i could observe the classroom a bit and felt confident that he must have a 1:1 aide with him at all times, just for safely, not to mention being included in activities. even with a 1:1 aide, i'm not sure i feel good about the placement. when he was in preschool, the kids towered over him. Now he is in a K, 1, 2 special day class and he is just so tiny. (did i mention how small he is??) So we are putting our heads together with the school staff and administration to try to figure out the best place for David--where he can be safe and be with his typical peers. i know some of you special needs moms out there face this same dilema. any advise??

i've got some fun, fun stuff to show you, so check back tomorrow. have a great wednesday!!

grief and hope.

my grandma is in the hospital and is close to the end. we drove down on saturday to say good-bye. my heart is heavy with anticipating her death.
tears have been flowing easily the last few days. we will miss her so, so much.she is an amazing woman. she loves her daughters, her grandkids and her great grandkids more than anything. And in return we all love her with our whole hearts. she is 93 and has led a good life. she isn't afraid of dying and she has no regrets. she is the kindest most wonderful grandma anyone could have.
she calls david her 'angel boy' and wears a necklace that says 'angel' everyday. she listens and gives good, solid advise. she never complains and is always concerned about inconveniencing others. before i had kids, i took her grocery shopping once a week. afterward we would go out for dinner and talk. i remember crying to her about breaking up with my boyfriend, sharing work frustrations and asking her all kinds of questions about her life.
her faith is solid and she anticipates meeting her Lord soon.
i know i will see her again, but in the meantime i will miss her so much.

inspiration for a monday.

tiny happy.first of all the name. darling! and her creations? even more inspiring and heart-warming.

we did a swap and look at these handmade bears she sent. so organic and charming.

she also included note cards and a handmade purse made with vintage fabric.
simple. beautiful. perfect.

get to know tiny happy here
and see her creations here.

Happy Monday!

let's play restaurant.

one of the cousins' camp activities was letting the kids take lunch orders for the adults.they felt very official with their clipboards and aprons.

checking boxes made it easier for some of the younger kiddos.

it was a highly inefficient and totally fun way to have lunch.

they took their jobs very seriously and eventually we got fed!!
And it was delicious!

kung fu

matty has been practicing his 'kung fu skills'. his words, not mine.
he's good.
really, really good.
try not to be intimidated.