Summer Craziness

I have been absent most (ok, all) of the summer . . . it's just been CRAZY. So much that I don't know even where to begin! I'll gloss over the last two months, saving it up for a future entry and instead tell you about yesterday. It was a "pinkalicious" day with Little Sis.

Yesterday was a mom and daughter event, featuring lots of pink. Here's our list of accomplishments:

• painted pink toe and finger nails
• made pink-frosted cupcakes
• bought new pink undies
• watched Dora who I think was wearing pink
• made some pink jewelry
• and of course, we wore pink

We picked up Big D early and headed to a local fountain to play and cool off. I got to experiment with my iphone and a polaroid ap. Very fun! In all the busy-ness this summer, I have missed creating beautiful photos and sharing them. 

Today is Big D's day with mama. We will do his school shopping, get him a haircut and then do some sort of project. He's excited about the prospect of helping me sand two little tables I'm rejuvenating for my office. 

There is so much to share! Good things are afoot.

What has kept you busy this summer?

Beach Adventures

Last weekend we loaded into the car for a quick, nearly spontaneous trip (I'm not real good with spontaneous -- it was a personal growth opportunity:) to the beach. We met friends and while the daddies played with the children, the mamas went running. We ran, on the beach no less, for nearly an hour. Oh my. Good for training, casual girl talk and appreciating several miles of a lovely beach!

All done and sweaty and cooling rapidly, I grabbed just a very few pictures of my sweet children in the evening light. 

We live so close -- just an hour and some change, yet we rarely make the trip. Hubby and I said repeatedly that we will take the kids to the beach more often this summer. It is often gorgeous and just right when things are steamy at home. 

Today is meant to be hubby's and my introduction to windsurfing . . . it's raining, of course. It seems as if the rain will never stop her in the Northwest! Oh. My. Goodness. Crossing our fingers for a fun and productive day on the river. And that the kids don't lose their ever-livin' minds in the back of the van. They certainly have a enough toys and games stashed away to entertain them while their parents flop about in the water. Expect a full report and potentially embarrassing photos to come!

Shadow Self

I've been working away, learning Photoshop CS5 . . . among other things! Wouldn't it be fabulous if we could completely turn our attention to one thing until we feel its been given its due or we are done! Laundry doesn't count! Repeatedly I'm reminded that with everything one thing we choose, another thing is not chosen. Photography, though near and dear to my heart, has not been chosen as often as I'd like in recent weeks. 

My mind has not been inactive even if my camera has gathered a bit of dust. On my heart has been this shrieking, unpleasant child that lives inside of me. All needy and grasping and embarrassing as heck. She's well hidden, tucked away from view, but oh-so-vocal in my mind's ear. My traditional mode of dealing with this unattractive waif, has been to chastise her and tell her that her wants and demands are selfish, unkind, immature.  I've had a revelation in the last couple of days. This child requires special care and tending. And I know just the person for the job. Me. 

How odd for a therapist to come lately to the idea that the compassion and kindness extended to those in her care can be extended to herself. That she knows from a deep-down place what is needed. She knows how to sooth unsettled and frightened children. Why not the child that rages within her own rib cage? It was a powerful thought that I could turn to this child and say, "It's ok. I will make sure your needs are met. I will look after you." Mothering myself, able to accept this place as part of my own personal development. This, too, shall pass. 

How have you become friends with your own shadow self? 

Yellow

All we've had for a week is rain, rain, rain. So happens we have a yellow rain coat and a very willing subject when it comes to mud, rain boots and flopping about in the clover field! As we walked hand in hand through the field, getting ready to take some pictures, he said, "I like being alone with you, mama." Oh, me too. Me too. . . 

Lazy Rainy Day

I'm sitting at the kitchen table listening to Little Sis tell herself stories and play contentedly in the other room. There is a light rain and a chill in the air. Dramatic shift from the sun and warmth this past weekend. Spring in the Northwest. It has been a long couple of weeks with sick kiddos, prep to give a two-day training and general upkeep and maintenance. I'm plum tuckered out and am having a heck of a time motivating to do the Friday chores. Perhaps I won't fight it. Perhaps I'll sit down with the stack of magazines that have accumulated over the last few weeks, a cozy blanket and drift in and out of a lazy afternoon. This assumes, of course, that the wee one will cooperate and that I can tolerate the dust bunnies! In all likelihood, it'll be the dust bunnies and empty fridge that will motivate me out of this chair. 

Faces and Flowers

This week's challenge at I Heart Faces is Faces and Flowers. This a photo of my daughter celebrating her 4th Birthday. Everything was pink and fluffy and very fancy!

Color and Creativity

Life has been full and busy. Work has crept into the edges, taking the bits and pieces left over after a long day . . . next week a coworker and I will give a 2 day training for our colleagues. It is a lot of work to pull together the materials and what-not for such an event! I'll be relieved when it is done and I can spend my spare time on more creative and rewarding activities. Well, that's not entirely true. I am a teacher at heart and I have enjoyed creating the presentation. Its the age-old dilemma: Choosing one thing means deferring another.

Yesterday the family and I basked the in the sun, playing at the park, walking and taking pictures. It could be true that I mostly appreciated that last activity! Little Sis had been sick this week with croup. Sunday night found Hubby with her at the ER while I stayed with brother at home. She hasn't slept well all week and of course, neither have we. My father in-law came down from Seattle on Wednesday night so that he could watch us on Thursday. So grateful. 

Yesterday we laid low. Played at the park. Walked. Took pictures. We had warm, sunny weather and all of Portland seemed to be outdoors. I kept up with my training and ran 6.5 miles at pretty good clip. Funny how my legs are feeling a little wobbly today!

Clouds are expected today but not before some yard work and planting. Sundays are such a hodge podge of activities. Laundry, yard work, errands, prep for the work and school week.