Done and Done

Last trip to the campus of the University of Pittsburgh today:

So happy Mom Wilson was there. She started a really good thing about 31 years back.

 Well done, Dr. Wilson. I'm just plum proud.

Winding Down

Moments I've been anticipating for, well, four years, are now suddenly here. Monday Caleb graduates, Tuesday we load our moving truck, Thursday we close on this house, then we'll be leaving our little burgh behind for some sweet Southern hospitality. And we just bought a Memphis house without even meeting it face to face. If you know me I'm sure you're sure I've lost my ever lovin' mind.

I tell you what though, it feels just fine. I must be seriously chilling out in my advancing years.

Here are a few little photographic memories from the last while that I don't want swept under the moving van:

Breakfast at the Mckay's (my sister's.) 17 people not unusual for a Saturday morning.
This place feels like my second home and if you've ever been there, it's likely you feel the same way.

Emme likes to solemnly digest her art, just like her sister did,

Only with a little more snot on the side.

 

Olivia in her happy place:

Malan and Jane in theirs:

Emme in a state of undress. More often than not the norm these days.

Caleb and two of his main babes heading for the symphony.
Daddy-daughter time may be slim for the next while so we'll surely take it while we can get it.

 

And this: I went to retrieve the wind chime we made from where we'd tied it to the willow and 

found it had grown right in to the tree and will have to be left behind or torn apart. That stings.

 There are things I just don't feel like leaving without. Like our little red house that we've poured our souls into making into our first sweet home. The yard where Janey had her first snowball fight, where Olivia had her first nap in the grass, and where Malan learned to swing. My sweet neighbor-friends and their children who play so well with mine. And all our other golden friends here, my first friends away from home, and their children-my children's first friends-all of whom are too good to replace.  Now I'm crying. and I want my wind chime, dang it!

Dear spaces and souls we leave: believe me when I tell you it's tugging on my heart, and not just a little.

Saying Goodbye

As all the technology we currently possess is on furlough, I've needed to neglect this little space for a bit. But for mother's day, I asked for some screen time sans children in order to post our farewell to Caleb's dad.

Mostly this will just be images, because what do you really say? It was hard. It was, and is, also peaceful and even joyful. We celebrated his life. My cheeks were sore from laughing, then they were wet with tears over tender mercies and contemplations of a man changed from good to great through the atonement of Christ. And we know this life is not the end.

I hope I can remember the poignant desire I felt to do what really matters: love those I've been given to love. Serve those I can. Become a little better.

Some memories from the day:

Brad's books. I think you can understand a person quite well by the books they love.

Olivia all tuckered out.

 
Brad's siblings.

Caleb's family.

We love ya, Dad.

Olivia Turns Three

Here is Olivia, dreaming about her birthday. . .

And here she is awake, thanks to Emme, who gave her a loving birthday face-crawl-over:

 Birthday room balloons. . .

After the opening of presents, Emme stayed behind to work over the haul,
while the others headed downstairs for birthday breakfast smoothies.

 Just enough Dad to go around at reading time.

Then off to the park to send up some balloons with love notes for grandpa. 

 

Later, Olivia waits patiently for her cake. . .

 Finally (hastily) finished . . .

  Olivia watches the lighting of the candles with great anticipation, contemplates her wish, and huffs and puffs and blows her candles down. Nicely done, little one.

 Sweetest of little girls, we love you so much. We adore your tender little kisses in the morning, your requests for book after book after book after book after book. . . we love how you never want anyone to get left behind, how you ask to be snuggled to sleep the moment you're tired, your abundant "I love yous," your love for being outside, even your mischievous moments. You melt our hearts little deary. Happy birthday.

Teaser

Olivia turned 3 today, be still my heart.

Tonight we're packing for Utah, so more from her day coming soon. . .

Off to the Big Rodeo in the Sky

We lost Caleb's dad today. Our hearts are tender.

Watching "Lonesome Dove" tonight, Dad, laughing at all the spots where you would have laughed.

Take care up there. We love you.

Memphis House Hunt

Oh beautiful early 1900's bungalos/craftsmans within our budget, how I wish you had even semi-decent school districts to go with you. I would make you mine.

 Instead, you taunt me with your abundant porches, your grand staircases, your 5-panel doors, your built-ins.

 But I guess it's important that my kids not get shivved.

Garage-for-house suburbia, here we come.

Easter 2012

We tried our hand at making our own dyes for Easter eggs this year, and loved it.

We used blueberries, beets, paprika, and yellow apple peels.

 I loved the subtle hues and interesting imperfections. Sorry Paas, we're never going back.

Here are the little bunnies (plus Caleb.)

On an Easter theme, here are Olivia's thoughts the other day at the funeral of our sweet elderly friend (very loudly, on Olivia's part, which prompted lots of smiles from listeners-in):

Olivia: Irene's sleeping. That's her bed.
Me: Yes, it looks like she's resting.
Olivia: No, she's not resting. Where's Irene?
Me: Well, she's in Heaven now.
Olivia: But where's Jesus?
Me: He's in Heaven too, with Irene.
Olivia: But who's Jesus?
Me: Oh, you know who Jesus is.
Olivia: Yeah. He's a good boy.

Yes, indeed. Yes, indeed.