May 08, 2008

My Birthday Girl

Happy Birthday my sweet Eden Berit! Today you are 3 years old. As I battle with morning sickness, I remember what a joy it was to carry you and bring you into the world. It was an ideal labor and delivery. And I can't be modest, Eden is such a beautiful girl. I love to brush her hair and marvel at how lovely it is. She's petite and cuddly, with gorgeous eyes and looks like a little cherub in the buff. These are some of my favorite photos of my girl.







We got her a simple baby doll with accessories for her birthday. Very applicable, she's been asking for her own baby ever since baby Birch Luce was born. She'll probably get confused when Mama doesn't use a bottle with the new baby, I"m sure she'll catch on.

I went for my first mid-wife appointment yesterday. I'm about on track with the little ticker on the sidebar. But I brought my chart so Laure could see that I'm not the normal girl, ovulating on day 14, and we concluded that although Dec 18th is my EDD, according to the day I ovulated we could be looking at a Christmas DAY baby!! So we'll see how the bun rises...

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April 17, 2008

Chalking it Up

When you don't have a yard, sidewalk chalk is survival. Eden especially can spend quite a while drawing and coloring in different shapes. She's my little concentrated artist. While Josiah is hopping around being a ninja, she's coloring the drawing of a ninja I made. Filling in each shape perfectly and meticulously.

Our friends Missy and Kevin Luce had their little boy on Tuesday. Birch Augustine Luce was born around 11am after a labor with no complications. He did have a high fever and low blood sugar so he was wisked away to the NICU. We're praying that today his labs come back all clear and they can come home Friday. Kevin is a doctor and it was interesting to hear his observations as to how the process worked this time around. It makes me very thankful for having two natural laborings, and one natural birth. It also makes me realize how blessed I was that even though Josiah was a lazy nurser and Eden had a smidge of a high white blood cell count, both of my kids are FINE, they were then, and they are now.

Joel's cousin Katie had her first baby at home on Tuesday, a little girl. Two birth's two very different scenerios.

The Clothesline Art Show invites arrived on Tuesday, a baby of mine I guess. They are being folded by willing helpers. Now to get the poster done so we can advertize. I have a few more pieces of art under my belt to start and to finish. I wish I had more to show ya. I need some selfish time, and Lord knows that that is hard to come by these days.

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March 23, 2008

Easter

He has Risen indeed! May you all have a joyful Easter celebrating our Lord Jesus and the gift of life he has given us all! What a beautiful weekend to celebrate!

I did dyed eggs with the kids this year. First year I've ever done it. They loved it! I think we could have done like 5 dozen. I'm not very good at boiling eggs though. If we didn't have an Easter egg hunt to take them to I probably would have not done a full dozen, cuz I'm the only one who would eat them. Although Eden took a big courageous bite out of one yesterday and it was a riot to watch her squirm the dry yolk around in her mouth and swallow it willingly (which is amazing!). I asked her if she liked it and she shook her head no. I told her she could put the rest in the garbage.

There are things about Easter we don't really do since we are at the Vineyard-all-things-casual-church. Easter dresses are not a priority. I feel kinda ashamed about that. I have a beautiful daughter and I don't get her tons of pretty dresses. *sigh* Isn't that why having a girl is fun? Just kidding, it's not that big of a deal to me. I have plenty of dresses for her that used to be mine, made by the skillful hands of my grandmother.

I also miss the sounds of the choir singing "Death is Ended". My dad really is a great songwriter. He's written some killer choir songs that you cannot sit still to enjoy. You must get out of your seat to bear witness to how grand, loud, and excitable is it to sing about the ressurection of Christ.

May you all have a wonderful day of singing, celebrating, and chocolate bunny eating.

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February 20, 2008

Beautiful Play

Here's a random video I made that kinda reflects what we do on a random Sunday morning (since we do church Sunday night). It also shows the many exciting things available in our "to be developed" Jefferson Street Park. I'd like to do more mini slideshows with music but you know I just don't need to feed my addiction anymore than I already do. Enjoy! (And family, I have no idea what music it is, it's something that's just on the computer, I haven't figured out how to import tunes into my movie maker.)

And I pretty much finished my Bird and Egg piece, check it out on my flickr.

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February 02, 2008

Getting Ready

I'm up late again waiting for my primo eBay auction to end. A pair of jeans for $113. I wanted them to get up to $150. I wanted to work a little bit more for the Birthday Costume Bash we are having tommorrow but I've been feeling icky, getting better though. Josiah, Juden, Kaiden and Elisha all amazing birthday boys. Josiah received a kind gift of a Superman outfit to borrow for the party from Oliver. I've heard that Joshua Caleb Green will be dressed in pirate gear. Joel is going to be Darth Vader. I think, now that I'm on the mend, I will be Cat Woman, meeeeee-yeow! I'll let Eden decide what she wants to be tommorrow monring. It'll be great to see so many friends. We will miss those that can't be there, we love you all! I hope we have enough treats for everyone. Either way, I will love celebrating these boys. Boys are wonderful. I have never been so challenged to use my imagination as I am when I'm with my son. Josiah's birthday is Sunday, I'll try not to get to sappy before then.

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January 26, 2008

Nuture vs Nature

Josiah has asked to put on make-up before and I'd humor him and give him something really skin colored that would brush off in a second. His interest didn't stick around for very long. Eden asks almost every day to "do her eyes" she says. I gave her the light green the other day and she dug into it. This is not your fancy eye make-up. She caked her eyelashes so much I thought she couldn't lift them. By the time we got dressed and out the door her cheeks barely showed the glistening from our make-upping sesson

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January 20, 2008

The Honesty of Fun

There is something so honest about kids having fun. It's invigorating, joyful, relaxing. Sitting around doing nothing is stressful, but getting outside, even when it's really cold, is wonderful. Hope you all had a fun weekend. Maybe you're weekend hasn't ended yet. Mine has, I teach tommorow, but Joel gets to stay home with the kids. That's $30 I save on babysitting!


The things I didn't accomplish this week of lists was short. Mostly because I kept the lists short. I didn't get around to my art assignments. I didn't find new critter images and I didn't work on my beetle as much as I'd like. I'm kinda blocked. I've been practicing and putzing around, but I need a new groove. I don't want to do any repeats, I want my vision to grow. It'll get there, the closer I get to a deadline.

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January 14, 2008

Effective

These are the books you will see lying around our house these days. They go together quite well don't they? Some people can't believe that my free-spirit optimist of a husband could possibly be a "bean-counter" but he loves it. He thrives off progress: he investigates the new development around our neighborhood and meets as many people as he can. He recognizes bunk when he sees it (I'll let you ponder on what those things could be because he won't let me tell you outright). He likes to be contrary and thought provoking. It's fascinating and annoying at the same time. Because of how his mind works and how his heart beats he loves numbers. He tested out of math without blinking an eye in college. He is soooo smart and I'd like to remind/tell everyone that right now. I'm proud of my bean-counter husband. He helps me remember to stay grounded when it comes to the artworld and think of it as a business, because to me, it's becoming more of that every day.

The Children and Painting book I bought against my better judgement but I needed it so badly. And since I've purchased it, it saved my hide today as I wrote lessons based on the common sense principles it stated.
I took a whole month off of making artwork after the Metro Show went up at Hollis. Except for a couple select presents. And now I'm thinking lists. I read good ole Hula Seven Oh today and Andrea is such the popular blog goddess. I almost hestitate to ever comment because I feel it will get lost in the masses of communication she gets. But unlike alot of her readers I've actually met her and she was an inspiring individual to me the brief times we spent together. Andrea posted about making lists this week. List week so to speak. I think I might try to do that. It's been a while since I've jumped on the "meme train" or even grasped a theme. I even gave up on the SPC even with all my vanity in tow. Lists are so important to me. In fact I've moved past the pads on the fridge and the notes here and there. I now have steno pads that always stay in the same general area that have pages of lists. So if there are things I don't accomplish or presents I don't receive I can flip through the pages and find that info. So now that the month of productivity kicks in my lists will begin to form and grow and seperate by days of the week. Seeing the lists that are on Found make me laugh and make me think about my Steno pads ever getting seriously browsed through. It really isn't that personal, but I'm sure no one needs to know the phone number I have to call for my Well Woman results.

My Mondays are insane with teaching school, babysitter and teacher's aid delegating. So my Manic Monday list has wrapped up already so I give you the--
Monday Evening List:
1. work on new beetle gouache painting
2. fold laundry *check!
3. resist eating carbs after 9pm
4. go to bed before 12:30am
5. sit down because my dawgs are seriously barking
6. Think up Tuesday's list

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January 07, 2008

It's so good

Sometimes the right chemicals are happening in my brain and I realize that I'm happy, and I feel good. It sometimes involves food, caffiene, adrenaline but not always. These past couple weeks after Christmas I have been wanting to shake off the temporary celebration and move onto the celebration that is life. That sounds way too sunny for some of you, maybe I've gotten more sun that some of you. My is it sunny today! 70 degrees! I have realized this Christmas that as much as I love wrapping gifts, opening them, sitting around eating rich food and drinking great drinks, I mostly like the norm. The norm is productive. The norm is my own room. The norm is my nuclear family. We need to get away sometimes but right now, the norm is what I want. And of course with that is the planning, the responsibility. I want this year to be about discipline. I can't be a kid anymore, I am the adult. That sounds really nerdy doesn't it. I look around the room today where my students sit and I feel awkward and I'm stumbling over words, but then I realize: I am the adult. And I am more confident than they are. I mean, I really am.

Because I am James Ward's daughter I am a busy bee. I work alot and often. That's not bad, I like that aspect of my connection with my father. I do know that I need some discipline to take care of my body. Every night I get into bed and my body is groaning. I need to stretch, I need to walk more. I'm not looking to be some hard body, but I need my muscles to support my work load. I'm lifting things and my back hurts at the end of the day. I am squatting and I hear my knees pop. Yuck! I need to build my muscles, to be a strong system. Buzzing like a bee doesn't keep you in shape, discipline does.
I also want to be a disciple. Bucky talked about discipleship last night and I need to seek God more often. My solutions are not His solutions, more often than not. I want to learn and pray and seek. I want to be a leader that has wisdom as well as knowledge.

If these sound like resolutions they are. 2008 feels like a big year for me. I just feel it looming over me. I am kinda scared, but I also welcome the challenge. Lord, I bring my energy and buzzing busy-ness to you to use me for what YOU want. That's what the resolution is, and that's what's so good. Working for a goal that uplifts the spirit and turns my heart outward toward the world not inward toward me.

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January 01, 2008

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from our little fam to yours! We spent a wonderful week with one of our favorite people having lots of time to spend with us, Cat! We also got to go to Tara and Courtney's house and have a sweet NYeve party with music, great food, brewskees, and my two kids dancing til midnight. I know, I'm a crazy mother. They did so well until about 12:10am, then Eden melted down. This is one of our attempts for a family picture with Cat snapping for us. We had some great colors outside, but we just couldn't stay outside that long. Some of you I"m sure will receive our New Year's letter in your mailbox soon complete with the chosen photo of greatness!

I also would like to celebrate the New Year with our friends Ty and Jess Willison, who welcomed their daughter, Ruby Katherine, as the first baby of 2008!! Way to go guys! And congrats to Joy Lynn and Chris Gosey on their bundle of baby boy, Truett. New Year's will have a whole new reason to celebrate for you guys! Happy baby love!

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December 27, 2007

Christmas'ed Out

What a wonderful time was had by the whole fam! The kids were hilarious and classic reactions were classic. It is always wonderful to see my kids venture into a new phase of play with newer toys made for older kids. This was the first year Josiah proclaimed "I want". And his want was not to hard, a blue light saber. Josiah got his wish.

At the same time Christmas was hard this year. Not because money was tight, or because we travelled all over the world, but it just was hard. I think the gathering of "stuff" as delightful as it is makes my blood pressure rise. My house has so little storage space. My awesome, green, energy effcient, brand new house has a tragic flaw. NO STORAGE. No basement, no attic, and closets that are diffucult for me to oraganize. I am admiting on the www that I have a closet weakness. I'm not a pack rat, I mean, I am a woman so that qualifies me to have some excess of things like lotions, hair products, shoes, accessories, bobby pins. And I am also an artist so that means an excess of canvases, brushes, papers, pens, cardboards, different painting substances etc. I am an art teacher for pre-K. elementary and high school so I have everything from art history texts and intricate project books, to simple books about making things with paper and glue, and different craft books for different age levels. I used to think it was pretty wierd that we didn't have that many books, well I think I'm catching up to the rest of the world. I also am a mother of small children so I have stacks of their projects from school and paintings they did at home (I do throw quite a bit away). And toys, lots of toys. I think the little bitty pieces are the ones that get me, mostly because I fear the usefulness of said toy will vanish because I am not tidy enough or organized enough to keep all the pieces. So as you can see, Christmas adds more things to the mix. How ungrateful am I? I actually am very grateful for all the wonderful things that friends and family gave us, it's a wonderful silence in the house when the kids are playing with new things. It's an unusual sound!

So my plans for this small period of down time is to get some things organized. I have to hang things that have been just propped up for six months. I have things I need to paint, stain or polish. It has been so easy to get discouraged in this effort and I'm praying my way through it this time. I really need the Lord to give me courage to tackle this thing. It totally makes me feel inadequate and the money needed to organize things isn't around right now. There are so many more 'I wants'. I know there are ways I can make this process economical, and take steps in a wise way. Hopefully my new toys will not distract me from my goal. It is very tempting when you have a new mixer and Project Runway to watch.

My first day back to school is the 7th and I've ordered some materials from the National Gallery for teaching some organized art history. The materials are free, they loan them out for teaching purposes. I can't wait to see what it's like. Before that though, I must clean out the art closet at HHL and count the votes from the last student art show I hung. And I need to find a prize! Christmas break is finally starting to feel like a break with days full of no plans and kids sleeping in!! Amazing. So I'll keep you guys in the know and I hope to post pictures of the projects I want to accomplish.

Oh yeah, and then there's Clothesline, May 07 version. New and improved(I hope), if I have anything to say about it!

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December 15, 2007

Mother Elfin' Christmas

So I've jumped on the bandwagon, mostly because I have no energy to post anything of content. That may change in another day or so. I feel like I'm recovering from the end of the semester and lots of neighborhood events. This has been a good slow week. So go elf yourself! This was our first try. And then I hunted forever for any picture of Joel. I have plenty, but not on this computer. It's annoying. But Joel's expression reflects kinda how he feels about Christmas. You know how the only reason Christians celebrate the incarnation of Christ on December 25th is because they needed something to do on a pagan holiday. And that Jesus was probably born in July or something. I love my Grinch. What's fun is you can record a message. Of course I couldn't think of anything too clever but it came out nice and clear!

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December 04, 2007

Safety Dance

You have those moments in the repetition of family life that make you identify with your clever somewhat intellegent side, or maybe it's just funny to have a joke that's random.

Josiah was spinning around the kitchen floor and loving it. Eden was upset that she didn't get a 2nd cookie and was plopped on her bottom primed to fuss about everything that moved. And her brother was moving alot. "Josiah!!! Don't dance! Don't dance!" In typical mommie mode I said, "Eden, Josiah can dance when he wants to" and my husband standing casually at the sink blowing on his hot lentils says, "He can leave his friends behind". Joel got a knowing glance from me and a good giggle.

Online Videos by Veoh.com

But anyway, I'm finally feeling relaxed. I taught my last pre-Christmas, pre-final project class yesterday and now I'm just thinking of how to make as many art buyers as possible come to my show. I'm hoping to get just a few more watercolor/gouache pieces done before Saturday. Thinking about what I will wear, who'll watch the kids and when, the Clothesline Show, taking a tour of Battle Academy...

I should stop! Happy Holidays everyone! I hope to make cookies today.

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November 02, 2007

the necessary hocus-pocus

Here are our Halloween visuals. Josiah of course was Robin-Josiah, boy wonder and Eden was a little fairy-pixie. It's amazing what you can do with a roll of tulle. We tried to get Eden to sit with all the super-heroes at the Cooley's house but she made a quick get away.


And in other celebritory news I have my mom's Reformation Day cookies. She has these antique cookie cutters and she decided after some research (cuz my mom loves to research) that these were not pilgrims, or Santas, they were more akin to the Reformers: Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox etc... It's a silly tradition, and we giggle about it every year, while we're biting off little Luther heads.

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October 31, 2007

the colder day

well we're back, and i"m not totally recovered. We did have fun, but my mind is off the past and is already wrapped around trick-or-treating, get-togethers, babysitters, making and selling and shipping and copying art.

I have sold both my Fawning painting and my Morphing painting to a Etsier. It pays to be on Etsy!! I need to make more art! I'm running out! Praise God!!

Joel might be getting a much nicer job at BCBST. It'll be more money and more flexible. My husband is so practical and such an optimist/idealist does that all work? I dunno, I love that. He loves the work enviroment where he can flourish.

My brother and sister-in-law found out they are having a boy! Hurray! Could it be the next Samuel in the line? No pressure guys.

Wondering if we'll go to Artini. It's got that Prom sorta feeling. I don't know if I like that.

Josiah's gonna be Robin "boy wonder" and I'm hoping Eden will cooperate and be a tutu-wearing pixie wing girl with all the prettiest blue and green flare. We'll see what she wants to do.

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October 13, 2007

Faster than a Speeding Bullet

I went to the thrift store with the kids looking for real clothes and real shoes but this, this was a gem I never expected!! Josiah has loved LOVED Abel Cooley's Robin outfit and as we were perusing the Halloween costumes at the thrift store Jos found a Robin costume that would have fit Eden, "Mama!!! I want to be Robin! Like Abel!" I sighed because I saw how small it was. As the phrase, "Honey that Robin outfit is too small, its for a little baby....." I ran into this one, a 5T or an XS whatever it is, it fits Jos perfectly. I mean, whatta happy day! I haven't been able to get it off of him when we are within the walls of the house. I must insist that he doesn't wear it to Walmart.
THEN, to my great joy I found this horrid Tommy Girl dress. I have no idea why any sef-respecting parent would put their child in this as real clothes. It makes an excellent Super Girl, Wonder Girl outfit!! I can just picture her in white tights, a blue cape tacked to the back and a shiny aluminium foil headband. Awesome. So we've had many rescues and chases, jumping, flying, "saving of the day" if you will. Eden loves her brother so much, even if she would rather snuggle a stuffed piggie, she is willing to HI-YA with her brother anytime.

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October 05, 2007

To Glory

My grandfather passed away yesterday around 6pm. He has been suffering with Parkinson's disease for about 10 years and has been in a nursing home for almost 2years, I think. He was 89 years old. My mother and father dutifully took care of him since they moved in together back in 1999. The last stretch before he was put in a home was the hardest. It was like having a newborn, waking up every couple hours to change wet sheets and pajamas, except this situation had no growth and hope of getting better. It took it's toll on my mother, effecting her health. They had night nurses toward the end, and spent every last dime to pay them and then the nursing home. When people talk about taking in their parents as the Biblical "right" thing to do I don't know if my mom agrees anymore. The "system" is not flexible enough when you don't have thousands of dollars. She had no choice. Physically and medically it became dangerous. But my mom's decisions completely reflected the respect and love of a daughter. She respected her parents wishes to the end and still caters to my grandmother and her little desires for the perfect matching clothing and holiday decorations for her room. My grandparents spent their life serving God as missionaries in Appalacia, teaching and pastoring churches. The only money they had was from my great aunt who passed away in 2004. She worked at a seminary as an administrative assistant and had a pension.

All this to remind us that this world is not our home! It is a sigh of deep relief to see my grandfather go home to Jesus. He showed signs of failure and so we've been waiting, only for a week, to see how long it would take. He was enrolled in hospice care. Thankfully he passed gently and quietly. I am glad that I have been able to be in town and visit them more often. My grandfather kept his humor until the end. Even if he could not speak, he always had a boyish grin and gave a gentle wave to Eden and let Josiah shake his hand. I'm sure he is laughing and dancing in heaven. He is being shown the joys of a life well lived in service to God. I am proud to be from such a long line of witnesses of God's love and grace.

I'm glad my brother Kirk and his family are here this weekend. It's good timing. We'll see when the memorial services are. My grandparents donate their bodies to science, so the service date will be when it is most convienient for my uncle to come from VA.

Again, I cannot stress how thankful I am for the gentle passing of my elders. And how much joy we have in knowing that the best part is yet to come. The peace and praise that must fill their hearts as they meet their Lord.

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September 22, 2007

Rubberface

I think she looks like me. My dad used to call me rubberface when I was a kid. I mean, maybe my brother was called that too. We just had some serious faces we made growing up. Definately a Ward thing. But my Grandpa Moore sure could do a killer monkey face.

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September 18, 2007

Beautiful Days

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August 09, 2007

dog diggity dog

It is so hot. Practically unsafe. I look at the weather icon on my toolbar and it says 78 degrees, LIAR! I'm sure it's already 85. We played bocce ball in the evening on Tues and it was tolerable. So I guess going out has to be done after 7pm. Every night this week is officially booked and each afternoon is envied time that I cannot waste drinking coffee and surfing the net. I have been continuing to experiment with watercolors and got some good tips from my friends Cat and Jen last night and a well needed get together. I would love to get a couple more mini-metro's done and then have these watercolor studies polished off. I'm a little less panicked about my classes, but ask me again next week and see if I'm freakin'. My mom is graciously taking the kids today to the CDM so I can clean (a little) of my house and paint alot (hopefully). Hours are precious and minutes even more so.

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August 04, 2007

recoop return rehash

It rained and rained yesterday in Hilton Head so we packed and left. No more sunshine, no more pool splashes. I was getting tired of seeing my stretch marks so often. Boo Hoo right? Well we are very glad to be home. There is so much to tell, so much to remember.
Some of our highlights:
--Josiah meeting a little boy named Grant, they played so well together.
--Taking the kids out in the bike trailer a few times. They loved it and I am determined to do this at home too.
--Our second trip to the beach we had a high tide and some serious waves. We brought Joel's old boogie boards for the sake of his grandfather's wishes to rid the house of unwanted's. Josiah saw them and insisted that we use them. We did and although my 5ft 3in frame was not prepared to haul one of my kids, my self and some shotty board into a raging sea I did it. And I came out with my suit still on and totally exhausted and with my son saying, "Let's do it again!!"
--watching Eden dig in the sand repeatedly fill a bucket over and over with her deep concentration and going out to the waves to get more water to drown the Little People and animals in a deep sandy pool.

--Getting tanned by the pool while reading and drinking margaritas.
--biking miles with my husband on a wonderful breezy day through paths of beautiful houses and trails. It felt great!

I'm sure there was more, but I'm now melding with my couch.

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August 01, 2007

slices

Josiah's new used bike. Practically free!

Slices from Hilton Head. We love to relax and we'll hit the ground running when we get back on Sunday. Until then I'm soaking in the fun.

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July 26, 2007

Beautiful Fun Toy

$5 at Target brought home this kinetic sculpture game designed by Michael Graves for Target. The kids love playing with it (as long as I make sure they don't whack each other with it) they shriek with laughter everytime it loses its balance and splats all over the table. Good find, cuz it's pretty too.

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June 22, 2007

photo phenomenon

After a happy gathering at Neidlov's with Mary and Jess, I wanted to kill a little more time so we went to say hi to our fishy friends at the Choo-Choo. Man, it's a sad sad place. The koi in the pools are the only thing that are much to gaze upon. I hope the Choo-Choo become something worth visiting again. But with the bright summer soltice sun shining down on us we snapped a few pics and came home with some wonderful visuals to take in. Thank God for these bright creatures that fill my children with such joy. See the whole set here

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June 19, 2007

Herding Cats

I haven't written much these past few days about what is going on. Well, pretty much Summer is what's going on. We're playing in water, on playgrounds, taking walks, staying outside with friends until it's dark. Good stuff. I'm tired. We had the LaRose twins visit us last week to give Sember a break, pray for her back, she's been in pain.

But those 4 hours that we had with Elisha and Kaden were the 4 hours that Josiah was not testing me. In fact, it was amazing to take 3 four year olds and my little Eden, pile in the Prev, park across the street and up the hill from Collidge Park, splash and be splashed, eat and come home. Then we chilled out eating popsicles and played on our playground. But the highlight hd to be driving there and having all the kids sing along with me to "John the Rabbit" and "Shoo Fly". I mean, it was beautiful. I felt like the happiest busdriver. I actually was thinking,"I wish the whole world could sit here and hear this, this is something not to be missed!" It made my day.

Mothering has felt kinda hard lately. Josiah and Eden play together now and it's really cute and it makes me happy, but unfortunately it doesn't last very long. Josiah has entered the world of guns and swords and aliens and battleships. He wants to play all these things with Eden. Of course, she's a little girl who wants to cuddle her Curious George and color and push her shopping cart. They do both like to roar like lions, so if I can get them both to roar they have a ball! That doesn't help much when I'm on the phone. I just can't imagine taking care of more than 2. I just feel exhausted! I started taking a multivitamin again I was wondering if I wasn't getting enough iron. I need to farm my kids out because I have so much to do!! I could be making money making art but all I want to do after cleaning up after the day is crash & veg. I also need to complete last semesters grades so I can get going on this year!

Josiah took this picture, that's probably why she's screaming so much.
Complaining is so silly though. Life is so rich these days. Interaction I never had I get everyday. Exciting prospects. Friends that are new and I have a new bravery to just ask them, just ASK if they can hangout sometime. I have a drive to build more and more foundations. I desire to be enriched. And that means that I get tired. I haven't been taking very good care of myself, too many BBQ's and beer. So with more water, fresh veggies and sleep, less comfort food, alcohol and other nonsense, I think I'll perk up. I really do need to get to the doctor. So do the kids. Now that we have killer healthcare.

This past weekend I drove to Atlanta since Joel went camping and I just had to do something special myself. So yes, I drove to IKEA did all my shopping, ate meatballs, and then we went to meet Travis to drop off art. Josiah was beside himself the whole time I did the exchange with Travis. So ridiculous. I tried to keep my cool, I knew Josiah just wanted to be asleep. But hopefully my two birds and my morphing butterfly piece get bid on alot and I get to help the cause and make some money! Those of you in the ATL stop by the Young Blood! Bid on a birdie!

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June 17, 2007

Joel

Your an awesome Papa, we love you!

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June 13, 2007

Summer beckons

Like a foreigner in a far off land I enter the woods and explore with my children. I have to say, it is not natural for me to want to go into nature and just jaunt around. Especially when I find a tick on me in the middle of my urban jungle neighborhood! But the wonder that my children have for every stick, gap in a fence, buzzing beetle and bird makes me want to remember what treasures these little nature walks have.

Joel wanted a Chattanooga Nature Center membership for the canoeing and we haven't gotten around to doing that yet, but we have gone for walks and gone to see the animals. The treehouse was wonderful and I really think I could sit inside that little place and reflect for a while.

I thought Josiah might be closer to the cut-off for no more carseat. But alas, only 3 1/2 feet.

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May 10, 2007

Spring Joys

Happy Birthday joys to spread around! Eden loved her bubble blower and her mini shopping cart. Her aunt Sarah made her a spiffy purse to put her faux cell phone in. She's all set! She puts her phone in her purse, purse in the cart and her Curious George goes in the baby section of the cart (or riding on the side like Josiah does).

We're getting down to the wire with our house and with the Clothesline Show. I'll try to keep in touch, because blogging is easier than packing. Ughhhhhhhh.

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February 21, 2007

For the W

Josiah has pink eye. He couldn't go to school today. He couldn't really go anywhere. But I thought a playground would be a safe bet.

We headed down to our favorite which is the Ross' Landing playground. Trouble was, George W decided to visit us here in Chattanooga and the entire downtown area was shut down!!Every street we went down had cops blocking the downtown access.

That wasn't the hard part really, I mean we could go up Lookout to the Mtn Maze, but Josiah had such a good time having adventures at Ben Miller Park that we went back there to swing and throw leaves and dig up sand.

What a beautiful day!! I could taste spring time. It definately made all the sickness and junk go away. The kids got dirty and we come home just in time to see Steve Sherfy chopping down trees and digging holes on his property. Weird.

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February 05, 2007

Gems from Josiah

My little photographer snapped a few shots on Saturday morning during his Papa's haircut. I had a little pile of auburn hair on the floor. Dark was Joel's, light was Josiah's. We had a nice low-key weekend. A family birthday celebration on Friday night and some ice-cream goodness with the Wiegers, Cat and auntie Amy on Saturday night.

Sunday we had a great prayer and worship service at NRV. It was totally one of those 'emerging church' services. Music, slideshow of powerful imagery. Stations for communion, reading and writing, prayers for healing etc. It was very relaxing, and it went smoothly. I remember we wanted to do that at VSN a lot, and it seemed awkward with the younger crowd. At NRV, with the more mature congregation, everything was taken seriously and felt natural. It was cool, I look forward to doing it more often.

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January 10, 2007

First Day of Pre-K

Today Josiah went to the Pre-K program at NCF. We collected makers, crayons, pencils, scissors and an apron from IKEA to go into his bookbag. The bookbag was the hardest thing to find. Ours are still in Marietta, and I thought for sure that Mom would have a gazillion, but I was wrong. I did find a Guatamalan bag that the big Lutheren Conference gave my dad way back. It worked just fine. It didn't have a zipper though. I promised Josiah's teacher I would find one with a zipper. I picked out school clothes last night, and bundled us up this morning. We were the first ones there. Josiah has never had any fears (of any consistancy) of being left in a nursery class, so Eden and I bustled off to have a morning of errands. It was soooo nice to just have Eden. Wow, things were so simple! We went to drop off clean laundry for my grandparents. We walked to the bank and stopped and got a coffee. We watched some ER. Then we picked Josiah up! I was talking with Sarah Davick and locked my keys in the car. Joel was just starting his lunch break, so he rescued me. While we waited Josiah snapped some pictures.

Here's the set I've created on flickr of all Josiah's photos. And here is a great video of Josiah playing tee ball with Joel and his uncle Kirk. Go Cards! So here's to a special day for one of the worlds greatest little boys. I'm getting verklempt!

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December 23, 2006

what's going on

Makin' cookies, hearding babies, eating, laughin', love. Happy times.

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December 15, 2006

Jo Bean is One!

Happy Happy Happy birthday to my only niece Joanna! I love you and am so taken by how different you look than my kids! Can't wait to see you trotting around at Christmas! You are like a hologram where you change from looking like your mom to looking like your dad in a split second! I was glad to hold you in your first weeks and I will be giggly to see you play with your red-head cousins. Good thing you got those big blues or no one would think we were related! Another Ward girl with blue eyes.

Luv Auntie Kate

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December 11, 2006

Finally the Lists

it's dec 11th and i finally got our lists organized. we have a loose amazon list and i have a wist list but here you will find "the lists".

Continue reading "Finally the Lists"

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November 23, 2006

Stand in the Place where you are

As I drove a Previa full of stuff (everything but my toiletries-UGH) up to Chattanooga today Dave FM played this very familiar blast from the past for me. It has new meaning when you're frazzled and moving, only half way, back to your parents house. Stand in the place where you live. Yep, and eat some more sweet potatoes. Happy Thanksgiving y'all!!
I love this video, its the whimsical, low budget R.E.M. I love and worshipped as a teen-ager.

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November 21, 2006

The Last Visit

Here's Eden enjoying the moving sidewalk at the GA Aquarium. She think she's such a big girl truckin' through the crowds.

looking through the pirahna bubble.

say bye to the whale sharks for us!

bye Deepo its been real...

This will probably be our last trip to the aquarium here in Atlanta unless family goes sometime in the future. Its Ok by me, I wouldn't recommend a membership. We'll enjoy our CDM pass alot, I have a feelin'.

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November 01, 2006

Tricks and Treats

Here's our library crew! All decked out in their Halloween goodness! From left to right: Josiah (the Superhero of Rock), Sierra (woodnymph), Eden (Fairy, princess, ballerina-terrifica), Carlie (Pochahontas), Evelyn (Uhhhh I think she's a pumpkin, maybe). So glad that storytime day was also Halloween!

I have been wanting to post our joyful Halloween pictures all day but I have to clean my house. Because the first people ever to come see the house are coming tommorow between 1 and 4! This may be the beginning of a trail of viewers, or the beginning of a contract deal! Who knows. I am trying to be realistic but also I am trying to remember that God WILL sell our house and we have no idea how or when. God does want us to be in Chattanooga, but as I've always said, until then I will enjoy Atlanta.

We made the trek to Decatur to check out the smokin' hot spots that Ward talks about so much. We met up with the whole Jenkins fam and cruised the Halloween strip full of ghouls and goblins. A little over the top for my taste. I think the creepy ghostly death thing isn't fun to celebrate with. The dressing up, pretending, carving pumpkins and eating yummy things that is worth celebrating. We had tons of fun with the Jenkins, although it was brief. Checking out the dry ice and the skeletons that move when ya clap, that's pretty fun. Josiah had a blast but couldn't get it through to him that you don't really open the candy until you're done and then you examine the Booty!

Tommorrow will be complicated. I thought I would just take the kids to the playground or something and then Rosanne (our super-sitter) will come at 3:30 while Joel and I drive to Rome for the opening at Shorter. Now I have to have the house clean and empty from 1 to 4 pm. Maybe we can make it to the High, have our lunch and see the Louvre exhibit. Hopefully they will be happy kids to whole time. We'll make it back up to meet Rosanne at 3:30 leaving just a half hour to wonder if folks will come. Then, on then road to Rome. I still have yet to write notes for a mini-speech. But even if I fumble through, I have a feeling the message will get through.

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October 30, 2006

A little Magic

Have a fun one dudes. I hope we get to trek down to Decatur to trick-or-treat with the Jenkins. But until then I'm going to relax and be glad that I've made a half-ass costume for Josiah "Super Josiah, the Hero of Rock". We'll see that one later on.

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October 18, 2006

Happy Birthday Lola!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOLA!



WE MISS YOU AND HAVE LOTS OF SNUGGLING SAVED UP FOR YOU!

Today is my Mom in laws birthday. They're in Manilla Phillipines, so probably her birthday is over, or almost over. But we didn't forget! They'll be home for furlow (at least thats the plan so far) in April. I'm sure it's hard seeing the grandkids grow up over the www, but God bless you for all you are doing for children who need you more.

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October 05, 2006

the waiting

I am holding my breath for the things that will come. And I put on a smile when I'm tired. I sit in my clean house and I take my kids to the playground. I work on my paintings. I do need that pluck of inspiration to kick in so I can nail this painting of Eden sooner than later. I have a wonderful next piece forming in my head based on a song my dad wrote for my childhood buddy who's adopted. I want to do a piece on adoption. I know so many adopted children. Two of my cousins have adopted. And I do love this song of my dad's I wish I could stick the audio in this post. But I will put the lyrics here at the end.

Patty our real estate agent stopped by today to snap some pictures and asked if anyone had come by yet. "No" I said and she sighed "Oh dear". Great, I wasn't worried about the first week, but I guess she knows how badly we want to get out of here. She is always encouraging though "When they do come it will be the one." I agree, I don't think we'll have dozens of folks shuffling through here, it'll be the perfect family. Until then I am trying to recover from the hard work and focus on other things.

It seems that my art opening is becoming a reunion of sorts for Joel and his high school buddies. I'm cool with it, I'm looking forward to seeing all these folks that I haven't seen in like 7 years. I'm sure we're all 10 pounds heavier and just as happy about free alcohol. Well, free for them. And also my friend Jennie is advertising my show to all her Atlanta Mommie friends. I went to the wholesale shopping center of champs and got a couple flats of water, a bunch of little clear plastic glasses and a flat of juice boxes. Who woulda thunk it, animal crackers and juice boxes with KWK's fine art! I love it. Bring it on. I'm glad to have my babysitter of champions with my kidlets at home.

You Are My Child

Continue reading "the waiting"

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August 02, 2006

Back to the Film

I got two rolls of film back from the 1 hour today as I strolled around a Mall. Yes, a beach mall. It had no Starbucks, but the Piggly Wiggly did. It was nice to see some beautiful pictures from Santa Barbara as well. Josiah saw those pics and said "It was cold!" It was, unlike here.

I'd like to thank the little blogworld I'm part of for the props. Thanks to Gypsy for her entire post dedicated to some of her favorite kwk's in the midst of her culture shock. Thanks to Kirk, the employee of NCF St Louis, for using my latest piece. And thanks to the Cubicle Reverand for finding me and posting his thoughts on my work. Thanks everyone, I love the free publicity anyone out there feel free to write me and ask if you want to post work. Of course, Gypsy and Kirk you're family and patrons, no need.

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July 26, 2006

Happy family

For all those interested, I finally got around to finding my SIL's blog. If you want to see more cute squishy baby faces check out my nephew Kaden on the Knutson Chronicles.

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June 19, 2006

Daddy-O

Happy Father's Day to all the dad's in my life. To my bro in law Nate who is pretty new to dad-hood but beaming with pride. To Kirk who is enjoying Joanna's personality more and more everyday as she gets into the super-fun part of being a baby.To my dad who crumbles to pieces around his kids and especially his grandkids. Thanks for being so soft Dad, you're the greatest!

I was listening to Mara Davis on Dave FM the other day as she was doing her theme lunch thing about dads. She was talking about how cool it must be to have a rock star for a dad. "I mean, can you imagine how cool it must be!! A Rock Star DAD!!" Yeah, it's cool. My dad isn't Bono, or Steven Tyler or anything, but I can relate a tad. It's different, it's cool. Your dad doesn't go to work he has "gigs". He doesn't wear a three piece suit, he wears a shiny crazy shirts and honkin' huge black dress shoes. He gets invited to your school to talk and play. I mean, I have random memories that are strange and some that are awesome. But all in all now that dad is not a rock star, he's a mentor, a worship-leader, a musician, an educator, I realize that he works hard for a cause that many leave behind and for that I know he is true not only to what God has called him to do, but for everyone who ever stood in awe of him. When you hear some random recording artist get up to accept there award and thank "The Fans" you think, are they really working for us? Well, I know my dad works for his fans, whether they appreciate it or not. I give my dad a lot of hell for working too much, but the thing is I didn't marry a musician who works all the hours everyone else has off. I am very proud of all the things my dad has written, the arrangements he does every....single....Sunday, I know that he will die in his footsteps and for that I carry a torch, I'm like that too.


This is the man I married! Joel, the greatest dad!

Continue reading "Daddy-O"

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June 09, 2006

the Patience to Live

I love my boy, he gives me so much joy. These pool/water photos are so beautiful to me. Josiah has been so difficult the past few days. So exhausting. Constantly whining, not responding to discipline, being constantly antagonizing to his sister. Not being loving, kind or fair to Eden. Fussing, fussing, fussing. Bossing me around. I have been brought to the edge of decent humanity by my son this past week. I'm sure I have said things and done things that I hope I never do again. I have been completely at a loss. Words that John Worrell said are ringing in my ears "terrible twos are nothing, it's three that's hard". I'm feeling that now. I'm hoping that it's just because we haven't been getting to bed on time for a few days straight. So tonight they will both be asleep by 8:30.