If You Carry It, It's Yours

This past week we found ourselves in Spokane sitting in a waiting room waiting for our turn to see a Pediatric Urologist. I anticipated Landon would need to see specialists for a wide range of issues relating to his extreme illness and prematurity, but we were not there for Landon.  It was time to admit it was something she might not "outgrow". A VCUG, ultrasound and belly X-rays were complete and now it was time for the specialist to tell us what needed to be done.

Addi shivered with nerves in Daddy's lap, repeatedly asking us what they were going to do to her.  Her anxiety for this appointment was making her sick.

The list of what could be done was too short. There is nothing to "fix", not a quick, definitive fix anyway. I am relieved, but also frustrated that I am left helpless to help her. Her one kidney is healthy and there is nothing at all concerning her kidney to worry about.

We walked out of the clinic with an order to pee different, cleanse her system and change her diet. Okay. Check. Check. And check. We will give our best try.

With the stress of the appointment behind us, we headed to one of Spokane's pick-your-own farms. We needed to be outside. We needed to run. We needed fun. Plus Addi and I had homemade, fresh applesauce and apple cider on our minds and we were hoping to pick our own apples.

With apple picking closed for the day the kids played in Pumpkin Land instead. Daddy proclaimed, "If you can carry it, you can have it." And the tedious search for their perfectly proportioned pumpkin commenced.

Children aren't hardened to the simple fact that joy is found in the seemingly small parts of life. It is the innocence of childhood that makes picking out a pumpkin so darn special. It is not the big moments that matter most. It is all the tiny moments rolled up together that writes our story. It is what matters most and they have it all figured out. I pray they don't lose it along the way.

Landon tried everything to argue Dad's proclamation ––he sat, he rolled, he pointed, he tried to heave ones three times his weight, until finally he gave in a found a smaller one that was acceptable.

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With their selections made and mama's annoying picture taking finished, they had ice cream!

#thingslandonsays
"Mom. Santa is going to bring me a real talking ghost for Halloween-Christmas. Ok?"

Happy Birthday Landon

I just adore him. Happy Birthday my big boy.

Spring Fling 2014

Addi's gym holds a local mini-meet each Spring —Spring Fling Flip Thing.  She did very well and was so proud to earn a medal and stand on the podium this year. She was also invited to participate in the Saturday training day with Lu Li, 1992 Olympic Gold Medalist and other guest coaches. A lot of it was over her level, but she really enjoyed being included. She was so tired, but came home and stretched and worked for hours afterwards! She is such a hard worker and loves gymnastics so much. I am so proud of her.

Egg Dying

Light. Photographers, of all level and expertise, become slightly obsesses with light. We plan everything around the right light. This night little was planned. All day it was so warm outside. The first really warm day spent entirely outside. I put off dying eggs as long as possible to maximize our outside time. After dinner had come and I could not put if off any longer.

In through our living room windows were the most beautiful evening sunshine rays. While eighteen bright white eggs were meticulously being colored, my kids were illuminated with rays of backlight straight from heaven. It was magical.

A River Fix

We all felt it. Sometimes the river calls and Daddy isn't the only one who answers. The sun was warm and the wind mild. The bank littered with other fly fisherman spending their cherished free moments casting lines, hoping to land a beauty worthy of a lifetime of exaggerated tales.

Addi and Landon didn't wait for Daddy to finish tying up before walking the trail that curved with the river. Eager to fish and excited to be outside. Just above the water surface the fresh hatch was being attacked by wing. From further up geese passed by, an eagle hunted and pelicans soared. The river was alive.

 While Landon repeatedly ran down the hill to our spot, Addi built a teepee and Daddy threw in.

It didn't take long. The downward bend of the rod initiated it all —fish on. To my surprise both kids would not help reel her in. Intimidated by the strength and power behind the fish they let Daddy do the work and once landed offered only a gentle pat. Landon was most concerned with its timely return to river freedom.

The kids traded in their stick rods and had their own shot at the real deal. Both of them are so attracted to fly fishing. A serious attraction that seems more than influence from Daddy. Landon loves the equipment and gadgets associated with it all and Addi the biology behind it. It is amazing to see this bond between the three of them grow and develop. Addi is eager for her own pink fly rod and Landon will endlessly cast anything loosely resembling a rod.

Not long after Addi handed the rod back to Daddy he hooked a beautiful pink rainbow. She was "a monster"! Landon said, "Sissy, he's pink for you."

“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.” 
― Norman Maclean