Where have I been?

Have you wondered if I fell off the planet?  I know some of my family did, because they called to ask me if that was the case.  Well, I am not a traditional gal when it comes to giving up things for lent, no giving up chocolate or soda for me.  Last year I gave up unconstructive comments.  That was insanely hard.  This year, I tried to disconnect.  No work email at home, no facebook, no blog, less talking on the phone, etc.  In addition to allowing me to focus more on the purpose of the last 46 days, there were many benefits that I had did not expect. I rediscovered or simply took more time to enjoy all sorts of great things in those extra minutes each day.  Very reminiscent of the days before extreme connectivity.

This is a list of a few of the amazing things we have been up to while we were "off-line":
Working in the garden together.
Reading out loud to the kids before bed.
Games, Uno and Yamslam were faves.
Riding scooters and bikes.
Sitting on the back deck.
Cooking, cooking, cooking.
Painting our toe nails (well, the girls, anyway).
Approximately 947 sporting events for the children.
Play practice.
Origami.
Snuggling.
Reading great books about the world.
Spring cleaning and clearing out.

Just too many things to even list.  I will be posting pictures of some of these wonderful activities throughout this month.

So, what now?  Well, I miss seeing all the pictures and stories of my friends and family, so I will be back on-line, but definitely in moderation.  

Happy Easter!  I hope you have an amazing and fun weekend with your families.
Lisa

Today, my sweet baby boy turns 15!  Time surely does fly.  It seems that just yesterday, he was dancing around the living room in his long john jammies to Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and coming home each day from kindergarten.  Cameron was the first grandchild on both sides of the family, so he was snuggled more than any baby I have seen.  And he certainly didn't want for clothes or toys. Cameron was such a sweet, inquisitive baby and he has grown into a sweet, inquisitive young man.  Now he wants for ipods, books, phones, books, cool clothes, books and lacrosse gear.  He helps me when the wii is making me mad and cooks.  He wants to mow the lawn and learn to drive.  15 is going to be a great year.

David snuggling the love of our life.

Wow, not only does Cameron look extremely young in these photos, but so do the rest of us.

Hoppie with her first grand baby.

Tia Jen, lovin' on Cameron.

Pappa playing with our boy.

And Meme feeling Cameron.

Cameron has brought so much joy to us from the moment he was born.  Today we wish him a day filled with fun, from the candle in his muffin this morning 'til he lays his head down for sleep tonight.  I am sure he will be dreaming of learners permits and girls, instead of Thomas the Tank Engine and Elmo.  That's our Camo!

We hope the next fifteen years are as amazingly wonderful as the first.  Happy Birthday!

The second "why" stage

Do you remember when your children were about four? That wonderful age when they asked you why everything happened. Why is the sky blue? Why do forks have four sharp points instead of 5? Why do I have to wear underwear? Why do you paint your toenails? Why doesn't that man in front of us in line have hair? Why does his wife have on a hat that looks like a dead raccoon?

It got a bit irritating at times, but it was so cute and innocent. It was also a right of passage. Our children were developing and growing all those wonderful brain cell. They were growing into inquisitive people. Then they outgrew this stage and it was a bit sad. Alas, they were growing up. Ok, that was about 10 years ago. These are my sweet, intelligent, lovable boys, right now.







Guess what? The why stage has returned and I am scared!

Mom, why ccaaaan't I use the power drill by myself? Why can't I go to school without a coat, even though it's 18 degrees? Why can't I drink only fruit juice and eat only Cheetos? Why can't I play the grossly violent video games that will permanently ruin my ability to sleep through the night and possibly lead to a life of crime? But, really, why? Are you sure that is the reason why? Does Dad think that is why? Why does Dad think that is why? Why do I have to comb my hair and brush my teeth, since they will just get messy again? Why do I have to do math? Why doesn't that man in front of us in line have hair? Why does his wife have on a hat that looks like a dead raccoon?

Somehow this is a harder "why" stage for me. Mostly because the questions are usually insanely complicated. In fact, I have decided that Google is my new best friend. Because, I have absolutely no idea why stop signs are red or why the drill bit spirals and rotates clockwise. I think it is also more difficult because I am not ready for them to independently use power tools or completely control their diet. Ah, they are growing up and it's a scary world out there.

I am going to keep praying that this stage will pass and that we all make it out alive.