childrens museum, dyers!

The dyers moved down the STREET!!!

After holiday-Holiday

After we got back from the Holidays, we felt like we hadn't seen lots of friends in forever!!! We had a fun swimming day catching up with the Dyers at a hotel they'd been staying at Fred was happy to be reunited with his love, Charlie. The water was heated and luxurious. Then we ate at Los Reyes de la Torta, a for REAL hole in the wall with the MOST AMAZING FOOD EVER!!!! Please go there!! ;

Old/New

Two days ago on Facebook there was a quote that said mothers sacrifice for their babies and I "liked" it, posting it on my own page. I guess a few people took it offensively, and posted their feelings on it, one being an Aunt of mine. She got it all out. Then others responded to the first person, escalating with more offense, angry replies, and more people involved on each side. It hurt me that people would think I'd be so judgmental of them; that people on either side would set aside any thought of how this would effect my relationships with family members; and most of all, that my Facebook page would be a forum for such judgement, intolerance, hurtful sarcasm (all is hurtful in my opinion) or even hate. ---especially when all I was doing (in my mind) was agree that all mothers sacrifice and that motherhood is a beautiful and wondrous thing.
I've seen this behavior over and over on fb, especially since the election, people using other peoples' posts to get out their frustrations, not caring about the hurt or offense they might cause others. That's the point of the Internet, right? You can say anything you want without having consequence??? (not really but we are made to feel that way, invincible for a time.) I myself, am no where near free from being guilty of this, sadly. I'm doing it even now. I guess it's the world we live in.
Then last night, after fretting about how to delete the post altogether, I found out that a childhood friend's husband passed away Friday morning, after a long fight with brain cancer, leaving her and two daughters. Then i thought of my own cousin who Iost her 4th child during birth, Christmas morning. It sickened me to think of the real suffering that's going on for these women and all over the world while we are wrapped up in fb, creating more stress for ourselves. I don't hold anything against anyone involved in my post, but I decided to leave Fb once and for all, and deleted my account. Those kinds of things seem monumentous, but they really aren't.
I will still post opinions, here on this blog, where I think it's more appropriate....mostly because very few people actually read this, that I know of. Comments and differing opinions are welcome, but my hope is that the mean ones will be left elsewhere. This is intended to be a space for a love of babies, family, animals, adventure, spirituality, the experiences of a first time mother/parent, pictures, food, and creativity.
Happy New Year.
And, by the way, I'm so touched and inspired by the faith shown by both of the beautiful women i mentioned above who have lost so deeply. They seem so prepared and hopeful. They are both in my prayers and on my mind.

Parks and goats and stuff

Freddie and I tried to get out as much as possible last week. Here are a few shots of that sweet little boy.


Freddie with Elliot




Kits


Joe in FL. The Thunder got second place in Nationals!



We went to the zoo with our dear Emily and Charlie Dyer. Fred is obsessed with Char! He kissed her on the mouth and hugs her so hard she cries! They loved petting the goats at the zoo. Fred made it a personal mission to pet every one; and he took this task very seriously, by the look on his face.



This goat loved Emily!!!


Love birds.

This morning

Just reading and saying, "bubble," and "doctor," and learning to clap!! Chicka Chicka Boom Boom!!!!!!

strawberry

Friday night we drove up North with our darling Dyers to stay in their cabin. Once the babies were finally asleep, the party began. The cabin is so cute and nice. the bed Collin and I slept on was PURE HEAVEN. We had so much fun that night and then the next day, talking, eating, walking around, antiquing, buying local honey, and playing games (I won Cash Cab, woooo!!) The boys rode ATVs up the mountain and had the best time. Collin rolled his ankle and is hobbling around but taking it like a champ. Frederick loved being outdoors constantly and especially loved spending time with his girlfriend, Charlie. Those two are SO cute. They really love hanging out! I'm so thankful for Emily and our great talks. She really lifts me up and encourages me. She is so positive and kind. She's a great mom, she's constantly trying to learn all she can to better herself. I'm so fortunate to have her as my friend. Here are some photos from the weekend...

 



 
 



 
 

Hostess is dead apparently. These are the only things of theirs I really ate when I was younger. Well I broke my diet to have em and they were NASTY. Good riddance!

Sampling local honey. delish! We settled on the Cat Claw.



Love Dos Dyers

Freddie was obsessed with it all






He loves black beans so much and ate every last bite of his black bean salad.



playing in a pile of leaves.



 

 



 

I wanted to get this antique toy car so badly but it was $400...





the winding road home.

Collin and I started reading a science fiction book, Jiril of Joiry, by C.L. Moore, the 1930s female author I based my character off in our murder mystery party!


NEMS