A BABY BOY IS SUCH A JOY!

George will be a year old at the end of May -- how did the time go by so fast?! It seems like only a short while ago that I took Jane to the hospital to meet her brand new baby brother. And there he was -- with ten tiny fingers & toes, a sweet baby smile, and soft brown hair -- surrounded by his proud parents & grandparents. What a wonderful celebration!!

It has been so much fun for me to watch George over the past year & see his little personality unfold! He is happy & laid-back, so delighted with every new discovery. He loves books & balls & music & swinging & going for walks in the stroller with Jane. He loves his bottle & snuggling down with "lambie" for a nap. He loves waking up & seeing what the rest of the family is doing. George thinks it's big fun to roll & roll across the floor, to do the "Army crawl" on his tummy, or to stand up with help and bounce on his tiptoes. A cat is to chase. A basket of toys is to dump. A cat dish is to splash in. A book is to chew on. A sister is to laugh with!...

George, what a gift you are to us all! Happy, happy birthday, sweet boy!!!

Written 5/10/06

HAPPY B'DAY 2 ME!!!

I celebrated my 50th b'day last month, and it got me thinking about things I've learned about myself along the way. Here are a few simple facts about me (in no particular order!) :

* It's important to me to be authentic.
* I'm most comfortable in my blue jeans.
* Quiet time re-energizes me; busy-ness makes my battery run low.
* I doubt I'll ever be an avid gardener, a gourmet cook, or a sports fan.
* I like living in a place where the seasons change. Spring and Fall are my favorites!
* I think of myself as a stay-at-home-mom/ self-taught artist/ craftperson.
* I don't usually like to shop, but I can spend hours exploring a bookstore, a craft store, or a hardware store.
* I like to live simply. For me, that means eating basic, healthy food, keeping my home uncluttered and friendly, and juggling only a few commitments at a time.
* I'm a better listener than a talker.
* Playing with craft supplies -- colorful papers, punches, markers, glitter, glue, paint, and clay -- makes me happy!
* One of the most important life skills I'm trying to cultivate is the ability to have a thankful heart.
* Being a wife and mom have been the greatest blessings of my life!!!

Written 3/16/06