How I Wish...

Big things happen in mid-June for our family.  In mid-June 2002, Scott proposed to me.  Exactly two years later, Jack was conceived.  Exactly two years after that, Logan was born.  Two years after that we finally completed our adoption dossier for China.  And two years after that, on June 10, 2010, Des and Bri legally became members of our family. 

Here it is...mid-June two years later...I can't imagine what huge life-altering event might happen this month.  Hmmm, I think I'll buy a lottery ticket...

I'm not a very spiritual person, but the fact that my brother's birth date (in mid-June) coincides with all these amazing family events has not escaped me.  He died too young, many years ago.  I grieve for him all the time and for the relationships he and my children would have had.  Daily, Jack asks me 5 million questions about cars (what is X's top speed, is A faster than B, etc.) and I think to myself "this would have been Uncle Matt's territory!"  How I wish Jack could just call him up and ask him inane car questions...  How I wish Logan could go camping with him...  How I wish Bri could teach him Ethiopian dance moves...  How I wish Des could play hide and seek with him...

Matt, if you are reading this somehow, know that you are loved and missed.  Also, know that I'm buying a lottery ticket for your birthday and I would love a huge present!  ;)

Daybook Entry...

I recently found out about this weekly meme called The Simple Woman's Daybook. I've got to admit that I'm not loving the title of this meme but I do like the idea...to linger on the simple things and find beauty of the everyday moments. I could stand to simplify by life a bit but in the meantime, this meme will have to do!

For Sunday, February 7, 2010:

Outside my window...a blue cloudless sky over a very green yard (it poured yesterday!)

I am thinking...about what to do with the boys today, a playground and some errands probably

I am thankful for...how lucky I am to have a healthy family with a roof over our head and everything we need

I am wearing...my pajamas because I'm still in bed (at 9:46 which is extremely rare for us)

I am remembering...my brother and wishing we could be sharing in each others' lives

I am going...to have to take a shower soon because I stink

I am currently reading...I just finished My Fathers' Daughter (a great book about an adopted women from Eritrea) and just started Food Rules

I am hoping...to stay in bed for the rest of the day but there is no way my family will let me get away with that

On my mind...Having recently watched Food, Inc. I keep thinking about the food that we eat and specifically how it is made, what it is made of and where it comes from

Noticing that...while I thought we eat semi-healthy I'm noticing that we could be doing a lot better

From the kitchen...Scott just made crepes with a hint of chocolate (hmmm...case in point about eating better?)

Around the house...I need to declutter. I've always said that when something comes into the house something else should leave but I haven't acted upon it

One of my favorite things...day dreaming about my boys and future daughters

From my picture journal...The boys got filthy at the park today and I decided they should get their bath before we did anything else for the day. They were not happy with this plan until I turned on the bubblemaker.

Once Upon A Time...

Alicia at More Than Words started Friday Photo Flashback to digitally capture those old photos from the days of film by scanning them. I love this idea and was excited to pull out my photo albums and take a trip down memory lane.

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These photos were taken on Thanksgiving Day, 1998. The joke was that if we made it down alive, we'd really have something to be thankful for at Thanksgiving dinner that night!

First up is my brother, Matt, at about 15,000 feet. I'm not sure I ever saw a bigger smile on his face. Of course, part of it might have been caused by the severe 120 MPH wind of freefall. But still, it was amazing to see him so happy. (Skydiving was my birthday present to him when he turned 18.)


(Unfortunately, this is a scan of a photocopy. I've misplaced the original.)

Next up was me. The photos of me leave a lot to be desired. I was wearing a very unattractive, rather tight hot pink jumpsuit. So, I'll leave you with this shot of the my butt and a very beautiful landscape.
Sadly, Matt died a few months later in an accident. I would have loved to have done more of these types of activities with him and to know the man he would become. I miss him terribly.