Black and White Photos from the Park

Everything about summer seems pretty exquisite after 7 months of winter and weeks of non-stop rain, but a good park is top notch if you ask me.  Kids Coulee had a lot to offer between swings, teeter totters, slides, sand park, and numerous tunnels and towers of varying heights.  Since we went slightly before dusk, I was able to get some really great shots because we did not have to share the park with anyone. That was not the case when we returned later in the week, on a sunny afternoon.  If you are ever in the area I highly recommend taking an hour or two out of your time to let your kids run around here.

Photos of Kids Coulee

Cuckoo for Choo Choos!

While visiting Grandpa Dan and Grandma Chris we had the privilege of boarding a retired locomotive.  It was definitely a hit as far as W was concerned, and it was pretty interesting to hear how about the process of keeping a train running back in the day.

As if strolling through the train cars was not exciting enough, we also spent some time watching the water on the dock not to far from the train exhibit. 

W was lucky enough to witness the reeling in of a little fish.  The older gentleman who caught the fish must have noticed Little Man's excitement because he offered W the opportunity to hold said fish. 

Unfortunately, no one was able to see the expression on W's face, but the fact that he jumped about twenty feet in the air leads me to believe it would have been a pretty priceless moment to capture on film.  He did inform us that the fish was cold and wet in his recounting of events later that evening. 

Then There was a Swing Set

Grandpa Dan and Grandma Chris had more then a watering can up their sleeve this weekend.  If it had not been for all the rain, the new swing set would have been up and running by the time we arrived from Minneapolis.  Despite arriving during the construction phase, W has still managed to get a good deal of use out of the slide and could stay in the swing all afternoon as long as someone was pushing him.  We have made some nice strides in pumping our legs however. 

For those of you that may not know, the more land you have the less likely it is to be level.  It was quite the debacle to find the perfect spot for the swing set to go, but after digging out a few holes...  Viola!  It is level.  Victory is ours!

Thank you for all the hard work!  Hope you loosen up soon Grandpa Dan!

Ready... Set... GARDEN!

For those that may not be aware, W is quite the Mickey Mouse fanatic.  He also has a vast interest in water.  Bath tubs, water falls, lakes, babbling brooks, watering cans, water tables, pools, or pretty much any body of water that does not result in having shampoo/conditioner rinsed out of his hair is right up his tot sized alley.  So yesterday when Grandma Chris and Grandpa Dan surprised W with some Mickey Garden tools he just about burst with excitement. 

 

And because what good are garden tools without a garden to over water nurture, Grandpa filled up W's watering can at least 10 times and attempted to supervise as the water enthusiast reeked havoc cared for all the plants.

Thanks so much Grandma and Grandpa for all the new gear.  I know that little one had a blast putting his new tools to work.

My not-so-little little man!

The C Family Preview

Over the weekend I was lucky enough to be able to do some family shots for the C family at Lake Katherine.  Despite the stormy clouds overhead all day, we managed to sneak in an hour of photo fun.  It was such a treat to get outside and have some natural light to work with again... not mention sweet baby Sloane!  Thank you so much for thinking of me to capture these precious moments!

The End of an Era...

I feel like often in my youth, my friends and I used the term "end of an era" to describe anything that lasted for about 3 weeks or more coming to it's usually rightful demise.  So many times in our oh so dramatic state we would mourn the ending of things that had barely begun in the first place.  Now, however, it is the end of an era. 

Era: long and distinct period of history with a particular feature or characteristic.

More than one era has come to a full circle in my life over the past few months.  I have lost two people dear to me and said goodbye to my longest and most cherished intimate relationship. 

Life has handed those close to me more than a lemon.  There were days were it felt like it might as well have been hailing watermelons, but through the storms I have realized:

Life should always be cherished, because whether you are old or young, caring or selfish, the only thing that is consistent is change.

You are stronger than you ever believed yourself to be.  When given a challenge, rise to it, overcome it, conquer it.

Life is filled with blessings.  Whether they are holding you tightly or subtly guiding you.  Surround yourself with people that love you and care for you and need you in their lives just as much as you need them.

Be grateful.  Even on the days where "everything" is going wrong and it is truly believable that the sun will not peek out from the clouds, look around you and realize that what matters is not material, or who is missing from the moment, but who you have been lucky enough to share your moments with and the experiences that have brought you to the here and now.  All of those memories shaped the person you have become, learn from them, embrace them, let them encourage you to believe there is good in the world and become the good. 

The times are changing whether we are ready or not.  I will carry with me the love and memories.

Mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, ma, ma, momma, momma, mom!

Motherhood is nothing short of miraculous.  Be it the miracle of developing a new life or keeping that life alive once you have brought it into the world, every moment should be cherished.  From the first prenatal flutter, to holding that precious - I cannot believe how tiny - angel, through the year of firsts: smile, laugh, food, words, steps, to birthdays and holidays, and moments that take your breath away.  It is momentous and life altering in a way that you can not even comprehend until it happens to you. 

Then there is the lack of sleep and energy, tantrums and whining, the boo boos, and the constant battle of the wills.  There is the dish of pasta chucked to the floor and what seems to be barely enough coffee.  Then somewhere amidst the madness, you realize you would not trade any of it.  Not even the blood curdling screaming at the grocery store when you firmly tell your toddler, "No, you cannot eat M&M's for dinner." (Okay, maybe that part.)  One day this realization washes over you... this little boy has changed for your life for nothing short of the better.  Miracles do exist and one is standing right in front of you holding up a Mother's day card with his hand prints proudly stamped inside.

Mother's are warriors, teachers, friends, chefs, seamstresses, your first admirer, and your biggest fan.  They are Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny.  They are the reason you know the saying is "feed a cold and starve a fever."  They fix the unfixable, find the inevitably lost, and really can make it all better with a hug.  Mother's day is not just some Sunday in May where you go to brunch with a bouquet of flowers.  Mother's day is every day. 

Every day I wake up, I am a mother first and Sarah second.  My day starts with a tight squeeze from one of the sweetest two year olds I know and only gets better with every smooch.  I am reminded of what is really important in life and it is not the extravagant gifts or the cliched cards.  It is the love that you did not know was possible for another human being.  It is sharing a meal with the people you care about while no one is caring about technology.  It is unplugging from the drama of gossip and judgment and laying belly down on the ground pushing a car back and forth with this angel who today thinks this may be the funniest thing to ever happen and that contagious belly laugh echoes throughout the halls. 

Becoming a mother drives me to be the best version of myself I can be.  I strive to be a positive role model and to lead by example.  I am motivated in ways never before possible because this little curly top depends on me.  Depends on me to greet him at 5 am with a smile and be present and on my game from literally dawn until dusk.  Depends on me for knowledge and guidance, compassion and support.  And on those days when 5 am came hours to early, or my boundaries have been tested, I take a deep breath and remember how blessed I am.  Blessed to have this 2 foot side kick who thinks I have the power to "turn down the sun."  Blessed to have a baby that wants to snuggle before bed.  Blessed to have a baby. 

Being a mother takes boundless love and endless patients.  It will change your life and make you a better person.  It will restore your faith in god and humanity, that someone so tiny can alter your entire world.  It will make you realize that if it had not been for your own mother, grandmother, great grandmother that you would not stand proudly in front of this blessing, that just peed in the potty for the first time, or said thank you with out being prompted, held the door open for you, or drew you a picture, with the ability to love and nurture them.  Had it not been for all the times mom wiped your tears, and brought you soup when you were sick, or cheered you on from the sidelines, or always managed to have that shirt with the awful stain ready to wear just in the nick of time, you would not have the compassion and courage to embrace your own parenting journey. 

So on Mother's day and every day be grateful for this truly amazing blessing and do not dwell on the diapers or sulk through the tantrums, smile after stepping on that Lego in the dark, cherish the sound of belly laughs, and soak in the smell of sunscreen and just bathed curls.  Remember every moment you were moved to tears, because that little nugget will grow up and know better.  The "Mommy's" turn into "mom (eye roll)" and it will be years before they think Mom really is magic, again.