Long Days...In a Good Way

The longer days have been a joy. When Garett gets home and the sun is still shining the days are just so much better. I has also been nice that Wyatt is now usually sleeping until 7.

We are learning how to be parents to our increasingly sassy boy. The words and tone kill me and I can sometimes hear my thirteen year old self in my four year old child. Any good book recommendations? Or general encouragement? I need it.

The house project is moving along. A midpoint inspection is taking place this week and then the drywall goes up. After that it's pretty much all of the finishes that will happen. We are still hoping to be done in May and continue to be thankful for our contractor. We've experienced a high level of communication throughout the project and feel like it's really been a team effort. The joyful part for me has been the creativity that Garett and I are taking part in most days. We have fun creating together and it's been fun looking at different ways to use non-traditional materials. For example, yesterday Garett suggested legos or tailgates for our fireplace mantle. We probably won't do either of those but the fact that Garett came up with that makes me love him even more. The minutiae of daily decision-making can be a bit much for me but we are trying to keep moving forward and feeling thankful for the gift of this home.

In some ways this project feels like the opposite of this season of Lent so I'm asking God to give me more opportunities to think of others. It is amazing how God answers that prayer in real ways. Garett and I are not watching television right now and that has been surprisingly heart expanding. We're talking, reading and sleeping more, and I love it. I'm not sure I'm ready to commit for the long haul but I can see how that would be a good thing for us.

Four

Wyatt turned four yesterday. To celebrate we rode our bikes down to the beach with a picnic dinner. The time change gave us more daylight and we enjoyed the beauty of our surroundings.

Three has been a long year with high highs and low lows. I've laughed more than I thought possible and said things that I never pictured saying like, "Please don't stand on the toilet seat while you are peeing." We've discovered the wonder of Nick Jr. on television and embraced a love of sharks, dinosaurs, and pretty much all living creatures. Wyatt asks a lot of questions about how things work together and how things are made. He seems a lot like his dad in this way. Bikes rides are daily and he can find mud anywhere and have it all over his body in a matter of seconds. I always keep a change of clothes or two in the car for any given outing. I sometimes assume that Wyatt is following along with us with the details of life and then he asks me, "Mommy, will I ever see my things from my bedroom again?" and I see that sometimes I forget to explain things like our construction project thoroughly to him. One of my favorite moments each day is when he wakes up from an afternoon rest and wants to snuggle up with me for a bit. He curls his growing body into my lap and rests his head on my chest while he holds his blue blanket in his mouth and sucks his thumb. While I am usually sad that his rest has come to an end, it does make it a bit more sweet. Wyatt has a zest for life that bubbles up and out during even the most simple life moments. A decorative tree in my mom's bathroom becomes a laser beam shooter. My iPod becomes an activator to make monsters appear. The cardboard tube from our friend Uma becomes a Spiderman tool. Wyatt believes himself to be an expert negotiator and I am learning how to nip it in the bud with a line borrowed from a wise friend that goes, "Wyatt, I love you too much to argue with you."

There have been moments this year when I've wished that I could just push fast forward to get to the "easier" part but I'm glad I didn't have that option because I would have missed so much. I am thankful for my spirited, strong, and tender hearted boy and am curious to see how four unfolds.

Birthday Bonfire

Last night we had a bonfire in Cayucos to celebrate the birthdays of my two favorite boys. We were given the gift of an especially warm, clear day. We hung out, roasted marshmallows and the kids got to be wild on the beach. Or wait, was that just my wild child? Wyatt was in the ocean up to his waist in his jeans, shirts, shoes and socks within the hour. Thankfully his thoughtful friend brought an extra swimsuit for him. We sang Happy Birthday to a ukulele played by an exceptionally talented and lovely friend and sipped hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows (which were better in the hot drink than roasted because they started melting away pretty quickly). We are thankful for friends who often feel like family in all the best ways.

Camping, House and Hawaii

First things first. Happy birthday, Garett! You don't look a day over 9.

We spent last weekend at Kirk Creek and my dad joined us for a night. It was a bit colder than it's been but we enjoyed every minute of it. I am beginning to crave an excuse to turn off my iPhone and camping gives me 48 hours of just that.

Progress is being made on our house. These pictures were taken about a week apart. I think the roof goes on next week. Thankfully (for us, not for farmers) it's been a pretty dry couple of months.

We also took a special trip to Hawaii with my folks and brother over a long weekend earlier this month. We read, swam, played in the tide pools and ate good food together. My parents rented an amazing home where we could spread out or be together. My favorite moment was snorkeling with Wyatt. We practiced in the pool with the mask, snorkel and life jacket. I had very low expectations for how he'd do in the open ocean. The moment he peeked underwater through his mask he was hooked. His love of ocean life completely canceled out any fear and he pushed me away so that he could float on his own. We saw bright fish that we've only read about and he got to float above a sea turtle. After about 20 minutes he'd had enough. He surprised me, and I ponder that while I am his parent and I believe I know him well, I am only beginning to really know all of who he is and am excited to know all of who he becomes. What a joy. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for this gift of time with you and Josh.

And one more pic from a sunset walk last week. We are still enjoying Morro Bay.

The Last Month

A few last pictures from San Francisco from the top of Twin Peaks.

The house project continues. We are very thankful for a fantastic contractor, creative architects and subs who are on time providing quality work.

We camped late in January. The first night was our worst ever and everything after that was lovely. I did not take any pictures of the crazy wind we experienced the first night but if I had it would have shown the corners of our tent caved in, slapping against our heads as we tried to sleep and the video that I didn't take would have shown the way we had to shout to one another inside our tent to be heard over the wind. The morning found me sleeping on Wyatt's bed and Wyatt sleeping curled up next to Garett. The wind died down by the afternoon and we all took a much needed nap.

I like how we work together during camping. Garett does the lion's share of the work but we are learning how to be a team. We also like to pull off the road when inspiration strikes to see if we can find a little rabbit trail that leads somewhere cool. I think Garett put it best during our last Highway 1 drive, "Sometimes you've just got to pull off the road." That rings true to me for most of life. These next two shots are from one of those explorations. We brought some snacks for lunch, a couple of beers, and our chairs and found the most beautiful lookout point just a short walk from the road.

It seems like I am forever taking pictures of Wyatt on his bike with his shark helmet. I think it sums up our life most days. We do a lot of bike and big wheel riding. We're heading back to Kirk Creek this coming weekend so you can look forward to even more camping pictures. I promise I'll only post if I have anything different.

Week #2

The garage was already pretty much entirely gone but now the kitchen, dining and living room is also demolished. The whole roof over all of our home except the bedrooms and bathrooms is gone. I get a little overwhelmed when we are there and am thankful to have a different place to lay my head during construction.

Good Morning

My dad came down to hang out this weekend and we spent a little time this morning at the beach playing hide and seek, tag and "sledding" down the dunes on a cardboard box. Playing with my family is one of my favorite things to do. Wyatt likes to pretend he is Spiderman in all pictures. At this point, he is hoping for a Spiderman birthday party in March. I guess I'm glad we've moved past a hyena party.

Pliers Save the Day

After a wonderful dentist appointment that included a growling tiger and remote control helicopter, we got home and I locked the keys in the car with Wyatt in his car seat. Garett's got the only other set of car keys and works a good 40 minutes away. Such a bummer. I tried not to panic and had Wyatt pop open the back window with his foot. It only opens about two inches but it was enough that he could pass me my iPhone through the crack. Thank goodness he was playing Angry Birds on the way home.

First I tried to talk him through unbuckling the car seat. We haven't worked on this before because, frankly, I've been happy that he can't get himself out of the seat by himself. He got the top of the buckle after only about five minutes and was proud of himself. The bottom buckle is much more difficult so we took a little break and then started working on it. "Pinch the buckle with both of your thumbs on the red button. Listen and feel for the click, then slide it down." I must have said this or a version of this 30 times. This was very frustrating for him.

Meanwhile I called AAA and they said it would be about 40 minutes. I then called 911 (I know, non-emergency, but 40 minutes felt like too long.) As I was on hold with 911, Wyatt asked me to go inside and get his pliers from his tool bench. I brought back a couple of screwdrivers and a wrench which he informed me would not work. I finally found the pliers and slipped them through the window crack to Wyatt while I was still on hold with 911. In under a minute, he opened the buckle using the pliers and the crisis was averted. AAA pulled up at this very moment and praised Wyatt for being a problem solver. The driver asked Wyatt if he'd like to start working with him and Wyatt beamed.

Wyatt's patience, persistence and creativity amaze me. I had exhausted my reserve of creativity but he kept thinking and eventually figured it out. I see the qualities that I love in Garett in three year old form in Wyatt. Wyatt's persistence sometimes shows up at moments when I wish it didn't but I am trusting that God will use this beautiful strength for His purposes during the course of Wyatt's life. I got a simple glimpse of that today and am thankful for my determined child.

Long Term Morro Bay Vacation

We're doing a big house project and my parents graciously offered their Morro Bay home to us during construction. We've been here for a week and still feel like we are on vacation. Being in Morro Bay feels so familiar and it seems like my to-do list is a lot smaller not living in my own home. We took several family bike rides over the weekend and Wyatt and I rode more today. Tonight when Garett got home from work we rode down to the pet store to get Ruby food. Bike riding is so much fun, almost as fun as being on the water.

Park #1 - A three minute big-wheel ride.

Park #2 - A ten minute big-wheel ride.

Beach and Dunes - A ten minute big-wheel ride.

The roof of the garage is ripped off and a bedroom and bathroom will be built on top. We're also pushing out a couple of walls a bit and putting the kitchen in new spot. It's probably going to take about four months. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to many bike rides and quick beach trips. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for the home!

In the City

We spent almost a week in San Francisco after Christmas and enjoyed our time. Highlights include:

- First time staying in Noe Valley

- House of Air

- Ferry Building

- Public transportation

- Great food (Plow, Pakwan, La Boulange, Ike's, Humphrey Slocombe's Bourbon and Cornflakes ice cream )

- Heath Ceramics

- Parks (Golden Gate, Douglass)

- Wyatt riding his bike everywhere

- Phoenix Books

- Ringing in the new year with Josh

- A lot of walking

Wyatt is getting a lot more fun to travel with and he is usually up for an adventure. We found a few parks within walking distance of our apartment. Aside from being sick the whole time, it was good to explore a new part of town and spend time with my brother. I hope it's not too long before we can spend some time there again.

My two pirates.

Ferry Building

Nutella and banana bagel at Toast

Slide at Douglass Park

24th St

First Muni ride

Bike riding at Golden Gate Park.

The shark helmet was a hit.

Another park.

Merry Christmas

I couldn't imagine a more wonderful way to spend Christmas than playing on the beach with family. My dad and I even got to play catch. Happy birthday, Jesus.

Best Deal Ever

Last night we decided to get a Christmas tree. It's possible that we could have planned this out a bit better so that we could enjoy the tree for longer than two days. We drove past the tree lot in favor of a quick pozole dinner. As we cruised by the lot at 7:30 the lights were off and it was shut down. Because who is out buying a Christmas tree on the night of the 23rd? We are.

We ended up going to the pharmacy near our house and found a beautiful Douglas Fir with a stand marked down to $5. I think they may have paid us to take the tree. We had a good laugh as we hoisted the tree into the truck and decided this may be a new tradition - a $5 pharmacy tree the night before Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas!

Advent

Wyatt's been saying more funny things as he connects the dots in his little world. I find myself laughing nearly all the time and I much prefer laughing to crying. This morning he declared, "Santa drives a very unusual vehicle," and then told me all the details about the sled and the reindeer and the flying. I guess I can't disagree.

As we talk about Christmas and celebrating Jesus' birthday, he figured out that this may be an occasion for cake. This has exponentially increased interest in the season.

I gave in and we baked sugar cookies together this afternoon. After using "baking cookies" as a reward for over a week, I finally had to make good on my promise. We now have undecorated sugar cookies resting all over the kitchen counter and I suppose Garett will smile when he sees them. Maybe I can pawn off the decorating to Garett while I give a final tonight?

We are also learning how to think of others and not ourselves. This is a difficult concept for my 34 year old self and it's even more impossible for my 3 year old boy. One way we're practicing this is entering toy stores together and focusing on what might bring joy to our cousins rather than ourselves. It's sweet to see Wyatt's heart expand.

As I am tempted to pile up the calendar, I breathe deep and ask God for his peace during this notoriously busier time of year. Our families have given us the gift of "no gifts" this Christmas so this has relieved us of the constant focus on purchasing that thing that someone probably doesn't really need anyway. We get to share, instead, with those who probably need it more. For me, this is about using the resources and energy that God has blessed us with to do things that He cares about. I don't want to miss these opportunities.

Sometimes I compare myself with other families who do loads of crafty/homemaking things during this season. There is such beauty and creativity happening around the world but I find a way to make it about me. This turns the focus onto myself and what I do or don't do and how I may or may not be thwarting Wyatt's Christmas experience. It is ridiculous the thoughts that bounce around in my head and I am reminded of my deep need for a Savior.

Yes, a Savior. A Redeemer who rescues us from ourselves. I need that Savior more than ever.

Jalama Beach

Last week I had the joy of spending a night alone in a beautiful spot. Jalama Beach is a place I've been curious about so I reserved a tiny cabin perched out on the ocean and my parents graciously kept Wyatt for a sleepover. It's only an hour and a half drive and even that was peaceful just getting to be alone in the car. Jalama is, indeed, a special place, very remote and relatively untouched. The wind was intense but that did not prevent a very long walk on the beach.

This is content, relaxed me. I am noticing more and more how I need this time. It's time to be with God freely without a schedule and time to only care for myself. In these settings, I am more open with God and able to listen more intently. It reminds me how much I need Him and fuels a desire deep in my soul to know Him more. Proverbs 31:25 pressed into my heart deeper than before:

"She is clothed with strength and dignity;

She can laugh at the days to come."

I desire to laugh at the days to come rather than be driven by fear. I don't mean this in a head-in-the-sand kind of way. I am thinking about this as a lightness through life and a hope to live day by day and not borrow worry from tomorrow, next month or next year.

Cul-de-sac

We celebrated Halloween for a full week and the candy has proven handy for bringing about good behavior through bribery. Wyatt was a "dangerous velociraptor" and tried to only use his hands for kindness while wearing his costume. We carved pumpkins and Garett took Wyatt around the neighborhood while I taught my class.

We've been having a lot of fun in the front yard lately. It's nice for Wyatt and Ruby to run wild and everything is better once Garett is home from work. Wyatt is on the back end of three and it is starting to show. He's more boy than before and I see more of Garett in him each day.

And then he reminds me that he is, indeed, three.