watching.

some days when busy defines me, all I want to do is watch. 

Watch them become who they are before my eyes. 

See them shine, risk, and relish their childhood. 

It brings me back to how much I love it & why it is all worth it.

handwritten words.

I highly recommend adding a bit of hand writing into your home. It is something that is so individual & shows growth in your child as well. And as it seems, gives them a sense of pride. 

+

its darn cute.

Kenzie made this recipe, Cheese Danish from Back to Basics

(you have heard I'm a Ina fan ;)

she decided after making it, 

to make adjustments to the recipe. 

These notes are inside the book...for whomever makes it next.

Abbie's words of love to her momma...

So sweet & so Abbie. She LOVES to write notes to me & I hope she never stops. This one was so cute, folded in half with one side writen & one not. It seemed artfull, so I put it behind glass, just to love her back a bit. 

 

Behind this book on the counter is a list of each of the kids 

First Day of School Lunch Wish's

on first day of school their lunch is anything they wish

(somehow they always are quite sensible!)

and I especially love that I have all 4 of their handwriting in one place. This will be a keeper for always...

first dance. Fever may have hit....

first dance of the year.

first year of middle school.

first born son off to middle school.

AND then,

they had to add in that the theme was "Celebrity"..

I thought no biggie, we can just avoid that all together!

til...

8th grade girls all getting ready at our house tell my 6th grade boy that he should go as JB- they say "you totally look like him".

I was wrong.

He SO went with what they said.

Eerie.

Parker & his bud Sam

OH boy!

Gorgeous & wonderful girls...and the promoters of this.

Lindsay, Kenzie & Marissa

The group. Aren't they adorable!??

the attitude is astounding.

He's "getting into character" I guess....

Fav shot of the night.

Some flash

High ISO

night sky

kids growing before my eyes..

reminds me to savor every. single. moment.

the girls faces tell it all...

few token 8th graders.

James. JB (Parker). Sam.

first 6th grade dance. wow.

I think this one looks the most like him.

Does it?

I'm not very knowledgeable of this Justin fellow...I think I'll need a quick 411.

Middle School Dances make you thankful. Not to be young.

But they had fun :)

BTW thanks a lot Danielle for starting this idea in the first place.

my wish.

I know. I'll get over it. Kinda.

My little man started preschool last Tuesday.

He has been ready for a while. Not me though.

I was not.

The last one, off to school.

He had his backpack (his bubba's from preschool)

and he's my buddy.

my baby.

my little man.

I have so many wishes for him....but each one of them means he'll grow up. each one.

and I'm not ready for that.

this day was hard enough.

can you stand that grin as Daddy walked him to the porch for his name tag? I can't get enough of it.

I held on tight. He was unusually quiet.

But he strolled in...hung up the pack in his cubby and headed outside.

checking it all out...tried a little of everything & smiled.

I had to go.

I didn't want to.

But it was so sweet to see him walk & grin & in my heart I know he doesn't get it but he made a big independent step to stay & play with his new friends...a step toward my wishes for him.

I couldn't wait to pick him up! He looked happy.

Guess he's going back...

if you know me. you know that first statement at the top is a nice idea. And totally not true.

vote.

vote for your favorite new shot.

then I'll tell you my favorite.

Road home...

the road home.

This is mine, its a 1 mile stretch from hi-way to town.

Fields of lettuce, strawberries, celery greet you on both sides

It is lined with walnut trees

HUGE

OLD

timeless walnut tree that have seen a lot.

my road home greets me & my family knowing soon we will be back where we belong.

Long ago when my MyLove and I first started going to church in Monterey we met on Thursday nights in a family's home for bible study and couple group. We had 1 little baby- they had 2 boys and hoped for a girl. They had adopted one son & thru much effort was able to birth one also. But they knew they'd need to adopt a girl since having another on their own wouldn't happen. Great story. Great family. Nice home.

many years have pasted, we still see them from time to time.

they have a middle school daughter.

I've seen their son picture at Boy Scout office wall on Eagle's Nest.

seemingly they've done well.

The other day I was leaving the mall from back

to school shopping and saw, as usual & somewhat annoying to me, another "beggar" waiting on corner for handouts

for money

for who knows what

it erks me

not a lot

just a little at the audacity that our hard work should gift their habit.

what do I know but its honest.

My heart stopped.

I knew his face.

I'd been in his home.

It was their son.

Begging for money, for who knows what.

All roads are not the right path...

Pray for him.

God knows his name & wants to lead him back...

home.

?

can you leave comments?

or does it not work?

since I can't check,

if you could kindly let me know...

I'd love to hear

:)

Bragging rights.

this kid can ride.

Yes, she has a trainer & has been at it for a few years....but she has a gift. And somehow it shines on the back of this beast.

It all happened after about 2-3 years of her begging for horse lessons. First of all, where? And then with whom? And the biggest question, how much?

I waited til the request didn't just dissolve & go away with boredom in waiting...it didn't. And then I started asking around, which lead to a summer camp. After a week of "camp" my shy, slightly unengaged, good student but cautious & with rare glimpses of self-confidence peaking through changed.

Like, overnight.

We went to watch her & she was so proud, she didn't ask if she was "doing ok" or "should I do____" or wait for someone else to lead the way. Nope, she was independent. Strong. In control of something far bigger than her & ready to lead. She listened intently to direction & then, just did it. And has continued to blow our socks off since...

I have braggin rights you see, she's an amazing kid.

Dear Pioneer Woman,

You rock. In the big sense of, you helped change someone in the world's day today. So from way out in coastal California-thank you. I juggle 5 kids & a man that needs my ever loving attention. I adore just about everything about that "blog thing you do"....why? Because it makes me relate to someone and kinda mentors me through that place of "why didn't anyone ever teach me how to do this thing called mother/wife/household". I've loved photography for as long as I can remember but only now as a 36 year old did I ever realize I could have focused on that in college....no one ever told me. And it didn't fall into the lawyer, nurse, teacher, accountant, engineer category so I thought it was like majoring in ceramics. Bummer. The good news is, blogs have changed my path & given me that education I missed out on. I have learned so so much from you (and other blogs as well!) and from the depths of my heart-thank you. It its the thing that makes me eager & focus on something I enjoy, which I rarely allow myself to give time to. A crew of 5 will do that to ya. But when something "clicks" no pun intended, my heart soars!! You've given me those moments & I thought you should know.

I also love to cook, well, to be honest, I love to eat. Which means I married right, MyLove is a professional Chef & we love being in the kitchen together. I am always asked," How do you cook for him?? Aren't you nervous". To that I say, nope, if he doesn't like it-he's a chef-he can cook for himself! Besides after 18 years together, we're pretty tight. Biggest bonus, because the profession has a wack schedule, is I've never had to cook a holiday meal & if I am craving something, ANYTHING, I can ask for it. Kinda like a kitchen genie.

So Mrs. Ree, thanks. I adore your candidness & honesty. Your sharing & perspective & skills are appreciated.

Have a splendid day....in in case no one has said it today, you rock.

Ada in Coastal Cali

PS really sorry about your iphone. truly. Dangit said on your behalf. That's Steve J, wouldn't you think he'd use bullet proof glass or something??

PSS yes I realize you get loads of emails/fan mail/introductions to strangers & don't expect a response. still cool "talking" to you ;)

kinda quiet around here...

I admit. I'm ho hum...

I guess its fine. Of course I will get back in my groove...I always do.

They are back to school.

like everything in life

I try to apply

The Pollyanna Approach

BE GLAD.

in everything that comes into your life

find something to be glad about...

my glad part is they love it.

We have fantastic schools

& really neat teachers

& the miss their friends

& I think deep down they like getting back to the routine. Deep. Down.

Adore. My 1st grader
Honestly, this should be an advertisement for freckles. Sweet 4th grader.

my 6th grader starting middle school & leaving me with a lump in my throat...

Eek. I've heard it all week, "what happened to Parker? He's SO handsome"... from all the moms!! Best part of this kid is his heart. He's spent his first 3 days of school not hanging out with his pals & buds he missed all summer, nope, a new kid. Just because he wants that kid to like school & not have to eat alone at lunch or be sad.

Yes, he's handsome & thensome.

Good gravy its all down hill. Is she going off to college? Nope this beauty is starting 8th grade. Last year, big kid on campus, thinking about what she wants in life & lots of big stuff. I'm already missing her...And she's stoked having little bro at school with her. Makes a momma swell with tears, I mean pride.

Madeline & Paige in class first day
Tradition. Only a few are missing, grown & off to BVMS...and B is standing in. That kid is something else.
Proud Daddy & Momma.

feels like I just took this pic with Kenzie a minute ago...

(2 years ago...:(

And today...what a change, eh?

Our fearless Chief. Mr. T is awesome! And always out front waiting to greet the kids

now I'm off to find a life.