Color...

This morning as I was getting ready for the day my mind drifted, as it often does, to randomness. I was reflecting on my love of color. Maybe it is because it is most definitely still Fall here in Oregon, but then again my love of color goes beyond just that. I got to thinking when I began being consumed with color, and I think it began in high school. I became an artist in high school, and I did a lot with collage work - more specifically with color. It was usually abstract work focusing on color play. I also can remember how it affected other areas. I can remember - mainly because I got A LOT of ribbing for this - a day in high school when we were allowed to dress up (otherwise we were in uniforms) and I wore a purple skirt with white polka dots with a white shirt. Not bad in and of itself, but I chose to pair with outfit with these really great orange shoes. Now, I thought it was great! However, my girlfriends teased me for years about it. Now years removed from the academic world and the need to be consumed with it for a grade or something, it is still something that overtakes my thought. I love to look at colors in my childrens' book. I look for the wonderful colors of the leaves on trees and shrubs (that is for you dad - not bushes!). I am drawn to the bright colors that are so very fashionable and trendy today. My house is full of intense color, and I long to add more (which makes Kyle smile and say can we just enjoy the color a little longer before we change).

I long to dive back into the art world where I can play with color, and make a "pretty picture" for all to enjoy. I wonder sometimes why God made me with such an eye for color, and others not. But then I just think how grateful I am He did make me that way, because I find such joy in the little randomness of color.

By the way...if you are reading this and thinking to yourself that I have lost it and wondering what the heck am I talking about. Don't worry...I am aware that I live in another world. I know most people don't dwell on color as I do...You just have your own area of "artistic" flair that I don't know about or have!

A big belly...

**Warning...ramblings ahead!!**

So one might wonder why in the world I would post pictures of me when I was pregnant with my kids on the internet for all to see - why would I want to relive that time? Well, I have no real good answer for that except I have thought about that time the last few days. Maybe it is because I will never be that "way" again, maybe it is because the people that are now my friends never got to see me that "way" and therefore I want to show them my belly, or maybe it is because my kids are both about to be a year older and therefore I am that much more removed from the infant stages of life. I was talking with a friend today about how I was that mom that did not give real food to Jack until he was 6 months to the day, or give cow's milk to the day of being a year. I quit breastfeeding Molly the day after she turned one. I nursed her the night of her birthday, laid her to sleep, and the next day she was on sippy cups full of milk. Now, I look at new moms and thinking to myself how rigid I was about those things. It makes me smile. I am sure that I will look back at this time period and think the same things. Although the things I am rigid about concern the character and moral aspect of their lives, so maybe I won't have the same feelings. I guess only time will tell.

But back to the belly pictures...some running comments on each picture.

This was about a month before Jack arrived. Notice the heavy make-up and the "fixed" hair. It is a picture that looks way to posed. I was not thrilled about having it taken, but at the same time I wanted to have proof of belly with Jack. Little did we know that he would come out 10 pounds! Also, you can see my belly button through the shirt - which was something visible from about 4 months. (Side note: I look at this picture and do not think I look like I have a 10 pound baby inside - am I crazy? Who knows maybe he grew alot that last month)

This picture was also taken about a month before Molly was born. My first reaction is look at that weight in my face. Again the make-up is done too much, and the hair - what was I thinking. This was the day of my shower, so I guess I was "done up" for the occasion. Again, we did not know that I was carrying a 10 pound baby - the doctor did not think she would be that big!One might not enjoying these pictures as much as I do now. However, it is fun for me to look at them knowing my children now. At the time of the picture, I was unaware of personality of each little one I was carrying. The way they make me smile each day. The way they make me take a deep breath and say, "Lord, give me patience!" each day. The way I could listen from the kitchen as they play with Baby Betsy in my bedroom with socks on their hands because the baby has spit up and they have to clean it up with protection due to the chemicals in the spit up. The way Molly repeats everything Jack says even when she does not know what she is saying. The way Molly has begun to hum and sing all the time. The way Jack loves to build with the most random things in his closet. I did not love being pregnant, but maybe if I could have known the amazing children we would have I would have cherished it a little more. But then again, maybe it is just as sweet to look back and cherish it in hindsight!

Thanks for letting me travel down memory lane, and thanks for indulging my thoughts of being a pregnant woman.

Apple picking in the rain...

We could have just bought a box of apples at the stand, but I was bound and determined to make the most of our trip out there - I was going to pick some apples! Besides, it was A LOT cheaper to pick my own then by them at the stand. Jack & Molly posing for me where we got some beautiful McIntosh apples!
After it rained, the kids found the puddle to try out their new rainboots.
Jack & his friend, Noah, posing for a raincoat picture.
Molly playing peek-a-boo with the pumpkin.
Jack posing one last time for me to get a picture with the great orange pumpkins.

We enjoyed the time out to the apples. They had free apple cobbler with ice cream, free apple cider, balloons, music, hay rides, hay mazes, face painting, and of course some great produce. It was packed with people. We went with friends. It was a good time, even though it did rain a good amount. I guess we truly are heading toward winter here in the pacific northwest - the rain has arrived. I love it, because you can get some great pictures with great colors!

For you, Grammy...

written mid-September 2008 by Jack Parker

A day at the beach...

A little lovin' for each other...
Jack is flying...
Molly looking for sea shells... Molly and her favorite baby - Camille Perret...
Our new friend - JT Perret...
We went to the beach this past Friday to get one more chance to enjoy the sun and sand before winter comes. It was a beautiful day. We got to enjoy some friends. We got to get wet and sandy. We had lunch and enjoy a good up of coffee on the way home. The only thing missing were the dads to enjoy the time with!

Molly in an orchard...

Molly LOVES apples. We got to apple picking a couple of weeks ago. We had the perfect day. The only drawback was that I thought this was toward the end of apple season, but in fact it is the beginning and there were not the many varieties ready to be picked. We did get some good ones, and had lots of fun. We are heading there this weekend to enjoy the orchard's kick off to the season with pumpkins, apples, apple cobbler, and balloons. Watch the blog for pictures!