Here are some photos that capture my favorite Christmas moments:
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Family time
We had the best winter break. We spent each day as a family. Rob had the entire week off, which was the best gift I could have received. We simply spent time together relishing our days off ... Games of eye spy, baking, hiking, making shrinkydinks, and the girls first trip to ice skate. There were many moments where this momma took a big deep breath and said a peaceful intention that we are so blessed, because underneath this beauty I was absorbing in my family my heart was still heavy and broken for the families in Newtown. I weeped daily for their grief and I allowed my heart to take in the joys that surrounded me. It's all we can do.
Here are some photos that capture my favorite Christmas moments:
Here are some photos that capture my favorite Christmas moments:
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Monday, August 6, 2012
Back to the blog
I am very excited to revisit posting on our blog again, I love using it as an ongoing journal of the adventures of our family!
Here is a funny photo shoot me and the girls did with our iPad yesterday Emma loves the distorted face ones!!!
The girls love being silly!
Here is a funny photo shoot me and the girls did with our iPad yesterday Emma loves the distorted face ones!!!
The girls love being silly!
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Sisters
Emma picked this dress out for her little sister, so sweet!
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Birthday Girl!
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Kindergarten
She started school this morning,
and she seemed so very small.
As I walked there beside her
in the Kindergarten hall.
And as she took her place beside the others in the class,
I realized how all too soon
those first few years can pass.
Remembering, I saw her as
she first learned how to walk.
The words that we alone made out
when she began to talk.
This little girl so much absorbed
in learning how to write.
It seems as though she must have grown
to girlhood overnight.
My eyes were blurred but hastily
I brushed the tears away
Lest by some word or sign of mine
I spoil her first big day.
Oh how I longed to stay with her
and keep her by the hand
to lead her through the places
that she couldn't understand.
And something closely kin to fear
was mingled with my pride.
I knew she would no longer be
a baby by my side.
But she must have her chance to live,
to work her problems out,
the privilege to grow and learn
what life is all about.
And I must share my little girl
with friends and work and play;
She's not a baby anymore --
She's in Kindergarten today.
This poem was shared with us by Emma's teacher, on the first day of school. On that day, it seemed sweet, but not did not quite resonate. Because, we WERE ready. We have BEEN ready for her to embark in this new journey, or so we thought. SHE is ready. But today, 3 weeks later, it is resonating. Kindergarten adjustment has been hard. Harder than I anticipated. It is NOT easy to let your baby go, and mingle with all of these new people, these new influences. I know it is part of the process, it has to happen ... but I want it to slow down, just a bit ...
Don't get me wrong, there have been far more good, some GREAT, moments since Emma's started Kindergarten. She is already scanning words, reading picture books, spelling her colors. BIG steps in 3 weeks. She is happy, she is loving it ... but as her Mom, I am struggling with all of the new adjustments that come with her getting to know 19 new friends. And not knowing the "play to play" of each hour is not easy to swallow for this Momma. We are taking in step by step, each night I "debrief" with Rob and he employs his rational approach, explaining why it is ok for Emma to make mistakes and I just have to keep calm ... and each new experience is a learning moment and we are invested in our children ... and it will all work out ... He's so good at staying rational!
But why does it still feel so hard?
I thought I was ready ... but even though she's in Kindergarten, she's still my baby. So, yes, Kindergarten is awesome ... and I'm hoping to believe that soon :)
Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Dowling
September 3, 2011
It was a perfect day to celebrate a perfect union.
More details to follow soon ...
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Still amazes me ...
Sometimes while I am swimming, I take a long deep breath, flip over to my back and look at the huge, beautiful blue sky and have complete amazement that this is actually ... ME! I am swimming!! I am strong ... I am floating ... I am breathing and gliding through the depths of this lake! It is truly amazing. Before our journey 18 months ago, the mere thought of swimming made me cringe and hyperventilate. To think that swimming would so quickly become my release, my restore, my peace (except on race days), is just amazing to me.
Last week we ventured out on our end of summer challenge - to swim the entire lake. We swam this beautiful lake -- 2 miles in 1.5 hours!!! It was unbelievable! I became a bit delirious midway, thinking eels were going to come and grab me ... and my other 2 mermaids (Sara and Lori) would not be able to rescue me as I lagged behind ... But at the end it felt triumphant and left me feeling strong and proud of our feat ... It gave clarity to why we train for our races, to feel that strength resonate and carry you through your toughest moments. So it is a moment I want to pause and be thankful for ... our swimming, it has truly helped me be at peace with my own strengths and weaknesses.
I CAN swim!!!
-- Sent from my Palm Pre
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Annual girls weekend
Our 4th annual girls weekend ... Though mamma-to-be Dianna (part quatro) could not spend the weekend, we got to enjoy a beautiful dinner out at the Elephant Walk ...just us four ladies (and 2 little ones in utero). It makes me smile that we found this way to share our lives, even when our paths have become winding, sometimes close to each others and sometimes very different maps, but this girls weekend tradition has ensured we always have a path shared, at minimum one time per year ... It is something I treasure and look forward to all year long!
Here's to celebrating friendship, love you ladies!!
2011 girls weekend
Our 4th annual girls weekend ... though mamma-to-be Dianna (part quatro) could not spend the weekend, we got to enjoy a beautiful dinner out at the Elephant Walk ...just us four ladies (and 2 little ones in utero). It makes me smile that we found this way to share our lives, even when our paths have become winding, sometimes close to each others and sometimes very different maps, but this girls weekend tradition has ensured we always have a path shared, at minimum one time per year ... It is something I treasure and look forward to all year long!
Here's to celebrating friendship, love you ladies!!
-- Sent from my Palm Pre
Monday, July 25, 2011
A little snip-it of why I "tri"
i tri...
to clear my head
to be an inspiration to my children
to breathe
to resurrect my childhood athlete
to eat chocolate
because it makes me happy
to feel strong
because it makes me feel so good
to prove girls are just as awesome as boys
to inspire others
to be with friends
to appreciate what i have
to drink wine with out regret
because it brings me closer to myself
to get peace and quiet
to see that admiration in my husband's eye
to feel confident
because my Mermaids rock!
to challenge my fears
because it brings me peace
I tri for me ...
Sunday, July 24, 2011
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