Owning our story...

20 days since the last post...just like that. Today happened to be be one of those days that emotionally matched the weather around here...overcast...or as Henri and Graham call it, cloudy with a chance of meatballs. However, the end of the day always gives time for reflection and the outlook is sunny. I had a hand appointment today and it looks like surgery is in my imminent future. That was the overcast part of the day...then things fell into place. Our air conditioner was repaired just in time for this soupy night we have on hand...praise God!!! Henri, Graham and myself had a conversation about how dinosaurs are dead and that maybe they are now worms in today's world...who knew a toddler could be so insightful? This girl! Josh brought our favorite Indian food home and that was a bonus on many levels. So as I said, ended the day on some very high notes. We have a busy few weeks ahead of us. Josh will be away on business (because he always works so hard for our family) and immediately after that we will be headed to the 513 to celebrate the nuptuals of my college bestie Natalie and her groom to be! The boys are going to be ring bearers in their wedding and I just hemmed their tuxedo pants today. Can't wait to see those little nuggets all decked out...gonna be book of awesome adorable. We will also be celebrating Henri's 4th birthday. He has chosen a Thomas theme again, which makes momma and daddy's job super easy...we have Thomas covered on just about every front. I could ramble on about boring lists of the going's on at the Byrge house but tonight I read something that has sparked something deep in me...there are some embers smouldering here on this one and I wanted to share it. "Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we will ever do" Author unknown Thinking the immediate things like: I expect my husband to love me unconditionally, but I certainly can not lead him there by example if I don't love myself the same way. Owning..."owning"...owning..something about that sounds grown up, permanent, and serious..I don't know that I am ready for any of those? Brave...I am not sure I can name one thing that I have ever done in my whole life that was legitemately brave...I know brave people...I know of brave things that I have seen and that others have done...don't know that anything personal registers up there? Wow, there is some truth in that quote up there..seriously. Ok, now I am exhausted and I am just a few thoughts into this. Bottom line, I need to explore this a little bit (or a lot bit)...it would be nice if I could take a life sabbatical and do that, but for now I am going to have to fit it into the little nooks and crannies of my day that I can steal from and fill it there..... Goodnight, xoxo Mel

Meet Sarah

July is already here and in fact, the holiday is upon us. We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of papa and GG from Cincinnati tomorrow! The time seems to fly by when I work multiple days in a row and this past week was no different. Sunday was our only family day in 7 plus days and we all enjoyed the time with no agenda. It seemed like an ordinary day after church. We came home to have lunch and then we were going to put the boys down for their naps. That is when a 3 weeks string of events hit me like a MACK truck. Graham was standing at the bottom of the stairs turning the hall light on despite it being plenty light enough outside. He then hollered up the stairs, "I turned it on for you Sarah!". I had to pick up my jaw from the floor and as I fully realized what was happening. Just like that Graham was playing with his imaginary friend!!! Henri has never had one, and until now, I don't believe Graham has either. However, for three weeks now, during his play and talk I have heard him mention this Sarah. I am not even sure why, but I am super excited about this new development. Later in the day Sarah went to WalMart with us, played in the backyard and had dinner at our table. I am very excited to foster this little GEM and hope that is helps Graham create something special in his toddler-hood years. Bottom line: This stuff is straight from the book of awesome. Other Book of Awesome things from this past week: Fresh mowed lines in the front yard running horizontally Sticking it to Ameren with no air conditioning for the first 2 days of July (in St. Louis) Having the whole house clean before Mom and Dad arrive Watching a doe and her fawn play in our backyard this morning for over 15 minutes Signing up to push the boys in their first 5K race. Xoxo, Mel