WARNING: Sappy Post Ahead!

This post is a little sappy, ok a lot sappy.  But hey,  cut me some slack, I miss my hubby and our anniversary is coming up.  Nick is gone on a research trip for 3 1/2 weeks. We really miss having daddy around, and not only because I can't make him change the poopy diapers.  This situation, him being gone, is kind of funny.  I mean in one way, I can't help but feel a little confident.  Like, wow I am actually doing this, taking care of these kiddos, being without my Nicholas. I am my own person, and I am strong enough to be my own person.  However, at the exact same time I can't stop feeling and thinking about how happy I am that I get to do this, our family, my life's journey WITH Nick.  Everything, is better with him.  I am my own capable person, but he, helps make me better.  I can be a good mom on my own, but with him, I have the ability to be a great mom.  I am strong on my own, but with him, I am capable of not only surviving but thriving through the tough stuff. I want to teach my children that who they want to be and what they can do, does not need to be completely dependent on their partner, but that if they find one that supports, enriches, and helps make their journeys that much richer, than to love that person.  Respect that person.  Give to that person, in a way that reflects their love. 

I checked my myspace for the first time in like 3 years and found some great old pictures.  Here are a few gems I found of our young love :-) 

Playing with photoshop 

New York 2008

Nerds

Gosh this must have been around 2002! 

Newlyweds

We're babies! 

Furniture shopping...pre kids, when shopping didn't end in tears, for all four of us! 

Apparently we like to take pictures of our selves sharing drinks

On our honeymoon

I'm still here!

I've realized anytime we are in Oregon I become a very lazy blogger.  Ok, maybe just lazy.  The days go quickly filled with family and buisiness, and not to mention "sleeping in" (thanks mama-in-law!)  I do miss my house.  Having things organized in the way I'm used to, my wonderful neighbors, who make the tough days of parenting a little easier, and the fact that our place is within walking distance of the grocery store, farmers market, campus and the library.  However, there is something rejuvenating about being "home" in Oregon.  We come here, recharge our batteries, pick fresh berries, play with cousins, grandparents, and friends, enjoy a life that is well, a little simpler.  By the end we are ready to be in our own place again, a little more rested to take on the adventures we have set out to accomplish.   We still have a little over another month left here in Oregon, unfortunately Nick will be gone doing research for most of it.  Perhaps I can convince that wonderful mother-in-law I mentioned earlier to come back to Stanford with us to rejuvenate from Nick being gone (*wink *wink).

I will work on uploading pictures of our amazing summer soon, I promise.  It's funny how something as simple as my computer-camera chord not hanging right next to the computer like it is at home would prevent me from uploading the pictures this entire time, but it does.  See?  Lazy.  

Here are a couple of pictures to wet your whistle while you are waiting on the edge of your seats, as I am sure you are doing.

tee-lalh

Happy 1st Birthday Baby Girl!

Happy 1st birthday to my darling Elenita.  You love trains and babies equally.  Roar like a lion and blow endless kisses.  You lipsync to Glee and dance with your brother to Beck. You're not afraid to be you and that is wonderful news since I wouldn't want you to be anyone else.  May you always keep this freedom to be yourself, while loving and caring for others in the process.  And above all, may I always support you in doing this. 

Happy birthday baby girl!