Good Picture Please

PJ and I had a mommy-son date recently. He is pretty reluctant to have his picture taken these days. I snuck this one and was pretty proud of myself. 

When he saw the result, he was not amused and asked me to take another "good picture please." Then he posed. The result were these. 

And finally :

He was finally happy with the outcome. Or the treat. Either way. What a cutie. 

I was finally graced with permission to take a "selfie".

Lucky lucky lucky mommy. 

XO

Little Moments

Are everything. 

XO

Summer Fun with Eritrea

The journey continues with our dear friends from Eritrea. As the refugee crisis continues throughout the world, we have had quite a number of little and big joys.

After a private donor funded more than 15 intensive German courses earlier this year -- THANK YOU, Angel! -- we now have 10 friends who are starting an education program for either professional or academic skills. We have a few starting an internship or apprenticeship. We have also welcomed three healthy babies.

All that and now our home is getting healthier. So I decided it was time to celebrate again.

There was food and drinks, music and dancing. Right before the party broke up, we managed a pictures. There are a good number of people missing, especially quite a number of our German friends who have done so much to ensure hope, climb mountains, and discover opportunity.

Our dearest, most engaged, most devoted is right next to me, on the right. She was born in Eritrea and grew up in Germany. She has moved mountains; created miracles; herded a ridiculous amount of cats; victoriously battled bureaucrats; and brought so much hope to us all in such different ways. Dear, if you ever read this, know that you are a role model and a friend. I am so thankful for you.

The struggles and the joys will continue. The dance of setting up new life will continue, two steps forward, one step back, a little twirl, sometimes a dip, and somehow it all comes together.

I am honored and so thankfully that we somehow stumbled into each others' lives.

Xo

Matilly, okay!

Recently Bean and I went to a small family party in a tiny village. There was a small cabin with a little kitchen right next to an extended batch of woods. After a short period of getting comfortable, Bean took off into the woods.

This was right when my foot was the worst and I could hardly walk, let alone chase an almost-two-year-old into the woods. I called out for her, asking her to come, to return.

Instead, she turned around, look at me, and yelled "MATTILY OKAY!"

Oh, this one, We are in for one heck of a ride. 

XO

Alle Hopp! Fun

A new playground opened up close to our home. This place is extraordinary: made primarily from natural materials and to inspire (rather than direct) creative play. We waited a few weeks to check it out and when we finally did, it was well-worth the wait.

She that little one at the very top. That's my 20 month old. She loved it. PJ ripped up and down the climbing areas so quickly, none of the pictures worked out.

There is even a sand pit. Bean quickly proclaimed herself Queen.

No, seriously, ask Bean, " are you a princess?" Then answer will always be "nope." Ask if she is a queen, and the answer will always be "yup."

The singular picture of PJ that turned out. Just had to trap him with ice cream.

XO

What Love Can Look Like

Co

Summer Camp & Day Date

PJ attended his first summer day camp this year.

God, that sentence makes me feel old.

Anywho.

The camp included football (soccer), baseball, Frisbee, climbing on a ropes course, walks in the woods, tennis, and every other activity that could lead to little boys and girls getting as dirty as they can (and should!).

Patrick flourished. He was excited, energetic, positive, and integrated into his group. After months of the opposite, both the Mr. and I loved watching him blossom. He came home dirty as dirty can be each day.



After months of hearing "I don't know!" to almost every question, we suddenly heard story after story when we asked "How was your day?" and "Who did you play with?" and "What was your favorite part of the day?"

Stories that took minutes to tell, with bright eyes and a big smile, that included names and laughter and all those little details that matter.



By the third day, he even started teaching little Bean how to play new sports. With confidence and pride.

Confidence and pride carry over, of course. Bean took a page out of her big brother's book and this happened:

PJ's positive experience and our shared, increasingly positive family atmosphere, inspired us old people to go climbing on this amazing ropes course for a day date. 

We both climbed around, pushing the limits. After over two hours, with shaking arms and legs as well as heart soaring with pride, I stepped off the course. From the ground, I watched the Mr. take on even bigger challenges, pushing himself even harder.

Together, we ended our day date, tired, sore, and clear-eyed with confidence.

Thank you, summer day camp and awesomely challenging ropes course, for all the confidence and smiles. We needed you. 

XO