same old place
love, Val
their anniversary
My aunt and uncle, my godparents, live in the beautiful hills of western Wisconsin. It’s always beautiful there. A summer day like this one? Yes. A day in the fall? Stunning. Winter? Yeah, breathtaking. Those are my kids, trooped down the cornfield to show the grandkids some cows. They liked them. The cows obligingly moo-ed
a weekend alone
It was just Jay and me and the three little kids for a couple days at the cabin. It was fine, nice. They brought along this game, Mall Madness, which was fun, though a little confusing as games are, especially when the instructions are explained by children. Jay’s not big on shopping at the mall
the field
These are flowers kids picked in the field. The field is what’s at the end of this trail. The reason so much sunshine is on the trail is because this big tree snapped a few weeks ago. When it fell, it took out a couple of other trees. Here’s the field, freshly mowed. Someone suggested
more cabin
“Smile, Girls!” They tried. They hate it when I snap pictures of them while they’re chewing, or squinting, or fixing a wedgie. I understand. Everything was same as we left it, for better or worse. We had the little girl p.j. for a sleepover for one night before her parents came. She’s easy company. Michael’s had
backing up–john turns 35
He did, he turned 35, and we had cake and gave him his present at the lake. These are some pictures of the weekend that capture a bit of my distress. See, this is NOT important on any logical level, spiritual level, nothing. But the mess gets to me. It’s spread out wide and far,
backing up–john turns 35 Read More »
father’s day, 2014
There he is, my dad, smiling for me upon request. Some of us went over there tonight, ate ice cream cones, ran around. It was a nice night, perfect weather, perfect evening sunshine. This was earlier today at the lake, in the rain: It’s a sandwich maker we’re excited to try out. That’s James, forced
father’s day, 2014 Read More »
thirty-five
Yes, indeed. We’ve known each other a very long time. A few weeks ago I participated as a guest blogger. http://julia-transition.blogspot.com/2014/05/moms-make-it-work-valarie-mom-to-ten.html Here’s an excerpt: “Here’s what I did not know while I went around with a baby tucked under my chin and a house full of rowdy goofballs: They were going
a productive sunday
This girl came to spend the afternoon while her mom was hosting a wedding shower. She was a little scared of the college guys in the house, so she camped out on my bed, looking nervous. That’s completely fine. Outside Jay and the kids were rehabbing the doll house. My parents bought this for the
a productive sunday Read More »