happiest of happy birthdays

See how Charlotte is eyeing that delicious chocolate cake.  Oh, it was yummy and she would have gobbled it all up if we had let her.  

How could I not have an amazing birthday with these three in my family?  They are the best.

delish

So, here's the only picture I took today.  I don't take pictures of food often, unless it's really noteworthy food.  This is my favorite dinner meal that Matthew makes these days. We make it once a week because it's so easy and yummy.

He just cuts up lots of veggies and sticks a big ole' chicken in the middle and then cooks it all up.  

so very grateful

This is what Henry and I did during sacrament meeting today. We made lists of things we are grateful for. How grateful I am for that little boy. 

monkey do

Charlotte is all about copying Henry these days. Today during a walk around the neighborhood she followed right behind him and swung her arms just like he was doing. If he coughed, she coughed. If he said yes, so did she.  

Sometimes we really don't want her copying him. Like when he throws fits. As if we need that in stereo. 

But all in all, he is a great example for her to be following.  He has such a sweet, tender heart. He is funny and kind and smart. As someone who had an amazing big brother (and sister!) to look up to, I'd say she's really lucky. 

island view

Long day today...  Most of it spent on a job site on Mercer Island. At least the view was lovely and the sun was shining. 

stuck

Traffic has been horrible this week. Maybe it's the rain, or college starting, but I've spent far too much time sitting on the road since Monday.  

It almost makes a gal want to get up at 4:00 and just miss the whole circus. 

Almost. 

rain rain here to stay

This little babe loves playing in the flower pots. We were on our way into the house this morning after running errands and she just had to stop. She played out there for ten minutes even though it was chilly and rainy. It will be hard to keep her inside through the fall and winter. 

a soft place to land

Every few months, an anxiety attack comes along.  

When I can't catch my breath, and my heart won't slow down, and my hands start to shake, I have to go to bed.  

I have to leave work, drive home, take some medication and then sleep. 

So, that's what I did this morning.  And now I feel better.

glory days

This hasn't happened for months.  I got home today with about a half hour to spare before dinner.  Henry was playing Lego (the plural for the little bricks, don't you know) at a friend's house, so I took Charlotte outside to walk.  

We just walked up and down the street.  Each bush by the sidewalk delighted her.  A little ant held her attention as it scurried along.  Her one long honey brown curl on the back of her head bobbed up and down as she waved pieces of red bark in the air.  Of course, she tried to escape to the street; we're still working on that one.

But she was in heaven.  And all I could think was, "These must be the glory days."

Tonight before bed, I read to Henry.  And he read to me.  We snuggled.  We giggled about the name of the villain in the book, Professor Poopypants.  This boy loves to read.  He got 20 new books for his birthday, and he couldn't have been more pleased!

He was in heaven.  Again, I thought, "These must be the glory days."

getting it all together

This weekend, I've been really focusing on catching up with the housework. So much laundry!!

But I feel like I've made some real progress and it feels so much better around. It might expose my truly obsessive tendencies to tell you exactly how much I love a clean home. So I'll just leave it at... I kinda feel like I can conquer the world with a clean house. Don't ask me how that works. 

But it does. 

little girl in a big world

At least she has her dolly with her.

prayer

This is how she prays.  I think it's the most adorable.

Obviously, I took this picture in the middle of our dinner prayer.  It was totally irreverent, and I don't feel bad about it at all.

on the island

I had a meeting today on Whidbey Island. I was really nervous because I had to make a presentation. My heart was pounding for an hour before it was my turn. 

It ended up going really well, and I'm so excited about the lighting system we get to design for the hospital out there. 

Today was exhausting. 

bumps & bruises

My poor little sweetheart took a tumble on the sidewalk on Sunday night. Here's how her battle wounds are looking today. It's dangerous work to learn to run and giggle at the same time. 

modern times

I snapped this photo today and thought to myself, 'modern parenting at its best'. Both parents are home on a monday, but both are working from home. So all day we took turns playing with the baby and them rushing to our computers to catch up. Matthew left the house for a while to go see a client and I left to go to a church meeting in the neighborhood. We both went to meet Henry at the bus. We both got to have sweet moments with the baby. And we both made some money. 

Phew. Parenting is exhausting. 

happy girl

We had our annual September birthday celebration with our Gunnell family that's local. It was wonderful. Charlotte loved spending time with her grandma. I love this photo since Charlotte is holding her favorite dolly, which my mom's mom made for me. 

pirates ahoy!

(It's not like Henry has a flair for the dramatic at all.)

We had a blast throwing Henry's sixth birthday party today. He has such a great group of buddies that were able to come help him hunt for (piñata) treasure!  

fall encroaching

Charlotte would live on our back patio if she could.  She will often make her way to the back door, point, and say, "Siiiiiiiiiiiiiide!' Once her shoes are on and she is released into the backyard, she is content to amble around picking up rocks and demolishing flowers.

And we have to do as much of this as possible these days.  Fall will be here soon, and the rain, too.

ahoy!

This evening, I was lucky enough to go on a boat cruise around Lake Washington.  I was invited by a client of mine that I've had the privilege of working with for 8 years.  We sailed past Husky Stadium, Bill Gates' house, and a floating bridge.  My coworker, Mary, came with me and even got the bartender to make us some very yummy (nonalcoholic!) drinks.  

I drove home feeling so grateful for the people I've met and the opportunities I've been given in my life.

he is six!

When I saw him this morning, first thing, I started singing 'happy birthday to you'.  After I had finished, he said to me, "Mom!  I'm six!  I don't look any different but I'm six now!"

He is the best little boy.