feeling Chipper once more

Sickly Sweet

This picture really sums up the last few days for you my love. Gastro has taken over your fragile frame and at times left you crying "I think im going to feel like this forever!"
I reassured you (as best I could) that this soon would pass but I know trials have a way of feeling never-ending. It has been hard going on you. There has been vomit and sleeplessness and bravery. You have met this challenge with courage and tenderness. This is how you approach life in general and it makes me swell with pride.

Our remedy has been water, rest and extraordinary patience. Your favourite book has helped you find your laughter amid your tears. You sure do love Bums

You have not left my side and I am grateful to be in a position where I have not been required to leave yours. I look forward to seeing your happy face again soon. Sleep well sweetheart and dream of happy days to come. I love you.

18 months

You have another ear infection, which means another course of anti-biotics. You are a good patient my boy. Despite the extra jellybeans, I believe God made you this way - Tough! Capable!
We don't know if there is a connection between your poor ears and your poor speech. Perhaps there is none and you are just taking your time. But I still worry (I'm not only your mother but I am my Father's daughter that way too.)  I want you to know that either one if ok with me. You will always be allowed to take your time and to find out who God created you to become.
I know your ears work because they work well enough for you to truly hear music. I pray long and hard that this will be your drug of choice... No matter what needs healing!

You make a "sssssss" sound for an elephant and when you pretend to play cars. I'm extremely fond of that sound and this face...

and this face

and this face

 

oh, and always these thighs

The charge to chronicle my love for you comes in the most unpredictable places and  times; While I shower,  as I sweat the onions,  when I hang the washing.
In the slow, quiet moments of my everyday motions you are a beacon for my subconscious - you are always my destination, whether I have packed for the ride or not.

     As you grow you change.
               It is necessary.
                                     It is breathtaking.
As you grow you change and those changes sneak up on me as I prune the roses, stack the dishwasher, put you softly to sleep...

Happy Wedding Anniversary (even though we forgot)

For our wedding Anniversary I wrote you a love poem Baxter...

              I'll love you forever...  

                      I'll love you for always xxx

The Quilt Makers ...

We met much earlier then you remember and yet I never forgot that first stolen glance and the flushing that filled my 11 year old cheeks each time your name was spoken thereafter.

It took us 12 years to meet again, only this time you remembered me. It started with a Simpson's joke and an awkward high five and a flushing of my cheeks still.

One year later, as we knelt at that alter, unlike a lamb to the slaughter, I gave myself over to you freely. Eternally Sealed myself to yourself like the makings of a finely stitched quilt... We made promises to finish it together. Added children like patchwork to give beauty to our art and enrich the fabrics.

 
But making quilts is messy and we are 6 years into eternity and feeling the weight of the scraps... Like tracing paper outlines pinned to calico we feel fragile and tacked together lightly... The very thought of our hard work being so easily unsewn is frightening.

Love. is hardwork....

But Our love is biblical and you know me like Adam knew Eve and even they passed through sorrow to find joy. And though there may be snakes in our garden, the fruit is still sweet to taste.

With the pain of each needle's prick and the pulling of threads we grow tightly knit together.

You see...
           Quilting takes time and we are only 6 years into forever with nothing but time on our sides ... and our hands and our backs...

So let fire and life rage at our doorstep. It will only make for better built blanket forts to keep us tucked in safely...
                     Together!