22/52: A Portrait A Week

Novato Nap Time

Two to Three

 As many of you may already know for the past 2 1/2 years our family has been living apart while my husband was stationed in Alameda California aboard the USCGC Waesche.  We made the tough decision to move back home near family when we learned the boat would be out to sea more than they would be home.  On Tuesday my husband said goodbye to his ship and fellow crew members, as we boarded a plane.

Pre-flight Oprah Chai…. not so good for the nerves ^_^

Completely engrossed watching Ponyo

Baggage claim beauty

Shortly after collecting our luggage we wheeled our cart out to meet Daddy.  While I would have loved to have captured this moment to share, I wanted to be fully present.  We've waited so long for this day to come, and there it was. 

We then went to our favorite pizza place in Alameda called Tomatina.  If you are ever in the area I would highly recommend you stop by.  It is there they got to spend some long awaited quality time, and  I captured this sweet Daddy Daughter moment.

I think it's safe to say she missed him

A sweet way to end an anticipated day.  Our party of two is now three!!!!!!

21:52

Learning to play catch with a velcro mitt

Celia's Book Nook: Lately Lily

Lately Lily is our latest book nook find!  We have enjoyed the clothing line with their unique and adventurous designs for about two years now.  We were exceptionally excited when we heard there was going to be a book.  Being the mother of a military child I felt this book would speak to her in a way no one else could.

I want Cecilia to see this lifestyle for what it truly is, an opportunity to see and explore many places others may not have the chance to go.  My hope is that she will be a child of the world, and find bits of her future self along the way.  Letting it influence her as she will likely influence the hearts of those she meets on this life's journey.

"Where we LOVE is Home,

Home that our Feet may leave,

But not our Hearts"

-Oliver Wendell Holmes

Bi-Zi Farms: Furry Friends and Sunshine Snacks

Bi-Zi Farms has always been one of our favorite places to visit in Vancouver WA.  They have beautiful  produce, u-pick flowers, friendly staff, and sweet animals.  In the Fall they host a Harvest Festival that is inexpensive and full of fun activities.

Leave it to Cecilia to find the ONE puddle with water still in it

I cannot believe how much she has grown.  I love seeing what she gravitates to, and selecting her own snack.

Bi-Zi Farms carries some of the BEST Honey.

Off to feed the animals

Hello Mr. Donkey

He loves me

Cecilia adores animals.  I try to take her to interact with them whenever We have the opportunity.  I hope she will always maintain this interest.

There is nothing quite like enjoying some sunshine with your little one, and eating a snack that nature helped prepare.  It is in these moments I feel closest to God.  When I get to sit and admire all of his work, including her.

20/52: A Portrait A Week

Having a go at putt putt

Our Children

I just finished watching Oprah's Super Soul Sunday featuring Dr. Shefali Tsabary on her new book "The Conscious Parent".  I was so moved by her profound approach to parenting I had to share the link HERE on my blog.  I am an Avid Jo Frost parenting fan, but I think Dr. Shefali Tsabary offers some solutions for the things that I feel are missing.  The approach to looking at the parent instead of the child.  I will set out tomorrow to find this book, and will keep you all posted on what I encounter.  If you have or plan to read it, I encourage you to share your feelings and experiences with the book and it's method.  Let's embark on this journey together. 

They ended the program with a beautiful excerpt from "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran and so I will end this post the same.  Here's to learning! 

OUR CHILDREN
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.

To Mom With Love

My Mom and I have had many up and downs in our relationship over the years.  She was still quite young when she had me, in a young marriage, and still had a lot of things she wanted to experience in life.  While I wish my parents had stayed together I know young love can often end almost as quickly as it began.

I lived with my Dad and my Step Mom for sometime while my Mom traveled with a dance company.  They later merged with a circus and she worked as a dancer and aerialist (which I will post pictures when I get to Juneau seeing as my pictures are in boxes).  There is nothing like being a child and seeing your parent dressed as a beautiful butterfly dangling from the perch of a big top.  As amazing as it was, as a child you just want your parent.

Shortly after she returned I begged my Dad to let me live with her.  While I wish I could take back those heartbreaking words, I always felt motherly towards my mother (especially since the divorce and his remarriage) as if she needed me to look out for her.   He reluctantly said yes.  I feel that conversation is what complicated our Father/ Daughter relationship...  Like I said I wish I could take back those hurtful words, but I was only a child who felt the need to look after her mom.

When I was 10 we moved to Tacoma Washington which started out with the best of intentions.  My Mom found a creative outlet in music, had a good job, and made some friends.  I struggled with being bullied for being, and I quote "TOO HAPPY".  What the Heck?  After a year or so I made some lifelong friends.  For about five years it was good, but then that turned to bad, and bad turned to worse.  My Mom struggled with depression, abusive relationships, and drug addiction.  Sure I could've retreated and gone to live with my Dad, but again….. Motherly Child.

I know this may seem like such a long way around, but it will all make sense very soon.

I always lived with the fear that one day I would lose my mom, and there were a few times I nearly did.    But since we moved back home to Portland, and I now have a family of my own, we have mended our relationship.  A lot of which I owe to  our new found relationship with God.  I am so thankful he spared my mother, and that she did not die along with her addiction. 

She has since been sober for 11 years

I couldn't just share this photo without sharing our story.  Without it, it wouldn't mean as much.

Just last Saturday she got remarried (since marrying my dad) to a tender hearted man who loves her greatly.  I couldn't be happier for the love they have found and wish them the very best.  

I Love You Mom

XOXOXO

2nd photo taken by Amber Grigsby of Darlings and Dames Photography

If You're A Bird I'm A Bird: Cannon Beach

Cecilia reminds me of Allie from the Notebook in her little ensemble 

My husband and I fell in love on the seaside.  I can't wait to be together again soon.

Celia's Book Nook: Dream Animals

Cecilia and I adore all things created by Ms. Emily Winfield Martin (a local artist); but especially her book Dream Animals.  Most of the artwork in Cecilia's room is by Emily, so you can imagine the excitement when we found out she was writing this book.  The paintings are incredibly charming, and rich; while accompanied by a delightful slumber time poem.  There's to be a second installment coming soon so stop on by The Black Apple to see what Ms. Emily is up to.

We attended her book launch and got ours signed

 

Share with us your latest book finds and favorites!

Celia's Book Nook

I Positively Adore You

 My Sweet Girl,

Thank you for giving me the greatest gift of all; the opportunity to be your mom.  You challenge me to be my very best and there's not a moment I don't thank God for you.  I love and adore you very much….. unending in fact.

XOXOXO
Mommy