thankful.

I start this blog right now sitting in my room at my computer desk, listening to the sounds of my little home. I am thankful for all of these sounds and voices even though at times I feel as though my head could explode from all of the noise...it's late and Brenna just got home from work and now everyone is home and everyone is still awake. I hear a banjo being played by Corbin in one of the bedrooms, I hear Brenna giving Dominic exact directions on what to do with the things on the ledge that need to be taken downstairs, one of which is a bag of cat poop from the literbox that Brenna just cleaned out. Dominic walked by and asked me if I wanted some "dung" No thank-you Dom, I'm good in the dung department, but thank-you and I hear Lucas coming up the stairs singing the lyrics..."bury my heart next to yours...." lyrics from a Mumford and Sons song. I look up and see Alyssa's happy smiling face and am both torn because shes not here but so grateful for all five of them. I am grateful for each of their faces and hearts, I am thankful that God blessed me with 5 truly creative, passionate and artful souls. Where will their paths take them? My heart is torn tonight, another holiday without Alyssa. That always sounds so final but its a reality that I am faced with at the arrival of each holiday on the calendar. I miss my girl so much, I miss her ability to keep the peace. I miss her sweet voice and the past couple of days when Brenna has been talking to me, I have heard Alyssa SO much in her voice, it's crazy. Tonight I reflect on what's happened since last year at this time and will forever try to take from it lessons and a gratefulness for the time that I do get to have with my family, with all of their perfect imperfections.

 I actually did a session this morning with my own kids! Amazing! Those will come soon!

sick kitty.

There is a sick kitty in our house and it's breaking my heart. A couple of days ago Mumford started acting a little off and keeps going and hiding, doesn't really want to eat or drink too much and is just really lethargic. It's not really like him and Brenna is really scared that he may have what Muriel died from which was called FIP. She is taking him in this afternoon to have him looked at. Poor Brenna, it's been one thing after another for her...I am praying that whatever it is that's wrong with him can be treated and he will back to his usual little self again soon. Malachi would be so lonely without his brother. Look at how comforting he's being to his sick little brother.

Malachi and Mumford.

 

Mumford and Sons

So! Those who read this blog or even slightly know me know that I love Mumford and Sons and knows that Brenna and I went to see them this past Saturday! Amazing!! I didn't take a ton of pictures of the day because we were too busy being super cool at the Hollywood Bowl hearing super great music but here are a few

So that was driving into LA. Buildings buildings and more buildings! It's cool and all however I wouldn't want to live there, {sorry to all of you LA dwellers, the big city just isn't for me}

 

LET US IN!

 

They really were awesome and we met some very cool people who were sitting around us. I forgot that the Hollywood Bowl is an outdoor venue and Brenna only had on a tank top and a flannel shirt...we were FREEZING but it was so worth it, we froze right along with everyone else, once Mumford and Sons started up, we stood up and stood the entire 2 hours! I didnt feel my toes for over two hours but so what, who cares? They sang so much, and Brenna was able to yell to Marcus Mumford to tell him that she named her cats after him...now whether he heard her or not, who knows, but she got to tell him and that's all that mattered to her :) She kinda sorta has a crush on the fella. I love that they have such a snazzy dressed fan-base, really I do. I didn't see one pair of saggy pants in the whole place! Hip Hip!! If you haven't listened to them yet...give their new album Babel some earttention. Get it? No but really....listen to them! I have video, but Ill spare you, only because I didn't get time to upload it, but they sang Lucas's favorite song and I told Lucas that I yelled from the crowd and asked them to sing Below My Feet for Lucas and so they did. (at least thats what I told Lucas) and he thinks its true and said, "Ohhh thats so cool" He wants a kick drum and I bet you he gets one! LOVE.