A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer...

Every day, there is something Cayden does that just makes me melt in the madness that surrounds us. In that moment, I am so thankful, so simply happy because of an impromptu kiss or little head leaning against my cheek while she pushes buttons on the internet router.  Yesterday, it was a beautiful September 19 th , and we rushed to take daddy some bulgolgi before he had to race off to Connect Week and then we had to go pick up some garlic, but then we had nothing else to do in town.  So….we headed to Jamba Juice for a peach perfection sans mangos and we sat outside under the sun and yellow umbrella sipping our smoothies on warm wrought iron chairs.  After that, we walked down 9 th   street, at our own pace…stopping to sit in the foreign soft green grass to find the mouse in Goodnight Moon.  A group of five Asian college boys walked behind us for a while and then passed us up at the corner, saying, “so cute” through the cigarette smoke.  We stopped...

Life is crazy. My husband is always busy now with college ministry at OSU, my baby has become a once-a-day napper with an attitude and I am tired, even though I'm supposed to feel more energized after my surgery. I feel like I haven't cooked a proper meal for my family in 2 weeks because our schedules never match up to a proper dinner time. There was a long day at the hospital with some close friends, miracles I never saw coming, and the feeling that life is only going to get busier as fall approaches. Cayden is learning new words every day, including "nuts," "book," "bone," "pea," and I discovered that when she says "shoe," it could mean many things, including "two," "swing me," and "another one." She's learning that she shouldn't color on the furniture or break the crayons on purpose. We are working on potty training, but not super diligent with it - 4 poos in the toilet ...

Baby girl, you are now a year and a half year old. Not so much a baby anymore, but you are always first to notice other babies and follow them around like they belong to you. You are so friendly. A simple "hi" is never enough, so you say, "Hi.... Hi.... Hi.... Hi.... Hi." Puppies are also your favorite. Yesterday you were playing in the back yard with Macie all by yourself. I was worried she would bowl you over like she's done before, but you weren't worried. You picked up her bones and threw them for her, cringing in delight as she raced by you, knocking you a bit off balance. Your new favorite thing is reading books. Most mornings are a back and forth routine of getting on and off my lap with your blanket and "Goodnight Moon." You love to find the mouse ("Eee Eee") on every page. Sometimes you get confused and point to the kittens. Afternoons, it's "Hop on Pop," and if dad's home, we practice hopping on p...