I Will Never Forget

I will always remember where I was this day ten years ago. The sadness that took over every part of my being. The tears that welled up. The breath that was lost from my lungs. I couldn't move. Just sitting there in amazement at the sight on the television. What was going on? Who could do this? Why us? Why anybody for that matter?!
I was 18 years old + getting ready for class that morning, just like every other day. I turned the TV on for a minute + was paralyzed. I was so confused. I have never really seen war {or understood it} in my lifetime until then. Nor had I ever known such pain and sorrow for another human like I had that day. And still, ten years later, I bawl my eyes out when I see coverage of the tragedy that took place on 9.11.01. The sights from the towers + ash covering the people + streets. News of more planes crashing! The voices of the newscasters were lost. I couldn't hear them. My mind could not focus. I felt so alone that morning. All I wanted was my family + to curl up in a ball with them.
All of the lives lost. All of the sacrifices that were made. Lives that were changed forever.
We took Baylor + Hunter to our local fire station today to bring the fire fighters lunch and to say thank you for everything that they do each and every day. It wasn't much, but we hope the gesture was enough to make them feel appreciated. I want this to become a tradition for our little family. And not just on 9.11. And not just the fire station, but the police station, EMTs, etc. We need to show our appreciation for one another and more often.
I read an article today on Yahoo about a young boy at the age of 11 who lost his father that fateful day. Ten years later, he spoke again + was still just as moving. He read a poem on the second anniversary of 9.11 that really touched me, + of course brought me to tears.

Stars by Deborah Chandra

"I like the way they looked down from the sky / And didn't seem to mind the way I cried / And didn't say, 'Now wipe away those tears,' / Or, 'Tell us, tell us what's the matter here!' / But shining through the dark they calmly stayed / And gently held me in their quiet way.  / I felt them watching over me, each one / And let me cry and cry till I was done."

Here is the link

I love this world + I love my family + I love my life. But, it's becoming harder + harder to stay in a love/love relationship with this world when so many things go wrong. I really worry for my children. Will they see this, too, in their lifetime? Will they know this sort of pain + sorrow in their own country? I can only hope not. But, I'm just one person.

I will always remember...

Catchin' Up

We are now almost 14mo old! Can you believe it?! I still don't know where all of the time went. When I find it, I will let you know. But, in the meantime, here's a little bit about my buggers.

Baylor

~ I am running everywhere these days! I will walk, but only if it's required...
~ I got my very first pair of shoes a couple of weeks ago. They took some getting used to, but I figured them out!
~ I am very smart! I know who the fireman (lego toy man) is and the construction worker too! I even know what the fireman's doggy looks like and can get that for you too.
~ I love dogs sooooo much! I get so excited when I see them on TV, in a book or in the street. They make me very happy.
~ I really like to talk and point at all of the things around me. Lights are my biggest fascination right now.
~ I really like to roll the ball around the room or to you! It is so much fun!
~ I am now eating like a "big boy". Things like sandwiches and chicken nuggets. I also like crackers! They're fun to crunch + munch on. Mommy thinks I look like a little rabbit.
~ I ask about "da" all the time. I will point at the bedroom door or garage door (where I always see daddy coming in) and say "Da?". He brightens my day!
~ If you are laying down on the floor and I want you to sit up, I will try to pick you up the best I can! I will grab your hand or put my hands under your head and pull/push you... What? I am determined and know what I want.
~ I like to sit in mommy + daddy's lap when they are on the floor and read books with them.
~ I took off my poopy diaper just for mommy during nap time the other day. It's what I like to call P-Day. Poop was everywhere! Sheets, bed rails, fingers...

~ I am feeding myself with a spoon these days. Only things like Greek yogurt though. Otherwise it's on the floor, my forehead, hair, walls, etc.!
~ I have another tooth... this makes 8 now!

Hunter

~ I am walking full speed ahead these days. Not quite as fast as Baylor, but I'm catching up!
~ I have a brand new pair of shoes! They are awesome and I can walk really well in them.
~ I used sign language two weeks ago to say "more"! Mommy + daddy were so proud! Been workin on that one for 13 months now...
~ I said Tigger!!! And it really sounded like that... "tih-ga"
~ I get super excited when I see doggies. Whether they are on TV, walking down the road or in our living room, I shout out "Dahg"!
~ I love to read. I will sit on the floor with a book and just flip the pages over and over again. I love it when I find a dog in my books.
~ I eat like a big boy when it comes to sandwiches + toast, etc. I like to munch on crackers too! I look like a little bunny...
~ I know where the music comes from in our playroom. When I want to hear it, I will point to the radio and stand nearby waiting patiently!
~ Once the music starts, I run over to the gate, hold on for dear life, + dance my little heart out! Shaking my head back + forth really fast is my signature move.
~ I have this weird crawl where I put my head on the floor + crawl really fast while my head is still touching the ground... It's so funny!
~ I am starting to talk alot more! And I am really beginning to have better pronunciation my words. Words like truck, dog, cat, ball are all starting to sound out!
~ I am climbing on top of everything!
~ I am getting a little better at feeding myself with a spoon... only things that stick to the spoon though! Unless mommy's helping. 
~ I also have another tooth! 6 for me...

Go Braves!
We took the boys to their second Braves game last week! And boy was it HOT... I don't remember the last time I sweated this badly. Yuck. But, the Braves won and the boys had a great time!

If you zoom in on the photo of Baylor, he kinda looks like Brad Pitt don't ya think?! (Please don't pay attention to me...) We definitely have two very handsome boys! GQish, no?!

Playdates! Finally! 

Two days in a row too! Wow, have I gone mad? 

First, we met Suzanne + Micheal at Hammond Park for some play time {+ mommy time as well}. Sand and swings. Could this day get any better?

The next day we met Heather + her little man, Wyatt, at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. Let's just say that having two, at this age, is not easy! They're still in the "new to walking" phase, "I have to touch everything + put it in my mouth" phase, + the "meltdown every time you keep me from doing what I want" phase. If I had had an extra set of hands this day would have been much, much easier! But, lesson learned and we will go back better prepared next time. :)

The Children's garden at the ABG is super cute and very entertaining for kids! Story time, water to splash in, mazes, gardens, ponds with fish... you name it, they have it! And it's so peaceful. When it's not overrun with kids for story time of course! We took the boys last year for their two month birthday. But, it was mainly an escape out of the house for mommy + daddy. And we just lounged in the grass feeding these two little, innocent, dependent angels.
This time around?! We're talking two not-so-innocent anymore, INdependent monsters! :) Don't get me wrong. They're still my little angels. But, they want down to explore. Which I love, but doing it alone... it's like which kid do I keep an eye on more? They're splitting up, going every which-away, + kicking + screaming when I try to put them back in the wagon. Whew! It was a tough day!

I have a big announcement coming soon! So keep your eyes peeled! Hint: it's why I've been so MIA lately...

XOXO