Happy Birthday Grace

Today is Grace's 3rd birthday, she is the daughter of my very close friend. All week tears have dropped from my eyes as I think about her coming birthday. Grace is in heaven with Jesus and is terribly missed here on earth. My brain is not really capible of grasping the loss of a child. This post is me processing some of my thoughts on life pertaining to the things Grace and her life have taught me.

Grace is unmerited favor, to be loved and favored without earning it. Grace is the greatest gift God gives each one of us. Being gracious is something that does not come naturally to me, but is the way God desires me to live. When I think of Grace I try to remember my calling to be gracious.

Life is unpredictable and fragile - loss makes me want to hold on to things tighter and also not as tight. Being acutely aware that life can change in a second makes me want to balance between cherishing people more deeply because they here now and also give them to God now in my mind. I'm sure this is a defense mechanism but it is what works for me. I say I love you to my friends and tell my family I love them more often. I want to live a life full of love, caring deeply about people and caring less about things.

Heaven - I know myself and everyone around me has a certain number of days to live and those should be lived out fully for the Lord. The knowledge of this makes me long more deeply for the day that I'm in Heaven worshiping God in a world without suffering, grief, pain and loss. The older I get the more people in my life I will loose, this is a certainty - heaven is where we meet again and the only place where life will be complete.

Each year on Grace's birthday my friend desires to remember and honor Grace's life by toasting balloons with a special reading. We celebrate her life and also grieve that she is not with us. We love her and miss her. I want Autumn to know the Watson's oldest child, who she was and who she is. To share in someday better understanding the gift of life and sting of loss. It is complicated, life is complicated - I hate that Grace isn't here - I hate the sting of death - I hate that my friend doesn't get to watch her little girl grow up. We will remember and honor Grace through out life and today will always be her special day.

How I use my Chinese Prefolds

I got my prefolds when I bought this kit - http://www.littlefornow.com/item_255/Bummis-Cloth-Diapering-Kit-Organic-Prefolds.htm

I now use my bum genius all in ones as wraps and not pocket diapers because of a butt paste incident. You could put the prefolds in the pocket as well or inside of any other type of wrap.

I've used other folding techniques and this is just the most simple. Click on the image to see a larger view.

21 months

Autumn you are fast approaching 2! This month has been active and full of fun!
We started the month out in Maryland visiting your cousin, Aunt and Uncle! You had so much fun playing and interacting with Eric - with the toys, at the park, in the pool, at the Naval Academy, the Arboretum, and Longwood Gardens. He had a lot of fun watching you too!


We also got to go see Uncle Ryan and Aunt Liz for a couple of days in Arlington! We used all public transit and did a lot of walking - you did pretty well being content in the stroller. The one whole day we had, you and mommy walked 13 miles all over DC - at the zoo, to Georgetown and back to Arlington. At the zoo you especially like the monkeys again and the Pandas.


Back in Colorado we have spent some time in Fort Collins/Loveland and in Glenwood Springs. You really enjoy playing with all your grandparents, cousins and aunts and uncles. You know them all by name and frequently ask for them when we are away. Ella is back with us and although you enjoy doggies - you have your fill sometimes and want nothing to do with them. We've been at Zach and Marc and their puppies Cypress and Talla the last 2 weeks. The puppies like to give you kisses and steal your toys and you like to read 5 Silly Monkeys Jumping on the Bed and play Angry Birds with Marcie!

You love the park, puzzles, to dangle at the park and on things in the house, taking care of your babies, helping to cook, reading books, watching Curious George and Sesame Street and bath time. What ever we are doing, you want to be helping! At Grandma and Papa's you absolutely love playing in the outdoor play house - you have spent hours in there in the last 2 weeks. You cook, hang out the window and run in and out the door - always closing it both directions. At Nana and Papa's you like riding in the wagon, doing all the puzzles, playing with the babies and riding the scoot toy.

We spent a day at the Denver Zoo with friends and had so much fun! You napped on the way down there and lasted 6 hours walking around the whole zoo! Again the monkeys and great apes were your favorite! You also enjoyed seeing the other animals - other favorites were the elephants, frogs and alligators!
I tried to write down moments through out the month and this is what I recorded -


May 15th put your socks on independently
You have started saying sorry, sorry at mostly appropriate times. The other day you screeched and then follow it with "sorry!" It was pretty funny.
For the first time you like riding in the stroller.
You feed yourself with a fork and spoon pretty well now.
You pulled Eric's high chair down on top of you and fell out of it forward. You like to climb on every thing you can.
You are getting better at sharing - this week with your cousin Addy you took turns sharing the Hula Hoop without too much drama. (although this is when the screeching "sorry " thing happened.
You have started to put your sandals on, but they do not always end up on the correct feet
May 25th you spontaneously counted all the way to 10 at the pool.
You explained your whole thought - after you had eaten a snack you didn't see me and went to daddy and said "Daddy play, momma gone."

Your language and comprehension continue to amaze us. You talk to yourself as you play and so it is fun to hear what you are thinking. You repeat everything we say to a point that we have to be careful what we say in front of you! You're words are clear and you continue to speak in 2-5 word sentences that are getting more and more complex.

Your go get 'em attitude goes with you everywhere. You now tell us "self or Autumn do it" when you want to try something without help. When we returned from Maryland you insisted on lugging the rolling suitcase to the curb! Your have so much spunk and energy!


Time outs continue to be a fairly effective way to help teach you that screeching/screaming and touching things you are not supposed are not okay. Most of the time you are great - but there seems to be certain things like the doggy door that are just too tempting.

Autumn you are such a bright and beautiful little girl! You light up our world and bring joy and smiles where ever you are!!! We are so proud of you!!

Love,
Momma and Daddy

Simple Granola

Autumn has been on a granola kick lately - she loved the Trader Joes Ginger Granola. We don't have anymore - so I've been mixing peanut butter and rolled oats and she likes that too. I decided to give toasting some a go and it turned out great and with a whole lot less sugar! I didn't measure anything - so it is all an estimate - add more oats if it is too wet or more peanut butter if it is too dry.

Add 1 cup rolled oats, 1/4 C ground almond, 1/2 C no sugar peanut butter, 1/8 C dried and sugared ginger in a bowl and mix well.

Add 1 egg

Grease lipped cookie sheet and spread mix out

Bake at 300 degrees for about 30 minutes

Addendum: I tried adding cinnamon and ground ginger in another batch - good stuff!!

Join Me - Need Encouragement!

I don't normally address my blog posts to readers - but this one is to you my friends! I've found in life that I'm most motivated when I'm accountable and encouraged! I've committed to do an Olympic length triathlon at the end of August! I'm doing it with a good friend and that helps! But I wanted to send this message to see if anyone wants to join me and to ask for encouragement! I know you will not likely be able to do the same race - but sign up for one in your town. A 5K, 10K, fun run, swim and run, bike ride, sprint triathlon, olympic triathlon... anything that will help you to get your groove on and meet some of your health goals! Your goals can be anything - even to walk a 5K if it will get you walking is awesome!

I've created a log on blogger that I will use to track my workouts - check in on me, make sure I'm making forward progress!! Even if no one reads it - knowing it could be read will help me stay accountable to my goals! http://keauhoulavamama2011.blogspot.com/

Pulse Moments

I received this in an email from Livestrong this afternoon - I think it can be applied to health, faith, relationships, and work. In context of the Sunday sermon I heard this week - "We are here to glorify God," this letter is great motivation to see the pulse moments each day and make the choices that will give God the glory! Choices to love the Lord, to serve and love others, to take care of our bodies, to be humbled, to do our work as if it is for the Lord! Be set free to live in God's pulse, to let him be the strength in your life and be a story of His success.

“The secret of living a life of excellence is merely a matter of thinking thoughts of excellence. Really, it’s a matter of programming our minds with the kind of information that will set us free.” -Charles R. Swindoll

Discover Your Strength

It is said that the only thing that can stop you is yourself. For most people, this is interpreted as an overrated motivational non-sequitur; a blind statement that underscores the variability and uncontrollable nature of every day and every situation. But it's also an accurate assessment of what it takes to be successful. Life is unscripted, which means you're guaranteed to be thrust into situations that are mentally and emotionally challenging.

These are what I call pulse moments. They represent who you are at your core and they vary from important decisions to small lifestyle choices. They are, quite simply, a test of your heart and desire.

My most recent pulse moment happened this morning. After three days out of the country, I returned to my normal routine of 5 am workouts. As I found myself in the gym, my mind was still in bed and my body was lacking motivation. And yet I still made sure to continue my workout and become a little better. The surroundings might have been different, but it was a choice we all face: Push on or go home. Eat better or slip up. Dream of a promotion or settle for something less.

In isolation, the decision to go easy isn't the problem. Missing this morning's workout wouldn't have turned me into a pile of mush. Just as adding dessert won't destroy your diet or taking a day doesn't represent a lack of ambition. But if you're hitting cruise control every time a moment becomes difficult, then you are stopping yourself.

I encourage you to embrace pulse moments and even create them. If we've learned anything from our amazing success stories, like Angel Hall, your mindset is the secret to achieving your best body ever. It's also what helped our editor, Sarah Metzger, change her eating habits and create a new lifestyle that motivates others to be healthy.

At some point, you have to become tired of using life as an excuse. Sure, it won't be easy. Your heart rate might elevate, you'll feel anxious, nervous or even frustrated. But these are the raw human emotions that will lead you to push a little harder. Focus a little more. And claw towards something you didn't think was possible.

So tell me: What's your most recent pulse moment? And what are you doing about it? Confronting your challenge is the first step to becoming unstoppable.

Adam Bornstein (@BornFitness)

Photo Update!

Fun with stickers at the Baltimore Airport

Double Juice!

DIA - yes, she insisted on hauling it all the way to the curb!

Happy Birthday Nana!

Autumn's "smoozy"

Put on my jacket and go for a ride!

Disciplined

Disciplined: To train by instruction and practice, especially to teach self-control to.

Colossians 2:2-4 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. ⁵ For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

Oh dear! I'm afraid that many areas of my life lack discipline. I care not to admit how few times in the last two years I have opened my Bible or quieted myself to meditate. Every time I have attempted to start an exercise routine since Autumn was born, I have gotten a nasty cold and given up.

Time to start - my good friend invited me to start training with her for a triathlon at the end of August. After a short painful run this evening it is apparent that I have my work cut out for me! To finish the race well I will need to work hard, push through pain and build my muscles and endurance. I love the references the Lord uses in the bible to compare races and our faith!

Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

So - physical training and faith training - they are meant to be a regular part of my life all the time. It isn't easy - it takes instruction, practice, and self-control (perseverance)! So, here's to being more disciplined! The race is August 28th, training started today! My goal is to not only be ready for the race but to build healthy physical and faith habits that will continue on past race day! Lord I am yours - help me to be more disciplined so that you can use me more effectively to bring you glory!!!

Unbroken

Autumn has started to say unbroken instead of unbuckle when she wants out of the highchair or car seat. It is a cute replacement of words but struck me as I put her in the car today.

Some days more than others I see pieces of myself that are so broken. I really desire to just be unbroken. That my own personal fights with my flesh would just go away and I could live in complete joy and peace all the time. That I would love everyone like 1 Corinthians describes. Sigh... God please continue changing my heart to be more unbroken.

I love this one!

I captured this on a fairly isolated beach in south Molokai a few weeks ago! I love it because the hole in the lava rock was big enough to capture both the sand and ocean!

Longwood Gardens - Kennett Square, PA

I think this is the closest to heaven I've experienced - sans the streets of gold - the variety and magnitude of flowers, trees and other plants was most phenomenal! Lilies and hibiscus' the size of Frisbees, an Italian water garden the size of a soccer field, spiky, string, waxy and delicate flowers! Acres and Acres of green, an idea garden, water fountain shows, 30 foot tall carved trees and enormous tree houses! Here are some of my favorite photos!

20 Months

The month of adventure and visits!

Autumn you have been phenomenal this last month! On the first day of your 20th month, daddy, you and I took off on an adventure of a lifetime! We had been in Hawaii and flew to Thailand and Myanmar for 10 days of pure adventure with some good friends... 12 flights, stays in 5 cities and 16257 total miles flown. Our first day was 4 flights and about 23 hours of transit time and you did awesome! We had to go through security 3 times, immigration twice, take buses to the terminals and you just went with the flow. Your favorite activities while we were abroad were the ocean, uncle Ryan, swimming pools, stairs, escalators, putting clothing on and off, movies and walking.

Luckily most places we were accommodated these interests! When we got back to Hawaii we got to spend a couple of days resting on the beach, spending time with Tutu, Uncle, Steve and Marie and then traveling back across the country to see many friends and all of our family. Yes all of them! We arrived yesterday to Washington DC to spend some good time with your Uncle Chad, Aunt Christie and cousin Eric - as it may be a while before we get to see them again.

Firsts this month: 6 word sentence - "Thank you Daddy for the toy." Going to another country, jumping off a diving board (with help), kayaking, getting babysat at a restaurant, sitting on a motorcycle, riding a TukTuk, speaking another language - you learned thank you in Thai - Kop-khun-ka.

Common words/sentences: Different book, different Elmo (movie), where are you?, Hi puppy, Autumn's ______ (could be anything - toy, baby, chair, carseat, food...), More _____(food items, mommy, daddy, other people, swing, slide, play, No_______ (hair, brush, bed, eat...), outside, inside, everybody everybody, change baby, and read book. You grab our leg and say "mommy/daddy play." and drag us toward your toys. You have full conversations as you play but I can't alway understand them. You know your animals now and even say "cock a doo doo." You spontaneously say 'thank you' at appropriate times, and 'sorry' - but not always at the appropriate times. You've started to say "yeah" to things you want! It is so cute... "uhh YEAH" with lots of emotion.

Motor and Growth: I'm not sure how much bigger you have gotten, but your cloths and shoes are no longer fitting. When we got to Colorado we went and got you new shoes and jackets. Nana had taken care of the clothes already! You now wear mostly size 6 shoes and 24 month or 2T clothes. Some of your 18 month old clothes fit, but they won't for much longer. You continue to get faster and more smooth with your running and climbing. Playgrounds, couches, highchairs, steps, benches and anything you can climb on are a lot of fun!

The night we flew back to Seattle from Maui you walked/ran the entire length of the airport and then ran circles around my legs as we waited for the shuttle. You are learning to scoop and kick in the water and tolerate the water in your ears and on your face better. When we played in the pool at the resort in Myanmar you wanted to be under the water. We were trying to teach you that you needed to let us know if you wanted in the pool. I also wanted you to understand that it wasn't good if you stayed under the water too long. You'd slide in and bob and after an uncomfortable amount of time (5 seconds or so) we'd pull you up and you giggle and say more, more, more. Not exactly the desired response, but at least you were learning to hold your breathe.

Your flexibility and adaptability to wherever we happen to be is amazing! You would fall asleep on a bus and end up on a boat and not care! We have tested your flexibility to an upper limit this month – you have not slept in any one place for more than 3 nights. As long as you have momma and daddy and activities – you are mostly happy! We are certain that you had just as few melt downs as if we had just been home the whole time.

Things you love: The ocean, swimming (scoop and kick), bath time, momma's milk and armpit, walking, stairs, dressing your self, undressing your self, putting on momma and daddy's clothes, helping us, puzzles, climbing anything, playing anything with momma and daddy as long as you have our full attention!

You amaze us, make us laugh, stretch our patience, make us so proud and show us love beyond our sweetest dreams! We love you Autumn Bear!!!

Love, Momma and Daddy