The Gift of a Day

Yesterday was the start of my 36th trip around the sun, my birthday.

It was a great day.

I did Absolutely NOTHING in the eyes of the world, but EVERYTHING through mine.  

The kids spent Thursday night with my folks. They were out of the house all day. Jason was at work until 2:30.  

I took the day off from work and did whatever I wanted to do.   

There was no cleaning, cooking, laundry, or driving in my plans for the day.

 I watched shows only I like on the television rather than on the laptop screen because no one else was here and I could.  While watching t.v. I sewed on beads. 

When Jason got home he worked in the garden and I watched from my quilt that was on the ground with my beads spread all around me. I sewed each one on at a time while bathing in the warmth of the sun. 

It was a perfect Spring day.

 

For dinner, we picked up my grandmother and met my folks and the kids for pizza.  After we ate, we all went back to my grandmother's house for cake and presents.  (I got a NOOK color - I'm so excited!!!! The kids gave me all the icing left over from my cake. They know how much I love India's homemade icing - my waist does not but my mouth certainly does - yum!!!)

Check out the cake!  The kids decorated it for me by themselves!

The day ended with us all coming home full and happy.  The house filled back up with laughter and I felt complete.  I was relaxed and happy for the experience of the 35 years behind me that have led to this moment.

It was a great day.

 

Exactly what I wanted.

(Today's technical note: The tip of my finger hurts from sewing on beads and I'm not done, but I'm almost done.)

how we celebrated

Two days later and it still hasn't fully set in that India has turned 12.  This is the last year of adolescence.  She will be a teenager next year.  The breaking away process moves into full swing during this final year and are we really ready for that?  I really don't know.  She's such an awesome kid.  So far, so good.  Watching her grow is a joy. It was important to me to celebrate this year and remember it and savor it.  Every birthday is a big deal, but turning 12 feels like a milestone.  Maybe when she turns 13 I will feel the same way since then she will be a teenager, but for now, 12 feels like a really big deal and it still doesn't roll off my tongue in a comfortable way yet.

Since I wanted this year to be memorable, we decided to go big on the birthday present, but I'm getting ahead of myself...

When she woke, Kalib made us all smoothies because India really doesn't like breakfast.  They had bananas, strawberries and orange juice.  Then, we all got ready to head to town cause the gal got her hair cut.  It's super cute.  (On a side note, Kalib also got a hair cut).  Afterwards, we walked over to Five Guys and got french fries and hamburgers because that was what she wanted.  Once home, we chilled out for a little while taking it super easy and we played a couple of games, then came the part of the day I spent the whole month looking forward to.  (India, however, did not).  We wrote a scavenger hunt for her that she had to go on before she could have her birthday present.



I thought it would be a super fun way to get to her gift, but being a maturing young woman, she thought otherwise, but persevered and I think in the end she enjoyed it (though she will probably never admit it).  Some of the clues were too hard and didn't make sense to her, but I think this had more to do with her attitude than anything (Just my opinion of course).  I had fun, Jason had fun, Kalib had fun, and I bet if you ask her she would say it was stupid, but she laughed and ran and showed all the signs of it being fun for her too.  It ended in my grandmothers living room along with her present...

My family has a history of wrapping presents in extra boxes to make sure the person receiving the present has no idea what it is and because it can be really funny, so just to make absolutely sure India had no idea what it was, her present was wrapped in an even bigger box.


Once she finally got to the real box, she knew what it was, but until then she thought we had bought her an ipod. (Silly girl already has an ipod, but she's been asking for an ipod touch.) I think we did better than that.


I think she's pretty satisfied.




Once, she opened the present (which was from us as well as my folks) we headed to The Olive Garden for dinner. Naturally, she took her new laptop with her. I think this is about the only time India and Kalib have sat side by side in the car that they didn't end up in a fight of the don't touch me's.


After dinner we headed back to my grandmothers for cake.

Last night we went over to Jason's grandparents house and had another round of celebrating...


Our beautiful 12 year old.

To India on her Birthday

12

For 12 years I have been a mother.

For 12 years, I have loved someone else more than I love myself.

I have learned joy that is unexplainable in words and a love so deep that I can’t give it words or actions.

For 12 years, I have watched the father become the man I love rather than the boy.

For 12 years, my world has made sense, my life has learned purpose.

For 12 years, I have been a mother.

For 12 years I have known guilt for every wrong word spoken though

I would take none of them back for each passing moment good or bad has brought us to this day.

For 12 years, I have watched my every thought, as much as humans can, trying to put only goodness into your world.

For 12 years, I have worked very hard to be the best mother I can be.  Not because I have to, but because I WANT to.

For 12 years, I have grown into a woman.

For 12 years, I have been a mother.

I have been inspired to live and love unconditionally.

I have put pieces together to put pieces of myself together to bring about wholeness so that you too can know wholeness.

I have danced the dance and learned to love my body so that you will grow and love your body.

For 12 years, I have come to love myself just as I am so that you too can know how to love yourself

For 12 years I have changed a little every day.

I have grown.

I have felt every emotion in every moment.

I have questioned everything about myself and have learned who I want to be in this world.

For 12 years, I have been a mother.

For 12 years, you have been my angel and you have been my devil

For 12 years, you have made me question my every choice and taught me the importance of making good choices in this world.

For 12 years, I have loved a little more,

I have laughed endless laughs

I have cried tears of pure joy over watching you grow while watching me grow.

For 12 years, you have been my greatest teacher, my guru.

For 12 years, I have given more than I have ever thought possible.

And I have learned the true gift of giving.

I have made plenty of mistakes and not always done the best job possible, but I am always trying to get it right every time.

For 12 years, I have worked hard at the most rewarding work these hands have ever known.

For 12 years, I have been your mother.

Happy 12^th birthday India, I love you.

another month

Another month has gone by and I have failed to stay on top of the blog. I always have the best intentions, then I find all these other things to do and alas... no writing on the family blog... no pictures being posted for family... In my defense this time, I was busy practicing dance for the Shakti show we performed on Sept 24. THAT was really fun!!! I can't wait to do it again. Here are a few photos from Kalib's birthday celebration at Sandy Creek where we got together with his friends for popcycles and swimming - back in Aug... I know - way way behind... What's a girl to do when she's so busy?

Kalib turned 10

Sometimes I just can't believe how quickly the time passes watching our kids grow. Kalib is now 10. Turned 10 on Sunday. Both kids are now in the double digits and I'm on the upside of my 30's. It is so funny to me to think back to being their age and what I thought my life would be like when I was the age I am now. I used to think about so many different things and what I would be when I grew up and blah blah blah. Nothing I thought would happen in my life has, but the things that have only make me happier and happier. I love my life and wouldn't trade it for the world. I am so grateful that Kalib is a big part of my joy. 10 years ago I was so ready for him to come into this world. He was a heavy baby in womb who wiggled A LOT - that hasn't changed much. Kalib is always amazing me. He is such a happy kid always ready with a hug and a smile. He is compassionate and passionate. He loves those legos. He is always thinking about the present moment, something most people struggle with, a quality I have to really watch myself to not squelch in him because he doesn't always think ahead to putting his shoes on or brushing his teeth, but he always gets it done and we always survive being a few minutes late - even though it drives my parents crazy. Kalib is most definitely one of my greatest teachers. Watching him mature and learn new things about our world and his own world is pure joy and I am grateful for each moment with him.

For his birthday, we were supposed to kayak down the Broad River, but we were going to rent 2 seater kayaks so that the kids wouldn't have to steer a boat for 4 hours and so that the parents would be close, but The Outpost isn't letting the two seaters go down the white water part of the river this year, so we had to find something else to do. I really didn't want to host a birthday party this year at our house. It is SO HOT outside which would mean everyone would have to be inside and I just wasn't up for that. We decided to go to Active Climbing instead. When I mentioned we might could do this to Kalib his face lit up!!! He was stoked! (they went when I was in Costa Rica in Oct of last year). We couldn't get it together for some of his friends to come along, but the 4 of us had a great time and my arms hurt 2 days later in ways I didn't know they could - dance practice should be interesting tonight. The truth is, once my arms are over this soreness I would love to go back with them! It is so fun and scary at the same time.

Unfortunately, by the time I remembered we brought our camera along, we were all beginning to get tired, physically, who knew climbing was so hard?! And, I didn't manage to get very many good pictures of Kalib climbing - go figure!!!

(these are all from the kids room - Jason and I did some climbing on the other side of the warehouse and those walls are a little harder, but these walls were plenty difficult)

jason got a new toy

I'm having a hard time staying on top of writing on the blog. We have so many things going on right now. My dance troupe is working on a performance, I'm learning poi, we are getting geared up for our next year of schooling, life, house work, blah, blah, blah. We are having a good time through it all. Staying connected and loving life.

Jason's birthday came and went and I haven't posted about him. Have I mentioned, lately, just how much I love this man? He is such a wonderful husband. I really couldn't have ask for more. I feel like I am so lucky to have his constant love and support and to be able to offer it back to him is the real gift. He's a great dad, WAY more patient than I am and a lot more understanding of sibling dynamics - something I really have NO patience for...

Anyhow, after his birthday last year, he started talking about wanting a juicer. I looked into them, and set my mind that he would get one. Christmas came and went, and no juicer in Jason's stocking. Living pay check to pay check and having very little extra money lying around makes buying expensive appliances hard. Who stepped in to help me out? My folks! Always! They were excited to be able to get J a juicer when I mentioned it to them. I started looking at them again and found a very nice stainless steel juicer for a price they felt like they could manage and viola my HuBBy has a juicer. The funny part of the whole story is my mom ordered it in plenty of time for it to get here for his birthday, but alas, it did not. The kids kept the secret, I kept the secret (which is something I am not good at when it comes to Jason - NOTE TO EVERYONE - I tell him EVERYTHING), my folks almost told him on his birthday, but decided to wait with some encouraging from the kids. Then, my poor mom and India made him The Grits Vegan Chocolate Cake and it completely fell apart. My poor mom felt so bad. She didn't have a gift for J and his cake looked terrible (it was really yummy) and in my opinion, at least he had a cake handmade for him by his daughter, I mean, how cool is that? AND it was vegan! They rock!!! So, Jason had to wait a few days longer to get his gift. After work one day, he came home and there it sat on our dining room table, but he couldn't open it because India wasn't here (probably at the library since that is where she spent most of her summer). When she got home and we had dinner he finally opened his present! It was the sweetest thing ever! When he saw what it was on the box he ask "Is this really what it is?" and I just smiled knowing how excited he was, then he ask, "Is it really new and not a used one?" I guess he thought when I finally found one it would come from Craigs list, but I just started telling him about it. Within an hour of it being out of the box every fruit in our house had been juiced and we were enjoying homemade apple juice. Talk about delicious! He's juiced a lot of stuff now and he LOVES it! Yeah for Jason getting something he wanted!!!

So, a few weeks late and a long post later, here are the pictures... (guess it's a good thing he isn't modest since he always seems to have his shirt off in all my pictures - I certainly don't mind)

Broad River

Saturday was so much fun! We celebrated our friends Shannon and Jennifer's birthdays in STYLE! MAMA STYLE that is with a mix of Shannon Foley flare! She planted the seed of let's Kayak down the Broad and we all jumped on board, so we coordinated on the ever popular FB and made calls for baby sitters and who's riding with who and how can we best carpool to save on gas and made it happen. 10 of us were able to go to the broad without the kids! The menfolk stayed home since we were celebrating Shannon and Jennifer's birthday! It was a blast! Alexa did the math and with all of us there were 27 children! We showed up at the Broad River Outpost a little after 10 and were in the water by 11 and floating down the river! It takes about 4 hours to make it the full 6.5 miles. I love that my friends are so adventurous and fun! I can't wait to see what these ladies get us into next year! (Last year we had sushi and went to the country rock dancing!)I really found myself appreciating the wonderful women in my life as we floated and meandered down the river, both those who were there and those that were not. My life is filled with remarkable role models and inspiration in the ladies in my life. Thank you all!

AND a big big thanks to my sweet Hubby for watching Aaron so that Holly could go too! I know Kalib had fun with him, but I want to give him an extra special thank you from me.

Kalib wants to go for his birthday, so we are going to take him on his big 10th birthday in August. I can't wait to go again!

april catch up in may

The last month has been a total whirlwind of excitement and next to no time to write on the blog. I think this is the longest time span since I started it that I haven't written. So, April, what all went on in April? Lots and lots of trips to the library. Master's Academy Ended with a giant play that the kids did a fantastic job in. I was really impressed with how well they pulled it off. I was a little worried, I must admit, about the play concepts, but it came off without a hitch and the kids spoke loudly, knew their parts, and were fully present and had a great time doing it. We also got to pick up all their art projects and that in and of itself was pretty impressive to me. I'm looking forward to seeing what they do next year.

I celebrated my 35th birthday in style. A whole lot of my friends went with me to see Bonobo, some trance/dance music and we had an amazing meal at the speak easy downtown. It was SUPER fun! I had a new outfit to wear (thanks Holly) and was surrounded by many of my closest friends. There's nothing like throwing a party for yourself! The girls even all got ready together false eyelashes and all. I love being really girly from time to time - not to mention Bonobo was absolutely incredible. I love music that causes the mind to get a little lost from the world outside.

Kalib is loving Kung Fu which meets regularly on Wednesdays. It helps him to stay focused and connected to his body. He also started his own blog for his lego creations which is A LEGOS LIFE He comes up with some really cool looking legos and puts pictures of them up. He's a guy of few words, so it is mostly pictures, but he's all about the legos so check on that from time to time.

Lastly, I had a big opening for the quilts on the 30th with Baraka's Book Signing which was a total blast. I spent most of the month behind my sewing machine trying to finish up a new piece for the show. Thanks to my amazing Hubby and kids and many many supportive friends, I was able to get it all done and have a blast. There were moments when I didn't think I would finish, but I did. There will be pictures of it in June after the show comes down. The show and book signing was amazing. I had prints and note cards to sell and did pretty well with those and Baraka sold out of her books (which is really awesome). The night was so fun and I met some great people and reconnected with some great people and got good feedback on the work I do. I even got a little choked up as I was talking about how grateful I am to my family for inspiring me to keep creating and supporting me in my endeavors. My dear friend, Sambara, came in as a surprise to her and as a treat to me from her sweet loving man, Watson. That was the icing on the cake to have my dear dear friends around me in those moments of nervousness with my heart of the walls of the Healing Arts Centre.

The next day, we had our annual Maypole Party. I was so tired and scattered I didn't manage to get the pictures I usually do so when Jennifer Bray posts some of hers I will be sure to send a link so you all can see the festivities. It was a blast as usual. Another very late night surrounded by great friends and laughter. What more could I ask for?

This past month has been an amazing month, reminding me of how very lucky we are to be a part of such a tight nit community/family. We are surrounded by beautiful people everywhere we turn who inspire and enlighten us, some challenge us in ways we would never expect and we only grow closer through living our lives together. There is the old adage it takes a village to raise a child, and I am so glad my children are a part of THIS village. Wow... you all are so special and what amazing role models for our babies! THANK YOU for all that you do in our lives and all that you are in our lives. I can't imagine my life without any of you in it.

BE WELL-
Sarah

let the partying commence

For India's birthday we had some of the most beautiful weather we have seen in quite some time. It has been so rainy and so cold, that a few days of sunshine to remind us what living in the south is all about has been great - although it is raining outside as I write this morning. Our dear friend Rachel made the suggestion that we take a field trip to the Botanical Gardens since the weather was as nice as it was...
We went for a lovely walk in the woods...


then the photo shoot began (I unfortunately don't take as good of photos as some of my friends, but I still like taking them!)
The kids were posing under this interesting gateway onto the trails...


Then they made a pyramid. Gwenny was supposed to be on top, but she doesn't like heights...


Then they posed on a retaining wall, but I got the picture as they jumped off...


We had a yummy inexpensive lunch in the cafeteria there at the Bot Gardens and then headed home for the rest of the afternoon. That evening we went to Jason's grandparents for Cake and Ice-cream and presents...
India made her own cake of course...


She got a lot of money and a photo album for her autographed photos of movie stars...


She got a big present that she had no idea what it was.


And being typical of my folks it was wrapped twice just to throw her off.


But once she figured out what it was she was so happy!


It was the american girl she had been asking for and saving her money to buy! She was thrilled!


She also got an ipod Nano that she named Oscar


All in all India has had a stellar birthday. Usually by the time India's birthday rolls around everyone is over celebrating because of Christmas, but this year I think India really got everything she was wanting. Now, I'm going to take her to blow some of her birthday money on games for her DS and on Saturday is her birthday party with friends. SLEEPOVER!

happy birthday India

Today is India's birthday. She is an amazing girl who certainly keeps me on my toes and keeps me laughing. She is inspiring to be around because she cares so deeply for everyone around her. I feel like we are the luckiest parents in the world that we get to learn as much from her as we do. She continues to be one of our greatest teachers. She turns 11 today and I can't believe it! It seems like just yesterday I was learning how to breastfeed and putting her naked under the window the sun was shining brightest in to heal her jaundice or turning the page a little more than a year later when she was nursing her gorilla right beside me as I nursed a new born Kalib. She is one of the most caring people I know and her ability to welcome most everyone and make them feel at home with her makes me proud. She is passionate about reading and music and life. Each day is filled with wonder and I look forward to our continued growth with her as she grows older and as we grow older too. We love you India, more than words could ever express. You are wise beyond your years and a blessing to our planet, to our family and friends, and especially to us! Thank you for being true to your self daily and for being who you are... Never stray from that because your light shines so bright just as it is!

kalib is 9

On August 22, Kalib turned 9. Can you believe it? We certainly can't. He had a great day! Friday night we went to dinner with my side of the family to Outback (which was his restaurant of choice) and then Saturday, Elijah came over and we drove up to Discover Mills to see Ponyo which we all enjoyed (Sarah and Beatrice also went with us to make it an extra special treat)! We rushed home and Jason's whole family came over to celebrate with us and Elijah spent the night! This year, Kalib received a Nintendo DS for his birthday, so he got a bunch of games and money to spend on games. Thankfully, he has decided to only spend some of it and open a savings account with the rest! (India opened one a few weeks ago and has already made 3 deposits! - I love it and I'm proud of her for saving and encouraging Kalib to do the same!) It is really hard for me to believe Kalib is 9. It seems like just yesterday he was born and nursing all the time and I do mean nursing ALL the time! We are so grateful for our babies! They do nothing but bring us joy - even when we are feeling frustrated with them. We grow as they grow and they push us to strive to be better people.

Kalib didn't have a big party this year. I just didn't have it in me, so instead we went to the skating rink with all of his friends (well, most of them anyways). It's so dark in there, I wasn't able to take any pictures, but I have some of him on Friday night when we celebrated with my family! And yes, I already know he needs a haircut, but he wants to grow it long, and it is his head, so what can I say?



Kalib doesn't really like cake, so he had an eclair cake! YUMMY!


I think Jason was just as excited about the DS as Kalib. We bought a skateboarding game, so every opportunity Jason gets he plays on it too.


Proud owner of a blue DS


India took the time to hand wrap each game...

just pump it

We went to pump it up on Sunday to celebrate Aarons birthday. What fun that place is. Unfortunately, I have a hurt ankle from twisting it on a pine cone and couldn't get in there like I usually do, but Jason and the kids certainly had a good time. They were all sweaty and smelly when we came home, then we finished the night out with a second round of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Two times to the real movies in less than a week to see the same movie! Crazy! We do love some Harry Potter around here! Anyways, here are some pics from pump it up!


The slide that everyone loves (including little Luca). We all went down it and I took a ton of pictures of it because it is so fun, but they all came out blurry.

Get ready set race!
Jason looks like he has no arms, but he's actually got these gigantic gloves on inside this screen where wrestling and rough housing is an accepted part of the pump it up schedule! Of course, the boys love it and the girls hate it!
Cake time!
The party crew! What a great bunch of kids!

aunt tracey's birthday

Our assignment was to make a cake. Our gift this year to Jason's sister was her birthday cake (which was delicious)! As you all well know, India and my mom took many cake decorating classes together. They are awesome at it, so when Rodney (Tracey's hubby for those who don't know) said he wasn't going to be able to make her a cake since he had to work, we came to the rescue. We were supposed to go to the river, but we decided to put that off and to head over to meme's to make a cake. Meme had the cake itself made when we got there (THANKS MEME), and we all gathered together to work on icing it with India taking the lead and Kalib and I doing what we were told. I think the cake came out just gorgeous and we ate a lot of icing while we were decorating and really I think the icing is the best part.

Getting Started