More inspiration

As I was looking at wall quotes for Travis' room, I came across this one by Theodore Roosevelt. That man had a way with words. I hope it brings you the inspiration to continue on in whatever endeavors you may be struggling with.

Yeah, I'm enjoying creating graphics lately... :)

Catching Up

Has it really been over a week since my last post? Oops, sorry about that! We've been very busy, and time just slipped away! So, our big news is that we got a new car! It's a 2009 Toyota Camry. Ken has spoiled me rotten, so I had to have all the bells and whistles! It has a leather interior, with power doors, locks, and is even bluetooth-enabled, so rest assured I am driving safely. Seriously, I feel like a grown-up now with a grown-up car. I love this car, and look forward to spending more time in it. Is that weird?


In other news, we welcome our new "niece," Ryah Soren Anderson, born to our best buds Jess and Derek Anderson. She was born on May 7, 7lbs and 14oz. We are so excited, and hope to actually see them sometime soon and meet little Ryah!

We had a great weekend hanging out with our wonderful neighbors, and washing our cars! Travis played on a big blanket on the grass, and even Saige got to hang out with us. We were so busy scrubbing, we didn't have time to take photos, but here are some from a week or so ago with our sweet neighbor, Abbi. Travis just loves her and climbs all over her. It's very cute.

Walking around outside

Cool Cat with his sunglasses on!

Abbi got him to fall asleep!

 We had a good Mother's Day. Travis got me a really sweet necklace. Ken wasn't feeling too well, so we didn't really do anything, but Travis and I spent some time with our neighbors, which is always fun.

I decided to try taking some more artsy photos of T-Rav, so here there are. What do you think? Don't quit my day job, eh?!

Little Feet

Little Toes

Standing Up!

We hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day and are doing well. All our love!

Happy Easter to All

Family Photo

We had a wonderful Easter; this year, we visited Pappaw and Mimi in Baytown, and then hunted Easter eggs in Jasper. Travis had such fun with his cousins and loved being spoiled by aunts, uncles, pappaw, mimi, mawmaw, cousins and everyone else we met. That boy is going to turn out rotten!! I've been waiting for the stranger anxiety to kick in, and sometimes it seems like he's a little uncomfortable when we're not around, but I've seen family pass him around for hours, and he's still happy and giggly. I'm thankful he loves people so much, but I confess I still kept an eye out "just in case."

Travis had such fun playing with his cousin Adrian, who is a month younger. They sat in Uncle Tim and Aunt Sherryl's laps in Jasper. Adrian kept trying to take Trav's binky and finally succeeded. It was hilarious! I love watching Travis laugh with MamMaw, and the aunts and uncles. They know just what to do to make him giggle.

The nursing strike continues; we are now at day 8. My heart is no longer breaking, and I'm starting to turn to formula. I'm not entirely happy about it, but I have such trouble drawing out milk that I know I can't do it for the next 4 months. I know that he'll be fine, and that he still loves me (well, as much as an 8-month-old understands love). I will check with the Dr., but I'm preparing myself to be done with pumping when T turns 9mos.

Life rarely sticks to the plan I have mapped out in my head, and I generally try to go with the flow. But this threw me for such a loop that I was wholly unprepared for it. Ken recently reminded me that I need to be flexible; we strive to live drama-free lives, and I've been acting pretty dramatic lately (some might call it childish). There is generally a reason behind everything that happens, and though we can't see it now, someday we will. I just need to trust God that all will be well, and that Travis will still be a smart, happy, fun baby--even on formula!

Easter egg hunting mission-impossible-style

Put the egg in the basket

Yep, right here...in the basket

Yay!

With Aunt Sherryl, Uncle Tim, and cousin Adrian (who just took his binky)

Pappaw with his grandchildren 

Travis and cousin Alyssa

Splish splash I was takin' a bath...and then we went to the park

Splish Splash

T-man hasn't been too excited about bathtime, so I was prepared for another quick, upsetting bath this morning. I filled his little tub to overflowing, sat him in it, and prepared to quickly scrub. All of a sudden, I heard a loud squeal before Travis smacked the water with both hands, drenching us both! He squealed again and reached out for his bath toys..."YAY" I said ("finally," I thought). And we had fun in the bathtub; he didn't mind my scrubbing, and only got slightly annoyed when I wet and washed his hair. But as long as I didn't get between him and his toys, he was happy!

Photo by Ashley Terry (2011)

Afterwards, I was feeling pretty brave, so I suggested a walk in the park.We loaded up and headed out. Trav enjoyed the swings, and the long walk. Ken got attacked by an aggressive goose backed up by his geesey gang, but we finally made it past them safely. Walking along Bastrop Main Street, we stopped in a bakery and ice cream shop where we all shared a mint chocolate chip ice cream cone. Travis kept yelling for more, and the lady running the shop asked if he was always that happy. To which we replied, yes, so long as he's not hungry or tired. Later on, in the library, Travis squealed loudly before I told him libraries were for being quiet. So, he spit up his ice cream instead. Yuk. I think I preferred him being loud.

Our Sweet Family (Photo by Ashley Terry-2011)

Finally, we headed back to the truck, and turned towards home, where we fed Trav and put him down for a nap (which he's taking as I'm typing). It's been a lovely family day watching squirrels climb trees, birds chase each other, and turtles sit by the side of the river. Now, as I look out the window, watching the trees blow in the breeze, and the promise of spring hovering in the air, I am filled with contentment on this beautiful Saturday afternoon, happy to be part of my sweet family.

What brings you contentment today?

Les Miserables

Last night, Mom called and said, "Les Mis is on PBS, if I record it, will you want to watch it while you're here?"

"Do pigs like mud? Do cows moo? Will cockroaches survive an apocalypse?," I responded. (Just kidding, I don't talk to my mom like that -- I said "sure!")

After we got off the phone, I cruised on over to PBS -- sure enough, The 25th anniversary concert was on. I'd missed my favorite part, the first act, but I love the whole show, and Ken was kind enough not to tease me (much). He has laughed at me many times for having multiple favorites, so I've gotten in the habit of saying "...one of my favorite authors, books, teas..." However, I can safely say that although I've seen some amazing musicals, Les Mis is far and away my favorite.

I can't believe it's been around for 25 years. I first saw it over 15 years ago in Tucson with my friend Terry's boyfriend, Johnny. Yeah, that sounds weird. Let me 'splain: the three of us had been to several musicals together, part of Terry's attempt to civilize me. That night, Terry happened to be sick or out of town or something, so she asked Johnny to take me instead. From the first chord, I was enthralled. Since then, I've seen it twice more on stage: once here in Austin, and once in London, which I still consider one of the highlights of my life (thanks, Ken!). I also own the 10th anniversary DVD, and I used to own the CD set, but I listened to it so much that it got scratched up and started skipping. That's OK, though, because I could probably sing the whole thing on my own. So, yeah, I love this musical.

Though it has many depths, layers, and other characters, I continue to be moved by the story of Jean Valjean and his relationship with God. He chooses to accept God's redemptive grace and lives a life helping others even though he is an escaped convict. He's contrasted by Javert, the police inspector who is always trying to recapture him. Javert has a narrow and legalistic view of God - seeing only His law and wrath. There is no room in Javert's world view for grace and forgiveness. He lives a sad and lonely life. Valjean makes mistakes, but understands God's love and life-changing power. He knows that God changes our hearts, and though he can't make up for the wrong he's done, he can move forward and be a force for good, living in God's love. It is a beautiful story, told in a deeply moving way. It never fails to uplift me, and remind me of God's grace.

Someday, I should read the book, but until then, I'll be enjoying the music - I highly encourage you to check it out.

6-month Photo Shoot and the Outdoors

As I sit down to write, I can hear Mr. T talking to himself in his crib. Soon, his chatter will turn into whining, then crying, and hopefully after that will be the silence of sleep. I know he's tired, he hasn't napped all day, but he refuses to sleep. We've had a busy day, and he's still wound up. This morning, a friend of ours came out to take some photos of us. She's always loved photography, and is learning about turning her passion into a business. I am happy to have someone else behind the camera besides me, so this works for us both. She does a great job, even photographing something as difficult as a baby, especially one who gets tired and cranky and stops looking where he should be looking!

First, we took some shots in the house, then we decided to head outside. We ended up in downtown Bastrop, by the courthouse, and finally, took a stroll down by the river. Travis was a trooper; it's true, he loves getting his picture taken, but after not having a nap, and being overwhelmed by the newness of the outdoor sites, he still did well. Luckily, Travis is so photogenic! I am excited to see how they turn out. I admire my friend for following her passion. I have been trying to find my passion for years; perhaps my problem is that I have too many passions -- sewing, tech writing, baking, reading, embroidery. How do you make a living doing just one thing?

I had forgotten how quaint and sweet Bastrop is. I forget because I'm always running into Austin, but one thing that I want to do is take Travis outdoors more often. We get a little stir crazy in the house every day. Bastrop is perfect! There are sweet little shops, a nice park next to a river, and people just waiting to coo over my little man. It's hard for me to do things alone, but the truth is, I'm a loner. I LIKE to be alone. At first, that may sound like a contradiction. Though I like to be alone, I don't like to do things alone. I like to have a purpose. Aimlessly wandering is difficult for me. However, aimless wandering can be fun. And, with Travis, I'm no longer alone.

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.
~John Muir

Next week promises to be busy with several planned trips into Austin, and our MOMS club play date, but I have a renewed desire to visit the outdoors with Travis. Especially with the coming of spring. Spring is my favorite time of year, when God blesses the earth and brings renewal and hope through blooming flowers, bright, sunny days, and grass waving gently in the breeze.