So the search for the quick and tricky clam is upon us. Jesse ended up working on night all night and got the next day off, which just so happened to be a clam tide (meaning the water is low enough to dig clams). So we ventured out to the beach with three kids in tow. We only got four clams but it was worth just hanging on the beach. The picture above is the clams we got (for those of you flatlanders who don't really know what I am talking about).
This kid cracks me up. Look at those ears! This was the first year that he could really venture about on his own. He was free to run and explore which he did...he is a happy boy!
I am so fortunate to have such a beautiful place to call home. And such a wonderful family to share it with. This was one of the best views I have have all winter. Thank goodness I have zoom since I stayed close to the car where there was a sleeping baby.
I love that these two are best of friends. They do everything together and though they fight they also almost always choose to be together. They have a great time sharing secrets and finding crabs and candle fish or just splashing.
They are both blessed to have a dad that not only cares for their needs but LOVES to hang out with them and teach them things. He is teaching Brahm to be a good man by living as an example. As well as showing Auden that even macho men can be loving when he wraps her in big hugs for some cuddle time.
What a kid! For those of you who knew A & B when they were babies and now know C. You will find there is a big difference. Her joyfilled smile and laid back ways is a breath of fresh air. After she woke up that day I strapped her on my chest and she never made a peep. Only smiles!
A few days later was another clam tide and this time Uncle Jed and our good friend Cam came to help out. Jed is one of Jesse's next oldest brothers and him and Jesse share a great friendship. I love this picture "Some Cress Men" Because you can see they all are cut from the same cloth. Especially Brahm and his daddy.
Speaking of Brahm and his daddy. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree! Enough said! ( oh I think they were looking at a crab)
There was a lot of looking this day because there was not a lot of clamming. So here is Auden showing Brahm her special purple crab. She was sure God made it just for her. We had a good lesson that day about what certain animals needed to survive, and how the habit for the crab was the ocean and not her pocket (good for the crab mommy taught this lesson before it was too late)!
Brahm loves orange and his special star fish, made just for him.
And since daddy just cleaned the car he had to do the strip down before entering. Though this position has been used for disciplinary action as well, but not this day :)!
Well here I sit...it is quiet for the time being...the kids are napping and Jesse is hunting. While I sit here I am thinking about life. My house is not as clean as it should be, the clothes are actually washed folded and put away (after sitting in the livingroom for two weeks). We have plants started in the green house so we can get some produce this summer hopefully. I have about a million ideas in my head about things I want to do to my house, my yard, my hobbies, and my hair. I have been on weight watchers now for two weeks and have lost ten pounds, but has a lot more to go. I am thankful it hasn't been too hard. I should really finish Brahm's quilt that was for his 2nd birthday (he will be 3 in 4 months). My dog needs to be brushed and probably vaccinated. I wish trees could grow in weeks instead of years, then I wouldn't have to look at our neighbors. I should do my lesson for youth-group before Wednesday afternoon this week. Then just realized I said it is party week and thankful that first thought can now be let go. Wonders why the public health will no longer do well baby checks and really doesn't want to pay $100 to take her to our doctor, but probably will...maybe. I got a really great ring for mother's day (a day late for us) but has to send it back to Israel (yes Israel the country) because that is where is was made, to have it resized. With all these things and wants and needs to do I look around at the picture of our family made of circles with four lines for arms and legs sticking straight out making each letting person; I know that my time is right where it should be. I snuggle. I sing. I read. I tickle. I nurse. I change a dirty butt. I teach imagination. I take twice as long planting just so little hands can help. I clean up the same toys over and over again. I encourage. I play soccer though I know nothing of the sport. I teach the ABC's. I cook. I organize. I ignore the "mommy mommy mommy" at my feet long enough to fully kiss the man I love. I sit and rock until little eyelids finally close. I sneak to kiss and cover. I do it all again the next day. I do it because I know that I do not want to look back and say I missed it! I want to look back and say I LOVED it! Stuff, to do lists, and wants will always be there but this time in my family's life will not. So I am going to live it.
