Instead: Part One

As I nursed Ajay to sleep last night,

I thought about the number of choices that Chris and I have made

over the past year.

Some have been more monumental than others.

All have changed us for good.

For our lifestyle, we chose these things instead.

For each other:

Forgiveness not bitterness

Joy not strife

Peace not war

Together not separate

Mutual respect not submission

Communication not resentment

Kisses not curses

Waiting not hurrying

Praying not worrying

For our home and careers:

Enough not more

Necessities not luxuries

Movies not television

House not apartment

Stay-at-home momma not working mom

Business-owner not employee

For our physical health:

Fresh organic whole foods not packaged processed foods

Stove-top and oven cooking not microwaving

Trying exotic varieties of good food not being picky

Exercising and walking not slacking

Chiropractic care not hospital visits

Naturalization not medication

Building natural immunities not vaccinating

Water not soda

What have you chosen for you and yours?

One Year

Fresh out of bed and he goes right for his yellow and orange jeep.

Ajay's jeep says, "Bbbbbbb!"

"You only ever have one first birthday."

After a lovely morning at home, our dear friends, Pastor Jim and Miss Pam wanted to celebrate Ajay's first birthday together, so off we went to "Nana and Poppy's" for a special party.

After getting acclimated to his surroundings, I opened Nana's toy cabinet for Ajay.

He wasted no time, and paid no interest in any other toys, before he uncovered the object in the cabinet with the biggest wheels. Yeah buddy.

After some family time, Nana and Poppy wanted to give some gifts to Ajay.

That's when Nana busted out the prized bag of tissue paper.

Of course the bag was filled with presents, but getting the Paper-Eater to see them was a fun challenge. Letting him figure it out that there is more than just paper in the bag was part of the gift for me ;-)

Nana told Ajay, "This game is for Brutes!" And subsequently began whacking down the colorful wooden pegs with the tiny hammer.

Ajay's look says, "Impressive swing, Nana!"

After some peg-banging, I made the group look at me by calling, "Everyone look at momma!" Hmmm...that didn't quite work out exactly the way I planned.

Poppy had some golden oldies playing and he and Ajay danced to their heart's content. After all, Poppy and Ajay share a birthday!

"It's our party and we will dance if we want to!"

Time for a birthday dinner. Normally, people think of celebrating with birthday cake.

For us Egg-ies and our fam, we celebrated by putting a candle in Ajay's birthday cantaloupe.

The rest of us enjoyed Pam's newest and delicious homemade creations.

In the Gym

A mutual friend of ours volunteers for a kid's health organization called "Wellsville." I'm pretty sure you all have heard me mention it at least once, since Chris does a ton of illustrations for them to use on their TV show and for marketing promotions. (FYI the show is aired on Saturdays mornings at 8 on FOX 66).

So, our friend at Wellsville is putting together an album that features kids working out and emailed me about sending in some photos of Ajay.

This is what I sent:

"Thanks for the photo-invite! Here's Ajay working out his mini-pythons. A little "in the gym" action and bicep curls. Hope you get a good laugh!"

Watching for Spring

I love Springtime

With birds singing joyfully as all the snow melts

And the gentle rain prepares the ground for new growth.

Spring will always remind me of the anticipation of Ajay's birth

Which has watered me to grow personally.

We are on the cusp of one of my favorite seasons.

Soon we will be opening up all of the windows

To let the fresh air rush in.

The non-existant curtains will get a good washing.

The ceiling fans will be in full spin.

There will be much sprucing up of the yard.

There is a lot to look for and to look forward to.

My heart is full knowing that, this Spring,

The three of us will be enjoying it together.

Even "Kitty Cat" is getting in on the action!

Legs

When you've got 'em...