Mattatouille

That's our new favorite nick name for Matt. We saw Ratatouille a few weeks ago and the name stuck. I was perusing the masses of pictures I have taken in the recent months and noticed that Matt has been sorely missed in many of the frames my snap happy finger has taken. I feel bad, like maybe I have been neglecting keeping memories of him, preferring to capture Alaina instead. But then as I was looking at the few pictures I do have of him, most of them are blurs of his image as he races past me and the lens. My guilt was assuaged as I realized, he just doesn't hold still long enough! Always too busy getting in to trouble, climbing, jumping, running -- always moving and investigating. Never staying in one place too long. He senses that this world is so full of exciting things, and he has a refreshing desire and determination to experience as much of it as he can.

However, there are a few things that will keep him stationary for more than 2 second increments. He LOVES playing in running water: sink water, hoses, spray bottles, showers, tubs, toilets. Nothing with a steady stream of water flow escapes his little mischevious eye. I often lose track of time (mostly because I have also lost track of my brain somewhere between college and my two kids) and him, until I am brought back to 'real time' by the sound of running water or puddles. Usually at that point it is too late, the kitchen counter is flooded, or the furniture is dripping wet. I like to try and get upset, but I should really be greatful that the puddles and dripping counter tops are the result of his fascination with full blast plumbing features found in the home, and not his own full blast plumbing! Right?

And about the only other thing he will stay put for other then turning everything soggy, is a late night snuggle with Dad and his chawbee milk (strawberry milk) before bed. The two of them recline on the couch in front of ESPN, MadMoney with Kramer or some other testosterone driven media, til he is just about out for the count. Then I get to swoop in for the last few minutes of just-before-nodding-off-to-sleep loves. Which are the best kind! You know, that cuddle that feels like they are one with you again. The kind of hug that reminds you of when your whole body embraced them as they grew inside of you. Soon he will be too big and too busy to give his momma hugs like that anymore. But he will always be my Mattatouille!

Sink or Swim

My little girl has learned to swim! Without bright orange floaties around her arms, or big purple noodles keeping her afloat. She puts her head down, kicks her feet with a fury and has a stroke somewhat reminiscent of a windmill. I know she probably thinks that her mom is a little overly-excited, what with all the exuberant clapping and boisterous congratulations when she has reached me on the other side of the pool after a fearless jump off the side and a determined traverse of the water between us. But I can't help but be proud. At the beginning of the summer she wouldn't even lay down in the bathtub. She slowly gained some confidence and decided that the shallow waters of the spa were safe enough. But she never left the first two steps. Then before either of us knew what was happening she was jumping from side to side after an almost ritualistic chant, "You will catch me? I won't fall? I won't go under?" Then even when I accidently didn't catch her, and her bright red head dipped below the surface for a split second, she came up sputtering, and ready to try again. Sometimes after a day in the pool with some of her older friends and aunts she would venture out into the water, holding onto the life jacket strap, kicking furiously beneath the surface of the water, chin high in the sky, with as large a smile as she could muster without swallowing a draught of water. Then one day, it was head down, feet kicking and arms cutting through the blue that separated her from me. NO looking back, eyes forward, determined, confident and accomplished. I can almost see glinting in her deep blue eyes a challenge to anyone, "Give me what you got? You think you can stop me? I know what I can do. Do you?"

Quite a different reflection than what used to be found there. When she was a bit younger, I remember looking into those now fiery eyes, and thinking I saw a look of hesitation, of question, of the kind of doubt a child has that only dissipates as they realize for themselves that more is within their reach and their ability than they thought. And while most of the time that is what reflects back at me, a little bit has gone away. Bittersweet, but more sweet than bitter.

I know this will be the first of liberating accomplishments she will experience, and definitely not the last. I hope that many more come, unlocking doors of opportunity, self-worth and confidence. And I hope that I will always be there, cheering her on, bonding over those moments of discovery.

Sink or swim? SWIM! For Alaina there is no other option.

Bloody Boots

So sorry for the blood and gore, but ... I just wanted to post this because in a sick and slighly off-center way it made me proud. See these are my running shoes. And yes, that is blood soaking my sock and my shoe. I started running a few months back with a friend...planning to run a dozen or so 5k's starting in November. To be honest, I wondered how long my dedication and enthusiasm would last, how many miles my feet would chomp down before I collapsed on the side of the road, parched, winded and thoroughly beat. Now I have my answer. Four months in and I am still going strong! And apparently even 95 degrees with 60 percent humidity, eye-crust early mornings, and heart-shaped bloody blisters won't keep me from the road.

And yet, even with my war wounds (and this truly is a battle against my lazy butt and the adrenline rush at the end of the run), the real credit goes to my running pal, Amy. She is up, every morning, chipper and prepped to pulverize our running route for the day. She has stuck it out and kept on keepin on, even when we are on vacation. And the amazing thing is, she HATES it. Or at least I am pretty sure it doesn't make her Top 100 Favorite Things to Do. Even when the distance between us on the course increases she keeps moving her feet, and mowin' down the miles. And even though she has taught me a lot of really great life lessons, this is her most recent sermon. Learning to do new things is almost always painful, but almost always worth it. Even if we don't fall in love with it, it makes us richer, deeper, and more complete. And someone is usually watching! In this case, her kids, her husband, and I. (And a few more mis-guided people who think we are insane enough to be actually training for a marathon - and I am not saying people who run marathons are crazy, just we are not ready for that!)

May we all find something new. . . even if it results in bloody boots!

I Got You Babe

So don't get too used to seeing many pics of me on this page. But, I read somewhere once that one of the best things you can do to reinforce and strengthen you marriage is to always have a picture of you as a couple. It is supposed to reaffirm your committment to eachother, something that you can look at and recognize the two of you are actually one. So here is our most recent "couple picture".

We may not be the flashiest pair of yay hoos you ever saw, but we love eachother. I am so so so lucky to have Chuck in my life. Can't believe we have been at it for 6 years already. I asked Chuck about his tenure in our marriage the other day. He replied, "It has all been a blur", with a chuckle in his throat, and that smile-in-the-crease-of-his-eye thing. I said, "A blur of bliss, right?"

But let's not fool anyone. Sometimes it isn't all popcorn and holding hands in a dark theatre. Most times it's quite a bit more mundane. But there have always been the quiet moments, laying in bed at 12:30, willing your body to stay awake cause your heart and soul enjoy the conversation your having. Not only enjoy, but crave and need. Then there are the times when you both feel that something that words can't express, and you wonder if anyone else has felt that way about that thing before, only to see reflected in the other's eyes the same thing you are feeling. Or the shared joy of watching and listening to our kids as they grow, challenging themselves as well as us; giving validation to all the seemingly tedious and trivial work we do in their behalf. And then follows the epiphony, that it isn't really just about us, or even our kids. It is the rememberance that we belong to and play such a huge role on the most Grand Stage, for the Greatest Author ever.

Chuck has always been the steady voice of reason, the gentle touch of kindness, the selfless spirit of love in my life. He truly is my better half. And fortunatley when my half goes on hiatus, his is still steadily and diligently plowing on. Always and forever, always and forever.

Dahl Family Reunion

So here's to families! I couldn't believe how many people showed up! The family reunion was a lot of fun. Good to see so many who we haven't seen in too long. When I think of how much family we have, how many people there are that love us, love me, just because, I can't help but thank Heavenly Father for them. We filled a park! All those people bound together as a wonderful family. It was awesome. Can't wait til the next one.

Our family is great at having fun. Pranks and laughs abound when we get together. I have always secured myself safely on the sidelines, the timid side of me coming out I guess. But looking at these pictures I am realizing that I am most probably missing out on a lot. My family has done a lot though to pull me out of my shell, but I still struggle a bit to join the fray.
But aren't they beautiful. (Alli and Tessa)

Uncle Bruce usually instigates these good natured wars. . . in this case a water war. He is a patient and worthy opponent. Silent yet deadly (in more ways than one, hee... hee!) And is he ever determined. But with all that enthusiasm and dedication to making all those who oppose him suffer, he also has an uncanny way of declaring each scuffle in his favor (even when he has obviously lost). This day Alli fell to his devices. But it was a hot summer day and the cold water was refreshing I am sure, and even if she was a bit soggy, she was definitely a good sport.

During the slower times of the day, which were much appreciated by all I am sure, we sat and visited with family. Since we gathered in such a large number it was easier and natural for little clusters of smaller families to form, sitting on blankets, under the shade of the large leafy trees, napping, snacking, and being goofy. What better way to spend your time?

So can't wait till the next one! Till then. . .keep safe, and don't get too wet!

Chaino

Let me introduce you briefly to the smallest and furriest member of our family. Say hi to Chaino (chay-no). He weighs less than 2 lbs., eats like a mouse, and missess his once wag-happy tail. But despite a startling case of stuffing displacement, he knows his home is right here with us.

Chaino is Alaina's dearest friend. He is found in all the likely places as well as the unlikely ones. But where ever Alaina is, there you will find Chaino, just like a faithful dog should be.

For the most part Chaino is a pleasant and endearing fellow (except for when he is a she. . . which happens on rare occasions), either pleasantly perched in the crook of Alaina's arm, or delicately dangling from my front pocket when Alaina's arms get tired and mine are full. But as you can see, today he was able to steal away a moment for a portrait in front of the temple. We are lucky to have such a good friend of the same faith!

However, just like us two legged's, he faces challenges of his own. And just because he is an inanimate and vocally challenged animal, it does not mean he is without his faults. With Alaina as his mouth piece he will occasionally express his dislike of several of my "outrageous" requests of Alaina. She will let me know frequently and quite forcefully when Chaino dissapproves of things I ask her to do, or expect her to do. "Mom, Chaino doesn't like that. He says I can't do that and you can't tell me to do that." On one particularly defiant day "he" told Alaina that he was mad at Chuck and me and that he was going to kill us. WHOA! So I found myself explaining to my 3 1/2 yr old daughter that if her dog wanted to "be a part of my family" he would need to speak kindly to us, and apologize to Mom and Dad for saying those mean things. He would need to try to help Alaina do what she was supposed to do as well. Whereupon, Alaina looked into my eyes with exasperation replying, "Mom, Chaino isn't a real dog, he doesn't talk!" Way too smart for her age!

But looking at Chaino now, smiling in front of the temple, I recognize that he has improved and tried really hard to be better since then. And isn't that what it is all about? Pushing limits, stretching ourselves, testing the water sometimes, just to see what we are made of , who loves us, and what we can really do. I am glad Chaino is part of our family. And I hope he stays around for a long time.

For the First Time

Seem to be a lot of those lately. . . "for the first time"s. But that is the exciting element of life we call growth and change and challenge. Right? Well this blogging for the first time is a much appreciated easy challenge thus far. My cousins got me interested, and here I am. Hopefully this will be something I stick with rather than lose interest in after a few attempts. Unfortunately I am easily discouraged, and I can forsee that if I don't recieve the anticipated number of readers I might jump ship and try something else. But on the other hand, who cares if anyone looks. Perhaps this may become a means of rejuvenating a long lost talent, that of writing, and jumpstarting a new one. I much prefer this perspective. So here is to blogging, bloggers and bloggees alike!