Father's Day 2020

It is so important to me that my children recognize and know what an awesome Dad they have! I didn't have that, as so many of their peers may not in the future. As they grow and learn and remember things about their Dad on their own I want them to also have knowledge from their Mom's viewpoint on their Father. Father's Day seems like a completely appropriate time to reflect on Drew and the things they may one day want to know about him. 

First of all, Drew works so incredibly hard to provide for our family. It is not always easy and we absolutely struggle at times but he is never unwilling to go out and work to provide. He adores his children. His face lights up when yall run out to meet him at his car each day with unconstrained joy that your Dad is finally home. Your favorite days are the ones where Dad gets to stay home all day and not go to work and those are undoubtedly his favorite also! He would do anything and everything for each one of you! He loves to take bike rides or walks with you, push you on the swings at the playground, teach you to play golf or baseball. He loves to watch movies with you and play games. 

Your Dad loves your Mom. That is so so important for you to know! Each one of you came from a marriage of love and yearning to expand our love and family. He brings home flowers for me (sometimes even wild sunflowers he stops to dig up and plant in our flowerbed because he knows I will love them), surprises me with special tokens of affection that do not always have to be materialistic items. One of the most meaningful things he has done this summer has been stopping to ask a neighbor what a particular bush is after I remarked on loving the flowers and remembered seeing them growing in Thailand. He brought seeds home from the bush and planted them so that I could have them here at home. Your Dad works hard to make our marriage and household the best it can be for me and you! He actively tackles home improvement projects I remark on wanting done, he redoes furniture to upgrade items I want to trade out. I am convinced there is no project he cannot tackle!

Thirdly, your Dad loves God. Although he grew up in the church he hasn't always been completely immersed in biblical preachings. However he is always turning to God for comfort and understanding on situations. He is continually striving for a deeper relationship with him and to be a better spiritual leader for our family. His faith walk is not always as secure as he would like it to be but no ones is... his yearning and work on it is the most important part. 

Your Dad loves being your Dad! He loves our family! I am so very thankful for the man that he is and the father that he is!

Rory Ashton Turned 2

 

Somehow when it seems like all time is standing still during this pandemic our sweet Angel girl managed to turn 2! Rory Ashton, what an absolute delight you are!!

Rory you are looking so much like your Nana and it couldn't make me prouder. You have her beautiful blue eyes and reddish hair. You also have her ornery personality which continues to flourish with each passing day. A commented to your Dad just the other day that you literally "crack yourself up." I hear you say or do something and then just laugh at yourself. It is adorable! I called you to come change your diaper and couldn't find where you had gone to. I was looking around and looked into the bathroom from where you jumped out from beside the toilet and said "I here!" to then crack up laughing. You have the cutest little raspy voice right now and are talking up a storm.

Rory you are such a big girl and try to keep up with your brother, sister and older cousins. You are not afraid of anything, which is very scary for us, but you race to be the first on the trampoline or a bicycle. You have tried to ride your sisters big bike which your legs can not reach at all. You love to run to the playground like the big kids and climb up the walls and slide down the big slides. When we are with your cousins, Emma is always by your side and we have joked that the two of you together will be a scary combo as you get older since you are both fearless but at least you will be together.

Your brother and sister race to be the first to get you out of your bed in the morning or after naps to which you usually tell them "no" until Mom or Dad come in to get you. You are such a Daddy's girl because you often love to be in his arms beyond anywhere else. You settle for Mom if Dad is not around. Your other absolute favorite person is your Aunt Nene, who you were named for. The two of you are at times inseparable cuddling up to one another. It is pretty sweet!

 

 Rory you continue to be a huge drinker preferring to drink a full cup in the morning before you can be bothered to even look at food. Throughout the day you are never far from your drink. For food you like to eat anything as long as there is meat. If a meal does not contain meat, such as peanut butter jelly, you want nothing to do with it. You love chicken, bananas, apples ad goldfish. Your favorite toys right now are babies, anything frozen, and Minnie Mouse.
 

For this reason we had a Minnie Mouse themed birthday dinner for you since a full party wasn't possible due to Coronavirus. Your Mom can not help herself though and ordered balloons for a Minnie Mouse balloon garland and Minnie Mouse pinata to keep the party vibe alive. We had Gran-Nana, Mimi, Aunt Kelsey, Aunt Nene, Uncle Lane, Norah, Merritt and Emma over and celebrated the Joy that you are to all of us.

 

 

Rory Ashton you have blessed our lives immensely. You remain our most cuddly child which we just adore. We love you with all of our hearts Rory and can't wait to watch you continue to grow into the sweet God has planned!

6 weeks away from Target

It has been 6 weeks since I stepped inside of a store. No Target, no grocery store, not one place! This is called Coronavirus Quarantine and it is the pits!

Trying to keep 3 kids occupied in a house that they have been in for 6 weeks already day in day out has become a real challenge. We have tried out hand at tie dying, came up with some interesting crafts, games, lots of playing outside on the trampoline and inflatable pool. I have thought often during this time that you really should love and more so like your immediate family as that is who you are stuck inside of a house with! No amount of love or like is enough though to keep three kids 6 and under content in these circumstances.

 

We have really mastered riding bikes around the neighborhood as we have gotten a trailer to pull Rory in behind Drew's bike. These little outings, where we have stayed on opposite sides of the road from any other person out trying to enjoy a different environment to maintain some social distancing, have been the highlight of our days.

The first time I actually did go into a store was this week when I was finally stir crazy enough to mask up and glove up to go get some groceries for myself. It was the most enjoyable grocery shopping experience I have had. I had headphones in, a mask covering my face so I didn't have to worry about smiling (although I still did) and could shop in peace. Although the peace and quiet was idyllic there was a strange atmosphere of trying to avoid other people and beware of the dreaded virus. As restaurants are still closed for inside dining we have ordered take out more to help support local businesses and give myself a break from the monotony of cooking. It has become one of our favorite treats to get take out for dinner.

Our family has been extremely lucky this far as no one has tested positive for the virus. We are remaining to be vigilant about our exposure but allowing for more family dinners including extended family. We have been indulging in park time with our cousins and it is one of the highlights of our week! It is a very different time in life as discussions remain about how to "reopen America" and keep the virus at bay.