i left my heart in san francisco.

This weekend I did life without my boys.  Nate took Everett with him for a man trip.  They ate burgers, they slept in the truck, they didn't shave.  My boy was bummed because he was going to miss his t-ball game Saturday, all the while, Nater was sitting on tickets to a Giant's game.  Isn't that the way we are?  We long for t-ball and our Father wants to put us between the dugout and homeplate at a professional baseball game.  If we only knew what He had in store for us.

Grateful for the memories they made this weekend.  Grateful for safe travels and my remarkable, ordinary life.

love notes.

Today is the last day of being 7.
I might miss being the age 7.
Tomorrow is April 24 my birthday.
Tonight I wrote this.  April 23, 2014
2nd grade.  Claire (in beautiful cursive, with a heart over the i)

Sweetgirl,

These are the last few moments of seven for you.  You asked me tonight if 8 is a lucky number.  I think it will be, Claire.  Claire Elisabeth. Bright one.  A gift consecrated to God.  

No one was more surprised than I was at how much I loved and still love being your mom.  I love that you still will hug and kiss me in front of your friends.  I love to watch you care for your brother and sister.  You are fierce.  And hilarious.  You crack me up all the time.  You read 1057 pages for the read-a-thon this year, which just has to be a record.  

Thank you for taking a scared girl who didn't know what she was doing and making her into a Mama.

I love you to the ends of the universe.  

Mom