these days, they are a river

head shots

2011-08-06T22:10:00.004-05:00

I snapped these pics of the girls in the Spring (for a little Mother's Day project) and these are a few of my faves.

aaaaand scene.

Happy Valentine's

2011-02-14T16:18:00.002-06:00

Perfect for today!

{this is by our friend, Jon Troast. He's currently in the studio with Andy, who's producing his latest EP}

thaw

2011-01-30T23:01:00.005-06:00

Praise him...for the waxing and waning  of weather so that we never get complacent.
-Luci Shaw, from Psalm for the January Thaw

2011

2011-01-07T16:36:00.009-06:00

Looking

for beauty

and inspiration

in the everyday.

Jesus, keep

my eyes open

my senses alive

my heart breaking

my mind seeking Truth.

{photos from CO by Jen Dillender}

a Thanksgiving song

2010-11-24T23:13:00.002-06:00

well, it's more about the turkey. but still.

Ella learned this at school, then Sadie promptly learned it from Ella. I love that Ella has her eyes closed through half of the song. Also, the Sadie-screech at the end? classic.

Halloween

2010-11-21T14:19:00.006-06:00

Remember Halloween? I do. Mostly because Andy and I dressed up (we haven't done that in several years). But this year it wasn't just about the girls. Oh no. We decided it was time for us to shine (well, the invitation for a costume party decided it for us, but we willingly agreed).

The party was a couple days before Halloween, but we had so much fun being an 80's rock duo (Andy named us PROM) that we dressed up again while the girls trick-or-treated.

Oh yeah, the girls. Ella was a Titans cheerleader,

and Sadie was a cowgirl.

Look at my little family. Look at my man's flowing, mulletted locks.

Every year we trick-or-treat on our cul-de-sac. This is the second year our friends, the Oakes fam, joined us.

(Amelie really REALLY wanted to be in our family pic)

After the girls got their candy, they would run away yelling, "Thank you! Happy Halloween! Happy Trick-or-Treat!"

Rock on, Halloween. Rock on.

three wishes

2010-11-19T14:18:00.003-06:00

Sadie has three wishes. When she sees a star, she asks for these things. When asked what she wants for her (fourth) birthday, she says these things. When Santa asked what she wanted for Christmas, she sweetly requested these things.

Always these three. Always in this order.

An American Girl doll that looks like me named Kit,

a seesaw,

and a baby sister.

{so this is Sadie as a baby, but you get the idea}

The other night we finally had to break it to her that she would not, in fact, be getting a baby sister for Christmas. To not get her hopes up. That if one were coming Mommy's tummy would be really huge right now. She was pretty disappointed, but seemed to understand. And she continues asking for one.

uncle clay

2010-11-18T20:36:00.004-06:00

Before the series (that I read and was addicted to but never really knew why) came out I would have never looked at this and automatically thought of a vampire. ahhh, pop culture.

{For those of you who have not read the literary prowess - cough, cough - a vampire whisks his human love-interest through the woods faster than the speed of light. I can't remember what this was to prove. That vampires are really fast? hmmm.}

Sadie would have no doubt, however, that Uncle Clay could easily scale the tallest tree in the Pacific Northwest (with or without her hanging on for dear life). To her, he can conquer every height. She has watched (with a mixture of delight and concern) as he has climbed oaks, maples, pines and magnolias. Every time she considers something towering above her, Sadie states that Uncle Clay can either touch it or climb it.

I think she's right.

toothy

2010-11-16T11:44:00.003-06:00

we've moved into big girl tooth care

this is what our dentist recommends...

Sadie can't stop flossing.

Flood

2010-11-13T20:59:00.000-06:00

* I came across this partial post in my draft folder and am posting it 6 months later. *

The Nashville Flood. The Other Situation 2010 (the first situation being January's snowstorm). The 500 Year Flood. The Millennium Flood. These are a few names of what Nashville (and the 49 surrounding counties) have been calling what happened two weeks ago.

I am probably the last person with a blog to give an account. I do not plan to go much into the actual details and descriptions of what happened. There are countless blogs, articles, pictures, and songs that do an ample (and much superior) job.

Astoundingly, most of the country did not a.)know about it b.)know the severity of it. The city gave a collective cheer when Anderson Cooper came to cover the devastation. It's all most of us have thought about since it's happened.

Some parts of the city look as though nothing has happened.

Some parts look as if the whole block decided all at once to rip old carpet from their basements (our street).

And some parts look as if they are moving out of their houses...but instead of boxing up their belongings, they are throwing all their belongings away. ALL OF THEIR BELONGINGS.

This is where my heart is sitting right now. With those people who have nothing. This flood showed no economic favor. People with humble homes to people whose houses were filled with expensive things. They all lost everything. EVERYTHING.

This is the mantra in my brain. It's what I think about when I tuck my children in at night. What if their beds were gone? What if all their books were gone? What if their favorite blanket was gone?

And it's not like all of the things just disappeared. Families - moms, dads, children - had to come Back into their homes and physically pick up all the things that are dear to them...and throw them away. They had to sift through sludge, mud, excrement, and rats - to discard their treasures.

We had to rip up our basement floor and walls. It's annoying. My arms are sore and stiff today from scrubbing mold and dirt off of the cinder blocks. It's painful and monotonous. We will have to replace the floors and walls. It's not cheap.

BUT.

We got off easy. We are being forced to go through our things and decide what to keep, throw away, or give away. DECIDE. So many people are not afforded the opportunity to decide.

So I am looking at our things with fresh eyes. Setting aside what we do not need for those who need everything. It's the least I can do. We may not have loads of money to give in the telethon. But we have our two hands. And we have stuff. STUFF. I am both disgusted by it, and grateful for it.

Scars

2010-11-02T11:48:00.002-05:00

They tell how it was, and how time
came along, and how it happened
again and again. They tell
the slant life takes when it turns
and slashes your face as a friend.

Any wound is real. In church
a woman lets the sun find
her cheek, and we see the lesson:
there are years in that book;
there are sorrows
a choir can't reach when they sing.

Rows of children lift their faces
of promise,
places where scars will be.

-William Stafford

reluctant Easter photo shoot - a retrospective

2010-09-23T08:37:00.006-05:00

Easter morning was sunny and full of promise. Ella and Sadie were twirling in their Sunday dresses. We were just about to leave for church, and we wanted to take a sweet picture of them. Just one would do.

But that was not on their agenda...

At all.

Mystery sullenness had taken over.

The car was running. Out of gas, at this point.

Y'all. Come on.

Seriously?

(Now that the ordeal is over) I love that it took so long. And I love these pictures. My people be crazy.

a Colorado moment

2010-09-13T21:20:00.005-05:00

There will be so (so) many more pictures from our month spent at Crooked Creek Ranch this summer, but I wanted to share these pictures now because I love them so.

I love everything about this little moment in time...

The weather.

Which inspired them to pick these outfits. And these stances.

But my heart surges every time I look at these because of my daughters. My Ella. My Sadie. My girls.

personal photographer

2010-06-04T12:43:00.014-05:00

Suzanne is a dear friend of mine. And she's my neighbor. Therefore, we live lots of life together. She is one of the most thoughtful and intentional people I know. And {BONUS!} she often has a camera around her neck. And here's a way awesome thing about Suz {amongst her many attributes} - she actually downloads the pictures and e-mails them to you...usually within hours of taking them!

Because of Suzanne, I have moments captured that I never want to forget. And there are lots of moments.

Just in the past 6 months she has photographed my children...

at a friend's adoption homecoming...

sledding...

ingesting S'mores...

bursting with pure joy on a trampoline with Drew...

posing with future-husband Will...

sharing Easter candy with Emmy...

having a fondue party (that Suz hosted)...

jumping on their red couch after the fondue party...

planting snap-peas...

being generally delicious...

and posing with beautiful, fragrant Magnolia blossoms...

here's to many more memories shared.

my place

2010-05-20T11:39:00.007-05:00

There is no end to work -
Work done in pleasure, grief,
Or weariness, with ease
Of skill and timeliness,
Or awkwardly or wrong,
Too hurried or too slow.
One job completed shows
Another to be done.
And so you make the farm
That must be daily made
And yearly made, or it
Will not exist. If you
Should go and not return
And none should follow you,
This clarity would be
As it never was.
But praise, in knowing this,
The Genius of the place,
Whose way forgives your own,
And will resume again
In time, if left alone.
You work always in this
Dear opening between
What was and is to be.
{Wendell Berry from The Farm}

This is a excerpt from Wendell Berry's 38 page poem/love letter/instructional manual on farming. Andrew Peterson gave it to my husband and me for Christmas two years ago, and just this morning I sat down with a cup of coffee by an open window and read it. I lingered on the words {which I am often want to do}. As always, Berry's descriptions of {his home state of Kentucky's} landscape and farming transport me to my grandparents' farm in North Carolina.

{a piece of my grandparents' farm}

This particular passage leapt out at me. Recently I have had some in-depth discussions with wonderfully brilliant writers about pursuing the glimpses of beauty {as in the Garden of Eden and the new Heaven and new Earth} that we see in our everyday lives. One poem we read referred to those moments as "glimpses", another as "wormholes."

Are we to receive those glimpses with gratitude and move on? Or do we follow those glimpses, knowing that while nothing is truly perfect here, it is not in vain to hope for {and work towards} a more beautiful stay while we're here?

This passage is a beautiful picture of our both small AND significant roles on this earth {and our relationship with this earth}. We have important work to do. But it is within God's greater work. We are just in "this dear opening between what was and is to be."

I need to join GOODREADS

2010-05-18T10:30:00.000-05:00

seriously. If you've come within shouting distance of me {or my internet self - wait, that sounds really creepy and schizophrenic} you know that I love books. LOVE them. a lot.

My sidebar lists what I've read in the past few years {although it's far from comprehensive because we all know I do a lackluster job of updating things around here}. And I really should start a list of our favorite children's books. I've done a review or two here before, and on more than one occasion expressed my love for
Caldecott books.

Books reveal a lot about a person, don't you think? What interests them. What fascinates them. What inspires them. What they want to know more about. What phase of life they are in {i.e. mother to preschoolers}. Or what simply entertains them.

My magic bedside table is host to an astounding amount of books. Books on loan from the library, on loan from friends, on loan from my mother, or from our own collection. Some I've already read {and haven't put away}. Some I'm reading. Some I've yet to read. But they are all teetering next to me.

So because I haven't started my own Goodreads account, I'll list them here. Mainly for posterity. But perhaps this may pique your interest and put something else on your to-read list. Or perhaps this is simply fodder for book-hoarding mockery...

* The Pastures of Heaven - John Steinbeck

* The Farm - Wendell Berry

* Lord of the Flies - William Golding

* The Age of Miracles - Ellen Gilchrist

* Ahab's Wife - Sena Jeter Naslund

* Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence - Sarah Young

* Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud, A Memoir - Cornel West

* Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids- Kim John Payne

* Books Children Love: A Guide to the Best Children's Literature - Elizabeth Wilson

* The Educated Child: A Parents Guide From Preschool Through Eighth Grade - William J. Bennett

* The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading - Jessie Wise

* Honey For a Child's Heart - Gladys Hunt

* Your Three-Year-Old: Friend or Enemy - Louise Bates Ames

* A Child's Garden of Verses: A Classic Illustrated Edition - Robert Louis Stevenson

What's on your nightstand? Anything I should add to mine?

typical

2010-05-16T13:15:00.000-05:00

this series hardly needs explanation.

old-fashioned friends

2010-05-16T12:12:00.000-05:00

Easter morning was bright and sunny (oh, the good old days. I never would have guessed I would be skittish at the first drop of a rainstorm).

After church we all gathered at Sevier Park for a church-wide Easter Egg Hunt. I snapped a shot of Ella and her friends perusing their goods, and fell in love with the picture. Their postures, their semi-serious looks, the grassy hill, the big old house in the back - it makes me think of a Depression-era photo...

and here's what it would look like if you were rummaging through your grandmother's old box of photos and came across it...

{lovely models Ella A, Ella O, and Liv}

Singing Sadie

2010-04-12T20:05:00.000-05:00

** update ** due popular request, I transcribed the lyrics, and put them under the video. enjoy the random. no really. Random.

I had my camera going a couple weeks ago and ended up honing in on Sadie. This makes me laugh because it is so her. The passionate singing (with a touch of toddler vibrato). And although she knows the book* by heart, she comes up with her own version (this she gets from her mother).

** hush little baby, comes to where
mama was gonna show you a hummingbird

and that evil sky is drying

and mommy show
and mommy is all turn

and mommy go in the rocking chair with you
and every day and now

I kept the ending because it's classic Sadie. She'll perform by herself for a bit, and then she gets really embarrassed and wants the attention off her immediately. {She still talks about her birthday party and getting shy when everybody looked at her and sang Happy Birthday. in December.}

* This version of Hush Little Baby is one of my very favorite books to sing with the girls.

two thousand words

2010-02-12T22:34:00.001-06:00

a new beginning...

2010-01-01T19:08:00.000-06:00

It's time this poor, woebegone blog got some attention, methinks.

{My piddly explanation...

About six months ago I got a phone that takes fairly passable pictures (as far as a phone goes, of course). At about the same time, our point-and-click camera bit the dust. Therefore, the last half-year has been documented by my phone. And they have gone directly to my TwitPics. And not here.

And I started twittering more. But those are just tiny blurbs. And, sadly, it has taken the place of blogging.}

With the new year (and new decade) I thought it only appropriate to resolve to post more frequently. For posterity. And for my mother.

A couple of weeks ago, our friends Josh and Flo Oakes came over and took some pictures of our family. This is a talented duo, I'm telling you. Due to the (shall we say) emotions that were (shall we say) dramatic, Andy and I were afraid there wouldn't be a whole lot for our friends to work with.

We were happily proved wrong.

pretty girls on a grassy hill

2009-06-29T20:29:00.001-05:00

they were like this when I walked outside. so I promptly fetched the camera.

{I love how different their mouths look when they say 'cheese'}

{my favorite}

a very Dairy day.

2009-06-07T20:39:00.001-05:00

I first discovered the Hatcher Family Dairy a couple of years ago at the Franklin Farmers' Market. They had a booth, and the men selling the milk were actual Hatchers (which I thought was charmingly authentic). We took home some of their milk, and ever since, I have wanted to take Ella and Sadie there for a visit.

That day finally came. A few days ago, my friend, Flo, and I packed up our girls and headed to the country. {Oh wait, let me interject a few sentences about Flo and her children. Flo and I had heard about each other through mutual friends (namely, Alice) because Flo was new to town (from California) and has two girls (Sera and Amelie) similar in age to mine. Well, after dilly-dallying for a few months, we finally met and hit it off instantly. It didn't occur to me until the day we first hung out that I didn't have any other friends with two daughters. Especially so close in age, size and personality. Seriously. They all mesh so well it's a breeze to hang out together, and I am so glad to have Flo as my friend.}

That said. We pulled up to the farm, and the girls played with oats while we waited for the tour to start...

These oats served a double purpose - you could also feed the miniature (I never confirmed they were, but dang, they're small) ponies. Ella wasn't so sure about that...

Our tour guide was fifth-generation Hatcher dairy farmer, and took us all around. Throughout the tour they encouraged the kids to feed or pet the cows, which I thought was really fun for the girls to experience...

{this was right after Sadie touched the cow}

They pasteurize and homogenize right there on site, and we got to look through windows at the big vats of milk where it all happens. Ella and Sadie were more interested in sharing a pink chair...

And this was parked right outside that building...

{all the girls were fascinated by all the cows' "earrings." Flo and I were fascinated by all the cows' names, which were written on all the earrings. I think my favorite name was Minta}

sweet sister train...

our little grouping...

holding on...

As the tour was moving on, I looked back and saw Ella giving the cows some extra snacks...

The tour ended with samples of milk (white or chocolate - pretty sure no child asked for white) and freshly churned butter spread on crackers. yum...

All their chairs were milk crates...

We stayed for a picnic lunch, and the weather was perfect. Sunny, breezy - perfect for the children to enjoy all that space to run around. Makes me think living on a big plot of land might be awfully nice.

Photo session by the big, red truck...

{instead of saying "cheese" for the camera we said either "dairy" or "moo"}

Before leaving we bought some milk and cream to bring home. Andy specially requested chocolate. Theirs is his absolute favorite...

Oh, and that pony Ella was so uncertain about? By the end she couldn't stop feeding him...

Twas a good day on the farm.

"slippy-slide"

2009-06-02T20:13:00.000-05:00

That's what Sadie calls it. This might be best outdoor purchase I make all summer. And we've had it just a few hours.

(Aside from snapping these shots) I just sat on the porch the whole time and watched. And was entertained. The girls started making up songs about how fun the slip-and-slide is. And I'm pretty sure all the neighbors enjoyed hearing those songs. From inside their houses.

Andy and I started taking pics of ourselves...

Then Sadie wandered over...

{I LOVE these sweet moments between them}

Next came Ella...

Then came this...

Soon enough, they went back to slipping and sliding...

It's going to be a good summer.

the family that rocks together...

2009-06-02T13:40:00.000-05:00

...umm, I'm not sure what. But something awesome.

We went to a little friend's "rock-n-roll" birthday party where the dress code included black shirts...

And the inflatable guitars were party favors...

We told the girls to each do a rocker pose...

interesting.

They put on their bathing suits for the first time this summer (and both looked and smiled at the camera!)...

And Andy and I took an apparent family photo with this yummy guy. Who I might have to steal in the night...

rock on.

The Bobbsey Twins

2009-05-29T21:44:00.000-05:00

This is one of my favorite pictures of all time. Will and Drew are Ella and Sadie's best boy buds. They have been friends since infancy, and when they are together it's one big (blond) lovefest. Ella and Will often get married (or talk about getting married when they are seven) and Sadie only calls Drew, "Drewy."

Just three days ago their beautiful baby sister, Grace, was born. And while she won't have a Bobbsey counterpart, I do love looking in her closet and seeing my girls' tiny clothes ready and waiting for her to wear.

Last week they came to Ella's recital (and brought her a flower).

{Drew definitely wins the Best Expression Award.}

nibblet

2009-05-27T21:57:00.000-05:00

While I'm sorting through the many (many) pictures from Ella's dance recital (in preparation for a proper post) I thought I would share this tasty treat of my younger child.

Sadie, in one of her fabulous ensembles...

{the toy box on which she is standing doubles as a stage. naturally. plus, my brother made it which is extra awesome}

What? You want just one teeny glimpse of dancer Ella?

{pic taken by my good friend, Krista}

more to follow...

matchy matchy

2009-05-17T21:30:00.000-05:00

It took me two-and-a-half years to put my children in the exact same dress. My impetus? Sadie Osenga. She is in a phase where she wants to wear exactly what Ella is wearing. If it's not directly from Ella's closet, she needs (lots of) assurances that Ella actually wore it at some point (and preferably, if Ella states herself how much she loved wearing it).

(I do realize her feelings on this will drastically change in a few years.)

So I picked these up, and think they are gosh-darn cute summer dresses. Simple, with a slight retro feel. Just how mama likes it.

We love sidewalk chalk. Today's art was all caterpillars, butterflies and ladybugs...

Then we moved on to sisters-hugging-in-the-sun pics...

{Note Sadie's exuberance when I told her to hug Ella in this last one. Does my heart good.}

Sadie the theologian

2009-05-13T22:04:00.000-05:00

Andy, the girls and I were strolling to lunch today with a couple of friends, and Sadie starts telling us how much she loves God. Someone asked her what her favorite song about God was and she said "Jesus Loves Me."

Then she said...

Jesus is God's wife!

And then she got laughed at in her sweet little face.

Maybe we'll tackle The Holy Trinity Talk, um, next week.

nostalgia on mother's day.

2009-05-10T21:51:00.001-05:00

the babies that make me a mama...

elizabeth claire

sadie caroline

a rain romp.

2009-05-01T23:00:00.000-05:00

Today it rained all day long. All day. I had a wild moment of inspiration midmorning, and actually encouraged my children to don their raincoats and galoshes. Then out we went to play in the rain.

mama duck leading her ducklings...

we found a perfectly deep puddle with just the right amount of grass and mud...

a view through my umbrella...

my sweets...

The lightning and thunder ushered us back inside too soon for our liking...I have a feeling there will be plenty more rain romps to come.

my husband knows me so well...

2009-04-29T18:47:00.000-05:00

...he sent me this link today. doihavepigflu.com

I feel so much better.

comfort

2009-04-29T00:37:00.000-05:00

* Written about three weeks ago

Ella's emotions have been on her sleeve today. Most likely has to do with her non-nap. And being a girl. And being my girl.

But even in the sadness, there is sweet comfort. I walked into the bathroom as Andy was bathing the girls. Sadie was singing, "I love youuuuu, Ellaaaaaaa." Over and over. In her sweet, high voice. And slowly Ella's tears stopped.

Later she was wrapped in her towel, and I was rocking her and rubbing her back. Up and down her spine. Over and over.

"It sounds like, 'It's ok, it's ok, it's ok,'" she murmured.

It took me a second to realize that in the rhythm of my hand on her back, my child heard words of comfort from her mother.

I am filled with gratitude for this moment. Not only that she experienced it, but that she shared it with me.

right now

2009-04-23T19:30:00.000-05:00

The children are tucked in their beds. I am sitting in the living room. It is dusk outside, and it is our only light. The windows are open. The breeze is wafting through in a lazy rhythm. A neighbor is mowing his lawn, and the smell of freshly-cut grass and wild onions is riding in on the breeze. A white dogwood gleams within the otherwise muted colors of early evening.

spring.

Prayer for a Child

2009-04-16T13:42:00.001-05:00

For her second birthday (in December) Sadie received this sweet book.

Awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1945, it is a simple prayer that covers all the comfort basics of a small child - family, friends, soft bed, bread, milk, etc. Even a "little painted chair" which we have (and I wrote about almost three years ago!).

The cadence of the words is perfectly soothing for right before bed. And while the book really can apply to either gender, I love that the girl praying has a cherub face and blond hair. In fact, Sadie started requesting a "white bow in my hair like the Prayer Book."

Sadie loves to turn the big pages and recite the whole thing.

I came across this site that had a bit of history on the book. The poem was first published in 1941, and appeared in an old NYC magazine called This Week. I loved this copy of the page.

snippets from today

2009-04-14T20:04:00.000-05:00

* As I'm changing Sadie's clothes, she looks over my shoulder and exclaims, Mommy! You put God on my monkey! I look behind me and someone has, indeed, stuck a picture of Jesus on the monkey's foot. A Jesus-with-His-arms-spread sticker that says "Jesus is Risen."

That monkey now has a name. Andy has been (not so) subliminally trying to get Sadie on board with the moniker for a couple of days. It worked. Just today Sadie has started holding her monkey up to people and proclaiming This is Keith Richards!

Yes. Keith (Rolling Stones) Richards.

* The girls are playing outside until Ella rushes in to breathlessly report, Mama! Sadie's crying cause a worm ate her head!

(I'm pretty sure I snorted.)

I went outside and Sadie was whimpering in the grass, hand to her forehead.
It just bit her forehead, as a matter of fact. It's a tree worm, Ella further explained.

Oh. Got it. I guess "tree worm" is the correct term for these...

{image and description found here}

I love how their little minds work.

a spring swing

2009-04-13T22:48:00.000-05:00

What's a girl to do when a pretty new dress arrives by post? Why, put it on and go swing!

{thank you, Nana!}

throw it on in!

2009-04-13T18:24:00.000-05:00

At about (oh) 5:15pm I started racking my brain as to what we should eat tonight. I haven't gone on a grocery run in a while, and had nothing that screamed MEAL. But then I remembered my new friend Flo (who, along with her girls, will get a blog post of their own soon) put together this wild and crazy (to me) salad at my house the other day. I was inspired to make my own creation, and was so pleased with the results, I decided to share what I threw in my bowl...

* garbanzo beans
* fresh green beans (snapped into a few pieces)
* broccoli florets
* grape tomatoes (halved)
* chopped red onion
* feta cheese
* tossed with some Ali O's Haphazard Balsamic Dressing (I got out a tiny bowl and mixed 1T balsamic vinegar, 4T olive oil, and a sprinkling of salt, pepper and garlic salt. Maybe I should rename this Retain That Water Dressing)

Now that I look at the ingredients, it really doesn't seem very unique. But I think it is because I made it without a recipe (which I never do) that I deem this Worthy of the Internets.

loveys

2009-04-12T22:06:00.000-05:00

A shot of my sweet girlies at a friend's house this Easter afternoon. They had just finished a massive egg hunt.

{picture by the fabulous documenter of all things Neighborhood Fellowship Group, Suzanne Williams}

Ella and her buds - Liv, Will and Max. This foursome has been together since they were 3-8 months old!

{also captured by Suz}

Liv, Will, Ella. I think Max had already gone home for a nap - but he was equally as bald and blue-eyed!

{pic by one of us mamas}

ski trip

2009-04-07T12:49:00.001-05:00

Due to the current cold snap, I am inspired to post some pictures of our family ski trip to Colorado.

My parents, brother and sister-in-law (who now live in the Denver/Boulder area) and our little unit went to Keystone, CO, in February. I was going to write this whole, elaborate post, but this will have to do. It was great to be with family, and Ella skied for the first time!! She was a total natural. She and Andy took a little "Daddy and me" lesson, and it was really cute. Here are some snapshots of our time....

getting fitted for boots and skis. I look like I'm in high school...

one of my favorite pictures of the girls. Ever. their personalities are perfectly captured...

learning how to put on a ski...

riding the "magic carpet" - that was all the ski instructor needed to say, and Ella was ON...

she loved pointing her skis straight down the mountain. i am running in ski boots to try and intercept her since she did not enjoy stopping on her own...

look at my baby go!!!...

Sadie wanted in on the action...

At the end of the lesson. Ella is clearly done. Sadie clearly wants Ella's skis...

here's a Cabbage Patch doll in a snowsuit. oh wait, still Sadie...

Nana and Ba, Ella and Sadie

Andy, Clay, Sarah and Cool Girl, ready for an afternoon of skiing and snowboarding...

Good times. Good times indeed.

Sadie-tails

2009-03-26T12:17:00.000-05:00

I have been begging. Pleading. Trying. For almost a YEAR. And this morning she let me. She ripped out only one side the first go round. Then when I got them both in I whisked her to the mirror, and the whole family exclaimed for a good five minutes. Daddy grabbed the camera...

Suddenly she wanted her monkey. Badly...

All better...

before the purge.

2009-03-12T23:40:00.001-05:00

The amount of things sitting on my 2'x3' nightstand is unbelievable. How everything has not fallen off is a miracle unto itself. Before I clear most of the things off, I decided to document. Think of me what you will...
{we'll start with my lamp from Target. when the disc-thingies sway to reveal the bare lightbulb you get blinded. but it allows me read all of these...}

books

*A Mercy - Toni Morrison {current library read}
*The Best American Non-Required Reading 2008 {also current library read, good for reading in short spurts.}
*The Bostonians - Henry James {brought this back from my parents house in November. NOVEMBER. have not read it.}
*Same Kind of Different As Me - Hall and Moore {amazing book. I read it in December. DECEMBER. It has not made it's way down to our bookshelves.}
*Number the Stars - Lois Lowry {a Newberry Winner that was one of my favorites as a child. Reread it in December. umm, why is it still here?}
*The Message
*The ESV Bible {I'm starting to look a little holy, huh?}
*Seams to Me - Anna Maria Horner {love her fabrics. love the book. have yet to do any of the projects.}
*Simple Sewing - Lotta Jansdotter {got this for Christmas. also drool over it. also have done nothing from it.}
*Treasuring God in Our Traditions - Noel Piper {a fabulous book that helped me guide my children through Advent. it will also be great resource for Easter and other traditional holidays; including birthdays!}
*Honey for a Child's Heart - Gladys Hunt {a MUST HAVE for any parent, future parent, educator, or someone who just loves books.}
*Last Child in the Woods - Richard Louv {a startling research about the current disconnect between children and nature. i think my copy has been sitting there for two years.}
*The Tale of Despereaux - Kate Dicamillo
*Elizabeth Goudge's {one of my dearest authors} Eliots of Damerosehay Trilogy. My favorite literary family of all time. I have them in separate, hardback vintage copies courtesy of my mother. I love them.
*Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ - Jeanne Guyon {an amazing book my church's Neighborhood Fellowship Group started about a year ago.}
*The Jane Austen Book Club - Karen Joy Fowler {yet another book read in December and begging to be shelved properly}
*Andy's baby book. I'm not really sure why currently housed there, but he was a very cute baby. And his mother was delightfully thorough in recording all kinds of milestones and Andy-isms. oh, let's have a look, shall we?

and if those teetering towers of books aren't enough, we move onto
miscellaneous. no really. Very miscellaneous.

*exactly ONE black leather Isotoner glove
*also ONE white sock with hearts encircling the ankle
*a pair of way cool earrings a friend brought me from Ethiopia
*a wooden bead necklace that Ella made
*a box of safety pins from my first consignment sale as a vendor {doesn't "vendor" sound so official?}
*a pad of paper from the Opryland Hotel
*a framed picture of Andy and me from our engagement photo shoot. it's one of my favorites ever.
*a framed picture of Ella during her first professional photo shoot as a three-month-old. chubby, bald and delicious.
*this picture
*and this one
*a couple of pens
*a journal
*another pair of earrings
*a baby monitor {because our sleepy-time noise machine is broken so we use the baby monitor to listen to Sadie's white noise machine. we are that addicted. and we do NOT need the monitor to hear Sadie when she's ready to get out of bed. I think our neighbors know when she wakes up}
*my cell phone {you know, just in case}
*Cetaphil moisturizing lotion {for the crackly winter}
*a guitar pick {not that I play the guitar.}
*a broken Sleeping Beauty Barbie necklace {like, for the actual Barbie. it's tiny. and I don't know why it's there.}
*half a roll of Lifesavers {I think Andy brought them home one day, and I had such an overwhelming excitement for a white one, he laid the roll there so I could have one. I don't remember when that was.}
*a recipe for Pumpkin Black Bean soup {seriously, why is it there? was this my bedtime story?}
*my handbook for an amazing marriage conference by this guy
*my "arsenal" {this is a pack of index cards with verses written exclusively about God's goodness. I used my parent's fatty Bible Concordance so I could get all the verses I could find. I've kept them by my bed for the last six years, and pull them out when I feel the especial need to tell Satan to get back where he came from}

Thus ends my list. Off to clean.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-03-11T23:20:00.000-05:00

okay. so. I don't even know if these are the rules, but I'll play. I post a picture, and then you (my teaming throngs) get to write a caption. And don't worry, I won't be sad if no one plays. This is just a way for me to post this cause it makes me laugh.

sweet Ella on a blustery day

2009-03-08T17:41:00.000-05:00

{This is a "wind ring" Ella made at preschool. She loves nothing more than to run her fastest as the colors stream behind. Not even four years old, her movements are graceful and fluid. Thoughtful, yet full of abandon. This is my daughter.}

Caldecott

2009-03-04T13:55:00.000-06:00

Ahhh, books. It's a prevalent theme here, which is appropriate for it is a prevalent theme in my life! As a mother, I feel a particular responsibility (and overwhelming privilege) for introducing my children to a wide variety of literature. We have reached the perfect stage (in my mind) for Caldecott Medal books. Before they can read, I want their little minds to come alive through interesting and beautiful illustrations. And, I dare say, I am just as mesmerized as my children.

As we all know, I love the Nashville Public Library. I have my (super long) library PIN code memorized for when I request books. And for the past few months I've been working my way through the Caldecott Medal award and honor's list. I pick the ones that seem age-appropriate or are related to the current season (there are lots of great stories for the winter). I see which books the girls (or I) gravitate toward, and my hope is to one day own all the ones we absolutely love. In hardback. We have just a handful in our collection so far -either as gifts, or great deals online.

I am currently head over heels about Ox-Cart Man. In it, a nineteenth-century family grows and makes produce and goods all year that the man of the house puts in an ox-cart and takes to town in October. There, he sells everything (including the ox and cart), buys a few necessities, then walks home to start the year-long process over. I find it both inspiring and soothing. The book was published in 1979, which happens to be my birth year. I was thrilled to stumble upon a first-edition hardback (for less than $10 purchase and shipping)!

{this is the family making Maple syrup in the month of March}

I'm sure I'll write more about the others in our collection. And the ones we find ourselves borrowing again and again.

Ella is up from her nap, so we're off to adventure through 1954's winner, Madeline's Rescue!

here

2009-03-03T14:58:00.000-06:00

Team O is still alive,

happy,

and crazy as ever,

I'm ready to be back.

{photos by Garett Buell}

november

2008-11-10T21:50:00.000-06:00

Well, friends. There have been many moments between this post and the last where I've thought "Maybe I should write about this. Post a picture. Record in this modern annal the happenings of today." Obviously those moments did not find their way here, and I am okay with that. Maybe later we'll peek back.

But today. This day. I feel like I captured my children in their truest element. Their exuding joy and fullness of life. Their fashion sense. Their love for the outdoors, and for each other. They are just three-and-a-half and nearly two. Have I only had them for such a short time?

rear view

2008-08-20T16:23:00.000-05:00

(insert required apologies for sporadic posting) These last few weeks of summer have kept the Osengas on the move. I plan to go back and start at the beginnings of our travels...but in perusing the photos of my last trip with the tiny ladies to the North Carolina coast, I noticed several taken from behind. I bundled them up in a little collection for you - you know, to stave off complete Osenglette withdrawal.

but how can I not include my favorite seafood shots...?

{photos snapped by me or my mammy}

cause they're cute

2008-07-19T10:49:00.000-05:00

Andy's doing video updates for his new project over on his website. Yesterday he incorporated our children, and it's just too sweet not to share here.

muffins, lotta, and a green skirt

2008-07-17T10:28:00.000-05:00

This morning the girls and I made blueberry muffins. Not from a package. For whatever (sad) reason we had not had flour and sugar in the cupboard for quite some time...and the other day I decided enough was enough. It was time to start baking again.

So today we did. Lots of muffins and messy mouths later, we are spending the morning reading books, doing puzzles, building with blocks, investigating our abacus, and hoping Sadie's fever subsides. Ella is eagerly awaiting her lunch date with Daddy, and I'm intermittently trying to stave off the (ongoing and dramatic) battle over who gets to cuddle with our stuffed Pat the Bunny.

I can't stop glancing up at my new purchase. At the first of the year, I saw it on Jenni's blog, and wanted to get it, but for some reason didn't. Well, the year is more than half over, but I would think about it from time to time, envisioning it on my wall. I headed over to Lotta Jansdotter's site last week, and saw that it was on sale (naturally, I suppose, considering the time of year). But I got it anyway. And it makes me feel cheery just looking at it.
{photo via Lotta's website}

I'm also wearing this skirt (except it's a fun, bright green). On the Gap website, it's on sale for $33 - but I found mine in the store for $11!! I've been wearing it the majority of the past two weeks that I've been its owner. There are so many things I love about this skirt! It's got the perfect flounce (without being frumpy). There are hidden pockets on the sides (so hidden that I didn't even discover them til my second time wearing it) that are perfect for my phone, because the pockets are deep enough to keep my phone secure, AND it helps me actually find my phone when I need it (instead of it sitting on the clothes dryer for 4 hours like it did yesterday). And the fun, girly part is that the top layer swirls up something akin to blooming petals as I bound down stairs.

{photo via Gap website}

snapshot Sadie

2008-07-17T07:34:00.000-05:00

I recently scurried after Sadie with my camera, to capture her last days as an 18-month-old. Here's a bit of what we came up with.

the littlest mermaids

2008-07-14T11:51:00.000-05:00

In keeping with the video theme, here's a little clip of the girls in their truest element. Ella singing ("Ariel songs") and dancing very earnestly, and Sadie trying her best to keep up.

{video by Nana}

here we are

2008-07-09T16:41:00.000-05:00

Andy's side of the family started a family blog where we can all post and keep up with each other. His brother and sister-in-law spent two weeks in Hawaii, and posted a video of their digs. And pictures of the crater where they snorkeled (the same place Andy and I snorkeled on our honeymoon...this bit of info comes in handy later). Andy and I decided to respond with what we were up to.

I meant to post this when we filmed it because, well, it's just that riveting. And because we've actually been doing lots of fun things in the interim. But Andy has all the pictures on his computer, and I get mean letters in the mail if I post without pictures.

So. Without further ado, I give you Andy and Alison having absolutely nothing to say.

tweet tweet

2008-06-23T07:55:00.000-05:00

I just joined Twitter. I haven't quite mastered it, but it's up and running in my sidebar. So for all of you dying to know even more of my random thoughts/what we're up to, check it out!

on loan

2008-06-21T21:53:00.000-05:00

My love for the library is strong and true. The girls and I attended the Main Branch's famous story hour this past week, and afterward browsed the children's section. This, of course, meant that I racked my brain as to what great children's book I had been wanting to get, but dangit, I just can't remember right now...while Ella performed a puppet show (which really meant her holding puppets and singing "Who's ready for the puppet shooooooooooow??")... and Sadie flitted from one spot to the next, landing in the middle of the floor and flipping through all eight copies of the same Christmas book.

As I was collecting children, bags and books, one book caught my eye. It had obviously been left behind by another browser, so I picked it up and added it to our pile. I'm so glad I did. We All Went On Safari: A Counting Journey through Tanzania is a beautifully illustrated book that gives a surprisingly in-depth look to the Massai people of Tanzania, the country's animals and grasslands. You can even learn names and numbers in Swahili! The first read through, I was unsure of the pronunciations of some of the names, but the back of the book has pronunciation guides and additional facts about the inhabitants of Tanzania.

This book prompted the first lesson on our new globe that actually took us out of the United States! I highly recommend this read not just for families with children learning to count, but anyone who wants to know a bit more about another part of our world. We have read it through many times, and it's one of those books that may find a permanent spot in the Osenga library.

reaction

2008-06-20T13:17:00.000-05:00

I LOVE the Nashville Public Library system. There are so many reasons why, and I intend to write a post about them all. But now - right now - I only have time for a quick lament.

Friday is when the library sends out circulation notices - a friendly little e-mail telling me that the book I have requested is available for pick-up at the closest branch. And Friday is when that branch is closed. So I get all excited, only to remember that I have to wait a whole, entire day to retrieve the book.

It's Friday, and I just got the e-mail.

when you're sliding into first...

2008-06-18T13:35:00.000-05:00

...and you feel something squirt

{Addendum - at the beginning. I have interspersed some new information. Look around. It's like Where's Waldo, except with words.}

No fun, right? Well, the runny rounds were made in the family last week. "Why does she share this personal and rather revolting information?" you may ask?? Because I have some information that I feel might help fellow sufferers (or the parents of the sufferers).

It could be common knowledge that there are a few foods that are especially good to have on the menu during these times. A friend of my mom's passed along the acronym BRAT. This stands for Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and T beans. huh? (The only correlation I came up with was T=toot=beans, but this still is a weak argument to me) ** Thanks to the fine and helpful ladies who commented, I have learned that the T stands for Toast. NOT BEANS. Good thing I've been feeding my child beans Daily for the past week. But not tomorrow. No sirree. **

After a call to the doctor's office, and the confirmation that toddlers hang on to this messy business for sometimes a couple of weeks, the nurse also added Yogurt to the list of stopper-uppers. Yogurt has probiotics, which basically put good bacteria into your system. My children especially enjoy these.

So. Armed with my ** new and correct ** list of foods and exceptional brain power, I came up with a new acronym. BARTY: Bananas, Applesauce, Rice, Toast, Yogurt.

Use this information, my friends. Use it well.

my people

2008-06-17T08:35:00.000-05:00

{I've heard some murmurings from the viewership that I haven't posted enough pictures for all two of your likings. So without further ado, I present my offspring. And their father.}

(very cute) visions of the future

2008-05-21T11:40:00.000-05:00

Last night Ella and I attended the ballet recital of her friends Lucy and Mae Mae. It was so very precious. A bundle of three-and-four-year-olds doing ballet and tap. Wearing tiaras. And tutus.

Ella was enthralled and (although she dances all the time anyway) has been performing some of the moves she saw last night. (It ended abruptly after she fell down our stone steps in the backyard.) I have every intention of enrolling her in the fall.

{spotted this print online}

hindsight

2008-05-16T21:46:00.000-05:00

I have this annoying little habit of writing an almost-entire post. Then I stop. I have quite a collection of "drafts" that I just now read through. This one, in particular, struck me as a perfect "20/20 Hindsight" moment.

It began last week. My mom and I were in Wild Oats buying, amongst other things, that night's dinner. Whenever I'm feeling the need for some fresh, healthy-feeling food, I pop on over to Wild Oats and buy some sushi vegetable rolls. Although the other day I went to Fresh Market on Franklin Rd for the first time, and they had some yummy California rolls. Mmmm, imitation crab.

Anyway, back to Wild Oats. I was trying to think of something to go along with my sushi, and right about that time we passed some hummus. I'm going to be honest and say that I've never been too fond of hummus. A) the name is just grody-sounding B) I had never had the right flavor.
But that night I thought I'd give it a whirl, and my mom was very happy about my decision. We picked up some garlic hummus (how bad can something really be if it's garlic-flavored?) and some pita chips to go along with it.

All too soon the deliciousness was gone. My mom, sister-in-law and I devoured that thing before you could blink twice. I wanted more. Happily, I was afforded the chance to return to Wild Oats and satiate my desire. This time I got the "party size" and 2 containers of pita chips. It was all gone in 24 hours.

Next I went to the Fresh Market and got the regular size, and couldn't find the amazing pita chips I'd been downing, so I went with some froofy

It ends there. What's funny is that (beside the fact I used the word froofy) I wrote that 4 days before I discovered I was pregnant with Sadie. Hmmmm, first craving much? I continue to enjoy hummus - and that very brand remains my favorite.

vintage

2008-04-29T10:43:00.000-05:00

Due to my frequent viewership of Keely, Kierstin, Jenni, and Christine's blogs, I also love this digital picture treatment by some fine Japanese internet establishment. Don't be daunted by the non-English aspect of the site...simply upload your photo and click the blue button!

I thought I would showcase all of Ella's birthdays (March 16) ... all but her actual Birth Day including cake.

{zero}

{one}

{two}

{three}

i have now photo-antiqued away the greater part of Sadie's morning nap. i have also noted that with each subsequent birthday, there is less-to-no frosting on my child's face. hooray, Ella!

out

2008-04-29T09:51:00.000-05:00

As my children finished their supper last night, I realized I had not left my premises all day. Sometimes I am fine with that, but last night I was feeling restless. Andy had just left for a photo-shoot (how many girls can say that about their husbands without batting an eyelash?), and I wasn't feeling particularly excited about handling the nighttime routine alone.

The solution? A trip to CVS. I packed the girls in the car to pollute two blocks of Mother Earth (it was raining and I don't have a rain-cover for the double stroller) to do some mindless wandering. They squealed with delight when they saw the shopping cart with the car-thingy on the front, and piled in as fast as they could.

I had nothing in particular to buy. I grabbed a box of animal crackers that the girls shared while I pushed them down the aisles. We said hello to fellow patrons, and I marveled (yet again) at how much stuff a drugstore sells. Like office furniture. I caught myself harmonizing (rather loudly) with Toni Braxton to "Unbreak My Heart" as we rounded the greeting card aisle. Where people were watching me.

As we headed down the toy aisle (where my children were gloriously silent), I spotted an Ernie (from Sesame Street) doll lying in a box surrounded by Cookie Monsters. THIS was the reason I came to CVS, I just didn't know it! For, you see, my one year old loves Ernie. Her father and I are mystified by this. Never have we once talked about Ernie. She's watched Sesame Street a handful of times, but usually it's just the Elmo's World segment. Yet, whenever she sees Ernie on her little Pampers she says his name like a broken record like her life depends on it.

I plucked him from the box and placed him in her little hands. Immediately she clutched him to her chest. He's been there ever since.

tiny morsel

2008-04-28T12:08:00.000-05:00

There are several posts in the queue waiting to be tweaked and published. At some point they will face the interwebs, but for now I will leave you with my current favorite snapshot of Sadie and me.

exchange

2008-04-15T16:39:00.000-05:00

Alison: (gasping for air from laughing) Andy, come in here and look at these chickens running!!! Have you ever seen chickens run?

Andy: Yes, I've seen plenty of chicken running. If you will recall I am from a farm-town.

Alison: No you're not. Farms surround your town. You lived in a town. How would I know if you've seen chickens run? My grandparents had chickens, and I don't remember seeing a bunch of them running at the same time.

Andy: Well, I have. (clearly not as amused as I am or think he should be). Oh, Eric and I were talking about how both our wives watch this show, and neither of us understand why you guys like it. Why, when our own children go to bed, would you want to watch this? It stresses me out to even be in the same room when it's on.

Alison: Well, I like it. I'm going to watch another episode until you're ready for me to cut your hair.

Andy: goes into the kitchen and sets up the clippers. still not very amused. and definitely not wanting to be in the same room as me and my show.

dinner of champions

2008-04-11T18:56:00.000-05:00

3 bites of...

plus 2 cups of...

I'm tired, people.

a Contradiction would be...

2008-04-11T08:30:00.000-05:00

...buying seven bags of organic groceries, then hitting the Taco Bell drive-thru on the way home. circa 10:30 at night.

* I felt highly disgusting by 10:34pm *

I'm IT.

2008-03-28T10:09:00.000-05:00

* i actually did this the Saturday of Easter weekend - but for some reason have not posted until now *

my buddy JJ tagged me with a little quizzie-quiz, and here are the breathtaking and mind-numbing results...

10 years ago I was...

on Spring Break during my freshman year of college, (I went skiing with my pals the Twindigs in CO) and was spending Easter with their family. Their cute mom even gave me an Eater basket. (how's THAT for 10 years ago down to the day??)

also, my friend Andy had just decided to not return to Belmont the following year so that he and his band could tour full-time. I lectured him and my friend Cason endlessly on how I thought it was a dumb idea. Things seemed to turn out OK.

5 things on my "to do" list today:
1. drink coffee.
2. clean out Sadie's closet, which was previously Ella's closet...and contained MANY a thing that neither girl have used in a very long time.
3. go on a walk.
4. go to the grocery store.
5. enjoy the fact that my husband is home on a weekend.

Things I would do if I became a billionaire:
1. pay off our mortgage, plus some other people's mortgages too
2. travel
3. have a maid
4. and a cook
5. and a personal trainer
6. and a stylist
7. and do selfless things, too
8. then use them as tax write-offs. heh heh.

3 of my Bad Habits:
1. I burp. Loudly and often. This was even mentioned by my pal Andrew Peterson in the Rabbit Room ...still not sure how I feel about that.
2. I'm a total hypochondriac. Is that a bad habit? I guess your mind can get into the habit of thinking you've got the latest and greatest disease (remember the SARS craze?).
3. apparently I'm a bed-hog.

Places I've Lived:
1.Durham, NC
2.Nashville, TN
ok, since that list is miniscule (and I'm bored), I'll sub-categorize within Nashville.
*Belmont Univ. campus for 4 years
*little apartment off of Thompson Ln. for 6 months post-graduation with 2 friends.
*cute house in Crieve Hall for 10 months with those Twindigs and another girlfriend until I got married.
*Berry Hill (for our first year of marriage) in a really random neighborhood that had twice-a-week trash pick-up that was AWESOME. what was Not awesome was the fact that our house practically touched our next-door neighbors' house and he was a bitter old man who sat at home and called the police whenever people played drums in the middle of the day.
*our current locale in Crieve Hall. we bought our 60s ranch 5 years ago this summer, and have loved being here. interestingly, it is just a few houses away from the rental where I lived before marital bliss.

5 jobs I've had:

1. Medical Filing Clerk at my dad's office. I was 15-turing-16, and spent all day in a dank basement re-labeling patients' file numbers. They had been relegated to the basement if they had not been there in a long time or were dead. I listened to Jewel, and was grateful to get all the missing/dead people filed so I could move upstairs. I still have the Jewel songs stuck in my head.
2. Abercrombie and Fitch. again, with the Twindigs. (they are a recurring theme in my life) we basically spent all the money we made there on their clothes.
3. Coordinator of Volunteers for the Nashville Rescue Mission. Rewarding. Eye-opening. I ate a lot of fried chicken that the cook named Major would make especially for me.
4. YMCA before/after-school care. When I wasn't traveling with Andy, it was good to be home making some cash. So I joined up with (are you ready?) The Twindigs and my friend Adrienne - making kids smile all over Williamson County. Am I right, girls?
5. Bible proofreader. I prefer not to explain. It's that much better. All I will say, though, is that my co-horts were (you guessed it...) THE TWINDIGS!!!! (p.s. this is not their real name, although it would be awesome if it were)

Things that most people don't know about me:
1. I have a really keen sense of direction. Which is good because Andy still gets lost in Nashville.
2. I can say The Lord's Prayer from memory. In French.
3. I'm left-handed? I mean, I am - I just don't know if that's a fact not a lot of people know. For the record, I love being left-handed. It was especially "handy" (I'm sooooooo funny) playing high school basketball. The defense didn't have a clue what was coming!!

Glad tidings

2008-03-23T09:30:00.000-05:00

Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed.
Alleluia!

four days later

2008-03-13T12:39:00.000-05:00

first peek...

i wish this hoodie came in my size...

this one would live outside if we let her..

march morning

2008-03-10T09:04:00.000-05:00

home sweet, snowy home...

delicate and vibrant...

outside my kitchen window...

tree and mailbox shadows...

galoshing through the snow...

barren birdfeeder...

pondering...

let them eat cake

2008-03-06T16:19:00.000-06:00

Among the endless reasons I love my husband is that he bought me this movie.

I have only seen Marie Antoinette once - in the theater - but ever since I have had frequent desires to watch it again. While it may not be the most historically (shall we say) thorough, it is a visually stunning movie. The opulence of the French court in that era is fascinating.

Sophia Coppola, in my opinion, came at the story in a completely fresh way. I love that 80s songs are part of the soundtrack (with even a brief glimpse of some blue Chucks). With Andy leaving today (for the 3rd weekend in a row, might I add) I know what I'll be doing with my Friday night.

over and over

2008-03-05T16:25:00.000-06:00

A dear friend of mine sent me the following quote...and despite its reference (and i obviously resonate with that) this can be applied to anyone's monotonies:

Kathleen Norris talks about the cyclical quality in creation: morning and night, the work week and the Sabbath, the earth revolving around the sun, and the seasons. So much of what God has created is repeated yearly, weekly, daily, over and over - like laundry and liturgy and “woman’s work.” God’s attention is indeed fixed on the little things, making life more accessible to us as patterns are repeated. We may choose to see these things as drudgery or an opportunity for experiencing the sacred.
In reference to The Quotidian Mysteries, Laundry, Liturgy and “Woman’s Work” by Kathleen Norris

I believe I will be tracking down this book.

checklist for flu-ish babies going outside

2008-02-28T21:49:00.000-06:00

* pajamas
* fur-lined coats
* shoes
* runny noses
* sweet smiles

poor bloggy

2008-02-24T11:30:00.001-06:00

So neglected. So alone. Maybe this'll cheer her up...

(courtesy of my pal Adrienne's new MacBook!!!)

where we've been

2008-01-13T21:23:00.000-06:00

We got home this morning. It was AMAZING. For many, many reasons. Those reasons will be written about shortly. Not tonight, though. I'm busy finding deals on ebay for princess dresses...

ushering in

2008-01-01T13:02:00.000-06:00

a true Southern girl

2007-12-02T09:28:00.000-06:00

Last night my friend, Emily, came over to hang with the babes and me. Emily and I are both from the South, so I'm positive the ever-appropriate and convenient "y'all" was thrown around quite a bit. While we were talking, Ella "plugged" in her microphone - obviously getting ready to perform.

Sure enough, she turned to us and inquired, "Can I sing for yah?"

She's listening. She's learning. She's almost there. Her daddy will NOT be happy to read this post. And I am more than happy to post it.

Yes. Yes she is.

2007-11-26T14:47:00.001-06:00

note to self

2007-11-15T16:37:00.000-06:00

Make most certain that the child-locks to my lower cabinets really do keep my two year old out of them. Otherwise she may go into the kitchen while you blissfully remain in the living room. When you realize her (relatively) lengthy absence (accompanied by strange clinkings), you will call to her and ask what she's been doing. After a few seconds of rustling, she will peek her head around the corner and announce she's been eating. "Eating syr(ee)up."

And you will then go into the kitchen not quite sure what to expect. The lower cabinet door will, indeed, be open (remember, you have GOT to double-check those locks) and sitting neatly on the shelf will be two little Cracker Barrel syrup bottles. One completely empty. The other on its way to being so.

You will look on the floor. Not a drop. You will look on your child's face. Just a hint of it around her lips and a dot at the base of her throat. You will realize she really, truly drank all of that syrup in the span of about six minutes (taking the time to put the caps back on when you summoned her).

There will be only one solution in your panicked mind. Make her run laps around the house. NOW. And for the next twenty minutes straight. Your only thought will be to ward off the oncoming rush. To beat that sugar to its maniacal punch. For the most part you will.

But if you DON'T want to deal with all of that, just check the locks for goodness' sake.

tip for tuesday

2007-11-06T15:36:00.000-06:00

Whilst flipping through a magazine, I ran across some hair-washing tips. Not that I get to wash mine all that often (something about running after children all day), but I always love a good insight into the ways of follicle upkeep.

* Before you wash, brush your hair from root to end - this loosens the dead skin and hairs. (ummm, disgusting)

* When scrubbing, use the pads of your fingers, not the fingernails. This can scratch the hair cuticle, making it dull. (oops)

* During your shower, don't pile your hair on top of your head - apparently this can dry out the ends. (I don't understand that at all. Plus, I ALWAYS put mine up , because I have long hair, and how else can I wash my shoulders with ease?)

* Rinse with cool/cold water. This causes your pores to contract, so they don't secrete as much oil. (Actually, I've known this for a while, but thought I'd throw it in. It's definitely an art form to get the water only on your head and not any other part of your body.)

There you have it, fellow hair-washers. While we're on the subject, might I add that I've been using Burt's Bees Very Volumizing Pomegranate & Soy Shampoo. I find it quite enjoyable, and am pleased with the results. I have fine hair, but a lot of it. And with each child it has become increasingly more wavy (not to mention darker). This seems to cater to both those things. Hooray for hair care!

Architect

2007-11-05T21:51:00.000-06:00

The child LOVES to build towers. Or if she's feeling super-creative, she calls them "sandcastles." This one is definitely a sandcastle. It does her (Lego-loving) Daddy's heart good.

* She's wearing a babydoll in her sling (an old scarf of mine) ... when she's in the mood, that baby goes with her everywhere. She talks and sings to, feeds and pacifies that little baby - always making sure her charge is in the most comfortable of positions. It does her Mama's heart good.

11 months

2007-11-04T23:13:00.000-06:00

Here she is. Eleven months old. The mitten? It's covering the gauze and tape that are wrapped around her fingers. Second-degree burns are covering my baby's three middle fingers as a result of a manual temperature test of steaming hot soup. After 90 minutes of screaming, writhing and sheer agony, the doctor-prescribed Tylenol (with some special sauce) finally allowed her to sleep.

She's been a trooper these last couple of days - what little time I've seen her. When she IS awake, she's been smiling through her drug-addled eyes, until it's time for the next dose and 4-hour nap which follows.

bugs

2007-11-01T12:06:00.001-05:00

flower girl

2007-10-23T12:54:00.001-05:00

It was a perfect day for a wedding. Dyer Observatory proved a beautiful spot - on top of a (what seems almost like a) mountain, Jason and Emily said their "I Dos" overlooking the city far below.

Decorated with pumpkins, mums and other tastes of fall, the outdoor wedding felt just right. There was a winding walk to the altar (a giant mound of rocks) and I love that bits of mulch and leaves clung to the bottom of Emily's dress.

Andy and my brother, Clay, were groomsmen. My sister-in-law, Sarah, was a bridesmaid. And my Ella was a flower girl. There are few times I have felt so honored to be asked anything. It is an Undeniable fact that Ella is in love with Jason and Emily. Both of them. Very much. And they asked HER to join them in the biggest day of their lives. Granted she's cute, and I wouldn't blame a complete stranger for asking her to be in their wedding just for pictures, but it's because Jason and Emily love her!

Jason met Ella when she was less than 30 minutes old. She hadn't even had her first bath! That night, he wrote a beautiful lullaby for her that makes me cry every time I hear it. I don't even know the title, but the first line is "Little hands, little feet, little Ella, go to sleep." I want to figure out a creative way to have the lyrics in her room, over her bed.

When Jason and Emily started dating, Ella was instantly smitten with Emily. We listen to Emily's record a lot around the house (especially when Andy's about to play a show with her and is brushing up on his guitar parts). Ella loves it, and requests it often. To this day, when she hears a female singer on the radio, she sometimes asks if it's "Em-ah-lee's song?".

As soon as Ella was told she would be a flower girl in their wedding, she couldn't stop talking about it. She didn't even know what one really was, but she knew she would "wear a pretty dress" and "sparkly shoes" and "sprinkle the flowers." If you know Ella, you can picture her arching her back in excitement, and the next second talking to you less than an inch from your face. When Jason presented her with the shoes, she started waving her hand in front of her face like she was about to faint from excitement.

She was given a beautiful garland and basket that Emily's mother had fashioned - reflecting October perfectly. The garland, with its oranges, whites, and dotted with tiny pine cones, was so delicate and breathtaking on Ella's gold-spun hair. Her dress made her look like a tiny bell, and the gold, sparkly shoes caught the sunset just right. There was another flower girl, Emily's cousin; she was the same height as Ella, with the same color hair (although she had more of it) and big blue eyes. They looked the perfect pair.

The processional started. Ben Shive was playing like only Ben Shive can. There was a a last-minute scramble as the wedding party reordered themselves (the wedding coordinator lined them up backwards). Emily's sweet tears had started as she held on to her father, and the flower girls were trying desperately to hold themselves back from sprinkling ALL the flowers before it was even their turn to walk down the aisle.

I was with Ella every step of the way down that long, mulch walk. The whole time I was coaching, prepping, encouraging, and praying that my sweet girl (who often becomes paralyzed and panicked in front of strangers) would make it down the aisle. "Go straight to Daddy, he'll be waiting for you up there," I said. She nodded, glanced at her petal partner, and seemed reassured.

The time came. I stepped into the background, holding my breath and snapped a couple of shots. Sure enough, about halfway down she turned around yelling "Mommy!!" I threw my camera behind a tree and crouched alongside her, holding her hand until she spotted the monkey. Yes, the monkey. Two stuffed monkeys were placed in front of the groom to entice the flower girls to complete their job. I guess it kind of worked.

Ella grabbed the monkey, jumped into Andy's arms, and stayed there for approximately 4 seconds. The rest of the ceremony was spent in my arms. After the ceremony, picures were taken and we whisked Ella up to the reception to enjoy the band a la "Oh Brother Where Art Thou" while she ate a plate of food.

Soon my parents and Sadie came to pick her up (whew!) and Andy and I enjoyed talking with friends, eating good food, making S'mores (yes!), looking at the moon through a GIGANTIC telescope, and dancing. OK, so Andy didn't dance all that much, but this girl certainly did! The only thing missing on the dance floor was LIZ (but since she's in South Korea I guess she couldn't make it).

It truly was a glorious night - crisp, clear, great music, friends, and best of all...Jason and Emily are married!!!

** Andy wrote a sweet post about the day, with a look back to my brother's wedding as well. You should look.

Purse Contents

2007-10-17T11:39:00.000-05:00

Someone else did this, and I thought I'd record this morning's collection for posterity. I will list the items in the order of which I pull them.

* Fossil catalog, Fall 2007

* Baja Burrito receipt

* Packaging for an Elmo bathtime book

* Wild Oat's receipt

* my wallet

* a baggy with Sadie's green pacifier inside

* my white sunglasses that Ella likes to wear when it's sunny. they draw LOTS of attention

* Ella's Parent's Day Out payment reminder

* a dollar bill

* a card from our Neighborhood Fellowship Group, addressed to "The A Team"

* Border's receipt

* Burt's Bees Hand Sanitizer- Aloe and Witch Hazel (100% natural...hooray!)

* Zoo membership card

* CVS pharmacy receipt

* lip gloss

* a purple drug rep pen (we have lots around the house) for "Relafen - Nabumetone" ummm, I have no idea what that's for...Dad?

* Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm (ole Burt is from my hometown, you know)

* Strawberry Lip Smacker

* another dollar bill

* Canel's Chewing Gum - tutti-frutti flavor (from Baja)

* a really fun ring from Curious Heart Emporium (i think my favorite gift shop ever - but it took me forever to go in because I was scared of the aliens and spaceship and other odd-looking creatures in the front), and I literally just gasped aloud because I think it's broken. BOOOOO.

* another stick of Chapstick "Compliments of: allegra"

* a red pen

* 7 quarters

* 1 dime

* 3 pennies

* business card for my friend, a hair stylist at the Green Pea Salon

* Davis-Kidd receipt (my favorite Nashville bookstore)

* Neutrogena lip balm "Pink Splash" with SPF 20

* 2 Veggie Puffs (corn flavored, I believe)

* oooo, another penny

* some crumbs

What's in Your purse??

10 months

2007-10-04T09:06:00.001-05:00

Sadie. I love so many things about her. Among the top of the list...

...When she smiles hard or laughs, her eyes become the shape of the moon when it's a tiny sliver. And the top of her nose has smile wrinkles in the shape of a triangle with the tip pointing down.

...Her laugh. She has so many different kinds. Amused, belly, I-want-someone's-attention, excited (usually turns into a shriek)

...Kisses. Especially when she initiates.

...The fact that she cannot listen to music without dancing.

..."Da-da" "Ma-ma" "El-la" "Dugga Dugga Dugga"

...The way she wants to be a part of Everything. It usually means pulling up on the object of her affection (mainly Ella) and getting as close as possible to the action.

...Books are the only thing that will keep her still. Especially if she's reading them herself.

Concoction

2007-10-03T20:50:00.000-05:00

I threw together this little dish at my parent's house the other day. It was a lovely medley of taste, texture and colors. What made it even better was eating it outside.

Organic white shells and cheese - Grape tomatoes - Avocados - Fresh basil from the backyard - Ground Pepper

Glow, baby, glow

2007-09-27T21:47:00.000-05:00

Since there have been a few inquiries AND I'm excited about this company, I want to spread the word about Simply Glowing candles.

My friend, Kristen, married a guy named Andy...Andy's family lives in Indiana and raises soybeans...which they then make into candles. Kristen has joined the family business, and now the business has gone online. I just got an e-mail about it a couple of weeks ago!

I bought a soy candle at a shop a while back, but strictly because it was a particular scent I had been craving. I didn't even realize all the benefits of soy candles.

I'm excited about ordering my first one - although I might not be able to limit myself to just that. Especially the Seasonal scents. So make your home smell yummy while keeping the air clean (and supporting my friend)!

Give us this day our daily bread

2007-09-23T23:48:00.000-05:00

brewing

2007-09-21T11:27:00.000-05:00

I'm on my second cup of coffee. Sadie is napping. Andy and Ella are on an outing. My mind (for the last who-knows-how-long) is one complete garbled mess. Wait, that sounds negative. My mind is full of amazing, brilliant, beautiful thoughts that are just fighting for first-place on my Thinking To-Do List. Yes, much better.

I have yet to sort it out. So I've decided that instead of pressuring myself to try and create something that makes ANY kind of sense here, I'm just going to write a list of words. Themes, thoughts, whatever. Some I've been wanting to blog about. Some will maybe get blogged about. Others just need to be written.

* Caldecott medal
* Laundry
* Time management
* Money management
* SIMPLIFY
* My Sadie
* Yard Sale
* Spoon rests
* Method
* Mothering Intentionally
* Dan Allender
* Potty training
* This
* That
* The other
* Art for my girls' rooms
* The return of the "baby" sling
* The Return of the chipmunks
* Andy saw the dude who voiced Alvin the Chipmunk
* Ella and Will
* Rough-housing
* Earnest Ella
* Determined Sadie
* Dustbuster
* Wanting to want a Sewing Machine
* My husband The Seamstress
* Rainbows
* Outside

I feel much better.

Irony is...

2007-09-18T16:30:00.000-05:00

reading articles on how to be a better parent while my child watches television.

it's official

2007-09-07T10:04:00.000-05:00

The other day Ella reported, "We're friends, Mommy. Ella and Sadie are friends."

I'm so glad.

look-see

2007-09-06T13:41:00.001-05:00

Welcome to this past Monday night at the Osengas...creatively edited by our friend Dave.

Just one of them days.

2007-08-23T10:47:00.000-05:00

Ok, so there have been several of them in a row. I attribute it to the (still unbearable) heat. We're cooped up. Emotions are flying. Children (and mother) are getting bored. My patience will only last for so long.

A couple of days ago it was Especially dramatic. Nothing seemed to go smoothly. I had pretty much accepted the fact that This was the day my entire head of hair would turn gray in one fell swoop. At the end of the day, I was changing (what seemed like) the 27th dirty diaper. I was on the verge of breaking. Just then my sweet (for possibly the first time that day) Ella looked up at me and said,

"You're my little treasure, Mommy."

The day was instantly redeemed.

night vision goggles

2007-08-06T22:47:00.001-05:00

We practically needed them today, During the day, inside the house. Why? Because it was so flippin' hot outside that I literally had every shutter closed, every curtain drawn, and every light off. All Day.

Poor Ella could hardly see her Play-Doh as she made all sorts of creations at the table. Sadie was in her diaper for a majority of the day - including her first nap. I set foot outside my house exactly ONE time while the sun was still up. Ella and I took out the trash, and when we came back in (after approximately 4 minutes) the child was already sweating.

The thermostat was set at 70 deg all day, but it never got cooler than 80 inside the house. The LOW tonight is 78. Tomorrow it's supposed to feel like 110 deg.

I'm running out of things to do in my house. But it's not worth going somewhere Else air-conditioned because it's just too hot to make the trip. Sadie still faces backwards in her carseat, and the poor thing is sweaty in about 3 seconds because there aren't any vents pointing right at her.

Well, I guess we are going to venture out for an early morning trip to the downtown library. We've just begun to go to Storytime again, and we can't let the heat keep us from Cedric the Dragon or (gasp) the Rainbow Song.

5 years and an 8 month old

2007-08-04T16:59:00.000-05:00

Yesterday marked my fifth year as Mrs. Andrew Osenga. It was Almost as hot as the day we got married. Except that day it was 103 degrees. And we had dancing Outside. Many pictures of a sweaty bride and groom were taken, but I don't have any in digital form, so we'll just have to imagine.

Last night we recounted our anniversary dinners...(please note the steak theme)

Year one, J. Alexander's. Still not in the digital world, so we'll still have to picture the young, happy couple.

Year two. I could explain, but it's more fun to not.

Year three. The Melting Pot. The first time we had ever eaten there. We left our 4 month old at home while we ate for Three GLORIOUS hours.

Year four. The Melting Pot again. Still delicious. This time we took our 4 month old.

Year five. Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. No picture. Don't know why. We have a new camera, and I must say we looked rather dashing. Especially Andy's Curious George band-aid covering the gaping hole in his neck that was a result of the drain removed (from his neck, that is). Again, let your mind wander.

And TODAY marks baby Sadie's eighth month in the world. Still ridiculously happy. Still hates to sleep.

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found.

2007-08-02T20:34:00.000-05:00

Tonight. After dinner. In the bottom of Ella's pink cup. Floating in the remains of her milk. Three bite-sized pieces of hot dog. Gross. And what makes it More gross, is that it was actually a "Smart Dog." As in not-meat-but-soy dog. As in, really rubbery and when warm smells not unlike a cat I dissected in college. But young Ella ate it all. Except for those three bites.

thanks, Nana!

2007-07-22T21:49:00.000-05:00

my mom made this precious watermelon outfit for Sadie. perfect for summer and showcasing some delicious baby rolls.

whew

2007-07-21T23:26:00.000-05:00

I just looked at our calendar. Today's date was blank. There were NO PLANS. For the first night in 11 nights, we did not have anywhere to go. I'm exhausted...

28 years ago

2007-07-18T10:16:00.000-05:00