Legotime...

Ethan wanted to post his latest little lego creation...keep in mind he puts these together all on his own! We have a lego city that is taking over the living room!

Finished product!

Home sick....at least I can hang out with Ethan!

Been home sick the last two days...it wouldn't be a normal year if I didn't get bronchitus (spell check?). Anyways, we are tucked in and relaxing, me trying to get over my illness and Ethan trying to get to the next level in Super Mario Bros. Wii. We also need to start planning our next family trip...where to go...? Ethan wants to go to Disneyland again but I reminded him that he hates rides. We're also considering San Diego and Legoland, or maybe even Washington DC.

Hopefully tomorrow I can get in the office and tackle the enourmous pile of work that awaits me...not looking forward to that!

~Anna

What is important...?

Dreams are funny things. For me, my dreams for this life have never died, or gone away… but merely evolved as my life has grown and unfolded. When I was just starting out my in my career I used to dream of financial success. Now I dream about spending more time helping Ethan with his homework and playing with him. I used to dream about being able to travel and shop and explore the world. Now I dream about being home more, and exploring the backyard and building forts out of a blanket and a bunk bed.

I always saw myself being focused and driven, moving up the ladder and achieving success. Now as I move up that ladder I see that to move in one direction towards one thing means to move away from something else. No matter what you’re doing in life, you’re giving up something else. It’s scientific. If I’m volunteering at my son’s school, then I’m not working. If I am traveling for a meeting, well then I’m not home making dinner. The idea that you can have it all is flawed. You can’t have it all, but you can have a lot if you’re mindful and balanced. But that’s easier said than done.

Age helps us realize that we are not given an infinite amount of time to do everything we desire. We must always choose where and how to spend it. This is a choice we make everyday. Do you set aside the cell phone and spend that 15 minutes talking to your children instead of texting and reading emails? Do you wake up an hour early to give yourself some extra time to talk to you spouse before work? Small decisions add up quickly with the amount of distractions that exist in our lives.

Being a single parent is all too common now, it’s prevalent and it isn’t an easy thing to do. Imagine the struggle married couples have to balance children, work, social engagements, church, etc. Even between two adults these responsibilities weigh heavy and require constant attention and prioritization. Now cut out one of the adults, and put all of those things onto one person. Imagine the feeling of knowing that to support your child and build a life you have to be away from them most of the time. It’s an irreconcilable circumstance that many face everyday. So you make the choices you can make, and you try your best to make them with love. And you never stop dreaming.

Hello Sunday night...you came too fast!

Ethan and I had another great weekend together. Does it get any better than this? Than being with Eman and playing, laughing and being as silly as humanly possible? No, I don't think it does. I've come to a place in my life where I still have so many dreams that I am excited about, and plans for the future...but where I also have total contentment in the present. I may aspire for more but I am grateful for the blessings of today.

Ethan and I went with the family to Alice in Wonderland. I don't know why it's being given such bad reviews, we quite enjoyed it! I mean, it's Tim Burton, so of course you may feel creeped out but it was a beautiful movie and I'm glad we ignored the bad reviews.

Ethan is also bonding with his guinea pig Mario more and more. He has decided that he needs to hold Mario everyday so that "the little guy can hear my heart" as he put it. And honestly I think it's working. The thing still hates me but that's to be expected since I destroy his carefully constructed tunnel system in his cage each week when I clean it out. :o)

Monday will come an hour sooner now so it's probably best to get to bed. This week is full for us...St. Patty's day party, Galileo School Auction dinner and level 9 on Super Mario Bros. Wii to conquer (level 9 is the secret level once you pass all the others, in case you're wondering)...here's to the good life!

Anna and Ethan

Karate Kid

Ethan doing his best to get centered..such a great picture.

Yellowstone and Tetons 2009...

I know these photos are older, but they are so amazing. I was able to take some really wonderful pictures that turned out well enough that it appeared (only appeared) that I knew what I was doing with my camera! Can't wait for our annual trip back this year...the place is really one of the most amazing on earth. Enjoy!

One year to six years...where does the time go?

So...it's amazing to think little Ethan is six and a half years old! Our lives grow and change every year, and I thought I'd post some photos from the past five years. Unfortunately I don't have any digital photos earlier than about 12 months old, but I am working on getting that remedied! Here's a sampling of our trips to Hawaii, Yellowstone, the holidays, school activities and all kinds of family fun with Ethan and I!