The Improbable

They say wisdom comes with age, I beg to differ.  For me,  wisdom began with Soren.  I always thought of myself as some-what wise - more intuitive than anything.  Now I feel like I know what wisdom is beginning to feel like... and wisdom says - we're just getting started.  Watching Soren grow has taught me so much about myself, about others... about life.​

​Soren's current lesson:  the improbable doesn't mean possibility isn't around the corner.  I know this might not make much sense, but to some it will definitely ring a bell.  I am reminded everyday as I watch Soren grow, do things he couldn't do before and discover the world around him - possibility is there!  Finding opportunity in every successful step, grab, reach and tumble.  He reminds me that even though it seems improbable now, that a different possibility is opening up.  It's seems like a karma or guru-type thing to say and this could be a result of reading some Herman Hesse, but it really makes all the sense in the world.   

I didn't know I would ever find a life long partner, and a recording project introduced me to him.  I didn't know I could or would be a mother, but Soren was the best unexpected surprise I could have asked for.  And now... I am planning for some change, hoping for some possibility.  And it seems improbable now - but not impossible, thanks to Soren.  ​

Here is an example of how Soren inspires, from inching, to crawling, walking and climbing.  From banging buttons, to pushing the receiver, waving, holding a phone - to saying hello and holding a very, very important conversation.​  Plus - it's just plain adorable.  Enjoy!

Motherhood

I feel like I could write a million posts about this - not as a pro, but as an admirer.  I admire motherhood.

I never really understood what it meant to be a mother until I became one (obvious, right?).  But if your mother was anything like mine, never ceasing to tell us (my awesome bro and I) what an amazing opportunity and pleasure it is to be our mother - expecting me to, of course, get it - but I didn't.  Now I have Soren and an amazing partner to raise him with - and now, I get it.

It's a feeling a momma gets when her child smiles at her (not the first time - every time).  Or when they roll over the first time and look at you with bewildered, wide eyes, calmed when they know you are near and witnessed the whole thing!  What a feat!  

Or when they start using signs or words in sentences, asking for 'food', 'help' or one of my favorites 'please!'.  When they start to point and run on mini adventures - looking back to make sure you are watching.  The first time they run to you when you walk through the doors with their arms wide open waiting for that scoop up and snuggle.

And tonight, for me - watching them play independently, carrying on non-sensicle conversations with a favorite stuffed animal, playing 'choo! choo!' trains.  When I went to join Soren, he asked me 'help' and opened my hand and placed the caboose in my palm.  He then motioned to the train on the tracks and said 'please...'.  I put the train together and got a very gratious 'gank you!'.  

Later, I recieved the biggest, warmest hug during a dance party - for no particular reason at all.  It was just a few seconds of snuggles and he was off dancing again, but I melted.  I looked at Soren and thanked him for being my little boy.  I recieved a 'gank you' in return.  ​

Not that he may know what that means to this momma right now - but I will be sure to remind him later.  And just like my momma - I will continue to thank him for being my son.  I love motherhood.​

out of print

out of print has officially become a staple printing company around this house.  Rick's 35th bday was last week and Soren and I gave him an adorable apple postcard of the two dudes, a cream cheese filled pumpkin bread loaf and an out of print t-shirt of Darwin's The Origin of Species​.  ​I also splurged and snagged a cute Tee for our little man.​  The screen printing for out of print concentrates on book covers of classic novels, like… The Great Gatsby, Fahrenheit 451, Atlas Shrugged, Animal House, Slaughterhouse Five… you get the idea.  They have everything from bags and T-shirts to iPad and Kindle covers.  The prices aren't terribly cheap - but not frighteningly steep either.  They maintain a blog as well and is a super fun company to follow.  Here is our tally thus far:

​…and apparently, they recently finished a Kickstarter for their eBook covers.  I guess they are taking on a slightly new look and gaining a bit more independence from other distributors - go out of print!  But before that all happened, I snagged the Animal House one for my Kindle...

and here is the little man, modeling off his Wizard of Oz Tee - so cute!​

He is getting SO big!!  This is a 2T shirt and I thought we would have some time with him in it - turns out it is a perfect ​fit!  Two-years old next month, watch out!

Patching for the Weekend

Even though - this is still technically my weekend, I was just far too excited to share our Pumpkin/Raspberry picking experience to wait!​

Rick found a great patch to hit up, Irons Fruit Farm - we picked raspberries, pumpkins, fed the goats, ate some apple fritters, doughnuts and cider, hayride out to the patches and even oinked at the pigs!  We had a blast - thanks guys for the great day!  Looking forward to visiting some more this fall!

after raspberries - comes pumpkins…and some goats!​

Monday Night

A very late, post weekend, Monday night post (we had a busy evening last night…left for another post). Our weekend was filled, well - with adventure I guess you could say.  Soren and I had a great Friday as we wrapped up the kitchen project and Saturday was nothing short of a good time.  We hung out with family - Soren and Rick's nieces are ABSOLUTELY adorable - so mad at myself for forgetting the camera.  The day was topped with some delicious Indian take out for dinner.  Sunday, we had a lazy morning and met Mamaw at Heritage Festival down at the Train Depot Park. 

The festival was a blast and Soren went crazy for the petting zoo.  It was awesome!  He is getting so big and brave - running from animal to animal, giving them a pat and making their animal sounds - quacking at the ducks, mooing at the cow, even baa-ing at the sheep!  

Speaking of big boy!  This lil' guy needed some new shoes for his Godzilla feet, so we rounded out the weekend with some sweet kicks and a cake, well - just because.  This week I am back with the CSO and into the regular season.  Here's to hoping it's a smooth transition!​