attempt

at a picture in their christmas clothes. well, it was frrrreeeeeezing, and after school, and hungry kids = not so easy. but hey? what the heck? here are the chits in their duds, sort of. love these monkeys...















miss spice, this was her tude that day... uggh



in the morning before school...

a little christmas wish to you and yours...

they did it again...

apple commercials, always hook me to different artists. genius really, but these guys remind me of Modest Mouse. I have no idea if they're related, lol. but this is a fun song fo sho.

Happy Birthday, Rowan...

This morning, 6am, scooting around the darkened Christmas tree, preparing to enter your room for your am feeding, I am transported. One year ago, tiny newborn and my dreams came true... I feel sad this year has flown by so quickly but I can't be tearful for the joy as your presence is overwhelming me. We have come a long way to welcome you. Two years of nursing school, seven months of trying, 2 years of night shift, and we've arrived. Normalcy, and the sweetest little one year old I could ask for. After the difficulty of working at night through my entire pregnancy I couldn't believe how very rested and peaceful I felt waking up in the night with you and facing many colicky hours of the day with you as well =) My mom would constantly tell me how rested I appeared. I think part of that was just arriving to this moment I'd been longing for since your big brother was 2. To this moment to be home with my family, soaking all of you up and getting to do my most important job of all, being a mother.
Last year, at this time, I was subsisting on Christmas cookies alone. I had such an aversion to coffee most of my pregnancy and that first sip of decaf after you were born, was bliss. Black as can be. So funny to me. I felt SO GOOD! I couldn't describe it, but it was more than a physical weight that was lifted. I constantly felt like taking off running, which I did actually a few times-- grin, all the way up the Abby hill, which is quite a feat for those who've had the great pleasure of walking up it. We regularly visited Grammy's house, which you always loved and were most content. You are still a party animal and enjoy people around you and a busy atmosphere. (so like your mother =) Fast forward to now... This song pretty much says it all, Rowan....

she's growing up sooooo fast...

Miss Bella at 2 months or so...



Miss Bella at 15 months. She.Never.Stops.Moving =) love her soooooo much!

The In-Laws...

love these people

Family Photos 2011

These ones didn't make the Christmas card, but so glad to have these. First family photo since Jillian was 9 months old....

kid's fave car rock song lately

twelve at heart...

i can't help it, she reminds me of my twelve year old song writer dreams come true. gotta love her honest lyrics even if she isn't the most fab live. sweet thing..

Recently

**this sweet boy "I still have pictures in my head of Papa Gerig when he was still here." Mom: "Don't forget 'em Buddy, they're precious" Aiden: "I miss him, he was a special guy..."

11 Months.....

Oh, Rowan... You are growing up entirely too fast for me. I can't get enough of your snuggles and cuddly baby body. You are cruising the furniture and do the downward dog like you might try and stand, but then decide against it and revert to your signature army crawl, even though you are perfectly capable of the traditional hands and knees version. You follow me around the house and come find me if I'm out of your view. You love to wave hi vigorously to your dad and I when we get you up from your bed. You like to clap and play peek-a-boo. You enjoy feeding yourself and have become a bit more finicky, darn it, about your food selection. When you're sleepy you love to hold me, while sucking your two fingers of your right hand and playing with my hair with your left. You like to smack my chest while you nurse to hear the sound and grab my mouth and pull my hair, and pinch the underside of my arm (ouch by the way). You are growing out of the 6-12 months quickly, I can't find any shoes that fit your chubby feet and am planning your first pair of UGGS for your first bday. You nurse 4 times a day most days, more often recently as you've been sick with a cold then a stomach bug (lovely diarrhea). I'm dreading quitting nursing, it seems so final and sad, although I'm sure those feelings will subside as the years go by. I truly enjoy you as a part of our family, as does everyone else. I can honestly say you have changed all our lives for the better. Put us all at ease, given us someone in common to adore and spoil. You love to soak up every bit of our attention, although you are very possessive of me and will adamantly push any and all people away that try and give you a hug while I'm holding you. I'm sure there is so much more... next month you will have been with us a beautiful year... So happy for that. Love you, Sweet Boy. Love, Mom

As the seasons change I'm reminded of this song...last year... you and me walking in the moonlight.

In Memory

Desi's Grandpa passed away on October 28th. He was the cutest man and had the most amazing faith. I wish I could share all the tender things that were spoken about him at his service... Jillian refers to him as "The Gerig". Kind of like "The Godfather". It makes my mother-in-law laugh. I was honored to be asked to sing at the service, I al-most made it to the end without crying, lost it on the last verse, but I think it was more honest and it felt ok. Please enjoy this song in memory of Christian Emanuel Gerig... 96 years were not nearly enough, but we are so happy for you to have made it to your goal...

for my memories..........

** if there's one thing I hope my kids take away from their youth its the sense of family, belonging, spirituality, and love I experienced...nothing like it... Hold it close, love it, never let it go, it's all that matters

finally home

**

Subterranean

**1996: Working at Great Harvest in Salem downtown (best job ever btw), Running...miles and miles loved it... Dancing at school, Boyfriend (husband now) Snowboarding, Ann and Anna, Chemeketa, accepted to OSU for Biochemistry/Biophysics dept for the following fall, emotional roller coaster...

Close your eyes, listen...

you're in Paris..... well, at least I am



** august 2000, Austin, TX to Houston in my charcoal Accord with matching leather seats, heater blasting, (it's 100+ outside) car overheating, melting. To the consulate office to pick up my passport. (twice I made this trip, same scenario bc I forgot my license the first time) Belle and Sebastian mix blaring over the roar of the wind and the heater. Bawling my eyes out on the plane, leaving my boyfriend half a world away. Landing in France. New friends. Baguettes and Fois Gras in front of the Eiffel Tower. Running through the Parc au Buttes Chaumont, Running through the streets of Paris with Sonali to cheers of "Bon Courage!" and "Bon Chance" from the passers by. L'as du Falafel every other day practically (favorite of Lenny Kravitz btw, says so on the sign out front) Cafe Columbus with friends, traveling Europe with my boyfriend (husband). Dancing at the Budda Bar. Late night bus rides home. Feels like a lifetime ago. This song takes me back....

little eyes and other faves...

mmmmmm..... current car cruising tune





one more to add, but alas, I don't know the name other than it's #9....

** 1999-2002, austin, TX. Jeno, Suzy, Nate, Lauren, First night feeling like I have friends so far from home. Saratone, singing at clubs like Stubbs, Red Eyed Fly, Beerland. Recording two singles and a full length record. Anxiety, lonely, isolated (should have had a lot to write about, lol) writers block, College graduation, BS Microbiology from UT Austin, burnt out, working two jobs. Best memories; music, friends, adventures, nostalgia, appreciation...

just beachy

We spent Desi's Bday weekend at the beach. Soooo heavenly and relaxing that I barely pulled out the real camera, the phone photos abounded. For those of you with and iphone who may have the instagram ap, well, I may be more than a little obsessed with taking pictures and tweaking them. It's a problem I'm sure. My screen name is elsied01 if you wanna look me up, I need more people to follow,. My sad 7 is sorta pathetic =) Anyhow, we had a blast at the beach and are recovering from the exhaustion that follows any vacation really. So without much conjecture, because I really don't have the energy to be too verbose. Here are a few from the Beverly Beach ExtravaDanza (did anyone ever watch that show?)
































flying kites















tron jacket, hehe