Taking a Moment

Jesse and I were leaving the pharmacy today and when we walked out we saw this beautiful sunset. Jesse always notices these things and ALWAYS points them out to me.... as if I wouldn't notice. OK, sometimes he's right. I am grateful he takes the time to teach me about "the MOMENT." We should all take a few extra seconds to look around and notice ordinary miracles. How many times do we miss them while rushing ?

Hooray PUMPKINS Mom :)

Now these are what put smiles on faces. These are PUMPKINS, in all their Jack-O-Lantern carve-worthy glory.

Pumpkins you say?

I don't know about anyone else's kids but mine DO NOT believe these qualify as pumpkins. I'm not so sure I do except having travelled the world I have come to recognize that the word "pumpkin" can have many different gourd-like subjects attached to it.

Catching Up

The simplicity with which ALL my children see life continues to teach me the value of the "everyday", of the perceived "mundane."

Jesse and Andy are like twins in many ways. Three and a half years apart seems to all but vanish in their presence; they speak their own language, do things for each other without any sign of communication, anguish over troubles each has, care and comfort one another.

Maxim is now an All-American boy... complete with the english language, food choices, sibling rivalries, preschool-age television, and dreaming of American Idol. Max loves singing and will take the microphone (from a karaoke toy) and croon away...LOUDLY. Some is intelligible, some not; but the rhythm and more over the PASSION with which he sings is mind-blowing. Max loves the keyboard and will "play" for 20-30 minutes non-stop. His finger moves are elegant and graceful, full of purpose if not always "musical" to others. It would not surprise me, at all, if Maxim, someday, played the piano with finesse. Max is happy to have Jesse home so they can butt-heads. Both are fiercely independent and opinionated. Max is so much like Jesse was, as a little guy, I know he will amaze everyone as he grows and travels on his life journey.

Alexi is growing, in personality, by leaps and bounds. He is so proud to be wearing "big boy underwear" during the day. He has discovered the world of make-believe and pretend. Swords and swash-buckling seems to be the theme.... we have "Hook" and Jack Sparrow costumes... with boots, hook, swords, bandanas, etc. If Alexi could stand, unsupported, I'm sure we'd see him running in full pirate regalia on a daily basis. He wants to engage Max in play and this works about half the time. Max is too fast and fearless for Alexi.
Alexi is the caring and loving brother to all, especially, little brother Niky. When Niky is tired and lays his head down... there is Alexi to stroke his hair and tend to him. Alexi is my sensitive, all-giving child. He is last on his own list.

Niky, despite being so tiny.....IS GROWING.... He is now wearing 12-18 months in shirts. On the Florida coast we have no use for long pants, it's a good thing as Niky wears 0-3 or 3-6months size shorts in order to keep them up... length-wise he'd need 18 months. Wow, hugh difference. He's been eating this "super-porridge" along with the usual pediasure/ensure, extra cereal, formula and lots of stage 2 foods. Niky is in the Halloween spirit as his skin tone is still orange... true carotonemia. His favorite foods are all orange and yellow. Whatever he wants, I say.

Thank you to everyone who reads this blog and whom has prayed over and sent blessings to my children and myself. deanie