Dad

A very belated Happy Birthday to my father. I decided to write him a poem for his birthday as well since I wrote one for Maren. The thing is, the one I wrote for Maren just came out in five minutes, so natural and easy, and I liked it. I have been spending WAY too long on this poem and I am still not satisfied, but I wanted to put it up to show that I am working on it. Dad, I've thought a lot about you these last few weeks and tried to put into words a small portion of our relationship and my love for you. This is a work in progress and when I get it right (where I am satisfied) I will repost it. For now, this is to give you an idea of where I've been headed and if you don't like it, I'll scratch it entirely and start over. Let me know what you think...

Little Shadow

Big shadow & Little shadow combine as if just one

Little hand in Big hand off on an adventure

Big voice sings to Little voice in tongues from foreign lands

Three Little eager strides to every stride of Big

Big hands tie Little laces

Little jeans & white t's to mimic those of Big

Big hugs and kisses to cover Little arms and cheeks

Little questions with Big answers

Big problems aided by Little help

Little growth in Big experiences and knowledge

Big support in Little weaknesses and struggles

Little silliness evokes Big laughs

Big words of comfort for Little anxieties

Big shadow & Little shadow combine as if just one

With Little's heart so full to be part of his Big world.

I love you Dad! Happy belated Birthday!!

Maren

Maren's Birthday was yesterday, the big 30! My apologies for not posting something the day of, but I was waiting for some inspiration. This year, I have written a poem for Maren for her birthday. Cheesy? Yes. Strange? Maybe... Heart felt? Definitely. I wouldn't mind getting some feedback but mostly its what I was thinking today... I love you Maren, Happy Birthday!!

Miles apart with glimpses along the way
Yet flesh of my flesh, we will never be divided.
Goodnight songs, backyard adventures, tears of sorrow, joy, and heartache
Summers spent in grassy yards with dares around the block
Recordings of our bolder sides, and trips around the world
Have bound your heart to mine
And I love you

The years continue to sneak by as if we wouldn't notice
But the little ones with your smile and his eyes
Give rise to the notion that time does not go unnoticed.
They are a new depth of love that could never have been imagined
They bind my heart to yours
And I love you

In an unforeseeable future new memories will be made
We'll reminisce and laugh, perhaps we'll even weep
But blood of my blood
We are bound forever,
And I will always love you

Virginia Day 14: Arlington Cemetery and some Fond Farewells

My last day in Virginia was spent visiting Arlington Cemetery and hanging with the fam. This was a very cool destination and I do believe we all had a great time!

Kennedy's grave and memorial

Changing of the guards at the tomb of the unknown soldier. A little strange but glad we were there to see it.

We took a farewell tour of Fauquier County and I tried to get in the alloted amount of times I could say Fauquier and not have it be naughty.

Horse Country, nuff said.

We ended the night by having a marshmallow party which is always a good time!

Anna and Rob played on their his and hers mac laptops

Anders created a silly alien looking marshmallow man. So creative!

Phantom children

Now I, had, the time of my life, and I never felt this way before, and I swear, its the truth, and I owe it all to you! Thank you Hastings for hosting me in your fair land of Virginia! I shall be back soon!

Virginia Day 13: Walkies!!!!

Taylor girls sang as they walked, and walked, and walked, and walked, and walked, and walked, and walked... Anna and I spent the day in D.C. walking form site to site. We got a LOT in and had some sore feet by the end of the day but it was entirely worth it! I feel too lazy right now to label all of the photos but I'll do my best at remembering everything.

Lafayette square

Backside of the White House

They only let patriotic cars pass by on this road

This protestor has been protesting since the 70's?

Admiring Michelle's vegetable garden

Hey Mr. President!

I don't know why I'm so happy in this picture. This was taken right after I blew my one and only chance at love and happiness with the British stranger who asked us to take his picture. When he offered me his camera, I should have offered him my heart, or at least my name and phone number but instead I just kept quiet after I said how much I loved England. When he walked away I knew I had made the biggest mistake of my life by not acting and Anna was kind enough to remind me of my error for the rest of the day. Sigh....

Did you know that Anna is a Daughter of the American Revolution?

The words above the door read: Dedicated to Art. Clearly this building was built for Anna.

Trying to heal my broken heart by being friendly with the lion.

Pret for lunch... again...

The highlight of my life! I have now seen it with my own eyes and it was AMAZING!!!

We would be incredible stewardesses

Amelia Earhart's plane

Wright Brother's plane

Self portrait

Space balls...

Stopping to smell the roses, so candid!

Anna is passionate about Holly

Dream neighborhood

This is gangster Katy. Watch out, I can get quite wicked on your ass.

POOPED! EXHAUSTED! SO CONTENT!

I met so many nice men in D.C.

This is my artistic light shot. Its about coming to terms with not getting everything you want in life but being content with what you have.

This was a favorite day.