One Year

Today, Wednesday, about this time I was sitting in the Boise Airport anxiously awaiting our departure to South Africa. I remember the month leading up to my two week absence - it was crazy - much like this month has been in 2008.

In fact I think May for the past three years has been crazy.

In 2006 the first week of May was spent at St. Luke's pediatrics when Te had his first serious asthma attack. The second week of May 2006 my dad died. The third week of May 2006 we were at my dad's funeral. The fourth week of May 2006 I was at WestVet ER with my dying dog Max.

In 2007 I was just crazy busy with photo shoots and TomKat work. It never fails. I was so busy I had to write out my monthly bills on the first leg to San Francisco and find a mail drop in the SF Airport.

However, once we landed in South Africa on Friday June 1 all the craziness and worries of the world dissipitated. I came back a little different person - although - I may not readily admit it. It impacted me far greater then going to the Philippines and learning about my heritage. I can't explain it. I don't think anyone can truly know until they go home to where we originated from. It was a wonderful journey and I anticipate a few more jaunts to the southern hemisphere - but for now I am on a roller coaster ride right here in my own backyard.

It is fast becoming public knowledge that Tom my father-in-law is retiring. Together with Jeff we are going to continue the business with a clean slate as Mantis Print & Design Studio. Tom is retiring at the end of June and beginning July 1 we'll be setting sail. With Mantis taking flight we also have a few art shows lined up for ZuCru in July & Sept. Our little guy Te will begin preschool at Boise Cooperative in September so our summer I am sure will be whirlwind!

Sing-song Te

Earlier today Jeff calls me at Market to tell me that him and Te won't be coming down for the day since Te was not listening and did not want to get into the shower. Jeff sent Te to his room as consequence for not listening. Jeff called again about noonish and I was with customers and had to tell him I'd call him right back. When I called back Jeff had a sweet story to share. Jeff was out in the studio trimming pots while Te was inside playing in his room. Jeff had the monitor on therefore he could hear Te's world. Jeff had called to tell me and let me listen in on Te's world. He had heard Te singing a song that went something like this "I wanted to go to Market today, but I wouldn't take a shower. Rock down!"

And you see - whenever Te sings a song it is the "Rock down" song. "Rock down" are the only words he normally sings while banging his head of hair and kicking his feet - it was funny to hear the lyrics he had made up. Just goes to show the boy is growing up.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend ya'll! Remember to honor those who have so valiantly fought for our freedoms - cheers.

May 14, 2008 - Hull's Gulch

It took me a few days to get this loaded. Note I do not edit any of the pics on our hiking trips. There are 5 images that Kobe (the oldest) took it starts with a view of my backside.

Again a wonderful day for a hike completed with yummy soft-serve ice cream from Fancy Freeze. The boys were pooped at the end after playing on the red sand up and down for more than a half hour. At the end - Te in fact climbed all the way to the top but couldn't get over the mantle off to the far far left.

You can click on one of the music links at right and let it play while you watch the slideshow.

Cheers!

God made children so that we can remember how truly real and wonderful life is.

Weeping strip of Road

Today marks the 2nd anniversary of my dad's passing. Not a day goes by without some thought or acknowledgment of my daddy-o. Funny as it seems I was just announcing to Jeff yesterday about how there is this strip of Ustick Rd. between Curtis & Mtn. View that I always have some sort of weeping session. It happens quite regularly and I just realized on Saturday on my way to Market how often I actually do cry a river of tears. Of course it is normally a blue-bird day my heart is exceptionally full of peace and gratitude - the mountains are always staring back.

This morning I rode my bike 11 miles to work since we had left Holy Hannah in town over the weekend. The first ten minutes are always the hardest for me to get into the zone and establish my rhythm. By the time I hit the "weeping strip" of road I was feeling great and grateful to be riding and enjoying the beautiful morning. Just as I crossed over Ustick Rd. onto Mtn. View lo-and-behold my Ipod shuffle began to play Uncle Krackers remake Drift Away. It's a song that reminds me of my dad and it happened to start up on the "weeping strip." Today I didn't cry a river of tears, just a few, and most importantly I laughed. I laughed & chuckled out loud and thanked dad for making his presence known.

Look & listen to the signs, they're there, they're everywhere.

Miss you daddy.

* Also to note. My 6th nephew, Michael Ronald Guayan, was born yesterday on Mother's Day to my sweet baby sister, Melinda and her husband Ron, at 6:01am. Michael was originally due today, May 12.

Excuse me, Excuse me, can I pet your dog?

Yesterday Jeff & Te came to Market. Te & I strolled the three blocks in pursuit of nothing in particular and all along the way we had to stop as Te would inquire to every dog owner we passed, "Excuse me. Excuse me! Can I pet your dog?" We probably petted 5 dogs before I told Te we could not possibly pet every dog we would encounter. We did however pet at least ten different dogs all different breeds. The first one we met was a St. Bernard about 4 months old, his feet bigger then Te's. We met a hot dog as Te called it and a cowboy dog, Jasper. Jasper is a black lab but was wearing a bandana, therefore, he was labeled a cowboy dog. This morning Jeff told me a story about their walk on the way to Market and Te asked a woman in passing, "Excuse me, can I pet your dog?" It was nice everyone was so obliging - I guess it helps when you use your manners :)

The kid is a hoot. Everyone is approachable and he always, always has something endearing or inquisitive to say. Gotta love his good-nature.

Something to remember

This was sent to me by a great friend, I thought it was worth posting.

Your presence is a present to the world.
You're unique and one of a kind.
Your life can be what you want it to be.
Take the days just one at a time.
Count your blessings, not your troubles.
You'll make it through whatever comes along.
Within you are so many answers.
Understand, have courage, be strong.
Don't put limits on yourself.
So many dreams are waiting to be realized.
Decisions are too important to leave to chance.
Reach for your peak, your goal, your prize.
Nothing wastes more energy than worrying.
The longer one carries a problem, the heavier it gets.
Don't take things too seriously.
Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.
Remember that a little love goes a long way…
Remember that a lot…goes forever.
Remember that friendship is a wise investment.
Life's treasures are people…together.
Realize that it's never too late.
Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.
Have health and hope and happiness.
Take time to wish upon a star.
And don't ever forget…for even a day…
How very special you are.

A May Day with Friends

Not as interactive without the music but still worth perusing. I just embedded this directly from my uploaded album on my google account.

Perfect day for hiking, just when you started to get warm a nice breeze would come and cool you down.

May you all be blessed.

You Live, You Learn, You Laugh, You Learn...

Yesterday was a very pleasant and lovely day and along with that it had its challenging moments. You see Te & I spent all our day together and that is completely and totally wonderful; however, by the end of the day with the continuous chatter of "why's and why-nots" momma started to get to the end of her lead. So be it, it's called being human. God knows I love that kid and there are those moments in my life where I question myself and my behavior. For the most part the day was blissful until we were trying to plant seeds and Te didn't have the patience for me to spread the dirt and I didn't have the patience for him to just be randomly placing seeds. Anyways - he eventually slowed down enough to listen and all was good. He is very excited to watch our seeds turn into "vegetables." What makes me feel grumpy about my behavior was last night when it was time for bed. Lately with all that is manifesting in my life at this moment I NEED Te to go to bed at a reasonable hour so I can work. Te wants to be where I am - so it is a constant struggle. I kind of turned nasty and when he is asleep and looking so angelic I want to kick myself in the "a@!" for being a smuck!

I went to my friend's blog today, and she had posted this quote. I thought I would spread the word because it was so what I needed today, or actually more like yesterday.

If I had my child to raise all over again,I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
~Diane Loomans, from "If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again"