Fall

Chillins

Poppy & Grammy were in Amarillo for Christmas. Yesterday they made a detour on their trek home to pickup the kiddos. The kids were so excited. They each packed their own suitcase & waited as patiently as a six and four year old can. I did have to answer the inevitable "when are they going to be here" question at least 20 times. Well, Tata & Mama miss them already. I'll be headed down there is a couple days. Kiss kiss.

Project Tree

Walkin'

Returning Home



Coming Soon!



Missing You All

Home Again

Смо се вратили из наше невероватне породице авантуру у Србија. Плакао сам сузе туге и сузе радости, када смо отишли. Постали смо ближе породици, старим пријатељима и новим пријатељима. То је поклон ћу ценити за цео живот.

Here We Come

We leave for Eastern Europe tomorrow. We return to Tata’s home village with our children. It will be amazing for those expecting us & us arriving. There is much to do, but so look forward to the absence of technology & just being with one another. God you are so good.

My Little Man

I have an amazing image of Luka sleeping. The image is in my head. He likes to go to his "tree house" at night. Lately he shows up in Tata & Mama's room in the early am hours. Just the other morning he came to me, crawled in bed, & went back to sleep. I, on the other hand, worry about him falling out of the bed (very high). So I slipped out onto the chair next to the bed to watch over them.

I watched him as he & his sister slept. He was facing me on his side with both hands in the prayer position under his handsome face. I will hold that moment forever. In hindsight I wish I'd gotten my camera. Yet, with or without the camera, that moment is etched in my mind forever. I love you, little man. You have the most amazing smile ever.

Our Beauty

Why do they grow so fast? You hear it. You don't necessarily understand it. And then you have a baby of your own & you know it. Even on the hardest of days, they grow. They surprise. They teach. Yes, this is our "little" girl. No, she's not sleeping in her bed. She starts there but finds her way to our bed at night. Very talented given I'm a light sleeper. Love you, sweet baby.

1st Graders (Almost)

Caroline is one of my favorite people on the planet. She was so thoughtful to make a traditional Swedish cake for the girls' "graduation" from Kindergarten. Yummy! The boys were humming around too, but were more interested in trains & yougurt, if I remember correctly.

Grand Opening

Recently, Luka looked at me seriously. Then, with a smile all his own, he said, "Mommy, you are a grand opening!" It took all I had not to laugh from amusement & down right love for him. I asked if that was good or bad. It was good (whew!). I have zero idea where he heard that expression. But I was more than happy to accept the compliment in the eyes of our son. Thank you, Luka.

Milestone Announcement

Sunday Danijela took off on her bike without training wheels!

We decided to go for a bike ride. Our street & those around us don't have sidewalks & are hilly for little legs. I knew I'd be carrying, pulling or dragging bikes & kids home if we set out from home. Instead we took the bikes to a nearby parking lot. They were zipping around having lots of fun right away. I noticed both bike seats needed to be raised. With my handy-dandy toolbox I accomplished that task. Pretty quickly Danijela asked me to remove her training wheels. And she was off.

She mastered the riding, turning circles clockwise, turning circles counterclockwise & is working on the stopping part without panicking & falling. I didn't have my camera (bummer). But Chris & Drayce were with us. Chris captured the moment via his iPhone video.

Dinner Party

Tuesday last week we had dinner guests. It was interesting watching Danijela. She wasn't sure what to expect, but she likes a "party." I was being me by buzzing around getting the house cleaned (quick sweep). Danijela opened the front door & hung a sign for Jan & Don. Now, Danijela can read words. However, spelling is more phonetic. Cool that she took the initiative to make a sign. Awesome that she didn't ask for any help. And even better she found the tape & got her message on the front door before anyone arrived. Good job, girl!

Water vs. Gatorade

It's been raining here lately. It started pouring right when Luka & I ran for the car to pickup Danijela from school. Luka started talking about how we need water. I chimed in about the importance of water for plants to grow & creatures to survive (including us). Luka added, "God needs water!" I explained God actually created water & didn't need it Himself (to my knowledge). In response, Luka said, "Oh, God might drink Gatorade."

Be Still

Be still sweet child, listen.
It's your Father calling.
I know your broken spirit
And heavy burdens you carry.

Hand them to me.
They were paid for with my blood.
Nailed to the cross with your King
Full assurance of God’s grace & love.

Until then I’ll be waiting patiently
For you to put your trust in me.
Gaze your eyes upon Christ
His death & resurrection have set you free.

Very Bunny

The Easter bunny made an appearance at Danijela’s school & Luka’s school. We had our own hunt on Sunday. More importantly, there was a Resurrection egg hunt to continually talk about the true meaning of Easter. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ. During Sunday’s hunts, Danijela kept saying I hid the eggs. I never denied my involvement. That night I put her to bed. I’m not sure this was the best idea ever, but I did tell her the bunny is fun. Jesus us real meaning.

Happy birthday, brother.

Happy Birthday, Cowboy!

Happy birthday, Cowboy. You turned 4 on April 10. I recorded an interview with you a few days prior. We were discussing what you might want to be when you were bigger. Surprised you never said cowboy. You did, however, mention (1) fireman with a helmet, (2) police boy and (3) boy fairy. I asked if being a boy fairy meant helping people. Nope. It was all about taking “toofs.” You then asked what I wanted to be when I grew bigger. I told you a Mama & photographer. You told me I could still be anything I wanted. And, by golly you speak such truth. You said I should be a police girl. Don't be surprised one day.

You are precious. We thank God that He gave you to us for however long. You teach me about love, patience, excitement, & living now. Your prefer pajamas over any other clothing & will roll around on the floor to make your point. You don't like change very much. You love your Tata & Mama. You adore your sister. You're not without fault like every other person on Earth.

Thank you, my son, for your unconditional love that truly radiates from deep inside you. Our lives were changed for the better when you arrived. We are rich with love that we share as a family. All else will fade away like dust in the wind. God is Love & we are His.

Keep Austin Wired

Today we retured from Austin. I know that South by Southwest was happening. I even tripped over St. Patrick's Day by accident. The big news is sweet Andi has braces! After receiving her "grill" they gave her a T-shirt saying "Keep Austin Wired." Those not familiar with Austin, TX may not get it. Those who do know a common Austin motto is "Keep Austin Weird." I'll get her mama to send me a picture to post.

Snow Days

Love You

I love you both so deeply. This expression of love seems insignficant & somewhat shallow given the depth of your loss. I cannot possibly imagine how you feel. And I feel certain each day is different from the next. I desperately want you to know how much I love you. I am here. Ask and I will be there. We miss Abbott. Danijela & Luka talk about him with joy in their hearts & remind me Abbott is in Pardise chasing butterflies.

Miss You

I miss you, Abbott. You changed my life. You changed the lives of our children. Your amazing parents exemplified faith in God that reached far beyond life on earth & taught me about faith. You blessed them. They blessed you. Without measure love was given freely between you all. Your family changed countless lives. I expect to be greeted by you at The Pearly Gates of Heaven.

Celebrate Life

What would you do in 2 ½ short years?
Would you make the most of it or hide from your fears?

Our little Abbott chose to live every day
with a bright smile & love he freely gave.

Though stricken with cancer before he was one

his journey through life had only begun.

No matter how bad he might have felt.

He always knew how to make your heart melt.

Living life to its fullest each day he awoke.

He could make you smile each time he spoke.

He filled the room with laughter and tears.

And touched many lives in his 2 ½ great years.

-- Author Unknown --

Abbott Russell Wyatt
Blessing Since 06.20.2008