14 February | The Boy's Got Back

When we moved to Williamsburg from Japan, we didn't know what sports the kids would be interested in, but we had hoped that they would find their way to something. Well, Sky did a week-long rowing summer camp and was completely hooked, and Ryder did swim lessons and also found his sport path. Ryder is now on a competitive swim team and their training is insane. Actually both kids have five days per week training schedule, sometimes six days. It's exhausting for me to even think about. One of the biggest things to develop, from Ryder doing swimming, is how much weight he has lost. I am feeding him as much as I can, yet he has completely thinned out -- and he hasn't even begun his growth spurt yet. He's 13 years old and I think it's going to be fascinating to continue to watch his transformation over the coming years. 
P.S. Ryder cut one of his swim strokes down by nine seconds over the past month. 
P.S.S. I can't even begin to tell you how grateful I am that after relocating every two years for their entire lives, the kids found sports that they love and can continue with through their high school years, if they choose.

8 February | Through the Pine Needles

A discarded branch
becomes an object of art,
if for a moment.

7 February | Our Little Woods

A brief visit to the house that will soon be ours. Our house in the little woods. I still cannot believe how this house fell in our lap in a roundabout way but I wholeheartedly believe in the Universe and serendipity. I was certain this house was going to be ours (or at least that we had to make an offer on it) when the seller enthusiastically shared, "this house has great Karma", as we walked out the door after looking at the house for the first time.

For the moment, I dream of us living in that home -- knowing that dream-come-true is right around the corner.

5 February | Every Day

Walking. Two miles, four miles, five miles. I try to walk him every day. He loves it and it's my therapy.

I love:
the fresh air
my podcast time
noticing things
the time with my thoughts
the exercise
waving to the passer-byes
the peace of it all

Charley's getting up there in age. He's 11 and his age is showing when he walks. His back legs uncontrollably quiver. It doesn't seem to bother him and I try not to be bothered but every now and then my mind wanders to the day that our walks might be too much. And then I refocus to the present and how much we both love our walk.

4 February | Always That Curl

Those gentle whips of curly hairs that grace her face and neck, let me never forgot how much I adore them. At times they bother her, "they're frizzy", she firmly declares -- and I remind her how much I love her curls, then, now, and always.

1 February | Evening Light in the Bedroom

I've been thinking a lot about this house. We will only have lived here for nine months by the time we move in March. Knowing this house was very temporary, I never really connected with this house. Yet is suddenly feels like I'm noticing the light, as if it was calling to be documented and not forgotten. In my heart, I know this house deserves to be documented; it's an important, yet short, part of the chapter. 

24 January | That Curl

We were headed out the door this morning for your orthodontist appointment and -- that curl. We had to leave but I couldn't help myself. I grabbed my camera to get a quick photo and my Lensbaby happened to still be on, so a Lensbaby portrait it was. I've always loved your hair and the perfect, gentle wave in the front. Today, the wave had a little extra oomph. Also, I love how prompt and attentive to the rules you are. "Hurry, we're going to be late", you said as I ran for my camera. I hope you always are prompt, respectful, and abide by the rules. I know there will be the typical teen challenges one day, and I'll tackle them as they come, but I sure am grateful today.

23 January | Our Neighborhood Swamp

You have always been my muse but as I wrote in my 'Skyler Grace' series, it's so much more. It's a collaboration of you and me. And for that, I am beyond grateful. Today, I had driven by an are where Charley and I normally hike, but on this day it was a fantastically inspiring swampland. I asked if we could put on our rain boots and do a few photos together. Lucky me, you said sure -- and off we went. We couldn't go very far because the water was deeper than our boots, but I didn't care. We made some photographs together and it was magical.
ETA: The water was gone the following day. 

22 January | New Moon

"You'll miss the best things if you keep your eyes shut."
-- Dr. Seuss