jordan's mini lesson

I love having a camera again. The tricky part about having a new one is learning how the lenses and all the different settings work. I think it's a lot of trial & error and, of course, practice, but I lucked out. Jordan was in town, and she gave me a "mini lesson" on Sunday after dinner. So after the rain yesterday, I tried out one of the things she showed me. I'm not really a scenery person, but it was kind of fun. Thanks Jord! I wish I could see you once a week for my own personal mini lesson.

the reinvention of jillian

Jillian is off to Holland with girls from the Kent Denver Field Hockey team and a small group of other 7th graders. She will get the opportunity to learn from some of the best players around...and it will just be a ton of fun too!

When Mallory was 11 she jumped at the chance to go to Taipei with a school group from St. Peters, and Peter and I weren't sure if Jillian would ever make a trip like that on her own. We were so excited that she really wanted to go and we had the money to send her. I think having friends on the team and having coaches that she knows and trusts made the decision that much easier.

We said our good-byes with only a couple of tears from Jilly, and then she was off with Kennedy & Sterre...without looking back. God has given me such a peace about her trip. I am so excited for her and feel so blessed to be able to give her this experience. Peter calls it the "reinvention of Jillian" as she ventures out and tries new things. We are so proud of her and know that she will have a fabulous time.

reese

we spent time in keystone this weekend at my sister's condo, and i soon discovered that reese LOVES the camera!!!

feed the beast

Last year over Memorial Day weekend, Peter & I went to see Jillian play field hockey in California in the Cal Cup tournament. This year Mallory played on Club Lewy's U19 team, and Jilly played on their U14 team - so we all went. It was a fun weekend of sunshine, field hockey, time together & making new friends!

a job well done

Jillian is such a diligent, conscientious worker and aims for perfection in all she does. I love seeing her hard work recognized and rewarded. Her middle school has over 400 7th graders, so receiving one of only a few awards given, is really quite an honor.

Jillian & her friend, Alex, at the 7th grade awards breakfast.

So very proud of you both!

the red plate

As I was washing this plate this morning, I was reminded of all the occasions that it has come out of the box and placed on our table. I love my red plate. My mom gave it to me the year Mallory was born, and I love that it is part of our family on our very special days. I love that the girls expect it, and I love that Jillian remembered to get it out for me to use when she cooked Mother's Day brekky yesterday.

hello again & happy mother's day

So it's been a VERY long time since I've posted - not because nothing has happened. In fact, I feel like it's all happening, and some days I feel like I can't keep up. It's all good though, and I wouldn't trade this season of our lives for anything. It's a joy and a pleasure (at least most days) to be Mallory & Jillian's mom, and I know that in 5 years when both girls have left the house for college, I will miss these days.

Peter and I have much to be thankful for when it comes to our girls, and on this day that we celebrate mothers, I would love to celebrate the things these past few months that make M & J amazing daughters.

MALLORY: selected to go to State Federation for piano, choir finished first in state, lettered in academics (didn't know you could do that), made the decision to commit to the final 2 years of the International Baccalaureate Program, completed her first AP exam in US History, becoming a confident & skilled driver of both of the family vehicles, continues to develop encouraging and positive relationships with great girls...and a certain boy

JILLIAN: selected to go to State Federation for piano, selected for National Junior Honor Society with a 4.0 for the last two terms, just completed the Futures program for the US Field Hockey Olympic Development Program & is heading to St. Louis to compete in the Regional Futures tournament, soccer team is undefeated (wins & ties but no losses), had her first babysitting job & is becoming a great cook

...and thank you to my girls and my wonderful husband (& advice from Jordan & Sharla) for my new Canon DSLR. It's an EOS Rebel XS - though I don't know what that means, I know it's awesome. I have been without a camera since June when "we" left it on the plane on our trip to Florida, and I am looking forward to capturing the moments & details that tell our family's story.