Before I put it away...

Before 2008 gets too far in the past, I want to remember the highlights of the year. As I've mentioned before... it was a BIG one for us. Hopefully one I will never forget.... and hopefully one that laid the foundation for many other great years.. Lots of big decisions were made here... in 2008. I suppose we will see these decisions unfold before our eyes in the days and years to come.

I plan on making a New.Years.Rez list... and posting a Looking.Back.Photo post recounting in freeze.frame this year... but for now, I type as my favorite men make breakfast (12:14pm) for me and Moon and our boys.

In January, I met my mentor Lisa... she changed who I was as a teacher and a woman. One of the greatest experience in my school experience came under her guidance. Every day she shows up in my life in some way... some small lesson learned from her coming to pass in my life. We also considered the possibility of moving back to Baton Rouge from Texas... a career jump for Marcus. In one whirlwind weekend, we trusted God and Marcus signed a contract with ExxonMobil.

February made me shiver, with every paper I delivered. Bad news on the doorstep... wait- that's a song. I started this blog in February. We put our little house in the woods up for sale.

March welcomed my rose.bud of a niece, Kathryn Rose. She's a beautiful and happy red.headed bebe girl who adds so much to our family.

April I finished my student.teaching... which marked a HUGE victory in the 187 hour long stint of my education.preparation. We raised a sweet little family of ladybugs... and I started my affection for raising monarch butterflies with my family. *Both things I hope to do annually...

May proved to be a huge step for us when we signed a contract on our new.house here in LA... what a scary decision that has turned out to be a blessing. I'm so happy here. Oh, and I turned 27!

Marcus started his new job in June! He left us in Kingwood as he started his position in Baton Rouge. I was finishing school, taking care of James, and trying to sale the house while he was away. It certainly wasn't easy... but it was one of those things where you come out feeling so strong and accomplished once you get things done. I'm an independent person by nature... so these times really help renew my sense of ability. I love a good challenge.

July marked our big move homeward. A brave step. We miss Texas and our friends we left there... but God has a plan for us here... for now. And so many good things have come our way with this life.step. I'm especially proud of Marcus for posturing himself in such a way to constantly be looking to the future for his career and his family. It's not easy- it certainly takes guts.... and you got to be really good at what you do everyday to get some of these opportunities. *What an affirming and fulfilling thing to realize!

August I graduated college. A promise to myself fulfilled. A guarantee that if I ever needed to support my family by myself, I could. It enables me to be 100% self sufficient if need be. It's one aspect of proof that I am raising up a family that values education and the essential nature of educating oneself. It was a long, hard road... but we arranged our lives to support my commitment to this... An accomplishment I'll always be proud of. *And Barack Obama accepted the democratic nomination for president... *wow*

September we were blessed to find out we were pregnant with our second child... another son. Another huge step for our family... We are so pleased.

October marked the five year anniversary of our wedding. The second best decision in my life. I love the man I'm married to. He's nothing short of my hero.

November was an easy month... loving our new home and celebrating our first holiday here as a family. The greatest nation on Earth elected it's first black president, Barack Obama. What an amazing thing to bare witness to. We have so much to look forward to!

And December is barely behind us. Another year end of stock.piled blessings! What a beautiful thing.

Hello, 2009. Lets be friends.

Peace, love, and waffles.
xo
lmkw

Happy Birthday Bebe.Boy

I love you... and am so glad you are mine.

Peace, love, and purpose.
xo
lmkw

*My Boy*

He's turning THREE on Monday...

Three.

I can't stop thinking about it.

To me he represents: life, love, hardwork, mercy, consistancy, forgiveness, beauty, courage, and commitment.

He is the kid you want to be around... because he's just plain fun. He's the one you take out to dinner... because he'll behave and add to the night. He's the one that you let participate... because he'll add to the experience.. He's the one you miss when he's not around. He's the one you take the time to teach... because he's coachable. He's the one who is fun to buy for... because he is grateful. He's the thing in your life that makes you laugh at the 'stuff' you use to do... because just him being here, being the kid he is, makes your old self look plain silly.

"Where are we going, Momma?" -Where would you like to go? "The Great Wall of China. I bet it's bigbig."

"What is this, Momma?" -What do you think it is? "A rocket ship that can fly to the moon."

"Here's a flower for you Momma... I fink I womantic. Like Daddy."

Purpose. He represents 'purpose' to me.

He's been in my life for three years. How time flies.

***************************************************
Christmas was beautiful. Santa knew how to rock the party, yet again. Inlaws are coming in for the bday festivities. Moon is coming with her boys. I can't wait for James to be with Tater. I'm going to sit on the couch with E and tuck my toes under her leg. Our big boys are going to follow each other around like pups. I may photograph every second... or face the fact that a pixel can never fully capture what happens when we are all together.

I will post Santa and Christmas pics as soon as I can. I started teaching a new class today- so with that and gearing up for company, I will be swamped. But I'll find time as soon as I can.

Peace, love, and nostalgia.
xo
lmkw

*Have a Holly.Jolly Christmas*

We carved out time today for a mini.photoshoot of the Beaux Jack. Here are a *few* of my favorites...






*OH, me and bebe.Jax at 21 weeks!




















More pics to come...

In case I don't get back here soon.enough, Merry Christmas friends. Enjoy your homes, your families, and your children. Christmas is the culmination of the greatest gift ever given to mankind... take a moment to reflect the gift of LIFE that is forever ours. Say a prayer for our troops who are spending this joyous season away from their families.

My Christmas wish this year is for PEACE... I wish that every mother in the world can rest knowing that their child will be safe, fed, and *educated.*

Peace, love, and meyer lemons,
xo
lmkw

I've been thinking a lot lately...

mostly about my legacy, who I am, who I want to be, and what I want for my family. I want to share some of these thoughts here on my blog- but I may have to wait until the holiday flurries settle around me. But I have been thinking about my life this year forward...

I'm wanting big things in 2009 for my marriage and my little family. I'm sure some of these things will end up on yee.trusy.ole.New.Years.Resolution list.

But for now, let me leave you with a few pictures taken within the last couple of days... Sugarbutt came over to spend some time with us yesterday. She brought her men and her cheer. Oh, and last night I held a miracle. Bebe.Miracle that is... we spent the evening being wined.and.dined by my dear friend and her husband. I love them. We've got so much to look forward to, now that we are both back from our out.of.state adventures. ;)

*It seems as if I am procrastinating on getting holiday pics of James and Marcus... Tuesday is our day! Our strictly observed family day. *How time flies?

I selected these pics because of the great faces and expressions... totally in the moment, unplanned, and imperfect. *I'm beginning to fall in love with the 'grit' of life... which is one of the things I've been thinking about. I want James to know me to be a full, round, rich woman... not the poser, the pretender, the pretty face... but a mother, a girl, a life who wasn't scared to jump in and roll with life... Sure, I want my photos to document all that God's given us. But you know what? There is more to me and my life than the allure of all things 'polished.' The person who'd give up the 'perfect moment' in an instance to allow the 'real' to shine through. Out with the 'perception' and in with 'authentic.' That's one goal.

One day, my legacy... my sons will recount who their mother was. What will they say?

I'm committed to the investment that will be the answer to that question one day.








Can you see that bebe.belly? Bebe.Jax is working on getting here... and I'm issuing this warning now: he's gonna be one special boy. I can feel it.





Go now and let your lords leap, and your maids milk... and water that fig tree!

Peace, love, and miracles.
xo
lmkw