Tender Mercies

Its pretty much still a new year. Hallelujah. Last year was hard.  And crappy. Seriously.  There was nothing I wanted to blog about.  Plus, I'd heard people mention that all of these family blogs were so unrealistic and only posted about the good and the happy and not real life. So I wrote off dumb, stupid, show-off blogging. And then...

 You can see where this is about to go, right?

And then a few nights ago I perused our "old" blog just for fun. What do you know. Its pretty great to go back and see pictures and read about what my little family has done in the past few years.  There were things I had already totally forgotten about. And I miss it. I miss journaling about the big accomplishments and the little daily moments that make our life really good, in spite of the hard stuff.  Everyone on the planet has hard stuff.  But everyone also has really, really good stuff, too.  The stuff to be thankful for. The Tender Mercies.

See these people?  They are my tenderest mercies and my drive-me-crazyests.  But mostly they are tender.  And despite my crusty attitude, they are growing and changing and experiencing. So I am back to post pictures and record the silly and the important moments in our life. Our family journal. Because we are here and our life is good.


2011 In A Lot Of Pictures

-Spring-

 Jr.Jazz and Daxon's first real pair of Jordan's.  Tyler was more excited about them than Dax.  But that's OK.  Serious basketball players need serious equipment, right?  And we are nothing if not, uh, serious.

 
About the first eight months of Zoe's life were spent in this chair.  Safe on the counter next to mama, away from brothers who would love her to DEATH.  This particular moment I believe we were getting ready for the park.

 Asher learned lots important stuff and at school last year.  This was one of my favorite projects he brought home.  Gums and teeth made from pink play dough and Lima beans. I though it was super funny and maybe just a tiny little bit creepy.
 

Another favorite hang out spot for Zoe Girl. That nightgown I looooved.  See how here feet were sticking out the bottom because it's really for a little new born?  I put it on her until it was so small it was ridiculous.

See what I mean about the chair?

 In March Hayes...

 turned eight,  (Eight?! When the when did that happen?)

 got Baptised and Confirmed,

and started Cub Scouts. He was also lucky enough to fit perfectly into Grandpa Evan's scout shirt. And because Grandma Crandall was so very Grandma Crandall, it was in perfect condition.  Better condition than Daxon's 1.5 year old scout shirt.  I am no so Grandma Crandall. That's OK.

I am so very proud of the Grown Up Kid (not a little boy, not a young man yet, thank heavens) Hayes has become. Funny, happy, smart. Amazing.

Daddy and girl at the Zoo.

A Real Game.  As in soccer.  Not as in the opposite of an imaginary game. 

A dragon at Sunday dinner.

  

Clearly I wasn't kidding when I said I take her picture almost daily.  Notice her proximity to the chair.  I'm positive the instant after this pic was snapped she was popped right into it.

Ash graduated Year One of Preschool

 Thanks Miss Jamie!

 Dax participated in his first Hersey Track Meet.  I totally remember Hersey Track Meet Day every year from third to fifth grades.  I did not usually (or ever) excel at track meet-like events. But the important part is that I always thought it was a super fun day away from the classroom. 

Dax is in the far left lane.  Like his mother before him, he didn't come away with any medals, but he did have a super fun day away from the class room.

Zoe around 9 months.  Learning about the one sport at which her mother really is good.  Doesn't she seem right at home in Hobby Lobby?  Naturally.

Let's leave it there for now.  2011 to be continued.