1.31.2011

01.31

IMG_9427 I vacillate between feelings of complete excitement over the possibilities and bafflement at why I’m even trying.

1.30.2011

01.30

IMG_9417We’re going to be inside for a few days. Owen’s first. We’ll see who falls next.

1.29.2011

01.29

IMG_9359I seriously almost dropped the camera while I was running to the caravan. Terrifying.

1.28.2011

01.28

IMG_9238I think the most beautiful part of each day is the little detail. That thing I’ve never before noticed or the one I finally take the time to stop and appreciate.

1.26.2011

01.26

IMG_9122The melting snow fooled me a little bit. I ventured out without gloves and only snapped a few shots before I ended up running back to the car, Eli in tow. It’s still winter here.

1.25.2011

01.25

IMG_9071In the hour after school when all my guys were playing in the gym, I could have gotten so much accomplished. I also could have just put my head down on the table and fallen asleep.

1.24.2011

01.24

IMG_9061It would have made him smile on any day, but at the end of this day, it was the perfect final touch.

1.23.2011

01.23

IMG_9046I was overwhelmed by the amount of things I felt I had to accomplish today. I sat down, put my head on the table, and sighed. Then I got to work. And got done more than I thought I could. Or would.

1.22.2011

01.22

IMG_9030I didn’t want to go. It was cold. I wanted to stay in my slippers, curl up under a blanket, knit, drink hot tea. But he convinced me with his belief in me.

1.21.2011

01.21

IMG_8553One snow day was blissful. Two? Maybe too much of a good thing.

1.20.2011

01.20

IMG_8274When the snow falls, the city is clean and white and bright and quiet. As long as it’s snowing, the filth and grime and traffic noise can’t sully it.

1.19.2011

01.19

IMG_8113Maybe I’m thinking about this all wrong. At least the gray of winter provides some interesting contrast for black and white pictures.

1.18.2011

01.18

IMG_8084It’s never predictable whether the rain will spark sullenness or a cozy, curled up afternoon.

1.17.2011

01.17

IMG_8063The day was full of heavy clouds and heavy spirits. And then, right before we wrapped it up, they brightened things with their brotherly play and their candidly sweet comments.

1.16.2011

01.16

IMG_8017It’s like he’s living a double life. He has all these “school skills” that we never get to see. And then, out of the blue, he writes complete sentences on the window.

1.15.2011

01.15

IMG_8005I was downtown, across the street from the building. The camera was in my purse. And I kept walking. If only I could trudge my way out of this thick sediment of fear. I might try the things that scare me. And fail. And be better for it.

1.14.2011

01.14

IMG_7951I was so happy this morning to be blinded by the sun. I just sat in front of the window and soaked it in.

1.13.2011

01.13

IMG_7923He still spent most of the day on the couch, but he had moments where he felt well enough to pull out his Jedi moves.

1.12.2011

01.12

IMG_7873He was supposed to wait in the car until pickup. When I turned around to find him, he wasn’t there. Dropped in the scurry of a quick departure.