Time Stand Still

Five years ago today I arrived at Methodist Hospital at 5am so that I could be induced into labor. For many people in my neck of the woods, this day is remembered as Cinco de Mayo. For me, it is the day our beautiful 9 pound baby boy entered the world.

He was nicknamed "Baby" Deven by my friend, Lisa, and her family. The name stuck, and Deven's big sister, Mommy, and some of our closest friends still call him that. He doesn't mind...not yet anyway. He's still a mama's boy and one of the only boys the girls in his class will play with. Guess he's used to it having a big sister.

My absolute favorite picture of him the day he was born. I still hold him this way.



And, this is Baby Deven at his 5th birthday party this weekend. All grown up and such a hoot. We call him the jokester. He's either gonna be a wickedly intelligent scientist or an entertainer in Vegas. It's a toss-up--but it will be so much fun to see where his life takes him.



That old Rush song "Time Stand Still" popped in my head as I began to write this.

"Freeze this moment a little bit longer...make each sensation a little bit stronger..."

It is bittersweet watching the 3 little Indians become NOT so little so quickly...yet I relish the milestones they have reached and the accomplishments we have all celebrated. I look back on the last 5 years since Deven's birth and have seen many changes...in our children...in our family...in myself.

The days and months and years are whizzing by. And, I am reminded once again that life is so short. We must cherish each waking moment with those we hold dear. We must not take one moment with our loved ones for granted. That's what life is all about. Loving and being loved.

So, Baby Deven. Happy 5th birthday, sweet pea. We love you to the moon and back...to infinite and beyond...forever and ever.

Fascinating or Fossil?

Modern Art Museum by dumpr.net


Ok. I'm cracking myself up. I should be preparing for Deven's prehistoric dino bash (that is in about 16 hours), but instead I'm amusing myself on the computer. Isn't this picture amusing? Click on it for a larger view.

When I think of museums I think of either fascinating exhibits or really old fossils. Wonder what these people might be thinking as they stare at me. Fascinating or fossil?

Maybe both?

Wonderful Wednesday

Last night after tucking kids into bed, I realized our remaining beagle had flown the coop. It appears he escaped via an open garage door...but I did not discover this till a couple hours later.

I was out front frantically calling Spridle's name...when I saw eyes appearing in the front door windows. I hurriedly re-tucked 2 little Indians back into their own beds and then breathed a huge sigh of relief when our neighbor called to tell us Spridle had come to visit them.

I jumped into the truck and high-tailed it 1/4 of a mile down the road to retrieve said beagle, shaking my head in disbelief that I was leaving my kids in the house alone (and awake...Animesh was at the Spurs game...). I know it was only for a few minutes. But, STILL!

When I returned, I found Deven cuddled next to his big sister. Turns out our little tough guy needed Priya to love on him while I was gone. I was overcome with emotion.



Today is Wednesday, which meant riding day with Lovely Lisa. I have become addicted to this cycling thing. So! Much! Fun! This morning was no different.



While I waited for Lisa to arrive I shot a few of the great park where we meet every Wednesday morning.




Following our great 13 mile ride, I lolly-gagged my way back to Boerne and enjoyed a yummy chicken sandwich here. Can I just say that I love this little town we live in?

After picking up the 3 Little Indians from their respective educational establishments, we chilled out over some snow cones with friends.





It's shaping up to be a whirlwind weekend...Priya's Bike Rodeo at school on Friday (oh yeah, which I'm CO-CHAIRING!!!!), Deven's 5th birthday party Saturday, date night Sunday at the Majestic...plus squeezing in some triathlon training here and there. Plus, the in-laws arrive tomorrow for 5 days!

Watch out---photograph overload is sure to ensue (wow, big word...hope I used it correctly!) next week!

And, I am seeing my life with so much more clarity these days...thanks to some truly amazing, honest, gifted friends. You know who you are. And, while I'm still working my way out of the muck...having you there makes the journey that much easier. Love you guys.

Happy weekend, ya'll!

We're All In This Together

I have passed this river at least 3 or 4 times a week in the last 7 months...and every time I wished that I had remembered to bring my camera to capture the beauty and simplicity that is reflected in this stunning view. Finally, a few weeks ago, I remembered.



These ducks floating together remind me of this song:

"I'm made of atoms...you're made of atoms,
And we're all in this together.
And, long division just doesn't matter
Cuz, we're all in this together."

I have had an amazing couple days. I've had so many Ah-HA! moments I cannot even tell you--with old friends and with friends I'm just getting to know. Some of these encounters were just minutes long. Some of these encounters lasted a couple hours (but could have clearly continued on for many more). Talking....really TALKING about ourselves, our lives, and what's real. Connecting as human beings. And, reminding me that we ARE in this together...maneuvering through this amazing journey called life.

And, thank goodness for long division REALLY not mattering. Because I was never very good at math.

This Little Light of Mine

This morning I had another swim session with Coach Christy. She rocks. Such a motivator and encourager. She pushes me gently (yet firmly) till I get it right. We're basically starting from scratch. Back to the basics. Breaking all of my bad swimming habits might seem like a daunting task for some, but Christy has a true gift...she is so confident in her OWN skills and abilities that she unconsciously (or maybe consciously) makes ME feel confident. I love that.

This morning after our lesson she told me to "be proud of what I had accomplished." She told me to continuously praise my achievements and believe in myself. I was so moved by this. How many women do you know who naturally and easily put themselves down or dismiss any kind of achievement as luck? How many women do you know who cannot take a compliment gracefully? How many women do you know who "downplay" their looks, abilities, achievements, accomplishments, or gifts because they do not want to appear too sure of themselves?

I am every single one of these women given the day, hour, or minute. In February I began a very painful, slow sifting process...one that continues to this day...trying to find a healthy balance between obnoxious cockiness and graceful confidence. The balance is a delicate one and so very hard to achieve.

I've been drawn to photographing the sky lately...just can't get enough of the gorgeous silhouettes and bright sunlight peeking through billowy clouds. This powerful quote has been swirling inside my head for days now...most of you have probably seen it before, but I invite you to really, TRULY read it and adapt it as your own mantra.


"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our LIGHT, not our DARKNESS, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you NOT TO BE? You are a child of God."



"Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel unsure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone."



"As we let our own Light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."



This morning (and every day I see her) Christy let her light shine...thereby allowing me to do the same. It's contagious. If someone allows themselves to shine...you can't help but want to shine, too.

So, today I'm going to try hard to love on myself. To be proud of what I accomplished in the pool, as a mother, as a friend. I can't promise that I won't be down on myself about something tomorrow. But, today. TODAY. I am going to love me for ME. Today I am going to let my little light shine just a little brighter.

Who knows? Maybe someday it will become a habit.

Waaayyyyy Back Wednesday

Back in October--during our Disney trip--I came up with this saying whenever things would get a little hairy, stressful, or out of control. What is my clever ditty, you ask?

"It's all good in the 'hood."

In my naive mind I deemed myself truly clever in coining this phrase...good in the 'hood. It drove Animesh crazy. I guess the frequency in which I said it increased as our vacation wore on. Because things got crazier and kids (and parents) became more exhausted as the vacation wore on. Imgaine that.

Turns out my cute ditty is NOT so original. But, I was just as gleeful to discover a really cool chick proclaiming to blog-land in one of her posts that all was good in HER hood. I commented how I loved that she and I shared the same tastes in groovy phrases, and that really cool chick responded by sending me this cool SURPRISE!



Maile, I love it. And, after the initial eye-rolling and "Oh, boy," I think Animesh loves it, too.

Thank you. I will wear it with pride. On a daily basis. : )

Great minds think alike. :-)

Austin City Limits

My first ever girls weekend came and went way too quickly. I picked up Dawn on Friday afternoon and we high-tailed it outta San Antonio to meet Vanessa in Austin. She surprised us with these delectable treats when we got to the hotel. We had first tried them when Dawn and I flew to Dallas to see Vanessa in the hospital while she was incubating her beautiful twin boys. Friends, you haven't had a cupcake if you've never had one from here. They sell the mix at Williams-Sonoma. My opinion? They taste (and look) better from the actual bakery. At least when I make them.



Our first dinner out. I'm not sure why I look like a deer in the headlights.



Getting ready to spa. Facials, pedicures, and massages were heavenly.



After the spa we hit a new shopping spot...where great sales awaited us.




Celebrating our friendship on 6th street...



All ready for dinner in our respective "jewel-toned" tops. Still asking perfect strangers to take our pictures. This photographer worked at the Anthropologie...which is where we were when we decided to pose.



Our hotel was right on Town Lake, so Sunday morning Dawn and I took a walk. We watched some novice rowers enjoying the early morning. How cool is that to learn how to ROW?!



We also enjoyed some gorgeous scenery (love the yellow hose in the background)...



...and got to cross paths with "Jesus." I thanked him for stopping so I could take his picture. His response was, "No worries. Have a good one." Very with the times, don't you think?



On the way home Dawn and I stopped to grab some lunch here. Another meal spent in the great outdoors. I was reminded that we need to visit this quaint town more often.



So, here's a great big shout out to my high school peeps. Thanks for a super-fun weekend. And, here's to our 22 year friendship. I think we're like wine...we've gotten better with age.