Whirling Dirvish Photography

When you throw in 2 special boys + authentic New Orleans cajun cooked mudbugs + absolutely divine weather = one heck of a party.

Father and son were able to celebrate among TONS of family, friends, dino cake, ice cold beer, and an inflatable kid corral.

300+ photos were evidence that it was a great time or I had one too many coronas…

If I were to award Granparent emotion of the year, it would be to Tony. I love this picture!!!

With about 20+ kids attending; I was able to absorb and take in the multitudes of edible cheeks and thickly lashed doe eyes.

Lastly, our chunk met his match. I’m pretty sure the rockin’ tee intimated him. At the end we were well acquainted with each other’s drool dripping plugs. We’ve already decided that with the harem, (see lovely lashes above), that Braden has accumulated he’ll need a good wing man for when they wreck havoc at aTm. Either that or they’re destined to be USA’s next bobsled gold contenders… we’ll see ;-P

 I’m sure you’re thinking, why in the world would a person weedhack through such lovingly wisps of baby hair? Well, after I got over the shock of actually changing, altering, treding upon the sacred baby puff, I thought the change looked cute. As in: I’m a baby with parents that like to live vicariously through my hairstyle, not the I’m 30 something  Hot Topic worker and have a faux-hawk to display my lackluster childhood.

I had to actually disengage myself from the situation, as I could just see dangling ear drums and gashes that would require ER attention. Soon Shae presented a gleefully delighted child that just realized he was the center of all local affections.

On a side note: Our newest additions to the family have come to a very dramatic and drastic demise. Our fish, Chuck and Larry, were sadly disposed this past week. After seeing their bowl become a bit murky I decided to clean it. Chuck or maybe it was Larry decided to take matters in his own fins and leap directly down the disposal. Whoops. Said a short prayer and sent the little guy to fishy heaven. The latter was soon replaced in a clean fresh bowl to only pass away within 5 minutes. The Sherlock in me was a bit surprised when the truth was uncovered at dinner time.

MaryAnn:’ Momma, I cannot have milk with dinner tonight.’

Me: ‘ Why not?’

MaryAnn: ‘Because it didn’t give the fish strong bones, it killed them and I don’t want to be dead.’

Me: SNORTING!!!!

Milk does not do the fish body good.

Everyday we do the same. Wake, coffee, potty, shower, dirty diaper, giggles, sausage, eggs, lunchbox, kisses, be good or your dead threats, job search, email, job search, email, sunkist tuna, mom, words with friends, baby bye-bye, chubby clapping hands, skillet, zimmer, butterflies, ants, check dinner skillet, dirty diaper, bubbles, baby powder, pajamas, email, teeth, and back of eyelids.. repeat. This is ours.

But last weekend we did this…

Unfortunately, the bubbles took a little longer than normal and I grabbed these two first… Oh, we had fun.

PS I FINALLY FIXED MY COMMENTS SECTION!!! I had to dismantle due to the mass amount of spam but it’s back up!

I promised a special birthday post for my 5 year old dirvish. I feel a little ashamed because I didn’t deliver, not that she peruses the web, but that I did so for my youngest and didn’t for her… so it’s personal guilt. I’m going to avoid the ‘everything from the ocean comes to bloom’ kind of deep profound entry and opt for the fun flirty side of the new 5.

In five years:

• Shae and I became parents to a little girl with a big heart
• We’ve come to realize exactly what the phrase ‘paying for your raising’ means
• Little girls have BIG feelers
• Behavior can stem from flour/grain
• Little girls are precious and love a little deeper

When does life stop you and grips you to the core? To make you realize that a dirty diaper, a crown of whisper white hair, an erroneous argument, a over-hyped 4 year old, and first steps mean more than their directive. This weekend I was rocked. For a few hours I was at the mercy of my own body. The jarring shock of complete out of control emotion was so awakening that I sat alone trying to grasp memories to hold on to. The first meeting with Shae, the birth of our daughter, my son’s first smile… As the late hours dragged on and finally a semblance of relief showed her head I was able to go home and climb in bed with my four year old and smell her hair. I crawled into my son’s crib and laid there until I heard the roar of a diesel engine. Collapsing into Shae’s arms I never realized how strong he really is…

So, stop and realize that family is all you have and relish in its warm embraces.

After this, still ambiguous situation, I am so glad that I document so much of my life. Down to the whirls, twirls, and tears.

After coming home we threw out the rules of the house. Baking Scotcharoos , Apple Pie, and King Ranch Casseroles then going onto Pizza & Play. Yes, we threw out the gluten/sugar intolerance that this family has and enjoyed the empty carbs.

My Weekend Life Photos. Shot with new Lensbaby.