home

I love being home.

The sights, the sounds.....

Most definitely
THE PEOPLE.

You know when you've been away on vacation and you finally walk in the door to your home?
It's just like, "aaaaaahhh, I'm home."
The warm & comfy & safe feeling that all is well.
I also get that HOME feeling when I
walk into a bakery, go on a family picnic, talk to old friends on the phone,
see the morning sun come streaming into my front room, visit my parent's,
watch a movie & eat pizza on Friday nights,
read Little Women in the papasan chair, scroll through my blog, swing at the park with my babes,
go to family parties at my parent-in-laws, have a nice long tight hug with my husband which
often turns into a slow dance, sip chicken noodle soup on a crisp evening, cozy up with a newborn,
watch the sunset, try on the perfect skirt in a dressing room in some 2nd-hand store and know that it will soon be hanging in my closet, visit the temple, read stories with my children on our bed, and flip pancakes for my sweet bedhead darlings.
I got to experience a new HOME feeling.
I am so lucky. So blessed. So happy to have shared some time (twice!)
with some mamas & their children that celebrate a special life, too.

Caleb and his mama, April~ Heidi~ Becky~ Bugg~me

I have only met these dear mamas through their blogs.
But I felt I was HOME the instant I joined them in April's house.
Love was abundant as we joined in hugs and chatting and shared our children.

Sweet, sweet Becky. A beautiful mama, indeed. Becky loved my boy.
Scooped him up and put him in her lap as we all visited.
And I'm thinkin' he loved her, too, by the way he fell asleep on her.
Becky's special Ben passed away in May.
How difficult it must be to carry on after such a loss!
But here she is, traveling across the US with her daughter, Stevie,
to give Ben's van to Heidi & Junior.
Becky & Stevie were such gems - always lending a hand here and there,
offering to calm my crying Ella, giving Junior his breathing treatments,
playing with & holding kids.

Stevie with Ava & Chloe

Thank you, April, for the picture.

Junior is able to have a wheelchair accessible van!
His mama, Heidi, is a sweetheart.
She was so attentive and patient with Junior.
It makes my heart feel warm & fuzzy to see such devotion
to this extraordinary & unique young man.

And April. Oh, April, you beloved friend.
She opened her heart & home to all of us.
Light and goodness and wonderfulness gush from her very being.
Isn't her special Caleb the most scrumptious treat
you ever saw?!!!
Those lips look so perfect for smoochin'.
Caleb's wink says "I love you" since he cannot speak.
Does talking really matter when it comes to these children?
My GOODness, their spirits and eyes and smiles
share & teach so much.

A sleepy Hunter and his lovely mama, Emily.
Hunter has a sweet set of camo hot wheels.
He was so easy-going with all the noise of happy playing children
(and my screaming baby - she missed a nap)
and didn't mind when I rubbed his arm.
Hunter reminded me so much of Bugg.
If Ella had been more manageable,
I could have sat on the couch and talked with Emily for hours.

Oh! if only there had been more time to visit! And why didn't I take more pictures?!!
Tara - you stunning mama, you! Chloe just bursts sunlight.
Erin - your story is beautiful, so are you.
Julia - You and your girls are darling. And mobile! Hooray for that!
Thank you to all of you for making me feel at home.
I feel changed.
My heart has experienced some healing
after meeting you and your children.
Being with mamas who "get it."
And seeing mamas who love my handicapped child
so much.
Well, that is just joy, joy, joy.