One: An American Poem
September 11, 2001


As the soot and dirt and ash rained down,
We became one color.

As we carried each other down the stairs of the burning building,
We became one class.

As we lit candles of waiting and hope,
We became one generation.

As the firefighters and police officers fought their way into the inferno,
We became one gender.

As we fell to our knees in prayer for strength,
We became one faith.

As we whispered or shouted words of encouragement,
We spoke one language.

As we gave our blood in lines a mile long,
We became one body.

As we mourned together the great loss,
We became one family.

As we cried tears of grief and loss,
We became one soul.

As we retell with pride of the sacrifice of heroes,
We become one people.

We are
One color
One class
One generation
One gender
One faith
One language
One body
One family
One soul
One people

We are The Power of One.
We are United.
We are America.*

I have been so worried that today would come and go without much time for me to think about that day. I remember it so well. I stayed in front of my television for days. I didn't want to stop to eat or sleep. I was completely consumed with these people and their pain and sadness. I remember going to the grocery store a few days after, and waiting in line listening to the high school aged checkers laughing about some new movie. I was so angry. How can you act as if nothing has happened? How can you laugh? How can you just move on? I still kind of feel that way. Have we forgotten what happened? Does life really have to go on? I think the answer is yes...it DOES have to go on, but we can also remember. Flags are lining our streets this morning. It reminds me of how blessed I am to live in this country.

*Author unknown

want me take a pic-chuh you?

I know, I know...the camera is fake. It's plastic. I don't care. Can I tell you just how much joy this brings me? Just like her Mama. Good heavens, I love this little girl.

freshly painted...

Look Mom! They look super awesome pretty.

*Then today...Hey Dad...I have super-awesome green poop.

the reason why...

Alex may just be the sweetest kid I know. Really. Have I mentioned what a great artist he is? I am so proud of him and all that he's learning in his art lessons. I was talking with my friend Kristin the other day about our boys. We were talking about sports and the pressure to be great at one of them...or ALL of them. What if they don't excel at any of them? He's a great athlete, but just hasn't quite found his niche yet. With sports at least. His niche just may be art. I realize that won't exactly make him popular during his school years, but what woman doesn't love a graphic designer. They're cool guys. I was very drawn to them during college. I guess what I am getting at is that art is a wonderful trade for him to be learning. It will make him successful, just maybe not as popular in this sports saturated area.

This is a picture he did of our house a few months ago. I love it. In fact...it may find a place on our living room wall. It makes me happy. Now on to the reason for this post.

Alex has some strange ticks. Kindof like turretts (sp?) but not quite. I've mentioned them to his doctor who has told me not to worry. It's normal. Well, I still don't want him to get teased, so when I see them, I bring them to his attention. Emily has some too...very odd. Anyhow, one of his ticks is with his hands. He spreads his fingers far apart, then tenses them or curls them...almost like he's trying to crack his knuckles. I've asked him in the past what it was all about and he said something about feeling sweat between his fingers. The other morning as we were walking to a friends house, he did it again. I asked him why. He said (let's see if I can quote), "I used to think it was because there was sweat on my hands, but now I think it's actually my body's way of telling me I want to draw." I could have wrapped him up in a huge hug right there...frozen time...cried because I love him SO much.

really...

We heard a truck outside our window on Saturday. This is what they were delivering for our neighbors backyard bash. Yep...that's how we roll on the west side!

*photo taken by Dave...through the window so as not to appear to be gawking while he and the kids were gawking.

well - we tried...

Pictures, pictures, pictures. This was our attempt from the photobooth this summer in Delaware. I really have no idea what I was thinking trying to move so many people in and out of these. Keep in mind that there are probably only 3 seconds in between each shot. I still love them though. Dave and I at the top are kindof the calm before the storm. :) Emily only has a little sliver, blurry, blinking, completely caught off guard. They make me laugh though. Our life, as much as I love it, is not perfectly composed, peaches and cream ALL the time. This captures that in a way.

We have now been in our home for 2 years and still have a HUGE empty wall in our living room. We do have one great small family picture up that my friend Christy took for us. The poor thing is so off-center since we got our piano. Why am I so bleeping lazy? We got some great frames at IKEA on Monday, but once we got them home I just wasn't sure. I guess I just want things on my walls to look perfect. What IS perfect though? Really. Pictures of my kids will be perfect...at least to me. I think I can hold off for one more month. We have 2 photoshoots coming up...one with Jonathan Canlas, and one with Anna Jones. Both were as fundraisers for the Nielson family. I'm really, really excited for them. I think both photographers are amazing. I'm anxious to see what they are able to get. Surely something worthy of my wall.

sigh...

I love catching moments like this. I could sit and stare at these pictures for quite awhile...relaxed, smiling, grateful. I knew that my children would adore Molly when she was born. Alex was 7 and the twins 5. She was like a new toy...a doll baby. I had a feeling though, that the novelty would wear off. They would get tired of playing with her, annoyed when I asked them to help. I am here to say, that 2.5 years later, she's still like new. Aside from when she's throwing a 2 year old temper tantrum (and yes...she really does throw them), they still adore her. They smile when she comes into the room. They laugh and run to tell me when she says something funny. They protect her. It makes me so happy as their Mom. I would imagine that the Lord feels the same way when he watches us love and care for eachother. Mourning for those that mourn, carrying one anothers burdens. It can be hard sometimes...exhausting actually, but what the Lord would do if He were here. I'm so grateful that He gave me my children. They are my greatest treasure.