september 11

September 11th has special meaning in more than one way for me.

It is the day we mourn the loss of so many lives and remember how we came together as individuals, communities, and as a nation.  It is a time for us to reflect on our feelings from that cool Autumn morning and the chill that we felt as we watched the crumbling of the towers.  An opportunity to pay tribute in our own way to the men and women who cleaned up the destruction and slowly pieced back together a strong hope in the hearts of the American people.

 
A day to remember.

It is also the day in my life 7 years ago, that I accepted a proposal from this guy:

yes, he actually wore 'hooters' shirts frequently.

It is the day that marked the beginning of a new time in my life; A time free of past pain and insecurity, full of happiness and growing.  It is a day when I reflect on my feelings during that freezing hike to Mesa Falls where I stood stunned and surprised, but sure and content.

mesa falls

It provides an opportunity to reflect on the kids we were then...

right after i said 'yes.'

...and the family we have become. 

A day that changed my life forever.

If I could revisit that cold Autumn day and hear those sweet promises of love and commitment whispered to me again, I would say yes a million times over. 

I will always hold September 11th as a special day in my life.
A day to remember.

xo,
tracy

birthday boy

Last week we celebrated 3 years with this little guy:

The last couple years have been a whirlwind.  We moved to a new state, finished years 5, 6, and 7 of school for Dylan, moved 4 times, and somehow now have 3 school aged kids.
But even with all the adjustments and distractions, we have enjoyed every single minute that Beckham has been in our family.
That's not an exaggeration.
We think he is the funniest, cutest, most special little person.

Even though the thought of him growing up breaks my heart a little (or a lot... I might have even cried last week while watching Glee...Quinn was giving birth and it made me reminisce a bit) there are a few things that make me smile and I hope I never forget:

-He is very athletic.  Watch out Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Peyton Manning, and all the greats.  This boy loves all sports...bowling, golf, baseball, football, basketball...anything ball. 
He's going to be a star.

-Beckham adores all bugs.  He spends as much time as I'll let him out on the front porch searching for 'lagy bugs' and it is the sweetest thing.  Until I find Ziploc bags full of corpses all over the house or wake up to find a spotted friend crawling on my arm. 
Not sweet. 

-Worst.  Sleeper.  Ever. 
Still doesn't sleep.  At night that is. 

-Favorite foods include tomatoes, milk, cucumbers, celery, jerky, almonds, and carrots.  And ALL junk food...he is my son after all.

-If he could pick anywhere to live, it would be a nudist colony.  He does not believe in clothes.  And is naked most of the time.
This is a teeny tiny portion of the naked pictures I have of this kid.
Teeny tiny,  people.

-He is a handful.
And is a boy.
Dangerous combination.

-He loves his best friend Luke.

august 2012

When I was in labor with Beckham, Dylan was already living in Oregon, so I knew the journey would be mine alone. 

hello, heffer.

It felt a little strange to be alone, but as I laid there in that hospital room and prepared to make room in my life heart for another little spirit, I cherished that time alone....thinking about how he would look and what his personality would be like.
He entered this world quickly and quietly.

i love my double chin in this picture.
awesome.

first picture

I soon realized that the space I made for him in my life was not nearly big enough for the laughter, personality, humor, and love he would bring.

1 yr

2 yr

3 yr

We love you Beckham and we're so grateful you are in our family.  Happy happy birthday!

xo,

Mommy