The Green Chair

"Let's go to the park and take a walk," he said.

"Sure," I said and we climbed into his forest green Pontiac Bonneville and headed to the park - one we had spent many lunches together chatting and chomping sandwiches between our college courses.

It was a sunny Sunday afternoon; I had worked a 6 to 3 shift already and was feeling a little tired and somewhat unattractive. It didn't matter; we were just going for a leisurely walk in the park.

When we got to the park, he opened the trunk where there were two chairs inside - the kind that folds up and fits into a bag.

"Ooh, I want the striped one," I said.

"That one's heavier, " he said. "You can sit on it, but I'll carry it for you."

Ah, so chivalrous. 

I picked up the green one, slung it over my shoulder, and we started to walk through the park.

"Where do you want to sit down?" he asked.

"I don't care," I said and we continued talking while walking through the grass.

"Where should we sit down?" he asked again a few minutes later.

"It really doesn't matter," I said.

"What about here?"

"I don't care," I said again, feeling a little exasperated. Why did it matter where we sat?

"But, the waste disposal plant is across the river," he said.

"So? We can't even see it behind those trees. All I can see is the river."

We started the process of getting our chairs set up. As I started to unpack the green chair, rose petals fell out.
I knew immediately what was happening. I thought there was no possible way he could surprise me.

"You're not proposing now are you?" I said and he grabbed the white ring box from the chair, getting down on one knee in front of me.

Then he asked the question I'd always hoped someone would want to ask me.

"Lisa, will you marry me?"

"Yes," I said and he slipped a sparkling three stone ring my finger.

That was eight years ago today that my love, Andy, asked me to marry him.

I'm so glad he asked and that I said yes!

Page from my scrapbook

The day we got engaged - June 29, 2003
How young we were!

My, how the time flies!

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Puppet Master

A short and handsome man asks me to dance multiple times a day. In my minds eye, he's wearing a little tux and I'm donning a floor-length ball gown with not a hair out of place.

He taps me on my hip to get my attention (because he's not tall enough to tap me on my shoulder) and when I turn around, he grabs my hand and asks for a dance.

We waltz around the ballroom that looks a lot like a kitchen and smell the supper burn.

Thanks for the dance, handsome prince. I'd dance with you any day of the week (and I do, don't I?).

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I think it's pretty awesome that Elijah has invented his own sign to ask for a dance: he grabs my hand (or anyone's hand for that matter) and moves it back and forth. Often, he simply wants to watch me dance; he doesn't necessarily want to dance together. I've danced at the dentist, multiple stores, and of course in our kitchen.

I'm a sucker; I think I've turned into a puppet. Good thing my puppet master is cute.

Oh, how I love this kid.

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Itty Bitty

Look at those squishy cheeks!

We got to meet our niece Jael Dani this past weekend.

She's so tiny and sweet and perfect and snugly. Okay, I want one. :)

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Dads

Grandpa John and Elijah

Elijah and Grandpa Dennis

Elijah and daddy

Dads (and grandpas) are pretty awesome! Hope you all had an awesome Father's Day.

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Elijah Verses the Vacuum

Elijah has been terrified of vacuums for as long as I can remember.

I know this fear is common with a lot of kids, but I don't think it's usually as excessive as Elijah's fear was. You see, he'd throw himself onto the floor in .5 seconds and scream the saddest/scared cry you've ever heard. It didn't matter that we'd explain it to him ahead of time or if we tried to make it fun. Nothing worked.  Usually, Elijah's fear would evolve into rocking on his hands and knees and banging his head on the floor, which was obviously something we tried to avoid. Andy and I would refer to Elijah's reaction as World War Three.

So, for the past three years or so, we haven't vacuumed when Elijah was home. We'd try it once in awhile, but it was always the same result. Therefore, I'd vacuum when Eli was at preschool or Andy would take him outside so I could do it (or vice versa). Vacuuming just wasn't worth experiencing World War Three.

Elijah verses the vacuum

With the help of our ABA therapists, we started working on desensitizing Elijah to sounds (including a vacuum noise) by playing a CD at low volumes. We praised him immensely when he stayed calm. Overall, he's becoming less and less upset by noises. And then one day a couple of weeks ago, Andy spilled something and needed to vacuum and when he did, Elijah didn't break out into World War Three. When Elijah heard the vacuum, he was definitely nervous for awhile. Then he got brave and watched the vacuum until finally he started to hop around the room in excitement. Eventually he even got close enough to touch it. A huge breakthrough!

Now, Elijah loves the vacuum cleaner.

Blurry Eli loving the vacuum

He loves it so much that a major temper tantrum ensues when we stop vacuuming.

Sigh. We just can't win sometimes.

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Chillin'

I love when I turn around and see this handsome little man chilling in my backseat.

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The Power of a Smile

I was in a really foul mood yesterday. Well, Elijah was grumpy, which was the main reason for my sourness. His self-injurious behavior has ramped up again recently, which is really hard on me. That's probably an obvious statement, but sometimes it isn't so obvious to me. I'll start feeling down, oblivious to the reason, until I finally realize it's because Eli is having a hard time dealing with his frustrations. To let out his feelings, he bites his hand. This behavior had almost completely disappeared until the last few weeks, thus my feelings of despair (and if I'm honest, one of the reasons I don't blog as much. When I'm sad it's hard to write). When he hurts himself, I kind of feel like someone is repeatedly punching me in the face (well, emotionally anyway). Yeah, it's not exactly a pleasant experience. No wonder I was feeling grumpy.

So after a rough morning, Elijah and I headed to the grocery store, which is something I actually enjoy doing with my boy (I generally despise grocery shopping). But, despite a fun trip to the store, I could still feel my mood permeating about me, emphasized by the fact that our cashier didn't even say hi to me when I happily greeted her. Perhaps she didn't hear me, I reminded myself (benefit of the doubt, people).

After I loaded up the groceries in the van, and I drove through the parking lot, a woman came out of a store and approached the crosswalk I was about to pass. She walked by my vehicle and flashed me a huge grin. I smiled back.

And you know what? That smile literally changed my mood for the rest of the day. The hopelessness and despair I'd been feeling from my rough morning melted away. It was just what I'd needed; it was like a little message from above. It's okay, Lisa. You are loved.

Yes, sometimes Elijah has a hard time constructively expressing his anger. But he's always ready with a dimple-faced smile. It is nearly impossible not to smile when he's beaming in your general direction. I often smile at strangers too, the corners of my mouth tilting up just a bit when I pass by (okay, maybe I technically smirk at people. I hope I don't freak anyone out).

You just never know how powerful a smile can really be.

Thanks, lady I don't know. I really, really needed to see your teeth yesterday. Seriously, you have no idea.

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So, It's Been Awhile

I feel like that friend who never calls or writes you emails. Oh wait, that is me (just ask anyone who knows me in real life). It's true, I'm pretty horrible at keeping in touch (sorry friends). Not a strong suit of mine, to be sure. Apparently I'm not doing so well keeping up with my blog these days either.

I'd say some overdue updates on our little family are in order, wouldn't you?

My boys and I spent two nights of the Memorial Day weekend on the shore of Lake Superior in Duluth, Minnesota. We had such a lovely, relaxing trip.

Can you believe this was our first family trip together? We've been on lots of adventures with our families, but this was the first trip we've taken where it was just the three of us.

Aerial Lift Bridge in Canal Park

We watched the ships come through the Aerial Lift Bridge, thinking it would be interesting for Elijah to see such a large vessel. No, all Elijah saw was a huge bathtub. Good thing Andy had a good grip on the little guy.

Elijah wondering when he can jump in the huge "bathtub"

We spent much of our time walking the lakewalk. It was a beautiful and crisp and perfect day.

We found a little deck to give Elijah his morning snack and I pretended all of it was ours.

MY deck

Elijah's favorite part of our trip was probably swimming. Andy and I enjoyed it too, especially since we were the only ones in the pool.

Soon, it was time to head back home.  But, not before stopping and getting some chocolate at the chocolate shop. It was super windy and Elijah thought walking in the wind and rain was hilarious.

On the way home, Elijah fell fast asleep in his "napping-cove" I created for him.

All in all, it was a super relaxing way to kick-start the summer.

Oh, and Elijah's last day of preschool was last week. He looked so handsome in his last-day-of-school outfit and spiky hair.

It's hard to believe that Elijah's first year is already behind him. And to think how nervous I was about it! Elijah loves his school. It's not much of a last day, because Elijah gets two weeks off and then he starts summer school (and he's continuing with ABA therapy too). This child of ours keeps a busy schedule that's for sure. I really don't think he'd have it any other way. He gets bored without all the constant activity.

I'm pretty sure this summer is off to an excellent start already. Can't wait for lots of good times in the warm weather.

P.S. I've been feeling bad that I've been so neglectful of this blog that I'm making it a personal goal to write three days a week (preferably MWF). So, there you go. Now I've told you, so I'd better stick to it.

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