Cleaning Closets

I've been cleaning out the closets myself lately and this little post from (in)courage really touched my heart. I hope it does yours as well.

http://addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&pub=jlane03

P.S. Give me a day or so and I'll have pics of Tinkerbelle in her new fairy princess bed and out for Halloween :)

Forever and Ever Amen

Today is a stunning fall day here in Kansas City. A bit on the chilly side but almost identical to the day Bill and I were married. So with the house quiet, six years and two children later...I'm thinking back on that glorious fall day at Pisgah Presbyterian Church where we promised to love, honor and cherish one another...for better and for worse. I'm thinking of our family and friends who traveled great distances to dance and toast this wild ride we were about to embark upon. I'm also thinking of another promise that Kim McKnight read for us...

Mark 7: 24-26
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house: and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

When we made that promise and heard those words we meant them, I'm just not sure we knew what we were truly in for at the time. But we are learning. Because "marriage is a commitment of super glue proportions. And it's the commitment that sticks even when the feelings ebb and flow. That's the beauty and courage of marriage."

unmade beds, trips to the hardware store and endless "planning" sessions

and the rain descended

births, deaths, illnesses, travels, weddings and mornings without iced tea, diet coke or coffee.

and the floods came

KU and Duke wins and losses and endless Royals and Chiefs seasons

and the winds beat upon that house

time spent with family and friends.

but it fell not for it was built on a rock.

"Because, after all, marriage is the ultimate parable, isn't it? It's the living picture of a God who looked at us in all our silly, selfish ways and then loved us regardless, so that He could make Us. His. People. Amazing, crazy love."

I say "I do" all over again every day my handsome husband, because...

With You I Am Home.

a special thanks to Melanie Mauer who took the stunning photo and blogger Lisa-Jo at (In)courage who provided the inspiration for this post.

Happy Birthday James Henry

It's hard for me to put into words the journey we have been on this past year and a half. It seems like in the blink of an eye we have gone from the heartbreaking reality of James' birth to the celebration of his first birthday.

It might seem strange but yesterday really was a celebration. We slept in then had breakfast together. Afterwards, we took out the box of momentos we had gathered. Elie wanted to take James his "lovey" that Judi, Kristin and Lindsay had given us. She also wanted to read the "new" book We were supposed to have a baby but had an angel instead book that Lindsay gave us. We re-read the prayers and sermon our ministers Meg and Tom shared on that day. Then on a glorious fall morning at about the same time he was born, we headed over to church.

Elie had been writing James and Jesus letters all morning so she added those to our flowers. Bill read scripture and we both tried to answer the question "when were we going to heaven?"

We compromised and went to Westin, MO, to the pumpkin patch and to see the barn animals. The day was stunning and we bought a pumpkin as big as Elie.

Later in the afternoon Lucy, Max and Aunt Kristin came over to sing Happy Birthday and have cupcakes. Then we all got our hands dirty and planted tulips. We had 32 of them and it was hard work, but it was fun and good. We are all looking forward to seeing them in the Spring.

Bill and I ended the night at one of our favorite spots just having a glass of wine and talking about the day, the past year and what is to come.

What we know for sure is this...going on this trip to Holland wasn't our first choice, but we enjoyed our time there. James Henry gave us many gifts during his 8 short months. Someday we will meet him but until then we will have to settle for remembering the tulips and windmills he brought into our lives.

Thank you for loving us and thank you for loving our son.

We hope you enjoy seeing our day. (copy the link below and paste it into your browser to be taken to the video)

http://gallery.me.com/nationranch#100021

Amelia Island 2009

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Finally, SOME of the fun caught on film of the Berger family trip to Amelia Island. There were hundreds of other memorable moments that we didn't capture but will remember forever.

I hope you enjoy as much as we did
Alison

The First Day of Kids Day Out...School

So I know those of you who aren't on FaceBook are dying to see pictures from our trip to Amelia Island and I promise to get them up soon. This just couldn't wait...

Thursday was Elie's first day of "Kids Day Out" or "school" and what a big day indeed.

On Wednesday we had gone to Target for things to put in her lunchbox and she was soooo excited to pack a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich, strawberry bars and some peaches. She kept telling me that "all her friends would be there". I think she only kinda knows one little girl, Ellen, of the 13 other children in the class.

The outfit is classic Elie. Recently she has gotten strong opinions about what she wears and LOVES to accessorize. We show up with dozens of strands of beads and multiple bows in our hair regularly. The hat has been her summer favorite. It was one of Emma and Sophie's and she wears it ALL THE TIME. Try as I might I couldn't convince her that the hat didn't match today...she was still wearing it as I waved goodbye and she rolling play dough.

The morning started with Momma getting us there 30 minutes early, (could have been worse I guess my mom dropped me off at camp a couple of days early once) so we got a special treat scone before hand. It was actually harder for momma than Elie. She ran into the class and sat right down to roll play dough. I was waving furiously from the door..."momma loves you...see you later" Not even a glance.

When I got there at 2:30 to pick her up she was the only one still sleeping soundly in the middle of the room...that's my girl, loves her nap.

Afterwards we picked up Grandma Ruth and then went for ice cream then back to her apartment to read books and play.

What a great day! Let hope our first day at Country Club Christian goes as well in two weeks.

Da comes to Kansas City

It is finally quiet after a wonderful week of having Da in Kansas City. We had so much fun it seems crazy that the time has already flown by. Da and Mommy got to go shopping, to see the movie The Proposal, out to dinner with our friend Leslie, and lots of organizing done around the house. The whole family also got to have a great dinner at Grammy and Papa's house one night.

Elie and Da had tons of fun and here is some of the proof...

The first picture is Da doing Big Magic for Paw on the phone with Elie.

Elie and Da taking baby GiGi for a walk in the stroller.

Elie and Da playing dress up and reading books.

And the last two are Elie and Da at her Ballet class.

Clearly it was a great time and we wish she could have stayed longer but Paw and the dogs need her back at Kentucky Home. But we only have to wait a few weeks before we all see each other again at the beach.

It was truly Big Magic.

Happy St. Patricks Day

The family had a wonderful time last weekend at the annual Brookside St. Patrick's Day Parade. This balloon was our second of the day, Bill got some great video of us loosing our first it was pitiful and cute all at the same time. Lots of our friends and their families were there so the day was great. Check out the video at the link below.

Elie and I head to Kentucky on Wednesday for a few days with Da, Paw, Uncle Boodleheimer, Aunt Nikki, Emma and Sophie we can't wait for the pictures and videos to show you then.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBO1dMhrsi8

Our Little Picasso...

For Christmas Elie received lots of "art supplies" from Mommy and Daddy and the most fabulous box from Aunt B. Well truth be told I've been to scared to actually dig in and get "wet". So Wednesday I dusted off my courage wings and announced to Elie at 8:30..."how about we paint"! This is what we had about half way through our hour long painting extravaganza. She was so excited. She wanted to call Grammy and Papa and Da and Paw. At one point talking to Da she had gotten paint on her hands and told Da "I have muddy footprints all over my hands". This is a reference to one of her favorite books where one of the characters gets muddy footprints all over his momma's floor. But Elie's use sure was cute.

Fast forward about 30 minutes. The paper is full of color and water. So much so that the paper is falling apart. I gave Elie a little warning that it was almost time to stop painting and the drama which insued was off the charts. Big Big tears....no mommy no I"m still painting was her plea. I admit it was so cute and pitiful that I actually laughed in my sweet childs face. So how much in therapy do you think that will cost her? I finally set the timer on the oven and announced that when it went off it would be time to stop painting.

Somehow the timer worked.

You would think we had hung her "beautiful picture" (her words) in a gallery in SoHo rather than on the front door. Anyone intersted in an original work of art is welcome to contact me.

Perhaps I'll be brave enough to dig into B's box and pull out the glue next.

Happy Valentines Day and more

Make a Smilebox greeting

Just yesterday a good friend sent me this quote and I wanted to share it with you all...

Family of Origin and Family of Choice. Family of Origin is the family you are connected to by law, or history, or the happenstance of genome. Family of Choice is the family you create from friends, neighbors, lovers, and sometimes even relatives, smile. It is a beautiful mosaic of past, present and future, and it's main components are love, acceptance and joy, and support in the times when the joy seems dim and the love harder to reach.

So to all of you who are my Family of Origin and my Family of Choice I say thank you and Happy Valentines Day!

Elie Turns 2.

It absolutely blows my mind that on January 19th our little one turned two years old.

Since I'm not really a scrapbooker, I'm lucky to have Bill around to take our pictures and video and make an "album" of the year. Our hope is to continue doing this for her each year until we are so old we can't keep up with the technology.

We hope you enjoy watching our baby girl grow up. Click on the link below for Daddy's Ode to his little girls 2nd year on the planet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PfRQGlhICQ

Inaugurations make me nostalgic

No matter what you think of Barack Obama or Bill Clinton few people have the honor to be this close to a President being sworn into office. I was lucky enough to do it twice, in 1993 and in 1997. I'll only bore you with my favorite memory.

In 1993, Wendell H. Ford was the Chairman of the Senate Rules Committee and therefore the Chairman of the Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. This committee begins its work months before the new president is even elected. Working on Senator's personal staff we all had extra duties and responsibilities.

On the day of the ceremony I was in charge of Senator Ford's grandchildren, ranging in age from 6ish to early teens. Senator is fiercely proud and protective of those grandchildren and it was my job after the ceremony to guide them through a packed Capitol back to his offices in the Russell Building. Things were going smoothly until I heard "ITS BATMAN" and all I remember are children scattering like flies. I managed to grab the smallest by the collar as my life flashed before my eyes. How would I ever tell Missy and Senator that I had lost them? Fortunately Batman (a.k.a. Michael Keaton) didn't have a pen on him to give them an autograph and they all came rushing back to me to see if I had one.

Clearly the story ends well as I lived to tell. To be honest I don't even remember if I had a pen or not or if they got the autograph.

All I know is that tomorrow will hold many memorable moments for many different reasons for many different people. That is why this country is so great.

**There is an arrow that points to me in the first picture sort of in the left hand corner.

**In the second photo I"m the 3rd person to the right of the officer.

You Need To Dance....

could possibly be our family motto for the coming year. As most of you know Elie turns 2 on Monday so all is a-twitter in the house preparing for the Happy Birthday Party. It will be a small affair with just Aunt Kristin, Uncle Evan, Lucy and Max but will produce ample "memorable moments" to share with you all soon.

Like this one. Ever since the holidays when Elie and her cousins Max, Lucy and Maddie held marathon "dance parties" on their days off from school, Elie has been dancing all over the house. (Please notice the shoes she is wearing, hand me down tap shoes, that make a fabulouse noise on the wood floors.) At any given moment she will look at Mommy, Daddy or the both of us and say "You need to dance".

You know she is right.

So lets all dance our way through 2009.

I know I'm planning on it.



P.S. I know many of you used this blog as a way to keep in touch with our family last year and receive updates on James Henry. Please don't feel obligated to continue to subscribe. I'll be happy to take you off the list, just let me know in one way or the other.