Tag Archives: Reed

Hugs, etc.

October 4, 2012 Molly 4 Comments

We spent most of our afternoon outside today. I don’t always bring my camera out, but as I watched the last photo unfold, I ran in to grab it. I am glad I did, because I love all these photos. The light was beautiful! And so are my kids. 😉

Reed can hold back his feelings a bit, especially towards me and Lena, I think. As animated as he is, he doesn’t always let on that he loves us. I had been taking photos of Lena, and I said “hey, Reed, run over here and give Lena a hug!” I don’t think he would have hugged her if I hadn’t asked, but his love for her is so genuine.

He’s 5.

R walked into this one.

R and I talk a lot about giving G personal space. R just kind of runs by Gus and gives him a quick hug all the time. Gus doesn’t always like this. R went in for a hug.

This time, Gus pulled back and shouted at R. R said, “he doesn’t want a hug, so I’ll give him a back rub instead.

That was fun and fine by Gus.

R hugged everyone tonight, after my initial suggestion that he hug Lena. I am not sure anyone else enjoyed it quite as much as L did, though.

I love this girl.

Reed is such an entertainer and story teller. Even as a parent, I struggle to get a word in sometimes. But, I reminded myself a couple of times today that it matters so much to him that I listen… when he talks, it is my time to build him up and make him feel loved, important and heard. The more I genuinely listen, the stronger our relationship grows and the more he’ll keep talking as he gets older, right?

For him, I feel like that is his most-needed gift– for someone to hear him. I do think listening to all kids is important, but it is #1 for him. (And no, I don’t normally have my camera out photographing it, but I have a feeling in 10 or 20 years, I will be glad I did it once!)

He climbed up here to talk to me. I asked him to smile for a photo and he said “you have got to show that one to Papa!”

Lest you think our afternoon was perfect,

We had some freak-outs, too.

And the cuddles that come after freak-outs.

And overall, it was a pretty great afternoon.

Everyday Life

The Highlights

September 28, 2012 Molly 4 Comments

I need to write a real post, but I am just not feeling up for it lately. So how about I share some of my favorite photos instead? Sorry this post is so photo-heavy… and these are just the highlights. These photos go from newest to oldest.

A seashell she found on one of our walks. Yes, we do live in Kansas. Did you know Kansas used to be an ocean? That is actually true, but I don’t think this shell has anything to do with that.

Mr. Little Red Riding Hood, from one of our walks.

The cuteness of this hair about did me in one morning.

Climbing a tree. He was being a 3-toed sloth. He told me that I could try it, too. I told him I didn’t think I could, so he told me maybe when I’m older. He’s holding out hope that my upcoming birthday will be the start of my tree-climbing skills.

My mom came to visit for a week. We all enjoyed her company, but she and Lena definitely have a special relationship.

Jamming on a “guitar”.

One of his newest loves, a rocking horse.

I think these photos speak volumes about Reed and Lena. They had just found some hair clips in a geocache.

Everyday Life

Conversations with Reed

September 13, 2012 Molly 3 Comments

Reed, aka Spiderman, with his mask.

My mom is visiting right now. She got us take out for dinner and Aaron and the big kids had burritos.

R: “Mmm, a chicken burrito. What kind of burrito do you have, papa?”

A: “Steak.”

R: “Oh no, steak! It’s like eating your whole body.”

I promise I had nothing to do with influencing his view of steak.

My mom asked Reed about his day at school. She asked if he had art today, and after he told her about it, I told him a story from when I had art class as a kindergartener. I thought the kids would enjoy hearing a story about when I was little AND about how I made a mistake. Of course they did.

Reed started lecturing me on how I could have handled the situation better. “You should have raised your hand… you should have…” I could have used his help navigating kindergarten.

After that, my mom asked him what he does when he needs to go to the bathroom at school. He explained that they just go at set times. Then, when she asked what if he really needs to go at a different time, he said “We don’t do such things.”

Later he asked me, “what is your mom’s name?” And I said “She (pointing to my mom) is my mom.” Then he said, “no, I mean, like, when you were in preschool, when you were tiny, what was your mom’s name?” And I told him she had always been my mom. “So, she’ll be your mom forever?” Yup.

A cute conversation, but also a reminder that when you’ve spent the first few years of your life shuffling around, the idea of mom isn’t so clear in your head.

Love this kid.

With his sword… he also makes swords himself.

Everyday Life

Brothers

September 7, 2012 Molly Leave a comment

Everyday Life

The Pied Kids

August 30, 2012 Molly 1 Comment

We’re going to do what?! tonight?

Get PIED for Jacob, of course! Tonight, Reed and Lena took pies to the face for a baby boy in Eastern Europe, waiting for his family. He had a matching grant last week, and as part of his fundraising effort, we volunteered to do something crazy and get pied when he reached a certain amount of money in his grant. We were one of a bunch of people who did it, and you can watch all the videos on the Baby Jacob youtube channel.

Yes, the boys did eat extra whipped cream afterwards.

(He pied himself after watching Reed and Lena.)

It wasn’t anything monumental– just a fun way to fundraise. We talked about an orphan, and why he matters, and why and how we can help him find a mama and a papa. And, we had fun.