03/52 Abandoned

I spent the weekend cabining with friends at Smith Mountain Lake in VA.  I cannot recommend the park enough.  The cabins were clean and well appointed.  The rangers were super lovely and helpful.  The hiking was beautiful even in the fog and rain.  I will definitely be taking the kids back in the summer or fall. 

On the way, we found an abandoned store.  It was so interesting to me.  It literally looked like someone locked up one day and just forgot to return.  The things out were things I would expect to see left on the porch in a small town store.  It was all the things you leave out that you 'mean to pick up later.'  I could have spent hours taking pictures at this little store...but I am pretty sure my car mates would have left me. 

02/52 - Two of a kind

These two are amazing.  I love watching Anthony when he is choosing to be a great older brother.  He is kind and generous and encouraging.  And William thrives on it.  I don't think Anthony realizes just how much of a bench mark his brothers see in him.  They strive to keep up with him.  They bask in his praise.  I am grateful that he chooses kindness most of the time.

The snow hit this week.  These two spent a few hours sledding in the last remnants in my drive way. 

I lucked out with this picture.  As any parent knows, catching a kid with a genuine smile is hard...two nearly impossible.

01/52 - A New Addition

***My goal for the year is to do One blog with one nice photo a week.  In the end, it will become a book for the kids. 

We are now the proud owners of a Hamster.  For Christmas William received his very own pet...a hamster...named Humphrey.

Humphrey is positively Hamsterific.  He is named after the main character in book series...Humphrey.  There was no need to reinvent the wheel in the whole pet naming arena.

Humphrey survived his first week in the Rossi household, although it was close.  On the day William got the hamster, Humphrey took a huge leap from William's should. 

The animal literally made a 'SPLAT' sound as it hit the floor. 

Then he didn't move.  Oh he was still alive, just not moving.  And he was acting injured. 

All I could think was I seriously just ruined the Best Christmas Ever and turned it into the Worst Christmas ever.  Not only was the hamster injured, but I would likely actually have to kill him to put him out of his misery.  And then William...so many tears!!!! 

We sat and rocked.  And cried.  And cried.  And said a prayer.  And cried some more. 

And by a Christmas miracle and the fact that rodents are ridiculously resilient, he was up and running around when we went back to check on him.  The hamster was mad...he hissed at us when we tried to pick him up.  After all the excitement wore off, Humphrey settled in nicely and William is turning into a very responsible pet owner.

This shall now and forever more be known as the Christmas Hamster Incident (#chi)

I'm Baaaaaack....

 

 
I know it has been an almost 4 year hiatus.  I would say things got crazy or I didn't have time, but the truth is that I just didn't want to write anymore.  As things are now settling in, I feel joyful about sharing our adventures and mishaps again. 

The last few years has brought a lot of changes.  In that time, we moved from Savannah to a Raleigh suburb.  The kids are in public school here after a few years of homeschooling.  Rob retired and we made the difficult decision to divorce.  The kids are flourishing after some bumps and I am proud of the way we choose to co-parent. 

The kids have gotten so big.;&nbspI am amazed how long the days are, but how short the years are.

Anthony is nearly in middle school.  He is passionate about nature and animals.  I love that he is willing to be outside no matter the weather.  He is a strong student with an excellent work ethic. 



Gabe is following so close behind but blazing his own path at the same time.  He is an avid reader and I love the way he weaves a story.  He is a creative and warm soul.  I so enjoy the silence and still that he brings to the house of extroverts.


William...oh William.  In the blink of an eye he has gone from toddler to 1st grader.  He is forever working to keep up with his brothers.  He is outgoing, independent, and funny.  I love that he is still willing to humor me by pretending he is small on occasion. 

I am excited as the boys and I settle into the year.