Audition Prep

Acting as a profession while being a mother is a new gig for me. In preparing for an audition you need to anticipate the unexpected and still stay "on." I remember a shoot (I had already booked) where the sound guy's shirt kept raising up and slowly exposing his big, hairy belly. It was very hard to stay focused on the serious content I was addressing directly to the camera when all I really wanted to do was laugh. In preparing for today's audition, Wilder provided that element of surprise while I did a few "takes" addressing our little camera. He's quite funny as a distraction throughout the piece -listen for the end when he starts playing piano. It's a riot!

The Stair Master

Naughty, scary, dangerous boy of mine. Man, is he fast!

Me and My Wicked Sewing Machine

Cackle, Cackle, Cackle!! I'm at it again! My shifty sewing machine and I created a holiday masterpiece (at least for my quilting skills) that will be in the family for years as it goes on display each October to come. With my pointy hat on I zipped away nearly straight lines while Wilder napped -or hung out watching "Fiddler on the Roof" with me in his playpen. I know, a VERY Halloween movie, all those bearded, dancing Jews. Exactly what I think of when October comes around.

I marveled at my foresight and patience as what could easily be a one day project took about a week as I prewashed the cloth and ironed it neatly during the heavenly moments of peace when my wild one was sleeping. Yes, very impressive for me since I like to knock things out as quick as possible when the crafty mood hits me.



So, since you all can't come over to have a little holiday shindig in your Halloween costumes and get sugar headaches with me, I wanted to share a little of the festive spirit scattered throughout our home! Happy Fall -particularly to those lucky folks who have their leaves turning and a brisk chill in the air :)

Swingin'

Wilder and I -and Savannah- often take an evening walk to our mailbox. It truly is a walk. On a direct route it's about 1.6 miles. We have fun looking at all the new fall and Halloween decorations that are put up as the month progresses and waving to neighbors. Having passed it by for no apparent reason, I finally took Wilder to swing on the playscape just a few blocks from our home. This was our second time enjoying the playscape and I remembered to bring the camera. We all had fun -and Wilder thought it was quite funny when I joined in on the swing next to him.

L'Ingenue et la Mima

Piano lessons start early! I think I sense a music lover... :)

Ah-BOO!

Wilder, while eating his first pancake, practicing for Halloween. Happy October!

Deployment, Part II

Brian left Sunday for the remaining chunk of his deployment and I miss my buddy. We decided to drive up to Dallas where he had to officially report in, instead of flying out of Austin so we could have a few more hours together -plus, we do love road trips! Even the dog came -a full family affair.

After 18 days together, life felt normal and wonderful. It was hard settling into a routine as a family only to have it so quickly changed. Yet, the precious time together was worth the heartbreak of saying goodbye again. I LOVE our little family!!

We had some great visiting time with Brian's family and got to go out on several dates, courtesy of Mima's babysitting -thank you, Betty!

Savannah enjoying having her professional ball-thrower back. She's ridiculous.

Family portrait, part 2.

"He smokes small stogies that he has found, short, but not too big around...." Brian cleaning the guns while enjoying a beer and a tasty cigar. The definition of "manly" incarnate.

Wiley didn't want to see Daddy go -and if you look close enough you can see his shirt matches Brian's. Oh, wait. They're just floating heads -they "blend" in...

I guess it's all downhill from here, and I'm thankful for it. It could be anywhere from another 6 to 9 months before he comes home for good, but this time together gives me overwhelming joy in looking forward to what's to come when he returns. Brian and I are totally in love with our family and, despite the cruddy circumstances of being apart, I've never been happier than I am as his wife and Wilder's mother.