Family Portrait

We have a family friend who is a very talented photographer. After visiting us this fall, she asked me to write a paragraph about each part of our family for a gift she was putting together for my in-laws. She compiled many beautiful quotes, my words, and several of our best shots in a book for them to enjoy when we're apart. I know my husbands parents were thrilled with the result! I thought I might save my contribution here, for a rainy day when I may need reminding how things looked to me in 2008.

Kuni and I

Married April 2005

At our wedding, we smashed, absolutely SMASHED cake into each others faces. And then we laughed. I think maybe we needed a bit of a release, maybe we were a bit overwhelmed by the beauty of the day. That tends to be our basic M.O. When things are starting to get too crazy, for whatever reason, we hang in there until one of us finds, or makes, something to laugh about. It’s what keeps us current, it’s something that makes us authentic, and it’s one of my favorite things about us.

Curly Sue

Born August 2006

A while ago, I took a moment to chat on the phone while our little whirlwind ate lunch. My conversation was soon interrupted by a tiny voice and two pudgy hands waving a mostly empty plate in the air and sweetly exclaiming, “Mommy, mommy! I need sa’more---I’m enjoying this!” All this was accompanied by a big, messy, grin. And in that moment, I experienced Curly in a nutshell: intelligent, articulate, gracious, and ever enthusiastic. Infectiously so, in fact.

Little Lou

Born August 2008

Our Lou is new, and lovely, and beautiful. And she has brought with her this comfortable, contented spirit. Her activities are basic: eat, sleep, smile, wiggle, etc. There is nothing remarkable about them except for her approach: so patient, so optimistic, so something akin to mature. In a word, she is fresh; a change of pace. And a perfect addition to our family rhythm that has made us something new all over again.