Ezra made some awesome friends in his class, really enjoyed his teachers, brought home lots and lots of fun things to share with us, and most importantly – loved going to school. His year wrapped up with a nice little graduation-style ceremony and a party (captured very nicely by Ahna since I had to work). Next year will feature a pre-school program that he will attend three days a week, although it won’t be at the same school (but it will be nearby).

As we prepare for a summer off together (Ahna still has some days left), we are thankful for good school friends, committed teachers, and great opportunities to learn.

we are pregnant. WE are pregnant. WE ARE pregnant! WE ARE PREGNANT!

Yup, Ezra and Liam become older brothers! It is news that we have sat on for a while as we sorted through our own emotions before sharing with you; but we are finally at a place that we want to bring to you the thrill of what is next. Before I go any further, know that everything is just fine with the baby.

It would seem that every turn of life brings with it a new experience with grieving, and this one is certainly no different. The wrestling of loss and gain has been a scary battle at times, but a necessary process. Each turn of excitement is tempered with memory, but don’t worry, it’s not dampened…just put into perspective.

This new addition to our family will arrive in October, and we are really looking forward to celebrating the story with you all.

Did I mention…WE ARE PREGNANT!

The early stages of the process was mostly dedicated to having Ezra sit on the potty when he showed interest (or we forced interest), but never netted anything other than him sitting on the potty. It didn’t even amount to a successful accident (at least that I can remember), and certainly didn’t lead to any continued interest on Ezra’s behalf. We had a struggle filled weekend or three – mostly on Ahna’s behalf, and we had some tense moments as we entered the conversation about pre-school. The promise of the beginning of his schooling and a few ‘free’ mornings a week, was threatened by a lack of ability to wear underwear, and that was particularly difficult for me to grasp….thankfully it wasn’t realized, as he was allowed to go to preschool, and the teachers were exceptionally willing to work with him as needed.

Part of the realization for us – apart from the whole prom thing – was that potty training (and with that insight, probably a whole lot of things to come) was going to happen when Ezra was good and ready, and not a moment sooner than that. We looked to Ezra for moments, conversations, suggestions, or any indicator of interest, but they really didn’t come. He was completely comfortable being in diapers – not influenced by any amount of peer pressure – and he was equally fine with a wet or dirty diaper. As a battle of wills goes, this one went to Ezra. As a battle of patience goes, this one went to us.

We had come to the conclusion over these months that since Ezra is so smart, and that he would start when he was ready, that it would be a quick and painless process. Painless, it has been….but I’m not sure if it’s been quick. I mean, it hasn’t taken months, but it didn’t get done in three days. Ezra started showing good interest in the beginning of March, and progress followed. On our recent trip to my Grandparent’s house in Florida, he followed in my footsteps and nailed down all of the basics of potty training there. We are making it through the night most of the time, staying dry during naps all of the time, and successfully making it to the bathroom 99% of the time – which is a better percentage than some of our friends. The only part of this that we haven’t gotten down is the wiping, which seems like an equally as confusing process to teach as it probably is to learn.

For now, staying in diapers certainly would be a lot less time consuming, a lot less stressful for us, and maintains a much cleaner bathroom. Aiming is a skill that is never mastered. But, this is a major life accomplishment for both Ezra and us that will ultimately make things a lot more freeing. At this point, I can’t remember what I used to fill our conversation quiet moments with before “do you have to go pee? do you have to go poop? are you sure?” entered our lives.

But I’m glad it’s there.

Young Taylor, we will apply your insight and advice as best we can to our everyday life, in every role possible. Thank you for sharing.

written by Taylor

Buried alive, captured and suffocated in the folds.
The dark is so loud and practically blinding.
It gets harder everyday knowing the challenges of the day ahead.
The labels that teens stick on to your back.
It’s hard being yourself as it is.
Engulfed in a life of manufactured personalities.
By everyone turning into what they think they should be.
Music blasting to tune out sound.
Absolutely silent when no one’s around.
Even when your head is throbbing.
Working through a long, endless day.
It seems to be your own hand turning up the volume.
This age of 14 can make your head spin.
Even though it’s the age where life really begins.
Heartbreaks, crying, laughing,
maybe like me, go into depression.
Already, I’ve had one too many therapy sessions.
Just listen now, this is a confession.
Drama is unnecessary, it make me livid.
Talking stuff about others.
Don’t even know them, at least not enough.
See, like I said, 14 is tough.

We were fortunate this year to have the time over Ahna’s spring break to head down to Florida to visit with my Grandparents, and to help them celebrate some pretty dang big milestones. My Grandfather (PopPop) turned 90 back in February, and the two of them are celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary this month. They continue to amaze us by living, working, and operating on their own – in their own house, with their own car, and their own woodshop/workshop. I mean, PopPop (with the help of two good friends) installed a backyard fence recently….seriously. The two of them serve as the foundation for our amazing family, and they are a space-sized pillar of both physical and mental strength, as well as great role models for what a successful relationship should look like. Needless to say, we were very happy to be able to celebrate with them.

While there, we tripped to the Museum of Science and History, and to the beach; but we mostly enjoyed each others company and watching the two of them interact with Ezra. Ezra took to them as soon as we walked into their house for the first time – which is always a concern for someone that young after not seeing them for about two years (thank goodness for lots of pictures to reference on the home computer). We had the occasion to host a party at their house with some close friends and family to celebrate their milestones, and seeing everyone together was such a treat for all of us. Dad and I also took a day to head down to the Palatka area and go bass fishing (12 caught).

Outside of the party, perhaps the highlight of the trip was watching Ezra and PopPop build something together in his shop. They cut out, sanded, painted, and signed a wooden airplane that Ezra was able to bring home with us. Of course, the camera wasn’t too far away, but it will be a great memory for them to share for a lifetime. The other highlight for us was watching Ezra play at the beach. We went over to Jacksonville Beach (Atlantic side of the state), and Ezra just played and giggled in the slightly-too-chill water while we all made every attempt to stay mostly dry.

One morning many years ago, a little boy in Brooklyn named Peter woke up to an amazing sight: fresh snow.

Peter is the hero of the classic children’s book by Ezra Jack Keats, The Snowy Day, which turns 50 this year. Peter has a red snowsuit, a stick just right for knocking snow off of trees, and a snowball in his pocket. And, though this is never mentioned in the text, Peter is African-American.

For the full text, and downloadable audio file: click here.

2012: We have traveled to Europe, Africa, Mexico, and from west coast to east cost – and almost everywhere in between. We have enjoyed countless amazing live concerts, camping trips, and experiences that opened our eyes. We have witnessed friends meet, grow, get married, and have kids. We have seen the highest of the highs, and been to the lowest of the lows. We have seen life, and we have seen death. We have had two beautiful boys, and moved into an amazing house together.

Jobs have changed, housing has changed, friends have changed, families have changed, politics have changed, perspectives have changed, priorities have changed, we have changed…but ‘we’ have not changed. 10 years ago each of us walked into Sancho’s with some friends expecting a fun night of drinks, music, and happiness. Neither of us had any idea how much life was about to change – or how amazing it could be.

Step 1: Procure old ski from basement, having kept it many years for this singular opportunity. Make sure it’s long enough, generally around 200 cm.
Step 2: Get medieval on it. Remove bindings. Make sure to have some variation on the following tools: many screwdrivers of each type, a chisel, a hammer, a dremel tool, and a hack saw.

Step 3: Clean, and paint (if desired).
Step 4: Use a 1.25″ hole saw and drill out places for the shot glasses to go. Realize after you start each hole that you won’t be able to complete the hole because the ski is skinnier than the drill bit. Be satisfied with just creating targets for the shot glasses to end up.

Step 5: Secure the shot glasses on the ski – I used contact cement….still waiting to see if that will be the final answer.

Step 6: Find the stickers that you have been accumulating for years and do your best to NASCAR up the ski with cool stickers from the past. Adds instant credibility to the ShotSki.

Step 7: Trail run. Enjoy the success!