Grayson Year One

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3 years -- CLG

It's been three years. Three years since one of the most incredible people I've ever known has left this earth. We weren't friends for all that long, but he was one of "those people." The kind of people that attract others like magnets with their personalities. He was always happy, fun to be around. He was a great friend to talk to, a great friend to laugh with.

But he was sick.

And as much as he tried to hide the true magnitude of his illness away from us, we knew he was sick.

Cystic Fibrosis.

He's the reason I became an organ donor. One of, if not the last, texts I received from him was asking me if I was a donor. I wasn't then, but I am now.

When I look back at pictures and think of memories it makes me so happy that I got to know him. But at the same time, like a slap in the face, it makes me remember that I wasn't there for him at the end of his life. I got married, I had a baby. I was in my own little happy world. I was oblivious. And it kills me that I wasted those last few months. Why didn't I call more? Why didn't I try and visit? I'll probably always have that regret. This is me atoning to it.

I miss my friend, I wish I had been a better one. Chris, you meant a lot. You still do. Rest in peace my friend.

Fall Hayride

On Friday night we went to White's Old Mill Garden Center, a local plant nursery, for their haunted house (pirate ship) and hayride. I didn't expect it to be that busy of an activity because it wasn't well advertised, but when we pulled in the parking lot was packed. As soon as we walked into the building Asher started asking for popcorn, his latest obsession. I was surprised he remembered since we'd only been there once before. After we grabbed some popcorn we got in line for the hayride. They had two tractors going, so the line moved pretty quickly. They even passed out glow stick necklaces to all the kids in line. It was not only Asher and Isla's first hayride, but mine also. After the hayride we walked through the haunted pirate ship and then let Asher get his face painted. Overall it was a great (free) event, too bad we won't be living here next year.

Family Togetherness

We have been trying to make an effort to spend more quality time together as well as engage Asher more creatively. So we've been going to the park a lot to let him run off energy. We've also been doing a lot of arts and crafts to focus that energy. We've been taking daily walks (even in the rain) and we've even started family game night.

Asher has been attached to his rain coat and boots. In fact his favorite shoes right now are his rain boots. If he could wear them every day, he would.

We took Isla to her first movie a few weekends ago. We went to Cinema Cafe and saw the new Ice Age movie. She "loved" it, and by loved it I mean she fussed a good deal until she fell asleep. At least Asher enjoyed it.


Asher and daddy made party hats one night while I was cooking dinner. Asher has been asking for a birthday, so this was for him.

Photography Equipment

Every October we get part of Stephen's reenlistment bonus, this year I got to buy myself a couple of new lenses for my DSLR camera. A couple days later I came across a posting on Craigslist for some studio style photography equipment, so I had Stephen call to see if it was still available. He called at the perfect time, because the woman had had someone else just fall through on coming to buy it, so she offered it to us instead. We wasted no time and went immediately to pick it up. The listing had been for $250, but she knocked it down to $220 once we got there. I ended up with a 3 light set complete with umbrella deflectors. And also a backdrop stand and two rolls of 107 x 12 savage paper. Everything was brand new and factor sealed with the invoices from Adorama, totaling more than $400 and bought within the last 6 months.

I had to test out my new photography studio setup, so I need a little photoshoot with the kids. I've also offered to shoot some pictures for some friends to build up my portfolio. Eventually I want to start doing this professionally, so this investment will have paid off.

Homemade Toddler Crayons

Ever wonder what to do with all those crayons you get at restaurants? Make toddler crayons of course! I'd seen this mentioned in a couple different places, so we finally decided to try it out.

Stephen and I started by removing the paper from the crayons.

Then we broke them into little pieces. Asher enjoyed that part the best. I mean, what two-year-old doesn't like breaking crayons?

And afterward they went into the oven to melt (150 degrees for 15 mins) and then cool.

Eventually resulting in some pretty neat looking crayons.