proof of non-existence...

hello. this is nate....

or rather, the shell of what was once nate.

I don't really exist.

ask jenny.

:)

Proof of existence

Remembering

We sat up until midnight last night watching a great program on the History Channel: "An i-Witness to 9/11." There isn't much to be said that hasn't already been said; not much to show that hasn't already been shown. But Nate and I feel like the day just can't pass by without our acknowledging the tragic loss of life and the reality of our vulnerability, and also reflecting with gratitude on the freedoms offered to us as American citizens.

I remember like it was yesterday hauling it up Broadway on my cruddy 15-speed bike, trying to make sense of what was happening. I was grateful I'd ridden my bike down to work that day; I was teaching at a music school on West 85th Street while completing my Masters degree. Little did I know that public transit would be completely down for several days, and that having my bike that day got me safely-- and quickly, home. Home to our little apartment, where we held onto each other and watched--along with everyone else--the hellish day unfolding, just 7 miles away.

I remember standing in line for several hours to donate blood that afternoon at Columbia University, trying to DO something other than stare at the harsh images on the TV. We were stunned. It was quiet and somber. I remember Nate quietly and severely telling me he would enlist if it was necessary. Standing in line with us was our good friend, who had received a call the previous evening from the law firm he was scheduled to interview for that morning. The firm was based on the 98th floor of the North Tower. The call had been to reschedule: could he come the afternoon of the 11th, rather than in the morning? As he stood with us, he was blank, almost trembling, with shock.

I remember, most profoundly, walking that evening from 38th Street (where Nate's parents were staying a hotel; incredibly, they were visiting that week) all the way back home to 122nd and Amsterdam. This walk took us through Times Square at 9:30 pm. As if we were witnessing a scene from Armageddon, Times Square was utterly dark. It was hollow. It was silent. It was completely surreal. We saw a total of 7 people in the 10 blocks between 40th and 50th Street. Five of them were police officers. The moving marquee strips only showed numbers to call to report missing people. There are no pictures of this. I don't think we would have taken any even if we'd had the camera with us, but this is a picture that will always be ingrained in my memory. It is a haunting picture; one that I hope never to witness again.

I remember. Do you? Where were you on that fateful day?

just livin' MY dream

Threw the kids in the car after breakfast and drove up to Manhattan. Spent the day with 2 sisters, 2 boroughs, 2 crepes, and 2 sleeping kids all the way home. Grant even made it home in time for soccer practice, much to his great relief! (Thank you, Rosh Hashanah.)

Thought I was seeing things when Nate waltzed in at noon not one, not two, but three days this week. This out-patient gig was an unexpected freebie! Put Jack on the kindergarten bus, put Caroline down for her nap, put my feet up, and sipped a smoothie with my man.

Mmm, mmm. Good times.

for the three little people who take up the backseat:

I'm sorry I haven't been very patient this week. I think the end-of-summer restlessness bug was caught by me as much as you. I want you to know that when the house is quiet and the day is done, my mind becomes clear and the events of the day are put in their perspective. And then I go upstairs and I look in on your warm little sleeping bodies, and my eyes are pricked with tears-- how is it that you can grow up right before my eyes? How is it that the "to-do's" so often win over the precious scenes of the present?

Thank you for letting me be your mom. Thank you for being my little ducklings, all in a row-- letting me lead you, teach you, lecture you--and all too often, snap at you--and for loving me anyway. Thank you Jack, for sitting down next to me while I folded laundry and putting your arm around me. Thank you, Grant, for coming in today and telling me you'd smile and be good, even if I still wouldn't let you play Wii. Thank you, Caroline, for demanding that I put everything down and sing to you. I thought I didn't have time, but it turns out-- I did.

The Philanthropist

Me:

"Hey Grant, want to come sit with me while I eat my bowl of cereal for dinner?" (Don't ask.)

Grant:

"Yeah, Mom. Let's go talk about how we can make the world a better place."

If I were President, I would...

...definitely insist on private time in the W.C.

This was my thought today as my (entire) family stood outside the powder room door, chanting:
"Hurry Mom, Hurry Mom, HUR-RY MOM!"

The loudest chanter was the deep booming voice of my husband.

Ah well. Someday....

a link to enjoy

need a laugh? or two? or a hundred?

relax, put your feet up, pop open some bubbly, and enjoy more like these!

you know Nate's on a trauma rotation when...

...the mere sight of his cell phone # on the caller ID is a thrill.

Kinda like he's my boyfriend.

five friday thoughts

1. Havertown needs a splash park.

2. There was only one day this week that I didn't eat ice cream, despite my best intentions.

3. Two skunks have now been spotted 3 times in our backyard.

4. I wrote a check for $28.17 at the library. However, I am now only wanted for library fraud in one state: New York. Maybe there's a statute of limitations...

5. Grant ate salad this week. I know, right?

Is it odd that...

my second son went around spanking every last mannequin at Old Navy today?

Just checkin.'

My husband is a Prophet

I knew I'd chosen a good one when I said yes to his proposal 11 years ago.

He did tell me, however, that I owe him in so many ways.

the Grantologist

early morning McDonalds feast with great friend Daxton, on the day he moved away

Grant has taken to signing his name on his homework and school projects in a very creative fashion: Grantie, Granter, Gran-terrific, Granteronius, and the Grantologist are some of his choices. Good thing his 1st grade teacher was the very chill Mr. Reynolds.

G-money (that's one that Nate actually coined) lives for:

Harry Potter.

That could just about sum it up, but in non-Potter-reading moments, he can be found

playing soccer,

baseball,

riding his bike,

making alphabetical lists of things (still)

trying to talk me into pets,

making up new words to songs,

creating and memorizing jokes (some of which are quite good),

and occasionally, practicing the piano--and,

even more occasionally,

unloading the dishwasher!

Grant is a solid, steady, and thoughtful boy. He's got a sense of humor that keeps me on my toes. He's always in a good mood, and is a friend to many. Including me! I love his "replays" of all his sports-related action moments, even when I have to sit through several dozen per day.

Mr. Jack, the brand-new 5-year-old

Jack continues to prove himself to be the "delightful human" that he declares himself to be. Current loves include LEGOS, LEGOS, LEGOS,

StarWars wii,

making stuff (i.e. enlisting me to help him with inventions such as paper-towel-roll sharks, homemade maracas, and animal trappers),

reading books,

getting tickled (seriously. And he's so squishy that we can't resist him on his generous offers),

sword-fighting,

singing Caroline lullabies before her nap (one of the highlights of my life)

scripture stories,

and U-Haul trucks (??), as evidenced by his request for a "U-Haul Truck Birthday Cake".

Jack is our sensitive, passionate, and loving boy. I adore him.

Plus, he sleeps in the car on a regular basis!

the Queen

Rockin' out to the Madagascar II soundtrack (thanks, Lori and Lucy!),

anything chocolate,

"Baby-Daddy-Mama" (all one word, and her obsession),

"singing" songs at the piano (no one else is allowed within 10 feet),

babies-- dressing, touching, feeding, mauling (no, I am most definitely not pregnant),

Elmo anything,

climbing up slides, but never down them,

giving "loves- not shoves" (as per Grant's constant reminders),

and putting her brothers' underwear on her head daily.

This little lady gives me a run for my money, but we sure love her.

My life is so joyful because of her!

Blogging, Round II

Hello? Hello!

Heaven only knows who's still loyal enough to check in around here.

So.

Nate and I went south to Puerto Rico to celebrate 10 years of marriage.

It was H-O-T!

Anyway, while we were there, my email and our blog was hacked into. Picture "Just Livin' the Dream"-- all in Spanish! We instantly and temporarily decided to make the blog private, without sending anyone an invite. Sorry to those faithful followers who were stumped and possibly insulted-- your requests for invites were inspiring, enough so that I'm going to take another jab at blogging regularly. A daunting thought, indeed! Nevertheless, I am fully committed. Stay tuned...

I must say that I love this man. I love his kindness, his humor, his sarcasm, his friendship, his tolerance (of me), and his amazing ability to balance his obligations with grace and selflessness. And, he's H-O-T. We had a great time, just enjoying each other, and letting everything else....go.

it's all good

On Friday, after a very long, busy, and tiring week, I was walking up a hill with Jack and Caroline in the jogger. Feeling a lump rise in my throat as I thought of all I could've and should've done to be more of an engaging parent this week, I said, "Jack, I want to be a good mom to you! I'm going to do better!"

He said, "It's all good, Mom. You're doin' great."

And then he winked at me (one of his sweeeet 4-year-old skillz.)

Man, this boy is a product of his dad. And it was just what I needed.

Calling All Mothers

Some of you know I'm a closet NieNie fan.

But how could you not be when you see something like this?

Watch, and be inspired.

we are alive

I woke up this morning and decided it was time to get on the ball and post a little update. I'm sure many of our loyal followers have given up on us, but in case you're interested, here are a few pics and a bit of a catch-up for the last couple of months!

Caroline threw our camera into the toilet. So, pics are scarce, but here's a glimpse into our joyfully chaotic world:

Again, camera in the toilet, but I am including this graphic to remind myself that Nate and I had a supremely awesome weekend in Chicago, all to ourselves. Ooh, I fell in love with that city! Nate presented his research at a hoity-toity conference, and boy was I proud. We had a great time: a nice morning run together around Grant Park, a little shopping all on my own (whoa),and some good eats made for some great R&R. I love my husband.

Before the camera in the toilet, I caught some pics of the Queenly One in her debut pigtail appearance! Man, was I proud of myself for maneuvering this production! Too bad they only lasted 20 minutes. Oh well, there is hope.

Here she is again, busily marching her dolly down the street at a remarkable pace. Drive up Hastings Ave and you'll catch her in this pose, at least once a day.

Looking like somewhat of a motley bunch, although mostly pleased, on a rare free Sunday morning (stake conference was at noon), feeding ducks at Haverford College.

Happy 60th, Dad! Oops, did I just say that? We surprised him with every sibling coming to town the week before his birthday. Totally caught him off guard! What a great day!

The Naylor 7, plus a couple of Richards offspring

Ooh, this is big news. Long overdue. Introducing.... GAYLE the PRiUs! Nate's 12-year-old Suburu bit the dust, and this is his green, eco-friendly replacement.

Of course, my cynical spouse had to include a sarcastic wink at all things green. See pic below.

Here's most of my sister-in-laws (a couple weren't in this pic) at our Richards girls' weekend in Utah. I love these ladies. We had a fantastic time.

Here's to posting more frequently! (But don't get your hopes up....)

Little Miss High Society

philly must love onions

Hello everyone, and welcome to the tundra! Sorry my kids aren't featured in these photos; they're a bit too delicate for this weather, apparently. And let's not forget: they're trying to preserve their tans from the beach as long as possible. Beauty over fun, boys!

Such a strange land we live in. I went to the grocery store on Tuesday, before the Big Whammy, to get some "Schtuff." What a trip! No parking spaces. No carts. No eggs. No cheese (as in, NONE.) No bread. No lettuce. No chocolate chips. (c'mon, people!) And... no onions!

As you view these pictures, just think about all the people nestled in their little dens, contentedly munching their onions.