Remembering how to see...

I recently started reading the blog www.chattingatthesky.com and today the author wrote, "Sometimes I write because I have something to say, and other times I write because I want to remember how to see."  I thought that was so poignant and completely true of our experience from last weekend.  So here you go...

Can you imagine not remembering life without your best friend in it?  That's the story of Madelyn and Joey.  They have been best friends since they met when they were 2 1/2 years old.  I'm not talking a-friend-I-like-to-play-with, I'm talking an I-can't-live-without-her, she-helps-me-breathe kind of friendship.  Often, it seems my spirited Madelyn bends her will to no one but Joey.  Joey brings out the absolute best in her, she calms her and loves her unconditionally.  When Madelyn colors pictures or makes a bead bracelet, her first thought is to send it to Joey.  When Joey recently had girl-drama at school, she cried for Madelyn.  They give one another a peace and security that is to be honored and appreciated.



First photo I could find of them together...Madelyn's 3rd birthday



Best friends off to the first day of Kindergarten

 




Celebrating 5 years of friendship

Now on to the Marathon festivities and other photos...we had so much fun cheering on the 1/2 Marathon runners, albeit in the rain.  Then, we had the pleasure of spending the rest of the day with our visitors from Charlotte, the Dodge family after Jamie, Joey's mom, ran the race.  This family has such a special place in our hearts, in part, because of the love they have showered on Madelyn over the years, their willingness to share Joey with us and the priority they, too, place on their friendship.

Cheering in the rain.  They both wore owl shirts and skirts.

This sign was specific for Jamie, who works at being awesome

Kai made it into the Richmond Times-Dispatch with a photo very similar to this one.  The runners LOVED this sign.

Waiting for dinner at the Marriott.  I love this photo because of all the different things happening.

It's been a big day.

Joey used to be afraid of our dogs, but she's gotten over the fear.  Yay Joey!  Notice that the girls are matching again.

Hooray for Fall!

Like many of you, we have been enjoying the Fall season (my favorite) full of pumpkin-flavored treats, fall festivals, cool weather and beautifully colored trees.  We have been busy with homework, tests, lots of playing outside, and enjoying all that Richmond has to offer. Eric and I recently went to an exhibit on Revolutionary Music of the 1860s and 1960s (civil war and civil rights); it was pretty cool.  Last weekend, we all went to a Halloween party at our new friends' house where we snuggled inside sleeping bags and watched Hotel Transylvania on a big sheet-for-a-movie-screen outside.  We also went to the Fine Arts Museum for a Hollywood costumes event. 

 

Rylie started gymnastics a few weeks ago.  She has taken on and off over the past 2-3 years as we can afford it.  This time she is using birthday money and hoping for more funding at Christmas!  Gymnastics is her love!  She also started learning the violin.  They have a wonderful program at school for 4th and 5th graders where all we have to do is supply the instrument and they get free lessons and prepare for a few performances.  Just this week, she earned her yellow belt (similar to marital arts, they earn belts as they gain knowledge and experience).  Similar to when Phoebe teaches Joey the guitar, but won't actually let him touch the guitar (on Friends), Rylie is only authorized right now to pluck the strings, she can't use her bow.  I think that changes with the yellow belt designation.  She is struggling with test-taking, please keep her in your prayers regarding that.  She seems to do fine on homework and classwork, but freezes on tests even though we have studied together and she feels prepared.  I am trying to schedule an appointment with the school counselor next week to see if she can help.  I have a LOT of teacher friends, so if any of you have any advice, send me an email.

Madelyn started soccer classes, too--another school-based program.  So far, she says they just learn to kick the ball every week.  She is really looking forward to a few weeks from now where her BFF, Joey, comes from Charlotte for the weekend and we get to cheer on Joey's mommy and our friend Jill during the Richmond Marathon!

Kai's Halloween Extravaganza Parade!

Superman is ready to protect his buddies from their crazed fans

Enjoying the pumpkin pickin'

In the Pumpkin Patch Labyrinth

Now let's go fill those buckets with chocolate for mommy!

I was going to add a cute video of Kai's class singing this adorable Halloween song, but my tech skills aren't awesome and the video link is so slow that I want to throw the computer right now.  Therefore, to preserve the computer and to allow myself  few minutes to eat candy before picking Kai up from preschool, I am going to PUBLISH!