tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334583572024-03-13T07:58:33.141-04:00sea & islandsEllethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045045852560538501noreply@blogger.comBlogger593125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33458357.post-26383349318610081022016-07-01T07:30:00.000-04:002016-07-01T07:30:24.987-04:00June Portrait<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It is a Saturday morning in the summertime. We load shovels and buckets, beach towels and sunscreen, chairs and an umbrella in the back of our car. We eat breakfast while we drive in the early morning light down Folly Road. Happy summer music plays on the stereo. We park at 9th Street, cross the one-way street to the walkover and take a deep breath. Only a handful of people arrive before us. We select our spot and kick off our shoes. August and I immediately walk to the water where we fill a bucket and a blue dump truck in the waves. Daddy and Boston get to work with the shovels. We are soon covered in salt and sand and laughing.<br />
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See our other monthly portraits <a href="http://starofelendil.blogspot.com/search/label/portraits">here</a>.Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05419646017058750953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33458357.post-4874483313378986222016-06-30T07:30:00.000-04:002016-06-30T07:30:02.838-04:00Memory Keeping in 2016: 1 Second Films<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Generally, Brandon creates our family movies and I make our year albums. He videos and edits; I journal and snap. We overlap but the final processing of files into tangible projects is fairly exclusive. I wouldn't know where to start making a video ("How do I add a video to iMovie?"). Brandon would be a bit lost pulling together our year books ("What was that cute thing August said on the mountain trip seven months ago?").<br />
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A few months back, I heard about a phone app called <a href="http://www.1secondeveryday.com/">1 Second Everyday</a>. The premise is you combine several one second videos into a longer movie. As a video novice, I was skeptical at first. How could one second of anything be significant? Brandon reassured me that he often includes very short snippets in his longer films and encouraged me to try it. So I downloaded the app and started taking videos of our life. <i>The boys digging in the dirt, August jumping on the bed, a slow pour of coffee, flowers dancing in the breeze. </i>I have just completed my sixth month of these films and I am hooked.<br />
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The app makes the editing incredibly straightforward. Here are a few tips I've learned along the way:<br />
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1. <b>Shoot videos horizontally</b>. This is just a general videography tip. Converting raw films to family movies flow much nicer when shot in a horizontal perspective. This is a good habit to get into now to achieve a consistent aesthetic as you grow your home video collection.<br />
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2. <b>Limit movement</b>. A single second is a very short clip of time. You want one object or the action of the clip to be readily apparent. One way to achieve this is limiting movement. Either keep the camera still and let the object move or keep the object still and move the camera. This is not always necessary of course but fun to experiment with when you have time.<br />
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3. <b>Include the unusual.</b> As the primary caregiver to my two sons, my films are typically filled with dirt, trucks and books. To balance the overload of boys-at-play, I like to include scenes of "other." These can be shots of rain falling, moss blowing in the trees, feet walking, waves pouring in on the shore. Think of the small things in your day that are lovely: shadows on your floorboards, sauce bubbling on the stove, spokes of a bike spinning, a deck of playing cards shuffling.<br />
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<span style="color: black;">4. <b>Import videos</b>. Although I film a lot, I don't take pictures and videos daily. We are naturally going to occupy our time with more diverse activities on the weekends. On any given Saturday, we might collect video from a few hours at the beach, ice cream cone licks and sunset walks to our local park. If you miss a few days here and there, use these extra videos to fill up your week. This decreases the pressure of having to film on days we are too busy and distracted by life. This project is supposed to be fun so I recommend you use the "import video" option to give yourself breathing space. </span></div>
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5. <b>Pay attention to sound.</b> The app doesn't let you mute sound so be sure to pay attention to the sound as you select your clips and snippet them together.<br />
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6. <b>Remember your goal.</b> You are creating a snapshot of your daily rhythms. The films don't have to be high quality to be perfect. <i>Be creative and silly and laugh at yourself</i>.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/clairehloy/">Follow me on Instagram</a> to see more!<br />
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<br />Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05419646017058750953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33458357.post-514586226688628962016-06-06T11:15:00.001-04:002016-06-06T11:15:05.649-04:00May Portrait<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After our dinner, Boston is too dirty to bother wiping off. I strip his clothes and plop him in the clean kitchen sink. He plays with the sprayer and giggles in delight. I give him a plastic bowl and wooden spoon for play. August, of course, wants to join him. I empty the basin next to Boston and lift August into place. After twenty minutes of laughing and splashing and general mess, the boys are clean and ready for pajamas.</div>
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Later that evening as I wash the dinner dishes, I wonder if sinks are made to support the weight of my children. </div>
<br />Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05419646017058750953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33458357.post-67065955783655186072016-05-27T12:07:00.001-04:002016-05-27T12:08:18.850-04:00Twelve Months with Boston Wilder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I started this monthly highlight series on IG when Boston was 4 months old. I've written the first few months after the fact so they are less detailed. Overall, I find this a quick, simple, totally managable memory keeping method. I am gathering them here in one place for easy reference when I compose our 2015 and 2016 family albums. (Organization is my number one memory keeping tip!)<br />
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One month old || expert sling sleeper • dozes to the sound of brother and friends playing • loves watching the wind in the trees • snuggle baby<br />
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Two months old || smiling baby! • sitting in bumbo • expert daytime napper • loves smiling into Mumma and Daddy's face • wants to be held often • enjoys electric swing and bouncer seat • tolerates tummy time with August close at hand<br />
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Three months old || plays with rattles: whale, llama, "pinecone" • sleeps like a champ in the mountains • enjoys story time • laughs during wagon rides around Treetops • hates bath time • splashes in kiddie pool safely in Mumma's arms • observes August in awe and delight • when on the floor, pulls head and legs into the air in a crunch to watch surrounding activity<br />
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Four months old || our bear is getting so big • rolling back and forth • laughing all day with his brother • taking three naps each day • waking (too often) to nurse at night • trying not to fuss as much during car rides • engaging when I read stories • focusing a bit too much on screens for my liking • being adored by all<br />
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Five months old || favorite spot is on my hip where you can laugh with August & Daddy • light up when Daddy is near • cuddle blankets and hide beneath them • tiny tiger teddy is your favorite • laugh in your door swing, even when you're pushed too enthusiastically • suck in your bottom lip and make "little noises" to coo and blow bubbles • early this morning, you rolled between Daddy and Mumma making sounds that were so close to "hi" • tasting licks of Mumma's fruit (orange, apple, banana) • finally calm in the car • your gummy smile rocks my world<br />
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Six months old || rolls on the floor until he's under the mini table and happily stuck • smiles at everyone so long as Mumma's holding him • licks our veg at mealtime • lays and holds a crunch so he can see what's going on in the room • rides space ships, takes baths and snuggles with August • learns to stick out his tiny tongue • enjoys watching passing trees, swinging in all forms, snuggling blankies and chewing toys • has such a calm, laid-back disposition • his chubby legs earn him the nn "tank"<br />
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Seven months old || sits by himself under the tree watching the train go round and round • still loves the view from Mumma's arms • army crawls for his brother's toys • smiles, smiles, smiles • his first two teeth have broken through and if, drool is any indication, another is on the way • babbles "dadadada" when sleepy and when content • soft, chubby babydoll hands<br />
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Eight months old || favorite new game is crawl-chasing August around the living room • "dadada" all day long though still directionless • scoots self from ground to sitting, pulls up on objects, even to standing twice now 😭 • top front teeth ready to break through gums • expert at hiding under chairs, in cardboard trains, between laundry piles • opinionated about feeding himself, by himself • for that matter, opinionated when we take something from him now, things like the space heater, not toys 🙄 • cuddly and squishy and the smiliest baby I've known • laughs right along with August now too 💚<br />
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Nine months old || greets Brandon nightly with "dada" • loves pulling books from the shelf to look at, crawl over, slobber on and chew • plays for long stretches in the cardboard train alone • HATES diaper and clothing changes and being left at church nursery (still) and being spoonfed • army crawls to open doorway to stare at the trees, squirrels, leaves... • gums countless melon wedges on his way to four teeth • beams at his laughing, playing brother • eats everything in sight (finally) so long as he self-feeds • water thief • content, laid-back, adaptable little personality<br />
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Ten months old || "chats" with books and August • stands and watches busy life around • prefers eating raw fruits and peppers and cucumbers (I spoke too soon last month 😳) • determined to pull up on small, easily toppling tables • watches and copycats August (already?!) • dances to two songs (sh-boom and tractor, tractor) every time they play • five teeth and aching with the arrival of six • delights in being outdoors and listening to Dada play the guitar • welcomed 10 months with two new tricks: waving and saying "ta" (thank you) • allows me to snuggle him to sleep now and sleeps upright on Daddy's shoulder (but not mine)<br />
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Eleven months old || smiles, smiles, smiles • stands at our speaker listening to music and bopping his legs up and down • loves swings and trucks and wrecking block towers • fights sleep but naps well • explores the grass, mulch and ramp • wanders his way to the porch, running his fingers along cracked doors until they open • if thwarted, sits at door looking out • kicks his legs when music is playing<br />
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Twelve months old || have you seen this kid smile? • loves music and dancing- whether it's in the car, bathtub, high chair or standing by a speaker- he shimmies his shoulders and bops his butt and waves his arms • if fruit is in sight, forget about it, he has already inhaled it • 7 teeth and another breaking • splashes at the water table • digs in the dirt and sand at A's prompting • waves to strangers • took the tiniest only-a-mom-would-count-it step on 5/4 • responds "ya!" when he wants something and fusses when he's over it • carefully selects the top block off stacked towersClairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05419646017058750953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33458357.post-24235955043853509942016-05-18T10:06:00.000-04:002016-05-18T10:06:44.246-04:00Smells of {Spring in Charleston}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>softly falling rain in the bird fountain</i></div>
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<i>minty lantana leaves as toy trucks brush by</i></div>
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<i>heady carolina jasmine in strangers' yards</i></div>
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<i>dirt on my babies' heads</i></div>
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<i>green grass on our picnic quilts</i></div>
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<i>sea salt through the car windows on our beach drive</i></div>
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<i>sour watermelon dried in Boston's skin</i></div>
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<i>tangy apple juice on our fingers</i></div>
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<i>clean sweat in August's hair</i></div>
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<i>purified wind from the air conditioner</i></div>
<br />Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05419646017058750953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33458357.post-28729468729742232742016-05-16T09:00:00.000-04:002016-05-16T09:00:07.146-04:00My Miracle Labor: The Story of Boston Wilder's Birth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This post is so totally bizarre. I don't know why some pleadings to God are answered and why others aren't. This is my answered prayer. I hope to honor God in the retelling of it. This is the story of Boston's birth and the healing miracle it was for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I cannot recall if I ever shared August's birth story. It was not unusual or extremely long but it was traumatic as birth can sometimes (always?) be. I shared my fear and anxiety approaching Boston's birth </span><a href="http://starofelendil.blogspot.com/2015/02/my-thoughts-on-labor-round-two.html" style="font-family: inherit;">in this post.</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> This post is long and detailed so do skip if you're feeling squeamish or if you are my brother or father. ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have been having contractions for days, perhaps weeks. Each time I think it might result in labor, the contractions stall after using the bathroom or lying down. On Monday May 4th, I drive to the birth center for my 41 week appointment with the midwife. Judy is working but I also speak with Laurie. They tell me I am 4 cm dilated (or is it 5?) and that I am having contractions though they are not painful. They tell me I can wait a few days for natural labor to begin or I can take a labor-inducing cocktail in the morning. I drive home and make sure we are ready for baby's arrival on Tuesday. I quite like the idea of a baby born on 5/5/15 as well as on the same day of the week I was born. I am also anxious about having to be induced in the hospital.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Through the night, the contractions become stronger but they stall out multiple times. Brandon and I decide I should go ahead and take the cocktail. He goes into work at 8:30 to get some things finished up before a few days off. At 8AM, August and I eat oatmeal pancakes with peanut butter. At 9AM, I take the Zofran pill so that I keep the cocktail down and text my mum and small group friends for prayer. Mum is on her way to play with August so I can rest. Lydia is slated to take over August duties when we leave for the birth center so that Mum can come with us. I pour the chilled ingredients into the blender: ¾ cup champagne, 2 tbls castor oil, 4 tbls almond butter, ¾ cup apricot puree. From 9:30-10, I sip the blended cocktail while snuggling August on the couch. It tastes like an oily peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The champagne gives me a lovely, relaxing buzz. I think to myself that I'd like to take a nap when Mum arrives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">At 10:45, we go outside to play with plants and toys. I rearrange and deadhead a few of my planters then straighten the chairs and sweep the porch. While I am sweeping, contractions start up again. I use the restroom and sit for a few minutes to see if they abate. They do not so I text Mum to please hurry and ask Brandon to come home. <i>Now</i>. Because suddenly the contractions are three minutes apart and getting more intense. I stay on the porch, marking contractions, while August takes the broom and sweeps the leaves. Mum arrives just a few minutes later and plays outside with August.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Brandon arrives at 11:20 and has me call the birth center. I only speak with Mary at the front desk but the midwives instruct me to come in. We go upstairs so I can change my clothes and gather my things. The contractions are so strong at this point that I need Brandon pressing on my back. Brandon pulls the car around and has the door open for me. August is playing in Mum's car on the far side of ours. I walk around to Mum's car to kiss August and tell him we will be home soon. I sit in the back seat of our Rav4 while Brandon drives. Mum will come along later once Lydia is available to watch August. As we pull out of the driveway, August watches and waves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We leave the house around 11:50 and this is the longest car ride of my life. The lunchtime traffic and bumps along I-26 make the drive extremely painful. The contractions are painful across my stomach and into my back. Sitting is extremely uncomfortable so I sort of stand hunched over in the back seat. I use the contraction tracker to anticipate the oncoming wave. Brandon uses the CD track counter to talk me through each contraction. The urge to push comes a few times in the car but I refuse to deliver this baby in the car. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">At 12:10, we arrive at Charleston Birth Place. I immediately jump from the car between contractions so that I can stand through the next one. I am sick in the parking lot. Both Laurie and Erin come out to the car to greet us and escort us into the birthing suite. Laurie, my preference, is to be my midwife. They have the tub filling for me and we wait for it to finish. I labor for a few minutes beside the bed with Brandon pressing on my lower back. Laurie tells me she does not need to check my dilation and indicates I can get in the tub at any time. I want to ask about the nitrous oxide but things are moving so fast. Each contraction feels different and the pain moves around my back. I think Brandon is frustrated with me changing the pressure points with each contraction. I know I am not communicating clearly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After about 30 minutes in the tub, I say that I want to go to sleep. I am overwhelmingly tired as if I have been suddenly drugged. I rest my head on the side of the tub. The steps are in front of me. Brandon is at my back. Laurie is kneeling beside the tub. She asks me if I have felt my water break (no) and tells me if I'm urging to bear down, to do so. I can't believe what she is telling me. I move to all fours, leaning on the steps. I push through a few contractions without feeling any change. At one point, the pain is so intense I panic and lose focus between contractions. I am breathing very fast and intensely. The nurse comes to my head and encourages me to slow my breathing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I feel a shift and I start saying "oh! oh! oh! baby!" I am trying to let Laurie know the time is close. Boston crowns through two searing contractions. At this point, the only difference between a contraction and no contraction is the urge to push. The pain is incredible and stretching. On the third contraction, his head is born. I don't realize this at first and I panic a bit; I have a strong, ridiculous urge to run away. Laurie confirms the head is born and I calm down knowing this will be done on the next contraction. Boston Wilder is born at 12:53PM as Andrew Peterson's Don't you Want to Thank Someone plays on the stereo. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Laurie lifts Boston and hands him to me. I flip from my knees backwards to rest in Brandon's arms, ecstatic and disbelieving our boy is here so quickly. I truly cannot believe it. We hold him. Brandon is holding my arms as Boston rests in my hands. He is so silent and Laurie is rubbing, rubbing, rubbing. We just speak gently to him as Laurie rubs. As concern sets in, he lets out a little cry. She explains to us that he is born "en caul" meaning the amniotic sac was still around him. I hold Boston for several minutes before they clamp the cord. Brandon eventually cuts it. Meanwhile, Boston opens his little eyes and looks around at us, so aware of this new life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The nurse takes Boston from me. Brandon gets out of the tub to rinse off and change. Laurie helps me out of the tub and over to the bed. They give me a pitocin shot. The placenta is loose and deteriorating. There is a knot in the cord. The afterbirth pains are much more intense this time. My lower back and tailbone feel bruised. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Brandon holds Boston for just a few minutes and then they transfer him to my chest. Brandon walks to the parking lot to see if Mum and Dad have arrived. Dad has just pulled into the parking lot and cannot believe the news. He comes straight in to see Boston and Mum arrives shortly after. They stay for the next four hours as they monitor me and Boston. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">We take pictures, chat with the visiting staff next door, try to nurse, take footprints, use the bathroom and wait on lab tests. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Boston's blood is O+, he is 9lbs exactly, 21 inches long. His head is 14 inches around and he scored an 8/9 on his APGAR. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We leave at 4:45 and drive home through rush hour traffic. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">When we arrive home, Grammie, Lydia and Betty are in the yard entertaining August. August runs over to our car. He climbs in the back seat with me and Boston. He says "hi baby!" and stares at him, super sweet and very curious. Then he realizes he is in our car and declares, "play! car!" and climbs up front. We unload and introduce Boston to his doting family. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">August asks to hold Boston several times. "Hand, take" he says with outstretched arms and dancing fingers. After his bath, we let him hold Boston. August gives unprompted kisses and smiles. All four of us Loys pile in our bed and read stories together before August goes to bed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">No one can believe I only labored for two hours, especially me. The whole day feels like a wonderful dream. Brandon's co-workers thought he was still on lunch break when he texted in a picture. My dear friends were still responding with "yes, I will pray for you" well after I was holding Boston. This birth was healing in so many ways and was a straight up miracle gift from the Lord.</span>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05419646017058750953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33458357.post-28532572740592746082016-05-15T11:52:00.003-04:002016-05-15T12:02:31.560-04:00Meet the Bear: Part 4 || A Loy Family Video<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is part four and my favorite section. Isn't Brandon a genius at pulling your heart strings? This final section sums up the last two months of Boston's first year. The final song in the film, Don't You Want to Thank Someone, is the song that played as Boston was born. As always, thanks for watching and participating in the joy we receive from these two boys.<br />
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Photo by Janie Koike of <a href="http://lifewritingphotography.zenfolio.com/">Life Writing Photography</a>, shared with permission.<br />
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To view parts 1-3, <a href="http://starofelendil.blogspot.com/search/label/meet%20the%20bear">click here</a>.<br />
<br />Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05419646017058750953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33458357.post-13838821058154771312016-05-13T10:33:00.000-04:002016-05-13T10:33:45.937-04:00Meet the Bear: Part 3 || A Loy Family Video<div style="text-align: center;">
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This is the third part of Boston's First Year: November 2015 to February 2016. Our Boston Bear is 6 - 9 months old. He starts crawling and the boys play together. August looses a bit of his baby voice and composes longer sentences. His growing vocabulary is a delight.</div>
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Thanks for watching. <i>For other films in this series, <a href="http://starofelendil.blogspot.com/search/label/meet%20the%20bear">click here.</a></i>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05419646017058750953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33458357.post-38588248802050389982016-05-12T10:55:00.002-04:002016-05-12T10:56:05.378-04:00Meet the Bear: Part 2 || A Loy Family Video<div style="text-align: center;">
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Here is Part 2 of our Boston film, spanning July to October 2015. Boston is 2 to 5 months old here; August is 2.5 and in the thick of potty training. (Insert hair-pulling emoji here.) The summer was long and hot and sticky; we splashed in a lot of water and took a lot of early morning walks to the park. I also bought a lot of bags of pebble ice from our local Sonic. Anyhow, enjoy this little collection from our days with our sons.</div>
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For other films in this series, <a href="http://starofelendil.blogspot.com/search/label/meet%20the%20bear">click here.</a></div>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05419646017058750953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33458357.post-83393605630506813002016-05-09T08:48:00.000-04:002016-05-09T10:54:23.930-04:00Meet the Bear: Part 1 || A Loy Family Video<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Meet the Bear </i>documents Boston Wilder's first year with us. The end product is over an hour so I will be posting it in four parts here this week. Every time Brandon makes a film, I am overwhelmed with appreciation for his talent and this beautiful life we have together.<br />
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Thanks for watching. Let us know what you think.Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05419646017058750953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33458357.post-82944398152203568192016-05-04T14:14:00.000-04:002016-05-04T14:14:01.673-04:00April Portrait<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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August gathers the toys: wooden digger, plastic shovel, several sticks. He removes his clothing down to his underwear "so they don't get dirty." Barefoot, he sits in the dirt driveway with his toys around him. He scoops and digs and scrapes. </div>
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After a minute or two, he asks us to join him. I carry Boston in his green onesie and place him on the ground beside August. </div>
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"The wind is blowing, August. Watch that the dirt doesn't get in BB's eyes." </div>
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I stand back and watch them play together. Boston eats the shovel. August scoops dirt and watches it blow away in the breeze. Their eyes meet and they both giggle. </div>
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We will have baths before dinner tonight. </div>
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***</div>
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<i>Photo taken by Janie of <a href="http://lifewritingphotography.zenfolio.com/">Life Writing Photography</a>. This is one of the many gorgeous shots she took in our family mini-session this Spring. I plan to post several more in a few days after the birthday hustle has died down. If you are local, I highly recommend her services.</i></div>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05419646017058750953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33458357.post-28111581081951528332016-05-02T09:51:00.002-04:002016-05-02T09:51:38.531-04:00The Best.<br />
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One Saturday morning in May, I am bubbling with nervous excitement while a stranger styles my hair in my mother's James Island bathroom.<br />
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Friends and family are busy throughout the house with preparations. One making crepes, another de-petalling 4 dozen roses, another on the phone with the florist inquiring why purple lilies arrived instead of "pure white."<br />
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And little do I know the day's mishaps have only just begun. MapQuest will send several guests (including our pastor) to a house an hour's drive from Old Sheldon Church. But what is a wedding day without a good story? (And thankfully no one uses MapQuest anymore.)<br />
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I sit with coffee cup in hand to counteract two hours sleep. I soak in the bustle around me and hope to savor every moment.<br />
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Because this will be one of the best days of my life. The quiet moments together, the willing help of friends, the laughter with family. Eating, drinking and dancing, dancing, dancing. The commitment to live our lives together.<br />
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Easily, the best.<br />
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<i>Happy 7, B. Thank you for being the most splendid thing that has ever happened. I love you.</i></div>
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Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05419646017058750953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33458357.post-46947684555711644702016-04-07T11:19:00.002-04:002016-04-07T11:19:16.927-04:00A Letter to my Son || August Ransom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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To my son on the eve of your 3rd birthday-<br />
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You. You are totally unadulterated you.<br />
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You know the words to all Daddy's songs. You ride in the car with sunglasses on, bopping your head to the music. Every new song, you ask the title and memorize it. You pick up any longish object- bubble wand, stick, tennis racket, remote control- and play your "keetar" (guitar).<br />
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Sometimes when you run, you kick your feet up until they knock you in the bottom. You love to run. Your face is lit in wonder at the world around you as you spread your arms and sweep the yard.<br />
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You would eat "sis-al" (cereal) all day if I let you. You love French fries, fruit, smoothies and jasmine rice.<br />
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You love sleeping with us at night and naptime. You snuggle up with Daddy and wake up smiling.<br />
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You love leaving the house. "Where we going today?" Today, you woke from your nap and asked me to go to Target and buy a vacuum truck.<br />
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You beckon cousins, uncles, friends to play "hey you kids, this way." And you know to pry aunts and uncles for snacks and treats.<br />
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You ask how people's days are, thank them for playing, share pretend food from your kitchen, and reply "I'd be happy to" when a request for help is made. Your heart is big and welcoming.<br />
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What a year it has been...<br />
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You potty trained and moved to a twin bed. You became a big brother. You learned the alphabet and your numbers and your colors. You started washing dishes, taking showers with Daddy, learning directions to different parks. You started setting the table and getting snacks for you and Boston.<br />
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You went in a bat cave and up a mountain and met talking Mickey and Mary Poppins and Pooh Bear. You classified your teddies by mood and Happy Sneezy won the spot as beloved teddie. You discovered the Bernstein bears and the world of Playmobils. You named every park in town and ran naked on the beach.<br />
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This year has been brimful but there were many moments I was not able to savor. You weren't two for a month when your brother arrived and spun me into an 8 month sleep deprived fog. I missed a lot of you this year. But on this, the last day of being 2, I watched and played and laughed and giggled with you. I savored you as son and I as your mother. Daddy took Boston up to the bath and you said you'd wait for me because "monkey man is always with Mumma." Perhaps my fogginess this year didn't harm you as I feared it might.<br />
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Dear one, you will never know what you mean to me and how you bless me just by being you.<br />
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Keep the wonder.<br />
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Forever,<br />
Your mummaClairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05419646017058750953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33458357.post-51331196108814984072016-04-05T14:01:00.005-04:002016-04-05T14:01:49.238-04:00March Portrait<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cgzCiOg8Utc/Vv7LkeAmd7I/AAAAAAAAGNw/xyAVR6phI7048MUt7G-5CoOX9z-fc-UEA/s1600/March%2BPortrait-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cgzCiOg8Utc/Vv7LkeAmd7I/AAAAAAAAGNw/xyAVR6phI7048MUt7G-5CoOX9z-fc-UEA/s1600/March%2BPortrait-1.jpg" /></a></div>
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Their relationship is best defined as "follow the leader." Boston crawls so August crawls. August laughs so Boston laughs. Boston throws his food on the floor so August throws his too. August plays with trucks and Boston is not far behind. They join forces in testing boundaries and teaming up against Mumma now. May they one day use this mutual attraction to challenge and encourage each other to walk the Lord's path.Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05419646017058750953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33458357.post-27172991580403718992016-03-14T10:20:00.003-04:002016-03-14T10:20:41.003-04:00February Portrait<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zm134HxcT3E/VubHQynYVBI/AAAAAAAAGNc/ElFLqh-kxfEGmjUUbXj6GVRi-NvGINGXg/s1600/February%2BPortrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zm134HxcT3E/VubHQynYVBI/AAAAAAAAGNc/ElFLqh-kxfEGmjUUbXj6GVRi-NvGINGXg/s1600/February%2BPortrait.jpg" /></a></div>
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Brotherhood. A privilege to behold the unfolding and development of their precious relationship. One clearly ready for the other to grow up for games of chase, truck smashing, bubble popping. The other adoring and admiring and stretching himself to join. One encouraging, one following close behind. They lose themselves in fits of giggles, dance to the same songs, play with the same beloved toys. It won't be long before they are plotting and planning adventure together. May they always be friends. May they always look out for each other.</div>
<br />Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05419646017058750953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33458357.post-7210824292004564492016-02-12T09:00:00.000-05:002016-02-12T09:00:34.133-05:00The Weekend.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Weekends are everyone's favorite. We take turns sleeping in and napping. We cook big, time-consuming breakfasts of pancakes, yogurt and strawberries or waffles with syrup and blueberries or eggs, bacon and grits. We go to Baguette Magic or Bagel Nation for pastries, coffee and breakfast sandwiches. We play games on the floor and kick the ball in the yard. We drive to the store and shop as a family. We watch movies, make pizza and pop popcorn. We make effort to preserve our weekends, to savor our time together, to rest amongst those dearest to our hearts. We try to enjoy the weekdays too, but nothing is as sweet as the weekend.<br />
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<i>May your Valentine's weekend be filled with the finest of things.</i><br />
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Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05419646017058750953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33458357.post-70154508493155200882016-02-05T08:00:00.000-05:002016-02-05T09:35:17.691-05:00January Portrait<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wFq4hkyPRPo/VrIjuv0cVuI/AAAAAAAAGLw/64eq1rxvujw/s1600/January%2BPortrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wFq4hkyPRPo/VrIjuv0cVuI/AAAAAAAAGLw/64eq1rxvujw/s1600/January%2BPortrait.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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We live in Grammie's backyard. Her brick house has a long wooden ramp off the back porch for easy access for the elder members of our family. But no one delights more in this ramp than August. Every sunshine moment, he asks to race trucks on Grammie's ramp. </div>
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In the afternoon, after the boys wake from their naps, we drive the trucks over to Grammie's ramp. August runs up and down the ramp, pushing his yellow metal Tonka truck. I kick his blue plastic truck up the ramp to him. The wheels are smaller than the Tonka wheels so it gets stuck often. Boston squeals in my arms. To the joy of both boys, I sit Boston in the back of the blue truck and push him up the ramp, down the ramp and through the grassy yard. They giggle in delight.</div>
<br />Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05419646017058750953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33458357.post-80131052962932347342016-02-03T15:48:00.002-05:002016-02-04T10:44:33.308-05:00The 52 Project: What I Learned<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Week 42 of 52</td></tr>
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<a href="http://starofelendil.blogspot.com/search/label/the52project">The 52 Project</a> was a challenge to take a portrait of my boys once a week every week in 2015. Whew! What an undertaking! I recently finalized the project and I am here to tell you that it ended up being just as big of an undertaking as I thought it would. At no point did I think to myself "my, this is a simple memory keeping process." I learned a few things in the process:</div>
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<li><b>Set up a weekly processing time</b>. I should have established a method for weekly picture selection and editing. I thought a blog post would be incentive enough to keep me on track but as soon as I fell behind, I had little motivation to catch up. I would have had more success had I scheduled a set time each week.</li>
<li><b>Take pictures with portraits in mind</b>. I intended to use this as an exercise developing my portrait photography. In reality, I scanned the images I shot throughout the week and picked my favorite. As a result, I do not think my portraiture or photographic eye developed much as a result of this project.</li>
<li><b>Learn your photography style</b>. I am not sure if that is even a legitimate term but what I mean is that I prefer images that capture bits of the subject's character. Some weeks I selected pictures that were just good, clear photographs. But my favorite images from the year- the ones I want to blow up and hang in frames throughout our home- are the ones where August and Boston's character is oozing through. -- August, bent in concentration stirring a puddle with a yellow leaf. Boston, determined to sleep through company with his jaw set tight and his head cocked up. -- This realization about my photographic style might have made the whole effort worth it. </li>
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In hindsight, I realize that I should not have tried to take on this project the year we added a baby to the family. That was HARD. In addition to our regular family memory keeping practices, Brandon and I already have a rigorous "first year of baby" documenting process. I've shared a bit about my process <a href="http://starofelendil.blogspot.com/2015/09/how-i-document-my-childrens-first-years.html">here</a>. Brandon makes seasonal short films of the boys in order to compile one long movie highlighting the first year of life. Adding a weekly portrait goal was a bit overwhelming. I am not sure what I am going to do with the pictures. Our family albums are already brimful of pictures and memories. Perhaps I will use these pictures as a sort of highlights reel photobook of its own. </div>
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I may try this again in a few years but I do not think this is going to be a central element to our memory keeping framework. That is what I love about memory keeping though- you can easily try new elements and drop old ones that do not work. In 2014, I took a monthly photo of our family of three. In 2015, I took weekly individual portraits of our sons. In 2016, I am going to take monthly portraits of our boys. My aim in the photos is to capture their relationship dynamic. </div>
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What are your memory keeping goals for 2016? Are you trying a new practice? I would love to hear.</div>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05419646017058750953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33458357.post-52773423302177673822016-02-02T17:18:00.000-05:002016-02-02T17:19:17.250-05:00Made to Play: December 2015 Family Video<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This was our December and Boston's first Christmas. </div>
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(A note on video quality: Unfortunately, blogger will not allow me to upload a larger resolution video. I recommend you do not watch it in full screen. Cheers.)Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05419646017058750953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33458357.post-52569639692461857222016-01-28T07:00:00.000-05:002016-01-28T07:00:09.369-05:00Capture the Day Session: Winter 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our Day<br />
January 22, 2016<br />
54 degrees and rainy<br />
James Island, SC<br />
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8:30 am<br />
The boys are both up in the night. Boston falls asleep after an hour of wakefulness around 3 am and doesn't wake until twenty to nine. August joins us in bed at 6:30 and sleeps until just past 8. We send him to his room for about 20 minutes. He sneaks back in with two white cards from the inside of his library books. He hands one to me and says, "here is your ticket, sir." Brandon gets in the shower for work as August takes his place, turning our bed into a train. He brings his magna doodle with him. He drops it on my face. "You draw a truck for me, sir?" I am drowsy from sleep but rise to dress before Boston wakes. Brandon and August go downstairs and I join them with Boston a few minutes later. Boston is all smiles after a five hour stretch of sleep. I start the coffee before Brandon offers to take over the task for me.<br />
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9:00 am<br />
Brandon leaves for work and I prepare a breakfast of leftover chai waffles and oatmeal pancakes. I whip up a quick raspberry and blueberry compote and top them with almond butter before slathering with the fruit. Boston drinks water and eats some waffle. I clean them both up and straighten the kitchen. August asks for "sesal" (cereal) so I give him Cheerios in a yellow bowl. We pick two truck pictures for August to color "for marker time, not crayon time." Boston plays with various rattle toys on the floor. He works his way to the little white table and suddenly pulls himself up to stand at it. He grabs the bowl of Cheerios and spills them everywhere. August is a pretty good sport and laughs about it with me as we whisk them out of Boston's way.<br />
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10:00 am<br />
The boys play in the cardboard train, our very own Monkey Man Express. My old green trunk is behind it and August has taken to calling it a freight car. He asks repeatedly for me to "put Boston on the freight car, Mumma." At half past, Boston and I go upstairs for nursing and naptime. It is dark and quiet from the rain. I rock him in our glider and hold him close for a few precious moments.<br />
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11:00 am<br />
August and I rearrange and clean the downstairs a bit. We roll up the rug to return to Lowe's, move the desk to the French doors, vacuum, dust and bring down the art easel. Boston wakes at 11:40 when I go upstairs to retrieve Sneezy for August. We listen to Charlotte's Web on audiobook as we play and work. The boys play on either side of the plastic-wrapped rug: August with his playmobils and Boston with the Monkey Man Express and various toys within.<br />
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12:00 pm<br />
Boston moves over the floor by pushing himself to sitting then launching forward in the opposite direction. He dives back and forth over the rolled-up rug. I turn on Rend Collective Pandora station and begin to prepare our lunch. We are eating a variety of leftovers: sweet potatoes for Boston, a roast beef sandwich for August and beef stew for me.<br />
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1:00 pm<br />
After I clean the boys up from their lunch, I carry them both upstairs. The rain is still falling and covering our porch and stairs. They play for twenty minutes with the police car and monster truck. Boston crawls around the room squealing. I read a "Mater" story to August on the couch. Because I'm feeling brave or foolish or curious, I set up the pack n play in August's room. We are going to try napping the boys together in the afternoon. I nurse Boston on the couch while August reads books on our bed. Boston fusses when I put him down so I read two stories to August and reheat a cup of coffee.<br />
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2:00 pm<br />
Once Boston settles, I put August in his bed. He snuggles in, plays with his magna doodle and falls asleep within 15 minutes. I sip my coffee, text mom about our packing day tomorrow and open my book to read.<br />
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3:00 pm<br />
Boston wakes crying so I quickly close my book and scoop him up before he wakes August. Within 15 minutes, August is also awake. Downstairs, Boston plays on the floor with his toys, I make pizza dough for dinner and August watches Thomas: Splish, Splash, Splosh. We all eat apple slices and August pulls the cookie butter from the cupboard. His smile is too charming to turn down. I catch up on my Capture the Day notes and play with squeely Boston. August brings his empty bowl. "What do I want?" "I don't know, August What do you want?" "Something. Something like Cheerios or puffs." I give him a few wheat thins.<br />
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4:00 pm<br />
Boston and I are dancing around the kitchen when Thomas ends. August comes in and runs circles around us sort of hopping and skipping at once. "Splish splash splosh!" he cries as he dances with Sneezy in the kitchen. Then he stops and hugs Sneezy to his chest. "Oh, Sneezy it's ok. You don't like being wet. I'll sit here beside you while you dry." They sit on kitchen floor next to each other for a few seconds. I snap a picture. August turns around and says "no Mumma, no picture."<br />
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During this commiserating, Boston crawls to the living room. I look up and he is under the coffee table going straight for Chopper (our heater). We dash over to stop him. August thinks it is a great laugh that Boston crawled under the coffee table and joins him. They both move on to the rolled up rug once more. I explain to August that we will be returning it to Lowe's. I then say, "I am going to take you back to the store to live at Lowe's too." He stares at me, assessing. "No," he answers sternly. "I can't live there alone. I put my work shirt on and I get a piece of wood and I build a house. For you and Boston and Daddy and me." He smiles, proud of his idea.<br />
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5:00 pm<br />
Brandon returns from work early and we video call David to wish him a happy birthday. The kids show each other their toys and talk about presents. August tells David he has a train table and David says "wow! that costs a lot of money." I roll out the pizza dough on parchment paper and top the pizzas with sauce, tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. While the pizza bakes, I pop popcorn on the stove and set the table.<br />
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6:00 pm<br />
August fusses when it is time to clean up his kinetic sand. He likes to bury his trucks in the "dribbly" sand. Once I show him the bowl of popcorn, he scurries off to the bathroom to clean up. We eat fast tonight. Boston munches on apple slices and sweet potato. He squeals for water often. Brandon and August clean dishes while Boston and I tidy the toys.<br />
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7:00 pm<br />
Upstairs, we dress the boys in their pajamas. August requests that I change him so Brandon struggles with Boston's flailing limbs. The night changing is the most difficult as Boston is squirmy and irritable. August brushes his teeth then runs off to play with his train table. We give Boston a bit more water and wrap him in his night blanket. August comes into Boston's nook to turn on his sound machine and say goodnight. I nurse and rock Boston to sleep. Brandon reads "Train" and "Bobbo Goes to School" to August before prayers and bed. I sneak into August's room for a good night hug and read him one last book in bed. I use my phone as a flashlight and try to make it seem like a special treat. August requests I read another book but I tell him its time for bed. I ask him to list three things he is thankful for. "Umm... I am thankful for treats and eyes- eyes that come off, and heads- heads that come off." "Whose heads come off?" "My head and yours and Pops." We talk for a few more minutes, I get him a tissue and kiss him good night. On the way out the door, I call out "Good night, Chitty Chitty." He responds, "Love you. *muah muah* You stay in bed, Mumma."<br />
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8:00 pm<br />
Brandon rests in our bed upstairs while I settle August. We change into our comfortable clothes and go downstairs. The monitor is on so we can watch August to be sure he stays in bed. I write up our evening for our Capture the Day and Brandon watches Ridiculousness. I brew a pot of tea for us: Mum's own recipe called Long Purples filled with calming and immune boosting herbs. We watch The Big Short.<br />
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11:30 pm<br />
The Big Short ends and miraculously Boston sleeps through it. Brandon and I discuss the film for a few minutes, we talk about our 9/11 memories and of his dad as a banker. Boston stirs about quarter to 12 so we both go upstairs. Brandon watches the monitor as I move into the dark nook. He tells me later: "You should have seen his face when you walked in. Big smile." I nurse and rock until past midnight.Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05419646017058750953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33458357.post-25007204349590247532016-01-20T08:00:00.000-05:002016-01-20T08:00:22.728-05:002016: A Word and A Verse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As I noted on <a href="http://starofelendil.blogspot.com/2016/01/2015-olw-review-today.html">Monday</a>, I take the better part of January to process the turning of the year. I have been mulling over our family's One Little Word (OLW) and Scripture for several weeks, waiting to be sure.<br />
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2016's Word: <b>MOVE</b><br />
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2016's Verse: <b>Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms...</b> I Peter 4:10<br />
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It is not without some trepidation that I choose this word. First of all, my parents have moved 15 times in 39 years of marriage. Brandon and I moved four times in our first year alone! We are planning on staying at Treetops for several more years so I prayerfully hope 2016 will not include a house move for the Loys. Second of all, we are <u>so</u> tired. We are in a tricky time with the boys where Boston is not yet sleeping through the night and August is enjoying the freedom-to-wander that comes with a real bed. I hesitate to choose a word that can so easily become "do more things!" I am aware of both of these interpretations of "move," but I do not think they represent our year.<br />
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Allow me to share my prayer for the year:<br />
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<i>May HE move our hearts towards prayer and move our compassion into action.</i></div>
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<i>May we join the movement of our children on the floor, in the yard, at the park.</i></div>
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<i>May our thoughts and dreams move into deeds and passions.</i></div>
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<i>May the blessing of today move us to serve grace to each other, and to others.</i></div>
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<i>May the quiet of our days together fuel the movement of our lives.</i></div>
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<i>May this be a year of growth and development and progress as a family.</i></div>
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This year I will be documenting my progress with posts here as well as on <a href="http://instagram.com/clairehloy/" style="color: #45818e; text-decoration: none;">Instagram</a> using the post tag and IG hashtag <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/loysonthemove2016/">#Loysonthemove2016</a>. You can read more about last year's <a href="http://starofelendil.blogspot.com/2015/01/2015-word-and-verse.html">Word and Verse</a> as well as my <a href="http://starofelendil.blogspot.com/2016/01/2015-olw-review-today.html">recap of the 2015</a>.</div>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05419646017058750953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33458357.post-62804000967445125522016-01-18T14:55:00.003-05:002016-01-18T14:55:47.162-05:002015 OLW Review: Today<div style="text-align: center;">
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<i>Gratitude... claims the truth that all of life is pure gift.</i> </blockquote>
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<i>-Henri Nouwen </i></blockquote>
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I have learned that I take about a month to process the completion of a year. I have spent the last few weeks jotting thoughts as they arise. The Christmas season is a beautiful one and I have worked hard in recent years to slow the hustle. But, try as I might, company and family and activities still require energy and they leave me drained (obviously an introvert here). I definitely need plenty of time after the holidays to process our year. Without further ado...<br />
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2015: garage renovation, spring travel, a two-year-old, Little Loy #2, potty training, hot summer days, a mountain escape, fall football Saturdays.<br />
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We started the year living in a one bedroom apartment. Brandon worked every spare minute on the garage renovation. I was pregnant and only Brandon knew the baby's gender. This pregnancy left me bed-ridden with nausea and fatigue for the better part of nine months. August played happily on the upstairs porch and in Grammie's wide backyard.<br />
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By April 5th, Easter Sunday, the downstairs was completed. We celebrated August's birthday and tried to relax in the weeks leading up to Boston's birth. He took a long time, over 41 weeks, but when he decided to come, he arrived fast and chubby and happy. Then began the long hot summer of transitioning to a family of four, potty training August and postpartum recovery. </div>
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In April, we met our newest nephew: Carver Blake. In May, Grandma and Papi came to meet Boston and play with August. In June, we welcomed 11 dear friends into our home (4 adults, 7 children) for a long weekend of sleepovers and coffee (and other things too). In July, we played everyday at the beach or in the kiddie pool. In mid-August, we escaped for a week to the mountains with my folks and Abram. In September, we hid inside because I couldn't handle sweating another drop. </div>
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October was a breathe of fresh air. The five months of post-partum fog and rollercoaster emotion lifted. I felt more like myself every day the weather turned cooler and crisper. We moved through the fall months with busyness and joy. Clemson played an undefeated football season and rode the polls to the number 1 ranking on their way to the National Championship. Brandon worked long hours. We travelled to Greenville for Thanksgiving and Orlando for an early Christmas with Grandma and Papi. We rode carousels and hayrides and ate all.the.things. Before I knew what was happening, New Year's Eve arrived with college football playoff games and a Jump Little Children concert.<br />
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2016 began...<br />
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What a full and intense and difficult year 2015 was. I was constantly washed in grace from the Lord as He gently reminded me to "live in TODAY, live for TODAY, you only have to face TODAY." What generous grace to be given the gift of a year to focus one-day-at-a-time.<br />
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In the fall, my Bible study worked through Henri Nouwen's <i>The Return of the Prodigal Son. </i>The entire book is filled with beautiful revelations about the Christian faith but one particular section stuck with me:<br />
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The discipline of gratitude is the explicit effort to acknowledge that all I am and have is given to me as a gift of love, a gift to be celebrated with joy. ... Acts of gratitude make one grateful because step-by-step they reveal that all is grace.</blockquote>
In directing my focus to the daily tasks, the daily challenges and the daily joys, I see now that the Lord was calling me to a year of disciplined gratitude. I was being shown the gift of grace- a perspective I sorely needed. When I glance back through <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/theloystoday2015/">my IG posts of #theLoystoday2015</a>, my heart is thankful that I did not take the minutia for granted (at least not all the time).<br />
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I will end here with our family verse from 2015: <b style="font-family: Arimo;">This is the day which the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118: 24</b></div>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05419646017058750953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33458357.post-6651583497210558602015-11-03T21:51:00.001-05:002015-11-03T21:51:29.380-05:00In Honor of Clemson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Because Clemson football is ranked the number 1 football team, meet Boston's best friend: Tigee.</div>
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<br />Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05419646017058750953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33458357.post-87704315117037727432015-10-30T14:06:00.001-04:002015-10-30T14:06:50.727-04:00at home: a homemaking series || breakfast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When we moved to Treetops, we purged most appliances from our kitchen cupboards but I could not part with our waffle iron. Crispy homemade waffles are a favorite indulgence for us. Saturday morning breakfast is a luxury of time, chatter and taste.</div>
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Having a go-to breakfast option is key when company is in town or when you want to make your family a slow, delicious breakfast. I have a few breakfast favorites in my recipe box, so today I'm sharing with you my waffle recipe. </div>
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Make them this weekend. Serve them with berries and syrup or cooked apples. Treat your family to an end of October delight.</div>
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Belgian Waffles</div>
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2 c flour</div>
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¾ c sugar</div>
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3 ½ t baking powder</div>
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2 eggs, separated</div>
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1 ½ c milk</div>
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½ c butter, melted*</div>
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1 t vanilla extract</div>
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<ol>
<li>In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder</li>
<li>In a separate bowl, lightly beat egg yolks. Add milk, butter, vanilla. Mix well.</li>
<li>Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients just until combined.</li>
<li>Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form; fold into batter.</li>
<li>Bake in preheated waffle iron until edges are crispy.</li>
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*You can add more butter if you like them extra crispy, all the way up to 1 cup.</div>
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<i>We love breakfast here. Do you have a good French toast recipe? It is Brandon's favorite breakfast option and I don't ever make it for him. Help a girl out. </i></div>
<br />Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05419646017058750953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33458357.post-40464075991154361632015-10-08T21:03:00.001-04:002015-10-08T21:03:41.700-04:00Making Me Smile<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ne8htjakDT0/VhcNdNOHpsI/AAAAAAAAGE8/WLfpST2DYGM/s1600/AUPrints1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ne8htjakDT0/VhcNdNOHpsI/AAAAAAAAGE8/WLfpST2DYGM/s1600/AUPrints1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Fall spices in my morning coffee</li>
<li>Birthday cards in the mail (my favorite mail to receive, second only to Christmas cards)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.artifactuprising.com/">Artifact Uprising</a> did a free prints promotion in September and I am just love mine.</li>
<li>Forecast for this coming weekend: Low of 61</li>
<li>10 college students coming to camp out in my living room and back yard next weekend</li>
<li>This <a href="http://www.ashtownburials.com/">book series</a> (thanks for the rec, Emily)</li>
<li><a href="https://instagram.com/highhermitage/">Dayne</a> comes home in two months, exactly</li>
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(We are safe and dry in Charleston but so many of our neighbors are not. Please pray for this state and consider donating. <a href="http://www.watermissions.org/disaster">Water Missions </a>is a great place to start.)</div>
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Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05419646017058750953noreply@blogger.com2