What a day. What a Dad.

Happy Fathers Day to EVERYONE! Not just Dads but also the Moms and kids -- its been a great day to set what I want aside (clean house) and enter into a day of what it is that Kyle enjoys. The kids have enjoyed finger paints and Moon Sand -- things that I would usually prepare myself for in advance. But no, Dad was all about BEING The Dad today while I went to Seattle early this morning and helped Jess get the kids ready for a wedding... (here's a few pics, of course!)

Aren't they looking svelte?!  They were likely the talk of the wedding... aside from the bride, of course!  I had a wonderful time hanging out and doing whatever I could to be of assistance... and then I high-tailed it home to be with Kyle and the kids.

When I arrived home this morning, Kyle and the kids had finished watching a couple episodes of a new series on Nickelodeon called 'Avatar' (different than what you think) and had just sat down to paint and relish in building sand sculptures on the table. I smiled and got excited that today, aside from all of my hopes for a spotless house, I would instead look at spending those moments serving Kyle and embracing the relationships instead of trying to create what is, to me, a comfortable... clean... and spotless environment for me to function in.

Kyle appreciates clean. He does not obsess over it.

I need to learn to appreciate THAT. I served my husband by not cleaning today! Who gets to say that?!

We ate fondu for lunch standing at the counter... casual-style.  Kyle is laying down for a nap whilst I edit photos blog. We (the kids and I) will put together chicken enchiladas for dinner tonight and then we will... oh... I don't know! Probably watch a movie... play on the iPad... do NOTHING.

I'm learning to appreciate that what I consider 'doing nothing' is what Kyle considers 'fulfilling and energizing'... oh, this is a good day. I'm going to kick back and do nothing. I say that lovingly... and with respect. THIS is nice.

Aaaaahhh... zzzzzzzz...

The 'early morning Thursday' photo shoot I spoke of...

Spending time with this beautiful woman is an experience -- she has no idea how lovely she is and the beauty that just exudes from her! She is wonderful to watch as she mothers her little girl and the time spent with 'Stacy', the cow, was killer -- what fun!

It was a great shoot -- all I have to say is, The Golden Cow.

5 of them. 1 of me.

This morning started out a little faster than our usual Tuesday morning... I wanted to get all the 5 kids out for a 'mini-shoot' to see what this beautiful summer light was going to do to my photo shoot early Thursday morning -- I can HOPE, right, that it'll be sunny then like it was this morning?!

I love what the light was like... but the earlier the better.

Not complaining.

The kids decided they wanted to work in the yard.

Challenge.

Any photo I offer a client should print beautifully.

There are a lot of photographers out there -- but I want to be set apart.

I want my images to print well. Print beautifully. Its not so hard to 'wow' someone with emitted light... the challenge is wowing someone with reflective light.

Day two of recovery.

These are a couple shots from William's first few hours home yesterday. He just wanted to sit, play Star Wars and... well... uh...

Nothing else. He did kindly offer the seat next to him to his brother -- hm. Interesting. Not that that is unexpected for William but it is unexpected for William's i-don't-feel-good-and-don't-want-to-talk-to-anyone-because-i'm-sick behavior. Things were already looking up.

What was that? Oh! The blood on the nose? Yeah, that just adds to the photo. It means, 'hey guys! someone just cut out my adenoids and Mom cares enough to not try and make me look good for photos but instead let me drip crustiness down my face until she can't stand it anymore' ... pardon the gruesomeness.

At roughly 12:30/1:00pm yesterday afternoon, William stood up from the couch and asked for a sandwich. A SANDWICH. I am not a sandwich person -- they sell you on the goodness of crisp, crunchy and warm and in the end leave you with a soggy, room temperature, wet-lettuce flavor. WHO asks for a sandwich immediately after having someone take out your tonsils?! He was HUNGRY and he would have nothing to do with smoothies, yogurt, applesauce and Gatorade. He was getting a little testy so we gave him a gummy piece of bread with a little butter on top... and it only heightened his awareness of what good food awaited him. He remembered eggs with cheese and a plethora of other wonderful things... he ate oatmeal and scrambled eggs; he ate bread with butter and smoothies to boot. He was a different kid than the last 9 months.

Today is a different day. Will the Thrill is having a more difficult time -- he hurts a little, his belly is feeling upset and he just wants to sleep. I think he liked the effects of the pain meds yesterday once he was able to enjoy them. Today, on the other hand, he is more sore and his body is telling him (begging him!) to just sit and not do anything. Mom needs to remember that too - so I'm trying to figure out my day tomorrow... no errands, just sit and 'be'. Sit and be. Sit and be. Sit and be.

Hm. We'll see what tomorrow holds.

Our day today in iPhone photos.

We woke at 5am this morning, took showers to feel super-human, got dressed, woke 'the Thrill' and made our way to the car.

We were at Providence by 6am. Checked in by 6:10am and in the OR prep area by 6:55am.

Kyle is the most amazing Dad. He and William had their inside comments and jokes while we waited for the surgeon -- the nurses stopped by our area to watch and listen. William's laugh is contagious and his spirits were so high considering all that he was dealing with... he was such an joy to be around. He made it fun.

Following surgery I got to sit and snuggle with my little man as he woke from his anesthesia... it was precious to be quite honest.

Leaving the hospital an hour later.

Drinking his second smoothie at 3:00pm this afternoon -- when he asked for a sandwich at 12:30pm I 'came to' and realized that my little man is a rather tough little man -- not much coddling needed and he thinks he's ready for real food! Well, it was nice while it lasted.

Great job today, Thrill Ya - we love you! And thank you to everyone for their prayers.