Picture links

A typical Monday evening at my grandparent's house.

Emily and David's recent trip to the Pierce's.

It's a beautiful day

It was a beautiful day and my last full day with all three kids before returning to work. So...

Practice photo

Wind blown (and loving it)

Group hug!

Boys

Girls

Emily making funny faces at her brother

Baby face

Websites

I updated the kids websites if anyone is interested.

www.freewebs.com/davidmcgowan

www.freewebs.com/emilycmcg

avawrynnmcg.webs.com


Goodnight, world!

Summer winds down

Last big hoorah before school starts. Jumping into the pool.

Baby's first dip in the pool.

First day of school. More appropriately labeled...first day of the next thirteen years (minimum).

Copying brother.

Distracted by the dump truck going down the road.

Further distracted by the dump truck going down the road...

Completely and utterly distracted by the dump truck. (Please note that we fixed his book bag straps before he got into the car)

Cutest little pouty face in the world.

One Step Beyond

I fell asleep with Emily without intending to then stumbled clumsily into our bedroom and promptly fell back to sleep while cuddling Ava. I have no idea when I first drifted off, but the world was very dark beyond my window. When I awoke at midnight, however, the moon had transformed the world with its silvery glow. When I leaned forward to stare at earth’s satellite, the light was being refracted in a way that made it look like a star. There was a perfect “x” formed across the moon that gave it the look of a clear, shimmering jewel. The skies are very clear and crisp tonight, and I immediately wished that I were either wandering Milledgeville’s sidewalks, or relaxing under moon glow at Chastain amphitheater. I miss Milledgeville most on beautiful nights. I was never afraid of the dark streets just beyond campus and often enjoyed liberating, thought-filled evening strolls. That kind of freedom is harder to tap into these days, and unfortunately, my thoughts are harder to capture as well.
I’m listening to some sample music on my laptop and enjoying it more than anticipated. My favorite tunes are by Karsh Kale…an Indian American musician who blends Indian music with electronic dance music. There are also a few interesting jazz pieces on here by an Italian duo (vibraphone and marimba). The jazz reminds me of the Sex and the City episode where Carrie meets Ray. “Carrie likes jazz…” If it weren’t so late, I’d park myself on the couch with season four and a large bowl of popcorn. But alas. It is late. My tunes have come to an end, and the orb that awakened me has moved beyond my window. Suddenly, I am beyond exhausted…

Over the Rainbow

David watched closely as I placed several folded outfits inside his suitcase. He then wrinkled his nose and asked, “Where are we going?” I always avoid answering him for as long as possible, so I responded with a non-committal “Wait and see.” When all of the suitcases were lined up at the door, David once again put forth his query. I expected my husband’s response to be the same as mine, but instead, he smiled and answered, “Somewhere over the rainbow.” David’s eyes lit up with slight curiosity. He half-grinned, but wrinkled his nose again…this time with a sniff of disbelief. The car was packed with no further questions regarding our destination, but as the vehicle pulled away from the familiarity of home, curiosity revived. From the backseat, a small voice audibly wondered how we were going to get over the rainbow. There was a part of my son that wanted to believe in the existence of what he knew to be imaginary. I felt a slight knot form at the thought that he would be disappointed by the absence of ruby slippers and lollipop wielding munchkins. My husband, however, continued the ruse and encouraged David to search the sky for rainbows. Interstate 16 is no yellow-brick road, but the route is equally as familiar to David. He eventually recognized that we were en route to Grandma and Grandpa’s house. Talk of rainbows diminished at this point except for the occasional sighing admission of defeat. “I do not see the rainbow…” Tall pillars of cottony clouds grew on the horizon, layered with flatter gray clouds that signaled the approach of rain. Five hours into our travels and thirty minutes from our final stop, a ray of sun broke through to form a perfect double arch across the vast sky. My husband and I stared in absolute wonder and disbelief as David gasped and leaned forward in his seat. Here was the long-awaited rainbow. There was no scarecrow to guide us over or wizard to bring us home again, but the existence of that band of color was enough for all of us. There’s nothing like a little bit of divine intervention at the end of a long journey, and I will always think of David’s rainbow as nothing short of miraculous.

This weekend

Trying to convince Mommy and Daddy to make a whirl pool.

But having more fun getting them wet instead...

And Ms. Ava keeps growing...