Ode to the People I Love....

Disclaimer: The following was written over a year ago. I could blame how nostalgic and sentimental it is on the fact that I was pregnant when I wrote it, but the fact of the matter is I am quite nostalgic and sentimental all of the time.

Do you ever look at pictures from your life and feel extremely grateful for the people who surround you? I do. Life tends to lead lives together and apart, but the gratitude and love that I feel for people who I may not see as often as years past never changes. Here are a few of my favorites…

Friends! There are so many people who fall into this category who aren’t pictured here, but here are a few of the women I love and admire. Growing up sometimes implies growing unintentionally apart from people with whom you’ve shared your life. Even though I don’t see my friends (old or new) as much as I once may have, I think about them daily, and pray for them often. If you are my friend, thank you for being a part of my life.

Mom. This is a mother that few remember, maybe just 5 adults who had the opportunity to call her mom. This mom was not ill, but energetic and capable. This is a mom who made cookies, built forts and made her children feel loved. This is a mom who was independent and strong. I wish more people had known or could remember this mom in her glory years when we depended on her; not the other way around. I often wish she were here to tell me I am ready to be a mom myself and not to worry about how much I don’t know or how inadequate I feel. Yup, she is definitely a favorite, and a person I’ve missed for some time now.

Sisters. These are the women who I depend on now. They make me laugh, encourage me, tell me when I am being stupid, and listen to me vent about whatever it is I need to. They are unassuming SUPERWOMEN and I would be lost without them. (You may wonder what on earth is going on in this picture. Let me tell you. Please notice the mischievous look on Meredith's face. At this exact moment she grabbed my butt and that my dears is a candid expression captured on film...or rather SD card. )

Brothers. There is never a dull or prideful moment (well, for me) when I am with my brothers. I’ve always sought and often fought for their approval. They are always up to mischief and are surprisingly smart…well, considering some of the shenanigans they try to pull.

Dadman. This man has unconditional love for the people around him. He keeps me young and helped me to keep on track while I was growing up. And he always welcomes us home when we need it, even if it is just for an afternoon free from homework. One of his best qualities in recent years… that he married Vicki.

My husband. (by the way, isn't this picture great! I really hope we eventually have sons) I am still trying to figure out how I managed to trick Jack into falling in love with me. I have never once felt unappreciated or unloved with this man. He works without complaint and strives to better the community and world that he lives in. He is my best friend and my favorite part of every day. He keeps me laughing and encourages me to be my best self.

I would be lost without all of you and just wanted to throw a thank you out into the universe and hope you get it.

This one is for you Ashley....

Ashley corrected me in my comment from my last post and let me know that she actually is left disappointed with a sense of wanting when she checks my blog and sees that there is no update. So, Ashley this is for you. Unfortunately it isn't about you. But it is for you :)

I have something selfish to admit. When Esther was born and looked identical to Jack's newborn pictures, I was a bit disappointed. Not because I don't love my husband and want my babies to look like him, because I do. And not because I thought Esther was anything less than beautiful and perfect, because I didn't. But because the only physical evidence (besides the whole pushing her out of my lady parts thing) that would suggest Esther was my daughter were her long feet with the large gap in her toes and her disconnected earlobes (really, not even my best features people). I guess I always thought that my daughters would look like me and my sons would look like Jackie. Well, Esther's first few months of life proved otherwise. I have to say though, in the last few months as Esther has started to take on some of my features as well, it has made me feel kind of happy inside. I like that I see both me and Jack in her. Isn't that what it is all about? Making a new little person with the person you love most in the world to create an extension of yourself that is also an extension of them.

What do you think? Still all Christensen or is there some Fife in there?

Baby Sausha

Baby Esther

However, these last two pictures prove that there is still PLENTY of Christensen left in her veins. To the left is Esther and below is Baby Jack.