Happy 23rd Birthday Daniel

Wings of Watercolor

I painted wings of watercolor on your arms to help you fly
As I held your arm it hit me that too soon you’d really try
And you’ll fly away without me for those wings will be your own
But your watercolor memories will always be at home

Red and blue wings, childhood’s sweet things,
Never release the rememberings
Red and blue wings, childhood’s sweet things,
The colorful swirls that the brush brings

I painted wings of watercolor and I looked into your eyes
And I deeply breathed this moment that took me by surprise
It was like so many others and will be like many more
But this watercolor moment was first of yours to soar

Red and blue wings, childhood’s sweet things,
Never release the rememberings
Red and blue wings, childhood’s sweet things,
The colorful swirls that the brush brings

I painted wings of watercolor, it was many years ago
And I so enjoyed those moments, how much you’ll never know
I will always be your mother, you will always be my boy
And your wings pretend or grown up will always bring me joy

Red and blue wings, childhood’s sweet things,
Never release the rememberings
Red and blue wings, childhood’s sweet things,
The colorful swirls that the brush brings

Happy 23rd Birthday Daniel - I love you

I'm sending my oldest son off to Ethiopia tonight. He's going to be an intern for a wonderful non-profit organization (Ascend) for 2 months and he's going to be working his butt off. He's an International Relations major and he wants to help improve policies and education in third world countries, so this is right up his alley. It's an amazing opportunity for him. It will probably be a life changing opportunity for him. I'm just doing the nervous mom thing. And from Ethiopia, he'll fly to London for another 2 month internship - this one with BYU, and a more political focused internship. Another great opportunity. And okay I admit it - our family is jealous he's going to England (and Scotland!) without us. London was hard enough, but Scotland hit below the belt! Anyway, I love this boy. LOVE HIM. And am so proud of him. How can a mother not be proud of a son who wants to help the world? I'm just tired of saying goodbye to him. When he was in Argentina for 2 years... OY. But again, such amazing experiences. So it's hard. As a mother you're always torn. You love where his wings are taking him. You just love it when his wings bring him home too, and wish that happened a little more often. But that's why they have wings. And that's why you have all these precious memories, to keep in your heart when they're out there using their beautiful wings. 

Friday pics and a poem.

Gosh, do I love my boys. And I have a confession to make: I was just kidding when I said it's obvious something is seriously wrong with them :) Just a little Walker humor because all 3 of them are notorious for making the dorkiest (is that a word?) faces EVER when it comes to photographs. I have an entire file of incriminating evidence - the most recent ones being from Europe last summer. For instance, snapping what would have been the perfect shot of them on beautiful Lake Lucerne in Switzerland. As I clicked the camera, once again in that split second, they all managed to make ghastly faces. I distinctly remember a woman who was on our tour and sitting nearby, saying to herself "Three boys in Europe........ I don't know how she does it" :) Well, I do it because I love those three wonderful boys with every fiber of my being. 

Right now I am particularly grateful for my firstborn, who is an amazing human being, and whom I miss very much because he is away at college. I will leave you for the weekend with a clever little poem he just sent me:

A Poem For My Mother's Blog

to be most clear

the purpose of this poem is thus:

to play on witty rhymes while I discuss

my mother's blog

blog rhymes with dog

and  many a picture of dog

there are on the blog

luna and angel, both eskimo breed

of whom we can read

stories of poop

and their antics and deeds

i know these fine two

and their wittle wet nosies

their popcorn scented toesies

and their infamous poo

and i must say their antics

(especially when angel goes frantic)

is a sight to be seen

and a sign of their love

for 'der mommy'

on this blog there are paints

and, with a canvas and brush

and my mother's touch

these paints are arranged

in a tender beauty

blog rhymes with Europe

if i say it does

because

'tis worth noting that we went

and dined with the Queen

and Charlie Sheen

and David Beckham

digress you say?

a pang of jealousy perhaps?

very well: moving on

on this blog there are stories

of memories and lessons learned

like our trip to Lucern

like a Sandpoint reverie

and it's incredible photography

and also there are smiles and peeves

and glasses half full

and chicken guts

on this blog there are boys

of which i am one

and though years may keep falling

like autumn leaves

landmarks of life still help me to see

how our imperfect family

fits perfectly for me

I love you mom!

Happy weekend everyone!