Mind Over Mutter

This is a mutual admiration society in the making. Michael is head over heels in love with this baby, and Nathan seems to be happiest stretched out on Daddy's chest.

Mike's always been great with OPK's, but there is something about seeing those long, graceful fingers of his holding his son so tenderly and confidently that gets me where I live.

Both my sons are loving and demonstrative fathers. Neither balks at the messy stuff or the tender stuff. George was thrilled when he heard that his child was going to be a daughter. Michael's first words to me about Nathan were, "Mom, he's perfect-- beautiful, healthy, perfect."

I know just how he feels. My sons are amazing men. 

It seems just yesterday that he was Olivia's age, but my son George is a wonderful man, a good father, and a great son. I loved him with all my heart the first time I saw him, so I'm not sure how it is possible for me to love him even more now... but I do. 

Olivia is a sunny child, but this pensive shot is one of my favorites. She is growing up so fast, changing right before our eyes. 

Miss Morgan June is three and a half, and an absolute piece of work. She danced and sang and did her "rock star show" and kept us in stitches all night Sunday night.

She is clearly the light of her Daddy's life. Byron and Kenna both adore this little sprite, with good reason. 

This is Nathan, in the flesh. Seven days old. I know I'm prejudiced, but I think he's an extraordinarily handsome young man. And not just because he's the son of my son.

OK, OK, that's a big part of it, but said son was possibly the ugliest baby ever born. His daddy was a very tiny preemie, and anyone who has ever seen a real preemie knows that they look a awful lot like spider monkeys who have been dipped in NAIR.

Nathan, at just over 8 pounds was almost twice the size of his Dad at birth. He's also physically perfect, and much, much healthier than Michael was. Michael was a mess, and the first three years of his life were a constant round of doctors, hospitals, surgeons, braces, medicines with scary side effects, etc.

Maybe that's why the newest member of the family seems so beautiful to me. Nathan was what I dreamed infant Michael would be, only to have those dreams shattered by the most frightening reality. Michael grew to be the most amazing son--- the kind of child, youth and man that any parent would be proud to claim, but the terror and stress of those first years nearly overwhelmed me.

It wasn't sensible or logical, but I feared from the moment I knew he was on the way that history would repeat itself. I have never been so pleased to be wrong.

Nathan is incredible, beautiful, healthy, strong, and very much loved. 

Spent the weekend with my family and friends, and it reminded me how much I need to do this, in order to preserve my sanity.

Brendan is five and a half, and, frankly, coping with all the changes that Nathan has brought to his life with as much grace as can be expected from a child his age. He is alternately thrilled by his new baby brother and annoyed because he feels a bit displaced at times. We saw a little more griping and temper than is usual for him, caused, most likely, by the fact that everyone in the household is a bit sleep deprived right now.

But little boys' moods change like the weather, and he can shift from distressed to delighted in a heartbeat. Here, he and I were playing with a childhood staple-- bubbles! But his approach was decidedly more high tech than mine. I actually thought you had to blow on a wand to make bubbles! 

On Saturday, we welcomed the arrival of my grandson Nathan.

I only have a few pictures so far, because I won't get to see him in the flesh til Friday, but rest assured you'll all be subjected to the Grandmom-Cam soon thereafter.

In the meantime, Grandmom JP sometimes paints a bit (LOL) so I did this one for the website based on the 2 hospital shots my son sent me. 

I got another 20 or so uploaded after work tonight. I really wish these pictures were better. Lots of discards. I'll get used to the Nikon soon, I promise.

Jump4Roses06Gallery2

I changed out the site logo from "beachy" to Memorial Day, to remember those, past and present, who have given their lives to keep the rest of us safe.

While I know the history of Memorial Day, I've always thought of it as much more than a military observance. It is a day to remember and acknowledge heroism in all its forms.

Because there have always been heroes in our midst.

Not all battles are fought with bullets, and not all heroes are found on the battlefield. Many heroes have never even served in the military, but they are bona fide heroes nonetheless. Most of them don't have chests full of medals or monuments erected to them. History does not even record the names of most of them.

After 9/11, and again after Katrina, people came to understand that heroism takes many forms. More than just the Military or Safety Services folks, heroes could be found in every walk of life.
Some heroes are nurses in neonatal intensive care units, and some are in volunteer fire departments. Some are writers and artists who brought attention to injustice, poverty, and man's inhumanity toward others, and, by doing so, helped people to live more freely. Some
are clergypersons who know it is not enough to simply preach about glory in the Hereafter, it is possible (and necessary) to be a positive presence in the Here and Now.

And some are simply unremarkable Ordinary Joes and Janes who stepped forward one day to do the right thing when doing nothing would have been easier.

Honor the heroes in your life this Memorial Day.

The center photo is a double exposure of 2 images shot at the
WWII Memorial in DC.

Welcome to JP Kabala Online

More Jump for the Roses














The rest of the gallery is at
http://www.jpkabala.com/JumpfortheRoses06Gallery/index.html
and the 2005 pictures are at
http://www.jpkabala.com/thomasville/

Shot Saturday at Jump for the Roses, Thomasville, GA 

I went to the grocery store this weekend-- twice, actually.

On the theory that I'd actually eat healthy food if it was convenient to do so, I bought real groceries-- juice, meat, cheese, bread, fruit, salad stuff.
So what did I have for dinner last night? Cheerios and a diet Sprite.

Cooking for myself has zero appeal. I'm exhausted, and nothing sounds good anyway.

I hate feeling cruddy. And that's what it is right now. I don't feel sick, I feel blech. I'm trying to be patient and wait for the meds to kick in so that I can get some rest and feel human again.

I got about 3 hours of sleep last night. I have to haul my dragging self into work soon. The challenge will be staying awake til 5. I feel like something that ought to be scraped off the bottom of my shoe. I may have to go off the reservation and hit Starbucks on the way just to get my heart started, or I'll be chugging diet Coke by 10 AM.