Chasing Chances

Without intentionally planning to I spend a lot of time looking at this face. 

I love this face so, so much.  The face is so precious and only second to her sense of humor, her generous heart and her spunk.  Spending time with her is no problem for me.

But there's also this face that I deeply adore.

 

This face brightened my world first, but I don't get to see it nearly as much as I'd like to.  I see the uniform flashing down the court or the backpack exiting the car, but not the face that is turning 11 in less than a month.  And I miss it.  I miss his eyelashes and the soft curve of his chin.  I miss his megawatt smile and the light spot above his eyebrow.  I am chasing chances to be with him and see him.  Really see him.

 

My latest infatuation is Instagram (@kfmontoya) and I am committing myself to a photo a day of him (#365daysofmymax). Business travel doesn't help with the photo a day campaign, but his sister takes photos of him and sends them to me from her iPod or I get sweet self portraits before school. Those warm my heart the most maybe.

 

 

The intentional act of being sure I get a photo of him helps me be sure I am SEEING him. Not watching him or hearing him, but seeing him. Seeing it all while I still have the chance.

Ten Things to Smile About: December 2012

The end of anything always makes me sad. I am not good at goodbyes. December and 2012 being over is hard to take, but my feelings of gratitude for good health and a happy family to move into the new year offset any sadness. We have big things in store this year. Mark my words.

Ten Things to Smile About: December 2012

That rascally elf, Arthur, returning to our home to give us some laughs and heighten the happy anticipation of Santa's arrival.

How everything just seems jollier in December. Reindeer antlers intended for the dogs cracked up all of us one afternoon for a long time.

Noel Night at our church. The Princess sang with the Cherubs Choir and it was angelic. I never take these moments for granted.

The return of basketball season. Go Aztecs!!!

How dang excited the kids were to welcome Nana and Pat for their holiday stay. This little boy was trying so hard to be patient. He could NOT wait to greet our guests!

  Christmas cards. We love Christmas cards and the Princess put her own unique spin on our display . . . {ahem} this year

The most precious friendly beast in the school Christmas pageant.  

 

Simplifying our giving a little and still having way more than enough to go around. Thanks to Emily at JDC we had great tags to accompany our four gifts for each child.

This dog on a bench in front of us during an outdoor organ concert in Balboa Park. I'm not sure that ever in my life can I look at this photo and not smile. He was just the coolest dude around that day.



May January give you millions of reasons to smile and hope for the year ahead.

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