Being a kid again...

Having a perfectly valid excuse to get entirely dirty is one of my favorite aspects of camping. It allows me to live as if I were a child again when my own appearance was of practically no import since I was very rarely even aware of what I looked like. I believe life was simpler back then. Never was a moment wasted on superficial appearances; time was spent on more valuable things like building forts and wielding magical swords that my imagination brought to life. But today I still love the grime beneath my fingernails and the dirt smudges all over my face, and most of all the freedom from mirrors. There is no need for mirrors, just look at your neighbor--you probably look just as bad. Our family reunion this weekend provided a perfect opportunity to indulge. My 15-month-old niece Emilee apparently shares my enthusiasm for getting close to nature in a very real way. Although I usually don't indulge in the dirt mustache, I think it looks adorable on her!


This is clean Emilee with two of her many bead necklaces, some of her most treasured possessions.

My 18-month-old nephew Caden is always extremely observant of his surroundings. His head of bleach-blond hair is absolutely beautiful. It's enough to make a girl jealous.

Adolfo got plumb tuckered out.

How can you say 'no' to that face? Adolfo, my 3-year-old, nephew, sure does have a charm about him and sports some of the biggest brown eyes you've ever seen.

I am fascinated by my two little nephews and my adorable niece. Their personalities are so different. They are each very much their own person. It is refreshing to observe their antics and be the recipient of their slobbery kisses. Childhood really is a magical time....

Extra Ordinary

I remember the first time I encountered the word extraordinary. I must have been eight years old or so. "That must mean something is extremely ordinary and boring," I thought to myself, wondering why anyone would want to be extra ordinary anyway. Simply ordinary seemed boring enough to me.
My life today could be described as ordinary. My favorite food is cheese (now, maybe that's not quite normal... but you'll likely encounter others with similar good tastes), I don't like fresh broccoli or horseradish, sometimes I bite my fingernails when I'm nervous, and I absolutely love reading a good book. I'm of average intelligence and although my stature is perhaps slightly below average, my physical appearance does not draw any undue attention. I have moderate goals of achievement, am usually good-tempered, and find great enjoyment in life's simple pleasures such as watching a sunset, feeling the wind in my hair, talking to a friend, watching a baby sleep, listening to music, or simply being with my family. I'm a pretty ordinary girl, you might say.
So, while I'm nothing really extraordinary, each day I live is completely unique from the one before. Which makes each day slightly extraordinary. At least, I like to think of life that way. Each day is an adventure. Sometimes I wake up thinking, musing,wondering, "What does today hold in store for me? What adventures await me?" And sometimes my adventures are just extra ordinary and sometimes they are quite extraordinary! Regardless, I'm learning to enjoy the ride.