Our Arizona Adventure…the story of the O'Connor Family

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I lent out my camera to a friend, so I have no way to upload photos from my point and shoot camera…..so I have to “write” blog!

Selah is still working on her “L” sound and it is virtually silent in most of her words. I hear a lot, “Ook at this Mom.” (Look at this Mom) or “Ook Mommy ook!” (Look Mommy LOOK!) However, if she says “yellow,” it kind of sounds like, “Yelllllololololoooooowww.” It’s cute. It takes her a long time to say. (can you picture her tongue going in and out of her mouth a few times?)

Well tonight when we were going to bed, she picked the book Baby Faces. It was her favorite when she was little and I told her how I used to read it to her when she was a baby and she would stare at the pictures. In that moment I realized that ALL THOSE THINGS that I SWORE I wouldn’t forget (happy memories), I had forgotten….meaning all the sights, sounds, and smells that were SO darling I just KNEW I’d always remember. How could a mother forget?

I keep a journal for Selah full of memories to give to her one day as a story of her life and the wonderful lessons we learn along the way. I have tried to keep statistics, “You weigh this much, etc.” But I also write to her as a mother and share my heart with her. I also BLOG (obviously) as a way to remember things and share our adventures with loved ones. I have a million pictures sitting on my computer. But what I realized tonight is that, although I do all these things, I still forget. I still can’t remember all the smells, sounds, and sights that I wish I could (but it also helps to forget some of the bad!). I realized that all we truly have is the MOMENT and to appreciate it. I try to remember that even during a “battle of wills!”

Selah’s taught me so much in these 3 years since I’ve been pregnant. I can’t believe she’ll be 2 in less than a month. It kind of makes me sad, but I am so excited to see the woman God created her to be. Her simple words and mispronunciations speak volumes to my heart. Sel, as your Mommy, I AM trying to “ook” all around and appreciate the moment. As your Mommy, I am trying to “ook” around and make the world a better place. I am trying to “ook” around and enjoy each phase. I am trying to “ook” around to see how I can help our fellow man. And most importantly, I “ook” at you when you’re sleeping and just love you to pieces. Thank you for reminding me to “ook.”

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I won’t get too graphic, but I moved past the baby “verbage” for private parts. I finally made myself say the correct words to Selah, as she points out men and women, boys and girls. I decided she shouldn’t enter college referring to herself as having a “pee pee.”

Well, I told her the parts’ names, to which she replied with BIG eyes and a serious face, “What Selah have?” She just had to make sure she had it right. I was laughing so hard inside. This parent thing is going to be SUCH a ride as she ages…..

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Brian has been coaching 11-13 year olds for the past month or so in our neighborhood league. I love the league and LOVE the founder of the league. He started it WITHOUT his kids even being old enough to play….knowing how wonderful sports impact lives. I love it.

Brian’s team is a group of darling boys…..they’ve yet to win a game, or even come close, but they try really hard and have been improving. It’s hard sometimes to watch games because they know they’re losing really bad. I hope they get a lot out of this season by being around Brian and his encouragement.

Tonight Brian had practice and the lights on the court (outside court) were locked, so they had to practice in the parking lot, under the parking lot light. I asked him how it went and he said, “We did the best with what we had.” (Don’t you just love that). To which I replied, “You mean without a basket?” And he didn’t miss a beat, “Frankie was the basket.” I just laughed….can’t you just picture the tallest kid holding his arms out being the “basket!”

Selah likes to think she's a coach.

Triple Threat! (I don't know what this is but Brian says it a lot)

Let's GO LAKERS!

This is Frankie in the glasses.

Yes, you read that right. Here in Arizona our trees are a bit confused due to our weather patterns. During what you would consider “fall,” the weather here is what you would call “summer” in other places. In what you would consider “winter,” the weather here is what you would call “fall” in other places. Spring is spring and the summer….just darn hot. We did a fun fall craft today by picking a shape to make with the leaves we found at our picnic. She picked a heart….first a circle….then wanted a heart! I heart my family…..

Selah's heart for Daddy....

She looks like a little lady heading to church, no? Can you believe it was the last day in February and we’re STILL in turtlenecks??? UGH….am ready for some sunshine.

Her smile tells it all....

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