Summer Storm

Our sweet baby George came into our arms and left us one year ago today. 365 days. 

365 days of empty, aching arms. Of waiting to wake up from my nightmare. The worst nightmare. Of wondering why this happened to George. And Eric. And Henry. And me. Of waiting for the other shoe to drop. Of being sad and pretending not to be; of realizing that my friends know I’ve been pretending and loving them for that. Of being beyond thankful for nurse Jodi; she shared my pain and held me so close that day.  Of truly learning the value of family. Of wishing "grief" was still just a word. Of wondering if George felt pain. Of hoping to feel him move just one more time. Of making sure I remember. Everything. Of wishing my little boy peace.

Today we planted a Japanese Summer Storm Lilac tree for George. Its name, Summer Storm, aptly fits. The ivory flowers should bloom around his anniversary every year, commemorating our boy and all he taught us:  love, compassion, and respect for life.  

Rest in peace, George. Sweet peace. 

I See You In My Everyday

I see you in the peace of night

I see you in the bright sunlight.

You're in the breeze that gently blows.

You are the calm of fallen snow.

Magnificent are wings that fly.

I see you in the eagle's eye.

You're in the turquoise of the sea.

I can even see you in parts of me.

I smell you in the lilac trees.

I hear you in the bumblebees.

You are the colors of the fall.

You are the mountains soaring tall.

I feel you in the summer storm.

And in the springtime nice and warm.

You are the blossoms on the branch.

You're in the firefly's evening dance.

I remember you in all good things.

In the wondrous treasures nature brings.

Your memory will forever be.

The greatest gift you gave to me.

-Lauren Waters

Workers Working on the Job Site

Workers Working on the Job Site by Henry Thorkelson is an epic page turner, guiding readers through the tangled relationships between construction workers, police, and bad guys.  

Praise for Workers Working on the Job Site

"This literary thriller will keep you up at night wondering who's bad and who's good." (E. Thorkelson, dad)

"I have a new appreciation for pine cones after reading this book." (A. Thorkelson, mom)

"Bark. Woof. Howl." (Walter, the dog)

Note:  Please contact his agents, Mom and Dad, if you are interested in the movie rights.

Workers Working on the Job Site
by Henry

A dump truck at a worker site

The backhoe is putting dirt and rocks int he dump truck

The bad guy is trying the police...

After the bad guy gets caught he gets put in jail. He was trying to get the good guys.

*chaos*

Another bad guy is chasing some good guys into the construction site.

The police caught him again.

The construction site is safe. The pine cones are there to make it safe.

The end.

Hide & Seek

I always wonder what I will "catch" Henry doing at daycare when I pick him up. In a perfect world I could hide behind that tree unspotted and spy. But the kids can smell you blocks away and start yelling, "Henwee! Yer mom's he-ah!" That's who I am to these kids: Henwee's mom. It rocks.

Today's activity was hide and seek. Henry and Eleanor (above) were hiding from Leo and Addie. It was fun to watch it play out because when we do this at home Henry typically announces where he is hiding. "Dad, I'm in the shower!" "Mom, I'm under the desk!" and then he jumps out to find you. Yeah, the whole concept is a bit tricky; I get it.

Rhyme Time with Henry

Mom:  I feel like some guac.

Henry: I don't like guac.

Dad: Do you know what guac is? It's a nickname for guacamole just like how Hank is a nickname for Henry.

Henry: Do you know what rhymes with Hank? BANK!

Mom & Dad: It sure does!

*approving head nods by parents and ear-to-ear grin by preschooler*

Henry: and SKANK!

*silence*