5 Years

Tonight marks the 5-year anniversary of the end of Travis and Melissa's carefree DINK lifestyle (Dual-Income, No-Kids). It seems so long ago now. Some evenings, right after the kids have been tucked into bed for the second or third time, we collapse on the sofa together in exhaustion and reminisce about our DINK days. As DINK's we could go anywhere, anytime, on a whim. We could attend church wearing clothes that were dry-clean only and actually listen to the message being delivered from the pulpit. Long car rides represented opportunities for uninterrupted conversation and witty banter.

Five years ago tonight, that all ended. Because early the next morning...this guy arrived.

While Karst's arrival totally crimped our style, we cannot imagine a happy life without him. He's a kind-hearted, quick-witted kid who makes his parents proud, and is adored by his rambunctious younger sister.

Melis' and I will hold a brief memorial service tonight for the end of our DINK-dom. Tomorrow, however, we plan a much bigger celebration honoring our fair-haired boy's 5th birthday. We enjoyed our life before children, but parenthood has turned out to be way more exciting.

Happy Birthday Karsten!

swimming

How do swim goggles give a 4 year old all the confidence in the world?

For some reason Karsten cannot go under water without them. Taegan fills them with water and then puts them on! Maybe Nike was right all along. It really is the equipment (just don't tell them I paid $1 for them... wait go ahead they think a $1 is a lot of money)!

Huh.

Our lives are becoming less eventful this month, on purpose. I have deemed July the month of swimming and chill'n. Well, we did have a family reunion with the Wood side over the 4th, but somehow Travis and I did not get our camera outta of the car once. Maybe it was because we are lazy or maybe because we enjoyed seeing everyone that we didn't think about it. Maybe both. When we got home I was reminded how much I love to camp and Trav' was reminded how much he does not like it.

Anyway. I have been cutting Karsten's hair since his mortal existence began but lately Travis has joined in on the fun. He always says that the difference between a good haircut and a bad one is a couple of weeks. But I am the one that has to look at it everyday for the couple of weeks that it is trying to revive itself. Both my kids have Travis' hair... very fine... Taeg got my curls and they both got my cow-licks. Wood hair is thick and cow-licky, just touch Jeff's boys, Leslie's boys, Kim's boys or Dave's girl's hair... very thick, it is hard to find the scalp. One false move with the scissors and my children and husband will be wearing a hat because their hair is so soft and fine.

I must be getting better, because I have not seen a hat after the last few cuts.

disclaimer: I did not cut Taegan's hair. Kim did it over the reunion (while complaining the whole time!!). It looks so much better and it's so much easier to comb. Thanks Kim.

NOTE: Anyone that knew Travis at least 10 years ago probably would not have thought he would grow out his facial hair. But after 10 years of being married to a Wood and 8 years of Eugene, one is bound to relax a bit. Back off ladies, he is MINE!

p.s. I have no idea what my children at looking at. Maybe that is why I have stopped taking pictures!