(picture by Cliff Ritchey, www.cliffritcheyart.com)

We are having such a blast with Soren. It seems that every emotion has a different sort of depth to it... joy, fear, gratitude, laughter... I love this picture because it shows Jeff's hands holding her up. It's to me almost like a symbol of a parent entrusting his or her child to the world. Soren celebrated her 1 month birthday on Sunday (I cried all the way through the singing of "Happy Birthday"). We also celebrated by Mom's birthday this weekend. There was great food, thoughtful gifts, much laughter, candles lit, and snowfall on the ground. Most importantly, we were all together. Mom seemed so happy and full of life as we were all able to be together as a family for the evening. I have been thinking about the way that my parents have entrusted me (and my siblings, and the same for Jeff's family) to the world. The fact that they let me travel to different countries growing up - and even worked long hours and saved pennies to send me! They let me go to Australia without them when I was 12. They let me ski. They let me go white water rafting. For Pete's sake, they let me out of the house. Having a daughter now, I understand in a totally new way what incredible trust and grace that must have taken. I understand how they must have relied on each other to give us over to life itself. People said we'd appreciate our parents in a new way and I get it now. It's not about appreciating that they changed a thousand dirty diapers and paid for college (although that's huge in itself); it's much more though. I appreciate that our parents were able to love us and set us free to explore life outside of our front porches. I appreciate that even with the anxiety that could have accompanied this beautiful choice, they chose to do it all again and have more kids! I had no idea how proud of them I'd ever be and how thankful for them I'd feel.