All Things Ryan: February 2008

This is the only picture that I took on Valentine's Day:

However, to me, it's a perfect representation of what February 14th is all about. Let me tell you about these 2 boys, Garrett and Grayson. They're the closest that they can possibly be without actually being brothers. It's understandable really since they've been together literally since the day Grayson was born. That picture up above--I love it because it's so how they are together. They're happy, they're crazy, they're wild...but they're also genuine. I know these boys will go thru thick and thin together. (Thankfully they really haven't had to experience thick OR thin yet in their first 4.5 years, but really, isn't that the way it should be when you're young? There will be plenty of years ahead to experience all of the hardships and challenges that life brings.) Not so they can experience life's hardships, but I can't wait 'til the boys are a little older, so they'll understand the story behind why they will forever be friends. I'll tell them about Sarri (Garrett's mom) and I being transferred from the schools and staffs that we loved to this small, older school that was virtually unknown to us--Newby. Talk about life's challenges, neither of us thought that much good would come out of those forced transfers. You know me, I'm a planner, and teaching at Newby was NOT part of my plan! But, looking back now, that is the EXACT point where God started unveiling his plan for my soon-to-be family. I'll tell Grayson and Garrett about meeting Sarri, my supposed new teaching partner. I'll tell of the trip to Salem to purchase math supplies when we talked about babies and how I wanted one so bad, but how so far it didn't seem to be in the cards. I'll tell about that fateful first trip to the doctor's office just a month or two later to confirm that, in fact, a baby was in the cards--for me and Sarri both, as there she was waiting for her first appointment, too! I'll tell of due dates that were just a day apart, how Garrett actually arrived on the day reserved for Grayson, how there I was "celebrating" Mother's Day almost 2 weeks later still without a baby to hold, and how finally, FINALLY Grayson made his first appearance 12 days after little Garrett. I'll tell them about working opposite of Sarri so that I could watch the babies while she worked and vice versa, about how Joel and Sarri bought a minivan so that all of the carseats would fit, and about how we traded cars every morning and then switched duties in the Newby school parking lot--I put on my teacher hat for the afternoon while Sarri headed home with the boys.

As far as plans go, it couldn't have been a more perfect plan those first couple of years. Eek, it's hard to believe that in just half a year's time kindergarten will be staring us in the face! New adventures, new twists and turns along the way, and almost certainly a new "plan". But this time we know just to hang on for the ride because certainly, somehow it will be perfect again! Until then, mostly for me, here's a little walk down memory lane:

Halloween '04

sledding in Bend-Presidents' Weekend '05

Halloween '05

Grayson's 3rd b-day party-May '06

a day with Thomas the Train-summer '06

pumpkin patch '06

Grayson's 4th b-day-May '07

soccer camp '07

A sad thing happens when your daughter is born one week before your birthday (the same daughter who was actually due ON your birthday)--she gets the fabulous, well-planned, go all out party, and you get, well, a pie. Not even a tastefully wrapped gift, just a gift card in a plain ol' envelope. But don't let that be a measure of how much we love you, Daddy! It may be almost a week late, but this post, Dave, is for you! Happy 33 years! I'm so lucky to have gotten to spend the last 12 of them with you! You are the best friend, husband, and dad that we could EVER ask for.

So Dave, these "butter butter balls" (Molly talk for "peanut butter balls", which were lovingly made and sent to the b-day boy by Grandma Pearl) are for you! May this year be the best one yet! We love you!