A few years ago I read this book, called Balcony People.  It is a small book that draws your attention to the people who have and continue to stand in your balcony.  The people who cheer you on, encourage you, and energize you with affirmation.  I remember while reading the book, I made a mental […]

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  • Trophy Life - June 29, 2011 - 1:46 pm

    OMG – both of these photos (montage and singular) are INCREDIBLE!!!ReplyCancel

  • Trophy Life - June 29, 2011 - 10:32 pm

    p.s. – always glad to be in your cheering section and have you in mine as well….ReplyCancel

  • Adopted aunt - June 30, 2011 - 1:20 am

    You don't know how your words help me! You are most def one mt balcony people! May be a pj day tomorrow with kids. We will see. Looking forward to seeing them. Thanks.ReplyCancel

  • Sassytimes - June 30, 2011 - 1:10 pm

    Love these photos!

    And I love your blog…I'm SO happy you started blogging. It makes me happy…and even though I don't 'know' you, I'll always cheer you on. 😉ReplyCancel

I can admit it.  Terrified might be the more appropriate word.  Oh, I try to pretend that I’m okay with it, but I’m really not.  Sometimes, I just completely block reality out and pretend it’s not really happening.  For awhile, that works.  I focus on the here and now and I do just fine.  But […]

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  • SnappyTulip - June 28, 2011 - 11:40 am

    Very nice.ReplyCancel

  • Trophy Life - June 28, 2011 - 1:00 pm

    the easy part is holding on and the really hard part is letting go. if you can just do it one little, baby step at a time, you and they will be okay. and….you have one more one the way to enjoy these Mr. Potato Head moments with!! love you.ReplyCancel

  • lisa - June 28, 2011 - 1:19 pm

    awww…I can't tell you how much I understand each and every word written here. My guys are 11, 11, and 8 and it has been a journey for me trying to learn to grow with them- letting go just a lil' at a time. It's definitely a process…but as they grow trust your instincts to. And don't be afraid to keep them a lil' close and keep them innocent for as long as YOU want them to- that's been one of the hardest things with school and seeing what many other parents do (and don't do!) It becomes a whole different ball game! It's surprising how many parents lose sight of keeping kids young, protecting them from growing up too fast.
    Love your photos! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Sassy - June 28, 2011 - 2:21 pm

    Oh Summer…this has brought tears to my eyes. I think you have voiced the inner battle of most moms everywhere! It is so hard. So I take pictures. Lots and lots of pictures. To preserve a small portion of the memories. It helps relieve the heartache somewhat for me. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Sassytimes - June 28, 2011 - 5:09 pm

    I think it's normal to be scared. And to worry. Letting go is the hard part.

    But…is it normal to wish my youngest would grow up just a little? We're in the tantrum stage and I'm having a rough few days. I can't wait for this to pass… 😉ReplyCancel

  • Adopted aunt - June 29, 2011 - 2:28 am

    O sweetie I know. Been there, done it, still doing it. I mean we have and are doing the college thing, we sent the oldest to Aulstralia last year for school, sent him this am to Mongolia with at least one sane mom along:). Now we will be sending him to DC in Aug. He is 22 which I remind myself I was married then. The other one has been to Europe and just Germany. Yes time goes. We get braver we get better at not letting them see our heartbreak but that doesn't always work. They will get hurt just as we did but hopefully they will learn and grow from those and we will have the words to say. We just have to pray.ReplyCancel

  • Hummel Kiddos - June 29, 2011 - 1:41 pm

    I think you are NORMAL for feeling the way you do! I am in the same boat as you! This week I sent our first born off to camp…talk about letting go of the rope a little more….yikes! I was very impressed with my girl though, she never once asked if she could go back home, MY lil SHY GIRL was excited to go to camp!! WHAT?!?! I was just waiting for her to say "I do not want to stay" If she would have, trust me, I would have turned the car right back around to go straight back home! 🙂 Its tough not knowing how she's doing BUT I am sure she is having a blast.

    So know that you and I are NORMAL! Atleast I think we are anyway. If we are not normal, atleast we can weep together! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Ky • twopretzels.com - June 29, 2011 - 4:01 pm

    I have an overwhelming urge to lose myself right now. But I can't.
    Because I'm sitting in my office with the door open and I can't lose it.

    —

    Oh friend.

    Oh friend.

    I cannot TELL you how NOT neurotic you are. I feel the SAME way. The SAME way. We just went and checked out a preschool for Lila and I can't even begin to express the wave of emotion that I felt and am feeling about the whole thing.

    It's less about Me, or YOU — it's about wanting them to be accepted. For their hearts ALWAYs to be protected. For their actions to always be authentic without any fear of judgement…

    Oh… I pray for this regularly.

    I love you.

    We shall cry together.

    —

    Yesterday I was walking down the stairs to my car and I was carrying Vivienne and holding Lila's hand and carrying the diaper bag. My ankle gave out and I almost fell hard — but instead I just stumbled. I didn't fall and I didn't hurt Vivienne and Lila remained standing.

    I pray EVERY night that God protects my babies – physically and emotionally. And, yesterday he protected them yet again with the "near fall." He'll do the same for our babies emotionally, too.

    At least in my heart I believe that.ReplyCancel

Did you hear this caution before you got married:  you’re not just marrying a person, you’re marrying a family?  I know I heard it before I married Chad.  I also know that I paid absolutely no attention to it.  My eyes were shaded by rose colored glasses and I only saw  hearts, flowers, and happily […]

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  • Kim - June 27, 2011 - 9:44 pm

    OK…like I'm not already emotional! That was beautiful and sooooo true!ReplyCancel

  • Char - June 27, 2011 - 10:32 pm

    Oh my, ditto, ditto, ditto. D.I.T.T.O. We love you April and cannot imagine anyone else for Matt and our family. Thank you for loving us too. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Adopted aunt - June 28, 2011 - 1:10 am

    Yes I know of no better way than to be recognized on running chatter! April you are a wonderful young woman and the wife Matt needs and the husband you need. And yes I must agree though I have not been privileged to have my haircut by you you do a great job on the ladies of the family! I would agree Summer I heard those words but married Shawn anyway, isn't he lucky! You do have wonderful in laws all the way around. I can only hope that one day I will be graced with two lovely daughters and be the in law I have seen and heard from yours to be.ReplyCancel

1.  Running Chatter is what I title my blog when I really don’t have any fluid thoughts to piece together, but really want to blog.  You see, I love the blog.  I love blogging.  It has kind-a-sort-a changed my life in a weird kind -a-sort-a way.  That might seem pathetic, but it’s true.  Maybe I […]

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  • Sassytimes - June 24, 2011 - 12:25 pm

    Wonderful photos!

    I worry about our family dynamic too. I worry if we end up having a boy that he'll feel left out or E will feel like the ultimate "middle" child. I hope we can still manage to make everyone feel equally loved.ReplyCancel

  • Trophy Life - June 24, 2011 - 5:11 pm

    loved the post. the pictures of you with Chanelle and Chad with Chanelle are so ridiculously beautiful. please print and frame.ReplyCancel

  • Adopted aung - June 25, 2011 - 2:52 am

    No one is going to feel left out bc they will all be loved! I am glad you at least don't show your kid side all the time like your hubby:). I am sure Charlie took it all in with your dad. Yes girls need great dads.ReplyCancel

  • Kim - June 25, 2011 - 10:18 am

    Great post as usual. I am glad we will have interne in Mongolia, we will be able to keep up……just sayin'.
    I sometimes feel like the Grinch who's heart kept growing and growing. That's what it was like when Chanelle was born, I could literally feel my heart expand and take her in. Life is good! God is good!ReplyCancel

“Whatever is dreamed on this night, will come to pass.” William Shakespeare – Acknowledging the Magic of This Time A Mid-Summernight’s Dream Yesterday we ushered in Summer.  The “official” beginning of the season that seems to come and go in the blink of an eye.  The time of year when picnics are common, produce stands […]

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  • Sassytimes - June 22, 2011 - 1:05 pm

    Cute little town. Happy Summer!ReplyCancel

  • Ky • twopretzels.com - June 22, 2011 - 9:43 pm

    This really makes me miss the States.

    Specifically Ohio…

    I want this.ReplyCancel

  • Adopted aunt - June 24, 2011 - 2:48 am

    Go thru that town a lot and yes the ice cream is yummy! I love the picnic! Isn't it funny how when we were kids summer lasted forever and now it goes to quick. Guess we just need to slow down.ReplyCancel

  • cjc - June 24, 2011 - 4:06 am

    I thoroughly enjoy catching up with your words…your life.

    your blog is fab.

    I get you.ReplyCancel

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