Because I Can.

Just enjoy the cuteness. That's all.

ps: Look at those legs crossed. Little Miss Priss, I love you.

Signs of a Child

Delightful. Precious. Even when a plant might have...maybe...got turned over.

What a good visit. Blessed. And lucky.

BEAT

The Calister

Perfection! And joy! Lots of love! Oh the love! And did I mention the joy. Amazing.

What a good day.

BEAT

Photo Friday

Cali Noel Burgess

Athens, GA

Out of Date Pictures

(insert sad face)

Solution? A VISIT! This cutie is in town as we speak seeing other family. Soon enough her lovely mommy and Miss Cali will be hanging with me. A little slice of Athens visiting me! How did I get so lucky? I love being Aunt B.

Storing up big kisses and bear hugs,

BEAT

the Calister...

I had one good day. Reading with Cali. Listening to Cali sing this song over and over and over again. Letting Cali jump on my back. Sneaking cookies behind Cali's back. Napping with Cali. Chatting with Cali's mom. Laughing with Cali's mom. 

What a great way to spend Christmas Eve Eve. I love catching up and being Aunt BEAT. Doesn't hurt that she is one cute kid. And that her mom is one sweet lady. 

Joy upon joy,

Being Aunt BEAT

did I ever tell you I am an aunt?

Well, not really. But yes. I mean she calls me Aunt Air. (The "b" sound seems to be hard for kids.) Cali Noel is my cute niece. There is a long story there, but we are going to move on.  Okay, the short. She is not my brother's.  She is Missy's, my sister who is not really my sister.  I seem to have lots of these relationships.  Good thing!  I like being adopted (figuretively). And my family seems to like to adopt people, too (figuretively).  I think complex family systems make life more interesting. Maybe.  These relationships are even better when you feel estranged from your own (extended) family.

Back to Cali.  Please take time to experience her cuteness and thoughtfulness in the below picture. I saw Cali in July, and then it was three months before I got to hold her again. And what a three months. She went from barely walking to running.  She went from holding on to her momma to social butterfly. And the best, she went from incoherent rambler to perfectly eloquent. What a great conversationalist. The great thing about kids, especially toddlers, they remind you of the little things.  

They describe ordinary objects with keen detail.  They observe what you have forgotten. And guess what?  They will remind you!  They point. They share. They talk. They conversate. They require your attention. And I am willing to give it! I am willing to be reminded. I am willing to rediscover the beautiful, complex, and ordinary of daily living.  Cali helps me regain a memory that was long forgotten in the (many) days of stress, studying, ranting, and self-centeredness. 

Thanks, Cali. Thanks for being part of my family. Thanks for talking with me. Thanks for helping me celebrate life.  

I am one lucky aunt.

Joy upon joy,

Aunt BEAT