His Descendants are Many...

When we first moved into our present home eleven years ago, I had a vision of what I wanted along the wall of the stairwell. I wanted a sepia toned collection of family photos, old and new.

The black and white photos and the brown sepia tones would be the unifying factor between the Now and Then look.

It all started with a photo of my dad. A self-portrait he had taken sitting perfectly still playing with a long exposure. He was working on what was then known as the Isle of Pines (Isla de Pino) and had grown a beard and wanted to document this momentous occasion for my mom to see.

I always loved the photo of Papi. He looked so young and so "Indiana Jonesy." So, I had it framed years before and it hung in my parents' home for years. My mom gave it to me as a gift when I moved into this house and I still treasure it.

Also, I found a poster of an old photo of my sisters and me on the beach in Varadero Beach in Cuba, circa 1958. I had that blown up back in the early 70's and had it mounted on a plaque and so I get to enjoy it every single day.

So, I had my idea and I added to it photos of family and some vinyl lettering with the year we got married. And I added a scripture that I felt added to the feel. I had a custom stencil made and painted it directly on the wall.

From the book of Job 5:25, it says in Spanish:

“Sabras que tu descendencia es mucha, y tu prole como la hierba de la tierra.”

In English:

“You will know also that your descendants will be many, and your offspring as the grass of the Earth.”

I truly love the way the wall came together and expresses the "old timey" feel I wanted. When I come down the stairs I remember my dad, who passed away 13 years ago. He was pretty brilliant and had a delicious sense of humor. I love the photo of him and picture the moment of him, so many years ago, doing his painstaking self-portrait.

This past New Year's Eve, we had a party and there were fake mustaches involved, but that's not important right now.

You know how you see something every single day so that it gets to a point that you don't really "see" it? Yes. That's me. All the time.

Imagine my surprise when I came down the stairs and noticed this:

I laughed out loud and thought, "Papi would have loved this."

Made my day.

Gratuitous Photos of My Four Kids

All my creative energy is going into my kitchen remodel. Well, most of it.

Another high percentage of my creative energy is going into designing sets and costumes for the high school production of Grease (Jonathan will be playing the role of Sonny).

And did I mention that we've torn up the downstairs bathroom? Probably not, because I'm kind enough to spare the internet from enjoying photos of my discarded toilet in the side yard and my bombed-out-looking-bathroom. You're welcome.

All that to say this: I'm having trouble stringing two words together to make a sentence because my right brain has taken charge over my entire being and is diverting all energy to sets, costumes, kitchen, and bath (not necessarily in that order).

And did I mention that I'm mostly "visual?"

So I thought I'd just post some photos of my kids today.

1. Because they make me happy.
2. Because these photos perfectly captured their relationships and personalities.
3. Because I can. ;-)

Lucy & Adam. He was seven when she was born and that was upsetting to him for a while.

He's obviously over it.

Now it's like they share a brain.

Amy Kikita really, really wanted her Ruby-Slippers-on-Crack in the photos.

I told her she didn't have to be so dramatic.

That's my girl!

Theirs is the perfect love/hate sibling relationship.

My girls, in spite of the 10 year age difference, are friends. That makes me happy.

Jonathan and Adam are working hard to perfect their smolder.

But, I like their happy faces better.

These two sometimes act like they're twins.

Lucy just really, really wanted her harlequin tights to be documented.

I really, really miss having Adam around.

Because he always makes us laugh.

And laugh.

Jonathan and Amy. He's sixteen. She's twenty-eight. But they share a love for Battlestar Gallactica and Dr. Who. Go figure.

I love that they were all wearing red and black and looked all color-coordinated. (It was Christmas.)

I love when they are all together and making each other laugh.

They are all so different and yet so very much alike. One thing I know for sure, when they smile....I can't deny any of them.

Thanks for your attention. Now it's back to my kitchen and bathroom and Greasers and Pink Ladies. I may yet post photos of my discarded toilet, but that's not important right now. ;-)