tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79665337879227735892024-03-14T05:00:38.758-04:00Happiness is..."Be Content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you."~ Lao TzuHappiness is...http://www.blogger.com/profile/01259545466842968611noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966533787922773589.post-83980754032913248502012-11-14T00:33:00.001-05:002012-11-14T00:33:57.792-05:00A Choice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Today a wise mama posted words hit me like a bat to the head. A well needed blow may I add. One of my favorite bloggers, Nici from <a href="http://www.digthischick.net/" target="_blank">Dig this Chick</a>, wrote an amazing, mind-blowing entry about making choices in her life. Finding balance. Being present. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">"My daughters have helped me remember that we have choices about most things. Feeling panicked or overwhelmed is a choice."</span></span></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Since this summer, I have felt overwhelmed from the present. My father-in-law suffered a second major stroke at the same time our house was torn to shreds for massive renovations. Two factors of my life that I relate to stability and to endless joy became anything but solid. The physical changes planted a seed of upheaval within me. I </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;">let</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> it establish strong roots. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I masked the anxiety this summer by enjoying the time living on the boat and then spent away on vacations. But as fall replaced summer I felt the weight of supporting my family through my husband’s reeducation stack on the mounding pressures. And then I let everything get to me - deciding Alex’s future schooling, my Dad’s health concerns, my father-in-law’s progress, my pending job changes, and money. I was numb and exhausted. I could not enjoy my frequent visits to Pennsylvania, seeing that my attention was focused on attending to family needs. I walked away from simple pleasures including posting on this blog, and then </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">felt guilty for dropping it.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">And then it took 7 simple words - </span><span style="background-color: black; font: normal normal normal 18px/normal Verdana; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: cyan;">feeling panicked and overwhelmed is a choice</span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> - to sucker-punch me out of my fog. Holy shit. It </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><i>was</i></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> my choice. It </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><i>is</i></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> my choice. I need to look at those words every day. I need to remember that I alone decide to be present or not. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Yesterday I took advantage of an extremely mild day in mid-November to walk to lunch versus a quick drive. And I was enjoying the warmth, I thought about the book <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Thousand-Gifts-Fully-Right/dp/0310321913/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352863140&sr=8-1&keywords=one+thousand+gifts" target="_blank">One Thousand Gifts</a></i>, and how I never started recording my gifts of the every day in a journal. Then I thought that my first blessing to record should be: <i>Walking on a sunny, mild day</i>. I can see that the healing started yesterday. I know that I'm capable.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">:: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">July Recap ::</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ben and I were asked once again to drive the Faces of Valor mobile in the Galesville, MD 4th of July parade. Our little Statue of Liberty was as popular as the car.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">I made her costume last summer from a small sheet, 1/2 yard of 1" foam, a bit of dye, a sharpie pen, and sharp sheers. Who knew it would get so much mileage.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">:: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Martha's Vineyard ::</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">There's still something rustic and unpolished about the island of Martha's Vineyard, MA.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">It's where I grew up as a teen. It's where we got married 20 years ago. It's where I share space with my dearest of friends who opens her vacation to us every summer. I know that roaming here with her by my side is a blessing. A gift.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">We gladly trade television for nature's creatures at low tide. Every single day.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Grey proves year-after-year that he has the special touch with the local creatures.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">:: Long Point Beach - how I have a crush on you. Shallow freshwater lagoon on one side and the blue Atlantic ocean on the other; with the two waters separated by a strip of dunes and a lot of poison ivy. The space beacons that you bring it all - shovels, toys, and colorful beach umbrellas.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">:: Chappaquiddick - a new adventure for us. A local island, accessed by a fast boat ride. Without cars, the island can only be discovered by foot. We gladly obliged.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">:: There's a natural connection between our three children. They will grow up knowing each other and remembering all the crazy moments.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">I love this place so much. It makes my soul swim in deep happiness.</span></div>
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And looking back tonight reminds me that life will fall in place as it ebbs and flows. And that I have the choice to control my perspective. I'm not saying that I will ignore the need to worry about the details, but I cannot allow it to control my reality. The one that I appreciate so.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>1. Taking a walk on a mild fall day.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>2. Gathering leaves.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>3. Sleeping next to my daughter.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>4. Fresh roasted coffee with cream.</i></span></span></div>
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Happiness is...http://www.blogger.com/profile/01259545466842968611noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966533787922773589.post-50059801103790776072012-07-03T23:26:00.001-04:002012-07-03T23:26:07.924-04:00Once Upon a Time<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Once upon a time, my little girl turned four...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The one passion I share with several close friends is the need to celebrate life - to celebrate the child. So when I asked Alex earlier this spring what she wanted for her fourth birthday party, her thoughts included the words: pink, purple, sparkle, princess, dress-up, castle, and Rapunzell. And she wanted it to be at home because to her, "that's where the best parties are."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I set up an enchanted party board on <a href="http://pinterest.com/happinessisthis/enchanted-party/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> to gather my varied thoughts into something tangible. I wanted the party to feed her imagination, to be welcoming to both boys and girls, and to truly allow children play openly and unstructured. And so the thought was born to make it a storybook fairy tale, which would force books, not Disney princesses, to be the focus of the party.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I found the perfect invitation from the Etsy seller Perfectly Touched - an 10" x 6" sparkly castle invitation. The seller left the inside blank so that I could complete the wording. The best part? Not only did I save time and money, but the purple and silver tones of the invite set the color theme for the party!</i></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I will admit that I'm one of those crazy, creative, crafty people, and this party ignited a flame within me. And like my mother, I wanted to put my personal touch on every detail - all because I have a girl that is so grateful for the handmade. On the list of items created: Rapunzel hair wig, unicorns (from stick horses), treasure stones, knights costumes, gift boxes. Dude, I was burning the creative candle on both ends. My kid was gasping daily.</span><br />
<a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202012/1-instagram-7312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202012/1-instagram-7312_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202012/1-instagram-7312_2.jpg" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202012/1-instagram-7312.jpg" />I saw a page in Parent's magazine that suggested alternative Easter baskets including one that was crafted to look like a castle. So I experimented with $.60 gift boxes from Michaels where I hand-cut the top edges to look like a castle, painted them grey and finished them off with a faux stone design. I filled them with shredded purple fill, chocolate coins, handmade treasure stones, ring pops, and Tobos thematic figurines.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I found these books at Michaels and scattered stacks of them around the tables.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202012/June92012-187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202012/June92012-187.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And I used tea cups on the tables filled with silver gum balls in lieu of apothecary jars. (I think every child asked if they were gumballs and then slinked off with one or two in hand.)</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202012/June92012-174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202012/June92012-174.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And then my friend Shannon lent me this ridiculously funny frog prince for the table just because. </span><br />
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<a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202012/June92012-198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202012/June92012-198.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As for the children's area, I wanted everything to be at their level - the tables, the dress up area, the moon bounce - creating the fantasy from their vantage. I placed two low 4'x8' tables together and surrounded the perimeter with smaller chairs; it was not a round table, but at least a setting for a feast. The table was decorated with white and pink linens, silver chargers (Michaels $1), and <a href="http://www.centurynovelty.com/detail_268_146-1162.html" target="_blank">golden goblets</a> filled with sparkling cider.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I surrounded the table with a staked canopy that was covered in ribbon, tulle, flowers, and butterflies <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Martha-Stewart-Crafts-Classic-Butterfly/dp/B004C6HVAU" target="_blank">punched </a>out of vintage children's books.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202012/June92012-179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202012/June92012-179.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I had another crazy thought to paint a mural for the background; understand that I don't paint and the project made me sweat. I sewed 2 twin sheets together and then used basic acrylic craft paints to create the scene. And knowing my girl, I added details like purple flags at the top of the castle, Rapunzel's hair flowing from a window, and flying lanterns drifting away from the castle. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Witness the power of prayer. Booyah, I can paint!</i></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And lastly, the cake. It was based on the book "The Princess and the Pea." </span><br />
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<a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202012/June92012-181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202012/June92012-181.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now for the important details…the children. At this point, I will use very few words and let the images speak for themselves.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202012/June92012-003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202012/June92012-003.jpg" width="510" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I feel so grateful to be in the presence of children. I cherish their ability to find the joy in the basic.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have a feeling that she will not forget this celebration for a long time. And that my dear friends is what it's all about - carving deep grooves into her childhood.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>I am grateful to my friend Cindy for helping to staple up not only a million butterflies, but for also capturing many images.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And she lived happily ever after. The End.</span></div>
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Happiness is...http://www.blogger.com/profile/01259545466842968611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966533787922773589.post-54273957777616059602012-06-07T00:15:00.002-04:002012-06-07T00:15:37.756-04:00Four.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And suddenly my little girl is 4. </span><br />
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<a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/IMG_9872-combo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/IMG_9872-combo.jpg" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Count those fingers. She's so big, yet still so small. Tucked under our wings, but someday I know that Alex will be ready to soar. She's Innocent and full of stories and possesses the largest imagination. And oh Alex is <u>so</u> loving. I need to bottle her to up to remember the intensity of her love. It's pure and meaningful. And I'll need to open up that reserve one day when she's 15 and I'm simply the stupidest thing Alex has ever know. </span><br />
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<a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/IMG_9850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/IMG_9850.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Alex's birthday fell mid-week this year, so without hesitation, I took the day off to celebrate her birth. We celebrated in the morning with the preschool classmates, sharing songs and ice cream cups. I sat in one of the little chairs, watching my knees avoid my chin, negotiating at least 6 little conversations directed my way. But all the time, I beamed with pride, letting my heart surf the swell of love. I thought "that's my girl" as I caught glances and monstrous hugs from her.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After school, I decided our celebration would entail a proper tea. Our first tea together. Just us girls. I think about how much my mother would have loved to have joined us. Silly, but true. Having high tea was just <i>so</i> Florence.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We dressed appropriately (me in a dress and Alex in her new sparkly Cinderella dress) and headed to <a href="http://www.reynoldstavern.org/">Reynolds Tavern</a>. We ordered tea, finger sandwiches, and scones. </span><br />
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<a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/IMG_9876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/IMG_9876.jpg" width="457" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The room was filled with other ladies and the space buzzed with conversation, but Alex sat quietly fascinated, dropping cubes of sugar and pools of milk into the tea. And she declared how much she loved Earl Grey at least 5 times. That's my girl.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sallie joined us too because it <u>was</u> special day. (however the phone was removed at one point because Sallie could not stop playing Word with Friends).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And when Alex stepped away from the table, the other ladies in the room made a fuss over her dress and realized that it was her birthday. And next thing you know, this proper tea room boomed with voices singing "Happy Birthday" to her. And that was just more pixie dust on top of our day.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Four years later, I still have these "pinch me" moment where I cannot believe that she's ours, that my heart has grown a thousand times, and that <u>I am</u> her mommy. I have learned more from this little person in 1,460 days than 30+ years on this earth ever taught me. And I am mindfully aware and grateful every day that Alex is our child. Thank you God.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There's no denying it was a special day for us. A birthday. A birth day. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Happy Birthday my sweetest bunny.</span><br />
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<br />Happiness is...http://www.blogger.com/profile/01259545466842968611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966533787922773589.post-62343931771441888922012-04-15T00:05:00.000-04:002012-04-15T00:05:27.513-04:00Conversationitis<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've had one of those days where I'm slamming head directly into the wall of motherhood. Don't get me wrong, I had an enchanted day with my girl - at an Earth Day celebration, at breakfast, while enjoying a picnic lunch, watching her roam a grassy knoll swinging her net at butterflies, and gardening with her. It wasn't those moments, but the ones where she talked..and talked..and dominated conversations..and continued. At times I felt like the Grinch ("oh the noise!") and at others I sat there beating myself up mentally for not absorbing her adorable stories. I know, we all have moments and that's why I'm here banging it out on my keyboard.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When my father talks to much I try to combat the chatter by being quiet - as if my silence has an ability to negate noise or balance the quota of words flinging through the air. Ben found us girls out in the patio while I was training my mother's climbing rose along our fence.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ben: "Hi!" </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Me: "Hey" (not breaking my stride)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We are momentarily quiet, drowned out by the constant chatter from Alex and her stuffed animal Greenie.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ben: "You in a bad mood?"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Jen: "You know how I try to counteract noise with silence?"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He looks at her, and figures out quickly why I'm quiet and laughs. He turns around to go back in.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Jen: "By the way, you're on tonight. I'm going out by myself for one hour."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">By the time I left tonight, Ben had Alex in bed and was trying to tell her stories to get her settled. She was still verbally bouncing off the walls, which made her physically kick herself out of the covers again and again. He looked at me and whispered "Oh My God!" For a hot moment, I misplaced the keys and sent a text to a friend saying that I was screwed. She knew my pain, seeing that she just returned from an hour of silent solo shopping. Having wine at her house was option #2.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I secured my keys within 2 minutes, headed out the door, and called my dear girl Karen in Indonesia. I told her about my stress, the talking, the noise, my lack of appreciation, and I was informed that Alex was suffering from "conversationitis". Karen laughed at me and informed me that it happens when kids think that they finally get the whole conversation bit and will have one with our without your participation. Lovely. Well, at least there's a name for it. Thanks Karen for the education. Moving on.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">::</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Easter was a rocking. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9410.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We had multiple egg hunts, grandparents, and handmade dresses to name a few of the highlights.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9413.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9314-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9314-1.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Alex would say that the dress I made for her was the best part.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The material was a seersucker weight material covered in a random bright floral. The bodice in this pattern won me over with it's petal detailing and material flower accent. And I finished the inside with a pink lining just because. I am reminded every time I complete a big project that I able. Zipper, no zipper - I got it - and I have a sense of humor and a sharp seam ripper just in case. Thanks Mom for giving me the skills and the confidence. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9438.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And as for Alex, I sense that she knows that handmade is special and that I love her with every stitch. It's the one time when I feel she's an old soul and just knows that it takes a lot of love. And it does. And I do love her so.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And even though I do have moments like today where I'm suffering, the are just that - a lapse in time and not a defining moment.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Alex is growing so quickly these days - and it's not just the matter of filling her drawers with larger sizes. No, it's the look. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9358.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">She's maturing. I see it in her face. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Her look is of a girl, a kid. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Instead of running like an etherial fairy (with a little hop included), Alex can sprint along like one of the boys. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">She flits, she flees, she flies.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">See, I needed this. I love her so. Regardless of the noise. - J</span>Happiness is...http://www.blogger.com/profile/01259545466842968611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966533787922773589.post-88836619028344571282012-04-06T01:38:00.000-04:002012-04-06T01:38:13.132-04:00Altitude<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">March came in like a lamb, setting foot into an endless pasture and marking the end of a winter without snow. A lack of snow leads children to make angels in the sand if nothing else.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9117.jpg" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And somehow its early arrival and unseasonable warmth amplified my sentiments and passion for life. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9119.jpg" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The growth and rebirth of the earth inspires me to the core. I miss the bluest of skies filled with clouds that shift shapes. I cherish endless bouquets of dandelions and buttercups. And I sense the buzz of the insects, the annoyance of ants, & the smell of fresh cut grass as I turn the soil; setting seeds and plans for the coming season. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9174.jpg" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My heart and soul truly ache from the pleasure of living in this moment, and I am acutely aware of the blessings of my life. I enjoy <u>the now</u> for what it is.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">::</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Due to a myriad of reasons, work has been a task and hooky more so a privilege. And in the middle of it all, I took off a day to spend with my best friend. Our children played. We shared company at a slower pace, and set the first picnic of many to come. And Nate in all of his innocence is now a boy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9177.jpg" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Nate's long distance sprint back to Mama stirred a monster within Alex. Her just-born competitive streak drove her to cream the little boy who didn't have a clue. And I am left amazed that my etherial fairy who needs to be instructed 4 or 5 times to complete a task has a ruthless drive. Maybe there's a sense of focus deep inside her after all.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/Collage-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/Collage-6.jpg" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">::</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was reminded once again that giving young children space to play at a birthday party is all they need; so a local park and an accessible toilet make great partners. As expected, Alex started her adventure at the swings - I think she uses the swings as a way of psyching-up for massive activity.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9204-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9204-1.jpg" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But my favorite part was the jungle gym encompassed in a massive sand box. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9218.jpg" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9221.jpg" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The park was located in Arlington, Virginia and Nancy and I planned to walk our children post-celebration around the title basin to savor the blooming Cherry trees; but 4 hours of play proved that even the best of kids can be too tired to sit gracefully without complaint.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9238-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9238-1.jpg" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">::</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I will be back in a few days to share my creativity and inspiration generated from this season. For now, here's wishing you all a happy Easter and a wonderful spring.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9112.jpg" /></a></div><div><br />
</div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; font-size: medium;"><b>Such Singing in the Wild Branches</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; font-size: medium;">(2003)</span><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; font-size: large;">It was spring<br />
and finally I heard him<br />
among the first leaves—<br />
then I saw him clutching the limb<br />
<br />
in an island of shade<br />
with his red-brown feathers<br />
all trim and neat for the new year.<br />
First, I stood still<br />
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and thought of nothing.<br />
Then I began to listen.<br />
Then I was filled with gladness—<br />
and that's when it happened,<br />
<br />
when I seemed to float,<br />
to be, myself, a wing or a tree—<br />
and I began to understand<br />
what the bird was saying,<br />
<br />
and the sands in the glass<br />
stopped<br />
for a pure white moment<br />
while gravity sprinkled upward<br />
<br />
like rain, rising,<br />
and in fact<br />
it became difficult to tell just what it was that was singing—<br />
it was the thrush for sure, but it seemed<br />
<br />
not a single thrush, but himself, and all his brothers,<br />
and also the trees around them,<br />
as well as the gliding, long-tailed clouds<br />
in the perfectly blue sky— all, all of them<br />
<br />
were singing.<br />
And, of course, yes, so it seemed,<br />
so was I.<br />
Such soft and solemn and perfect music doesn't last<br />
<br />
for more than a few moments.<br />
It's one of those magical places wise people<br />
like to talk about.<br />
One of the things they say about it, that is true,<br />
<br />
is that, once you've been there,<br />
you're there forever.<br />
Listen, everyone has a chance.<br />
Is it spring, is it morning?<br />
<br />
Are there trees near you,<br />
and does your own soul need comforting?<br />
Quick, then— open the door and fly on your heavy feet; the song<br />
may already be drifting away.<br />
<br />
— Mary Oliver, "Such Singing in the Wild Branches"<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Owls-Other-Fantasies-Poems-Essays/dp/0807068756/104-6379836-8972740?n=283155"><i>Owls and Other Fantasies: Poems and Essays</i></a>,<br />
Beacon Press, Boston, 2003, pp. 8-9</div></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div>Happiness is...http://www.blogger.com/profile/01259545466842968611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966533787922773589.post-34073813674505804942012-03-23T23:16:00.000-04:002012-03-23T23:16:30.319-04:00~This moment~<div style="font: 16.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember</i></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #ffffff;"><i>. via </i><span style="font: 16.0px Arial; letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #0225a3; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.soulemama.com/">SouleMama</a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9238.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #ffffff;"><br />
</span></div>Happiness is...http://www.blogger.com/profile/01259545466842968611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966533787922773589.post-30596567874646885192012-03-09T14:19:00.000-05:002012-03-09T14:19:52.424-05:00This Moment ~ Spring Sunset~<div style="font: 16.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember</i></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #ffffff;"><i>. via </i><span style="font: 16.0px Arial; letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #0225a3; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.soulemama.com/">SouleMama</a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/Sunset312-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/Sunset312-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Thank you God for the spectacular painting of the night sky.</i></span></div>Happiness is...http://www.blogger.com/profile/01259545466842968611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966533787922773589.post-60199965099058189282012-03-02T00:23:00.001-05:002012-03-02T11:09:54.445-05:00February Thaw<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It hasn't felt much like winter around here since of the last of the Christmas decorations were tucked back into the attic. Snow has been <u><b>very</b></u> rare - snow showers, yes, but sadly no accumulation. We have skirted cold days hovering in the teens, and mild weather seems to abound; which equates to daffodils blooming in February and to us frolicking barefoot at the beach. And the only thing that reminds me that it's still winter are the passage of the holidays - MLK, Valentines, St. Pats, and eventually Easter.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_8645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_8645.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The girl is getting so big. She's sprouting into a long lean silhouette of a 4 year old; gone are the days of the abundant toddler belly. Her face is lean, her hair is long, and wow, suddenly she's become a master conversationalist. Last winter, my favorite Alex word was "yesternight" and currently, I love hearing her iterate the word "bratend". Everything is a big game of pretending to be someone, conversing with her stuffed animals, or reiterating stories for the hundredth time.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_8756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_8756.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_8731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_8731.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I love watching Alex master new tasks. We can spend an evening cutting paper into tiny pieces. At some point she starts making up a story about cutting Rapunzel's hair and then she gleefully <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJo0zBn1ISQ&feature=context&context=C3b74166ADOEgsToPDskIeCWevnD_0rYPjORAYC-eR">snips off</a> piece after piece. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">::</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Work has been crazy thanks to the lovely seasonal crush, so Valentine's crafts were limited to gifts for school and for Lesa's. These <a href="http://www.designmom.com/2011/02/get-your-valentine-make-on/">preprinted valentines</a> were my favorite and so easy. And when you have to satiate 27 three year olds, giving a collectable little animal lasts much longer than your average sucker. :)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_8701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_8701.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_8697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_8697.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_8687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_8687.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">::</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My dear, lovely, endlessly talented friend <a href="http://www.bannanphotography.com/">Jana</a> came to visit. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_8925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_8925.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The weather delivered, El Toro delivered (extra margs on the house!), and even the beach gave us an encore. The day was intensely long - the equivalent of condensing an entire weekend into less than 12 hours - but it was truly amazing. And Alex and Luci connected for the first time. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_8794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_8794.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_8774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_8774.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_8884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_8884.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The girls played like children should - unbridled, joyful, boundless. They were burying themselves in the sand, twirling, spinning, and hunting for treasure. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_8943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_8943.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_8826-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_8826-1.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_8872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_8872.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">::</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I wrapped up the month by visiting our family in Pennsylvania. Aunt Missy hosted a princess tea for the cousins. And every little detail was infused with love: flower-shaped tea sandwiches, pink-tinted white hot chocolate, and fresh marshmallows. You could see the love, but all the kids could see was fun.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_8986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_8986.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9004.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9006.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The cousins had nothing less than a great time, and days later, Alex randomly moans about missing Maddie and Jude. She loves them so. It's all good.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">::</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And as we headed out of town, we stopped at <a href="http://www.longwoodgardens.org/">Longwood Gardens</a> with Christina, Grey, and Gunnar. I forgot how much I miss Longwood since moving to Annapolis. It's heaven and eye candy wrapped up in one beautifully groomed location.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9028.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">May I introduce orchids. Floating, cascading, and standing alone. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9044.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9040.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9057.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And now paired those blooms with a bit of spring.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9037.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">::</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Intertwined within the blossoms and the sweetened air was the children's section. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9100.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To state that it's wonderful, is simply an understatement. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9063.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9067.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9097-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9097-1.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9081-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9081-1.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The display allowed the children to explore, run, and get soaked to the core. Longwood provided paint brushes for the children to paint the walls, the floors, and the steps with water. Alex was unforgiving with the brush.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9087.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9096.jpg" /></span></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9103.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Oh my did I love this handrail. Rrrrr!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you plan to ever visit, bring an extra set of dry clothing; Alex was soaked and frozen to the core. And if you need to ask, Longwood provides towels as you exit the display. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Christina's friend Lonny commented that it will be wonderful to see our children grow up together. And Christina and I just smiled at each other, feeling like we've shared that secret now for years.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_9071.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Happy Spring. Embrace it. </span>Happiness is...http://www.blogger.com/profile/01259545466842968611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966533787922773589.post-39186362998056365382012-02-24T10:07:00.000-05:002012-02-24T10:07:39.975-05:00~This moment~ Warmer Wintery Moments<div style="font: 16.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember</i></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #ffffff;"><i>. via </i><span style="font: 16.0px Arial; letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #0225a3; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.soulemama.com/">SouleMama</a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/1-instagram-22412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/1-instagram-22412.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;">We welcomed mild winter days with open arms and sandy toes. </div>Happiness is...http://www.blogger.com/profile/01259545466842968611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966533787922773589.post-27617710221290608532012-02-08T22:36:00.000-05:002012-02-08T22:36:12.639-05:00Love Never Fails<div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">I tend to be the type who believes wholeheartedly that my cup is half full if not overflowing. Life is to be cherished, celebrated, savored, and appreciated - Drink it down, shout it out, and be thankful and joyful every day. It’s important to love those who are with us and to celebrate the lives that touched us. However in the past week I realized that I have been without a mother for a quarter of my life, and for the first time in years, I was rattled. Instead of being the one to rev my father into some positive spin about why Mom would be furious that he’s mourning <i>this</i> date; I shared his space. Hi, my name is Jennifer, and 7 years ago today my mom died. </span></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 18.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_0469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_0469.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">If it wasn’t for her life, I would not be an ounce of who I truly am; she poured her talents and passions into me, moulding the core of me. And because of our conversations prior to her death, I gained the fire to fight for a child. My child. OUR child. I appreciate everyday that she lit the match. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_0294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_0294.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 18.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">And since her death, I find myself stripped and vulnerable at times, raw in the moment. Several years ago at church I was reading 1 Corinthians 13 in front of the congregation, and it hit - the wave of vulnerability. I could not control the tears flowing down my face while I progressed through the verses; all because I <i>understood the depth of her love</i> in a way that I had never comprehended before. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_0468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_0468.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 18.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Oh Mom. I love you. I forever cherish that last puckered kiss that we shared. And I love that I see glimmers of you in my dearest Alexandra - the roundness of her cheeks, the crooked smile that emerges at a moment of sheer happiness. Alexandra knows that she can't see you, but believes that connecting with you is as simple as calling you on the phone. Oh how I wish. So instead we talk. A lot. We talk about you and how you would love her and what you would teach her. She wants to know every detail, every story again and again. She’s soaking you in, don’t you know? </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">And now it’s only fitting that I end this post with Corinthians because I know that <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">love never fails</span>.</span></div><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>1</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. </span><span style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>2</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. </span><span style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>3</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.</span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> </span><span style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>4</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. </span><span style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>5</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. </span><span style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>6</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. </span><span style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>7</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.</span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> </span><span style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>8</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. </span><span style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>9</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> For we know in part and we prophesy in part, </span><span style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>10</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. </span><span style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>11</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. </span><span style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>12</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.</span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> </span><span style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>13</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.</span></span></blockquote><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 18.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
</span></div>Happiness is...http://www.blogger.com/profile/01259545466842968611noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966533787922773589.post-33665194801931443912011-12-03T23:12:00.000-05:002011-12-03T23:12:41.576-05:00Leaves<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><em>In the deep fall</em><br />
<em>don't you imagine the leaves think how</em><br />
<em>comfortable it will be to touch</em><br />
<em>the earth instead of the</em><br />
<em>nothingness of air and the endless</em><br />
<em>freshets of wind?</em></span></div><div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">~ Mary Oliver, excerpt from Song for Autumn<br />
in New and Selected Poems, Volume Two</span></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I know that Christmas season is here in full swing, but I need to reflect one more minute on leaves. You know, the billowy pile of Maple, Oak, and Sweet Gum leaves at your curb or in your neighborhood. Yes, the ones you walk by or run through or kick or leap into shamelessly. Wait, you don't? It's not snow, but oh I have a weakness for leaves. The smell, the crunch, the colors, the appeal. And piles of leaves are one of the best sources of entertainment that should have been included as item #6 in <a href="http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2011/01/the-5-best-toys-of-all-time/all/1">this article</a>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Alex and I spent many a day in Pennsylvania in the past month tending to family. One warm sunny Saturday, we took a break by going on a nature stroll.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7390.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I expected that we would return with pockets billowing of leaves and gum balls, rocks, twigs, and berries. But how I love to watch plans change into unexpected adventures.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Speaking of love, I love this view. This tug. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7331.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And prancing down a quiet street full of a fading sun.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7335.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">::</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our adventure took a shift when we found a small pile of leaves that gathered by itself at a curve. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Then Alex gave me the Cheshire grin and came straight at me with an armful of giggling ammo.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7361.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And in that exact moment of Cat & Mouse, we decided to create our own pile of leaves. And what I discovered while I raked leaves? We didn't need to wander far to have hours of fun.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Exhibit A: Rock. Rocks are fun. Seriously, a seat, a jungle gym, a launching pad.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7365-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7365-1.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Exhibit B: Glorious leaves.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7461-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7461-2.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7408.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7409.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7432.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Understand the community where my in-laws live pays to have the leaves gathered and removed, so making a pile is absurd. (Our absurdity had nothing to do with disposal people. Get over it.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Pounce</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7439-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7439-1.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7455.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And in that moment of rolling, jumping, burying, and chasing, time stopped.<a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7475.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">She reminds me that I need <a href="http://www.loc.gov/poetry/180/133.html">to be idle and blessed</a>, especially during this Christmas season. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7371.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<div style="font-size: small; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And I am. </span><br />
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</span></div>Happiness is...http://www.blogger.com/profile/01259545466842968611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966533787922773589.post-8616767005720003672011-11-19T17:38:00.001-05:002011-11-19T17:39:53.235-05:00Hooky<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A few weeks ago, I played hooky from work in order to spend a quality day of goofing-off with my dear friend <a href="http://3saltydogs.blogspot.com/">Shannon</a> at the <a href="http://www.marylandzoo.org/">Maryland Zoo</a>. The timing was perfect: a) It was my first day in weeks to walk away from work without the overwhelming pressure of deadlines, b) I was given free admission tickets by my local Managing Partner, and c) God gave us a day full of sun, blue skies, mild temperatures and space to run wild. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Nate is growing up so fast. He's no longer a baby, but a partner in crime. Alex enjoys the shift.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">::The zoo is full of the obvious, but it's a pleasure to see the excitement through a child's eyes. There's a fascination of watching your child timidly feed a giraffe some lettuce, observe a baby elephant lumber around, or yell at the polar bears in hopes of waking them up. It fills you with joy and pride.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7099.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And somehow, the smallest inhabitants of the zoo, the frogs, left the two of them speechless.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7128.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I will admit that I have a fondness for the primates, which must be a result of spending days of my childhood at The Philadelphia Zoo (they still have the most amazing primate section!).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">:: Discovery comes in all sizes. A pinecone catches Nate's attention in the petting zoo.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My friend Christina and I recently agreed that we feel more aware of life, more grateful of the changing seasons, & appreciative of simple blessings since bearing children. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As if the clarity and brightness on each picture of life is sharper and bolder. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My heart is thankful every day for this journey.</span>Happiness is...http://www.blogger.com/profile/01259545466842968611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966533787922773589.post-23373054838500813462011-11-11T09:48:00.000-05:002011-11-11T09:48:53.622-05:00~this moment~ letting your hair down<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Make over, comb over. It doesn't matter. Just enjoying each other's company.</i></td></tr>
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<div style="font: 16.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. via </i><a href="http://www.soulemama.com/"><span style="font: 16.0px Arial; letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #0225a3; text-decoration: underline;">SouleMama</span></a></span></div>Happiness is...http://www.blogger.com/profile/01259545466842968611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966533787922773589.post-42006843976585407452011-11-09T21:50:00.000-05:002011-11-09T21:50:41.516-05:00Bring me a Bucket (List)<div style="line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><em style="font: italic normal normal 1.2em/normal Baskerville, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; letter-spacing: 0.02em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">I came across a post entitled "You are Already Naked" on the blog </span><a href="http://www.digthischickmt.com/2011/11/you-are-already-naked.html" style="font-style: normal;">Dig This Chick</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">, and Nici talked about how </span><a href="http://www.digthischickmt.com/2011/11/you-are-already-naked.html" style="font-style: normal;">Today's Mama</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> is challenging people to come up with 15 items on their bucket list. So, I took the bait because honestly I like lists. Not shopping lists, but goals. I like to think about goals, to work towards them, to achieve them, and more importantly to change or remove them. I'm a big believer that life is an adventure in evolution, and a bucket list is one of those ways to help us become who we want to </span>be<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">. So anyway, here are 15 items off the top of my head in no particular order:</span></span></span></em></span></div><div><em style="font: italic normal normal 1.2em/normal Baskerville, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; letter-spacing: 0.02em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">1) Get a culinary degree. (This has been on my list since college, but I'll take an overall degree instead of an emphasis in fine baking.)</span></span></em></div><div><em style="font: italic normal normal 1.2em/normal Baskerville, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; letter-spacing: 0.02em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">2) Visit New Zealand with my daughter and husband and good friends who are from the country.</span></span></em></div><div><em style="font: italic normal normal 1.2em/normal Baskerville, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; letter-spacing: 0.02em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">3) Get a motorcycle license.</span></span></em></div><div><em style="font: italic normal normal 1.2em/normal Baskerville, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; letter-spacing: 0.02em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">4) RV in a retro Airstream across the country.</span></span></em></div><div><em style="font: italic normal normal 1.2em/normal Baskerville, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; letter-spacing: 0.02em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">5) Learn to play guitar.</span></span></em></div><div><em style="font: italic normal normal 1.2em/normal Baskerville, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; letter-spacing: 0.02em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">6) Learn to crochet.</span></span></em></div><div><em style="font: italic normal normal 1.2em/normal Baskerville, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; letter-spacing: 0.02em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">7) Try snowboarding.</span></span></em></div><div><em style="font: italic normal normal 1.2em/normal Baskerville, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; letter-spacing: 0.02em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">8) Go to a lodge in the middle of winter. Exhaust myself with the best sledding/tubing around and then recover in front of a roaring fire with a good book or good company.</span></span></em></div><div><em style="font: italic normal normal 1.2em/normal Baskerville, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; letter-spacing: 0.02em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">9) Visit Salzburg, Austria and sing "The Sound of Music" while twirling on a green mountain top.</span></span></em></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">10) Continually find inspiration in the everyday.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">11) Take Alex back to Baker, Oregon and show her the family house still on the Oregon Trail. Teach her about our heritage as settlers, cowboys, and gold miners.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">12) Learn to preserve food.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">13) Make Cheese from scratch. Feta & Mozzarella. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">14) Learn to weld. Yes, I want to learn all sorts of ways to fuse metal. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">15) Always feed my desire to constantly learn and grow as a person, as a human being, as a mother and wife, as a friend and family member.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><em style="font: italic normal normal 1.2em/normal Baskerville, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; letter-spacing: 0.02em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.bracnow.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Just Ask </span></a></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><em style="font: italic normal normal 1.2em/normal Baskerville, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; letter-spacing: 0.02em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">offers a breast and ovarian cancer screening and is encouraging people to share 15 things that I want to enjoy in my lifetime as a reminder to be aware of my health. </em><em style="font: italic normal normal 1.2em/normal Baskerville, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; letter-spacing: 0.02em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">This is my entry in the Just Ask Bucket List Getaway Giveaway. Interested?</em><em style="font: italic normal normal 1.2em/normal Baskerville, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; letter-spacing: 0.02em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> Head over to <a href="http://todaysmama.com/2011/10/just-ask-bucket-list-getaway-giveaway/">Today's Mama</a></em><em style="font: italic normal normal 1.2em/normal Baskerville, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; letter-spacing: 0.02em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> to get the details.</em></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
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<div style="font: 16.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember</i></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #ffffff;"><i>. via </i><a href="http://www.soulemama.com/"><span style="font: 16.0px Arial; letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #0225a3; text-decoration: underline;">SouleMama</span></a></span></div>Happiness is...http://www.blogger.com/profile/01259545466842968611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966533787922773589.post-28504885035432142392011-11-01T22:56:00.000-04:002011-11-01T22:56:53.469-04:00Boo<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Halloween. I always liked it, but when you have a kid, it's like having a hall pass. Everything is fun - seasonal crafts, baking, picking pumpkins. I'll admit that I'm bad about the candy, and Ben and I have been "training" our bellies for weeks. When I was first pregnant, I remember putting on 13 pounds like that (snap!). It might have been the hormones, but I think the cauldron of candy 10 paces from my office door had something to do with it too! Moving on...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Alex was in to Halloween this year. How could she not, seeing that she dresses up every day? Of course, I had a premonition that she would not wear anything that I would make from hand. Alex is three with a decisive thoughts, and her #1 dress flexes with the tide. I just knew if I slaved over a costume and she didn't wear it, my blood would boil and next thing I would be "bad mommy." And you know what, my hunch came true. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We were rushing to dress her before the neighborhood kids arrived at my house. New Dorothy shoes arrived on time - check. Rufus in the basket - check. Clean Dorothy dress that someone else made and I scored at our consignment shop - check. Argument about having to wear a leotard and tights underneath to keep her warm - check. And that's when it got really messy. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">All Alex wanted to wear is a well-loved, ratty fairy dress with missing sleeves. And if I won the battle about the leotard, I knew that I had to sway with her. It was loud, but I caved.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7258.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As you can see, Rufus (her dog playing Toto) and the basket were left at home in lieu of Greeny and the Dorothy shoes made the cut. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">::</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In our neighborhood, we have much more than just houses. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7265.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We have the dock neighbors too.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7297.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thanks Dave for making the dock a special place to visit!</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's was a new experience to walk your child around at dusk on a dock without a life vest. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7275.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7301.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ben and I felt insecure watching them toddle up and down the docks - it's like shoving your kid in the car and not belting them into their car seats on purpose. The sensation gnaws at you. We made jokes. And I thought about how we all survived with our parents letting us roam around the back of cars and how they drank and smoked during pregnancy. And I knew that it would be fine.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7293.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Of course, it was a neighbor's stoop, not the docks, that caused Alex to tumble face first. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And for only visiting 6 boats and 10 houses, these kids' buckets were brimming. I guess you could say that the neighbors are thrilled to have a younger generation around. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7284.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Happy Halloween you silly goose. I think you'll love the dress-up dress I'll make you for Christmas. xo</span>Happiness is...http://www.blogger.com/profile/01259545466842968611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966533787922773589.post-62440735983957133052011-10-27T23:08:00.000-04:002011-10-27T23:08:03.051-04:00Falling<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was reading my friend's blog the other night, and thoughts lingered on her desire to extend October for a few more months. I get it. I'm right there. I'm digging my heels in at the end of each day, hoping to pull back on progression. The month is the last thread to mild days, to this past summer, and to my child's innocent growth - the time where she's no longer a baby, but not yet a student. Alive, interactive, present, and engaging. I am living in the now. </span><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I love fall. It stretches way beyond the shift of the season - beyond the squirreling of treasured acorns and leaves (and if you could see my front table, you would see our building treasure). There's something frenzied and busy about the fall activities. And I simply love it. It's exhausting, distracting, but so enticing. My mind stumbles away from each weekend, dizzy from the sheer pleasure of it all - making me want to go back again and again. It's a twisty swing ride. A hangover of joy.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">::</span></div><div><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6717.jpg" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Only preserving going on in this kitchen is bottling up a bit of this - My girl. She loves the kitchen, especially being right under my feet, in my business - Measuring, cracking, rolling, creating.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6712-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6712-1.jpg" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And does it make her happy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6720.jpg" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6742.jpg" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our kitchen is hopping - soups, pumpkin bread, carmel apples, warm cider, and shaped pancakes. The pancakes are a huge hit, and it's really easy if you use a squeeze bottle with thinned batter; just outline your shape and fill. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7038.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7035.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a>It's a tradition that Ben's dad started way back when, but I remember my first cake. Ben made me bunny cake back when we were first dating, camping in Florida on spring break; I was hooked on the tradition but more so on the boy. What a charming sentiment. I get why Alex now wants pancakes every day.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">::</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We have visited a lot of local festivals this fall. The first one at <a href="http://www.kinderfarmpark.org/">Kinder Farm Park</a>. Their festival included a petting zoo, hay rides, moon bounces, pumpkin painting, square dancing, and corn chucking. Yes, a piece of corn is hurled out of a pressurized pipe cannon, intending to hit targets far in a field. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6778-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6778-1.jpg" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6782picnik2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6782picnik2.jpg" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We were there for hours, relaxing, letting the kids float between the events and the multi-level playgrounds. I got a hand cut silhouette of Alex, Nancy noshed on funnel cake, and the kids got high on sugar.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6867-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6867-1.jpg" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6859.jpg" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">They were ridiculous.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">::</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Next festival was in south county at <a href="http://www.greenstreetgardens.com/">Greenstreet Gardens</a>. It didn't look like much when we rolled up to the garden center, but HOLY. I want to go back!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It started with a hayride back to the fall festival area. This sign set the mood…</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6885.jpg" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And after emerging from a haunted barn and ride through the woods, we came to a scenic mecca land for all things fun.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7012.jpg" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What you're looking at is a beautiful hillside that hides a large, underground slide. And as each kid descends, they yell just to hear their voices vibrate in unison to their bouncing bodies.</span></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7001-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7001-1.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And in the valley below, there is a corn maze, a hay maze (for the smaller kids), a pumpkin patch, sandboxes full of corn kernels, and the most amazing moon bounce <i><b>I have ever experienced</b></i>.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6962.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was a 20'x30' rectangle that rose from the ground - no sides for protection - and everyone - little kids, larger kids, and adults - got a turn.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6921-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6921-1.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was so much fun that Nancy and I laughed the entire time. And if you had an adult jump right near you, you launched high above the surface; and usually came down in a graceless fall.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Enzo and Alex fell in love with this oversized sandbox (15' square) full of corn kernels. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6972.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6974.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6989.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6994.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6995.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">They were jumping, swimming, pouring, burying, burrowing, and laughing for a sold hour. Who knew corn could be so much fun?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After 3 hours, the kids were so tired that they could barely stand or talk. But it was FUN - fun like you remember as a young kid - <i>vivid</i>, challenging, sweaty, belly aching. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ben and I chatted about the experience all the way home about how Greenstreet <u>will</u> be a part of our ritual. Alex <u>will</u> have crazy memories of going to this place year after year. Have I convinced you to go yet?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">::</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Lastly, I have to take the space to commend my Dad for being a strong man for the past 30 years, for testing himself, pushing his limits, sacrificing, and learning through loss. I know that the journey has not been easy, and some days may be longer than others; but you're doing it a step at a time. Thank you from the deepest corners of my heart. Our lives forever changed because of you.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7064-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_7064-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Happiness is...http://www.blogger.com/profile/01259545466842968611noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966533787922773589.post-75498321769905799242011-10-21T09:55:00.000-04:002011-10-21T09:55:46.327-04:00~this moment~ Sunset Swing<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/IMG_7064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/IMG_7064.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The simple joy of swing ride shared between Alex and my Dad</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember</i></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #ffffff;"><i>. via </i><span style="font: 16.0px Arial; letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #0225a3; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.soulemama.com/">SouleMama</a></span></span></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #ffffff;"><br />
</span></div>Happiness is...http://www.blogger.com/profile/01259545466842968611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966533787922773589.post-42111440899887775782011-10-02T01:50:00.000-04:002011-10-02T01:50:43.654-04:00Blooming & Growing Forever<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Excuse the delay in posting. I've been enjoying the ride.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6285-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6285-1.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6277.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The other day, Alex and I ventured to the park. The girl mastered running in (unlaced) tap shoes, which created an echoing clamor as we played monster-chase.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6692-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6692-1.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And every chase ended the same way - a fast ride down the tallest slide. Thanks to her tutu style skirt full of polyester, the fast slide became a ride of marginal control. This girl is a thrill seeker.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6687-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6687-1.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">::</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Fall activity abounds. Starting with the County Fair, which always strikes in the midst of September. The weather tastes like summer, but there's a different energy once the school year starts. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Nancy and I conspired for the past year how we would take Alex and Enzo to the fair this year at dusk. Our children are finally old enough to endure the nighttime experience, and oh baby, they were amazed and energized.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I <u>love</u> this fair. There's a beautiful balance of 4-H competition, animals, forbidden foods, and carnival activity that parallels childhood memories of the fairs in Baker, Oregon. However, Baker failed to deliver pig races. </span><br />
<a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6346.jpg" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We were all captivated.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6316-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(I love capturing the gentle embrace.)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6316-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As for the 4-H portion of the event, I am floored by the pride and the responsibility these children take in rearing and showing their goats, calfs, pigs, sheep, and foul. So unplugged, but so connected. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6311-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6311-1.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And after eating a little bit of carnival fare,</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6372.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">it was time to get this party started.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6468.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6459-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6459-1.jpg" /></span></a></div><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6412-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6412-1.jpg" /></span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Really, I don't think she stopped laughing the entire evening until we hit the mechanical bull. Yes, the girl has a set too, and proved to be strong especially when the controller decided to tip the bull slightly forward and backwards.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6500-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6500-2.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The night flashed before us, and at 10pm, Nancy and I found ourselves eating <u>our</u> dinner (dipped soft-serve ice cream) from afar, watching our husbands and children dancing in a field in front of a live band. Here we expected to meet everyone out by the cars with the children laced in their seats; but the wish for those last 5 minutes trump.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">::</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On to Pennsylvania to visit family and deliver an belated birthday cake. Going "home" to me is always a crush of time and obligations; and I struggle with the balance of how many people I can see. And this trip was all about one word - <i>family</i>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We had a play date at a local park with my father, brother and his family. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6502-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6502-1.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The playground was diverse enough that the cousins barely overlapped. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6528.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6534-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6534-1.jpg" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></span></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6550.jpg" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Missy and I started having fun after we caught Alex taking her pal Sally down every slide.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6544.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Next thing you know, we wrapped Sally up in a sweater and placed her in a tree like a chrysalis. Evil I know, but it has me seriously thinking about making a photo book about the adventures of Sally. She's much more than just a doll.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6556.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">::</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Seeing that time has not been my creative side-kick lately, I schlepped Christina's birthday cake supplies to PA, and started the process at my in-laws at 10pm. In the back of my mind, I knew that I wanted Christina's 40th birthday cake to reflect her beauty and grace, which translated to me as sleek with clean lines. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6605.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I succeeded. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6597.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If anything, it gave the opportunity to try a new technique and now I'm inspired to try this layered look with an ombre effect; but baby, I see the ombre effect on a 3 tired cake with no additional decor. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm always reminded that nothing I create compares the pride I feel when I give Alex her own cake and the space to decorate by her own terms. I do love this moment.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6584.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And this moment, catching her lying on the ground on a cardboard box, singing "The Sound of Music" at the top of her lungs. Vibrato included. I need to catch this on video.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6560-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6560-1.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And this too. Alex is imitating the Gilda Radner Muppet Show act of "Tap Your Troubles Away." She rehearses and has requested that we glue planks of wood on her shoes to reflect the props from the original skit. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6289-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6289-1.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">She has even gone as far as to pluck chunks of wood out of the firewood pile and use her white glue to complete the task.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And there's so much left to enjoy this fall. So here's wishing you the opportunity to take the time to soak it in. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6673quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6673quote.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</span>Happiness is...http://www.blogger.com/profile/01259545466842968611noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966533787922773589.post-66939219018972193142011-09-30T08:57:00.000-04:002011-09-30T08:57:22.609-04:00~this moment~ The Sound of Music<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember</i></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #ffffff;"><i>. via </i><span style="font: 16.0px Arial; letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #0225a3; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.soulemama.com/">SouleMama</a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #ffffff;"><br />
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</span></div>Happiness is...http://www.blogger.com/profile/01259545466842968611noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966533787922773589.post-13914218406417938202011-09-09T07:15:00.000-04:002011-09-09T07:15:46.414-04:00~this moment~the assistant<div style="font: 16.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember</i></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #ffffff;"><i>. via </i><span style="font: 16.0px Arial; letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #0225a3; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.soulemama.com/">SouleMama</a></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6100.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My baking assistant post bowl inspection sporting a chocolate fudge complexion.</i><br />
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</span></div>Happiness is...http://www.blogger.com/profile/01259545466842968611noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966533787922773589.post-63424985216106098842011-09-07T22:06:00.000-04:002011-09-07T22:06:52.214-04:00Flutterby<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Today was Alex's first day at preschool. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6161-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6161-1.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">She was excited, and carefully chose her outfit: twirly dress, flower tights, & well-loved Dorothy shoes.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6170-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6170-1.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In a flash, the morning pushed us along and into the car line at school.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6168.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And in a moment, she was off. My butterfly fluttering by.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6141.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I cannot lie. A part of me was excited while the other half welled with tears. But I remember a quote that I saw yesterday that sums up my feelings</span><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"When it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain there would be no <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">r</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow;">i</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;">n</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: cyan;">b</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">o</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">w</span>." -Gilbert Chesterton</span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So I'm ending this day with one last stop to her room to kiss and hold the babe who is growing up so fast.</span>Happiness is...http://www.blogger.com/profile/01259545466842968611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966533787922773589.post-86629125983290823112011-09-02T09:29:00.000-04:002011-09-02T09:29:45.612-04:00~this moment~sweet dreams<br />
<div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Trebuchet MS'; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember</i></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #ffffff;"><i>. via </i><span style="font: 16.0px Arial; letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #0225a3; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.soulemama.com/">SouleMama</a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sometimes when you sleep, I watch you dream and I dream too.</span></i></td></tr>
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</span></div>Happiness is...http://www.blogger.com/profile/01259545466842968611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966533787922773589.post-3197423476463771002011-08-31T15:32:00.002-04:002011-08-31T16:07:11.217-04:00Hiding Treasure<blockquote><i>Hun`ker Down (v.): To Take shelter, literally or figuratively; to assume a defensive position to resist difficulties.</i></blockquote><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I found this little guy on my stoop the day before the hurricane.</i></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Seems to be a theme around our homestead this week - Hunkering Down. First a 5.9 Earthquake on Tuesday and now a Category 2 Hurricane. And just incase you're not keeping score - God: 2. People: 0.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The earthquake on Tuesday was a first for our family and rattled more than the foundation. When the house started to shake, I assumed that the washer was out of balance, but the problem was that no laundry was in the wash and the shaking escalated. I stood up from my perch at the table (working remotely that day) and started to yell for Ben, unable to comprehend WHAT was happening. Ben unfortunately was taking a shower, and the impact tossed him from wall-to-wall, forcing him to abandon the bath. His experience on the 4th floor was vastly different than mine, seeing that the house was swaying side to side. Freaky. Immediate. Complete.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Insert second act of God within a week: hurricane Irene. This activity seems to be more our speed - wet, windy, and a system that gives us enough time to prepare. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The banana bread was supposed to be for the weekend, but at 8am, only 2" remain. Tested <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/banana-bread-recipe/index.html">this recipe</a> and added 1/2 C of chopped nuts and 1/2 C mini morsels. Heaven!</i></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ben completed preparing the boats by Friday morning, and we took cover with a house full of water and food and of friends and activities. I wanted to make a <a href="http://www.goslingsrum.com/details.asp?RecipeID=192">Dark & Stormy</a> in honor, but <a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6077.jpg">strawberry shortcake</a> seems to be more my speed.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6077.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I won't lie. It was fan<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: cyan;">DAMN</span></u></b>tastic.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6075.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div>::<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What I learned from the hurricane experience is not that we can easily weather a storm, but how much we as a community seemed to struggle without power. We were unplugged for 2 days - no power, no warm showers, no internet. When I camp, I expect the unplugged factor and relish it. Not so much with a house. I do not like the sense of camping out in a modern abode. It's just not my thing, and after a couple of days, the lack of conveniences compounded with PMS lead me to believe that everyone driving near me was a moron…but power is restored and so are healthy attitudes.</span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(Thanks to Shannon and Mark for inviting us over last night for power, showers, food, and internet.)</span></i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We are still taking in our bounty. My windowsill is lined with tomatoes, and this week we enjoyed some carmelized sauteed carrots. Mmm..</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6057.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I still have much to learn about veggie gardening, including why a crop of beets just fail to swell. But the tomatoes delivered this year. I lost count of the number of salads made with tomato, basil, & mozzarella in the past week, and after making sauce from scratch, I'm scheming to get my hands on a bushel of tomatoes in the next few weeks.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our August Saturday nights have been simply amazing, breathtaking. Mild evenings filled with golden sun, laughter, & low humidity; a rare treasure of atmosphere.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_5492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_5492.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Captain Fabulous behind the grill.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">perfect for celebrating with family and friends.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_5465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_5465.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I simply adore my nieces. I still can't believe they're almost grown up, and here I've held them since they were infants. We enjoyed time spent running through the woods, conversing (be that it's mature or immature topics), sailing, and swimming. But where I see the shift is that it's <i>less</i> about teaching them and <i>more</i> about being there for them. Sarah alone will be 16 in a week. Wow.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">They love their littlest cousin who is finally <i>less</i> of a baby and <i>more</i> of a girl.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And that <i>girl</i> shares a special bond. She's a magician at making this strong man so vulnerable.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_5460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_5460.jpg" /></a></div>::<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Last weekend Jana & Mike visited. Really, I don't need a reason to invite gaggles of friends over to enjoy, but hey, I'll say that Jana & Mike were my excuse.</span><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_5970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_5970.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Jana and Alex.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I love Jana's big, full-of-life, relaxed heart.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_5986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_5986.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_5999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_5999.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_5994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_5994.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And watching friends making new connections.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And seeing kids absorb a summertime experience in their own unique manner.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Maybe it's the end of summer or the realization that that Alex is starting preschool next week. But I'm becoming so sentimental about <i>this moment</i> in time. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Taking cues from Alex, I want to fold summer into my pocket, squirreling it away with a treasure of stones, shells, and pennies; only to unwrap it in January, preserving and enjoying the essence of <i>the present.</i></span>Happiness is...http://www.blogger.com/profile/01259545466842968611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966533787922773589.post-4373365629546844412011-08-26T09:01:00.000-04:002011-08-26T09:01:48.778-04:00~this moment~ all smiles<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 16px;"><i>"This summer I grew a smile as big as my head."</i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6037-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff461/Happinessisthis/Summer%202011/IMG_6037-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i>{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember</i></span><i>. via </i><span style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Arial; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.soulemama.com/">SouleMama</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Happiness is...http://www.blogger.com/profile/01259545466842968611noreply@blogger.com3