.When You're Grown.

Dear Dylan,

When you're grown, I want you to be able to look people in the eye.  I want you to be full of wanderlust.  I want you to be courageous enough to explore.  To lose yourself in a good book.  To trust the Lord with all your heart, and be faithful in his Way.  Find music that speaks to your heart.  Love and appreciate all, but depend on no one.  Be curious, but smart.  Learn from everything around you.  Be consistent.  Help more than you hurt.  Take pictures all the time; you'll never regret it.  Find more value in experiences, not things; things waste away.  Have great regard for your rights and the rights of others, but don't waste time on emotional vampires.  Enjoy both your cultures wholeheartedly.  Know your life is full of possibilities.  Use your words wisely, because even if forgiven, they can't be taken back.  Listen to your grandparents' stories; they'll stay with you forever.  Your favorite color doesn't have to be pink.  The mean girls may make you cry, but they aren't worth any of your effort.  You don't have to do all the talking, there's power in silence and listening.  Being organized will save you stress.  Sleep on big decisions... it never hurts to take your time, but impulsive decisions can be disaster.  Don't stress in high school, it's the shortest four years of your life.  Get fresh air; it will do more for you than you can imagine.  Have empathy; life is especially hard for some.  Try your hardest not to gossip; it can be so unbecoming.  Enjoy good food and conversation by candlelight.  Remember nothing is promised, so appreciate it while it lasts.  Also, find a man like your father; someone strong, yet sensitive.  A challenge is always good, but the reward has to be worth your time.  And write, write alot because reading those words will make you smile and cry long after the experience has faded in your memory.  Remember to have some fun; life can be so serious all the time.  And always remember that no matter how mad and frustrated you get at your dad and I, we're always doing what we think is best for you.  But also know that we're only human... and that sometimes we might let you down.  Lots of people will and that will hurt.  But that's where you learn forgiveness.  Cry and pout, but not picking yourself up off the floor after a hard fall is never an option.  When you're grown Dylan, I want you to live well... with confidence in your steps and warm, quality people in your corner.  So I'll know you'll be okay.

I love you always,

your mama

.Work & Play.

I had a conference to attend in Hilton Head, so I packed up my little family and we made the road trip with my friend Virginia along for the ride.  We had the best time staying with my school mates and their families (thanks again Morgan!) just a short walk from the beach, where we spent our time in between meetings introducing the babies to the ocean, riding bikes for hours around the island, relishing in the local shops and meals, having game night at the beach house, late night talks on the porch, and watching Dylan and Gray develop a little baby friendship (or future courtship if the mamas have it their way).

The people on the island couldn't have been friendlier, or our time more at ease.  Although Dylan had her first little cold all throughout, which eventually spread to the adults, it was exactly the kind of trip you needed to happen and would very much like to do again soon.

.Love's Travels.

For Valentine's, I decided to make G an homage to some of our travels together over the past eight years.  I saw this gift idea from Sarah, and personalized it with five areas we've visited that have been special to us, made in our family name.  Once I found the frame I wanted, it took only a few hours to complete.  I wish I would have been able to find stencils to make the letters as free-handing them was a bit of a challenge, but overall my little helper and I were pleased with how it turned out for a very reasonable price.

The gift was a hit and G was totally surprised, and I'm happy to know we'll have this hanging in our home for years and years to come.

.Happy Valentine's Day.

We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.

.Dr. Suess.

G took these sweet pictures of me and the littlest lovey this weekend.  Tonight we're taking it easy with a Chinese dinner over candlelight, but right now I'm giddy to give G his present this morning.  He told me he'd like something "made," and made I did.  Can't wait to show you my little project soon!

Happy Valentine's Day!

.Warehouse.

With busy schedules, we decided to celebrate Valentine's this weekend with Ashley and Raz at Warehouse Bistro.  It was our first time there, but we instantly fell in love with the setting, service, and oh... their dessert.  I had never had bread pudding before, but with the strong recommendation from our friends we had an order and my affair with sweets will never be the same.  With the sudden and dramatic chill in the air, hours of conversation over our meal, next to the fireplace made it a wonderful night.

Valentine's last year.

It's Sort of What Gets Me Through the Crazy Work Week.

This week has been touch and go, a rollercoaster between discouragement and pride.  It's always easier to cope when you know a trip and holiday is on the horizon though.  My portfolio deadline is approaching much faster than I'm typing, but I've got a bit of a scheme planned for Valentine's day that I'm excited about, so I'll be spending most of my free time this weekend sneaking about.  I must say it's a miracle... somehow the list always manages to get done.  But this all starts after tonight, with our very wild tradition of Friday pizza and DVR.  It's sort of what gets me through the crazy work week.

.There are few better ways...

There are few better ways to spend an evening than getting all dressed up in an electric blue dress, high suede and studded heels, a messy updo, and a little dramatic eye makeup for a baby-less date in a brick-exposed and industrial-styled restaurant, having thought-provoking dinner conversation with your husband, and enjoying the ridiculously mild winter while walking arm in arm downtown...

...except maybe hours later when the baby is picked up, and the family is all in their night clothes, and you continue talking over chocolate icecream in bed.

.Crying Gives Me a Headache.

The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache.

.Back to August.

 
  

.Opportunity.

The weekends G is off, our to-do list tends to get out of control. We have a lot of work and a lot of exciting things coming up. In between all of the bustle, I’m happy to have a date with my favorite man to look forward to tomorrow night.

I’ve been thinking a lot about opportunity lately… how it’s an addicting acquaintance. You never want to turn it down in case it never offers again, but sometimes you’re just so tired, and so burned out, and have not the slightest idea how you’ll fit anything else in your schedule. Yet, tried and true… opportunity tends to come calling then. And I always seem to say, “What’s the harm?” or “just this once.” Then I always tend to feel like this after. Pleased, but wondering if it was worth the price. Nothing is free these days, especially not my time. It’s much too priceless with these two around. I just have to remember that.

Happy weekend.

.Baby Mornings.

Mornings are a funny thing.  They come upon so quick; we're never ready for them.  The wake up is always leisure or panic.  Ease or whirlwind.  Yet, every morning is full of replenished opportunity.  It is a natural and gentle time before the chaos of the day's responsibilities.  Baby wakes and starts babbling away; I feel like she gets this from me.  Once I'm up for the day, I'm ready to engage.  I don't think my college roommates found it so endearing.  It's challenging to get ready for work, pack up school materials, baby supplies, work necessities, contain the pups, all while entertaining sweet girl.  I'm usually feeling quite accomplished and exhausted by the time I walk into my office at 9 am. 

But mornings are still my favorite.  The dew on the grass, the sleepy smiles, the pajama comfort, the sunrise cuddles as you squeeze in just fifteen minutes more in your warm bed, the smell of fresh coffee brewing, the running after a curious baby, the early songs and dances, the colors in the sky from the rise of the sun, the enthusiasm of optimistically planning the day's itinerary, catching up on news stories, listening to my favorite morning radio show, a warm, hearty breakfast waiting for me as I drop Dylan off at her grandparents' for the day (a major perk!), and wet kisses goodbye with baby as we go our own way. 

Sleeping in feels great and all, but baby mornings are my favorite.