Oh, why the hell not?

My love and Jonah left this Father's Day for a while....went to the golf store. All I wanted to do was get the big stuff picked up, get myself a little ready, put Jesse girl down for a nap and start my love's dinner. But this little girl had other plans.

Oh, why the hell not? Here ya go. Knock yourself out girl.

"You want some?" "OK."

When we were done, somehow she decided to celebrate by jumping on the bed. And again, why the hell not? And look what I got. See, most people would throw this picture out. But I was so excited to see this one. I guess I could have pretended that I was going for this effect. Who cares...I love it. That's my girl in action.

At this point, forget nap. That's just not going to be easy. All my why the hell not's didn't really help matters. But again, oh well. Need to get cooking.

First, dessert. Peach and Blueberry Crumbles. Summery dish I think. Daddy loves fruit desserts. Side note...apparently, if you boil peaches for 30 seconds to a minute, the peels just rub right off so easily. It's amazing.

Not too bad. But perhaps this was a little heavy of a dessert to follow spaghetti and meatballs? Oh, why the hell not?

I think these Dads liked it just fine.

But see, my don't care attitude when it came to Jesse's nap really bit me..well you know. She passed out just before dinner. She missed the rest of the evening. She missed the Father's Day celebration. And...Jonah's putting game with his own rules...

Grandmommy and Aunt Kelly in the back yard...playing along with Jonah's rules and watching fire flies.

But, this bothered me the most. It was the clearest of clear skies I have seen in so long. The moon was beautiful. I was so upset. She's missing it. So, I took a picture of this one for her. Later, my love reminded me that there would be plenty more moons.

I really hope to make this up to you tomorrow night...my sweet little moon lover.

Appointment with a Rock Star

As a parent, at least for me, there is nothing more important than keeping your children happy and healthy. The second part of this has been on my mind so much the last two days.

I spent the entire day with my boy on Tuesday. He had an appointment with a Rock Star. Well, not literally. A Rock Star in the Speech Therapy world though. He's a well published doctor and expert in his field.....and he's right here in my city...at Children's. It took us months to see him, but it was well worth the wait. To make a long story short, the Rock Star looked at me and said something like this... "We can fix this with therapy. He does not need surgery. I want to do it here. I want my people to work with him and I want to oversee his progress." The look on my face must have revealed my pure shock. Who are you and what planet are you from? You are a Rock Star and you want to take time out of your busy days to help my boy? Again, how did we find you?

Later, as I thought of his incredible passion for what he does and true concern for my child, I was nearly brought to tears. See, all a Mom wants to do is provide this type of care for her child and sometimes it is so hard to find. When we do, it's the greatest, most wonderful type of wonderful. I just want to scream to the heavens, Thank You!! Maybe it is silly. It's just speech. There are families tackling so much worse and I understand that. We've had worse challenges ourselves. But right now, all I am thinking is that this is my baby...my boy. Everything that concerns him is a big deal to me.

I've been walking on a cloud since we left. I mean, we have a lot of therapy coming our way, juggling of time, and who knows if it can be corrected totally, but I'm good. I'm not worried anymore because we are being taken care of by a gifted Angel. I can rest easy.

I took something else with me from this experience. Huge revelation really. If we were all this passionate about what we do everyday...Wow. How wonderful this world could be. How even more wonderful.

I think Jonah will remember his Rock Star Speech Doctor when he is older. As he thinks of what he wants to do with his life, I'll tell him this, "Remember Dr. Riski? Helping or inspiring others is the best gift you can give back to this world. Do something you have passion for...something you love. And, you and the people around you will always be happy."

Recharging

I made the decision early this morning to forgo an overnight trip with my family. Of course, after some encouragement from my love. See, I've been so consumed with work, being with my family, taking pictures, and blogging that I have completely let my house go. It was starting to get to me. After some thinking, I decided my upcoming days would be even greater if I just got this place a little more under control.

I sent them off with a little tear...wondering if I did the right thing. It wasn't too difficult for the kids at all. Well, because they were headed to Grandmommy's house. You know, that magical place where all their wishes are granted and they can eat fudgesicles at 10:00 at night if they want. Top that off with Granddaddy's birthday, Baby Ella's pool birthday party and....cha ching. Two happy children.

So, I turned on some music and danced with 409 in hand. I forgot how enjoyable this could be.

I found my closet floor. Discovered my beautiful red shoes that I need to make a huge point to wear very soon. Walked around in them for a minute and imagined I was Carrie Bradshaw about to meet friends in Manhattan for Cosmos. Ahhhh, I could totally be a big city girl..of course, with a country accent.

Side note...my girl shares my love of the moon....and shoes.

I realized there was no way I could get this entire house the type of clean I like in one day. So, I went outside for a little while and soaked up a little sun (carefully). And later this evening, I poured my glass of Pinot Noir and painted my toes the same color. OPI Black Cherry Chutney. My Lincoln Park After Dark was pretty faded.

Evening is here. At this point, I really started missing my love and my babies. So what do I do? Open up this beautiful, silvery Mac and start gazing at pictures from our summery last night of course.

And my love dodging my pictures. Love these.

All the thoughts that went through my head today get to land right here on this sort of blank page. Hello my glass of red wine. Hello my freshly painted toes. Hello my new passion for picture taking and blogging.

So, I miss my family. But this recharging is good. Mamas need this sort of thing every now and then. When they come home tomorrow, my hugs will be a little tighter, my attention extra closer, my smiles a little bigger. Can't wait!

Don't Cry Diana

So, I didn't mean to make her cry, my Diana Barry. I need to make it right. Usually, I'm the one she would get to laugh at uncontrollably. Yeah, I fell up the steps first day of school Freshman year. That was a good one. I busted it lots of times. Probably the best one was at cheerleading camp when I ran a sprint and jumped some object as if it was an Olympic hurdle. Didn't quite make it over. Even the blood couldn't keep her from stopping that loud laugh of hers. I'm glad to go through the pain and embarrassment just to hear that laugh though. We hardly ever see each other anymore. At times I send her a message and I can just imagine her laughing at her desk or wherever. Like the time I was walking up from the lunchroom at work with my salad, Diet Coke, and in my heals of course. Something happened and yes, I landed face forward. Saved the salad! All the way to my desk I laughed. And I imagined her laughing with me. I'm sure that will always be the case. So, in a way, I guess she's always with me.

Guess I shouldn't go into the fact that she was by my side on that April day too...maybe later. For now...

"I solemnly swear to remain faithful to my bosom friend, Diana Barry, for as long as the sun and the moon shall endure." Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Don't cry Diana. You know who you are. Nothing to cry about here. It's all good. Same old me really. Just letting it all out. Open book I guess. Why not? It feels good. I promise to keep making you laugh. Always.

This one's for you babe. Now dance.

Dream a Little Dream

There it is. Can you see it? Already. Every night after bath, just before bedtime she says, "See the Moon?" Ok baby. We walk out the front door most of those nights. Begin the search. If we can't see it, lately we just enjoy the fire flies. But the nights we do, oh, those are special.

How? Is it just a coincidence? I don't know. Maybe. But, on this night, I felt like I was looking in a mirror. She's dreamy. She's dreamy like me. I saw the part of me that grew up wanting so badly to go there and touch that beautiful, heavenly object.

Guess I'll tell her what my Mama told me.

Inside the front cover of,

The Astronauts

The First 25 Years of Manned Space Flight

By Bill Yenne

And then I'll tell her she made all my dreams come true.

You Saved Me

The other day we paid a large amount of money to a man who put a bunch of holes in the yard. Think about that for a minute. Sort of funny. Oh, but it will be a night and day difference he says. Truth is, I was pretty excited to get home and see the results myself. Four inch plugs, top dressed. What's wrong with me?? I guess I just enjoy seeing my love so proud of his yard...his home. I don't think I have ever met anyone who works so hard at them both. Most of the time I feel like I'm a slacker lately compared to him. I mean, all I want to do is take pictures and write. He's pretty understanding.

How in the world did I find him anyway? I saw him in the hallway in high school one day. I remember that day our eyes met. He didn't say a word. But there was a connection. Who is that guy? That older guy with the most amazing blue eyes I had ever seen. He drove a black Toyota truck...lived near my best friend. Yeah, who is that guy?

Somehow, he finally said something. Talked for hours and hours and hours. So easy. Most of the time while he was working a midnight shift. Cori kept asking....no, we're just friends I said. She knew better. So did Mama.

Summer after my freshman year was the beginning. It's been now..wow...nearly 21 years. I haven't thought of that in a long time. I actually had to just do the math. Married for.....more math.....almost 13 years. We have never broken up....never really been apart. Crazy ha?

So as you've guessed, today my love is 40. I remember when he turned 21. I made strawberry cupcakes. Then, I managed to make enough to shape them into a huge 21. I can see it just like yesterday, displayed on my Mom's kitchen table and waiting for him to come see. I even remember the smile on his face. I'm feeling a little old right now. And probably embarrassing him.

We've been through a lot. I've chased my dreams and he followed me. Then, he chased his dreams and I followed him. We've been through hard times, wouldn't be normal if we didn't. We've helped each other through some of the most difficult, unexpected trials in life. How could I have ever survived that April Day without him. He helped me breathe again when I felt like I just couldn't anymore. And so many more moments he only knows. We've been together through the most wonderful miracles in life. Seeing him hold our children for the first time. Unexplainable. Pure happiness and joy.

Amazing that I found him in that same little town I grew up in. So incredibly amazing. I feel like the luckiest person most days when I look in his eyes. I love my husband. I love our children. I love my life.

Wish I could travel back in time. Wish I could run up to him in that crowded high school hallway and say, "We are going to have a great life! You are going to make all my dreams come true, and I'm going to love you forever." Give him a huge kiss and run on to class.

Happy Birthday Love. You more than complete me...you saved me. I love you.

Heavenly Day

Funny how the most simple days can turn into something so unexpectedly wonderful. Saturday, we thought we would support the locals and check out the Farmer's Market in our small town. I would just love to get a bunch of fresh peas, a big silver bowl and shell them while watching the kids play in the backyard. Yes, you can take the girl out of the country, but not the country out of the girl.

Not going to happen today. No peas. Just some local honey, banana bread, few squash and cucumbers. But....there was live music and the weather was great.

Jesse seemed to be having a great time.

Guess she's got some country in her too.

Jonah was a little more difficult. Oh, but there's a playground. We ventured on over to this lovely play area nestled under shady trees with a beautiful view of our little town.

Finally, a smile. Success.

We wrapped up here and decided to travel to another Farmer's Market. I really want some peas! And we need other ingredients for Daddy's birthday dinner tomorrow.

Oh, Harry's Farmer's Market. Yeah baby! This is the good stuff. The kids grabbed a watermelon as soon as we walked in the door.

All grocery stores should have these little buggies. Jesse knocked a few people out, but how much fun is this! Completely unexpected good time. Seems like we were in there for hours.

I never found my peas. Maybe it's too early? What do I know? I grew up in a small town, but not on a farm. It's really amazing how much fun we had doing very simple things though. I had forgotten this. But, that's sort of what this is all about for me. Taking pictures, writing. It's just a way to make me slow down and enjoy the simple, wonderful things just like this. It's all so good that way. Doesn't mean there wasn't another tropical storm that night. There's always something. We were all so worn out. But it was so worth it! So go for it! Go have yourself a Heavenly Day.

Tropical Storm

My love is out of town tonight and it is dinner time. I started out with the grand idea of raisin toast and eggs for dinner. Put fresh raisin toast in the oven, opened the fridge....no eggs. Hmmmm. So, I asked Jonah, what would you like to go with your raisin toast? "Corn would be great with raisin toast!" Ok then! I got corn! Great, let's put some peas with this and we are set.

We are a mess tonight. It's storming where my love is. I told him I had my own tropical storm here tonight...that would be Jesse Girl. If you have or have had a 2 year old...you understand. The screaming and crying and you have no idea what for. Use your words girl! I put the corn, peas and toast on the table...added some fresh strawberries which I thought was a very nice touch. Nope, not going for it like her brother. Hmmm. Yogurt?! Yes, yogurt with sprinkles! Thank goodness, a common ground. Thank you to my love for buying a nice supply of yogurt!! That held her attention for a little while. Till it was gone. Then...more crying.

Truth is, she just had a big day. She's tired. Another adventurous day with Ms. Kelly. Today...the Bounce House. Bounced her little heart out.

I talked to a friend at work today. We were comparing kid stories. I thought of her tonight. I had told her that it seems like I get my kids at the worst time of the day. Typical working Mom crap. We get home just as the tired and cranky sets in. We feed them dinner...get them baths most nights and look forward to that little moment just before they go to sleep when they transform back to their little sweet selves and tell us they love us and give us lovin and kisses. And then somehow we forget all the hell we just went through and love life again. Amazing how that happens. This is the good stuff right here...

This is really for my dear, loving, partner in silly friend Samantha. It's not always perfect. How could it be possibly! They fought most of the night and that's just part of it. I live for those sweet, fresh mornings right when they wake up and hug each other and say "Good Morning Jonah!" "Good Morning Jesse!" Then, it's a roller coaster from there. But is all so worth it. Samantha knows this too.

Time to curl up and sleep in between my angels. The storm has ended...it's a beautiful night.

Our Boy at 6

It's been 6 years since that miracle day. The day they placed that tiny little blue eyed baby in my arms and changed our lives forever.

I really wanted to capture him this day in the perfect picture. Pictures that really breathe what he is today. I'm trying. His face is covered with pizza. He's not in the perfect little outfit. But I think these pretty much did it.

This may be my most favorite picture ever. It's a little blury, but this is it! This is Jonah at 6 years old! Big teeth coming in. Pizza face. Messy hair. That's him! I could stare at this for hours! That's our boy!

Jonah. Lover of life, family and friends. Honest and true. Full of energy. Eager to learn something new every day. Big Brother. My best boy. We love you Jonah!