Guest Post by Tom

This is Tom's post to Jenny.

After 11 years of marriage, 3 ½ years engaged, 6 months dating, and 4 ½ years of denying our love (while best of friends), I am more in love with Jenny today than ever. She has been with me one way or another for more than half my life, and I cannot imagine a life without her. She’s my earthly everything. My true love. My best friend. My inspiration. My children’s Mother.


After so much time, and with a never-ending journey still ahead, anniversary gifts become inadequate vehicles of appre ciation. This year I thought I would give Jenny something she probably thought I was incapable of giving... me identifying my favorite everything about her. I’ll let Jenny explain in a future post, but basically I don’t do “faves.”


For me there isn’t a more mean ingful medium to share my thoughts than her blog since it has meant so much to me over the years. So with that, I ask Jenny to indulge me for a few moments and just enjoy.

This is my favorite photo of Jenny {above}. It has been in my wallet, forever. I took it in a park in her hometown. It means a lot to me because I know the story hiding behind her eyes. It was a period of time that was a turning point in our relationship from best friends who fell in love to much more.

The grapes on her necklace represented something deeply personal that we shared. When she lost those plastic grapes, it kind of signaled a freedom from that. The photo holds still a time when I knew there was no way I was going to let this girl go, again. I knew I wanted to hold her forever.

My favorite thing about Jenny is that she is an incredible mother to our children and she still finds time to love me.

My favorite date with Jenny was the summer of ’96, dancing slowly in candlelight on the beach, our second first kiss.

My favorite job was working on the mowing crew with Jenny, pretending I wasn’t watching her as she strutted across the lawn with her sun-dyed hair, brown skin, and sexy jeans. She always smelled divine in the summer air.

My favorite kiss seems to come with every next kiss. Seriously.

My favorite physical attribute of Jenny’s, which I promise there are many, starts with the back of her neck.

My favorite characteristic of Jenny’s is that she appreciates everything and expresses it.

My favorite moments in life are always in her presence.

My favorite nicknames she uses for me are Sweets and Tommy.

My favorite memories are Jenny walking down the grassy path at our wedding just as the rain broke, and the days she held our babies for the first time.

My favorite adventures have been riding in the Jeep with her and the kids to nowhere in the mountains, with the top off.

My favorite holiday memory was the time we tried to make everyone happy and ate three full Thanksgiving dinners within six hours.

My favorite moonlight story featured the motorcycle, the backdrop of a warm, steamy night, a lonely pond, and a full moon.

My favorite inside joke is ssa.

My favorite minute is now.

My favorite is Jenny.

Here is my Top 100, everything I love about Jenny. Believe it!

1) She shares my faith

2) Her morals are impeccable

3) She said yes

4) She’s Buby’s Mom

5) She’s Bleu’s Mom

6) She’s Ollie’s Mom

7) I love her family

8) She loves my family

9) I’ve never not trusted her

10) She’s never not trusted me

11) She’s an incredible professional

12) She’s so smart

13) She’s the best editor

14) She’s the best writer

15) She’s an accomplished designer

16) She’s an incredible photographer

17) She never puts herself first, but she should sometime

18) She can ride a motorcycle and it’s sexy

19) She’s a great example

20) She’s inspirational to many

21) She loves me unconditionally

22) She makes me a better man

23) She is full of passion

24) Her expectations are fair

25) She lets me be me, and she loves it

26) We started with nothing

27) We built everything together

28) We could be just as good with nothing

29) She likes to fish

30) She likes to camp

31) She loves to travel

32) She’ll try new food even though she doesn’t want to

33) She thinks I’m the best cook

34) She always does what’s best for our family

35) She chose TomTom and not Garmin or Magellan

36) She keeps me connected through our blog

37) She recognizes sacrifice

38) She rarely complains

39) Her embrace

40) Her kisses

41) Her lips

42) Her hands

43) Her eyes

44) Her smile

45) Her butt

46) Her choice of friends

47) Her choice of schools

48) She reads many books to the kids

49) Her parties

50) Her planning

51) Her cute designs

52) Her lists

53) Her piles

54) Long walks to nowhere in particular

55) Her inability to choose between simple, insignificant things

56) Her ability to make big decisions

57) Late mornings in bed

58) Date nights

59) She still looks into my eyes when we talk

60) Her very detailed stories

61) Her ability to tell 10 stories at once

62) That she eats ice cream for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and late-night

63) That she feeds the kids healthy foods and snacks

64) She cares, always

65) Her big brown eyes staring me down

66) Her love

67) Her heart

68) Her will

69) Her desire

70) Her determination

71) She’s a real woman

72) When she wears a simple tank top or white tee

73) When she surprises me with a carrot cake cupcake

74) The way she decorated our house

75) She’s simple

76) She’s complex

77) She’s reasonable

78) She’s crazy

79) She wants the best for all

80) She’s sensitive

81) She hurts

82) She cries

83) She laughs

84) She’s shy

85) She’s bold

86) She’ll do anything

87) She speaks French

88) She took me to Paris

89) She took me to Spain

90) She brought me to NYC

91) She let us live in the country

92) She wears my socks

93) She protects our children

94) She pays the bills

95) She manages the insurance company

96) Her favorite number is 3... and 3 is a great number

97) Our children love her so, so much

98) I love her so, so much

99) She still says yes

100) She’s my wife and I’m her husband

I love you babe. Happy anniversary.

Last Week {in full}

No. I did not go into labor. Sorry. This past week I was hit hard with allergies, a cough and a whole lot of everything third trimester. Despite it all we really had a fantastic week here. A whirlwind of wonderful in the kids' eyes. Just very little time to reflect. A few things I remember from the last seven days...


* Buby's face when he woke up last Monday. Beaming. How is it possible that my boy is 5?

* Roasting marshmallows in the backyard with Grandma DJ and Tom G.

* Oohing and aahing at a fireworks display. Hurray for year-round "sprinkles in the sky."

* Birthday signs made of pipe cleaners, pompoms and feathers.

* Bleu in the back seat asking, "Can you find me more cows and horses, Mommy?" She gets very sad when we drive a long stretch without seeing animals.

* Watching Buby's teachers and classmates celebrate his first four years in a traditional earth + sun ceremony. I felt honored to be there as his guest.

* My Sweets cutting up an insane amount of melon, honeydew and pineapple. Twice.

* Baking whole wheat blueberry mini muffins for school and an organic fudge brownie cake for home {Buby's orders}.

* Tom G. blowing up a gazillion balloons. I wanted the table covered, and my pregnant self is no good at balloons.

* Bleu starting gymnastics. She digs it. No surprise there.

* Buby swinging blind at Lillian's butterfly pinata.

* Lillian responding to her mom about Buby, "He's not just my friend... he's my hero."

* Bedtime routine pretty much perfected in this house. Finally. Round 3, here we go.

* Meeting a new crop of instructors: June + Olga {gymnastics}, Julie {tennis}, Danielle + Stephanie {swimming}.

* Watching a certain someone run around the tennis court picking his wedgies.

* Bribing that someone to stop pulling his pants up so high. Two birds with one stone.

* Hosting Buby's party at a horse museum. The whole day was exactly what he wanted.

* Dinner for 13 after. We are blessed with wonderful friends and a sizable outdoor table.

* The pursuit of forts. Buby and Grace can destroy a playroom in seconds to build a fort.

* Listening to every one's "roses and thorns" from the day. What a sweet tradition. Thanks, Alana. I think we might start doing this at home.

* Welcoming the change in seasons. Red maple leaves. Sweaters. Pumpkins. Boots. Oh my.

* Our children holding hands. Often. And without prompt.

* Really good French onion soup on a date with My Sweets.

* Shaving as an Olympic sport.

* Pulling up to Buby's school at 2:15. He watches for me, smiles, waves his hands, and skips with his teacher toward the car. Always happy and eager to greet me with something from nature. A beautiful leaf, a bouquet of pine needles, a pocketful of acorns.

* A dozen mini cupcakes from the famous Crumbs. It's such a treat to have a husband with an office right. across. the. street from the best bakery in the world!

* Being immensely proud of how our kindergartner handled himself against a potential bully. On the second day his response was, "It's okay M--. You're still my friend. It's only clothes, ya know. That stuff doesn't matter to me." Go Buby!

* Driving. Waiting. Driving. Waiting. Driving.

* Low tire pressure xs 4 on Thursday and a chipped windshield on Friday.

* Custom bilateral UCBLs. Buby's longtime pediatric orthopaedist sent us to his orthotics guy hoping to limit any further collateral damage to the knees, calves, etc. {Did you know about Buby's extreme flat feet?}

* Rediscovering the cherry limeade chiller. Yum.

* Lunchbox notes.

* Devising a Plan A, Plan B and Plan C for when this baby comes.

* Flashcards, puzzles and building blocks everywhere.

* Dinosaur jammies.

* Being grateful for the invention of texting. It keeps My Sweets and I connected throughout the long day.

* Peeing accidents. Peeing successes.

* Squeezy hugs.

* Buzz Lightyear and robot imitations.

* Floor stretches with my girl. Actually, both itty bitties love my "yoga" routine and the relaxing Eucerin foot massages.

* Cleaning. Lots of cleaning. Very little putting away of laundry.

* Bleu's favorite new-to-her knit hoodie. She won't wear anything else outside.

* Getting creative with new Toobers & Zots construction sets. Thank you, Erika.

* Giggles and fits. Giggles and fits. Two year old girls are fun, aren't they?

* Walking in on Buby teaching his sis the "Cha Cha Cha." Where does he get this stuff?

* Putting baby dolls to sleep with Bleu's favorite song on repeat. It's Renee + Jeremy's "Three Little Birds." She calls it the "Don't Worry... 'Bout a Thing" song.


Good times.

33 Things

Three is my lucky number. And since I turned 33 last month {double whammy!}, I'm starting a series of lists called 33 Things. I'll run them sporadically. Here's #1.


Thirty three things I've done.

1. I saw James Brown perform at The Apollo. AWESOMENESS.


2. I climbed the Eiffel Tower after three goblets of Bordeaux Rouge.


3. I watched the Millennium ball drop in Times Square {Y2K}.


4. I became a teenage diplomat to France at age 15.


5. I gave birth to two overdue babies {one with no medicine} and nursed each of my offspring for at least a year.


6. I swept Honors Night with 13 awards and scholarships {the most in my high school}. I didn't even think I'd get one.


7. I tried swimming, gymnastics, etc. but settled on 10 seasons of track.


8. I explored a marble quarry deep in the mountains of southeast Spain.


9. I became the youngest reporting fellow at the D.C. bureau of a big paper.


10. I sat in press boxes for President Clinton's second Swearing In and State of the Union addresses.


11. I stayed on a runaway horse.


12. I had a sea urchin pulled out of my foot on the beaches of Puerto Plata, D.R.


13. I said 'I love you' first.


14. I held the titles of Articles Editor, Decorating Editor, Managing Editor at international design & lifestyle magazines.


15. I experienced 911 as a New Yorker {it left many scars on my heart}


16. I slept on a Chelsea sidewalk during the Northeast Blackout of 2003.


17. I laid on the edge of the Cliffs of Moher with My Sweets in Ireland.


18. I swam in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Saint Tropez.


19. I looked into the eyes of the Mona Lisa and thought, "What's the big deal?"


20. I almost drowned while body surfing the Ottawa River during a rafting trip.


21. I worked at a gun club, live game farm and horse track during high school.


22. I worked at the best fashion magazine in the world before it folded.


23. I lost all vision in both eyes for 8 minutes on a subway train.


24. I couldn't deal as my mom recovered from an accident {in the burn unit}.


25. I produced thousands of successful photo shoots for the magazine and melted down in the back of a taxi cab after a few of them.


26. I danced on a pool table with My Sweets in front of a cheering crowd.


27. I mountain biked down Sabino Canyon in Arizona and flipped a Kawasaki dirt bike over a cactus in the desert.


28. I was admitted into a legendary Studio 54 party with a VIP pass {insanity!}.


29. I fought off a mugger on 14th street and survived the stomach bug on a private island with no bathrooms.


30. I taught myself how to ski but landed on crutches after snowboarding once.


31. I married my best friend in a garden with the scent of lilacs all around.


32. I temporarily resigned from my dream career to raise my babies, and I'm so happy for that.


33. I was thrown out of violin, clarinet, piano and chorus lessons.

18 Mos.

Photo taken on 11.3.09.





I'm a tad bit belated here, since our Bleu girl hit the big 1.5 last Tuesday. But I cannot resist jotting down some details of her. The rate-of-change these days is absolutely dizzying. Every day she is one step closer to becoming... well, herself. And I LOVE that.



For the moment our not-so-baby girl...

• stands 33 3/4" tall {95th %tile for height}
• weighs 25 lbs. with clothes and shoes on {50th-75th %tile for weight}
• wears 2T clothes and size 7 shoes {though her winter boots are size 8}
• loves bananas and cheese
• sleeps exclusively in her toddler bed, until she...
• comes to snuggle with us around 6:30 am
• likes to eat on her knees in big dining chairs
• has a spirited personality that is completely contagious in this house
  
• shows strength and determination in everything she does
• brushes her teeth, with my help, twice a day
• washes her hands with soap and water, and floods the floor
• sits herself on the potty several times a day
• loves to strip down to nothing and run nakie
• laughs big and loud with her mouth wide open
  
• wants to cuddle up to me the second she breaks from running
• dances to Taylor Swift every night after dinner
• plays the guitar with such enthusiasm
  
• drinks from a flexi straw
• has 9 big beautiful teeth
• is careful in her actions but totally fearless
• trots down the balance beam at the gym
• pulls herself onto Buby's high bed and jumps in the air
• has a pink, red and purple "big girl" room
• finds humor in fake bodily functions {thanks to Buby}
  
• tests.. and watches for my reaction
• holds my hand without any prompting
• gets along better with Buby when I'm not there
  
• likes her Simply Saline baby nasal spray
• follows directions well
• has a bin full of hair pretties just waiting for her to grow hair
  
• blows kisses across the room
• helps me load laundry into the machines
• carries an ABC puzzle box as her purse
• remains rear-facing in her car seat
• asks to nurse still
• picks up her toys when I ask
• plops down on her tush in protest when i say "no"
• signs "more" and "please" if she really wants what I have
• loves her purple suede Maryjanes
• prefers pork tenderloin over any other meat
• begs for her own fresh fruit smoothie
• finds comfort in her plush pink blankie
• says "good girl" to me like 10xs a day
• runs to the back door screaming "dada" when she hears footsteps
• smells so awesome after a shower {like mango shampoo}
• climbs anything that can be climbed
• loves to walk around the house in other people's shoes
• pretends to talk on my phone every day
• is impossible to hold when she wants down
• takes gymnastics on Wednesdays and swimming on Thursdays
• drinks water throughout the day
  
• refuses restaurant high chairs
• loves to color with crayons and get into Playdoh {though she'll still eat it}
• spits her food onto the floor if you look concerned about what she ate
  
• falls, picks herself up, and carries on
• seems to be over the occasional attempted biting of her brother
• is now experimenting with hitting me when she's frustrated
• doesn't shed tears very often
• has the loudest cry in the world. you can't talk over it
• refuses to wear band-aids, even after shots
• throws a fit if her brother tries to shoo her away
  
• doesn't know what it means to cry-it-out. she's never done that
• is extremely attached to me and me only. such a mama's girl
• hugs and kisses her big brother before leaving his room at night
• carries her bitty baby around the house quite a bit
• mimics Buby and I throughout the day
• adds so much love and spunk to our family
  

Happy 18 months.

This Week

• We welcomed Fall and Winter all at once.
• We added more hand painted ornaments to our Halloween tree.
• Buby + Bleu collaborated nicely on several building block monstrosities.
• My Sweets went to the worst football game in the history of the NFL.
• Grandma DJ and Tom G. drove up Monday and watched the kids on Tuesday.

• I was reminded of how much I love Buby's school. It's the right fit.
• My Sweets + I went on a date. To the supermarket. Yup. It was so awesome.
• I brought down the hats, gloves and scarves.
• I began my obsession with Immaculate Baking Company.
• I made really good roasted whole chicken and spinach salads.

• We admired the vibrant mums on all the village porches.
• Grandma DJ made apple and pear sauce... with no added sugar or honey.
• My Sweets whipped up his world famous guacamole, twice.
• Buby woke up in the middle of the night, every night. He never does that.
• Bleu woke up in the middle of the night, every night. She always does that.

• My friend Allison left 3 issues of People on my windshield at school.
• I craved soup for the first time in a long time.
• I whispered "I love you" in the dark. My Sweets heard me in his sleep.
• Buby made me promise to read "135,000 books" to him tomorrow morning.
• Buby ran out of the bathroom with tissue trailing from his bare bum. He said, "Look at me, Mama... I made a Tigger tail!"

• We oohed and aahed at the first snowfall of the season.
• Buby laughed as Bleu threw her dinner on the floor. I corrected Bleu and then turned to Buby and asked, "Please don't laugh. It's not funny." He replied, "But I can't help it. I have to laugh when my brain tells me to laugh, Mama." That's when my brain told ME to laugh.
• Bleu showed off her balance and stamina at The Little Gym.
• We nature hiked, collected leaves, and stole rocks.
• Bleu grew 8 teeth. So far.

• I baked 24 cookies at 11 p.m. Just for me.
• We said goodbye ~ again ~ to Grandma DJ and Tom G.
• Buby turned to Bleu in the car on Wednesday, reached his hand out for hers, and sweetly asked, "Do you miss Grandma, Nola? Do you? Because I do."
• Bleu picked every kernel of corn out of her mixed veggies and left the rest.
• Buby shouted across the YMCA pool, "Hi Mama! Hi Nola! Look at me guys!"

• I thought how sad I'll be when he no longer calls me "Mama."
• Bleu wore her first pair of jeans. And wore them well.
• I bought 6 new Scholastic titles at the book fair.
• We returned 6 library books, held onto 2, and checked out 3 more.
• The kids accidentally discovered Taylor Swift. And now they are IN LOVE.

• I danced every T.S. song with my babies. Over and over and over.
• I cleaned the house. More to organize.
• I snuck a whole bag of candy corn and totally regretted it.
• I started Buby + Bleu's Halloween baskets {for which they'll gladly trade in their trick-or-treat bags on the 31st.}
• I helped a friend prep for her Blue Lily shoot next week.

• I dropped off an apple pie for a neighbor whose mother passed away.
• I washed, jarred and labeled our sea shells from FL and Cape Cod.
• I braved the attic to find Buby's 12-month boy bin for nephew Mason.
• I mourned another magazine. Cookie folded on Monday, joining Domino, Wondertime, Blueprint, House + Garden, Budget Living, CL Gardener, Mademoiselle, and dozens of others I've loved and lost over the years.
• I watched an entire movie with My Sweets after hours. Uninterrupted.

• I sold 5 raffle tickets for Buby's school fundraiser. 20 more to go.
• I talked to my mom every day, even if only for a minute.
• I heard many new real words in Bleu's mumbling.
• I used a million and one ways to show my lovelies that I love them.
• I hugged My Sweets like there is no tomorrow. Because you never know.

FL: i heart

the sight of: Buby swimming across Uncle John's pool without any bubble, noodle or parental assistance; white dresses on little girls; four new teeth for Bleu; every shell; sunsets over water; Buby riding a mechanical bull; sand on Bleu's lips + eyebrows; My Sweets' hand reaching out for mine; the kids not fighting... but sharing and communicating in their own sweet way; whales performing tricks; Bleu and Grandma looking for constellations in the sky; dessert


the sound of: live music alfresco; Buby singing a belated "happy birthday" to himself and to Tom G.; talking about NYC with someone who knew it way back when; Buby using his manners; mischievous giggling; the "Mouse Cookies + More" CD we brought for the car

the taste of: frozen blueberries on cereal; pizza from Umbertos on Atlantic; ham + cheese omelets from Cypress Nook in Pompano; Five Guys Burger + Fries in South Beach; Dan Dan noodles from P.F. Chang in Ft. Lauderdale; Grandma DJ's spaghetti and meatballs; Shepherd's pie from Briny's Pub; Irish butter and that wheat bread from Publix {oh that wheat bread!}; Terry's famous key lime pie from Bob Roth's New River Groves in Davie; Chocobilly's from Jet Blue


the feel of: a family nap; a heavy quilt; a rare shady spot on burning hot sand; good water pressure; hugs around my neck; first stepping into a hot tub; a simple date with My Sweets consisting of a moonlit walk, homemade ice cream, and talking on the beach; waking up in the middle of the night to find two sleeping babes in their own beds; rinsing the salt water from my hair

the thought of: Buby + Bleu remembering some of these trips we take as a family; the kids being attached and feeling the love all around them

i heart

{weekend edition}

• my larger-than-life chocolate chip cookie
• cool mountain breezes
• Buby bouncing his heart out
• thunderstorms that seem to hold off, just for us
• raspberries in a bowl
• funny text messages about my last Old Photo Friday

• a new reader sounding out words
• two kids climbing onto My Sweets for story time
• blended coffee drinks with whipped cream
• Bleu's first grilled cheese {all organic}
• a full fridge
• a clean home

• a pie-eating contest
• swimming with Buby while Bleu naps
• flip flops in a muddy field
• Bleu's out-loud giggle
• farmland
• patriotism on non holidays

• handmade dresses on little girls
• my feet on the dashboard {to My Sweets' chagrin}
• big breakfasts at home
• baby birds chirping in their nest outside our window
• a whole movie from start to finish, 10pm to midnight
• Hugh Grant

• my homemade applesauce
• bubble baths for the itty bitties
• My Sweets meeting my parents at a biker rally
• Buby's willingness to try anything food related
• Bleu's willingness to try anything adventure related
• "crops" from Buby's vegetable garden

• the new single "Heart on My Sleeve" by Michael Johns
• walking just to walk
• being a family
• holding hands
• Bleu trying to communicate
• grandparents on the phone

• watching Buby cheer on his kid sister
• seeing Bleu imitate her big brother
• kissing Bleu goodnight before I lay her in her crib
• blowing Buby apple-raspberry kisses when I leave the room

i heart

the sight of: Bleu tasting fresh avocado, steamed broccoli and watermelon; Bleu nestled in my arms at 4 a.m.; children's artwork; Buby tackling a stack of wooden jigsaw puzzles; a handmade kite in the air


the sound of: contestants 3, 6, and 9 on American Idol last night; Buby spelling out words; our British TomTom saying "take the motorway and keep left;" Buby and his friend Jenna yelling "see you later, alligator" and "in a while, crocodile" to each other across the school parking lot; Buby saying "Nola, you did such a good job. i'm so proud of you," while leaning in to hug her; Buby saying "thank you for my shoes Mom + Dad"


the taste of: a bruschetta burger on focaccia and key lime pie shooter from Applebees; Tom's homemade banana pancakes and scrambled eggs;


the feel of: my head hitting the pillow at 4:05 a.m.; making my own invitations, even if they are a little late getting out; reading to Buby; the kids having a good day


the thought of: Bleu's first tooth arriving just shy of her first birthday {bottom left center broke through on 3.30.09}; green popping out of the ground

i heart

the sight of: little kids decorating trees; a stocked fridge; covered bridges; sky-high trees; historic plaques; Bleu in lacy headbands + dresses; Buby whispering in his sister's ear


the sound of: river rapids in march; Bleu saying "banana;" Buby drumming on his lap in the car and reading to himself after the lights go out {he memorizes his books}


the taste of: bowties + iced lattes; key lime pie drizzled in fresh raspberry sauce; warm bagels; pub pickles; peppercorn flavored pork tenderloin; organic baby greens; mashed potatoes and creamed corn; cookies fresh out of the oven


the feel of: 55 degrees or above; a family outing every weekend; making it to church with a few minutes to spare; My Sweets kissing my forehead as he runs to catch his train; laughing out loud with my mom in the car; clean sheets; photographing my babes while they are still young; running sand through Bleu's fingers


the thought of: saver boxes; seeing friends; being IN love; Bleu perking up at the mere mention of bread; sunshine + blossoms; visiting family next month; bug-catching gear; road trips and campouts; Buby close to swimming on his own; board games; wooden peg puzzles; mail in our box

Photos from today. As you can see, they both take tree decorating very seriously.

i heart

{from our weekend}


the sight of: snow fall in march {don't get me wrong ~ i'm so ready for flip flops + tanks, but there's nothing prettier than an all-white landscape}; Bleu's toothless grin; our preschooler's insistence on doing everything himself {even if it can be frustrating for us big people}; clementines on the table, My Sweets making a late-night run to replenish my ice cream supply; i-chat in action; Buby jumping for joy in his Western Chiefs; My Sweets starting something big from scratch ~ he never seizes to impress; my fave blogs on google.com/reader; borrowed books; Buby sleeping in his first full-size bed; Bleu speed-walking with the Bleumobile; star gazing in Buby's room; the three of us playing the Cootie game during dinner and the winner yelling "Kiss my cootie!"



the sound of: our tax man phoning to say "good news;" my friend Maria's voice from Canada; Brooke White's "Hold Up My Heart;" Buby's dinnertime stories which always begin with "once upon a time there was a boy named...;" U2's "Slow Dancing" {our wedding song ~ it gets me every time}; bedtime prayers whispered by my child; Buby saying "it's magic" whenever something works well; pages turning in a book



the taste of: strawberry-banana smoothies; hot bagels after 9am church; ginormous sundaes right before bed; grilled cheese from the corner cafe; chicken fettuccine Alfredo; steamed broccoli; turkey kielbasa stewed with rice and tomatoes; avocado; iced decaf latte with whipped cream



the feel of: a warm shower and time to shave; getting dressed + ready like it's a normal day ~ even when i'm sick; getting snuggly with Buby under a quilt; being belly to belly with our baby Bleu; tissue paper + ribbon around handmade gifts; my Lypsyl lip moisturizer; fuzzy socks on my feet, clean sheets; reading, even if it is only in the car; discovering a new camera function; going to bed with My Sweets ~ even if it means abandoning my to-dos; knowing i could live in a shoe box and be happy, as long as i'm with him



the thought of: a 2-hr Bachelor finale on right now; a cleanish house; my photos backed up on an external hard drive; responding to Bleu's cries, always; a stocked fridge + pantry during a snow storm; Buby cherishing experiences more than things; trekking to the post office to mail lil' treats he has made for others ~ just because he loves them; family dinners