perfect

everyone in my house is at odds tonight

the kids can't do anything right

 e is overwhelmed and completely fed up with all of us

 and

the combo of those things just makes me unbearably sad

we're a long, long way from perfect right now

but

our life really is wonderful

i needed the reminder

Don't cry for me

This weekend my Mom will attend her fourth funeral in as many weeks. Four long time family friends who have left the earth She is wearing a brave face, but I know it hurts her. While I hurt for the loved ones they are leaving behind, and mostly for my Mama losing people dear to her, I cannot be dishonest and say that I am crushed. I may not have seen even one of those four in the last fifteen years. Each of them holds a place in my heart for when they were in my life, once upon a time, but I will not pretend to be mourning them as they were before they left.

One of them, though . . . One of them gets me a little more than the rest. She was my Mom's friend, but she was actually much closer to my age. In my memories of her she was in her twenties and I was in high school. She was funny and a little wild. She had the most Southern voice in the whole entire south and I loved her laugh.

She was forty five when she died this month and her son is fifteen. That one definitely gets me. I mourn for Drew and pray for his well being. I think of him every day and wonder a little why God chose her. Now.





While my tangible memory of her is mostly as a wildish twenty something my admiration for her is built on the battle she fought with leukemia. Very fast and very intense. She was on vacation with her family in August and came home more tired than usual. Um, hello. Have you ever been on a family vacation? Of course she was tired. But it was more than that.

She was diagnosed with leukemia in August and died just five months later. In those five months I followed her posts on Facebook and read her journal on CaringBridge.

Sheryl was not afraid to die and does not want anyone to mourn her. I am not that selfless just yet. My Mom shared a video of the most Southern voice in the whole south ministering to her husband's congregation on Mother's Day. That woman does not want me, or anyone else, to cry for her. She was confident and selfless because she knew with certainty that she was not alone. What a gift.

Are You Flourishing?

I'm not sad for her anymore, but I am worried about Drew. I hope he was listening when his Mama was talking and can take advantage of the foundation she gave him.

Rest your soul, sweet girl. Much love to you.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Back on Track

It's been a while.  I know.  Somewhere between Thanksgiving Day and New Year' Eve I officially entered overload and my blog has suffered right along with the grocery shopping and laundry.  Mrs. LP, please forgive me :)

There's never a dull moment in this house.  Regardless of the season.  Between my precious offspring, their charming Dad and the rock throwing dog (I promise there will be a post about this sometime soon) I can barely wedge in time for showers and hand cream. I've always blogged as a creative outlet and a way to stay connected.  Then along came Arthur and the pending arrival of Santa.  A welcomed houseguest.  The requisite holiday festivities.  And the job change.  Mine.  By choice.  There just wasn't time for one more thing.  Not one single thing.

Santa left hats for everyone!

But now we're norming, and I'm back.

I have a new job and I LOVE it.  A whole dang lot.    My last day in my former position was just two weeks ago and I can't even fathom why I stayed there for eight years.  It seems like it might have been three years too many.  My fond memories are very, very faint.

The Athlete and The Princess are still my precious offspring. They're so amazing.  Really amazing.  Just so smart and articulate.  And healthy and funny.  And seven and nine for only a few more weeks.  I am cherishing them as much as possible.  Not tolerating.  Cherishing.

Their Dad is still charming.  Really, really charming.  And gifted.  And good to me.  He's been so very supportive and patient with me in my job transition.  He is coaching two basketball teams again this season and he makes me so proud when I watch him with those boys.  He is such a strong and talented leader to them and a wonderful man.  When I pray I always say thank you for him first.  He is a gift.

More posts to follow.  One for sure about the rock throwing dog.  And the fashion show that is my new office and the trip to Rome I am taking in a few weeks.  Pictures of my beautiful kids for sure.  And a post about loss that's been in my heart.  And . . .  There's always so much.

So much to be thankful for.  So much to want to capture before it's gone.  The blog is a written catalog of our moments.  Like a photo album with tons of text.  Not ever to be forgotten.

Happy New Year.  It's good to be back.

The Adventures of Arthur

There are so many gimmicks attached the holidays and our family usually foregoes them. I try really hard to spend time talking with the kids about the joy of giving and the significance of the season being a time of preparation and waiting for the birth of Jesus. We certainly get caught up in Santa Claus and the festiveness that goes along with Christmas, but try not to go overboard.  There is one gimmick that got us and I am so glad.
My kids are seven and nine and have never had Elf on the Shelf. It seems like you need start this before your kids can even read and to do it for always. I missed the boat on it a long time ago and thought the opportunity had passed.  Then I saw the flux of ideas on Pinterest (of course) that show the Elf doing all kinds of wacky things and had to give in. The Athlete and The Princess are just on the cusp of being too big, but they have the best sense of wonder and enthusiasm that makes this perfect for them. We’re having such a good time this week with our new pal, Arthur and the added bonus of The Princess getting out of bed without being asked so she can search for Arthur is fan.tas.tic.  And hearing her say the word "hilarious" is pretty great, too.

I hope your days are merry and bright, too!

He came in for a crash landing and got stuck in the dining room chandelier

Using a holiday photo as a canvas to improve his art skills

He borrowed the dog’s reindeer ears for a dress up party with the Christmas bears



Benefits When Your Employment Ends

The header on the file that's currently on my desktop reads "Benefits When Your Employment Ends".  It does not make me smile.

For a girl that works PRIMARILY for the kick-ass benefits package that header is not comforting.

The good news: I did not lose my job.  I am still employed.  Very.Good.News.

The {less than} good news: my very stable US company was acquired by a growing company based in Canada.  They are committed to aggressive growth and development and not as committed to health insurance, stock options and retirement plans.

Less than good news (for me).  There is a lot of upside to the transaction and I truly am grateful to still be employed.  But let's face it.  It's my blog and I'll cry if I want to.

The cover page of the 38 page file also says this -

For U.S. employees whose employment transferred as a part of the sale/purchase of your company effective December 7, 2011.  The PESP portion of this document constitutes part of a prospectus covering securities that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933. The Stock Plans portion of this document constitutes part of a prospectus covering securities that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933.

I am more interested in decking the halls than rolling over my pension.  Please say a prayer that E and I make good decisions for our family this month and still take time to enjoy the magic of the season.  I don't want to miss a moment of merry.  Even Arthur the elf is counting on us for a safe landing.

Birthday Blessings

Today would have been my Nanny's 92nd birthday.  New Year's Day will mark the fourth anniversary of when I held her hand for the last time and I miss her terribly.  If I could call her today and wish her a happy birthday I would be sure to sing in my clearest, happiest voice.  No one ever made me happier or feel better than my Nanny did for most of my life.

When I pray with my children and tell them of the Lord's goodness I ALWAYS think of her.  She was so faithful and steadfast.  She would enjoy their enthusiasm and love for God so much.  Psalm 23 was her favorite scripture.  It reminds me of her.  Just like hummingbirds, butterflies and homemade waffles.  They were all uniquely her to me.  Happy Birthday, little bird.  I love and miss you so much.

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
 
Amen.

Ten Things - November 2011

I'm late to the party (notice a trend?) but I somehow feel like if I don't admit that another month went by then it won't really happen.  Not true.  I love joining Emmy to recount the months, every month.  Not matter how fast it went.  But this one hurt a little.  Way. Too. Fast.

Ten Things to Smile About: November

The car service chauffeur agreeing to drop off the kids at school on my way to the airport. They were thrilled!

My super slick laptop and my sweet husband who went out at midnight on Black Friday to get it for me.  We can Skype again!! Thank you, sweetheart!

A 2 year old, a 7 year old, an 11 year old, a {darling} 4 year old, another 7 year old, a 9 year old and a 10 year old cousin having the grandest time together.  This makes me smile bigger than most anything that has happened to me lately.  I am so in love with each of these kiddos for what makes them uniquely special and I especially love how much they love each other.

A {free} fancy dinner and seeing Blue Man Group with E and some fun colleagues.

Emily from Jones Design Company offering fantastic holiday printables that I am using like crazy. You're gonna love her as much as I do.  I'm tellin' ya . . .

Telling myself that perfect is overrated (and believing it!!) and ordering my Christmas cards while they were on sale for Black Friday.

Celebrating my eleventh wedding anniversary with E.  I feel so lucky to still be IN love with the father of my children.  Truly.

Getting started on some handmade gifts

Enjoying the loveliest  Thanksgiving that I can remember in a long time.  Table settings, place cards, candlelight and amazing company.  The evening absolutely, positively made up for us not being in Hawaii this year.

p.s.  Anyone that can prepare a meal  for 31 guests that is elegant, delicious and beautiful and still look this great is a hero to me. Love you, Aunt Linda!!

Beginning the celebration of Advent and sharing the joy of giving with my children.  We have so much and Advent is the perfect time to reinforce with them that our bounty must be shared.  It IS the most wonderful time of the year.

Flashback Friday

Eleven years ago today we were standing in that tiny little church right on the edge of the ocean and we could see the waves rolling into the black rocks just outside the window.  Our happily ever after started the moment that Reverend Alika chanted his blessing for us and Jamie Lawrence serenaded us.

For me, our wedding was magic.  The moments freeze in time and I remember exactly what the waves sounded like when we approached the altar.  I still see the way our Moms held hands on the way to light candles and how my Daddy cried all the way down the aisle asking me if I wanted to slow down. 

Our family and friends sacrificed a lot to be in Maui with us on November 18, 2000 and I don't take any portion of that gesture for granted.  Eleven years later I realize that it was only a moment and it is NOT what makes a marriage, but I am truly, deeply grateful for such a happy beginning to the life that E and I share.

For my love,

If I had known then what I know now I would have dragged my poor Daddy down the aisle even faster to get to you.

You are so much more than the handsome young man I married.  You are the conservative to my liberal, the salty to my sweet and the mild to my wild.  You still melt me with your big brown eyes and you can make me laugh like no one else in the whole entire world.  I love the way you smell and how you reach for my hand before you fall asleep.  I am awed by the way our kids look up to you, admire you and adore you. Their love for you as their Dad makes me love you more than anything I would have even imagined on that sunny afternoon in Makena.  I am a better version of myself because you love me and I always want to be better because you don't deserve anything less.

Thank you for eleven years of happily ever after. I pray we'll be granted the opportunity to enjoy many, many more.

Happy Anniversary.  I Love You