Thursday, March 22, 2012

Sunny and Bright

The little things are warming my heart today

A view of the sunrise and daffodils in my office

The Princess telling me she was only able to get up because she knows she doesn't have school tomorrow : )

Wishing the Athlete good luck on his test and hearing him say "I got this, Mom"

Leaving a note on the mirror for my one true love

Looking forward to the weekend

Sweet and simple <3

Monday, March 19, 2012

Aww, not again

Graduation couldn't come fast enough. I was TOO cool to live at home for five more minutes and could not wait to rush my 17 year old self into the world. My girlfriend and I got an apartment before the ink dried on our high school diplomas and I went straight to work and college summer school courses. The thing I was the least interested in back then was my parents' opinions.

It's been many, many moons since that summer. I've grown up an awful lot in the last twenty years and I've developed an awful lot of respect for my parents. I am, however, still a little "too big for my britches" sometimes and don't reach out to my parents for help very often. Independence is a big part of who I am. Stubborn plays a pretty big part, too. Not asking for help is not my favorite thing about myself and I am still learning not to take offense when my Mama says "I'm worried about you". My instinct is "awww come on, not again. I am fine!"

The dialogue in my head sounds just like this - - -

"Do not worry about me. I AM too busy, but it's a choice I've made and I'm fine."

"I am tough. I am happy. I will catch up on sleep sometime in the next six years. I am fine."

"My kids are healthy. E is so good to me. I can see the ocean from the kitchen. I am fine."

And the truth is that I am fine.

Like that same sassy girl that couldn't wait to move into her first apartment I don't want anyone else in my beeswax. Especially my Mom. But I am twenty years better than that and I don't regret my manic rambling truth like I might have before. If nothing else,the blog is a time capsule for our family and an outlet for me.

But more than anything I am grateful for the love and concern of my parents. I have friends who have lost their parents and I absolutely know they would give anything for their Mom to tell them to take care. Or for their Dad to tell them one more time that he never hears from them. I am so very grateful my parents loved me long enough to see past the selfish, defiant girl I was and are still willing to love the tired, somewhat weary woman I am at this moment. It is only a moment. You can count on that.

I am fine, Mama and I love you so much. You are very welcome in my beeswax.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Just a Girl

The words swirl constantly and I cannot organize the thoughts enough to put them in order.  The idea of stringing together sentences to express myself clearly is more overwhelming than the crowd of thoughts themselves.  Tonight is not different. 

It's cold and wet outside, but our home is warm and safe.  The satisfaction of physical comfort won't stick because of how desperately I need everything to be as calm as this room.  Our life is not calm.  Our life is mostly likely an antonym for the word calm.

At least three nights this week I worked until I was delirious and should probably do it a few more nights to meet my deadlines.  That damn dog eats everything that's not tied down.  My failures as a parent are crushing me.  And I want to run.  If I sit still long enough to think I am crippled by the enormity of it all.  I am totally a fraud in the pressure and expectations of the world I inhabit.  Whoever thought I was qualified enough to take on all of this and do it well was very, very wrong.  I am just a girl that fell in love with a boy from far away.  How the rest of it happened is purely a miracle.

In acknowledgment of my rambling thoughts and overwhelming need to spill I will just talk about me.  The me that I forget about sometimes.  The me that I want my kids to know about.

My Nanny has been my favorite person for my whole life. I miss her every single day.

 Handwritten notes are one of my favorite things. No tweet, email or text can ever replace getting a personal note on paper from someone.

Country music is comfort food to me.

An outdoor concert is my idea of a perfect date.

If I could sit alone {guilt free} for an afternoon I would get a LOOOONG pedicure with all the extras and read a book. I wouldn't talk. I wouldn't listen to music. I would just read and have my feet rubbed.

photo courtesy of the Athlete
I love getting dressed up.
AND
I love to see E in a suit.

I wear earrings, a watch and my wedding ring even when I am wearing sweats and haven't showered.  Jewelry is totally my thing.

My husband impresses me more every day. I am so glad I married the right person for me.

The idea of teaching my kids how to drive scares me to death.

I am not good at praying.  My heart is TOTALLY in it but I am never sure what to say.  I always make sure that I say thank you if I can't think of anything else.  Thank you is always in my heart when I talk to God.

My fitness level (or lack of it) scares me.  I want to be healthier than I am right now.

My constant level of exhaustion also scares me.  I don't think it's healthy to be this tired all the time.

Hawaii is where I go to when I dream. My dreams even smell better in Hawaii.

The cross I had made with my diamonds from my Grandmother's cocktail ring is my favorite piece of jewelry.

My obsession with Pinterest may have been replaced by my new obsession with houzz.  Oh what I could do with endless amounts of money and a trustworthy handy man!  And a decorator . . .  and endless amounts of money . . .

Lunch with a girlfriend is always a treat for me.  I love to hang with my girlfriends one on one.

I hope that my children inherit my courage.  I really want them to be fearless and always willing to apologize if they trip anyone while they're charging ahead.

Aging is not my favorite thing.  My hair is thinning, my skin looks terrible and I have started wondering if I need to have something done about the veins in my legs.  Oh brother!

Even though I lack patience with the chewing and shedding of our new puppy I really, really like dogs.

Taking our golf cart to the beach always makes me happy.

My children inspire me to hang in there every day.  I walk taller and push harder because I want to be worthy of them.

My children make me know that there's nothing I can't get through.  Sometimes I just need to take a deep breath.  Or two.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Week at a Glance

My favorite Sundays are sunny and crisp and end with a clean(er) house, clean pure hearts and a sense of accomplishment and preparedness for the week ahead. 

We're working towards that today in the spring sunshine and as I scrub the counters I am mentally recounting our week.  None of the pressures of week stick to me like the cooking spray that I can't get off the stove top.  NONE of that stays. It's only the sweet stuff that lingers.

Stuffed animal sleepovers

Pitching four innings

Cloudless skies and crashing waves

Undivided attention and hugs that last longer

So many of the moments in the week feel like chores, but it's so nice to remember how much goodness dwells in the every day.


Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Ten Things to Smile About - February 2012

We'll pretend like this week is last week and I am not halfway through March while recounting my favorite things about February.  Just.Pretend.Please.

Ten Things to Smile About: February 2012

Traveling every single week with my new boss and really, really liking her.  I had almost forgotten what it felt like to be appreciated and treated well.

Staying out too late on a school night!


Celebrating our youngest niece's FIRST birthday.  Love that little bug so much.

Italy!!!!!

Ponte Vecchio - Florence

The Colosseum - Rome

Trevi Fountain - Rome

Positano - The Amalfi Coast

Coming home from a trip to find my car perfectly spotless and wearing a (much needed) brand new set of tires.


My baby boy turning ten and enjoying all the well-deserved hoopla!







Basketball season ending with a first place win for my boys.
So proud of them both for such great skill and sportsmanship.



E's family being there for us unconditionally whenever we need them. Whoever said "it takes a village" was talking about us.  We have the most wonderful village ever.

Attending Ash Wednesday mass with my favorite blessings


Entering the Lenten season with a heart full of humble gratitude for a wonderful God.

my cup runneth over . . .

Saturday, February 25, 2012

We Won!!!

My guys pulled out another first place league win in basketball today. I can't even pretend like it doesn't matter to me who wins or loses. I love to win! The coach. The players. The winning. I love it all a lot.





Congratulations Aztecs. I am so very proud of you




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Double Digits

My perfect first born son turned ten years old today. He has been looking forward to today for a LONG while and has relished in his day as only he can. In honor of my baby boy; a letter on his tenth birthday.

My Son,

You being so excited about your birthday is a gift in itself. Your enthusiasm for life is my favorite thing in the whole world. It is almost impossible to be in a bad mood in your presence.

On your tenth birthday you are in fourth grade. You're finishing a winning basketball season on your Dad's Aztec {of course} team, you have started practicing for spring baseball season and your track season starts in one week. It's fair that I call you The Athlete. You have mostly A's in school with only two B's - handwriting and math. You were selected by your teacher as a "Port Mate" aboard The Pilgrim because of your leadership and organizational skills and you just received the Manner of the Month award at school for looking adults in the eye as you're speaking and being spoken to. Those are all reasons for a Mama to be proud but some of the best things about you can't be measured.

Whatever you do you do well, but you also have a good time while you're doing it. Your friends love to hang out with you because you are witty and full of fun. Boys enjoy your company because you play hard but don't take yourself too seriously, and girls want to spend time with you because you are a good listener. Your cousins love to be with you because you are gentle and patient and generous. Your sister looks up to you and idolizes you for every reason. 

Punky, when I think about how quickly the last ten years have passed it takes my breath away. It doesn't seem that it's been ten years since the very first time I held you.  The most beautiful thing though about having you for a son is that I can't be sad to see the time pass. I am so excited about your future. There is absolutely nothing standing in the way of your greatness if you will continue on the path you're on. I am certain that I am a little biased but you really are the perfect mix of tender and tough. 

God has big plans for you and every time I pray I ask that you will continue to seek Him for your tough questions and not go elsewhere for justification. I pray that life will be just hard enough that you understand you have to work for the things that matter, including love. I pray that the world will be kind enough that you maintain your enthusiasm and continue to share it with everyone you meet. I pray that you will never lose sight of how deeply you are loved and the unconditional support that comes from your family. Mostly, I pray that God will keep you close and that you don't have to learn very much the hard way. Oh how I pray for that.

Happy Birthday to you, my favorite ten year old. May the world always give you the goodness you deserve and may you continue to return the world's goodness to those who know and love you so much.

With All My Love,

Mom

Friday, February 3, 2012

Ten Things: January 2012

A new year full of new and wonderful things.  The wonderful things definitely aren't new.  They all live here.  That's reason enough to smile every month of the year.

Ten Things to Smile About: January 2012

My super cute girl sporting straw hair


Starting a new job and LOVING it.
Not lying in bed every morning wondering how to get out of going to work is truly a reason to smile.

An unexpected weekend night with E.  Every movie is better when it's impromptu.

Basketball season



A fresh clean house and a new study spot for my sweet students

Unseasonably warm, sunny winter days

Enjoying a deluxe mani/pedi thanks to a Christmas gift certificate.  THANKS, Mom!

A fun post-holiday outing to the USS Midway



A great night out with long time friends. It's been almost fifteen years since we worked together and it was so fun to catch up and have some laughs together.

My star student being recognized for his wonderful manners


On to February . . .

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