7 years ago today....

I married a rockstar.

I love you baby.  Thanks for being silly with me.  For caring about me.  For showing me I'm your only. I love what God has given us.  I love this life we've built as one.  I love our 2 crazy boys.  I love laughing alongside of you.

Happy Anniversary!

To my dearest Jude London....

Today you are 5. 

You have been awaiting this day for a long time.  

You can use your whole hand to illustrate your age.  

You are getting ready to start Kindergarten.  

You are so incredibly ready.  

You sound your words out. 

You write your name.  

You write letters and numbers so beautifully.  

You are a gifted artist.  

You have a beautiful voice. 

You have a deep compassion that convicts me.

You pray to God when you are scared. 

You never doubt that He hears you. 

You encourage me as your Mommy. 

You care for Leland with such tenderness.

You are more than I could have asked God for, sweet son. 

You are the reason for so much laughter in our home.

You enjoy giving as much or more than getting. 

You have taught me a great deal.

You make me so proud. 

Happy Birthday! Today is your day.  I love you.

~Mommy

Interview with "My Retro Kitchen"

So, I love meeting foodies.  

I love talking about food.  

I love learning something new about food.  

A newly re-acquainted friend, Amie, has a lovely and resourceful foodie blog called My Retro Kitchen that I am obsessed with.  Her posts are always full of interest and inspire me to look deeper when I look in my fridge.

I am so honored she asked me to do an interview for her "Friday Feasting with Friends" weekly feature.  Check it out here.  Thanks Amie for the love!

Happy Friday people....
photo credit

this big pot in the backyard

It came with the house.
Currently grows gross weeds.

This is what it will become.

Thanks for the inspiration, Black Eiffel.

9 by design (revisited)

I think I have it figured out why this show appeals to me so much.  It's not just the incredible design and innovation.  It is not the inspiring transformations and over-the-top art selections.  It is because this family has the same problems any family has.  Their kids whine. Their baby cries. Their kids disappear in the middle of intersections and cause them to freak out and yell.  Robert & Cortney are given the opportunity for a kid-free date night and they jump up and down like Joel and I do.  They are seemingly unafraid of that transparency.  They are also somewhat dumbfounded as to what makes their lives so interesting to the press.

In last night's episode, Robert came home to read Cortney some interesting press they had been receiving.  Both of them stared at the Times with such child-like excitement.  I guess I expected a 'snooty side' to rear its ugly head one of these episodes.  Truth be told...I'm still waiting for it.

As someone who is literally SURROUNDED by creative people, I cannot help but appreciate the ones who are so humble about their gift.  This show scratches me where I itch in the 'inspiration' department.  I already want to tear down every wall in my house and start over again....ok, maybe not the ideal design for my town....but makes me want to hit up flea markets all over town looking past the 'junk' and seeing what could be....

day 2 of birth week

So, my Jude is turning 5 in 4 days. Look how little he was....

My heart is excited for what is ahead but to be truthful, after yesterdays post, I sobbed like a baby in the car on the way to my parent's house.  I cannot think too long & hard about him being in school every day all day...I know I will adjust but I ache at the very thought of it.  I am going to miss the mornings...the snuggling as I drink my coffee.  I am going to miss our play-doh mornings.  I am also going to miss the spontaneous drive each day has....'what do you want to do today?"  I love that.  I realize he isn't dying or going to a boarding school or anything...it's just going to be different.  Sometimes when things change, I am simply just sad about it.  It couldn't more true a word for this week.  While i love to celebrate the gift of God I have had for 5 years...I am a teeny tiny itty bitty bit sad as well. 

Our 'special' birthweek event yesterday was a surprise trip to Grandma & Grandpa's house!  Fun had by all!

Today is a trip to a new playland + dessert after school.  Jude is totally digging this whole birth week celebration thing.  He walked up to my Dad and said, "It's my birth week...and it's time to get this PAR-TAY started!" 

Birth week....day 1

Beware a very sappy post up ahead:

I am peering down the week with various tasks; meals to make; love to dish out; cleaning to do over and over and over....

Today, though, I slowed my heart down.  I hugged my eldest son. I looked in his big green eyes. I told him how close his birthday is. Only 5 more days....til he is 5 years old.

An overwhelming feeling came over me.  I thought back to the day I found out I was carrying him.  It was too soon for me...Joel was still in art school.  I wasn't ready.  Little did I know how perfect the timing truly would be.  I remember his little kicks inside my womb.  I remember his spiky hair after his first bath in the hospital.  I remember falling in love with Joel all over again watching him transform from husband to father.  I remember when I asked Jude if he was ready to meet his new little brother...and his response was: "Mommy, is it OK if I am shy around him at first?"  Oh Jude, we love your innocence and tender heart.  We adore your thoughtful words and loving touch.  We appreciate the artwork you bring home....the chalk-board notes of love...and the snuggling....oh the snuggling!

I am stealing an idea from a friend (Amy D) to celebrate my son all week long!  It's birth week, people!  Jude gets to pick something fun to do each day in order to celebrate all the way til Saturday!  He is so very excited.  So far, all he can come up with is going to play grounds, libraries and play lands (stuff we do all the time as it is) - it makes me grateful that his ordinary life is celebration enough.  I do plan to throw in some surprises along the way...I want him to know how very much he is loved.