Happy 3rd Birthday, Sweetheart!

What lies behind you and what lies in front of you,

pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.

Ralph Waldo Emerson




Three years ago today when I saw your face for the very first time,

I could hardly believe you were mine.

This morning as I stare at you sleeping next to me,

I am amazed that I feel exactly the same way.

I dreamed about you my whole life and some days

I wondered if you would ever really be more than a dream.

You have made each and every one

of these 1095 days the very best days of my life.

(even the ones when I told you that you drove me crazy!)

You captivate and charm everyone you meet and

although you are so very beautiful;

that physical beauty itself pales in comparison

to the incredible person

I see emerging from within you.

I hope you will one day realize how truly honored I am to be your mother

and to follow you on this incredible journey ahead of you called:

LIFE.

Thank you for making all my dreams come true.

Happy 3rd Birthday, my Darling.

You have my heart.

Mama

(Pictures of the small family celebration we had yesterday soon to follow)

Good for What Ails Me

I've been putting in lots of extra hours on a project at work.

In fact, I had to go away and leave my babies TWICE for several days

in the last month in connection with work.

Anyone who knows me knows I don't go away without my kids.

I just don't.

It damn near killed me.

JR has really stepped up and been handling all the Daddy AND Mommy duties.

Yeah, I know you noticed but were too cool to call me out on it....

I haven't even had time to update here.

I have hundreds of photos that need editing and several events I hadn't had time to post about.

I will get to them and I have promised myself that I'll post them....

I just need to figure out where I can steal the time from!

All the traveling, commuting, running around, working, mommying, entertaining, etc. have just worn me flat out.

I am definitely burning the candle on both ends.

It's no wonder I woke up this week with a nasty sore throat.

I just don't have TIME to be sick!

JR, WB and Sweetie decided to surprise me with some hot tea

and lots of hugs when I got home from work tonight.

Sweetie insisted on dressing the part and checking my vitals.

She's getting so big.

My little Trio....perfect for what ails me!

Summer Afternoon

Summer Afternoon . . . Summer Afternoon
the two most beautiful words in the English language.
- Henry James

This favorite little dress of ours is another wonderful creation by ManiMina.

(Yes, I'm addicted.)

Thankful Thursday: Sweet Dreams

No matter how many years pass

between today

and the day

when you fly off on your own,

my little angel...

this sight of you

has been indelibly etched

in my mind

and on my heart forever.

You will eternally remain,

my very own

precious little girl.

Back to School

Go Get'em, 6th Grader!

Oh, and don't you worry one iota, Kiddie.

You've made it through another summer.

Your Christopher*Robin will be back home before you know it!

Discovering Beauty

In summer, the song sings itself.
- William Carlos Williams



Be a gentle friend to trees and they will give you back beauty,
cool and fragrant shade, and many birds, singing.
-Unknown

Delight in the beauty that surrounds you.