So Long Summer........**SIGH**

While I'm sad to say so long to Summer, I cannot complain .......the warm days we had were in every sense and way, wonderful!  It came ~ it stayed & we PLAYED!!!  Working from home truly allowed me to soak up the summer sun and fun this year.  I realized that as the beautiful days came about and it gave me a new appreciation for my "cooped up in the corner bedroom upstairs" day job :-)  Not only did I greet the days nice & relaxed (no stuck in rush hour here!) yet I also wrapped them early when able so that C and I could soak up as much sun and fun as we could before bedtime.  This included BBQ's, splash pads, sprinkler days with popsicles in hand and walks by the water.  A plus to this is that I've been on a 2 month travel break for work which is overdue and I in no way am yet missing layovers, salted peanuts and nights alone in various beds.

As fun as it was, it seems to be coming to an end and I'm bracing myself for the withdrawals and gloom glum I know is coming. Getting through it so .... bring on the next season.

 

The Trying ~ Terrific ~ & Tiring TWO's!!!

Today marks 2 years in the life of Cora Marie.........this morning she awoke early and boasted skills that include removing her diaper and wetting down her entire crib. This was followed by a fabulous birthday tantrum at breakfast portraying her ability to throw food across the room (obviously needing to make a point) before heading off to school, only to return with her own thoughts on napping (...not napping that is) and we wrapped up the day with a perfect family celebration ....... in which the time up until desert was served - she pleaded desperately for "cupcake Mama cupcake"? Way to bring 2 in with style Miss Cora - get it my sweet girl Being her Mother for the past two years has transformed my heart, mind, soul and entire world in the most fulfilling way imaginable. This beautiful child brings so much joy, laughter, challenge, strength and FUN to our lives on a daily .......we should only be so lucky that God chose us. And I am SO thankful he did!

Luggage and Layovers

Now coming up on month 4 of constant travel, late night and weekend work, wacky "office" dreams (you show up naked, etc.) and too many layovers amongst it all.  While I do enjoy what I do on a daily, I still do it to make a living cause yes - I can think of a MILLION better things to do :-)  That being said - it's wearing on me, yet trying to hang on and get through the craziness that I'm told will pass.  That better pass - lol. 

On the positive side, it keeps me fresh - learning - growing and thankful, as every minute between this biz, I that much more appreciate special moments with my daughter and don't take any of the "trying two" days for granted.  As I pack for the next .... here we go again - I think Ms. C's decided that if she can't stop me - she's joining me!

It's Official!!!

A great start to a New Year....... 
It's official, as of January 27th 2013 ~  I am deemed officially cancer free!  WONDERFUL words to say, type and think on :-)  Of course we never know what's coming at us tomorrow yet living in this moment is good.  10 years back when I first started praying for this day, I wanted to do something "big".  That meant some sort of fabulous expensive vaca to somewhere exclusive, as a way to celebrate the victory.  Now that the day is actually here (while that still sounds ideal :-) I've had a change of heart. Yes vaca's are still wanted, yet a lil' trickier these days with planning around a toddler.  So as I thought on it, I went from "hosting a benefit" (which would have been very cool ) yet became a no go with my crazy work/travel schedule - to instead - feeling called to donate that money and time to a cause that touches my family and heart.  A "pay it forward" celebration!  My saved "cancer free" funds therefore went to the ALS Association in honor of my grandmother, Florence Arms, and I hope it can extend to other families in need.  PLEASE take time to read up and on the cause/need/disease - the help....that you could give also.  Or instead, ask yourself who/what you're being called to give to? 

I'll leave it a.....THANK YOU GOD FOR YOUR GOODNESS, MY LIFE, AND ALL TRIALS AND TRIUMPHS THAT HAVE BEEN INCLUDED!!!!

AMEN :-)

HOLIDAYS. Come .....and gone! What the???

Honestly it just seems like a blur.....we start getting excited 'round this house about the holiday's the second we won't seem too obsessive or geeky (in a syfy/comicon way). So this usually puts me getting antsy right around Thanksgiving. Yup turkey then tree :-)

While it went by fast, we enjoyed every. moment. With a lil' one at home you can't help but get giddy along side them (so yes - she's another scapegoat). Seriously, the joy they bring to the season is indescribable and it warms you from the inside out.....along with hot toddys :-)

This season we gots into all sorts of fun..... Zoolights, a Santa visit, Winterfest, shop shop shopping ....& more! Family is what it's always about and we stayed true to that. We came - we celebrated the reason for the season - and loved on one another throughout it all!

 

Life ~ a collection of beautiful moments......

With a heavy heart ~ letting go can be very tough.......I am beyond blessed to be able to share with you Grandma, how very much you mean to me and the impact you have on my heart ~ my life. To talk of heaven, fear, love and life. And with all that, I'm still not ready. Yet I know you are.........with that, we'll all do what's tough ~ all the while knowing that you're making your way home! 

"Knowing the parting that was soon to come did not diminish the beauty nor our delight in being together. No, it heightened it. It made us more alive to the moment. More aware. More present. And so it is with a heart awakened to it's sorrow. It is more present, more aware and more alive ~ to all the facets of life." - Captivating

Toddlers and Transitions......

Today was an emotional day at home....Ms. Cora Marie started her "career" at Montessori Preschool, where she is sure to teach all the children there all they need to know as they gleen off her brilliance :-)  I packed her lunch, blankie (luvie as we call it), sippy cup ~ and away she went!  I'm thrilled that I have found a warm and caring place for her to spend 3 days a week; growing, playing and exploring this new world of hers. Better yet, I'm impressed and on board with the methodology they follow and am glad to see it incorporated into her days there........and she's off ~ fly lil' girl fly!

                              (1st day of school ~ ready & dressed to impress!)

The sad part of this story is that in this transition, Cora is also losing her beloved Nanny, and family friend, Miss Rebecca.  She decided to do what other crazy women out there are doing, and is preparing for the arrival of her second child.  Rebecca came to us in March of last year and graciously stepped into the role of caring for Cora along side her own lil' girl, Evelyn. A former Teacher and Program Director at Invest in Youth, I think she was still somewhat nervous regardless. Yet of course she excelled at "keeping it all together" and led the girls through daily adventures to include playtime, books, trips to the zoo, swimming, and arts & crafts when the weather wasn't nice enough to cater their daily walks. Each afternoon I'd pick up a happy lil' girl and thank a tired Mommy :-)  Words cannot express how thankful I am for her heart, time and willingness to play a special part in Cora's life!  We love you and feel so blessed to have you now as a friend and wish you and your family (soon to be 4) all the best!!!