Not Over It

Here was my Mama's house. I'm still not over it...

Pure Magic

Oh Good Lord it was better than I expected! We went to see Grandma Mabel and Papa Clyde to celebrate Mabel's 80th birthday. The snow made seeing all the family even better. Watching my kids play in the snow while eating oysters with my uncles and cousins at the beach was a combination that was almost too much even for me. My head almost popped off. It started snowing Friday night. And the snow combined with this...



led to a snow-ball fight for the books between "the girls (me, Mama, Sister and Sister-n-law)" vs "the boys (Daddy, Brother and Brother-n-law)". The kids were all in bed but we played in the snow until midnight and we couldn't feel our fingers anymore. When we woke up, we saw this and it was magic. Pure magic.

A Little Sprinkle

AM Rain / Snow Showers High 43°F
Precip 60%

Please, please, pretty please?????
Just let them see one flake this weekend.
Please, please, please.

I'm not asking for this although they would love it....



Just a little sprinkle will do.

My Sweet, Sweet Big

You're 6 1/2 now.

You're 48 lbs.

You're 52" tall.

You're a string bean.

You love macaroni and cheese.

You love basketball and reading.

You love Fruit Roll-Ups and Trix cereal.

You absolutely hate your "fat" winter coat.

You love to wake up early and hunt in the woods.

You still don't want a girlfriend. And that's ok with me.

You love football and Star Wars and playing video games.

Just when I think you aren't listening, you remind me that you do.

You're my Big. My sweet, sweet Big.

Wouldn't Want Her Any Other Way

Lil' is copying me. She started it this weekend and it's really freaking me out. She mimicks my every move. Laying a finger to my mouth while reading something... Yikes! She's doing it too. Laughing out loud at something funny... Yikes! She's doing it too. Playing with my hair... Yikes, you get the picture.

She's really into saying things like, "C'mon Mommy. It's just me and you. We GUUURRRLLLSSS." My parents tell me that she acts just the way I used to. I'm not so sure cause she's soooo girly but she has an unbelievable wit about her that keeps me and Daddy and Big laughing constantly. How can someone so small be so funny?

She'll crush you though so be careful. As soon as you think you're on her good side, she'll snap you back around and break your heart. She'll sit on your lap all day and then refuse to give you a hug. Then 10 minutes later, she'll run up to you with arms wide open.

I'm so terrifically happy that she's weird and funny and fickle. We wouldn't want her any other way.

Escaping My Naps

Today is a sad, sad day for those of us who are "Days of Our Lives" fans. I've watched "Days" since I was little enough to still need a nap. My little brother and I would come up with any excuse to sit with Mama on the couch so that we could stay awake instead of nap from 1pm-2pm. Mama liked for us to rub her leg so we would so we could stay up.

Now looking back, I realized that Mama just needed that break for a spell and it just so happened that she coordinated that break while "Days" was on. It was during those moments that an affection for Mama Horton was born. She was the matriarch of a huge family filled with gorgeous women and smart doctors. She always gave the best advice and I know Hope is gonna miss her terribly.

Rest in peace, Alice. Thank you for helping me escape my naps.

Hold Them Close

In my life, I've been lucky with friends. I have an unbelievable collection of good people who sincerely love me. These relationships are like air to me. I have to have them. Besides my sister, most of my dear friends are old but there are a sprinkled few who are new and equally important to me. My point here is that your life will be easier, simpler, clearer and more meaningful if you value frienship. So... I hope when you grow up, you'll have a good group of friends.

I do and they've been there for me too many times to count. In good times and in bad. There is a circle of 5 of my old friends who have been through much with me. We started as roommates in college. We've been in eachother's weddings. Stood by for eachother's labor. Counseled one another during break-ups and make-ups. It's an odd pairing no doubt, but the love we have for one another has not and does not change. We get together as much as we can. To breathe in and breathe out. Recharge. Review. Push forward.

It's a good feeling when you know that someone has your back. To know that someone will tell you the honest truth. To know that no matter what, you'll always have someone to call. All my girls, old and new, give me this.

Find some for yourself. Find them. Keep them. And hold them close.