These are the Days

Our lazy summer days blend into lazy summer nights in the backyard. The kids are having a great time together and we are loving watching them play and explore.

When David and I got married, I walked down the aisle to this song...

The lyrics are just so fitting...and I love that they continue to FIT...

These are the days of the endless summer

These are the days, the time is now

There is no past, there's only future

There's only here, there's only now

Oh your smiling face, your gracious presence

The fires of spring are kindling bright

Oh the radiant heart and the song of glory

Crying freedom in the night

These are the days by the sparkling river

His timely grace and our treasured find

This is the love of the One magician

Who turned the water into wine

These are the days of the endless dancing and the Long walks on the summer night

These are the days of the true romancing When I'm holding you oh, so tight

These are the days by the sparkling river

His timely grace and our treasured find

This is the love of the One great magician

Who turned the water into wine

These are the days now that we must savor And we must enjoy as we can

These are the days that will last forever

You've got to hold them in your heart.

Discovery Science with Friends

Phoenix, Joaquin, Chili, Sara, Valentina, Salvatore and I invaded the Discovery Science Center.

Love their faces here.

On a safari.

Us girls in the wind tunnel.

14 Months

Valentina at 14 months old.

Here are 14 things that you should know about our Sugar Carrot:

1. She loves to brush her teeth. And she really loves to take others toothbrushes. I caught her finally after she DIPPED David's toothbrush in Benedict's water dish and then DROPPED it in the toilet. Yeah, he owes me BIG TIME.

2. She sleeps in her crib for naps and with Salvatore in his bed for bedtime.

3. She sings and dances. A lot. To her own tunes. She just makes them up and sings them aloud.

4. She is a great eater and is currently obsessed with raisins. Just try showing her a box and watch her reaction.

5. She JUMPS when you catch her doing something that she isn't supposed to be doing. But then she instantly smiles and hands over whatever contraband she has, as if she would never think to lie or try to fool you.

6. She loves to play peek-a-boo and chase. And she is starting to make her own little jokes and funnies. She cracks herself up.

7. She now tries to boss Benedict around but always follows up with a kiss.

8. She still bites, but will now tell HERSELF "no, no, no" (with the shaking of the finger) right after she attempts it.

9. She is in that stage where she likes to open/close, open/shut, turn on/turn off EVERYTHING. I barely get anything done anymore.

10. She gets really fussy and crabby in the library. Which sucks, because Salvatore and I love it there. I always get "the look" from strangers. Even the kids give me "the look". I ignore them all.

11. She is still a momma's girl. Which I LOVE. Of course.

12. She loves to give hi-fives and knuckles. Even to strangers. And she also loves to imitate their sneezes. That can be a little embarrassing.

13. She can say: mama, papa, Lolo, Benn-Benn, no, gracias, please, all done, bye bye, hi, hello, mas, why, uh-oh, and ok. "All done" is her favorite.

14. She smiles with her WHOLE FACE. And throws her head back. And her eyes close. And she always brightens our days.

Happy 14 months Valentina!!

Faces I Love

I Miss My Mommy

Mom, we had another lovely visit with you. Thank you for everything!

Another great creation by Melissa for my mom, so she has a useful apron made from the kids' clothes.

Fun train trip to Zoomar's.

We had so much fun. Lots of great dinners, breakfasts, movies, Nascar races, family visits, shopping trips and cleaning. We remember our other great visits and look forward to many many more! We love you!

My Hero is RAD

My mom has been visiting this week and we have had many great discussions about our favorite topics: love, family, people, faith and...more people. A few common quotes keep resurfacing in these conversations..."People are who they are" and "It is what it is" as we share, discuss, connect, and catch up on so many different stories.

Also, at this time in my life, I have continued to see many examples of people totally changing for the better and people never changing at all.

Highs.

Lows.

Success.

Failures.

Long painful struggles with sad endings.

Quick, unbelievable moments that change things forever.

The short end of a stick.

The &*^%$ unfairness of it all.

The glass half full.

Half empty.

Slow recoveries.

New chapters.

For each of these...however you were dealt...one common theme arises. Forward.

Maybe it is an exciting leap.

Maybe it's a slow crawl.

But forward, none the less, is the direction we all continue to go...be it by faith, hope, love, shame, spirituality, or just momentum.

So, what is my point? My point is that I have a new hero.

He is so so RAD.

The other night, while watching ESPN, this story came on and had me in a trance. I listened to every. single. word. and then seriously reflected on not just my perfect-seeming, happy little life, but on my ATTITUDE towards everything in it.

First, I cried.

Then, I smiled.

Life IS what it is and people ARE what they are.

And these 13 minutes and 11 seconds will touch you in a way that you never dreamed.

It will take your mind off of your own problems better than any stupid reality show or other "guilty pleasure."

Let something like his story fill you up.

Please listen to why my new hero in life is RAD.