Friday, April 27, 2007

I'm in heaven...

Got here safe and sound in St. Louis last night. Spent a lovely kid-free evening with my husband who I haven't seen in over a week, stayed up late watching me some Letterman, and slept until almost ten a.m. (in my defense, it was eight body-time).

On the schedule today? Some furniture shopping and browsing of granite counter tops.

Rough day, huh?

(The mother in me feels a little bit guilty knowing that my in-laws are hard at work tending my kids while I'm here lounging it up.)

Have a great day, everyone. Most of all Oma and Opa...hope the kids are being good.

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Happy 5th, Cheeky

Dear Hannah,

Today you are turning five years old. I know we celebrated officially with Dad last week, but that turned out to be such a rotten day, so we've got to make up for it today.
I cannot believe that you are five. Where has the time gone? I feel like I have barely blinked, taken a breath, and looked up to find my baby girl growing into a sweet, articulate, and sensitive little lady. You bring such a unique blend of spiciness, sweetness, and sass to the table. I know now that we were not complete until we got you.

Right now you are completely and utterly devoted to the world of Princesses. You change dress-ups literally about 16 times per day. You set up tea parties for your bunnies, and you do not have enough square footage on your body for all the jewelery you want to wear. You make sure to tell me if my outfit is not right (and sadly for me, you are usually right on).

You constantly make me laugh with the words that come out of your mouth. You have more questions than anyone I've ever met. I love that about you. I love that you think about the abstract and try to make sense of everything around you. You are so bright - I know that you will do great things.

Hannah, you came to us just as you are. I had my own ideas and plans when it came to you, but you taught me that life just can't be scripted - especially with you. I used to put you in the most adorable black turtlenecks, khaki skirts, and red-plaid dresses. You were less than a year old and would push the clothes aside in the morning and say, "No, pink!" We didn't own any pink, so how you knew about it is beyond me. But you did. You have always known what you want - and you are not afraid to go after it.

I don't know how many more years we have before you tire of my company. Right now, you follow me from sun-up until sun-down, copying me, mimicking my every move, wanting to do everything I do. I know those days are numbered, and I want to cherish every last one.

You're my little friend; my ally. I hope as you grow (and come to realize that I am quite annoying, bossy, and controlling), that we can find a common ground, and always have this special feeling between us. It's you and me, babe, in this house full of boys. We've got to stick together. I promise to always be there for you, and I want you to try and always like me a little bit - even when I bug you to pieces.

Happy five years, Sis. There's a tender little spot in my heart that was made just for you. Thanks for filling the void that I never knew was there.

Love,

Mom

Monday, April 23, 2007

A matching set

All I have to say is that we survived Friday (barely). Saturday was declared a Pajama Day, and I spent most of it trying to recover in bed. Sunday, we woke up and both Chase and Hannah were running fevers and having ear pain. Immediately ruled out church and made a doctor's appointment.

Diagnosis? Matching ear infections.

Present state of mind: SERENITY NOW (insanity later).

Trying not to dwell on it, but we are really missing Josh around here. He left early Saturday morning for St. Louis, and starts the new job today. I just want to fast-forward through until June and be done already. I know we'll get used to it, but the first few days are always the worst.

There. Done whining. Looking forward to a better week (can't be worse than last week, right?). Right.

P.S. Happy birthday, Mom! Thinking of you on this beautiful spring morning and wishing you a very happy day.

Friday, April 20, 2007

One more thing...

Because one cannot POSSIBLY expect to end such a bad day like today on a good note:

Hannah's hair caught fire when she was blowing out her birthday candles.

Yes, you read that right. She was leaning over her cake and a stray section of hair fell into a still-lit candle. Josh and I both immediately started smacking her in the face to put out the fire. Which did not help her less-than-peaceful state of mind at the moment.

She is fine, didn't lose too much hair, and did not get burned (thank goodness!) She summed it up best (through her tears) when she said, "I HATE days like today."

Amen, little sister, amen.

How to be me today: Step-by-step instructions

  1. Wake up feeling horribly, terribly sick. Choose to spend the day in bed moaning about how sick you are.
  2. Be driven from your cozy bed by a giddy Hannah jumping on your phlegm-filled chest, begging to open her birthday presents (we're celebrating today as Josh will be gone next week on her actual birthday).
  3. Try to keep head up and resist desire to drown yourself in bowl of pancake batter. Cook half the batter and be chastised by the children for forgetting to add the chocolate chips.
  4. Sigh, and dump half a bag of chocolate chips on their plates instead.
  5. Forget to coordinate how to get children to school (since Josh has an early morning doctor's appointment that runs extra long and you do not have another car).
  6. Have children enter frenzied mental state over being late to school and decide to just push Hannah in the stroller, and have them ride scooters to school. An hour late.
  7. Witness Chase fall down - not once - but twice, leaving him with a scraped face and scratched up knees. Dry his tears and beg him to stay at school and tough it out.
  8. Arrive in the office and have uptight school secretary criticize you for your lateness.
  9. Get mad and point out that this is the FIRST TIME EVER that your children have been late to school. So BACK OFF, lady.
  10. Don't feel one bit bad when she looks at you with hate-filled daggers.
  11. Come home to find husband ready to be driven to work.
  12. Take husband to work.
  13. Have husband realize once you've arrived at his office that he has forgotten his ID badge.
  14. Go home and hunt for ID badge.
  15. Take husband his ID badge.
  16. Rush back home to pick up cupcakes for preschool class.
  17. Take Hannah to preschool and try not to show extreme glee at having 1.75 hours to yourself.
  18. Go to pharmacy to fill husband's prescriptions. Wait 45 minutes.
  19. Get out to car and realize one of the prescriptions is not in the bag.
  20. Go back in pharmacy. Wait in line again to be told that they have to call the doctor and get the correct dosage. Be glad you waited 45 minutes for these prescriptions - since you'll be heading back again anyway.
  21. Go home and have about 400 pages to fax to realtor.
  22. Throw in the first of 20 loads of laundry.
  23. Pick up Hannah from school.
  24. Find her in tears because she got paint on her new birthday dress.
  25. Try not to throw yourself in front of a moving bus.
  26. Take Hannah to get her ears pierced for her birthday, thus ending her two-years of constant begging.
  27. Have Hannah burst into tears with the first ear and refuse to finish.
  28. Show Hannah how pretty she looks and convince her to finish other ear. Pay for the privilege of making your child cry.
  29. Run to car in the rain.
  30. Drive home.
  31. Plunk her down in front of the television.
  32. Have exactly eight minutes to yourself before heading out to pick up the boys from school.
  33. Make to-do list that includes: Finish laundry, clean house, make birthday cake, pull out suitcases for husband who leaves tomorrow, call floor contractor, and find something to eat for special birthday dinner.
  34. Decide to do none of the above.
  35. Take four Motrin.
  36. Pray you can make it through until bedtime.
  37. Blog.

Thursday, April 19, 2007

War games

Right now my kids are playing their favorite game - World War II. The boys have recently become obsessed with the details of World War II. They ask questions like, "Just how many trenches did the soldiers dig?" and constantly want to know exactly which country was on "our" side. Every day after school and homework, they load up their backpacks, grab their wooden rifles, and recreate the trenches in our living room. Bombs are detonated, generals are saluted, and food is rationed. Hannah is the nurse-in-residence, and does her best to bandage up the wounded men. Every book Chase brings home from the library lately seems to be related to some aspect of World War II.

I love that they've taken a real interest in history and feel no need to step in and end their violent imaginary play. (Although we have spent a great deal of time focusing on the fact that Germany is now our friend, and we love all German people - a truth they cheerfully accept).

It has only become a little embarrassing at the park, however, when they yell ever-so-loudly, "Look out, it's a German. Kill him! Kill him!"

But I bury my nose in my book, try to look the other way, and make sure to call Oma and Opa when we get home and have a good laugh about it.

Wonder what we'll be into next?

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Always look on the bright side...

So in preparation for the Great Move of 2007, we are now a one-car family. We waved goodbye to Josh's car at the transport parking lot last week. We could have rented a car, but we really felt like it was silly. It's only for two weeks - ten total school days. I mean, come on, he works like ten minutes from here, and the kids force me to pick them up on foot from school anyway, so why spend the money? There have been moments it's been a little painful, but I thought I'd make a list citing all the positive things about not having a car:

  1. I am forced into getting more exercise (because 45 minutes on the treadmill is never enough to cancel out my predilection for cookie dough).
  2. All that cookie dough I am fond of eating just might get burned off instead of turning to lard on my thighs.
  3. I get loads of fresh air (that is also unfortunately chock-full of pollen, sigh).
  4. My heart gets a workout when I nearly go into cardiac arrest every time a lizard darts out in front of the stroller (which averages about 17 times each day).
  5. My calves get a workout when I am forced to suddenly stop so I don't run over Chase who has dumped his scooter to try and catch said lizards (also about 17 times each day).
  6. I am much more agile when dodging the SUVs and seven-series BMWs driven maniacally by the high school students than I would be in a car.
  7. My freckles are multiplying due to all my time walking out in the sun (I am hoping this brings me closer to my goal of someday having them merge into one giant freckle, thus ridding me of them entirely).
  8. My kids are running, scootering, and biking every day.
  9. It gives McKay and I lots of quality time to discuss weapons and video games.
  10. I have no fear of getting speeding tickets (course, truth be told, I am not the one in our family who is known to speed).
  11. It keeps me out of the mall and prevents me from spending all my husband's money (which according to Stiesta-Economics, nets us a profit this week of $400 by virtue of my not spending what I would have spent).
  12. I get time to listen and answer all 4,509 questions Hannah has floating around her head.
  13. We're helping the environment by not using up all the extra gas it would take to cart Josh back and forth to work (which really makes Chase one happy little camper).

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Mating in the Lord's House?

Said by Chase in the middle of church today after he pulled two small, plastic frogs out of his shirt pocket:

"Mom, see these frogs? This one is a male; this one is a female. This is how they mate. The male gets on top of the female like this..."

"Uh, that's great, Chase. I just don't know if this is the best time for that. Let's put the frogs away....um'kay?"

"But it's what THEY DO!"

"Yes, I'm sure it's what they do; they just don't do it in church."

Friday, April 13, 2007

Not old enough

Chase came running in, breathless, to find me. "Mom, you HAVE to get this thing I just saw on t.v. It is SO IMPORTANT."

"Okay, Chase. What is it?" (Thinking it was some must-have toy).

"It's this new thing that will protect you. It's called Life Alert. If you fall on the ground or have a heart attack - IT WILL CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR YOU. You need this, Mom. It even says if you have diet beating. " (I think he means diabetes, because I am not by any means beating my diet like I should be).

"Wow, Chase. That sounds great. But I don't really think we need that just yet."

McKay smugly walks into the room, "See, Chase, I told you that was for way old people. Mom's not old enough yet."

So glad I have a few years before I need Life Alert, and glad that when I finally do, Chase will hook me up.

Things I've learned this week

  • I AM an anti-dentite. I know that now.
  • When it is spring vacation and we are off school for a whole week, one or more of the kids will ALWAYS get sick.
  • Their germs will, without fail, infect me and I will get sick.
  • I really do hate the dentist. (Have I mentioned my dental hatred yet? Have I?)
  • Not being able to chew because of sore teeth would take me to a very mean place were it not for the soft, chewy goodness of Reeses Peanut Butter eggs.
  • Which I vow to stop eating.
  • Tomorrow, I promise.
  • I can lose hours dreaming of my scrapbook room in the new house.
  • Dropping Josh's car off at the car transport place will make this move seem like actual reality. Which means I've got a lot of junk to get throwing away.
  • Make sure to clarify with the kids about the ACTUAL timing of the move. Otherwise, Chase will tell his entire class goodbye on the Friday before spring break. A few panicked mothers will call to check on us.
  • A bag of clay makes Chase ever-so-happy. (Note to self: Stop stifling his creativity with your laziness).
  • Favorite thing this week: Warm chocolate chip cookies and walks with my kids.
  • Best quote this week from Josh: "I'm so tired of genital herpes." (No, he doesn't have them, but he's sick of seeing the commercials on t.v. for it).

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

My brother, the man

Had a little conversation with my brother, Daniel, the other day. We were chatting along, calling each other names (as per our usual) and he mentioned the new car he just bought.

Oh. No. He. Didn't.

(He did)

He has joined the ranks of families everywhere who find their kids' car seats no longer fit in the backseat of their previously-spacious cars. He bought a minivan.

I proceeded to give him grief about such a choice (what are sisters for?) and he started to launch into the virtues of owning such a vehicle. How they were getting it fitted with a DVD player for the kids. How they will have room for the third car seat for the new baby in a few months. How he can now just basically hand all the pants in his closet over to his wife (as clearly she will be wearing the pants in their family).

He retorted with just how comfortable his van is to ride in. That, sure, he wasn't in favor of it at first, but now what with all the comfort.

I replied, "Yeah, well, moo-moos are comfortable, too, and you don't see me walking around town in one."

So, Daniel, enjoy your new Moo-Moo (as that is what I will forever call any car that you drive). And when you are driving to JC Penny for some must-have fall fashions, and you look down to realize you've chipped a nail while plugging in Veggie Tales for the children, and simultaneously you're choking up listening to your favorite Celine Dion CD, just relish in your comfort. For you are a man. A real man.

A man who gave up looking cool so his wife would be happy.

And that, my dear brother, makes you a better man than you will ever know. (But I will be forced to still make fun of you, sorry).

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Good and crazy

"People are just plain good, Mom. Isn't that great?"

Said Chase after being so relieved to find no one had taken McKay's Game Boy. We accidentally left it in the waiting room of the doctor's office.

Where we were waiting because Chase is sick. With strep throat.

Again.

And hearing this news, Josh slipped into a frenzied seizure that almost sent him checking into a hotel, where he would be forced to grow out and eat his own fingernails, wear empty Kleenex boxes on his feet, and sport nothing but a long, white beard and a bed sheet. Ever the level head, I calmly reminded him of a little thing called hand-washing and Purell-hand sanitizer, which brought him down off his Howard Hughes-like ledge and back into reality.

Can't say that I blame him though. It was a nasty go-round for him a month ago (which you can re-read about here).

So yes, Chase, people are good. And Daddy is a little bit paranoid and crazy (but we still love him anyway).

Monday, April 9, 2007

Me, a thinker?

Peter, over in Scotland, nominated little ol' me for a thinking blogger award.

I am honored and have to say this is my first time winning ANYTHING in my life (unless you count the Future Homemakers of America National Conference I won in high school, which I pretty much touted that as the equivalent of, I don't know, the Nobel Peace Prize, but at the time it was a pretty big deal for me). So it is with great honor that I accept your kindness, Peter. Thanks for thinking of me, and thanks for reading the drivel that comes out of my blog on a daily basis.

So, as an honorary recipient of this award, I get to bestow it on five others (who in turn get to bestow it on five more). Kind of like sharing the blog love. So here goes:

I have to give my first award to my friend, Annie. See, when I started blogging, I wrote a post about Annie that you can read here. I sent her the link (and it was the first time I shared my blog with ANYONE). She sent me back the link to her secret blog, which prompted us both to come out of the blog closet. She's a very good friend that I miss, and I love reading up on her life (even though I wish she had less of a life like me and could post MORE FREQUENTLY. Hint, hint.) She is one smart cookie and well-deserving of a thinking award.

Second award goes to my fabulous mother-in-law, Oma. She is a well-traveled woman, thoughtful friend, doting grandmother, and fashionista extraordinaire. She constantly inspires and amazes me with her wisdom and advice. Chatting with Oma is one of my favorite things to do. I just love her.

Third one goes to a new friend in Alaska, Michelle at Scribbit. She is one of the most creative people I have ever run into. Her blog is full of humor, fantastic ideas for kids, gourmet recipes, and lots more. I can't imagine a nine-month winter, and she lives it with a smile. She's great. Pop on over.

My fourth award goes to a very funny lady at Here In Idaho. She cracks me up EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. I discovered her blog quite by accident, and now make sure to check it daily. She is absolutely hilarious. Her writing reminds me to never take life too seriously.

And last, but not least, is the admirable June Cut-Off Cash at Bye Bye Buy. She and her husband are trying to go an entire year without spending money on anything extra (they've saved almost $10,000 since January 1). I think (besides that threesome with Angelina Jolie) that this is my husband's deepest fantasy (one, sadly, that he'll probably never get to see play out) and I truly enjoy her writing. She is fantastic, and always makes you think.

There are more obvious family and friends that I wanted to nominate, but I figured Oma could get that ball rolling. Plus, I wanted you all to have a peek at some of the blogs that make me laugh every day (in addition to yours). Keep the blog love rolling!

I'm BAAAACCCKKK (did you miss me?)

Well, I returned last night - safe and sound - from my mini-vacation to St. Louis. We had the house inspection on Saturday and it went really well. A few very minor things to be addressed, but nothing that gave us reason to want to back out of the deal. I took about 700 pictures of every nook and cranny in the house - so that Josh and the kids would have an idea of where they will be spending the next several years of their lives. Everyone was very excited by what they saw.

We are getting a steal of a deal on this house, but it is needing a bit of a face lift. The house is 13 years old and sporting the original, ever-so-lovely decor of 1994 (which means loads of mauve, forest green, and peach). Kind of reminds me of my wedding, actually. If only I had a bad perm, spiky bangs, and some tapered jeans, the flashback would be complete.

There is forest green linoleum throughout the kitchen and sun room. Pink carpeting adorns the dining and living rooms. The walls and counter tops of the kitchen are a bright, nauseating shade of mauve. Thankfully, the kitchen cabinets are fantastic and will stay as-is (white 42-inch beauties). We will be replacing the entire main level with hardwood floors; we'll be painting every room in the house; and replacing the counter tops in the kitchen. (I know, I know, we should keep the pepto-bismol counters, but really it would make Hannah far too happy. I am nothing, if not indifferent, to the happiness of my children).

The basement though is really great, with a family room, bedroom, full bath, sewing room, and two offices ("FINALLY, I'LL HAVE MY OWN WORK SPACE," says Chase), and the upstairs bedrooms will be like-new with a fresh coat of paint. The yard is beautifully landscaped, green grass and exquisite flowers and shrubs.

Best part? The homeowners association fee includes landscaping, snow removal, and use of the pool that is right across the street. Oh yeah, I am not at all sad to relinquish my post as yard/snow girl.

Otherwise, the trip was pretty uneventful. Got to relax, sleep in, eat bad food, and see a movie (The Hoax, which by the way, is fantastic!)

Josh had the home front well under control and the only complaint came from Hannah who said, "Daddy tried to do a pony-tail in my hair and it didn't look berry good." I give him props for even trying. I was sad to miss seeing their excitement on Easter morning, but had the good fortune to catch an early flight home on Sunday.

Anyway, thanks for all the well-wishes. We are excited to move forward on this new part of our lives. You will, no doubt, be hearing a play-by-play over the next few months of what will hopefully be our LAST move. Feel free to stop listening when you get sick of it.

Thursday, April 5, 2007

Bursting with the weight of my secret

All right, time to let this all out. Most of the family already knows, but for the few friends that read this blog now and again, I can finally spill the secret that I have been carrying like a lead weight for several months.

We are moving to St. Louis.

Josh has a great job opportunity that came our way (surprisingly) from his former firm. It's a fantastic career move - one that we could not pass up. We feel that the Lord has practically beat us over the head to get us there. Never in our lives have we felt more inspired to make a move than this one. It feels right on so many levels that I won't go into here, but sometimes - when you know; you know. And there is no disputing it. This WILL be our last move for quite some time (or maybe forever). Yes, we're plantin' some roots.

We told the kids tonight - and surprisingly, there were no tears. I think we've shown them that moving across the country isn't as scary as it sounds. They had no trouble acclimating when we moved here, and they are excited for the new house.

Which, by the way, we have put an offer in on and not seen yet (talk about a leap of faith, no?). I leave early tomorrow morning to fly out for the inspection, but we feel certain it's going to be great. We've seen similar floor plans and pieced together the layout from online pictures. It's a 5-bedroom, 3.5 bath, 2,900 square foot home (plus a full basement) in the suburbs of St. Louis. It needs a teensy bit of remodeling - but we're hoping to get it all scheduled and done before the kids and I actually move in. We'll have a smallish yard - about a third of an acre (though by California standards that is quite huge).


Josh will move out there and into a hotel at the end of this month. We hope to close on the house mid-June, and a few weeks after that, the kids and I will follow - giving them the chance to finish school. We'll have Josh home on the weekends (fun commute for him) so it shouldn't be too bad. We've done it before; we can do it again.

We will be sad to leave California (and unfortunately I gleefully threw out all our winter gear when we moved here) but there are so many great things waiting for us in Missouri. We'd love to host any visitors - so feel free to stop by if you're passing through or coming just to see us. We'll finally have the room to host. St. Louis - here we come!

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Torture by drill and suction

Today I had the unwonted privilege of paying an ungodly amount of money to sit hands clenched, toes curled, mouth gaping in the dentist's chair for about two hours. Apparently, all the top-notch materials used to repair my teeth as a child are now obsolete and my fillings needed to be replaced. Some of them had cracked and had decay underneath. Lovely, no? The things no one tells you...

I loathe the dentist. And that's actually putting it nicely. To me, if given the choice of having dental work done and poking my eyes out with toothpicks - I'd most likely opt for the toothpicks. Seriously. I hate it that bad. Josh tried to cheer my spirits this morning by reminding me of all the surgeries I've had, the fact that I've birthed three children (one without an epidural, thank you very much), and that I'm tough enough to endure daily life with the likes of him.

It didn't cheer me up. All of that pales in comparison to the endurance I need to face the dental drill. It's like nails on a chalkboard for two solid hours. Awful. Ugly.

So now I'm numb from my eyeballs to my neck, I have been deprived of my favorite hobby (eating), and I can't tell that I've got drool running down my lips. I am quite the picture of loveliness. Hannah summed it up ever-so-tactfully when she said, "You don't look berry good. What did you do to your face?" She finds it quite comical and keeps coming in to say, "Show me your smile again." Then she shrieks with laughter and runs off giggling.

I am so eating all her good Easter candy this weekend. That is, providing the feeling in my face returns by then.

Monday, April 2, 2007

Three Little Words

I got tagged for this Meme from my favorite Housewife, DCRMom. You have to answer the questions in three words - no more, no less. Thought I'd play along (as I am too stressed today for any clear thinking or poetic prose - neither of which I've ever had anyway).

Here goes:

Where is your cell phone? Right beside me.
Boyfriend? Are you kidding? (One husband is all the boyfriend I can handle)
Hair? Curly, straight, thick. (Yes, I am an oxymoron, even in my hair)
Your mother? Lives in Utah.
Your father? Lives with her.
Your favorite item(s)? Camera, scrapbooks, shoes.
Your dream last night? Didn't have one.
Your favorite drink? Iced diet coke.
Your dream guy? I married him.
The room you are in? In my bedroom.
Your fear? Being publicly humiliated.
What do you want to be in 10 years? Healthy, skinny, happy.
Who did you hang out with last night? Husband and kids.
What are you not? Disorganized, graceful, depressed.
Are you in love? Every single day.
One of your wish list items? A new house.
What time is it? Two twenty-four.
The last thing you did? Spoke with realtor.
What are you wearing? Jeans and turtleneck. (Yes, it does occasionally get cold here)
Your favorite book? Pride and Prejudice
The last thing you ate? Half turkey sandwich.
Your life? Charmed, blessed, happy.
Your mood? Usually very good.
Your friends? Loved, kind, funny.
What are you thinking about right now? Our new house.
Your car? Silver Honda Pilot.
What are you doing at this moment? Eating my lunch.
Your summer? Never long enough.
Your relationship status? Very happily married.
What is on your tv screen? The Wonder Pets.
When is the last time you laughed? One minute ago. (At Hannah who asked me for the fifty billionth time if she can get her ears pierced for her birthday)
Last time you cried? During my PMS. (That's the only time I EVER cry and it's always because I feel ugly).
School? Like to finish.

Okay, so I tag Marta, Annie, and my new Scottish friend, Peter. You're it - let's learn all about you!

The Contest

I've gone and done it...entered a little contest going on over at Scribbit. You can re-read the post I've entered here. I have no aspirations of winning or greatness, but am always a sucker for a little fun. Check out Michelle's blog while you're there - very clever kid ideas, great recipes, and loads of motherly wit and wisdom.

Sunday, April 1, 2007

Old Friends



This weekend we had some very good friends come to visit. We have not seen Chris & Emily for a very long time, and yet it felt like not a day had passed. We were able to pick up right where we left off and feel as though we were home. It made me realize how much I have missed my Emily. She is pure goodness. She does not have a mean bone in her body. She is the kind of friend who laughs at all your jokes (even if they're not that funny - and mine usually aren't). She always thinks the best of people and makes you want to be a better person. She is thoughtful, sensitive, beautiful, and kind. I love her to pieces.

We had such a great weekend - loads and loads of good food (with Chris could it be any other way?), Sea World with the kids, sunshine at the beach, and laughing so hard we almost peed at the Gelatoria. Oh, and laughing so hard because our kids HAD peed on each other (seriously, don't ask!). But it was by far one of the best reunions we've ever had. We will not let too much time pass before we see them again, that I can promise you.

How was your weekend?