Snowshoe Adventure

V and Mia went snowshoeing with their favorite daytime team - Wally and Maddie. A ball was had by all. The video of the girls on the way home from the mountains is hilarious. They are really growing to be friends, and communicate in a way only 2 year olds can - laughing, crying, pushing on the occasion, and hugging. The video shows them playfully screaming about a blankie. Not sure what that is all about it's fun watching them delight in saying it repeatedly. Notice Mia throwing her arms up in happiness. She does this often now, accompanied by an enthusiastic "YES!" when anything excites her.

Dreaming of Mexico

We returned Sunday night from a trip to Sayulita Mexico, where one of my best friends became the wife a really great guy. Their wedding was spectacular. It was warm and inviting and full of special little touches. She looked gorgeous and I was really proud to be there for her as she embarks on the great journey of marriage.

The trip to Mexico was like a little slice of perfection. V, Mia, and I had a vacation that we'll always cherish. Did we love it so much because it was so needed? Because it was so soul invigorating? Because the weather was sunny and warm? Because Mia was charming and happy the entire time? All of those reasons certainly played into why this trip was so memorable. Mainly though, the trip was fabulous because we were just together. We were us. But on a beach. We played in the sand and watched Mia build castles. We wandered the streets and commented on the quaint nature of the town, the warm locals, the hundreds of dogs aimlessly seeking shade. We ate ice cream, sipped smoothies, and abandoned every care in the world. We rediscovered each other, and deepened our own commitment to one another, to Mia, to our quest to live lives full of honesty, integrity, and hope. Quite impressive considering all of that was done while wearing a bikini and swim trunks and lounging next to either a pool or the ocean.

I miss the roar of the waves tumbling through our open window at night. I miss seeing Mia's little body rising and falling while sleeping between both of us in the bed, the fan oscillating above just enough to wiggle her tight curls back and forth. I miss seeing V so relaxed and happy and waving to him from the shore as he dared the strong undertow and swam out into the sea. I miss watching him run along the sand for his daily run. I know the post vacation blues will fade, but for now, I'm lost in a savoring every last morsel of our escape.

Viva la Mexico.

Here comes the Sun

Life is looking good. Mom is home from the hospital and doing smashingly well. Our trip to Mexico is now 6 days away and I am feeling more rested after a long two weeks.

I'm excited to lay low for a few more days to reclaim my spot as the best "hanger outer" in the world. I'm looking forward to reading to Mia tonight and calling it a day. She asks me to "open the baby" when we read, which means to lift my shirt. Then, when all the stories have been read, she says, "Now close the baby mama" and she pulls my shirt down. What a thoughtful sister eh?

Enjoy your Friday. I know I am pleased with mine.

Dreams

V took Mia to visit some old co-workers yesterday and one of them asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up. Quite a big question for such a little girl. Mia handled it with grace V said, and responded, "A butterfly."

Ditto.

In times of darkness, there is light....

This little one keeps spirits high, despite feeling tremendous weight threatening to drag them down.

The Things I know for sure....

Oprah always ends her interviews in her magazine with this question, "What do you know for sure?" Tina Fey recently said, "I know I can judge someone's intelligence by what they find funny." Took the words right from my own mouth.

So I've had time to think during a very emotional past 10 days while my mom has been in the hospital....what do I know for sure? Here is a working list...

I know that shitty things happen to good people.
I know that good people take those shitty things and handle them with dignity and grace.
I know that you'll easily burn through your cell phone minutes when your beloved Mom is in the hospital.
I know that having family and friends isn't just a blessing, it's a necessity.
I know that rude people aren't worth your time, and that lovely people will always slip through your fingers, leaving you thinking, "Why didn't I spend more time with that person?"
I know that life is scary and hard, but that recognizing all of the crazy beauty in it all is imperative.
I know that my mom is the single strongest woman I've met, and just radiates good stuff.
I know that I want to be like her, and hope that I am in ways.
I know that everything will be o.k., because we don't have a choice for things to be other than that.
I know that most people call the above statement, "positive thinking".
I know that I call that kind of thinking the ONLY way of thinking.