And the award goes to...

Do you recall this picture?  It was taken last summer when I took Lily to Disneyland.  Do you see the sword Lily is holding?  Remember that sword, because it is a pivitol part of the following story.

This morning Lily was in her room playing while I was getting some work done.  I hear her say "Uh-oh" in a very distraught tone.  Then she runs into the kitchen, crying, telling me to "Get it out! Get it out!"

Being the caring and compassionate mother that I am, I immediately burst into laughter and grabbed my camera.

And just to make sure everyone could see it clearly, I took a close-up shot.  I'm just thoughtful that way.

And *that*, ladies and gentlemen, is why I should be nominated for Mother of the Year.

Words are like water

I'm not feeling particularly pithy or locquacious today, so we'll make this update short and sweet.

Lily had her second haircut last week.  I'll be honest, I agonized over this.  Yes, I realize that is ridiculous, but I couldn't stop myself.  Part of me wanted to cut her hair short because it would be easier to manage and keep neat throughout the day, and part of me wanted to cry at the thought because her hair is so long and  thick and beautiful.  But it is difficult to keep looking nice all day long.  Finally, I let Lily decide.  She wanted to keep her long hair, so we just the split ends trimmed off this time.  I figure that if her hair looks ratty by the end of the day, that is simply proof that she has had a fun day playing hard as kids are meant to.

During the haircut, Lily was in heaven.  The stylists were all fawning over her telling her how absolutely beautiful she is.  She would just smile cockily and say, "thanks", without a hint of modesty.  That's my vain child for you, though.  Gotta love it.

We also got to spend the weekend with my stepdaughter, Jade.  I love the all-too-rare opportunities we have to all be together.  Lily absolutely idolizes her older sister.  All weekend, she was right by Jade's side pestering her with questions and demanding her sister's attention in a thousand different ways.  Jade, I'll confess, was much more patient with Lily then I sometimes am.

We miss you and love you so much, Jade.  We had a great time and can't wait to see you again!

And finally, Lily asked me to take a picture of her writing in her diary and post it for Grandma and Tommy to see (sorry for those she left out, but she was very particular that this picture was for Grandma and her best-friend, Tommy).  She has been obsessed with her diary ever since she saw it at Barnes & Noble and begged me to buy it for her.  She *is* awfully cute writing in it, I will confess.

I do have pictures of all of this, but I can't find my cord.  I'll update with pictures later.  Have a great week, everyone.

The Texture of Silence

Often I have found that more can be said through silence than the most eloquent words.  It can be filled with sharp, fractured edges, or smooth, calm serenity.  It can be pregnant with both expectation and anxiety.  There is the awkward silence of a date once you realize things are *not* going well, or the comfortable silence of an old friend.

So I have always had a particular appreciation for the expressive silences of life.  But one kind of silence in particular has always been especially important to me.  It is the holy silence of sacred places when you feel worlds touching and overlapping.  As I've traveled about this world, I've discovered that such place often take me by surprise.  Like this one:

Yesterday was so full of turmoil that I felt a need to feel the earth beneath my feet this morning.  Luckily, there are plenty of random country roads to wander along here.  As we were meadering around on our nature walk, Lily and I stumbled across this quaint little abandoned ranch.  As we crossed the bridge to explore, I felt such remarkable peace.  It rippled through me, the silence filled with it, until I knew that everything was going to turn out as it should.  I am thankful for such silences in my life.  They always seem to come when I need them most.

Just some thoughts

Today has been a difficult day. I feel drained emotionally, mentally and physically. I feel jaded and angry that horrible things are allowed to happen and impotent in my inability to help change them. I feel pessimistic, hopeless and helpless. In other words, I feel very unlike me.

I know I'm being obnoxiously vague, but I can't openly discuss things that are happening. Once they are resolved, and hopefully with a happy ending, I will be able to let you in on the secret. Until then, someone please send happy vibes my way, because I can't seem to force so much as a quirk of the lips, let alone a full-blown smile.

Mardi Gra 2011

This weekend we took Lily to her (and consequently my) first Mardi Gra parade.  I don't recall being to a parade since I was a wee one myself and I have to say, that is a shame.  There was cotton candy, brass bands, king cake, as well as beads and all sorts of goodies flying through the air.  It was fun.  Better yet, it was free fun.  Gotta love that.

While we waited for the party to begin, we found a grassy knoll where Lily could play ball.  It was a life saver, as we arrived an hour before the parade began.  Not by any great time management skills of ours, I assure you.  We thought it began at noon.  We arrived at 12:15, only to discover it didn't start until 1:00.  Just lucky happenstance.

After buying her a Sponge Bob Mardi Gra hat and balloon she insisted she would cherish forever and ever (which she promptly abandoned...$20 well wasted), Lily got the best spot in the house to watch the parade.

It didn't take Lily long to notice that the floats, while bright and colorful, were also full of goodies. She was soon begging for favors right along with the rest of the crowd.

And she definitely got her fair share of mardi gra beads.  Though, thankfully, not by the traditional method. We now have a large bucket filled to brim with the shiny, colorful things.

Her favorite parts of the parade, however, were the marching bands.  Once she saw them, she was in heaven, beating "drums" everywhere she went.  Of course, now she keeps begging me for a drum set.

Those manning the floats looked like they were having a grand time as well.

I can't imagine why...



It was a great kick-off to our Mardi Gra celebrations, and we were late to the game.  These parades and parties have been going on for over a month now.  This weekend we get to go to the family Mardi Gra.  I'm told that is where the real fun is to be had.

Can't wait.

A good laugh and a long sleep

The only thing I hate more than being sick, is being sick on such a beautiful day. 

Ernie has been sick all week, and I've been determined to not catch what he has.  Apparently, my determination is not enough.  So instead of enjoying this gorgeous day with the bug, I am drinking tea and languishing with a sore throat and sinus headache.  I find myself irrationally angry at Ernie in particular and germs in general for getting me sick.  I still have hope that it will be a short lived illness.  Because tomorrow, we are getting out of here.

Lily has been entertaining herself rather well, I think.

Here's hoping for good health.

When a tree falls in the woods

The other day Lily and I were in the parking lot of the grocery store waiting behind about five other cars to turn onto the street.  Suddenly Lily starts yelling, "Get out of my way you stupid, redneck drivers!"

....um

I swear, she didn't get it from me. 

Okay, so there is a very small, remote possibility that she got it from me. 

FINE!  I say it *all* the time, so it is almost assured that she picked it up from me.  I have a problem with road rage.  Apparently, I am passing it on to my daughter.  I think there are better things I could pass on to her.  I really need to be more careful with what I say around my little sponge.

Because seriously?  A little girl this cute and sweet should not be saying such ugly things.  Consider me properly reprimanded.  Or rather, I was...after I stopped laughing, that is.

ps: Do you like the tutu I made?  I feel so crafty.  Thanks, Jenny, for the inspiration.

You really must listen to this.  It will change your opinion of the cello forever.  I loved it so much that I bought one of the musicians albums on itunes (though this particular song was not available.  I was very sad)