Those kinds of friends...

This one is for you... yes, you.

So, I was sitting on our front steps with my Dad the other day. We were eating some quiche that I made the night before. (Note: when you run out of milk... I don't recommend using water). Val So Cal just fell off her chair. This is why I never post about food, friends. Anyways... on to the story: 

So my Dad asks, "So you like bloggin' honey?" 

"Yeah. I like it. I've always enjoyed writing, and want to get better at it. It's kept me writing quite regularly."

He nods.

"I like keeping a journal of life, and the boys' shenanigans, landmarks, fun, etc."

He nods. 

"It's great for reflection and slowing down to, you know, appreciate what's really going on." 

Another nod.

And then he adds, "and the people you've met..."

Dangit. He's right. I didn't even include that! The most precious part of it and I didn't even give it a mention. That would be an indication of the type of day I was having. 

You know... it was one of those "ME" days. All you think about is yourself. Me. Me. I. I. me. me. I. me. I. 

But you probably never have those days.

  It was bla. 

So my Dad continues...

"There's a girl named Holly that always comments."

"Oh, Holly? Yeah... she's my girl. We go way back." 

"And 'A Casa somethin'?"

"Oh! A Casa da Va! Love my Vanessa!"
(How cute is it that my Dad knew some of your names!!!)

And as I sat there with my Dad on the front steps thinking about all of you, my day looked up. Way up. And, ironically, the sun came out. 

So, I'm sure you've heard this saying a bazillion times. But it comes to mind: "It's not that we should think less of ourselves... but that we should think of ourselves less often." Anyways, I just wanted to say thank you for making my day. Yes, you. All of you.   

Trial run with a dog...

Friends of ours went away for the weekend and asked us if we would want to take care of their dog while they were gone. They knew we had dreams of having a dog, but didn't know if a dog would really "work" with our lives right now. So, it would be a perfect "trial run". We of coarse said, "yes"... because you see... this dog of theirs is the stinkin' cutest dog. Gracie. 

So, Gracie's parents dropped her off with food, goodbye kisses, and directions (complete with poop schedule). The first few hours with Gracie were touch and go. Not that Gracie wasn't a GOOD girl... just that Tenderheart and Braveheart were a little apprehensive to say the least. While the dog lay down... the boys would trot over to her... and yelp. "La!" (I love you)"Bla!" (your incredibly cool) "Wooh" (which is short for "woof"). The dog was a prized possession while she lay. She was lathered with kisses. She was rubbed, pet, snuggled. BUT then... when the dog stood... they would head for the hills (well... the couch that is). And the yelping was now just short of "bloody-murder" screams. 

 Needless to say, the first couple days we camped out on the couch, watching old-school Sesame Street featuring James Taylor, Paul Simon, and John Candy. What could be better?? After Daddy got home from work (day 2)... we headed up to my parents' house... which is basically... in the woods... on a lake.... and perfect for a doggy. 

The "bloody murder" yelps started to fade into "just murder" yelps... and then finally to just "yelps". Period. And then... laughter. And then kisses... not just laying down... but standing up. Paw shakes. Snuggles. Holding her tail. (Wanting) to ride her like a horse. Little boy tackles.

Gracie was amazing... never snarled. Only loved. And I think that a dog is in our near future. Sure, you gotta take it out to poop. Sure, you gotta feed 'em... train 'em... care for 'em. But the joy is worth it. So, thank you to our friends. Thank you to Gracie. And thank you Tenderheart and Braveheart... for coming off the couch. 

Flatbread and Friends

We had the joyous experience of celebrating our dear friend's birthday! My sister came over after work and took care of our little ones (thank you Seester :)). And we made our way to a New England "treasure". We sat laughing, loving, sharing, eating, and drinking. This "treasure" is called "The Flatbread Co." There are a few of these gems scattered all over New England, and one in Hawaii.  

If you ever have the chance to visit the Flatbread Co., take it! It will be a most wonderful experience... although our experience will always trump yours... for we were celebrating one of the most precious people on the planet. 

My Family rallied…

Most people celebrate the New Year with Fire Works, champagne and whistles.
However, we celebrated the New Year with these:

 
Kid so sick he fell asleep while playing. Stomach bug, cold/flu, ear infections, Conjunctivitis, and the beginnings of Pneumonia (for our little Asthmatic one). We were ALL sick at the same time. It was miserable. I was pretty pathetic. I think that’s one of these toughest things about being a new parent… you are figuring out that even though you are sick and need to rest… you can’t… you gotta take care of your little ones. My mom has always said that being a parent is one of the best ways to become less selfish. Can I get an “Amen”?
On top of being sick… we were in the midst of moving. Which, I WAS very excited about… until we got sick. I was ready for a new start. A new home (well… “new” to us), a fresh start, a reorganized life, and a new year! 2010 was probably, hands down, the toughest year of my life (which I will write about one day). I was ready to leave it behind me, and step forward. And then it hit. And the thought of moving AND cleaning the “old” house to get it ready for a Real Estate “showing” just about put me over the edge. I think I’m getting a zit just thinking about it now. 
But then… there was family.
So, my Aunt and Uncle came down the night before the move and asked us, “what can we do? Just put us to work.” So we did. We stuck my Uncle staining windows and my Aunt over at the “old” house cleaning out the fridge. While cleaning, my Aunt called in recruits. “Ah… dispatch….ah…. we got a sitch-ee-ation here… ahh… we’re gonna need some back-up.”
And help came. The next day, most of the rest of my family showed up in sweatpants, cleaning gear in one hand and coffee in the other. There were 16 of them! 16 of my family members (including 2 friends… but we consider them family members anyway) came to save the day.
  
 
And by 5:00pm (which my family actually calls “wine-o-clock”), they had moved OUR ENTIRE house AND cleaned it! (I’m talking behind-fridge, ironing curtains, dusting, and washing clothes-type-of-clean). You could lick the floors.
 
I was at the “new” house putting box after box away. They told me to come over to the “old” house when it was finished. I walked in… and there they were… 16 people who loved us. And the house was immaculate. Plants were placed “just so”. Rugs were washed. And I couldn’t help but cry. I was thankful beyond words.
So, my precious family… if you are reading this… know that you saved me. It’s one day later and I’m sitting on the couch in our new house sipping on my coffee and writing this. Most of everything is put away. The kids are sleeping in their new room. I can breath. And it’s gonna be a wonderful, wonderful new year. Cause it’s a wonderful, wonderful life when you have people who love you. So… I love you Family. More than you know. And I’ll never forget when you showed up… and saved the day.