Happy Birthday Rachie Roo!

I don't know where the time goes... seems like just yesterday that she was born. Six pounds, two ounces, and 3 weeks ahead of schedule. Today she turns five.

Rachel is the kindest, sweetest person I know. She's smart, funny, creative, stubborn and beautiful. She's got a temper to match the fiery red hair, and a smile to make it not matter a bit. She loves pink, princesses, craft projects and chocolate. I love her beyond measure, and I can't imagine my life without her.

Friday she had an accident at summer camp, cracked the bottom of her chin on the edge of the pool. Seven stitches. She was so brave, so tough, so unlike I would have been. She has a heart of gold, a will of steel, and a courage unmatched in any child I've ever known. She amazes me daily, inspires me always, and never ceases to make my heart smile.

What a blessing she has been in my life, one I thank God for daily. The doctors told me I'd never carry a pregnancy to term, yet I've been blessed with two perfect miracles that remind me never to give up, always to look for the best in life, and never to settle for anything less than your heart can dream.

To my beautiful, amazing, sweet, funny little girl, may your life be blessed with the love, the joy and the perspective with which you have blessed mine.

Happy, Happy 5th Birthday, Rachel!

Love,
Mommy

Happy Birthday, Boo Bear!

We named her Jessica Danielle, after Craig's Aunt Joann and Grandpa Dominic, but we just call her Boo Bear. She has my hair color, eye color, and stubborn determination. She has her father's body type, smile and fun-loving personality. She has her sister's love of tea parties and all things Disney. She has her own sense of adventure, twinkling eyes and aren't-I-cute-as-I-wreak-lots-of-havoc personality. She's our little baby girl, and today she turns two.

She was born on her own terms, her own timing, almost 3 full weeks early. She weighed in at 6 pounds, 6 ounces and was 19 1/4 inches long.

Her 6th and 7th week on this earth were the longest two weeks of my life. Her acid reflux left her in so much pain that she'd scream the moment you laid her down. I held her for two weeks straight, no exaggeration. We slept sitting up in the recliner, she showered with me, she never, ever left my arms. At 8 weeks I took her to the pediatrician (for the ump-teenth time), I was in tears. "Watch what happens when I lay her down," I told him. I put her on the exam table, expecting her to scream. She smiled at us both. From that day on, she was fine. Life is on Jessica's terms... always has been, probably always will be.

Beginning around her 15 month checkup, the pediatrician noticed that she was not gaining weight on average with other kids her age. We went through a long period of close monitoring, some tests, and fed her everything in sight. She remained happy, active and ate like a horse, she just didn't gain weight. Until she was ready. Once again, life on Jessica's terms... always has been, probably always will be.

Those excruciatingly long 2 weeks, and now I look back and can't believe it's been 2 years since the day she was born. Where does the time go? I'm afraid to blink, we'll be watching her graduate from college before I know it.

Life would certainly not be complete without our little ray of sunshine, who keeps us on our toes, exhausts us to no end, but fills our home with laughter, love and non-stop action. She and her sister are the loves our our lives, the meaning for our existence, and our constant reminder that you never need to look farther than the walls of your own home to see all that is good and right in this world. Perspective, love, adorableness and fun... those are just some of the gifts that she gives to us daily.

To my little Bessie Boo Boo Bear, may may your life be blessed with the same wonderful joys you give to us each and every day. Happy, Happy 2nd Birthday!

All my love,
Mommy

Be Thankful

It's that time of year again when everyone starts talking about thankfulness and blessings. I love the opportunity to stop and reflect on all that I have, all I've been blessed with, especially since the day-to-day can often get in the way of remembering these things as often as I should.

A while back, I blogged about some of my blessings in life and how I was trying hard to remember to be thankful for them every single day, not just taking life for granted. Luanne starting doing that on her blog, with a daily list of gifts she's thankful for. For the entire month of November, Julie has blogged every day about 5 things she's thankful for. What great inspirations, both of them!

This morning I decided to randomly look up a website, just to see what would be there: www.BeThankful.com. It's a quaint little site with some wonderful thoughts and nice reminders, definitely check it out. On the main page I found this quote, which I like very much:

"If the only prayer you ever say in your life is thank you,

it will be enough." (Meister Eckhart)

I'm going to pin this quote up next to my computer, in my car, and on my fridge. May it remind me today, tomorrow, and always, to say THANK YOU for my life, for my blessings, for my gifts. But more than that, let me also remember to spread my blessings to others, even if only in very small ways, and to instill this same idea in my children. On Thanksgiving, my husband, 2 daughters and I will spend a few hours in the afternoon playing BINGO and board games with residents at an assisted living facility near our home. On Thanksgiving Day (and always, really!) I want my family not only to remember how much we have to be thankful for, but to also see how important (and easy) it is to share our blessings with other people. This year, we'll share "family togetherness" with people who don't have their family close for the holiday. Sure, playing BINGO might not change the world, but I already know that Grandma Caroline will be smiling for days after we leave because she "got to hug her little redhead" again. Sometimes, what's a little thing to you makes a big difference to someone else.

Here are just 3 of the things I'm especially thankful for this year. Of course, my family, our health, gainful employment, all those "standard" things apply. Below are three things I didn't have last year at this time, but will be thankful for every day from here on out:

1. Balance! Though I'd definitely like to work less, commute less, stress less and be with my family more, I have to say that I've struck a pretty decent balance in the last many months. My stress level is not high, my workload (at the office) is not too much, and I feel like family life is pretty good. Sure, I have my days... but no one thing is completely out of whack for any real period of time, and for this I am thankful!
2. Doing Good. For years and years I've talked about the "difference" I want to make in the world... volunteer work, charitable donations, starting a business or a website to promote either of these things. And, over the years, I have done a little bit of each. However, never as much as I think I should. This year, I reconnected with a great group called CoolPeopleCare, who reminded me that sometimes it's the little things that make a big difference. With this in mind, I've started a Making a Difference group in my housing development (complete with website and volunteer activities for all ages). I've gotten my family involved in "doing good" and this year I'm actually doing and not talking about doing.
3. Being a non-smoker. I was a pack/day smoker for the better part of 13 years. I have not had a cigarette since September 13. For this, I am thankful!

This year, as you're sitting down for your holiday meal, be thankful not only for the food you're about to eat and the people you're about to share it with... but also all those other daily blessings you have that you might not always remember to count. May they be endless on Thanksgiving and always!

Happiness....

.... is when the only thing bigger than the smile is the glasses.

.... is "going shopping" with your sis.

.... is knowing someone will always keep your spot warm for you.

.... is playing so hard that you can't even keep your eyes open until the end of the show.

.... is two happy little chickens in a basket.