Another birthday!

I didn't mean to go nearly a month without posting, but here it is almost a full month later and I am just getting to my blog. I can tell you that we have had a busy month. I think I have gone out more times in the past month than I did in the previous two years- in part because we have great babysitters nearby {Thanks, Dad and Mom!} and also we are just trying to jump right in to life here in Minnesota and that means making new friends, trying new things and finding ways to get involved with various activities in the community. Chip's job is keeping him very busy and I think he likes it that way best. We have also gotten well-acquainted with people at a local church and it feels great to be making friends with others who share your same beliefs and seek to live out similar ideals in life. The weather has been better than usual for this time of year and that has made it fun for us to get outside, play at our nearby park and learn our way around the neighborhood a bit. We are still anxious to get our house in Michigan sold- although there have been very few prospects up til this point. It simply becomes one big issue for us to turn over to God and let Him work out the timing and details for us. It's easier said than done, but I don't think waiting and learning patience is the worst thing to have to experience in life. So we wait and hope and keep an eye out for a home that will suit the needs of our family when the time does come!

To top off our busy schedules, we celebrated another birthday yesterday... Ava turned 8! She is so excited about growing up and I think she wished she had turned 13 instead of Brock. But she will get there before we know it and so I am trying to tell her to enjoy being 8. To start her year off right I woke Brock, Bella and Ava up early and we went out for breakfast at Perkins yesterday before school started. Each Wednesday our local schools have a one-hour late start {as part of an ongoing teacher-education program, I believe} so we had that extra hour we missed from Daylight Savings time this weekend to use at breakfast. =) Ava was so happy that she jumped out of bed and announced it would be her best birthday ever!

We kept it mellow and of course had to round out the day with homemade buttercream cake and cupcakes- Ava chose mint-colored frosting with pink (strawberry) cake inside. On Saturday we will have another small party with some family here at our house. And then on Sunday we will mark another birthday. This time it will be in memory of Teagen~ who would have been turning 15 if she were still here on earth with us.

It's so amazing year after year how the emotions well inside me- there is a heaviness that brings an unexplainable feeling. Even though I know it's coming each year it just sort of "hits me"- from headaches to a bad attitude for "no reason" to a little bit of anger at the unfairness and reality that we are missing out on so much of her life. I find comfort in the fact that we have been able to make so many wonderful memories year after year- even though it's not always an easy choice to make. It is easier to wallow and feel sorry and bitter and just shut out the happiness of the world when one's heart is filled with sorrow. I am grateful that God sent Ava into our hearts and lives at this particular time of the year. She wasn't due until mid-April. But I think God knew that we would need a very special reason to party in the days leading up to missing Teagan on her birthday.

Celebrating Ava and making new, fun memories with all our children has been a gift I wouldn't have reached out for if offered to me in the darkest days of my grief. It makes me all the more thankful that God knew best and chose for us they way He did.

Ava has been a beautiful little girl, who has a zest for life and seeks happiness and fun and joy as often as she can. She loves to party and be loud and dance and have fun. Even at totally inappropriate times- like when it's already past bedtime. =) I think I can speak for myself and our whole family that she indeed brings excitement and adds happiness to our lives in ways that only she can. I am delighted to be her mom and to have been the one to hold her first and kiss her first and to be the one to still get to bring smiles to her face through mint-colored cupcakes and lots of other ways too.

We love you, Ava and are so happy that God sent you to our family at the perfect time. We hope you have many more years of parties and fun and joy this side of Heaven! Before you know it, you will be a teenager and I am sure your zest for life will keep us on our toes then too!

Today was a great day for Buttercream icing.

She's pink and sweet and ruffly and soft and festive and happy almost all the time. We're so lucky to have had her in our lives for 7 years now. Happy Birthday to our little Ava. She's added so much joy to our hearts and lives. I hope I get to make her birthday cakes for many more years too. =)

Happy Valentine's Day!

I can't help but share a little bit of love with everyone that stops by here today. Heather (#36 in the comments from the previous post) is the winner of mail from me. But because I am feeling extra nice- or just nostalgic about handwritten mail- I've decided to pick one more person to get some mail from me. So leave another comment telling me your favorite dessert and I'll choose another person from these comments to get some mail.
But everyone wins today because I am passing along one of my Buttercream recipes! Yay for Valentine's, cupcakes, and homemade frosting that tastes divine, right?! This recipe is one from out of a children's book that I have made a couple of times. It's fairly easy and it is so creamy, sweet and velvety. We all love it around here! It makes enough for one cake or 24 cupcakes. Unless you like your frosting super thick. Then it will likely only cover 12 cupcakes for you. =)
Buttercream Icing
Ingredients:
4 Eggs
2/3 cup of sugar
1 cup butter, room temp (I use unsalted butter.)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Directions: Whisk together egg whites and sugar in a bowl. Place bowl in a double boiler on low heat. Whisk occasionally until sugar is dissolved and mixture is very warm- about 150 degrees F. Remove from double boiler and whip with mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Put mixer on lower speed and add butter in small pieces. Next, add vanilla and mix until smooth.
Tint icing as you like.
Enjoy!!
P.S. Heather email me your address and I'll send you some mail! {nitty.grittyjodyatyahoodotcom}

Happiness is buttercream today!

Today is my birthday. I have often wished that I didn't have a "Christmas birthday"because it is such a busy time of year and everyone is so focused on the upcoming holiday that it sort of gets lost in the shuffle. But today when Chip brought home a Coconut-covered frosted 3-layer Buttercream/bavarian cream cake, I didn't mind one bit. =)

It was delicious!

As I reflect on this past year I can honestly tell you it has had such highs and lows that I sort of feel I've aged more than just one year. (I am 38 now- for those of you who might be wondering.) The greatest joy has been the birth and addition of baby Teague- who is now 4 months old and just "found" his toes today. He started 'talking to them' when he woke up this morning. Totally kicked off my day in a good way. =) I love simple gifts and that was special for sure.

I am so very happy today for the health of all of my family- that is never a guarantee and something I took for granted far too many years. Now I know how wonderful it truly is just to have my husband and kids singing "Happy Birthday to you" and eating cake together around our table.

I will tell you that I do miss Teagan on special days like this more than I do on many other 'ordinary' days. I still recall so clearly the last birthday I shared with her on this day 10 years ago. She, along with Chip and Brock, came to the print shop where I was working doing graphic design layout work and they brought me a Chocolate Bread Pudding with real Whipped Cream and we dug in and enjoyed every last bite of that with my friends the Websters- who owned the shop. Later I got some gifts at home and took some pictures of Teagan that are very much treasures to me. I remember she gave some big hugs and kisses to me too!

I have learned in my 38 years, that the greatest gifts most often aren't things at all. But memories and sharing laughter with loved ones and simply being 'present in the moment' for sure. I loved my cake today, not just for its yummy icing, but moreso because it was shared with the people I care most about in this whole wide world. My birthday wish is to get to eat cake with them all for many years to come!

It's been a wild ride!

Today is my final day as a Fashionista (design team member) with SIStv. I have so many things I could say or post about my experience there- it's been a really wonderful 2+ years. Some of my best friends were made as a result of this opportunity in my life. Some of my best smiles were shared and one was even captured here. {Love that photo, Sarah and your hair is awesome, KA!} =)
Some of my most meaningful conversations have been typed on the message boards, shared late into the night around Diane's table and shivering under blankets in Tennesee. I shopped at Anthropologie for the first time with some of my fashionista friends. I sang kareoke with many of them and announced my pregnancy with Crew to them before almost anyone else. We have lots of inside jokes and yet we have cried for one another too. I have enjoyed the creative inspiration of each of them in different ways and the entire SIS gallery consistently amazes me. One can browse the gallery any time of the day and also share your own creations with others around the world. I will continue to keep my portfolio here and hope to add to it as I find spare time to scrap and play and create handmade things.
I had no idea what to expect when JJ asked me to be on her team and SIStv made it's debut in the online world. It has been so much more than I ever imagined and I continue to wish nothing but good things for her, her family and her endeavors. I'm honored that I was a small part of it since it's launch and am grateful forever for how SIS has enhanced my life. If any of what I have typed her today resonates with you, then likely you have been a part of SIS and I'm thankful for you being a part of such a great place. Online and in my heart- SIS is a part of my life. That will never change.
Thanks, Jeanette and Fashionista friends for taking me on such a wild ride! I will treasure my memories of this time in my life always. I look forward to still seeing you- just without my little red star by my name. Love to all of you from this Fashionista at heart! xoxo

This is just a snippet of my Fashionista profile...I thought I'd share it with those of you who have never seen it and after today would miss it.
A little bit about me:
My style is...
sorta clean? But still fun and fresh. It's driven in part by my background in graphic design, my love of mixing patterns and color, and most importantly, I want my pages/projects to be meaningful- first to me, then my family and sometimes others understand me too! I love to try out new things...I think almost anything can translate into scrapbooking if you can get it on a page. For me, meaningful & fun are essential to scrapbooking...thus my style is ever-changing!
My best scrapping is done when...
I feel there is an important message to be shared, or when the picture "doesn't tell the whole story". I'm learning that it's alright to scrap exactly what's on my heart and mind...even if I don't have a picture to match that.
I am passionate about...
the choices we have in our lives everyday. We can't control everything that happens to us, but we do get to choose how to respond. I am passionate about "fat calories" too...if I'm gonna eat dessert, it's gotta be good and worth the calories!
(I love REAL Buttercream.)
My biggest pie in the sky dream is...
getting all my kids potty-trained BEFORE my husband has to start wearing diapers in his old age. =) Oh...and maybe writing a 'real book' someday. Oh yeah...one more is getting a pedicure at somepoint in life...I can't believe I've never had one yet! {I can't believe I had this posted on the website for over 2 years! I hope Chip doesn't mind!!}
Guilty Pleasure...
eating after 8:00 pm...especially if it's a calorie-laden, rich dessert...like Carrot Cake or Chocolate Bread Pudding with Spiced Whipped Cream. Non-food guilty-pleasure is a hot, long bubble bath with no kids in sight!
I'm inspired by...
the laughter of my kids, color, handmade things, simpler times, the fact that I still love and have fun with my husband-{sometimes more fun than when we were dating even}, the thought of Heaven!
This is me in a nutshell...
I have lived through personal tragedy, but out of that have realized just how precious my ordinary life truly is. I try to see the best in all people and things...as that makes this world more beautiful and spreads joy. I love to learn and make mistakes and laugh through it all. I live a simple life, in many respects, but through my actions and attitude, I hope I am making this world a better place, one day at a time. My motto is: "Sometimes you have to create your own joy!"
It really works.

So proud.

These pictures were taken less than 2 months apart. The top one was taken at the very end of March and the second one was taken on Sunday. I want to publicly tell Chip how proud I am of his efforts and willpower as he continues to make his health a top priority in his life. His efforts are paying off in many ways, and I just want to recognize his hard work!

Chip has lost more than 20 pounds in the past several weeks and that is obvious. He has a goal set for himself, but in the meantime I am just so proud of how good he feels and how well he has embraced the changes he has made in his life. His diet isn't anything "special", except in most part he chooses healthy food options, eats smaller portions and still eats a few treats now and then. Only those treats are things like 100 calorie ice cream bars or one cookie instead of a small handful. In addition to eating and snacking healthy, he has been intentional about working out and exercising. It wasn't easy the first few times, but even in the last week or so I have seen him "want" to exercise! That's a major change for him- he has gone biking in the evening instead of watching tv. He has put workout sessions into the schedule of his day and he has stuck to that schedule.

I think it's something to be proud of. I hope he knows I support his health choices fully. I know changing bad habits and altering one's lifestyle is never easy. But when you believe you are worth it, take small, intentional steps in the right direction each day, don't get discouraged when you take a step or two back and start really feeling and noticing the results of your hard work, well that is just something to celebrate. But maybe not with a big piece of cake smothered in buttercream, but rather a round of golf or a bowl of fresh berries. Or both. =)

If you are working towards a goal or overcoming obstacles in your own life, I hope you know you are worth it, and I wish you all the best as you challenge yourself and sacrifice things in order to become more of who you want to be. And remember, everyday is a new day full of opportunities and choices- make them count!

For my friend =)

Happy Birthday, Rachael! You and I have had the best times where buttercream is involved. I hope you have a great day and if nothing else, I hope these photos help you recall some fantastic memories. I know they did for me!

I miss you and Katie Holmes' cousin too. =)

Happy Groundhog's day to everyone else reading this. I hope you get to experience the world's best buttercream someday too! I hope spring comes early this year too.

Buttercream thank you's and free photo books...

Chip brought home a Ryke's chocolate buttercream cake, given to him as a way to say thanks for all the referrals he sends their way. Our kids were very happy to eat a thank you cake. Happiness is definitely found in unexpected buttercream thank you's...yum!

I happened to find a link that brought me to Oprah's website yesterday and spent a great deal of time loading photos up to Snapfish yesterday in hopes of getting one of the free photo books they are offering right now. You can follow this link (by Friday 11/14) to get in on this deal too. Maybe you can get a book ordered and cross one gift off your Christmas list as a result. Happy book-making. Thanks for the tips on gloves too. I think I may need more than one pair- so thanks for the links yesterday. I appreciate your help!

Happy Blog-aversary...

Wow! Today marks Nitty.Gritty.'s third anniversary.

I can hardly believe that it's been that long. So enjoy something 'sweet' on me- even if it's just that fun picture of all that gorgeous candy above which came from here... yum!

In addition, here are a couple of pictures of my life from when I started this blog in 2005. Our family looked a little bit different and had all sorts of happiness, fun and challenges. Much like we do today, only we have lived more, grown in many ways, and I've shared it all with thousands of you who have joined me in the journey via this blog.

I never intended for that to happen. This blog was something I was doing mostly for myself and my family. Once I joined the scrapbook community, it grew a bit...and from there many of you have linked me up with your own blogs and shared my story/life with your own circle of family and friends. I have read hundreds of emails and comments over the past 3 years. I have responded to many of them- cried from some and laughed with others. I have been pushed to be more thoughtful and I've been pushed to be more bold. I have been blessed to share our heartaches and so many of you have reached out to my family in those times. Thank you.

I have been blessed to share our joys and all the ordinary, routine in-between times too. Thank you for encouraging me, inspiring me, sharing your perspectives and stories too, that have helped make a difference in our lives as a result.

I love that this blog has been a place for opinions to be shared, for learning to take place, and for prayer requests to be brought forward. I love that God has "shown up" here over and over and that it has nothing to do with me- but He has graciously made Himself known through words and stories and pictures.

I am humbled that after 3 years I still have readers [besides Chip,my Mom, sisters and Rachael =) ] and not only that, but that there is still joy afforded me through blogging. I have been a writer/journaler at heart since I was a kid, and this blog has been such a treat for me to watch it all unfold and to have pictures to go with the thoughts/stories along the way.

So thanks to each of you who have left comments, sent emails, prayed, been outspoken, and for those who quietly read and yet turn around and for whatever reason, after reading, you love more, Hope more, feel challenged or comforted, question your faith, laugh at the little things, let things go, hold tighter, want more, need less, feel more free, want to surrender, or simply know what a good buttercream tastes like because of this blog.

Happy 3 years, to this Nitty.Gritty. blog.

I hope to be around for many more posts. If you must know...today is post #351.

Still a little time to...

buy something in the ScrapInStyle Boutique (tonight until midnight CST) and be eligible for a grand prize which includes everything you see pictured in the second photo here. Also, there is free shipping on all orders domestic orders of $50 or more. Talk about a good deal! There's a lot going on at SIStv tonight and tomorrow...as you read this there are games and challenges under message board threads titled "Slumber Party". I had previously mentioned that the Girly-Girl Collection goes on sale today. That's what you see in the top photo and what I used to scrap this for Wyndham's room...a little wall-hanging.

Speaking of slumber party.

Our family took a spontaneous trip up to a friend's cabin this weekend and we had a little bit of our own slumber party. The weather was gorgeous and I have a sunburn to prove it. The kids loved the lake and Brock was an expert kayaker...we had no idea he would do so well! I have a ton of photos, but also a ton of wet swimsuits, towels and dirty bedding to wash, as well as some home keeping to do as a result of our trip. So you will just have to be patient for pictures from the lake.

I have to say, as much as it's fun to get away for a short time, it mostly serves to reaffirm to me just how much of a homebody I am. And nothing feels better than a shower {with Buttercream shower gel} and your own bed once you get home. =)

Buttercream overload.

Brock is having a great birthday. He said it's great because there is no school, he got new games for the Wii and he got Ryke's cake with buttercream frosting and Bavarian cream filling. Ok. Just a few calories in a slice of that cake. But that's what birthdays are for, right? A little indulgence is a wonderful thing when it's done with moderation.
These pictures are for my mom and dad. They've had Ryke's cake with us before and I just had to give them a 'taste' of what they're missing. It really is that delicious! And tomorrow we'll have leftovers for breakfast. It's all about moderation around here. =) Yum!

Reflections of birthdays and gifts~

Last night my family celebrated my dad's birthday at dinner just before he and my mom and my sister and her kids loaded up their van and headed back to Minnesota- a 10 1/2 hour drive through the night. Today is my dad's birthday. I was so happy that my family could be here in my home with us not only to celebrate Christmas, but to squeeze in some birthday memories too.
My birthday was included- as it has been over the years; we also sang 'Happy Birthday' to Wyndham because her birthday is just around the corner on January 4th. The time we had together was full of fun, relaxation and lots of good food too. I love seeing the dynamics between my parents and their grandkids. I was thinking back to where my dad came from- a hard-working young man who grew up on a dairy farm with lots of family around him to his life now...no cows in sight, but still he is a hard-working man with lots of family who love him very much. He has changed and 'softened' through the years. He chose to stand next to my pink Christmas tree for a photo op- saying it was fitting for him to do so because his name is Floyd...get it? "Pink Floyd". =)
I love that he has so many talents and abilities but none more characteristic than his heart for people. He cares so much and on so many levels. He will lend a hand or word of advice to anyone who calls on him- day or night. He has been there for me and countless others through the years. I am humbled that God placed me under his care and guidance through the years, and now in my 'grown-up years' I have come to love him more as a friend. Today is his birthday...but really, I think those who know him would consider him to be a gift to us.
Happy Birthday, Dad. I am so glad we could spend time together and make memories this year...it was truly the icing on the {buttercream} cake! Love from me and all your adoring family and fans. =)

That time of year...

We are all nearly partied out. My birthday is tomorrow {in case I don't post, you'll understand why...I'll be busy with some fabulous buttercream hopefully} and when Chip asked me what I wanted for a gift I said, "That European bed that I had pictured on my blog...and all day to spend in it!". =) Hey?! I may as well dream big, right?!
Between school parties/programs and therapy parties and church programs we are feeling the 'sugary effects' of the season.
I feel like I have a million things I wish I could be doing or get done, and yet I am just trying to stay on top of the basics that need to happen for us to survive from day to day. Take my fridge for instance. If you peeked inside it today you would find milk, eggs, butter, cheese, a head of broccoli, some OJ, apples, grapefruit and condiments. Thank goodness for Easy Mac, because I don't know what we would be eating for dinner otherwise. Well, maybe grilled cheese or peanut butter sandwiches...but nothing too exciting.
I don't know why I am feeling 'out of it' moreso this year than other years. I definitely have my ups and downs right now. It's probably a combination of things, and certainly nothing that warrants major concern. One of the little things that I did take note of more in the past few weeks is how often I think of Teagan and miss her this time of year.
Some people think I'm obsessive when it comes to talking about her and the way we 'make her a part of our lives' still years after she's been gone, but really, I think it's more about the changes we make in our lives and how 'she changes' with us.
This year Ava is almost exactly the age Teagan was on her last Christmas with us on earth (their birthdays are only 4 days apart). So when I see Ava doing things it just seems to bring back memories of Teagan so clearly...or jog some that were nearly forgotten. It's of course, bittersweet, and thankfully, more sweet than bitter most days. That little Santa shirt she is wearing is one Teagan and I bought for her when we took a day trip to Traverse City not long before Christmas. I remember our shopping trip well and especially how intentional Teagan was about choosing the shirt she wanted. She wore it a lot...I have pictures of her wearing it into March and April- months after Christmas was over. Seeing Ava in it makes me see firsthand just how young and small Teagan really was when she died. I always thought she was so big and grown up, as she was our oldest child at that time. Now that Ava is my youngest and so close to the age Teagan was...it hits me harder in a sense, and I draw more and more parallels between those two.
Still, I know Teagan was a special girl and I will never let her go- even as we all grow and change and time moves on.
It's just once in awhile I wish I could take those special times that we shared all back. And I'd love one more birthday hug and kiss from her. Hey?! I may as well dream big, right?!

Kid's Eggnog...

Next week I turn 35. I was thinking about that last night as I fell asleep~ after going to the kids' school Christmas Program and thinking how fast they all grow up. It was not that long ago that I was dragging bulging diaper bags and a double stroller everywhere I went and I was unable to recall when I last slept five consecutive hours. Now I love that I get longer stretches of sleep, but I don't know that I am ready to grow up or at least grow older. How is that middleage sneaks up on one so quickly?! In the spirit of thinking about being a kid and all the fun it is for them this time of year, I found this great-sounding Peppermint Eggnog
recipe over at Martha Stewart.com.
Now, in the past I have been very outspoken about not 'doing or getting' Christmas stuff on my birthday...but for this fun nog {and if you know me at all, you know how much I love eggnog, custards, buttercream, whipped cream and vanilla!} I just may bend my own rules! =)
Here is the recipe and instrustions. If you make it, let me know what you think of it. And if you want another fun challenge, tell me what flavor(s) of ice cream would best describe your life up til now? I was thinking I could sum mine up in a double scoop of Rocky Road and Marshmallow Twist. It's had its share of rough spots and bumbps along the way, but I'm finding most of my life's 'twists' are really ribbons of good stuff in the end.
Maybe it's quirky and weird, but I think it would be fun to read some of your takes on life. Any Ben & Jerry lovers out there in Nitty.Gritty.Land.? This game's for you. =)

I'm the "crazy lady" to some.

Yesterday I mowed the lawn while my kids played on their bikes and did chalk drawings on the driveway. Tonight we have tornado watches and thunderstorm warnings. Funny how things in life can change so quickly sometimes.
Even more than just the weather. I am learning that I am more like my kids than I think sometimes. I'm not good with change.
I like predictable, routine, don't-try-to-tell-me-differently-I-like-things-this-way, kind of person. I will probably drive Chip nuts as we age. I don't know.
This is a random post, but my mind has just been spinning all week, and thus I haven't posted much. I haven't even taken pictures- except for a few this afternoon. Just because.
Maybe it's the leaves turning colors...the sign of winter yet to come.
I don't know. I really like the green grass and the smell of it as I cut it. And the kids playing outside in the sun. And happiness was eating pizza out of the box outside.
I've been thinking about the past and the future more than normal. Maybe that's it. I have no words of wisdom...no photos of my kids doing crazy things...no recipes for hotdish or cupcakes. =) I'm in need of a good 'fill'. If you have some fun blog topics you'd like to hear me talk about, please feel free to ask me or point me in a direction in the comments here.
Wait!
I forgot to mention the highlight of my day on Sunday was riding the cart with my groceries to my van. Besides church, of course. =) Seriously. This happened...you know I ride my cart for the thrill of it- just because I can and why should I waste an opportunity to make one of my least favorite tasks of grocery shopping more fun?! Right?! As I rode my cart, a 30-something guy was following a bit behind me. I had no idea he was the guy parked right next to me. He was watching me a long way. We both loaded our groceries into our vehicles, and it was such a warm, sunny day that I rode my cart all the way back to the front door. As I got back to my van, this guy was saying to the grocery cart kid {you know the kid who has that machine that drives all the carts back inside the store}, "I have never seen someone have that much fun in a grocery store parking lot before". He actually smiled at me. But inside I know he just plain thought I was crazy.
So there you go. You read that crazy lady's blog. Hope that makes your day today. =)

Buttercream and other sweet stuff.

I've done a bit of scrapping and for me I try to keep it about fun and memories and hopes and reality and mostly about capturing moments. The owl is just for fun. I like them lately. Life to me is about living in the moment, learning from and appreciating the past and how it shapes us, and also about looking forward to the future and all it holds for each of us. I am also a realist. I know life isn't all glamorous and good. But I try not to let that jade my thinking...and so that is a bit of the thoughts behind my layout here of Bella.

Just before kindergarten started this year, she was excited and definitely ready for school to start. As we drove home from picking Wyndham up from therapy one afternoon, she and I had the following conversation...

Bella: I know lots of opposites; wanna hear them?

Me: Okay.

She went through a long list of opposites- short, tall; open, shut, etc. but when she said "hugs" I have to admit my first thought was she would say "hitting". Instead she said "kisses". When we got home I jotted down the conversation and added my thoughts. It was those notes to myself that inspired the journaling and the page I just scrapped. {You can click here to see it in my SIS gallery.}

There is so much 'junk' in the world and stuff that comes at us and threatens to drag us down. I know it happens and there is no way to avoid it all. But I am on a mission to do the best I can and especially when it comes to my kids, I am happy to know that there is innocence and goodness and love in their lives. I don't load them up on buttercream all the time...hugs and kisses are sweeter. I know that. I also know that moderation is the key in almost everything in life. Except maybe hugs and kisses and owls. So far I haven't found that there can be too much of them. And the reality is we all need doses of 'good stuff' to help off-set the bad that comes at us all the time. I know that full well. Here's wishing you sweet spots in your life too.

Birthday wishes...

The best 5th birthday she could ask for happened yesterday. Bella was the center of attention, and surrounded by love, happiness and animals at the zoo. =)

I had to post these cake photos, namely because that cake was scrumptious and I wish you could all have a taste of it. I had planned on making some cupcakes, but Bella wanted Daddy 'to buy a double layer cake with blue frosting'. So he did. From the best local baker around. This cake was layered with Bavarian cream, and frosted with Buttercream. After tasting lots of cakes as a wedding coordinator, I can honestly say it was one of the best cakes I've ever had. Bella and everyone else agreed! Rich...but delicious just the same.

I just love the picture of Bella with her hands over her eyes. Just as she leaned forward to blow out her candles, I told her to "make a wish". She threw her hands over her eyes, and I can only imagine what went through her mind. She's not telling, but I'll bet she wished for the world in that single wish! SO cute. =) Then she blew out her candles, clapped her hands, and settled in while we re-lit the candles for the rest of the gang to take a turn at blowing them out. We're all about keeping it fun and fair for everyone. =)

The smiles, the laughter, the flavor of the cake...well, it made for one of the best birthdays we've ever had in our home. If happiness were tangible, I think you could have grabbed a handful of it in our place yesterday. It felt so good. I know Bella had a great day. I did miss Teagan from time to time...but I realized that nothing can take away from real joy- the kind we felt while celebrating Bells in our lives yesterday. There was simply enough to make up for any hurt I may have wanted to entertain.

I can't help but think that maybe Teagan was really in our midst- no matter if we could see her or not. Happiness flowed freely...and I know Teagan would have loved being in the middle of that! I am grateful for new memories, love and joy. I look forward to helping Bella's wishes come true. No matter how grand they may be. Happy 5th birthday and one day, Bella. You {and your siblings} are truly gifts to Daddy and me. All year long! Here's to more joy and celebrating...each and everyday.