wordless wednesday

i see this...

I see this...

and I can't help but feel happiness as it transfers from my eyes to my heart. I can't help but want to take their happiness and bottle it up in a jar, to hold on to it, treasure it, savor it. This, is the image of an almost 5 year old little boy, a kid, and an almost 60 year old grandmother. 

My son, my mother.

This, is the kind of happiness that is born into this world, and never leaves.

A kid, and a kid at heart. 

They share this special bond, as it was imprinted on their souls the day they were born. 

Ever met anyone like that before?

These two, they got the memo.

I see this...

and I can't help but feel care-free. The kind that I'm certain that if I remembered, I would have felt when I was this age, when I was almost 3. It didn't matter what time it was, I didn't have any deadlines, or pressing matters.

She just hits the ground running, takes in the glorious sunshine, 

and smiles.

My daughter, care-free.

I see this...

and I think the world would be a less happier place if it weren't for ice cream.

I see this...

and wonder what she's thinking, it must be very important.

I see this...

and I think to myself, life is an amazing miracle, isn't it?

I see this...

and I think to myself, how proud I am to be his mother.

I see this...

and I feel blessed. 

Thank you, God.

Life is good.

all 3

At some point, I'll get all 3 of them smiling at the same time. They were all doing it moments before, I promise!

today you are...

Today, Tatum, my love,

you are:

11 pounds, 4 ounces, the 60th percentile (3 pounds under your sister and brother when they were your age!)

Today, my love,

you are:

22 1/2 inches long, the 60th percentile.

Today, my love,

you are smiling like crazy.

Today, my love, 

you are such a joy to our family.

Today, my love,

you are:

2 months old.

I love you with all my heart,

Mommy.

welcome 2011!

I haven't had a moment's rest...

to write about Christmas.

It's all gone by so quickly...

and to be honest, I didn't take a lot of pictures.

I just enjoyed the moment...

the finer things in life.

The special times...

that don't happen every day, but when they do, they melt your heart.

The family that you don't get to see all the time...

 but when you do, it is all the more meaningful.

The friends that share good times with you...

to ring in the New Year, year after year.

The blessings...count them...

1...

2...

3...

more.

More than I could have ever hoped, 

More than I could have ever wanted.

More memories to make.

More love to be had.

Welcome, 2011!

wordless wednesday

it's okay santa, we still believe

The other day I was reading the posts of many moms on a popular facebook page that I subscribe to. The question was basically, to Santa, or not to Santa? The question of whether people bring Santa into the picture. The idea that if one believes in Santa, they are missing the point, not celebrating the true meaning of Christmas, which is the birth of Jesus Christ. I make no judgments either way, at least not now anyway.

I remember my sister and I whispering to each other in church years ago, saying, "What's wrong with these people? They don't even know when to sit or stand!" These people, those people, the people that don't go to church every Sunday. The people that we call Christmas and Easter Catholics, 

aka "C and E". 

I've gone to church my whole life. I know when to sit and stand, to recite the Our Father, and even when to jingle the bells (I was one of the first altar girls at my church way back when). I find gratitude in going to church, and yet, I find myself a C and E Catholic. I'd like to go more often. I miss going. It's difficult when Erik is not Catholic and most often praying that the little white ball lands on the green, rather than asking for forgiveness of his sins. I plan on changing this in our lives (the going to church part, not Erik becoming Catholic), but until then, I reside in the land of C and E. I don't love Jesus any less, and I am still strong in my faith. I teach my children the true meaning of Christmas and whether they truly understand is another story, but at least they are exposed at an early age. 

All this being said, I grew up in a household where Santa came down the chimney and we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus at midnight mass. And you know what? I think it's the best of both worlds. 

I believe in the magic of Christmas:

 the excitement of approaching the big man on his sleigh,

of eating a candy cane and telling me that she asked Santa for more Disney princesses. 

I believe in the joy and wonder that many have lost as they grow old:

of giving to others as it's far better than to receive:

It's okay Santa, we still believe:

and we'd like to think that Jesus is okay with that, too!