There are certain joys in life, simple joys, that are irreplaceable. For me, coffee is the first thing I seek every morning, and it is truly the perfect start to every day...in my opinion.
I am often, almost always, up before the sunrise, so that too, makes me happy. Pandora on the way to work, the simple routine of telling those closest to me I love them every day, playing with Froggie and having him curl up on my lap, dancing with Brian--anywhere, anytime--taking a walk while holding hands, flipping through a magazine while watching a movie, indulging in Ben and Jerry's or too many Oreos. Church on Sundays, followed by brunch. Sitting by the pool, running on the Katy Trail, or walking through Home Depot planning our "home improvement" projects.
Life is full of little moments, every day has thousands of them. And sometimes we spend so much time waiting for the big ones, the little ones pass us by. That, to me, is not living. I want to enjoy every day, to be content where I'm at, doing what I'm doing, and loving my Fiance, Family, Friends, & Frog.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Dear Saffryn...
The day is quickly approaching where your life will change forever, for better. Soon you will be a big sister; one of the best roles in family there is!
You will teach your little brother how to play, and he will teach you how to share. You will tell him all about life as a big kid, and he will tell you how much he loves you. You will try and get him to keep up somedays, while others you will try and leave him behind…but all the while he will be waiting for you, always looking up to you.
Being a big sister means taking care of your younger brother. Being his closest ally, strongest defender, and biggest believer in his dreams. Being a big sister means that you are the first to say you are sorry after fights, the last to leave when he needs you, and the only older sister he will ever have. Junior will love you, adore you, and want to be just like you!
It is a big job, a great job, and one I know you will love. You will be an amazing older sister, after all, you are an amazing little girl. Somedays he will make you laugh, and others he may make you cry, but he will always be your brother; your buddy.
Congratulations on your new role, Sweet Saffryn, and from one big sis to another--have fun!!!
Love,
Aunt Becky
You will teach your little brother how to play, and he will teach you how to share. You will tell him all about life as a big kid, and he will tell you how much he loves you. You will try and get him to keep up somedays, while others you will try and leave him behind…but all the while he will be waiting for you, always looking up to you.
Being a big sister means taking care of your younger brother. Being his closest ally, strongest defender, and biggest believer in his dreams. Being a big sister means that you are the first to say you are sorry after fights, the last to leave when he needs you, and the only older sister he will ever have. Junior will love you, adore you, and want to be just like you!
It is a big job, a great job, and one I know you will love. You will be an amazing older sister, after all, you are an amazing little girl. Somedays he will make you laugh, and others he may make you cry, but he will always be your brother; your buddy.
Congratulations on your new role, Sweet Saffryn, and from one big sis to another--have fun!!!
Love,
Aunt Becky
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Breakfast with Tiffany's
In the midst of browsing jewelers for Brian's wedding band I stumbled across Tiffany's. Oh my. The epicenter of all things fabulous, all things Audrey. While I should just move on with my day and forget about those iconically eggshell blue little boxes with fun surprises inside, I don't. I sip my coffee and have my "breakfast with Tiffany's".
While I can't say I resemble Audrey in any way but our taste in jewelry (she looks regal here…and I have my gym clothes on and my dog sitting in my lap), it is a nice moment in time, being the epitome of a girly-girl. Now back to the original intent of my "window-shopping", I am going to buy my fiance's ring and I cannot wait to give it to him!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Priorities, Priorities
Priorities are like armpits, everybody has them. Friends, family, work, faith, sleep, shopping, cleaning, working out, reading, traveling, cooking….
The question is, what are mine? The older I get, the more time is of the essence. I only have so long to do the things I have to do during the day, let alone the things I'd like to do. I am constantly making to-do lists, and constantly failing to complete them. For me, one of my priorities is relationships. I would much rather hang out with Brian than clean my house. I would rather grab drinks with friends than do the laundry, and I would rather call my mom than work on bills, paperwork, etc.
But that is the thing about priorities, its not only about what you want to do. The laundry is ceaselessly piling up (even as I write), Froggie's toys and shed hair adorn my rug and floor, and the dishes are still on the table waiting to be cleared and cleaned. Hello, Real World.
I need to take a deep breath and consider what is important. No, dirty laundry and dishes are not the end of the world, but I do need to take care of what I have. Yes, relationships are important, but if I sacrifice my sleep, too much of my alone time, or even my health, how good of a friend, family member, or fiance am I?
One of the reasons I have taken up guitar (it's on my to do list to go practice, haha), is because it is a new hobby, a new challenge just for me. It's a break from everything, and I can spend as much or as little time on it. When I get overwhelmed, I can go strum a song or two, clear my head, and get back on task.
Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying my time…I just have to be more careful how to spend it. Time, much like my bank account, is budgeted, and I need to be wise with it.
Now I must go tackle the dishes, and just laugh at the fact that 24 hours will never be enough. Happy Prioritizing!
The question is, what are mine? The older I get, the more time is of the essence. I only have so long to do the things I have to do during the day, let alone the things I'd like to do. I am constantly making to-do lists, and constantly failing to complete them. For me, one of my priorities is relationships. I would much rather hang out with Brian than clean my house. I would rather grab drinks with friends than do the laundry, and I would rather call my mom than work on bills, paperwork, etc.
But that is the thing about priorities, its not only about what you want to do. The laundry is ceaselessly piling up (even as I write), Froggie's toys and shed hair adorn my rug and floor, and the dishes are still on the table waiting to be cleared and cleaned. Hello, Real World.
I need to take a deep breath and consider what is important. No, dirty laundry and dishes are not the end of the world, but I do need to take care of what I have. Yes, relationships are important, but if I sacrifice my sleep, too much of my alone time, or even my health, how good of a friend, family member, or fiance am I?
One of the reasons I have taken up guitar (it's on my to do list to go practice, haha), is because it is a new hobby, a new challenge just for me. It's a break from everything, and I can spend as much or as little time on it. When I get overwhelmed, I can go strum a song or two, clear my head, and get back on task.
Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying my time…I just have to be more careful how to spend it. Time, much like my bank account, is budgeted, and I need to be wise with it.
Now I must go tackle the dishes, and just laugh at the fact that 24 hours will never be enough. Happy Prioritizing!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
What are Sisters For?
To hold your hand, to dry your eyes…
To talk with you all through the night.
To laugh and sing and play make believe,
And to hold all the secrets that you keep.
To watch you grow and see you change,
To help you through those years of pain.
To fight with you and steal your clothes…
Though all the while you still know
A sister is a treasure to hold,
That is worth way more than all you own.
I have one of these, and hold her dear,
She is my best friend, has been for years.
She makes me strong, and never gives up on me,
Never loses hope that I will succeed.
Though she is younger, I hope she is aware,
There is no one else in this world with whom I can share
My secrets, my fears, my hopes and my dreams
Who will keep them close, until they are a reality.
You are beautiful and wise and now you are twenty two.
I look back and thank God for the blessing that is you.
That day long ago you came into my world,
Never did I know what was in store for us girls.
Our days of sharing a room, and mischief too,
From playing with dolls to driving off to school.
We lived and we learned and all the while remained,
Best friends and sisters that took the world as it came.
Abbie you're all grown up and lovely as can be,
And though you are younger, I hope you see…
I look up to you and am so proud to say
That you are my sister, my friend, no matter what comes our way.
You are beautiful, it's true, inside and out,
And you will achieve your dreams, I have no doubt.
I am always here for you to give you all I have and more…
After all, what are sisters for?
To talk with you all through the night.
To laugh and sing and play make believe,
And to hold all the secrets that you keep.
To watch you grow and see you change,
To help you through those years of pain.
To fight with you and steal your clothes…
Though all the while you still know
A sister is a treasure to hold,
That is worth way more than all you own.
I have one of these, and hold her dear,
She is my best friend, has been for years.
She makes me strong, and never gives up on me,
Never loses hope that I will succeed.
Though she is younger, I hope she is aware,
There is no one else in this world with whom I can share
My secrets, my fears, my hopes and my dreams
Who will keep them close, until they are a reality.
You are beautiful and wise and now you are twenty two.
I look back and thank God for the blessing that is you.
That day long ago you came into my world,
Never did I know what was in store for us girls.
Our days of sharing a room, and mischief too,
From playing with dolls to driving off to school.
We lived and we learned and all the while remained,
Best friends and sisters that took the world as it came.
Abbie you're all grown up and lovely as can be,
And though you are younger, I hope you see…
I look up to you and am so proud to say
That you are my sister, my friend, no matter what comes our way.
You are beautiful, it's true, inside and out,
And you will achieve your dreams, I have no doubt.
I am always here for you to give you all I have and more…
After all, what are sisters for?
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Tutorial Tuesdays
I am embarking on two new adventures. Every Tuesday evening after work, I have started going to a guitar lesson from a man who is more Jimmy-Bob than Jimi Hendrix, but I love every minute. I love learning this instrument and the nuances of each of the chords. I am excited to practice, to see marked improvement, and to be able to play easily without thinking about every chord change. As I start to hear sounds that almost resemble songs from my guitar, I get more excited to continue to improve. Playing this instrument and music in general, is a form of art that I have always loved and appreciated. It’s soothing, it’s relevant, and it’s a way I’ve always enjoyed expressing myself. After this short but sweet lesson, I head to my next one- a cooking lesson! With the help of my sweet friend, Alessandra (follow here: http://theorangelens.blogspot.com/), I am learning the in’s and out’s of the kitchen and some go-to recipes that are delicious and doable!
I know how to cook, but only the basics, and am inevitably uninspired after a long day at work to step in to the kitchen and go back to work. But with an experienced chef by my side (who also happens to be a friend to laugh with throughout the process), I anticipate many nights full of food, fun, and (hopefully) few fires to put out. Oh yes, we have been known to start minor kitchen fires before!
Last night, we tested the waters with a Greek Lasagna, known as Pastitsio, which was phenomenal! See the recipe here:http://www.foodnetwork.com/
Lesson learned: plan ahead! We started at 7:30 and finally sat down to enjoy the sumptuous casserole at 9:30 after two hours making both the sauces, cooking the meat, and baking the dish in the oven. Well worth the wait! Paired with red wine and a light salad, this savory meal is one to be enjoyed by many! Literally. It serves eight very hearty eaters. Complete the meal with a light but sweet treat (we choose an apple tart), and you’ve not only got a meal, but a great memory to have of the process…at least in our case! Bon appetit!
For me, Tuesdays now represent an important part of who I want to be, a learner. I want to be a curious, adventurous person, up for a new challenge, a new lesson, or even just a new chicken dish. No matter the lesson, no matter the subject matter, I never want to stop learning, never want to stop growing. So bring on Tuesday!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Little Moments
Though I have been engaged for nearly a year (April 4th will mark our one-year engagement anniversary), and have held the Bride-to-Be status excitedly, I have never blogged about this upcoming, momentous occasion. This is a chaotic yet wonderful time of life full of appointments, fittings, decisions, to do lists and, of course, the melding together of two lives.
Thankfully, I have a Saint for a Mom who has been my organized, encouraging, event-planning guru. Without her I would be lost in a sea of everything from tulle to boutonnieres. I enjoy the process, don't get me wrong, but when I dream about my wedding (which I have been for the last 20 years!), it's about the look in the eyes of my Groom as I walk down the aisle. It's about the moment my Dad twirls me around the dance floor, and having my sister stand by my side. It's about my Mom helping me into my dress, and my brothers there to celebrate with me. It's about toasting all the people who have made me who I am--and loved me through the years--being there to witness the promise of a lifetime being made.
My wedding, to me, is about a thousand little moments all tied in to one unforgettable day. The moment I wake up and realize this is the day I have waited my whole life for. The moment I slip in to my dress; walk in to the chapel; see Brian for the first time; saying my vows and hearing them from him; being surrounded by the soft fragrance of lovely flowers; seeing our four parents as we are pronounced for the first time; greeting my guests, our families and friends; dancing the night away; and stealing away with my man.
In the end, I will be able to say that this day will be how I choose it to be. It will have the flowers I picked, the music we love, the food I deem delicious, and the dress I feel like a princess in. But more importantly, it will be full of laughter and love with the most important people in Brian and my life. It will be in honor of our parents, and their marriages, as well as our grandparents and their decades upon decades of wedded bliss.
It is my hope and prayer that the focus of the day is on the celebration of marriage, and the families that have prepared us for this, the greatest adventure in life. All the planning and preparation in the world will not prepare me for what I will feel that day. For the love and gratitude for my parents and family. For the love and commitment I feel for Brian, my husband-to-be, and my new family. For the thankfulness to God for the blessing that is this day, and all that it represents, and all that He has in store for Brian and my new life together.
Yes, this day will be momentous….in all the little moments added together. And I cannot wait to cherish every one.
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