Thank You

It was really hot the day I took this picture--a late summer heat lingering in September of '07. Like, really hot. I am sweating just thinking about it...

As Mook and I made our way through Arlington National Cemetery to watch the changing of the guard, I clicked through the pictures on my camera I had taken over the weekend. This being the last on the rotation--since we had just made our way through this part of the cemetery.

I love the way the sun is coming through the trees--and although the sun was blazing, all I saw was a peaceful shade over these graves.

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I imagine the heat we felt that day, doesn't even come close to what our soldier's have felt in some of the worst conditions. I whine when my AC isn't working, and I take for granted that I can go into my kitchen right now and pour a glass of ice-make-your-brain-freeze-water. 

Thank you to every single service man and woman, past, present and future, for defending our freedom and serving our country.

Perfect Moment Monday: Growth

That's a picture of a bamboo sprout. It sits in the guest bathroom at my in-laws.

I wish I could go back in time and show you what it did look like. It was just a tiny little sprout back in the summer of 2004. That's the first time I saw it.

So when I was visiting my in-laws last week, I really noticed how much it had grown. I hadn't really paid attention to all the times over the past few years that I have been around this plant...

I remember moving it out of the way to put on makeup before my bridal shower in 2005.
I remember watering it when I was there for Christmas one year. 
I remember knocking it over as I turned on the faucet to brush my teeth.
I remember throwing away a dead leaf, along with a tissue I had used to blot my tears I didn't want anyone to see.
I remember placing it by the window so I could lay out my fertility medication for the weekend.
I remember counting its leaves at 3am when I was changing O-man on the bathroom floor.
I remember taking this picture, as I watched the Oman push open the door to see where I was.

It was definitely a Perfect Moment....taking the time to remember even the smallest thing can trigger memories.

See other Perfect Moments!

Oh, Oh...the Big 3-0....

All weekend, I've felt this pressure sitting on my chest.

Ok, well most of the time, it was my very active little O-man making a new game of climbing on Mommy then scooting across the couch to climb on Daddy....this game lasted at least 30 minutes.

But the other times...it was the "OhmyGodIamturning30andIcannotbelieveit" sort of feeling.

And its sort of left me speechless.

Not that I'm dreading turning 30 or anything. :) I actually had a harder time with 25. Something about that age being considered "antique" made me feel sort of...well...antique!

And I'm not embarrassed to tell you I took a good, long look at myself after getting out of the shower last night.

I'm pretty sure Hef won't be calling me to pose for Playboy anytime soon...and I would love to loose an extra 5 pounds...and rub away the wrinkles around my eyes.

But I also see the scar I got from jumping off the side of the pool when I was six, and the freckle on my index finger, and the hole where my belly button ring used to be....and of course, the scar from my c-section.

They make me.....me.

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I can't say I wished for anything this birthday--since my perfect gift is O-man. I remain thankful for that gift. And thankful (so very thankful) for this community that has wrapped me in a hug so many times. So I find it lovely timing that the ever so thoughtful Mel has come up with another one of her brilliant ideas.

The Celebratory Society. 


Think of this as the most interesting delurking project you'll ever participate in. After giving back to others at the Celebratory Society, I have decided to participate in it myself. You can understand the project in full by clicking here, but in brief, the Celebratory Society is an online festschrift for a blogger--a way for you to tell me what my blog or actions mean to you. But this isn't about me--this is about you too. And I would love it if you returned to your own blog, started your own Celebratory Society post, added it to the main project list, and gave me the opportunity to tell you about...you.


So I'd love it if you'd join me in celebrating! I may wince at the mention of turning 30 but I am grateful to blow out 29 candles...for the second time ;)

Photo Friday: Expiration Date

This week's photo challenge over at Creating Motherhood is to capture a picture of the inside of our 'fridge.

It's been a whole new challenge to stock my 'fridge lately. With Mook gone so much, it's hard to come up with meals for just one person, when it doesn't come in a box that you keep in the freezer. Ive done lots of pasta meals (the O-man is not a fan of pasta--hope that changes!) baked potatoes, salads, sandwiches. So not a bad variety...

But some nights my dinner is: half a bagel with cream cheese, some Goldfish crackers, half a banana, and a glass of wine. Nutritious, not so much. But oh so satisfying :)

Go peek inside more refrigerators.

Wordless Wednesday: Freeze Frame