1 year old!

Michael trying to feed Dada some cake!


Michael in his silly birthday hat!


Opening presents!



Wow. It's hard to believe that Michael is one year old today! Honestly, when I analyze it, it seems like the first 6 months went by slowly... but the last 6 months have zoomed right by. I look at Michael and don't see a "baby" any more. I know EVERYONE says it, but time flies too fast! I think every day of my life, "Cherish each and every moment with them".

This month has been somewhat difficult because I have had to go back to work and work longer hours. I miss my boys. I want to see every milestone. I want to see their funny personalities. I want to be their everything. But I also know, in my heart, that it isn't possible. I try to have gratitude for everything lately. This week, I had the experience of meeting a 5 year old boy, who is in a wheelchair, and can't walk. He is paralyzed from the chest down and although he is cognitively "normal", he has so many physical needs, that it brought tears to my eyes for the appreciation that I have for having such happy, healthy, active boys. I love them so much.
We had a birthday party for Michael last weekend with all the close family members. We had delicious sandwiches, snacks, and yummy cupcakes! It was awesome.

Endings and Beginnings....

My 2 little monkeys in the bath!


Michael "feeding" himself...I wonder how much gets in his TUMMY!!

The end is near....

The end of my month long vacation that is.... I am kind of tired of people saying to me, "Didn't this month fly by? Are you ready for work? Are you "happy" to be going back? Did you have a fun time being off? Must be nice..."

Yeah, I'm pretty sick of sarcastic comments. Oh well. Such is life. By the way, NO, this month didn't fly by. No, I am not ready for work, I'm not REALLY ready to go back, and YES, I had fun!" This month was relaxing, productive, fun, reflective, loving, memory-making, a little bit scary (not in a life threatening way), and one I won't forget. Is anyone ready to go back to work after a month of vacation? I think not... but that's okay. I will take life as it comes. I know this is the next step.

I have made some good, healthy life decisions and have integrated activity into my life. I have been doing yoga, pilates, dance classes, and basically, getting my ass MOVING!! It feels awesome and I love it! Part of me is scared as to how it will all play out when I am doing the full-time mom and work thing, but I know that I can and will make it work. No stress. I am committed to enjoying every moment. I guess I just feel REVIVED. Which is a good thing... I was feeling a little burnt out before. I guess I just have to have faith that everything happens for a reason.

I found a few quotes tonight that really struck a chord with me. I thought I would share.

No drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we're looking for the source of our troubles, we shouldn't test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed and love of power.
P. J. O'Rourke

But suppose God is black? What if we go to Heaven and we, all our lives, have treated the Negro as an inferior, and God is there, and we look up and He is not white? What then is our response?
Robert Kennedy

Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.
Mother Teresa

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.
Mother Teresa

Love doesn't make the word go 'round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.
Franklin P. Jones

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
Lao Tzu

Hope all is well in your world. All is well in mine. Much love.
xoxo