It is Little Miss Ava’s first birthday!  What an exciting milestone, and what a year we’ve had.  She is, by miles and miles, the best decision we ever made. Throughout the last several days, I’ve found myself thinking about what I was doing exactly one year ago.  I did not know of the immense love and connection that we, as common ol’ people, were capable of feeling.  I did not know how primal the instincts I would experience would actually be.  I didn’t even know that we were going to have a daughter!

Ava’s Grandma Gail made this gorgeous birthday banner. Each year she will get another butterfly to add to it!

Continue reading →

“A family is a unit composed not only of children but of men, women, an occasional animal, and the common cold.” ~Ogden Nash

It all started on New Year’s Eve.  I saw her, I hugged her, I knew immediately that Ava was going to get what she had (and by the law of being a mom to a sick baby, I would be soon to follow).  She is my adorable, amazing, miraculous little niece, CJ.  She had just gotten tubes put in her ears that morning, so I asked her how she was feeling.  I got a full on thumbs down!  Then, I heard it, the Crud.

Bed is the best place to be when feeling unwell. Photo courtesy of George Eastman House by Nikolas Muray ca. 1935

Continue reading →

I’ve just finished hailing in the New Year with my extended family, and something was missing (well, one big something was missing–the love o’ my life, Evan, because we are in Minnesota and he is back in Alaska.  Aside from that, though…).  I did not hear even one mention of New Year’s resolutions.  Perhaps it was because we were celebrating Christmas, or maybe…just maybe…we all realize that New Year’s resolutions are generally hog wash!

A common New Year’s Resolution: Get Organized

Continue reading →