My Dearest Garth,

As I sit here, wrestling with our son to keep his drool-covered hands off the keyboard I can’t imagine being in a better place.  Even with the piles of laundry gracing our couch, the weeds and unwanted leaves adorning our yard, everything about our humble life is perfect.  Not in the true sense of the word perfect, but in the individualized, absolute match, I-wouldn’t-trade-it-for-the-world sense. 

You know I love you, but today, this special day, it’s worth saying again (and for all to hear read).  I adore you.  From the precise way you fold your napkin to your willingness to take on any task or challenge.  You’re the perfect man for me.  Whether it’s a gentle word or the strength of your embrace, you always know just what I need, often before I know that I need it.

Preparing for your surprise party this weekend, I realized just how much I need you; how well we complement one another.  We make an amazing team and I am awed by the fact that I am blessed to spend the rest of my days with you.  What did I do to deserve such a blessing? 

I hope that this year – this thirtieth year – that your wishes come true.  Mine already have.  I love you, babe!  Today and always!

~Yours

Well, I have to say that this past week has been completely crazy, but in an exciting way.  First, I’m proud to report that after only two weeks (I know, I know) I have ALL my students’ neighborhood map projects, the 8th grade descriptive paragraphs and 7th grade comic strips scored and returned to students.  I think all I have to do now is enter those final scores and update Edline!  Oh yeah and check their DGP Grammar pages from last week….does it ever end?  Seriously though, I was practically giddy on Friday night and Saturday morning!  We’re just about to start our first novels in class and I’m excited about using Blackboard to facilitate online book discussions…hopefully it goes well.

On the homefront, things are going well too!  Calder now has had the pleasure of switching from rice to oatmeal for his morning cereal and has been formally introduced to carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, peas and green beans.  He loves them all!  He’s also working on the early stages of crawling, which include “swaying” on all fours and occasionally face-planting when he pushes forward too eagerly.  It’s so cute to see his little diaper-bum sticking up in the air as he figures out these new-found tricks.  We’ve also upped the drool factor as of late, so we’re expecting to see a little chomper any day now!  Luckily he’s not been terribly fussy…yet!

In more exciting family news, we had a successful surprise party for my “old” hubby on Saturday.  After a few weeks of strategic planning, the event went off without a hitch…well, without any that really impacted the party anyway!  I’m sure I’ll be spending a few weeks hunting down clothes, shoes, and/or books that my little Miss Micah so beautifully stowed in our attic space as a last ditch attempt to “clean.”  Why is it that I constantly give away my little secrets?

There’s always something so rewarding about seeing hardwork and planning come together.  For those of you who helped make it possible – a HUGE thank you!  For those who couldn’t make it, you were certainly missed!  And for those of you who graced us with your presence…thank you for sharing in the festivities!  It’s times like these that I’m awed by the true blessing of family and friendship!  Below are a few photos from the day….there weren’t many due to a full memory card (oops!).  And I still haven’t figured out how to tweak my photos in just the right way so you can click them and see them in Flickr….but as always you can click the Flick link on the right and see any of the pics there too!

Pretty cool hostess gift I received from my Aunt Cheri.  I guess you can pick up personalized wine bottles from Vintner’s Cellar in Kalamazoo.  Pretty sweet!  Can’t wait to try it!

The “you got me” look after I made him close his eyes so I could lead him through to delicious aromas in the kitchen into the dining room for the big surprise!

“Proudly” presenting the pumpkin spice birthday cake I tried!  It turned out really well, except for the slight “sagging” on either end.  Definitely a recipe I would try again.  Oh, and the onion dip too – it went so well that we should have made two!  Bonus is that it’s really easy!!

A few fall frolicking pictures…..

Bryant

Hudson

Olivia

After a couple of hectic days with strange nap schedules, Calder was a bit cranky going to bed tonight.  Granted, it could have been then unseasonably H-O-T weather that played a part in that as well, but he was cranky nonetheless.  Following his umpteenth trip upstairs to replace the sacred pacifier, G and I had the following conversation.

G: He was turned 180 degrees from what I was expected

A: (preoccupied, but listening – laugh)

G: So I was trying to put the sausage between his toes.

A: (completely listening now) Sausage? 

G: (realizing what he said) I meant pacifier. 

A: Little too much (Iron Chef) for you?!

I find it interesting that my to-do list now contains topics about which I want to blog.  I have a whole slew of things to write about, but finding the time to sit and write has been a challenge to say the least.

I guess I just wanted you (my few, but faithful? readers) to know that I’m still here, I’m still thinking and hoping to post more regularly someday soon.  (Just so you know, I’m currently wrestling a rAther strong 6.5 month-old who thinks he should u5fe be the one typing!).

I do want to report, however, that Saturday evening, after his “episode” of nastiness, he proceeded to give me one of the most rewarding mommy moments yet as he snuggled up to me with his soft-fleecey pajamed frame and promptly fell fast asleep.  He was so peaceful, so sweet, and I loved that close moment.  I must have been really relaxed too because the next thing I knew, Garth was waking me up to go to bed!

I suppose it just goes to show that things change at break-neck speed when kids are involved!