Spring Breaking in Ft. Lauderdale

I know...doesn't the title bring up memories of college road trips with too many people in too-small toyota corollas? Well, spring breaking in your 30's is a very different situation indeed. Last month we were able to take an awesome family vacation to Florida under the guise of Christopher competing in the Miami triathlon with his best friend Nat. What that actually meant is that we got to hang out with the Wade family (my pal Libbey and their kids Madeleine and Skyler) at the home of Libbey's parents. It was a wonderful, relaxing break from reality. We celebrated Madeleine's 3rd birthday in high-style with pizza and awesome vegan cupcakes (who knew such a thing existed, but Libbey really pulled it off...they were yummy) and had a fun Easter egg hunt for the kids. We enjoyed lots of pool time and were able to visit with Christopher's family for a couple of evenings. Maybe this triathloning isn't that bad after all!

Full Circle Moment

It's just beautiful here today and I happened upon a bit of motivation, so I packed up a lunch and my two girls (Casey and Mils) and headed out for a long walk. We ended up on a blanket on the east lawn of the Capitol. As I taught Millie to eat her very first sandwich and we talked about snacks and doggies and daddy (the usual topics), I realized how very full my life is. We were sitting just across from the very door that I used to go in and out of every day when I worked for Senator Dole all those years ago (ok...it was 14 years ago, but that fact in itself nearly makes me cry). I remember hoping and wondering if I would ever be married...have kids...find real contentment. Those years were tons of fun and I keep the memories and friends from that time of my life very close to me. But this happiness is different. It's full and deep and calm. Millie is beautiful and hilarious and the best part is sharing all of this with Christopher. So I guess this is just a public note of gratitude on this perfect afternoon.

PS: This afternoon could be just a bit more perfect if I could find my camera, which has been missing for almost a week. That helps explain the delay in posting any new pics of Millie and the lack of a photo in this post. I'll tear the house apart again...it's got to be here somewhere...and put up some pictures of our just-turned-18 month old soon!

Black Bean Goatee

Yummy black beans for dinner last night. Looking at these pictures, I can't believe how grown-up she is...not a baby anymore, really. Still the cutest thing in the world, though.