Grace in Small Things, My Mom Edition

1. Her macaroni and cheese. Which I hated as a child but she promised would one day be the meal I request when I come home from college. Indeed, it was!

2. The few times I've been really sick, when my mom put aside anything and everything of her own, to arrive on our doorstep (or the hospital) in less than 3 hours (including a 2 hour drive!).

3. The intense love Lucas has for his grammy.

4. Abel's knowledge of how much my mom's opinion influences me. He's secretly (or not-so-secretly) lobbied her at times when he wanted to change my mind.

5. The comfort of unconditional love and support.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Grace in Small Things, 10

1. Home.

2. That new car smell.

3. My son, probably the only kid in the US to exclaim, "Ewwww yuck! Candy!" when he opened his 2 eggs which contained candy rather than a few coins or a stupid little toy.

4. Cascarones!!

5. Singing Alleluia. It's such a small thing, but I do miss it during Lent!

Grace in Small Things, 9

1. Cherry Blossoms!

2. Lucas and I walking home from a birthday party while he held tightly to my hand with one hand and even more tightly to a red balloon with the other hand.

3. Going to the park twice in one day.

4. Planting some pretty flowers.

5. Spring!!!

Grace in Small Things, 8

1. Getting to "sleep in" almost every day this week because my mother-in-law got up with Lucas.

2. Watching Lucas splash with unadulterated joy in the pools of water in the courtyard of the National Portrait Gallery. (The water is just barely skimming the surface of the ground, maybe 1/16" deep. Yet, Lucas managed to get soaked. Oh well!)

3. Cherry Blossoms!

4. Seeing Hope in person. When we decided to visit the National Portrait Gallery, I hadn't realized that the Shepard Fairey portrait is on exhibit there. I was quite surprised by it as I rounded the corner. It is stunning and worth a visit. (But be sure to splash a bit in the courtyard while you're there!)

5. Bowling a strike! (My overall score, however, was pretty bad. Now, I would have beaten Barack Obama but there's no way I could beat the athletes in the Special Olympics.)

Grace in Small Things, 7

1. Blooming crocuses

2. Great conversation, food and wine at book club.

3. Our babysitter telling us what a delight Lucas is.

4. Lucas waving or saying hello to every kid we see when we're out and about.

5. Lunch with a former boss, a wonderful friend.

Grace in Small Things, 6: Lucas edition

1. "We're still friends, right Mama?" after he gets in trouble.

2. A tight, tight hug.

3. "You can't get me!" while running away then "You can't get me!" while standing still because he really desperately wants me to get him!

4. "Mama, you're my best lady."

5. Just one more. . . song. . . book. . . TV show. . . game. . . PLEEEEEEEEEASE!!!

Grace in Small Things, 5

1. My mom. Who is amazing. My brother and sister and I are so blessed to have her as our mom.

2. Several inches of snow and a lovely snow day.

3. Sunshine and warmer temps to melt the snow after just a few days.

4. Tulips!

5. Spring. The weatherman says the days are getting longer by more than 2 minutes every day.

Grace in Small Things, Week 4

My brother-in-law is arriving home from a 7 month deployment to Iraq (his second) today. TODAY! I am so over the moon happy for my sister that he is arriving home safe and sound. So, today's Grace in Small Things is really full of big things and it is in their honor.

1. The men and women who are serving our country.

2. Their brave, brave families who keep life running at home while they are away.

3. My little sister who is stronger than I could have ever imagined her to be.

4. Her two big dogs who have been faithful protectors, companions and shoulders to cry on during this deployment and last.

5. The possibility that the Marines might possibly see fit to move Sarah and Mike back East.

Grace in Small Things, 3

1. Leaving for a 3-day trip without worrying for one second about how Abel will do solo-parenting Lucas. He's really an incredible dad.

2. The smoothest trip I've ever taken--from an entire row to myself on the flight there to catching the shuttle the moment I stepped out of the airport on the way home, it was all incredibly smooth and easy.

3. Comfortable conversation with old friends. Does life get any better?

4. My son turning into a 6 year old while I was gone. Seriously. I think he grew up a year for each day that I was away.

5. Boston Clam Chowder.

Grace in Small Things, Week 2

1. Several days of warm weather in February.

2. Watching Lucas befriend a very shy boy at the park, introduce himself and share his truck and shovel. Feeling my heart grow to 10x its size.

3. A good stick. I've had my blood drawn about a million times in the past 9 months and Thursday's stick hurt very badly. So, I'm extra-appreciative of the other nurse who does such an amazing job you barely feel it.*

4. Putting a big fat stack of Valentines in the mail on Tuesday. (A very happy Valentine's Day to you, my dear readers!)

5. Spa night!



*Since I mentioned the blood draw, I certainly have to include the update that my platelet count is level with the past few months: just below the normal range. This might just be my new normal. Also, green light on the baby making! But my hematologist wants to be my first phone call when I get a positive result. (I assume I'll be telling Abel in person.) Mom, I promise you'll be #2. :) Don't expect anything too soon, though, because March will just have to be a practice month. Trying to avoid another Christmas baby thankyouverymuch.

Grace in Small Things, Week 1

I've been really enjoying Susan at Friday Playdate's Grace in Small Things posts, an idea she got from Schmutzie. (Follow that?) The challenge is to write down 5 things each day that have graced your life. I really like this idea because I believe it is so easy to not notice the many, many small graces that we encounter each day. So, I'm jumping in. Except, I'm a month late. And, I don't think I an commit to posting each day so I'll commit to posting a list each week.

Here's my first list.

1. A warm day in February. It was 50 degrees on Sunday, the first day of February and I was outside for a good chunk of the day to enjoy it.

2. Abel getting home from work early on Tuesday. (I wonder if 6pm would be considered early, on time or late in other parts of the country!)

3. Wednesday's light dusting of snow and Lucas stomping around in his boots thoroughly enjoying it while I brushed off the car before dropping him off at daycare and heading to work.

4. No bake cookies. Whipping up a batch of my ultimate comfort food. (Actually half a batch because I was almost out of sugar and knew I'd eat 90% of them myself!)

5. Sisters. My wonderful sister and being able to offer just a small bit of comfort to my friend Katie on the anniversary of her sister's death.