Absolutely Divine

My little boy Reese is currently 15 months old (hard to believe) and since the day he was born he has had a certain way about him. He has an amazingly happy disposition. I constantly get asked by others (even total strangers) if he is always so happy. In fact a couple weeks ago the manager at the gym stopped me as I was leaving (keep in mind - I've never spoken to him before - don't know his name) and said, "Can I ask you a question? . . . Is your little boy always this happy - does he ever cry?" I responded the way I always do - Yes he is and very rarely. We are very lucky and very much ill prepared when we have another child.

The thing that stands out most about Reese's personality is how, at 15 months, and really since just a couple months of age he is able to make others feel so good. I was reminded of this a few days ago while at a birthday party for a friend. My friends sister was watching Reese play, and suddenly he ran up to her arms open, HUGE smile on his face and gave her a big hug. He's only met her twice maybe, but this is very typical for him (he often runs up and hugs complete strangers - that's a whole other story). After the hug, she looked at me and said, "Boy he is good for the ego - he just makes you feel so special and loved!" and it's true he does. Of course I'm a little biased being his mother and all - but I do have others telling me the same thing over and over, so it MUST be true :)

The best thing about it, is it reminds me of someone else very dear to me. My cousin Deanna, passed away almost 6 years ago. She was older than my brothers and I, and even though we didn't see her very often - we felt very close to her. One of my favorite things about Dee was everytime we saw her she would break into a huge smile, open her arms and shout our names as if seeing us was the best thing that happened to her. It's amazing how good that makes a person feel. Of all the gifts he has and could acquire, I am so happy that he will brighten the lives of others with this particular gift.

As Reese greets people, including myself, I am reminded on a daily basis of my dear cousin Dee. What an amazing thing to see your favorite trait of someone who was so special to you and you've lost, show up in someone else so special. It's absolutely divine!

Outside the box

I have a playgroup that Reese and I get together with every other week. Well last week we visited one of the little boy's homes and they played in his playroom. I was immediately struck by how many toys this little boy (who is only 3 months older than Reese) had. I felt a little tinge of guilt as well. You know those thoughts that run through your head . . "Is my child bored, he doesn't have that many toys, maybe I should get some more, he doesn't have his own playroom either - does he need one." I quickly brushed that aside and reminded myself what a happy little boy Reese is - so he must be fine as far as toys go :)

When I got home later that day I was searching for a picture on the computer and came across these - which reminded me of how many "toys" he really has!!

Here he is playing with one of the bowls out of the kitchen cabinets! "Look mom, a hat!!"

And playing with the oven mitts. "Look at my HUGE hands :)"

And to think - I don't have pictures of all the measuring cups, tupperware and cookbooks he plays with. I think he's doing just fine - doesn't look bored to me. What a great reminder that things don't have to come in their typical package. Children so easily thinik outside the box because they have yet to learn the "rules" of the box. Too bad we adults have a little tougher time.

Why Pink Shamrock

Pink Shamrock??? What does that mean? Well, besides the fact that I think it sounds cool and different, it does actually have meaning to me. My husband and I were married on St. Patrick's Day 2007 and the colors we used were pink. Before you begin to take pity on my bridesmaids let me assure you that the dresses were a very classic black. Only the flowers were pink. St. Patrick's Day will always hold a very special place in my heart and my favorite color has long been pink.

Since I began the topic, I'm going to indulge myself in a little reminesing. My husband, Dan, proposed to me at a Bed and Breakfast in Hermann, MO. He had taken me there as a surprise not only for the proposal but also for a wine trail event they were hosting.

The weekend started off shaky. He was supposed to meet me at his mothers house after my last day of teaching for dinner. I was beginning to get more than a little upset when he was more than an hour late. Especially when his mother told me he was checking out a bike his brother had bought! When he finally arrived I gave him the evil eye (if looks could kill)! He told me not to worry we were going to go out and have a good time and he was sorry. I let it go.

Dan began driving, and I began to wonder where in the world we were going. Hermann is about an hour away from St. Louis. He also took a way I had never been before. Finally, we arrived and he pulled in front of a bed and breakfast. I looked at him with a confused expression???? Keep in mind I thought we were going to dinner for 1 night. He just smiled.

We checked in and went up to our room - Dan walked in first and as I followed I realized he had planned a very special weekend. The room was covered in rose petals and candles were lit. Then Dan dropped down on one knee and asked me to marry him.

The plan coming to fruition was Dan's favorite part - mine is the time and planning that went into it. That day he had packed for himself and me for the weekend, driven down to Hermann to set up the room and leave the camera for someone to document the occasion - and lastly he had stopped by my parents house to ask their permission.

It was a perfect weekend. I will remember it forever. I love you Dan and am so lucky to have you!