The weatherman had called for an afternoon dusting, but this was a bona fide snowstorm. Deciding against sitting, she shivered and stamped her feet to keep warm while she waited for Charlotte, cursing her best friend and her impromptu and urgent call to go to lunch.

“I have to tell you something …” Charlotte had stage whispered to her.

Just as she was reaching into her bag to find her phone, a young man walked a little too close to her. His head bent against the elements and his thoughts obviously somewhere else, he plowed right into her and sent her tumbling into the snow.

“SHIT!” he shouted when he realized that Kate was sprawled on the sidewalk. “Oh God, Ma’am I am so sorry…”

“Oh it’s fine…” Kate panted as she accepted his hand as he lifted her to her feet.

“I didn’t see you…”

“..I know. I should have moved when I saw you coming…”

“..and I have so much on my mind today…”

Kate looked up into his face and gasped, because his short blonde hair, crooked smile and  gleaming green eyes reminded her of someone she had been trying to forget  ever since she had opened an email weeks ago  shocked to see words from someone she had been convinced had completely forgotten her.

“…like I just got accepted to Penn State, but I really want to go to the University of Delaware..”

“What?” she stammered, squinting at him through the snowflakes, taking in the features that were so familiar.

“umm…” he started squinting  back at her . “Hey, you ok lady?”

Kate’s fingers went to her wedding band, reminding herself that she was married, maybe not happily right now, but married. She shook her head and smiled at the young version of an old love.

“Sorry, you just remind me of someone.”

“Oh.” He answered. “Hope it’s someone you like.”

Kate  touched his arm. “It is. Good luck getting into U Del.”

The boy nodded and loped off into the snowstorm.

Kate turned around to see Charlotte making her way in her own heels to her, “hey!” She shouted to Kate, “ready to get a drink?”

Kate bit her lip ,“I think I  might have some things to tell you too…”

they took us back to our roots with a Prompt that was used by THE RED DRESS CLUB.

It was Fun, Fun, Fun (I really liked this prompt)

My numbers 3,6,9,2 (a park, a high school graduate, a snowstorm, secrets)

Looks like Kate’s story is going to be just as interesting.

Happy Thursday!

Hope you’re having  a great week, I know that I am, because my post on Monday was greeted with such open arms.

And today, I get to introduce you to another amazing mom, a fantastic writer and a really wonderful person.

Nancy.M.Campbell (formerly of Away We Go)

My true confession: I get girly bloggy crushes on other writers. Those who push and excite me, who motivate and engage me.

Nancy is definately one of mine because her writing is just exquisite.

It transports me, it pushes me to do better and try harder, it sticks with me after I have closed my browser.

I met Nancy thr0ugh The Red Dress Club that became Write on Edge and Nancy (because she’s awesome) has recently become one of their assistant editors.

I can’t begin to tell you what her advice, support and critique has meant to my writing.

I just really like her, you know?

If you haven’t had the pleasure of reading any of Nancy’s pieces (like this one ) , you should spend an afternoon getting to know her. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

So after all the words she has always shared with me, these might be my favorite, her story of a day on the ice with her incredible son.

Here’s a Tissue (you’ll need it )  and here’s Nancy sharing my corner with her beautiful words:

Thin Ice

Our skates scratch our journey on the ice.  Thus far, it’s been a voyage of inches, not feet.

It’s my five year old’s first time on ice skates.  He clutches the railing, biting his lower lip. His eyes follow his feet as they inch forward.

“Remember to lean forward, Buddy,” I say. “Bend your knees.”

He lets go. His arms flail, as he leans backwards to regain his balance.

He falls. Again. Skaters whisp and dodge between us. I hold my breath.

He closes his eyes, and growls. “MOM! I fell down again, and it’s all your FAULT.”

The jut of his chin, the hunch of his shoulders–it’s me. Determined. Lashing out in frustration. Headstrong.

And totally rude. “Look,” I say, “It’s okay to be frustrated. You’re doing something hard. It’s not okay to be upset at me about it.”

“But you–” he starts, using his anger as a solid place to stand. Everything is so slippery and elusive.

“Stop,” I say. “I’ll be in front of you.” And without another word, I slip away.

I cut through the ice, swishing back and forth.  I’ve ruined this one, I think. Perhaps I won’t screw up his brother.

I peek behind me, and watch him, his legs moving, his knees bent. He falls, then shakes his head, and stands back up.

I smile. I’m not proud of his anger. But as I watch him use it as fuel, I’m warm on that cold, blue ice.

I slide behind him, “How’s it going, Kiddo?”

He reaches for my hand, “I’m a big skater, Mom.” We glide together, cutting through the crowds. Finding balance

Once again, I hold my breath. I wait. One glide. Another.

And then, there it is, “And Mom?”

“Yes, sir?”

“I’m sorry.” He squeezes my hand three times.

I squeeze it back. I (squeeze) Love (squeeze) You (squeeze).

Our code.

He looks at me, his chocolate eyes questioning. “Go ahead,” I say.

And just like that, my baby skates away. On his own.

(I am so honored to have the opportunity to share this story with Kir and her lovely readers. She may possibly be the kindest person on the Internet.)

***************************************************************

I don’t know if I am the kindest person anywhere, but to have you say that to me, makes my heart very happy my friend.

I am so honored, humbled and HAPPY to have you here today.

Isn’t she wonderful and amazing? (yep, she really is!!!)

You can subscribe to her Blog: Nancy.M.Campbell

read her archives on Away We Go

or find her on Twitter

Nancy, you wonderful soul, thank you for brightening my corner today!

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, I find myself in a bit of a pickle.

The truth is that I’ve never been a one man kind of girl.

My deep, tender and sensitive heart has always been a sucker for falling for different types of men at the same time, making the old adage “the heart wants what the heart wants” seem like it was written for me.

I slowed down a bit when I met the Hubs and for a while I thought” maybe I’m cured” but then something wonderful happened that changed my life.

I met two men, two boys as different as night and day even though they shared the same birthday.

For instance:
One wears Boxers, and one wears briefs.

One is enamored with trucks and cars of every kind, the other is content to make ordinary objects into a violin, a drum or  a guitar as he hums his favorite tunes.

One likes for you to read the book to him, the other holds the book aloft like a teacher and tells you the story instead.

One’s perfect meal is Red Mac & Cheese (Pasta and Meatballs), the other wants the Blue & Lellow (Yellow) Mac & Cheese

One hops on one foot to the music and swings his arms above his head while he shakes his booty , the other, a man of rhythm, knows just how to hold himself and do his full body shake in time to the tunes.

One recognizes letters and numbers with little difficulty , the other is an artist by nature and every picture he draws is proof that that is where his talents lie.

One is fearless, climbing, running and testing fate, the other is scared and hesitant, weighing each action before deciding against doing it.

One is solid the other light as a feather.
One is cute, the other handsome.

One’s choice of libation is juice of any kind, the other prefers milk.

One is shy upon meeting new people, the other is eager to introduce himself to everyone.

One has a devilish smile, the other an irresistable dimple.

Can you believe the luck of having them come into my life when they did?

But since that day they’ve changed my life , divided my attentions and stolen my heart.

I simply can’t get either of them out of my mind and so while they fight for my affection, I gladly give in to both of them as often as I can. I drown in the kisses and hugs, I delight in the inside jokes and the “I love yous” that they shower on me.

I am no longer a one man woman …but I really wouldn’t have it any other way.

Linking with My friend Shell, to pour my heart out about Love.

I took this pic with my EVO SHIFT, so I’m also linking up to #IPPP with Liz and KLZ 

 I also saw that the prompt at Studio30Plus is “BAD HABITS” …

this seemed perfect for that…;)

**ALL your beautiful words coming back to me via Balloons**

My birthday, my day to celebrate the meaning of my life. To rejoice in all the beauty that is me.

Earlier this year, I sent out an email. I asked many people to help me CELEBRATE this year, to make my day special by telling me something special about their birthdays….

to share a favorite tradition, a memorable gift or the kind of Cake that makes them lick their fork during their own festivities.

The response was overwhelming, the emails to me were so bright and beautiful that my heart burst wide open with love for every single one of you that shared a piece of yourself with me.(wait until you see what you have all DONE for and with me !!!!)

This community that we have built, you and I,

is one of the best presents I have ever received.

It is good, right and hopeful. It is uplifting, supportive and surprising.

My hope was that on this birthday, I could share a few thoughts and stories, what it has turned into is an outpouring of love for ME and for yourselves. Thank you for taking the time to reflect, type and send, thank you for the genuine excitement and friendship you poured on me.

Thank you for being a part of my world & my day. 

You are ALL the Very Sweet Icing on the delicious cupcake of my life

making me feel like I am indeed ENOUGH!

(and for that I am one of the luckiest gals in the world.)

OMG! High Heeled Cupcakes! *SQUEEEEE*  

and now I get to share those beautiful thoughts and notes you sent along to me:

Angela from Tiaras and Trucks:

Almost as though I haven’t aged in twenty years, my mom buys me a birthday cake each year, and it’s always a yellow cake with white buttercream frosting from our favorite bakery.  Year after year, we do a family birthday dinner at a Mexican restaurant my parents discovered before they even considered having kids.  No matter what gifts I receive, those little traditions are what make me feel the most loved and most special on my birthday, and I truly hope to make little things like that mean a lot for our babies as they grow older.  (But, though I would never trade that cake, my absolute favorite cupcake is red velvet with cream cheese frosting…mmmmmm….)

May you have a birthday that celebrates you in the manner you deserve-filled with love, laughter, and the light you bring to those of us who love you each and every day.
 
Happy Birthday Kir!

Kimberly of Mamas Monologues:

I don’t dwell on the number of my birthday. I don’t give myself time to agonize over an aging process that has slowly started to creep in. I don’t allow myself to linger over the ‘what-ifs’ and ‘I-could-have-dones’. I don’t compare what I’ve done or not done to Little Miss Braggy Pants at the park. Instead, I look around. I see my family around me, a home that we’ve built together. I see their smiles and laughter and look back on the memories we’ve created. I look ahead to our future, building our stories together. I don’t dwell or agonize or beat myself up. I look around at all I have and am thankful. This is where I want to be. And instead, I live in the moment. A timeless, ageless moment.

  Natalie from: Life on The Mama Track:

I love birthdays. They are our chance to celebrate the past and the present and the future. To revel in our accomplishments and possibilities, while wrapped in the love of our family and friends. Happy birthday, Kir. May your day be magical.

Shell from Things I Can’t Say:

Sending lots of love to my dear friend, Kir. Remember that birthdays are for a celebration of you and an excuse to go with what mama wants for a change! That means the strawberry cake with the strawberry filling and the strawberry frosting if that is what you love the most, even if everyone else in your family likes chocolate(yes, there was lots of pink going on at my last birthday).

Rachana: Life Ever Since

“A Happy Birthday Memory”
One of the traditions growing up was that my parents wished us a Happy Birthday the very first thing in the morning.  Even after I moved away, they’d call early in the morning, sometimes before I was even out of bed!  But I loved it.  It was their way of starting out our day with love and good wishes.  I now do the same with them.

Nicole from By Word of Mouth Musings:

My fav birthday memory would be the one where my then boyfriend, arranged a stretch limo  for a dozen friends to tour the DC Christmas lights.  

Later sipping champagne next to the grand piano at the Hay Adams Hotel,  he suddenly went on bended knee, ring box in hand and asked me to marry him!

Our next stop was dinner at this amazing little place on the water where the hostess raced over calling out ‘You said yes, you said yes!’

Of course I said yes!

Happy birthday to the lovely Kir, who draws us into her memories post after post, with her beautiful words!

(plus she made me the lovely buttons you see at the end of this post…THANK YOU…they are FAVORITES already!!! xoxoxo)

Elena from : CiaoMom and Just.Be.Enough:

I see myself as someone that has two birthdays. August 13th is the day that I was born, the day where I get telephone calls from my friends across the pond in Italy, that without fail, call to wish me “tanti auguri.” But June 12th is my other birthday. The birthday that makes me almost half my age. The birthday that reminds me that I was given a second chance at life. The birthday from my bone marrow transplant. There are no calls that day, no fan fare. But in my head, that is my day to celebrate, to remember, and to be thankful. I guess I am a lucky girl.

Amy from Eat, Live, Laugh  and Sometimes Shop:

A Happy Birthday Memory: 

 I celebrated my 40th last year and it was by far my favorite birthday celebration of all time.  I was pampered and loved beyond my wildest dreams.  I spent the morning with my darling duo {as well as a dinner celebration the night before}, the day with a handful of precious friends {including my sister}, and a magical evening with those friends and all our husbands.  The celebration itself was beyond compare, but what made it so memorable was spending it with the most amazing friends and family a girl could have!  

Natalie from Mommy of a Monster & Twins:

Memorable Birthdays 

of course I’d love to share…thank you for thinking of me my friend!

My birthday isn’t as big of a deal as it used to me to me, but there is one thing about it that I still love. Every year on my birthday, my husband takes me to a nice restaurant and let’s me pick any bottle of wine I want off the menu – price not an issue. As a wine lover, this is an indulgence I look forward to every year, and I love sharing it with him!

I wish you the most memorable of birthday with those you love!!!  

Tonya from: Letters for Lucas

My birthday is MY day and my opportunity to move forward into a new year of self discovery and wonder. It’s a chance to make a difference or change for the better, go a little easier on myself and those around me and reflect on how far I’ve come. My birthday and all birthdays, I feel are days to celebrate; and all that you encompass, the good and the bad and embrace growing another year wiser.  

I love celebrating my birthday with my husband, my sister, my friends and now Lucas too. I hate being one of those week long people, but that’s usually what it turns into. Oh, and there are always cupcakes!  

Wishing you the very best day, Kirsten! May all your birthday wishes come true. Thank you for inviting me to your fab party. xoxo 

One of my favorite birthday quotes:  “The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” – Oprah Winfrey

 Cameron from Carmeron d. Garriepy 

What a great idea, and happy early birthday! 

I love my birthday, too! 

I’ve had far too many wonderful birthdays to pick just one, but here are a handful of recollections, a scrapbook page of birthday happiness. At 5 or 6, having Kermit the Frog party hats with accordion folded arms and legs that dangled off, at 13 being taken out to a very fancy, grown-up restaurant, with a new dress and my kid brother at home with a sitter. At 16, my oldest friend throwing me a surprise party that included my friends from my new high school school and my friends from growing up, at 20 celebrating with my college friends, dancing on a table, at 25 hosting a formal party in my apartment, at 26 going to the swankiest place in Boston with the man I was going to marry. At 30, staying home with my 5 month old son.

Laverne from: KINDRED ADVENTURES:

“What should I make you?” she would ask.

“Anything you want.  Just tell me and I’ll make it!” she says before I can answer.

Looking at her I could only smile, “Your homemade Lasagna. And plenty so there are left overs for me to heat up later. It’s even better a couple of days after you have made it.”

It has been years since my mother passed away.  I miss her homemade Lasagna and how she made our birthdays really special.

“What do you want for your birthday dinner?” I ask her.

“Anything you want. Just tell me and I’ll make it!” I says before she can answer. “What’s your favorite?”

She looks up at me and smiles and her mind searches for just the right meal, the meal that is special enough.  Her birthday is coming and she knows this is her time.  Her time to pick her birthday dinner.

I did not realize how much I wanted traditions until I had my own children.  I did not realize truly special and important this tradition has become until I heard, “Mommy your birthday is coming up!  What do you want for your birthday dinner?”

Each year I am assured that my most favorite and cherished birthday traditions will continue on for years to come and will always be as meaningful to my children as it is to me and it was to my mother.

Alexandra (The Empress) from: Good Day, Regular People :

This is what I love about celebrating birthdays: I LOVE to let the birthday person know how happy I am that they were born. It’s extremely important for me to let them know I am so glad they are here with me, being part of my life.I always write a letter to those important in my life on their birthday,telling them what they mean to me. From my youngest son, to my 89 year old aunt in Arkansas.

I get tears in my eyes when I think about the people I’m so fortunate to have share my time on earth with. I look at my children, my husband, my closest friends, and I think how lucky I am that I have people that love me.What a blessed life I have that I have people in my life that I would die for. I am so very, very lucky.

Julie from: By Any Other Name

I remember sitting on my bed a few days after my son Jack’s “birth” day; my knees were propped up and my newborn faced me, sound asleep. I looked at his bubbling lips and heavy lashes, the black hair fluffed in a halo above his head and thought, “This. This is how much my mother loved me.” 

Now, I always call my mom and thank her each October 5th. Yes, it’s my birthday; but after all, she did the hard work.

So today I wish the very happiest of birthdays to Kirsten, and also much joy to her mama: the woman whose life changed forever 42 years ago today. 

Love doesn’t get better than this.

Abby from :Abby Has Issues:

I’ll keep it simple and say I don’t like celebrating my birthday, only because I don’t think it’s a big deal and prefer celebrating OTHER people. In fact I love that! But the only reason I actually enjoy my own day is because of my mom–she still makes it special every year. No matter how old we are, she will still decorate her house for us, and by “us” I mean me or any of the pets. There are some balloons, fun banners, crepe paper sometimes, etc. and she always, always makes you feel special. I do the same for her, and I have to believe I always will!

So in summary, we decorate no matter what–even for our pets–and family/friends are what make birthdays so great. And ice cream cake.

Happy Birthday, my friend!!

Kelly from Naked Girl in A Dress:

“Celebrating my 40th birthday four months after my ex and I separated was a surprisingly wonderful experience. Girlfriends rallied to make it a special day, including a surprise birthday party. It reminded me in a difficult time how much I am loved by so many amazing friends.” 

Kris from: What’s Cooking?

First off, happy birthday! I LOVE birthdays. It’s nice to be queen for a day!

We have a birthday tradition in our family called the BIRTHDAY PARADE. It started when I was a kid. The birthday girl (or boy) sits on the couch while the rest of the family gathers out of site. Each person is given something to hold, ie a gift or a card, then everyone marches in singing happy birthday. You hand your gift to the birthday girl and kiss her on the cheek.

It’s a great way to start the day! Everyone loves it. Even my husband!!
We used to die laughing when we were younger when we had to kiss our sibling on the cheek. It was a bit of torture!!! I still remember flinching when my brother kissed me!!!!
Hope you have an amazing day.
 Robin from Farewell Stranger

I complain about my birthday because it’s on Dec. 21 and that’s a little too close to Christmas. But in some ways I actually love that – there’s family around, and it feels festive. We usually do a birthday-specific thing but either way it’s a happy time of year to have a birthday. (And Happy Birthday, Kir! xo)

Christine of Quasi Agitato

The thing I’ve been loving about my birthdays lately is the feeling that my age is an accurate reflection of where I am in my life. The feeling that I’m on the right track. Overall. I get really immersed in the nitty gritty of the day to day challenges and the feelings of not measuring up or wanting something to change and not being able to bring about that change quickly enough. But birthdays offer me the opportunity to step back and look at the overall picture. And I feel fortunate that I always like what I see.  

I love sweets but on birthdays, after a long delicious meal at a great restaurant, I love to split a cheese plate with my love accompanied by a glass of port.  Yum.xoxoxo

Melissa from Stirrup Queens

 My favourite birthday memory doesn’t involve my birthday.  It actually is for my cousin.  I helped plan a big surprise party for her 21st.  One of my jobs was to bring her to the party site at the right time.  My heart pounding as we walked towards the door, and when we opened the door and everyone yelled, “surprise!,” I burst into tears.  Even though I knew they were going to shout “surprise.”  I was just so caught up in the excitement of the moment.  I don’t know who was more startled — me or my cousin.  It was such a good night too: one that launched 1000 jokes that we all still tell each other about that night.

 JJ from Reproductive Jeans

I love being reminded what a GIFT life is on my birthday – I am thankful for the family I have and for the friends who make my life so rich.   xoxo

Nancy from Nancy M. Campbell

When we were born, we had nothing. And yet, to our parents we were everything. We were born enough; we spend the rest of our lives forgetting that. 

Carrie from Views From Nature:

I did it! I found the elusive photo album with a picture that has stuck in my memory all my life!

Why did it stick with me? Because it was the only birthday I ever had with my absolute favorite toy as the topper. I LOVED My Little Pony. I still have some of my childhood ponies, including the one in the picture.

This picture is from my 7th birthday and it’s a great representation of most of my childhood birthdays. I have an August birthday so it meant having a party in my backyard and usually involved swimming in our pool. When I think of my birthday I think sunshine and being outside.

Oh, and don’t be fooled by the expression in the picture. I’m pretty sure I was embarrassed about missing my two front teeth…that and i HATED coconut on my cakes. That stuff they would put around the edges? Yuck!!

Shari from Earth Mother just Means I’m Dusty

“Like Kirsten, I am a big fan of birthdays in general, and my birthday in particular. My 20′s were better than my teens, my 30′s were better than my 20′s and my 40′s have been MUCH better (caps imply that I’ve come a long way, baby) than all the rest. I learned from my mother to keep learning and growing and changing as the years go by, and every year I am even more filled with hope and gratitude. Happy Birthday, sweet Kirsten, and I hope you get some red velvet cake (or your put-your-face-in-and-munch equivalent) to celebrate!”

Dear Sweaty from: Do Sweat the Small Stuff

What I love about my birthday:
•    Waking up to so many text messages and emails wishing me a happy birthday, and receiving phone calls throughout the day from family and friends, letting me know that they care.  I came from a family who are not expressive when showing their love, but on my birthdays, there are always plenty of hugs around from my loved ones!  I really feel special on my birthday… it’s magical!
•    Even though each birthday means a year older, I can’t help feeling child-like on my birthdays.  There is an indescribable excitement that I can’t contain—a mix between a trip down memory lane and all the love bubbling inside me, I guess J
•    And of course, the presents!  Or more specifically, unwrapping the presents! 

A happy birthday memory:
•    Birthdays that were spent with my closest friends.  Two years ago a friend of mine and I celebrated a joint party for our birthdays and invited all our close buddies.  All girls!  We enjoyed a long dinner and then we went clubbing.  It was such a rare thing nowadays for all of us, each married with kids, to be able to meet given our hectic schedules and family obligations.  So that time was really special.  We danced the whole night, laughing and just having so much fun from each other’s company.

My favorite way to celebrate:
•    To spend one whole day with the people that I love most.

Lori from:  Write Mind, Open Heart

Many Decembers ago I was living in Syria and teaching second grade. Each of my students was SO excited that on Miss Lori’s birthday. They gave me handmade cards with hearts on them, sang to me, and my co-teacher brought in homemade chocolate cupcakes. My parents and sisters called me, which was quite a treat as this was pre-Skype and the Internet was inaccessible. There happened to be a holiday party planned for all the expatriates that night and we enjoyed a singalong of Christmas and folk songs. My husband gave me an Egyptian cartouche, and I called it the Best Day Ever, just filled with simple happiness.

 Serenity from Serenity Now

I love that my birthday falls near Thanksgiving. It means I get to spend it with my family, giving thanks for the life I have.
My favorite birthday memory? Getting my first ten speed bike on my 10th birthday. I loved that bike – it was white and purple with a purple seat.
My favorite birthday cake was peppermint chocolate with cool whip frosting. I STILL love that to this day, but I never make it. Not the same as my mom’s.

Galit from These Little Waves

I love to puzzle piece my birthday together with pieces of my heart.  

Alone time, friend time, kid time, and Jason time all bundled together and wrapped in a bow. With chocolate. Obviously. Happy birthday, dear friend! I hope this year is absolutely overflowing with cupcakes! xo

Bruna from: Bees with Honey:

Every year, on my birthday, we celebrate with a special dinner and dessert. Being the birthday girl, I get to pick the menu. It’s only a family affair but I love how my family spoils me with small gifts, love and attention.

Kelly From: Mom Got Blog:

“What do you like about your birthday?” 

 I like that my birthday falls on a really fun holiday- Halloween! Not only do I get to eat chocolate on my day, but I get to GIVE chocolate on my day! Best day ever; except for Feb. 6th of course!  

Happy Early Birthday wishes to you my sweet friend!!! xoxo

 Katie from: Sluiter Nation

Yay for a birthday!

 I LOVE my birthday!

I love everything about my birthday.  The attention, the presents, the well-wishes.  My favorite thing is that even though I am in my 30′s, my mom still treats my birthday the same as she always did:  making my fave meal (homemade chicken salad and blueberry muffins for Sunday brunch) and cake (chocolate with cream cheese frosting OR a homemade ice cream cake…usually both!)

Leighann from Mutiltasking Mumma:

Birthdays seem to blend together after you hit 30.. not that I`ve hit 30.
Ahem.
But when one roles around and I sit with my family; their out of tune happy birthday filling up my heart, I`m all kinds of happy that we celebrate these blessings in disguise.
Oh… and it`s a great excuse to eat ice cream cake.

Happy Birthday Kir! You`re a beautiful soul and I love you. xo

Stephanie from The Scoop on Poop and My Write Side

 What I love about my birthday? It’s MY day and I get to lord it over everyone. I get to make my kids clean my house (or at least try) and  I get a rare date night with my husband to go to any restaurant of my choosing (usually Italian). 

I don’t really have a favorite cake, but I have developed a fondness for tiramisu. Since we generally go Italian for my birthday dinner, I usually end the evening with a piece of tiramisu.

When I was a kid, my grandma always made an angel cake for me because it was my favorite kind of cake. It had light delicate whipped cream frosting and strips of chocolate pieces and sweetened strawberries crowning the top. Yummy Yummy Yummy!!!

Suni from  The Suniverse:

My favorite way to celebrate my birthday is to open presents.  I like presents that have wrapping papers, because there is something delightful about tearing that heavy, glossy paper apart and finding something even shinier and more awesome underneath.  Happy birthday, sweet girl.  You are the glossy paper AND the shiny object underneath.

Elaine from The Miss-Elaine-ous Life:  

My birthday was on Easter a couple of times when I was a little girl! (The date is March 26) I remember a photograph from when I turned 3.  We were down on my Grandparents’ farm and there is this awesome photo of me standing in their garden with my bunny-shaped cake (almost as big as me!) next to me that my mom made.  I love that photo and I love that my birthday is in Spring, my favorite season!

Jessica from My Time as Mom:

A happy birthday memory I have is spending the special day with my husband in Kauai soaking up the sunshine, relaxing, and eating a vanilla cupcake with lilikoi (passion fruit) frosting. 

Liz from A Belle, A Bean and a Chicago Dog:

For me, I grew up with the tradition that the birthday person gets to decide where we go to dinner that evening. It’s something that I now do with my girls, too.

KLZ from :Taming Insanity:

I love that on my birthday, I get to pick whatever restaurant I want. No negotiations, no comprises, whatever food I want. Beautiful.

Happy birthday Kir. Love you.

Kristin from What She Said:

I’m fairly indifferent about my birthday. I don’t love it, I don’t hate it. It’s always been “just another day.” But each year, my mom makes it a point to commemorate the day with a special message that, while perhaps unremarkable to the casual observer, catches my attention in a unique way. Even on my 24th birthday, when I wasn’t speaking to her because of some silly tiff we’d had over my deadbeat boyfriend at the time, she still made it a point to secretly slip into my tiny apartment and drop off my gifts so that they’d be waiting for me when I arrived home from work. She was simply unwilling to let my birthday pass unacknowledged, regardless of the circumstances. And I never really understood the fuss – until I had a child of my own.  

I remember every detail of the day my daughter was born with crystal clear clarity. And it never fails to bring back that same surge of awe and excitement and fear and joy and love that I felt throughout the entire ordeal. I’ve never felt more alive myself than on the day my daughter was born. So, I guess I understand the fuss now. Birthdays equal life. And for that alone, they should be celebrated in some small way. 

Dresden from Creating Motherhood:

I love red velvet cake for my birthday. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. But because my birthday is on a holiday the cake usually ends up being neglected after the first few slices have been consumed. This past birthday I heard about red velvet donuts and I decided that instead of getting a big old cake I would just get some nummy donuts for my birthday breakfast. It was the best idea ever. (and of course for my 1/2 birthday this year I will celebrate by getting a 1/2 dozen!)

 Jessica from The SpitUp Chronicles

I love my birthday. In fact, I celebrate all week, we call it Birthday Week and have different things to do every night. I think the thing I like most about my birthday is being surrounded by family and friends. We are all so spread out now, especially my friends from college, that my birthday is the one time I know we will all be back together again. Happy Birthday to you, my beautiful sweet friend!

Marina from : Miss Marina Star:

“Birthday Cake” 

I’m such a teeny-bopper at heart, I count teen dramas and Pop music among my guiltiest pleasures, so it should be no surprise that my favorite birthday treat is just as juvenile. I’m a fool for ice cream cake. But, not just ANY ice cream cake. Specifically, Marble Slab’s cake batter ice cream, vanilla cake w/gummi bears mixed in.

With only one candle please, we can’t all be as self confident about our age as Kir is!

So do you want to hear mine?

Should I share too?

My favorite birthday memory is my 16th!

My parents took  me to a place called Coco’s. It was a wonderful restaurant with a huge salad bar, long before they became a part of every restraurant. They had wonderful, huge carousel horses above the salad bar and I was the tickled pink by all of it. Actually I was wearing a pink shirt with a grey/pink argyle vest. ( I was very hip…obviously!) and when we drove home we were greeted by all my friends who my mom had invited over for a surprise party. It was so special and even though my mom still talks about finding M&Ms way into July because of our mini food fight, she still smiles about that party and so do I.

My favorite CAKE…

Vanilla on Vanilla with  buttercream icing please ( not homemade!!!)

Moist, spongy wonderful cupcakes are even better.
(and I have been known to love raspberry in the middle on occasion!)

My favorite thing about MY Birthday:
every year my family, MOM, Sister, Brother, Best Friend..call me first thing in the morning.
I wait for those phone calls..I let them sing and I dance and sing along with them.
*Happy Birthday to you…*

the day just doesn’t START until I’ve heard the voices of my family singing to me.

I am happiest when there are people I love around me and CAKE (or cupcakes) in front of me

Then I make my mom tell me the story of the day I was born. Every year she tells me that story about how she was jitterbugging in my grandma’s kitchen and her water broke, how she was so hungry and her labor was going nowhere so she convinced my daddy to get her a Reece’s cup which she promptly threw up. I will hear her voice soften as she talks about hearing that I was a girl and how thrilled she and my daddy were about my arrival.  I will ask her for that story every Feb 6th until she can’t remember it and then I’ll retell her the story to remind her that she gave me life.

It is her day too.
HAPPY “BIRTH-DAY” Mom!

For each one of you that took time to Write something for me,

to share a thought or quote, a memory or give me some love…. 

THANK YOU…just doesn’t seem like enough…… but THANK YOU for helping me BE ENOUGH today. xoxo

From Beautiful NICOLE..thank you xoxoxo

and I’m linking up to YEAH WRITE, because we should SHARE this Celebration of all of YOU!

Like any person that you lose, he is missed even more so now that his grandsons are here.

He never lived to see our 1st anniversary, or our struggle through infertility. He wasn’t here when I announced my pregnancy and while I am sure he had a hand in it, he was not here to see Giovanni and Jacob born and grow into 4 year olds.

It’s hard to tell Little People about about the Big People you’ve lost. I talk about John’s dad (their Nonno) and my dad (Their Grandpa) often but it doesn’t make the explanations of where they are and why they are not here any easier.

Tuesday night we were talking about Nonna and how his birthday was the next day.

Jacob spoke up…

Jacob: Daddy I think I would like to meet Nonn0

John: I”m sure he’s love that buddy…. (Getting teary)

Jacob: yes, I could bring my toys and my books and show them to Nonno

John: he could play with your toys with you…

Jacob: Yeah and we could sing, I could sing songs to him, it would be so beautiful (Jacob says “oh that’s beautiful* quite a bit lately)

*Both of us tearing up* Me: Jacob your Nonn0 would LOVE that…

Jacob: Sure! Nonno would love me, he really would…and I would love him.

and John and I, through tears, just smiled at our expressive and emotional little guy.

I will always wish that both men had stayed in our lives here on Earth long enough to hug their grandsons, but I also know that just because we don’t see them anymore doesn’t mean they are not with us.

Happy Birthday in Heaven.

This is the song that reminds us of John’s Dad, My FIL Francesco :
Train:
When I Look to The Sky

(We’ll play it a lot for Gio and Jacob so it reminds them too!)

Katie was panting as she rounded the corner and almost fell into the living room strewn with dusty boxes. Dropping the one she was holding , she bent at the waist and took a deep breath before complaining, “Char, I can’t do it anymore! I need a break….”

Charlotte took a swig from her water bottle; her runner’s body much more accustomed to this kind of exercise, and chuckled, “Ok! Ok! That was the last trip until after lunch I promise…”

“….there are 25 effing steps Char! 25!”

“…yes, I know! You counted them 5 times….”  Charlotte laughed.

“..I’m too old for this.” Katie said looking around the big open space and the lovely wall of windows that her best friend had put a security deposit on, reminding her that she had left Todd and she smiled.

“It’s really a great place, Char..”

Charlotte nodded, “Once I get it fixed up and hang the curtains, I know it will feel like home before I know it…” He voice faded as she started to unpack a box and Katie walked back to  see her putting framed pictures aside as she worked her way through its contents, she picked one up of Charlotte in a white dress and a dreamy smile on her face. It had been a really long time since she’d seen Charlotte truly happy, but this move was her first step back to that smile.

In the comfortable silence, Katie playfully tapped Charlottes arm, “you know what we need?” she asked with a twinkle.

“Ummm…”

“Tunes!”  Katie announced, “Our songs! Where is your iPod?”

Charlotte kept sorting, but answered, “Over there…” directing Kate to the kitchen and soon a familiar song, an oldie but goodie, was drifting through the airy apartment.

Charlotte squealed and her hands started mirroring her friends’.

Why do you build me up…

Fists on top of one another until their hands cupped to create an imaginary flower

Buttercup baby

They made their arms a rocking swing and swayed their hips.

A simple string of motions they had replicated for years in dance clubs, dorm rooms and  at their weddings; a gentle tie that bound them in friendship, they giggled and kept dancing.

So build me up, build me up…buttercup

Drawing imaginary X’s over their hearts, they pleaded at the top of their lungs.

Don’t break my heart!!!!

The last refrain still humming around them, Katie winked at her friend proving nothing had changed about them.

Charlotte laughed through teary eyes, “Alright goofball, let’s get back to work…”

 We’ve asked you to show us in 400 words or less how your character reacts to a piece of music.

Did music advance a story line or flesh out a character–or both?

This is my continuation of Gathering Buttercups, the story I will be telling through the WOE prompts this year.

 HAPPY THURSDAY!

Oh do I have a treat for you today!

I adore the MOMMY in the Corner today:
Jamie from CHOSEN CHAOS

There are so many things that I want to say about her, but I know it just won’t do her justice.

She is all kinds of awesome: she is kind and pretty, a deep thinking phenomenal woman & so funny and honest.

Best of all she calls me her friend. Honestly, I feel like the lucky one because of that.

She is a mom of 4! Yes, 4! (and she’s adorable to boot!)

She had 2 wonderful boys (super heroes!) and then found out that she was also going to be the mom of twin (One more thing we have in common) Girls!

*so sometimes we feel each other’s pain*

Her writing will touch you, make you laugh, make you think and best of all she is great at bringing her community together. She started the great series If I Could Turn Back Time and she also talks about the things we do as moms in a way that is engaging and interesting.

She is SUNSHINE, she really really is!!!

 I’m so glad that she is here today to share such a proud moment with us.

Take it away my wonderful friend:

**********************************

When Kir reached out to me about sharing a Proud Mommy Moment I knew right away what I would write about.  After I decided I did my usual and I over-analyzed the decision…. Would it be a good example, would it really capture the moment, is there a better one, think, think, think.

Little things happen every day but you already know that.  This was a big one for my husband and I.  We’ve told it numerous times and here I go again, one more time!

Each summer our family travels to the beach.  For a few summers in a row it was to the best little town, Longport, New Jersey.  If you know anything about the Jersey shore you know that this is a quick bike North of Ocean City.  And then you probably also know that Ocean City has the best Boardwalk along the entire coast.  There is something for everyone!

This particular summer was PG (pre-girls) so we were soaking up our boys throwing them on rides, stuffing them with ice-cream cones and jimmies, and buying them sweatshirts a size too big.  Biggest baby boy was almost four and middle-man was a fresh two.  As is still the case, we often forgot the age difference.  Middle-man did and saw a lot of things for his age that we never would have allowed with the first.  Nature of the game I suppose.

There was one ride in particular, a kiddie roller coaster.  It was an oval shape with two hills on opposite sides.  It held approximately four cars, and each car held approximately two small bodies.  Biggest baby boy hopped in and middle-man cautiously followed.  We assured him it would be just fine.  He put on his if he can do this I can do this face and they were locked and loaded.

Almost immediately my gut wasn’t very happy. I thought oh no, what have I done?  He’s not ready for this.  This is going to traumatize him.  Stupid stupid stupid.   And almost just as immediately my gut proved itself right.

The cars went around once and middle-mans face was struck with fear.  Eyes darting every which way trying to find us.  Probably wondering why in the h-e-double-hockey-sticks we told him this would be fun.  The second time around I saw his face begin to give in to the fears.  His forehead wrinkled.  His bottom lip protruding out with just a slight quiver.  His knuckles firmly grasped to the safety bar.

Without any prompting from us biggest baby boy realized what was happening and quickly put his arm around his brother.  He began saying it’s ok middle-man.  He pointed to objects in the distance to distract him.  Look at the slide, you want to do that next?  Look there’s Mom and Dad, see it’s ok.  He warned him of the upcoming ‘hill’ and told him when it was almost over.  He was still giggling himself, enjoying the rush of the ‘hill’ and eventually middle-man gave into him.  Allowed his big brother to protect him.  Make him feel safe.

My husband and I just looked at each other, both with tears in our eyes.

When the ride was over I took middle-man and told him how brave he was (nodding his head), asked him if he liked it (less nodding his head), and if he wanted to do another one (nodding of the head stopped.)  No more rides for him for now.  My husband and I gushed over biggest baby boy.  We told the story to other people in front of him so he could once again feel the pride we felt that day.

These days there seem to be more moments of fighting, wrestling, and bickering – boys being boys and even more so brothers being brothers.  I hold that moment safe in my heart, always there to remind me that they are boys to be proud of each and every day.

Well first, I love Ocean City NJ (Best boardwalk evah!) too!

and this just made me tear up so much, what a PROUD & Amazing moment to share.

Now it’s your turn to introduce yourself to the AWESOMENESS that is Jamie:

“LIKE” her facebook page

Tweet with her!

Follow her boards on Pinterest

and of course FOLLOW HER BLOG: CHOSEN CHAOS

Jamie, it was such an honor to have you here today,

thank you for being a wonderful friend and such a  bright light in my life.

Tell me about your friendships and I will tell you about your life.

Give me a glimpse of the people who offer your heart a safe place to rest and I will know your secrets are being kept and your spirit is being uplifted.

Weave me the tales of your escapades and shenanigans together so I can be sure she is a worthy and trusted ally that lives alongside, instead of through, you.

Paint me a picture of the cards sent, the emails opened, the voicemails saved; all of them immersed in normal, day-to-day, banal stuff, yet still manage to color and add sparkle to your relationship.

Allow me entrance to the dark times, the disagreements, the times you stood your ground; backs to one another, silent and seething with righteousness so that  I can look at you now and see your commitment to one another, the ability to forgive written on your souls.

Lay my ear close to the midnight conversations and shared laughter that makes sense to nobody but the two of you and I will smile and nod my head in understanding, pulled into your camaraderie.

Pull out the photos or draw me the pictures of your cheeks touching, your mouths split in smiles with arms wrapped around one another, so that I can feel the abounding joy of souls meeting and blending, the safe haven of your attachment.

Sit with me, disclose those moments of despair where she pulled you from the depths, held your hands and allowed the tears to cascade slowly down you face, gently wiping them away, without saying a word.

Come, tell me the story of the other love of your life, a woman who knows and accepts you, enriches every facet of your world simply with her presence.

Because in all those moments;

Big and small

Laughter and tear soaked

Earnest and completely frivolous

 I will discover the person you are; certain in my knowledge that you are loved.

In response to Angela’s prompt about Exploring Friendships

I wrote this in the Fall of 2011 in response to a guest post, but when I saw that the prompt this week was about Friendships I thought of it, read it and decided that it was right for this. Lisa and Noelle are my best friends. They have seen me through every happy and sad, normal and extraordinary  thing that has happened in my life for the last 18 years of my life and I am so glad that I have them in my life and my heart. While this is a broad “memoir”, these are my thoughts and memories of them, in so many ways.

 I truly hope that you have  friends in your life like My Lisa and Noelle.

If you do, you are lucky indeed.

 and because my girlfriends are BLOGWORTHY,

I am linking this love letter to them to YEAH WRITE #42 today.

I’ll be your tour guide of “Wit’s End” today, so hang up your jackets and turn off your cell phones. Nope, we aren’t allowing you any access to the outside world because we want you to feel just as crazy and helpless as we are lately.

No, I’m not kidding.
Turn it off.

Good.

Now…..follow me.

First stop, the Whining Room.

Constant, non-stop, completely frivolous Whining about everything from an empty sippy cup to the fact that a small drop of yogurt found its way to a shirt, and “WE MUST TAKE IT OFF RIGHT NOW BECAUSE IT’S DIRTY!!!!”

You never win in this room, you just give in, you cave like a bundt cake in the oven.

Second Stop: The Fight Club.

I wait for it as sure as rain on a humid day. If things get too quiet in this room, RUN to it and don’t stop until you’ve made sure that everyone is still alive. Because if the two little angels you call your sons are not FIGHTING about something it’s obvious that a miracle has occured. Which makes falling to your knees in gratitude all the more appropriate.

Third Stop: No sleep for the Wicked, or anyone else for that matter.

So how about one son sleeps in the big expensive bed with the big expensive mattress on it with his daddy and the other one, no matter how many times you ask, plead, bribe, cajole or threaten still seems to ends up next to you in the bed that should be for Mommy & Daddy? Oh and he has a nuk in his mouth no matter what too, even though you swore that he would give it up at 4? 

Not enough? Let’s add that most nights you will be sound asleep before they even consider some shut eye.

Fourth Stop: I’m Scared. Of Everthing.

A hallway, a bathroom, going up the stairs or down the stairs. There will be moments of confusion, like the time that your children cry when you leave them at Grandma’s. “You have never cried, ever, when we’ve left you with a babysitter in 4 years . What are these tears?” or “Why, my potty trained child, can’t you go to the bathroom by yourself anymore? You need me to watch you pee? Really?”

“I know that steps and hallways and basements and rooms I’m not in are scary, but you were never like this until recently and I’m ill equipped to understand what the he** is going on with you lately.”

Final Stop…WIT’S END, because I am always there anymore.

Confused, befuddled and frustrated with the little boys who have become  clingy, shy and completely frightened of every single thing in their world seemingly overnight.

Just when I was sure that Parenting couldn’t get any harder, they proved me wrong again. Just when I was convinced that I had figured some things out and that I had come up with a place where I was enough as far as being a decent mommy was concered, I find myself right back at square one with this gig.

I flounder more often than not. I tread water while just trying to keep my head above it.

I sweat, curse, pray, talk to myself, fight with your daddy about discipline and consequences and hope that tomorrow is better.

and yet, sometimes, the sun shines through the clouds and you come to me, put your little arms up and say “Mommy you’re the best Mommy I’ve ever seen” and I  can almost see a way out of Wit’s End  *way* down the road.

Reminding me that even when I am sure that I am not being Enough, to you I am and that is Enough for now.

Every MONDAY join us…
Write, Post, Link-Up, share your story and your voice.
Be part of carrying the weight of confidence, empowerment and share our mission to empower, inspire,
and remind women, parents and children
that the time has come to celebrate ourselves!

What gives you that “be enough” feeling? 

I am visiting a dear friend today, I’ve been ”Scooped Up” and I couldn’t be happier.

My dear, amazing, talented friend Stephanie over at The Scoop on Poop is featuring ME (OMG) as

THE BEST SCOOP OF THE WEEK

To say I am happy and humbled doesn’t even begin to cover it.

From her wonderful posts, to her honest looks at life right on to her amazing talent for weaving such beautiful stories with her words I just love being her friend.

She was recently here to share a Proud Mommy Moment and now I get to spend the day with her.

Listen, I know you have always wanted to know the answer to the burning question:

“If I were  a crayon what color would I be and why?”

that is going to be answered today my friends.

I’d love for you to come over and say Hello. (you know I would)

and if you’re here by way of Stephanie’s awesome SCOOP…

Welcome!!!

..kick off your shoes (but if I like them they’re mine now and stay a while.

This “Corner” loves new friends.

 but for now…Follow me…….