Friday, April 19, 2013

My Latest Obsessions



GMC enjoying our "Pool" (um, POND) in our backyard
April 2013
Happy Friday! Wow, what a long week. I think everyone can relate to the feelings of it being a very bizarre, emotionally draining and almost eerie week. And on top of all the news stories surrounding us we have had very rainy and flood like conditions in the western burbs of Chicago. I admit that many times I am in my own world - meaning that I'm fairly far removed from the harsh realities that face some people on an everyday basis. While one can relate to the greater world to an extent it isn't until things hit closer to home that I believe that "news" feels more raw and real.

I've been thinking a lot about the late Anne Smedinghoff, the young State Department officer who was killed this month in Afghanistan. Her story hit quite close to home as she grew up a few streets over from us and her parents still live here. It has been interesting to explain the story to our girls (and GMC to an extent) who know of Anne's mom from church and our community. They also know that both Anne and PFC went to the same high school (yet obviously never overlapped). They clearly see too how the community of River Forest has put up white ribbons in front yard trees in honor of Anne Smedinghoff's life. The outpouring of love and support has not only been visibly apparent but I personally can feel it when talking with friends, family and neighbors in town. Not only do these ribbons show support for the Smedinghoff Family but they have given all of us a reason to come together as a community (and a nation and beyond). I've hugged my kids tighter and longer this past week and have tried to be more in the moment w/ them. This weekend we will sift through some of our gently used books and put together a pile to donate in honor of Anne (and all the work she was doing in Afghanistan). And then there is also all the craziness w/ the Boston Marathon and all that happened in TX.

On a lighter note, we are so happy to have my Mom (JuJu) here w/ us these past few days for a little visit. Once again my sister and I find ourselves fighting over who gets "time" w/ her during her visit. We all want our "JuJu" time. Speaking of family time I'm heading out to NYC next week for a long weekend in NYC and Brooklyn. I cannot wait to spend some quality time w/ my youngest sister and a dear friend from college. WAHOO!

And this past Wednesday PFC and I reflected back on our last 5 years together. This Wednesday marked the 5 year anniversary of our 1st date. Little did either of us know that our date on 4/17/08 would lead to where we are today. And yes, I definitely went from cabs to a mini van. And I can now wholeheartedly say that I do LOVE our mini van. I so dig the sliding doors. I really do. Did I really just say that? Yes, I did!

Onwards. XO - D2

Some of my latest faves: 

Friday, April 5, 2013

My Latest Obsessions


The 3 Kiddos on Easter Day - March 2013

Happy Friday! WHOA, we are already a few days in to April. How is it April already?! However, I'm SUPER excited that the sun is out and about. It would be nice though if it was just a bit warmer. But I'm not going to complain as seeing the sun is good enough! Alas...

We stayed home last week for Spring Break this year and called it "Spring Break 2013 Stay-tastic-cation." The girls were TOTALLY rolling their eyes at me by the end of our week (as if!) - enough of the "tastic" Mom, OK?! I get it, but you gotta pump it up you know! I will say that it was definitely nice to have a week at home w/o the usual homework/activities/schedules that usually fill our days. And we were able to fit in some fun activities that we never get a chance to do otherwise when we are all going in different directions (especially when we are always trying to beat the clock - you know, those crucial 5 to 10 minute increments!). Some of our highlights included: Garfield Park Conservatory (so nice to feel as though we were in a rain forest, right?!), spa afternoon at our house for C + M w/ their fave 7th grade friend (who acted as their Spa Director!), Dolphin Show at the Brookfield Zoo (GMC was in AWE!), a ceramics class for C + M w/ some of their school buds (I was jealous!), a sleepover w/ one of their cousins, craft afternoon of yarn vases (this DIY activity totally had me at peeps), we saw the play Chicken Little w/ some of the cousins, an afternoon meet/greet of our latest niece/cousin that arrived on the scene early last week, a Kids Cooking Class (truly a manners class under the guise of a cooking class - sneaky and brilliant, right?!).

We then finished off last week w/ all things Easter related. My sister, her husband and son came over this past Saturday for our town's annual Easter Egg Hunt. And you MUST be on time. In the case you are a few minutes late = very disappointed kiddos! In under 5 minutes the hunt is OVER. The gals were hovering over their younger bro and little cousin Graham. They are quite the mother hens!

Spring = baseball. Tonight and this weekend kicks off practice for both of the gals. Tonight we are headed to dinner locally and then Saturday evening we have a friend's birthday celebration. And GOOD LUCK to all of our Chicago friends running the Shamrock Shuffle on Sunday. I have forever associate the start of spring in Chicago w/ the kick off of the Shamrock Shuffle. And how fun that this year The Freddie Jones Band will be there!    

Have a FAB weekend! XO - D2

Some of my latest faves:
On Matrimony
kelly oxford  @kellyoxford
Marriage: Waking up to the best news stories being emailed to you from your husband in the bathroom.
On Celebrity 
kelly oxford @kellyoxford
@channingtatum, what is ur address? I'd like 2 swing by cut all of the sleeves off ur shirts.