Monday, May 28, 2012

3 Things

True story.

I was a waitress for a number of years throughout high school and college.  I learned a lot of things - how to balance three plates across my arm at one time, how they make the tea SO sweet, how to use the lemon slicer, and how to roll up the silverware.  However, the most profound lesson I learned came from a scraggly old man who asked for a table for one.

I remember the day so clearly.

It was a slow lunch, and the hostess had taken a break.  So when he walked in the door, I took it upon myself to welcome him.

He was the kind of man who intimidates you at first.

He towered over me - and I'm a pretty tall drink of water!  He had holes in his clothes, an unshaven face, and dirt under his fingernails.  His voice was low, creepy.  But, he was nice enough.  "Table for one?"  He asked.

That was about all he said, other than placing his order.

He ate quietly and asked for the bill.  When he handed me his completed check, he said the following:

"I've left you a tip.  But I've got another tip for you... In life, you only need three things to make you happy:  someone to love, something to do, and something to look forward to."

Then he got up, and walked out.

Weird, I thought.  But for the rest of the day, his advice ran on repeat in my head.

And about 11 years later, I've always remembered his words.

It's true, if you think about it.  What more can we ask for in life, other than someone to love, something to do, and something to look foward to?  Life gets crazy, and overwhelming, and out-of-control - but at the end of the day, if we focus on these three things, we can feel full. 

And happy. 

And complete.


My loves:

And I definitely have plenty "to do's":

And I have SO MUCH to look forward to:

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Lately...


-- Work has been kicking my butt.

-- I’ve been keeping my running shoes in business… Go me!  (Summer, ahem, bathing suits are just around the corner – I’ve yet to dig them out and try them on since birthing a 10-pounder.)…

-- Cameron has been cracking us up.  She has this silly personality, where you’ll be across the room, and you’ll hear her laughing, and you look at her and she’s looking at you and giggling at you.  It’s hilarious!

-- I’ve been desperately racking my brain for a way to make money from home, so I can be with my girl.  Any ideas are appreciated.

-- I’m still all about some Skinnygirl Margaritas.

-- Hearing about other people’s pregnancies/newborns is giving me baby fever.  Uh oh.

-- I THINK I’ve finally stopped balding.  Or, at least, the post-partum-hair-fallout has begun to taper.  Thank you Lord.

-- We’ve been spending tons of time together as a family of three, and it’s so fun!  From going to the zoo, to setting up a play place for Cameron on the back deck, to going on runs/walks, to spending 10 minutes pulled over on the side of the rode in a church parking lot, attempting to clean up CK’s carseat blowout, laughing hysterically.

-- All I can think about is summer break!!  Hello beach, Braves’ games, pool time, and Christmas in July with my family.

-- We’ve been excited about and a little depressed over the tooth that has recently surfaced from Cameron’s bottom gums.  She needs to stop growing!

-- I’ve been all about Mexican food.  (Maybe because it goes so well with margaritas?)

-- I’ve been trying to build up the courage to go on another solo road trip, down to Columbia.  The last one was a disaster, CK cried nonstop for an hour and a half (and thus, so did I).

-- I’ve been obsessed with Darius Rucker’s song, “It Won’t Be Like This for Long.”  T played it for me shortly after our girl was born.  Cameron has had a few sleepless nights (thanks to a yucky virus), and I just sing this song in my head, relishing the feeling of having her asleep on my shoulder.  Sleep shmeep.

-- I also can’t get the lyrics to “Brown-Eyed Girl” out of my head, every time I look at this sweet face…

Lucky for me, in 21 days I get to be with my brown-eyed girl all day long!!

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Happy Mother's Day, Mom

To my mama,

Being your daughter has been incredible.

I'm not sure you'll ever really know what you look like through my eyes, but I'll try, TRY to put it into words.

You're beautiful.  Oh so beautiful.  The kind of beauty that doesn't realize just how much it glows.  The kind of beauty that lights up a room, and leaves a lingering air of grace.

You're ridiculously strong.  No matter what life has thrown at you - and let's be honest, there have been some crappy times - you've never missed a beat.  Or, if you have, your kids never knew it.

You're selfless... the kind of person who really and truly puts everyone before herself.

You don't sweat the small stuff - and you're often reminding me that it's not worth it to do so.  You realize what life is all about, and you make a point to stay positive and have fun with each of your days here on this earth.

You see, Mama, you're the kind of woman I want to be when I grow up.

You've given me a life full of so much joy, and there are so many memories I have of you, of us.

The way we'd swim for hours on end at Murraywood, sometimes while you were on the tennis courts, sometimes while you cheered for us while we jumped off of the high dive.  I remember you'd always pack our lunches, even wrapping up green olives in tin foil, letting us get one frozen candy bar or Charleston Chew.

The way you lean your head to the side and play with your hair while driving.

The way you do the fingertip-steering-wheel-dance, also while driving!

The way you used to leave chore lists for us on the kitchen table during the summer.  We'd alway rush to see who had to dust, vaccuum, and do the dishwasher.

The way I'd get so excited when we went on a road trip, because it was one of the only times we got to eat fast food.

The way you always have to fall asleep on the couch before you go to bed.

The way we always had Custom Pizza on Friday nights.

The way you always made homemade popcorn and put a sweet treat in the bottom.

The way you spent countless hours (and dollars!) on dance classes, costumes, conventions, and competitions.

The way you'd set out the cereal and bowls for breakfast on school-day mornings.

The way you'd French braid my hair, and even do it over when I said it was too bumpy.

The way we snuck ziplock bags to share popcorn and dollar store candy into the movie theater.

The way you never eat the popcorn until the movie starts.

The way you smell the inside of a new book.

The way you trusted me and allowed me to be honest with you - giving me boundaries, but also not trying to smother me as I navigated the world of high school.

The way you let me get a job at 16 and drive a beat up, 1983 Honda Civic so I could learn the value of money and responsibility.

The way you supported my move to NC to be with the man I love.

The way you rode in the limo with me on the way to Trunk Bay to marry that man - holding my hand and never letting go.

The way you hopped into a car at 3:00am the minute you heard I was in labor.  The way I felt when you walked into my hospital room.  The look on your face when I told you my daughter was named after you.

The way you came to stay with me, T, and Cameron Kate for a week, helping us navigate the waters of new parenthood.  The way we cried when it was time for you to go.  The way you told me, "You can do this."

It's because of you that I finally believe I can do this - be a mother, to a daughter.  Like you said, now I finally know the love you have for me.  I can only hope that my daughter will love me and look up to me as much as I do you.

I'm so proud to be your daughter.

Happy Mother's Day, Mama.

To the moon...

A flashback!
A long, long time ago
:)
Wedding Shower
Watching your girl marry the man of her dreams
One of the best days of my life!
Fun times!
Baby shower!
It was time!
Our girl, Cameron Kate
Named after you!
Love
Your week with the Peeles
3 Generations
Cameron's Dedication
:)
The best Mom and Bammy in the world!

Monday, May 7, 2012

Usually, I Hate Mondays

But not today.


Because today,


while the work piles up on my desk...


while the laundry stays unfolded...


while the dishes sit in the sink...


I'll be doing this.


My sweet girl has her first fever, and I fully intend on soaking up every single snuggle I can.  The rest of the day can wait.