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:

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!!

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!

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.

Enjoy the Ride

We all know I love making to-do lists.  For anything and everything.  I love having my tasks organized, checking off the boxes, and knowing what’s left to be done.  Sometimes, however, I get so focused on accomplishing my to-do’s I forget to stop and enjoy the ride.

         Especially as a full-time working mama.

This morning, I went for my typical 7:30am Saturday morning run.  I had my head down, focused on completing my miles, music blaring in my iPod.  About halfway through, I turned down a path that leads into a wooded area.  For one reason or another, I happened to look up, and it was beautiful.  The trees were so full of bright green leaves, the sun was peeking out from behind a cloud, making these little jagged rays of light.  Sounds simple, but it took my breath away.  (Or maybe it was the running that took my breath away?)  Anyway, here I was, so focused on accomplishing my run… and I realized I NEVER look up to enjoy what’s going on around me.

At that moment, a guy ran past me in jorts.  Had I still had my head down, I would’ve missed it!

Anyway, about a mile later, my iPod died on me.

        

Now listen – I CANNOT run without music.  It’s like my fuel, especially when it comes to rounding out the last couple miles.  But I didn’t have a choice.  And all of a sudden, I was not only running with my head up, enjoying all of the things to see, I was listening to all kinds of sounds other than Britney Spears (don’t hate)… like the birds announcing the start of a new day, a child giggling in a stroller, and a woodpecker working on a tree.  Again, simple – but enough to give me pause.

I have to admit that Cameron has forced me to live in the moment MUCH more than I used to.  When I’m with her, I’m 100% focused on each moment we have together, especially now that I spend so much time away from her at work.  I love lying next to her on the floor, watching her play and discover new things.  She seems to figure something else out each day – it’s incredible!

But the minute I’m not with her, I’m usually all about tackling my to-do’s… putting my head down and moving down my list to check off the next box.

Tomorrow, I turn twenty-nine.  My last twenties birthday!  And I think it’s time for me to start being a little less to-do oriented, and a little more focused on enjoying the ride.  So here’s to a new year, and an improved me… A me who runs with her head up, and maybe even sometimes with her music turned off.

And by the way… who the heck runs in jorts?!

Just so you get your weekly dose of CK...J

Numbers

Four.  The number of generations that spent this past weekend together.  G Gram, Bammy, me, and Cameron Kate.  So cool!

Nine.  The number of minutes it took me to get Cameron into her diaper last week.  She is all.over.the.place.

Six.  The combined number of cupcakes and donuts I ate this weekend.  Oops.

Three.  The size diapers Cameron is now wearing.  She's growing too fast!

Twenty.  The approximate number of minutes I watch tv per day.  My how things have changed!

Seventy-fifth.  The percentile Cameron was in for her weight (17lbs 10 oz) and height (26.75") at her six-month checkup.

Six-and-a-half.  The longest distance I've run since she was born.  I'm getting back into my rhythm!

Seventeen.  The number of times Cameron dropped her sippy cup in the span of two minutes last night.  Her new favorite game.

Three.  The number of inches I got cut off of my hair last week when I FINALLY found time for a haircut.  Too bad I'm going bald, though.  Oh the joys of the postpartum hair shed.  I'm even losing eyelashes!

Forty-three.  I never told anyone... but the number of pounds I gained while pregnant.  Once I got over the nausea, I had fun!

Fifty-four.  The number of pounds I've lost since Cameron was born.  Thank you breastfeeding, running shoes, and Jillian Michaels!

Twenty-nine.  How old I'll be on my birthday this weekend.  Last twenties birthday - ahhh!

Fifteen.  The number of minutes I have to spend in a dunking booth this Friday at my school's Spring Fling.  Lord help me.

Forty.  The number of days I have left of work before I get six straight weeks with my girl... and we can spend our days doing this. 

Come on, summer break!

Happy Half-Birthday to my Girl!

Cameron Kate,

Happy Half-Birthday!  I cannot wrap my brain around the fact that you have been alive for half of a year.  How in the world are you already six months old?!  I just want you to know, bug, that these have been the happiest, most fulfilling, most incredible six months of our entire lives.

You get bigger and more fun by the minute.  I swear you wake up each day with a little more hair (thank goodness!) and a lot more personality.  We’re starting to see quite a silly side to you, which we adore.  And you’re definitely learning how to manipulate ol’ Mom and Dad.  Fortunately for you, we’re wrapped around those little fingers!

As I said, your hair is sloooowly growing, though we’re not quite ready for hairbows.  I’ve still got a good supply of headbands, though, so we’ll stick to those as long as necessary. J

You’ve got the sweetest, chunkiest legs and arms.  Your dad calls you Popeye!  You have a long torso, just like Daddy.  I mean, could you really look anymore like him?!  It’s fine with me, though, because I happen to think he’s pretty cute. J

You LOVE your “big sister” Bailey.  And she loves you, too!  You are mesmerized by her, watching her and squealing when you get to rub her and squeeze her ears.  You love when she covers you in drooly dog kisses, too!

You are sitting up all by yourself now!  Such a big girl!  It’s so cool to be able to plop you on the floor on your butt, and you’re content to just look around and play with all of your toys.  You’re also army crawling all over the place.  We can’t really leave you by yourself in a room anymore!  And before we know it, you’ll be crawling full speed ahead.  Then our lives will really change!

I love taking you grocery shopping with me, especially now that you can sit in the front of the cart.  As a matter of fact, you are perfectly content being out and about, even if it’s all day long.  You’re so easy going when we run errands, enjoying the new sights and stimulations.

When you’re sitting up, and we clap and cheer for you, you get so excited.  It’s adorable. J

Your giggles are ridiculously cute, melting my heart every time.

You’re doing great with eating baby food – You’re eating cereal/oatmeal and fruit for breakfast and a vegetable and fruit for dinner.  You especially love sweet potatoes.  We often have to work a little harder to get you to eat anything green.

You prefer sleeping on your stomach, with your butt straight up in the air.

You seem to really enjoy going on walks/runs in the jogging stroller with me.  Which is one of my favorite things to do with you. J

You put anything and everything in your mouth.  All.day.long.

You love to bang things with your left hand.  It makes us wonder if you’ll be left-handed?

You’re starting to not really care for your paci… Sometimes you want it, sometimes you wave it around and throw it across the room.

You are OBSESSED with watching us drink out of glasses and bottles.  We’ll probably be introducing you to a sippy cup soon!

You finally gave us some baby babbles with “ayayayayayaya.”  In fact, during prayers one night your dad even thanked God for the “yaya’s”!  But wanna know what put the biggest smile on his face?  When the yaya’s changed to “dadadadada.” J

We still sing “You Are My Sunshine” before every nap.

You still love your Glow Seahorse.  You also like to have Sophie everywhere we go.

If possible, you’d spend your entire day outdoors.  You love being outside!

Cameron, you are pure joy.  You are sunshine, a spring rain, and a perfect fall breeze.  You are the best part of my day.  You make me want to be better, do better, with every breath I take.

Happy Half-Birthday to a little girl who makes me feel a fullness in my heart I never knew existed.

I love you to the moon and back and more than anything in this world.

Cheese!

Happy Half-Birthday!

Ok Mom, they get it... I'm six months old.