Oh Happy Day Paris Giveaway!

One of my favorite bloggers, Jordan Ferney, was able to move to Paris with her husband and two young sons this year. I've been pretty jealous! (Not to mention the fact that her sister, Gabby, of Design Mom, got to move to nearby Normandy with her family. France . . . for a year . . . with your sister nearby?!? Would it get any better?!? I think not!). Jordan's blog, Oh Happy Day, was one of the first blogs that I started following. And now, she is giving away a trip to Paris for one of her readers!! Oh, how I would love to win this. I have agreed with Gertrude Stein for a long time: "America is my country, but Paris is my hometown." I truly feel like I would not be me without the time that I spent there.

Those sweet words

Atticus has started talking. It is charming and adorable! Not everyone knows what he is saying, but Jon and I have a pretty good idea these days! I just absolutely adore his sweet little voice. So far, he says these things (I really just needed a place to write them down, and figured this was a good one since it was automatically dated):

Hi! (With a wave) (just started last week)
Bye! (also with a wave)
Thank you (sounds like Da-Doo, but always at the appropriate time!)
Ball
Bat
Cat (sometimes he gets the "Meow," but it is an every once in awhile thing)
Dog (with an appropriate bark)
Cow
Cookie
Cracker
Banana
Duck
Cake (I have no idea how he learned this -- just pointed at a cupcake the other day and said it)
Milk
Uh-oh
Wow!
Mama
Dada

He chats non-stop, but those are the ones that we can discern at this point! I'm so excited to find out what he has to say!

She and Him

I've been listening to this loveliness for the past two days. Zooey Deschanel has the most charming voice. I'm not typically a fan of the actress-turned-singer craze, but this is of a different sort than most. I kind of wish that I had found it before the Palm Springs girls' weekend, because it would have been oh-so-appropriate!

A Spark of Heavenly Fire

I am in tears for the second time in two weeks. More than a year ago, a plane crashed in eastern Arizona carrying three people, and out of that plane crash has come inspiration for millions of people. Stephanie Nielson and her husband, Christian, survived the crash, and since then, millions of people have been following the story of their recovery and how they have put their lives back together. I had been following Stephanie's blog for quite awhile before then, in awe of her honesty, her love for her husband and her children, and how she had made the raising of her children her life's work. When news came of the plane crash, I thought of nothing more than the four children whose lives had changed terribly -- and how much I knew that Stephanie wanted to get back to them. I also thought of the life growing in me -- Atticus -- and how even though he had not yet arrived, I wanted to make mothering him my life's work, as well. I've never met Stephanie, but like millions of people, feel as if I know her.

For the past two weeks, Jaimee Rose of the Arizona Republic has written Stephanie's story here. The story, which was beautifully written, is at once heartbreaking and inspiring. Many of the details included are new even to the that people who have been following Stephanie's blog.

In the article, Ms. Rose includes a quote from Washington Irving that Stephanie has used for inspiration. Stephanie is, and I hope to be, an embodiment of these words:

There is in every true woman's heart a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity; but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity. -- Washington Irving

Photo of Stephanie and Christian via the NieNie Dialogues.

Ahh, Paris

One of my favorite family friends, Brie, is traveling to Paris in the next few days for her honeymoon! Two weeks in Paris, at Christmastime -- might not get any better than that. So wonderful.


Today on Brie's blog, she posted a travel guide that I emailed to her a few years back when she was going to be spending a weekend there while she was studying in Austria for the summer. In it, I listed some of the spots that became my favorites when I was studying in Angers in 2000 and working in Paris in 2002. While there are sure to be newer places that are also amazing, hopefully these have retained their fabulousness! I also listed things in the guide that were in my mind for a girls' weekend in Paris, rather than a honeymoon, although I'm sure that Kiwi will love them too! :) There were a few places that were also my favorites that I forgot to mention to Brie, and while the info may also be dated, they are worth mentioning. Christmas shopping at Printemps, with that incredible ceiling, would be amazing. Lunch at the Musee Jacquemart-Andre should not be missed. Pain au sucre from pretty much anywhere is a great way to start the day. Sandwiches at Cosi are incredible (they were my favorites when I was studying in Angers, before Cosi came to the United States. I have to imagine that they would still be as wonderful.). Walking through the Parc Monceau would be very romantic. Cozy, warm lunch at Les Editeurs would be quite lovely. Have to say that I'm just a teensy bit jealous that I'm not going, as well!

Pictures from my incredible time living in Paris. I loved it so.

Giving Thanks

As we begin to make preparations for this year's Thanksgiving celebrations with our families, I'm struck by two things: 1) I can't believe that it is Thanksgiving (I literally thought that it was August the other day); and 2) that I'm actually really excited for the holiday! I have never been a huge fan of Thanksgiving, primarily because for many years, I didn't really like the food that was associated with the holiday and that was such a focus of the gathering. As time has passed though, I think that there is a real beauty in a gathering that is expressly for the purpose of giving thanks for what and who we have in our lives. Gathering with those that we love for only that purpose -- not stressing about what gift to give or what to wear or anything else. (It doesn't hurt that, as time has passed, I've also really started to like the food involved.) Another lovely thing about the holiday is that there is never any letdown after it is over. You just move right into being excited for the Christmas season, which is my favorite time of year. So, I'm just going to focus on all that I have to be thankful for as I make my turkey (sugar) cookies and Brackberry Gobblers this year, and be grateful for the opportunity to spend time with my family.

Photo of the table that I set for Thanksgiving last year, the first time that I hosted my family for the holiday. Because I was pregnant with Atticus at the time, and Jon was on rotations at the teaching hospital, we couldn't travel. Looking at this photo makes me wistful -- I loved our little house there, and how the light would stream into the dining and living rooms in the afternoons. It was a fabulous holiday, and one that made me truly appreciate how wonderful the Thanksgiving tradition is.

Everything is Better at the Broadmoor

I spent the weekend with four of my favorite ladies from Fort Collins -- I had missed them SO much! We went to the beyond fabulous Broadmoor, where we had wonderful drinks (ah, the Pepper Pear), luscious food, got to sleep in (although even without the kids we woke up pretty early . . . boo!), slept in luxurious rooms. It doesn't get any better than a day at the Broadmoor spa, with the mountain relaxation room, eucalyptus-infused steam room, and the spa treatment that felt as if I was wrapped in fall. The best thing about the weekend, though, was the non-stop conversation that we had going from the minute the girls picked me up in Denver until they dropped me off at the airport yesterday. It is so wonderful to have such amazing women in my life!

Photo from my stay at the Broadmoor last year with Jon -- unfortunately, not a single picture was taken this weekend with the girls! What in the world! We were so wrapped up in living the moment that we completely forgot to document it.

Yay!

I can't properly express the excitement that I felt this morning when I discovered that Karey M. of Mackin Ink is posting again! Karey's blog is one of the first that I started following, right around the time that Jon and I began thinking about having children. I was touched, constantly, by her amazing words and how she loved her "girlies." (who have fabulous names) Thank you so much, Joslyn (another one of my absolute favorites, and someone whose style I SO identify with), for including Karey in your Blogger Favorites series . . . and for letting me know that this talented lady is sharing her words with us again.

Image (completely expressing how I feel about this news) via Mackin Ink.

The Cutest Pumpkin

Don't know that harvest fruit could be any more adorable. (His cousin Luke in the chick costume and his cousin Dillon in the lion costume are pretty fabulous, as well!)

Bittersweet

The past couple of days have seen my former home, Fort Collins, CO, receive almost two feet of snow -- I'm SO wanting to be there and crunching around in it! I hated the cold up there, but loved the snow. This comes at the end of a couple of weeks where I have really been missing northern Colorado and all of my friends there. I think that this has been, particularly, because Atticus is getting older, and it would have been so much fun to go on playdates with some of my girlfriends and their kids up there . . . something that I can't do as much of here. But, the last weekend really made me realize how blessed I am to be where I am. I got to join in celebrating my Nana and Grandad's 60th wedding anniversary with the rest of my family, got to dress Atticus up in his Halloween costume with his cousins, and then . . . on the way home . . . received the most glorious gift. The most beautiful sunset I have ever seen. Hands down. It was honestly as if I was just being told that I was where I needed to be. And it was nice to hear.

Could not have said it better

I love what Abbey has to say about the loss of Gourmet Magazine, and what this might say about our culture as a whole. I am that demographic that Abbey writes about (one that also is mourning the loss of Cookie - while not an institution like Gourmet, will definitely be missed as I navigate my way through raising Atticus.). And, like her, I grow increasingly concerned about how reliant our history is on electronic formats. Intangible things. When people started raving about the internet years ago, my mom said, "I just don't think that people will ever want to curl up with the internet." Many years later, I still agree. I still love curling up by the fire, in bed, or in the bath with a good book or magazine. Websites and blogs are wonderful, and have their place, but cannot substitute for the written word in books or magazines.

Hot, hot, hot!

I had one of my very favorite New Mexico experiences the other day. My mom, Atticus, and I got up early and went out to a farm just north of Las Cruces to pick our own green chile. It was so much fun, and I can't even express how much I had missed the smell of roasting green chile. So wonderful! Atticus napped in the car, and then rode in his Ergo while the roasting was going on. Problem is, we only picked XXX HOT green chile (that is really what they call it) . . . so, we're going to have to go back for some more that we'll actually be able to eat! What will we do with 40 pounds of the XXX?

School Days

For the first time in our lives, neither Jon nor I are starting school this month. It feels incredible! And, like I'm missing out on something! Will I ever get over that feeling?

So, my apologies for basically taking the summer off from blogging! We moved to New Mexico, got settled into our new house, had Australian visitors (and some others as well), took a few weekend trips and one larger trip to a family reunion, and are feeling a bit like the summer just flew by too fast for us to actually enjoy it. We're going to do our best in the next couple of weeks to make up for it!

Dr. Morrow!!

I'm so darned proud of my husband, who is now Dr. Jon Morrow! Jon graduated from the CSU Veterinary School last week, and it was pretty exciting. It has been a long road -- someone mentioned that he'd been in school for five-sixths of his life (crazy, no?), so it was really thrilling to see him complete all of this so successfully. Love you, honey!

Thirty

My lovely husband celebrates a big birthday on Sunday. Each and every day, I thank God for bringing Jon into my life. He is an amazing partner and friend, and I can't describe the joy that I feel when I watch him with Atticus -- he is an incredible father. So, even though he is sure that I'm only excited for his birthday because he is older than me, I'm really excited because I get to celebrate what a phenomenal person he is. I love you, honey.

Ma Belle Mere

I have always known that my mother was fabulous. She is funny, caring, loving, a great listener, and over the years, has become one of my best friends. Over the past year, though, I have gained a completely different perspective on who she is, as she has helped me through pregnancies and now a couple of months of being Atticus' mom. And, let me tell you, she is more incredible than I had ever realized. I hope that I can come close to providing the amazing childhood for Atticus that she did for me. She has provided me with an incredible (and slightly daunting!) example to follow. I'm so, so excited to be moving to where she is, so that my son can come to realize what an amazing Mimi he has, and so that I get to spend more time with this fantastic lady. I love you -- Happy Mother's Day!

This little smile just melts my heart

Our little guy is just full of smiles these days. Could there be anything better in the midst of a little bit of chaos?

Vet School Prom

Jon and I had our first evening out sans Atticus the other night! We headed out to "Vet School Prom" a/k/a the Colorado State Veterinary School Junior/Senior awards banquet. Here we are with two of our favorite friends from the vet school experience, Allegra and Jeff. We're going to miss them! The night really brought home that all of this is coming to an end very quickly! We left when the fire alarm went off, but before the streakers ran through the room . . . . it was an interesting night!

Searching for home . . .

We're traveling to Las Cruces this weekend in search of a place to live once we move down there at the end of May. Does anyone know of a fabulous place that is available to lease for a few months? We're so excited to be down there, but know that we'll (or at least, I'll) feel a lot better about things once I can visualize where we're going, and where our next home will be.

Hop Right On!

This is fabulous. I've been looking at a variety of rocking horses, etc. for Atticus for many months, and this is by far my favorite that I've found so far. I love this brand (I got my adorable nephew, Luke, this Woodpecker Walker -- love it!) for its design, quality, and eco-friendliness. Beyond that, though, what a great concept: apparently this elephant not only rocks, it walks! As your little one rocks, the elephant kind of saunters along, so it is just like riding an elephant! Super-fun.