Oh the Places You'll Go!

So a few weeks ago we were able to celebrate three graduations in the family. Travis received his Master's of Art in Teaching from Elms College. It was a gorgeous day for an outdoor ceremony and I was so proud. Hazel even popped in for the festivities.

My cute Mom graduated the same day at the same time from Springfield College with her Bachelor's. Needless to say we missed her graduation, but she wore sassy shoes and received the highest academic honors- note her fun tassels.

Then we were fortunate to have a family graduation party in New York to celebrate not only Travis and my Mom, but my Aunt Claire (alias Aunt Claire Bear). She received her Doctorate from Columbia University. Here's my proud Grandma with a couple of her extremely intelligent and successful daughters.

My Aunt Claire dedicated her dissertation to her boy Wesley seen here sporting his graduation cap. Very handsome guy.

This picture was ridiculously difficult to get. Who knew it was so hard to throw caps at the same time?

Lastly, Travis was finally able to plant a garden of his own earlier this spring- lifelong goal achieved. We have way too much lettuce, kale, broccoli, peppers, etc. I'm still mad we didn't plant strawberries. Curse your greens.

But it resulted in beef with broccoli for dinner tonight so I cannot complain too much. And no, we just bought the beef.

Last day of school is this Thursday and we are so excited for summer. It has been a terribly

L-O-N-G year for us and we are looking forward to some R&R.

Spirit Fingers

I'm 30!!!

Let's celebrate

My Gift

My Mother's Day gift

Hazel's headstone was finally put on! With a little pleading from my good husband the cemetery pushed Hazel to the top of the list so that she would look beautiful for our special day. Travis designed Hazel's headstone to be one of a kind, just the way she is. I absolutely love it and cannot think of anything more perfect for my little missionary.

And not to leave out our other daughter Gidget...

She gave me a snuggle and breakfast in bed for Mother's Day.

She's pretty amazing for never having attended obedience school.

Do you remember?

Dear Hazel

Thanks for letting me be your Mom. I couldn't think of a better Mother's Day gift. I love you without end and know that this is only our beginning.

xoxo- Your Mama

Dear Ma

Do you remember the time I was in the hospital dying? I know you remember it better than I do. All I could do was lay there in pain, not really understanding what was going on. All I wanted to do was be near Hazel, but she felt so heavy to hold and I was so tired. You would come and put her on my chest so I could look at her, touch her, talk to her, "hold her". You stayed up 7 days straight to make sure she and I were ok. I remember being woken up at 2 in the morning for my medicine and seeing you reading to Hazel. You always had the best reading voice. I wish I had a picture of that. I don't think you've ever had a finer moment as my Mother. That one moment represents years and pieces of my life all in one where when I could not, you always did. It was that moment and a million other scattered moments throughout my life that make you the best Mom. I sure do love you!

xoxo - Your Favorite Daughter

(We can still pretend the others have a shot if you want, but I think we all know who the clear favorite is).

Dear Mom aka my mother-in-law

Do you remember going to kidney dialysis with me? I was really terrified and had already gone through so many tests that day. We were all afraid of Hazel passing away while I was gone. I know I was. You went with me and held my hand, you even gave me a hand massage. You got me water, told me stories, and allowed me to keep my dignity when I needed the bed pan. You were willing to do anything to keep me entertained and occupied. I know the whole time you were just praying that Hazel would be there when we got back. The only time you left me was to comfort that poor woman who couldn't stop crying. She was in so much pain and you were able to calm her down by talking about your children. I know she wished her family was there to hold her hand, but luckily for both of us we had you. Thank you for loving me no differently than you love your own and for forgiving me for bringing Travis back East.

xoxo- Your Favorite Daughter-in-law

(Ok we both know I have the market cornered on this so it's alright to print).

Mother's Day

Just to get this out of the way

Mother's Day - my baby = CONFUSION

(and some more weird feelings).

Mother's Day is to the childless as Valentine's Day is to the single. I was really hoping not to have to endure another Mother's Day in this category and yet I find myself in a more difficult one. The in between. Not childless and yet not exactly with child either.

I always feel guilty at church for taking a flower which the primary children hand out to all the Mothers. This might actually stem from the time a child gave me one and then asked for it back because there wasn't enough for the Mothers in the ward, but I digress...

Sunday I am going to choose to be happy.

And I am going to allow myself to revel, laugh, cry, completely come unglued, in order to get there. I need to put this in words to hold myself accountable. I wouldn't write it unless I knew it was possible.

So watch out Mother's Day- this year I am celebrating.

5 year anniversary!

We did it! No big deal, just made it to our 5th anniversary/happy tax day everyone! The most exciting thing about making it to our 5th anniversary is that we no longer have to leave the dance floor after the first round of the "anniversary dance" at our friends weddings. We will make it 2 rounds before they ask us to exit the dance floor. Suck it DJ. Other than that, we are even more blissfully happy than the day we got married.

We have been through the best of times together...



And we have been through the worst....

But by Travis accepting who I am...

And by me accepting him for who he is...

We truly are ridiculously in love.

We are the best of friends.

And we are soul mates.

I think The Velveteen Rabbit sums it up best... "What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"
"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."
"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.
"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."
"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"
"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."
"I suppose you are real?" said the Rabbit. And then he wished he had not said it, for he thought the Skin Horse might be sensitive. But the Skin Horse only smiled.

"The Boy's Uncle made me Real," he said. "That was a great many years ago; but once you are Real you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always."

I love you sweetie! Thanks for making me Real.

Remember when...

Remember when I used to blog about normal things?

It's been a while. It still might be a while. I will say that Easter was great. We stopped by Hazel's house (that's what we call it). Although we think she's still too young to have her own place, we realize everyone makes their own choices. I feel like she has been given visitation rights to come see us on holidays, especially Easter, which is obviously her favorite. She gently gave me a hug and reminded me of the hope and joy the Resurrection brings. She assured me that she is looking forward to her perfect little body so we can do interpretive dance together- ahahahaha. Ok maybe it's this girl who is looking forward to that. Needless to say this was the best Easter I have ever had. It's the first time I think I have ever deeply reflected and rejoiced in it's meaning.

Besides that we have decided that we deserve a vacation. Really I always think I deserve a vacation, this is nothing new. However since Europe is out of the question again this year (boo Travis for being frugal and responsible) we are heading to our second choice destination- the dirty South. It's the only place in the States we have yet to explore and let's be honest, for good reason. I'm a Yankee and this could end poorly if they see our license plates. So dust off your rap and diamond plated grill we's bout to be hittin up the ATL. If anyone has any suggestions on where we should visit please let me know. I'm thinking Dollywood's a must.

Thoughts?