If you send Areli to Lowes...

If you send Areli to Lowes for some clearance Azalea bushes she is going to want Judy to help her mulch the entire fence line and all around the deck, the back of the house and the front of the shed.

When she and Judy mulch everything (including Areli's new pedi), Areli is going to want Judy to help her plant the Azalea bushes.

When she and Judy plant the Azalea bushes Areli is going to need to water them.

Areli is not very good at watering (poor little dependent foliage), so Judy is going to have to water them for her.

While Judy is watering Areli's mulched bushes she is going to notice a bare spot, so she is going to buy Areli four purpleish flowers on sale at Lowes.

Judy is going to plant these flowers while Areli is not looking. So, Areli is going to think that the fairies came.

Judy is going to become tired of being a fairy and help Areli (okay so she does most of the work, but I pay close attention) put in a sprinkler system.

When Areli realizes that this magical plant sustaining system might actually keep her bushes alive she is going to want to buy a Hydrangea bush.

Which means you are going to have to send Areli back to Lowes (every plant is now 50% off)...

And if you send Areli to Lowes she is going to want Judy...

My backyard is becoming beautimous (having much beauty). We have planted a variety of bright and fragrant flora. Thank you Judy I am having so much fun. Although, I am in desperate need of a fresh pedi. Seriously, I don't even recognize these piggies.

Ciao, Areli

Jon's Adventures

Happy Father's Day! It is a gorgeous Sunday- the sun is shining and the day is bright and supposedly the longest of the year. Unfortunately, the girls and I are spending it indoors with a couple of good books and movies. This is partly because it is so hot outside, but more truthfully because our adventure guide is away. Jonathan is the one who makes sure that this family explores their surroundings. He is the one who takes new roads home until there are no new roads left to take. He is the one who looks off into the distance and announces that this Saturday we are going to picnic on that far off mountain and though it may take several winding roads and a couple of dead ends- we will. He is the one who notices all the horses, chipmunks, goats, and scissor-tailed flycatchers. He is the one who pulls over on the side of a narrow country road to take a photograph of a raggedy old barn or just it's doors. He is the one who drives down to the girl's bus stop after school and says, "Hey, let's go for a drive." He is the adventure, the romance, the intrigue of this family and we treasure those moments and we treasure him. Thank you Jon for being the gorgeous protagonist in our life story- thank you for giving our story life. We love you and miss you much on this Father's Day.

Ciao, Areli

Free Again

I was sound asleep this evening when my "mommy-sense" went off. Mommy-sense is a lot like spidey-sense except instead of warning me of imminent danger, criminal activity, or run-away carriages mommy-sense alerts me to when my child may be in trouble, may be causing trouble, or may be contemplating causing trouble. So, as my mommy-sense was triggered I sat straight up in bed and listened with my super-sensitive mom ears for any unusual noises. There it was upstairs... pit-pat, pit-pat, pit-pat back and forth down the hall. I climb out of bed, turn on the stairway light, and announce "It's just me, mommy, coming up." to head off any fear that I may be the bogey-man or a ravenous wolf coming to eat up this night-walking child. Pitter-pat, pitter-pat, pitter-pat the sound of running back into Emma's room. I come down the short hall and notice a towel on the floor of the bathroom- okay so Em wet the bed. This is not a big deal it happens so rarely that she never gets in trouble for it, but why hasn't she called for me like usual? Why the towel? Why the running at the sound of my coming? I enter her room and ask, "Emma, did you pee the bed? Do you need help?" Immediate hysteria. She is crying so hard I can't make out her words. I grab and hold her tight stroking her hair and repeating, "It's okay, mommy's here. I've got you. I'm going to help you. Shhh. I promise it's okay." I make out- I peed- try clean myself- new panties and pajamas. I tell her not to cry it's okay and I just want to help her. I am still confused at why she is so upset and why at only three years old she wanted to clean up herself. Then I realized she wasn't afraid of getting punished she was ashamed and embarrassed. My heart hurt. As I got new sheets out of the linen closet I began reassuring her, "This is going to be alright. I'm going to put the wet sheets in the wash and see you have a waterproof pad on your bed it can go in the wash too. Now, we just have to put these clean sheets on, and the comforter is dry because it was at the foot of the bed. This is no big deal." Emma began to relax and as I was making up her bed she got excited about the rainbow sheets I was using to replace the soiled fairy ones- apparently she loves rainbows. When she and the bed were all clean and she was climbing in under the covers I took special note of the look on her face. It read happiness, comfort, and ease. My baby who was in so much despair just twenty minutes before was now free again. Thank you God for mommy-sense. And thank you God for all those times when I "wet my bed" and felt only guilt and shame and hopelessness and You came and wrapped Your arms around me and told me I've got you, I'm going to help you, It's going to be okay, I promise. Thank you God for always restoring my hope and making me free again.

Ciao, Areli

Girls Club

I had the best time this weekend with my "original" family- mom, dad, two super-cool-dacious sisters. My mom is so beautiful and stylin'. I owe what ever sense of fashion and put-togetherness I own to that amazing woman. Mama also boasts the original greatest shoe collection and the sexiest legs I have ever witnessed. Vanessa is my little sister whose beauty matches her funny. I love how when I get together with her she won't allow no "uppityness" she is real all the time and I never laugh as hard or feel more like myself than when I am with her. Niya is my baby sister and she is the center of all my envy. She is gorgeous, trendy, honestly sweet, and determined to be the best her she can be. I am so proud of her- she is the baby and she is also the first of us to graduate from college. We all gathered together to watch her take that walk of accomplishment and honor and no stern warning from the president of Macon State College could keep us from our shouts and whistles of adoration when her name was called. I am so proud to be connected to these special people and I will cherish them always.

Ciao, Areli

Glum-diddy-glum

I have had a pretty glum day. Just one of those days that leave you slouching with hunched shoulders and a long face wondering why does everything seem so pathetic. (Me when I'm being real, that's my tag line right?) So I thought what a perfect time to list a few of the things that make me glum:

Calories and slow metabolisms- ooh, I get so sad at the thought of having to run a mile for every cookie I even think of eating! :(

Having to pay for overdue library books- Come on I brought it back didn't I? It's because I dog-ear the pages isn't it? :(

Chipped toe nail polish- Come on can't something last forever? :(

Cellulite- It's just mean. :(

Folding laundry- especially socks this may be my achilles heel. :(

Pollen- All over my car, my deck furniture, the inside of my nose. :(

Whininess- I know I'm so whiney it's ironic. :(

When I'm stuck in a day that's gray and lonely I just stick out my chin and grin and say- Oh! The sun will come out tomorrow. So you gotta hang on till tomorrow. Come what may. Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love ya Tomorrow! Your only a day away!

:) Show tunes make the happy list.

Ciao, Areli

Breathtaking

Having three little girls there are some things you just get used to; like the click-clacking of plastic heels on the hardwood floors and the non-stop pleas for your lipgloss. Also, I am rarely surprised to see my little girl come around the corner dressed in an elaborate princess costume and sparkling crown. Or by the impromptu twirling and pirouetting accompanied by song that tends to follow such an appearance. These moments are all absolutely adorable, but also very much an expected daily experience so in that regard not very incredible. However, there still are those moments when you go to peek in on your little girl (to see what kind of trouble she's gotten into) and you find a breathtaking angel in her stead. I observed such a moment yesterday morning. Emma came downstairs dressed in her white tutu and delivered a beautiful song and dance routine- no surprise. Then she went outside to play in the yard. After ten minutes I went out to check on her and I caught her watering my flower beds in her tutu and rain boots. It was priceless. I love these moments!

Ciao, Areli

The Butcher, The Baker, The Candlestick Maker

"I don't need no stinking directions." Ahhh, the man's mantra and my man is no exception to this cliché. Yesterday, while the girls were finishing up their homework Jon had a sweet thought (or tooth) and decided to make them some chocolate chip cookies. I was in the other room reading a very intriguing novel and thinking 'no need to get up he has this under control'.

Skip ahead twenty minutes:

I walk into the kitchen as the smell of sweet chocolate and buttery goodness draws me irresistibly and my mouth is watering in anticipation of the freshly baked cookies. To my dismay I find a distraught baker and a batch of mutated-looking cookies. "I don't know what happened.", says the baker. "Well, don't worry I'm sure they taste fine.", I say as I eagerly pop one into my mouth. They weren't fine. Something was amiss and I aimed to get to the bottom of it. I scan the kitchen for clues:

1) Batter in big plastic bowl instead of the Kitchen-aid mixer bowl. "Honey, did you mix these by hand?" "yes." "Impressive. It must have been difficult to cream the butter and sugar." "What? Oh, man I just threw all the ingredients in the bowl and stirred." AHA!

2) The cookies look exceptionally flat and puddly. "Dear, you did put baking soda in the mix, right?" "I couldn't find it. Isn't this self-rising flour?" AHA!

3) Chocolate Chip Bag w/ recipe on back no where to be seen. AHA! AHA! AHA!

He didn't follow the directions and was a terrible guesser at the mechanics of a chocolate chip cookie. "Can you make another batch the right way?" Jon asks me pleadingly. I oblige and with my little recipe in hand I produce a perfect batch of moist and delicious cookies. And this is why Moms will always make the best cookies.

Ciao, Areli

Coyotes Arooo!

I love watching my girls play soccer. This year I find myself extra excited to watch Abby play. This is not just because of Abby's impressive blocks and wicked passes or due to the two goals she made in last nights game- GO Abby! I am excited to watch Abby's team play because this year she has a new coach and he is so lovely to watch! I feverishly anticipate sitting on the sidelines and watching him dribble that soccer ball in his little athletic shorts with his strong calves looking dangerous. And when he calls the team together for warm-ups he doesn't let the kids get away with jumping jacks that resemble a fly swatting ritual like the other coaches. No, he instead implements this adorable two-part jumping jack that helps the kids do them correctly. All the moms love it. The team's color is red and they decided on the coyote as their mascot. Which is so cool because when the kids get a little rowdy and Coach needs to focus their attention he calls for a Coyote howl and almost instantly and in unison little howls can be heard that I'm sure inspire fear and trembling in the opposing teams. So not only does Abby have the hottest coach in the SCOSA league, but he's clever and skillful besides. The best part about Abby's coach is that when the game is over and everyone else says, "See you on saturday, Coach." I just say, "What do you want to do for dinner?" That's right I'm Mrs. Coach and Abby gets to forgo the formality of "coach" for just "daddy". Let's hear it for Coach Jon and the Red Coyotes- Arooo!

Ciao, Areli

Splash!

Abby had a birthday party to attend on Saturday. The party was held at Eastman cabins and we had never been there before. It was a pretty little spot with a creek and some great playgrounds. Abby was having a great time especially since Jacob (cute little boy from her class) showed up. They play very well together and he is very nice to her. The children were playing near the creek and Jacob was showing off by stone hopping into the middle of the creek. I had just opened my mouth to say, "Abby, don't follow." Twas all in vain Abby landed face first in the creek and her cute little Gymboree outfit was dripping wet. The worst part was she jumped up and ran out of the creek wailing and bawling out of embarrassment. :(

I took her to the bathroom and wrung out her clothes. It was a very warm day and I told her the sun would dry them quickly if she wanted to go back to the party. She agreed. The walk back from the bathroom included a conversation that went something like this:

Abby- Mom, why didn't you bring me an extra set of clothes?

Me- Well, Abby I had no idea there was going to be creek here or that you would fall into it. Don't worry this is going to be a fun memory.

Abby- No, it's not this is horrible. How about next time we get an invitation that has the word cabin or something like that in it we bring an extra set of clothes.

Me- (laughing) Okay, deal.

Best part, we get back to the party and every other kid it soak and wet from playing in the creek. Abby smiled and jumped right in the fun. So, this will be a great memory after all.

Ciao, Areli

An Apple A Day

Three reasons why one should never take a 3 year old with them to the doctors office:

1. The nurse: "You weigh 1** pounds Mrs. Glenn." 3 year old: "Ahhh! My mommy weighs 1** tons that sounds like a lot. Huh, mommy?"

2. The incessant "I'm hungry." "This is taking forever." "What's that black thing for?" "What's that pointy thing for?" "What does this button do?" "Is she going to give you a shot?" "I want her to give you a shot."

3. When the doctor asks you about your bowel movements 3 year old decides to join conversation offering delightful little (embarrassing) details.

Note to self- Hire a babysitter.

Ciao, Areli

Bears

Jonathan really needs a haircut. He is starting to look like Lyle Lovett. Which reminds me of Lyle's song "Bears". It is a good and very hilariously random song. Which again brings me back to Jon, who is also good and hilariously random. Maybe this Lyle Lovett look will work out for him after all. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for the haircut. Either way I'm going to play me some Lyle today cause, "they just don't come no better than a bear."

Ciao, Areli

Buona Pasqua!

Happy Easter! Yes, it was. The Glenn household enjoyed a beautiful, fun-filled, and charming Easter day. It began with our coordinating outfits- which as corny as it may be is a Glenn family Easter tradition. I usually decide on a palette and choose the outfits for everyone down to hair ribbons and shoes. Only this year, much to my surprise, Jon decided he would like to give it a go- so we all wore blue and white seersucker. We were adorable nonetheless and we owed it to him after many Easters of pink and purple ties. I did get to pick the shoes and I chose gold sparkly shoes for all us girls complete with the perfect shade of toenail polish- crushed (a shimmery orange color). Jon set up his camera in the backyard and took some great Easter pics of the family. Then off to church!

The service was great as usual. The music outstanding. Jon got to sing in the choir backing up the band and the worship was super fantastic. Pastor Greg spoke about the realization of Christ's death and resurrection and what that means for us. His opening story was very cute: A mother is making pancakes for her 3 and 5 year old sons. The sons begin to argue who should get the first pancake. So, the mother decides this is a great opportunity to present a moral lesson to her boys. She says to them, "You know if Jesus were here he would say serve my brother first." The youngest son looks at his older brother and says, "You be Jesus."

Jon hid over 100 filled eggs in the front and back yards when we got home. The girls were super excited about the hunt. Emma got a two minute head start and then it was first come first serve. It worked out great. Emma ended up with 32 eggs, Abby 39, and Hailey 57 eggs. Not to mention the other eggs they kept finding throughout the day. Jon and I had filled the eggs with either candy, coinage, or little handwritten notes. The girls loved it.

A nice home-cooked meal and then the Go-cart ride of death to follow. You see the girls had Good friday off and somehow persuaded Jon to build- yes, I said to build a go-cart. He built this monstrosity out of an old bike trailer, wood, bungee cords, and the handle bars off Emma's bike. It was to be powered by gravity and the the east TN hills. So our Easter afternoon was spent with me capturing on film my family of daredevils thrill-seeking in the ghetto-cart. The thing started out with brakes (so that was a plus), but when the brakes broke off Jon just enlisted the "Fred Flintstone" approach to deceleration. The soles of his work boots are worn off. At least everyone was wearing helmets and knee/elbow pads. I am pleased to report no injuries were sustained. Off to Sonic for slushes and limeades (in the real car) and home sweet home.

Thank you Jesus for this beautiful life! I hope you all enjoyed a great Easter as well. I will leave you with a few of the quotes from the handwritten notes Jon and I hid in the girls eggs:

"You R my special Angel-baby! Love, Mom"

"I love you more than mom does. - Dad"

"You R my treasure, like a sparkly diamond! Love, Mom"

"Toes R pink, Sky is blue, U R cute, I love U. -Dad"

Ciao, Areli

Heart Song

I am the type of mom that wants her children to be dressed prettily, hair neat, fingernails clean and short, and teeth brushed. These things I can control. These things I make sure are in proper order before my girls leave the house, but what I most desire from them I cannot control I can only hope. I can only hope that when they get to school out of my reach and the teacher calls for their attention that they oblige. I can only hope that when other kids bully a lesser kid that my girl will stand up for them. I can only hope that when hard decisions need to be made that my baby will make the good choice. These are the things that I talk to my girls about at home and then stand back, far back, and have to wait and see.

Today, I am proud. I am fist pumping double-back cartwheel proud. Hailey, my eight year old, goes to school with hidden shoes in her backpack that I told her not to wear. She changes at school and puts on her approved shoes before she returns home. Why am I proud of this? I am not, but I don't care because when I caught her wearing those forbidden flip-flops during a surprise lunch visit I also got a tap on the shoulder from a little out of place looking girl. "Are you Hailey's mom?" "Yes, I am." "I want you to know that she is a really sweet girl. She is always nice to me." Two boys sitting close to her are whispering mean things about her and she pretends not to hear them. "Thank you for telling me this." I say. "Why? It's just the facts."She says. This happened about three weeks ago and put a big smile on my face.

Since then I have been made aware of how much integrity, grace, and devotion my little girl owns. She has been privy to potentially hurtful and embarrassing information against a little girl (separate from the one afore mentioned) at school. On her own she made the decision to form a pact with the others who also knew that they would not say anything and to try extra hard to protect and be friends with this little girl. That's my girl!! If that wasn't enough just yesterday Hailey had a very difficult decision to make- one of those choices that ends in either broken heartedness or heaviness of guilt and she made the right choice. She is sad, but she is so right. She is proud of her choice and I am so proud of her. I wish that she would not be faced with such hardships at such an early age, but I can't see how she could have managed any better if she were older. She has inspired me to try and make the right choices regardless of their difficulty. I was not so good at eight as she- so thank you God for this beautiful person you have allowed in my life. Keep her strong and give her peace.

Ciao, Areli

Neologism

Emma is so much like her daddy. She has realized that she likes it when people think she is funny so she tries very hard very often to be hilarious. She is mostly successful. I wish I could say the same about her father, but let's be honest his cheeky humor is no match for Emma's adorable factor. Her latest make-them-pass-out-from-my-cuteness tactic is to coin her own words and phrases. Here are a few examples just from today:

ba.dang (verb) to shut a door

Badang, I'm getting dressed in here.

koo.ka (noun) a very wild person

All this sugar makes me dance like a kooka.

I am just glad there has never been a reported case of "death by witnessing too much cuteness".

Ciao, Areli

Spring is Here

My top ten clues that spring is here:

1. Muddy Feet

2. Evening Rain Showers

3. Itchy Throat and Watery Eyes

4. Emma picks me little flowers

5. Bug Bites and Poison ivy

6. Can't Remember Why I Ever Bought that Heavy Coat

7. Waking Up to the Serenading of Birds Way to Early in The Morn

8. Jon Comes Home Covered in Dirt and Mulch and Grime

9. The Laundry Hamper Gets Filled Twice as Fast

10. I Start Feeling the Overwhelming Need to Shed my Winter 15 (lbs that is)

Ahhh! Soon sweltering heat and swim suit shopping under fluorescent lighting. The joys of the season.

Ciao, Areli

Judy's B & B

I woke up in a charming little room snuggled under a floral coverlet and the sun shining in through white lace curtains. Immediately my mind brought it all back- Judy's house. The charming old house decorated in white lace, hatboxes, guilded mirrors, pearls and Sherman-Williams pinks, yellows, and greens. I got up and walked into the new upstairs bathroom which was much like walking straight into the pages of a shabby-chic magazine. I felt pampered as I brushed my teeth while admiring a statue of a Roman godess under the warm light of a crystal chandelier.

Then I realized that my children would spend the day chasing Judy around asking her for what ever treat and wonder they desired and I, well I would nap on the front porch swing. I would eat lunch under the pergola in the back garden. I would enjoy a delicious early evening meal prepared by the hands of someone other than myself. Each day would end with a rich and sugary homemade dessert. I would have a great spring break relaxing and enjoying the view. I bet if I hinted just a little I could even get a mint on my pillow. I absolutely love coming to my mother-in-law's house in the springtime!!!

I think I smell dinner...
Ciao, Areli

My Treasure

Jonathan and I have had our ups and downs in the nine years we've been married. Recently we decided to start seeing a love guru, Anne, who is really a christian marriage counselor. It has been wonderful, sometimes hard to hear truths but mostly fabulous. During one of our first visits she asked us if we could name three things we each liked abut the other person- we both spouted our answers fairly quickly which made Anne smile. Apparently, this is a good sign that Jon and I were not as messed up as we thought-PHEW!!!

Anyway since then I catch myself taking note of things I love about Jonathan every time he does something neat. I guess it reminds that I am lucky and that I love him. So here are a few things that I love about Jon lately...

1. His spur of the moment marshmallow roasts.

2. The sincere and awestruck look on his face when he tells me that I am beautiful.

3. The way lately he says "I love you just as you are and this is a safe place for you." when I am being difficult.

4. He always replaces the toilet paper and leaves the seat down.

5. He makes the best vanilla latte.

6. He loves to do yard work.

7. I say, "Do you think you could make some elaborate whatchamacallit" and he can-always!

8. His bike rides of death and hikes that lead to glistening waterfalls.

9. The way my little girls look at him.

10. How he always catches me and lifts me straight in the air like I'm light as a feather, even after I've eaten a pint of Haagen-dazs.

Thanks love guru! Lucky me!

Ciao, Areli

Dream Jobs for a Day

I have a list of jobs I think are cool. I have a strong urge to learn these trades and preform them but only for a day- you know like Paris and Nicole on that old television show. Here is my list of dream jobs for a day:

1. Meat and Cheese slicer in a deli- those are the coolest machines and so dangerous looking. I wonder if they get hazardous pay?

2. Number changer at the gas station- You know the guy that uses that long stick to change the price of gas on the tall signs out front- that is interesting and a little powerful.

3. Movie player at the theater- You get paid to eat free popcorn and watch movies.

4. The security guy who controls the velvet rope at a prestigious nightclub- "You may enter, but the really hot skinny chick- NO!"

5. Wrecker-ball controller- a little stress reliever.

6. Museum Guard- "No pictures please and don't breathe directly on the Van Gogh, really."

7. Barista at a hip little coffee joint- not Starbucks.

8. News Anchor- "And this is Today with Areli Glenn."

So if you happen to stop by your local deli and find me asking you if that is a pound or a half you ordered of Sara Lee's Honey Ham don't worry it's probably just for the day.

Ciao, Areli

Life's Announcer

This posting is a day late because my dear husband was in the middle of a several hour long fierce battle involving evolutionary processes and creation of life. I think it's called Spore.

Yesterday began with Abigail waking up chipper and bouncing right out of bed which you should know only happens on days of special occasion. What was so special about yesterday? Well obviously it was the last day of winter and Abby woke up with heartfelt wishes for all to have a happy last day of winter. She is so beautiful. Every moment of life is a time to celebrate according to Abby and she has a special way of making you aware of the greatness of each day. "Look mom it's the eighth blue bird of spring!" "Only 15 more days till we go see Grandma Judy!" "Sleep well. We go to the dentist tomorrow!" "I think it's supposed to be a full moon tonight!" Having Abigail in my life makes each day a joy and I love how she helps our family celebrate it's every next event no matter how small. Oh, she also has a thing for the weather lately. She watches the meteorologists on the weather channel and then will tell me in the morning, "I can't wear that it's supposed to be 50 today with a 17% chance of rain." Man, I love that girl and I have two more just as cool isn't life grand. So hope you all had a blessed last day of winter yesterday and Happy first day of spring!!!!!

Ciao, Areli

Daddy

I love my daddy and I miss him very much right now. You see I received a phone call from my sister a couple of days ago telling me she was rushing dad to the hospital. That four worded phrase "dad to the hospital" sent my heart back fifteen years and my dad became daddy and all I wanted was to be in his lap with my head laying against his strong chest. It turns out that my dad has a gall stone the size of a golf ball- OUCH! He will have to have surgery next week, but he is on some take-you-straight-to-la-la-land medication and sounds just peachy on the phone. I am over-joyed that daddy is going to be well again, but I wish I could hug him tight and tell him that I love him so much. I am jealous that both my wonderful sisters got to run to his side and his aid in his time of need while I waited by the phone to hear the news. Even now that we know he's going to be alright, the drama has subsided, and my sisters have gone back to their families I still just want to see him and hug him to know for sure he's okay. I really, really miss you daddy please be well.

Love, Areli

Captured on Film

Today is a fabulous day in the Glenn household. It is Picture Day!! The girls and I both love picture day it's almost like playing dress-up. We pick out clothes the night before, decide on the pose together, and sometimes sleep in curlers or braids for a more flouncy hairstyle. Then we get up early to make sure we have enough time to get it all right, practice our smiles, pin-up our hair, and throw on a little lip shimmer for good measure. We love being girls. I have to admit the girls were quite glossy and smiley when they pranced out of the house this morning and I can't wait to see the results in a few weeks. Only if we could be assured that the camera would capture our best moment and leave our worst undeveloped.
It was 1987 I am ten years old. I was such an adorable ten-year-old; a few missing teeth, and others (of the adult variety) that were too big for my face, but overall a fifth grade hottie. Also, I had a rockin' closet due to my mother's diva issues. She took my sisters and I major overhaul shopping at the beginning of each school year- you know the purging and rebuilding of a wardrobe. So my cuteness was only enhanced by a very "Modonna-ish" au courant attire- you know leg warmers, bangles, jellies, and oversized shirts with funky belts the whole nine yards. Predictably, I received several check yes or no love letters since the start of fifth grade. Ahhh, this was a good year... that is until the "incident" a picture day never to be forgotten.
I loved being a Girl Scout, learning clever songs, doing silly little tasks to earn badges, and camping. It was during a Girl Scout camping trip that I happened to share a hiding place with a cozy batch of poison ivy. And it's just like this plant variety to be true to its reputation. My hands and arms became covered with oozing blisters that itched so bad I had to scratch although I was warned not to. This, of course, caused the rash to spread to my face. My mother and all her "education is the most important thing" ideas left me to a merciless fate. I showed up for school with my face looking as if I had participated in a failed medical study and lo and behold all my admirers vanished. You can't depend on those fickle ten-year-old boys. My face was covered in pink splotches (calamine lotion was supposed to help dry up the oozing) that hardly concealed the crusty blisters surrounding the features of my face. The eruptions had spread to the corners of my mouth, which made it difficult to open my mouth wide enough to speak. Not only was I a freak, I was a mute freak. Oh, but to make matters worse I am able to remind myself of this experience any time I choose. As it so happened, this day was picture day and the photographer did a brilliant job of immortalizing this memory onto film then paper for all remembrance. A class picture, to be exact, and I was ushered right to the front lines, another consequence of my short stature, looking very flustered with a crooked smile. The truth is that memory along with the name-calling and teasing that followed is one of my worst. I hated that picture for years, but now at age 31 I love it. It reminds me truly of what it was like in the fifth grade and how fragile my girl's egos can be. I wish I had a scanner and I would post it for all to see. That picture captured a moment in my life, but it did not define it. We all grow and change through the years and we must take the good with the bad and appreciate all the experiences, because they collectively make us who we are.
That is why my girls and I love picture day and even if they come out bad we never do a retake we relish in who we are today and who we were yesterday. Jon loves looking through the lens of a camera, and he has always taken many pictures of me some are beautiful and some torturous. I used to beg him to destroy all the "ugly" ones and he would look at me with disgust and say, "No, they look like you." I would get red in the face and my feelings would be crushed, but I understand now that he meant he wanted to look back and remember me "real me", "everyday me", and I can't always hide behind a pretty smile. The truth is I don't smile everyday- somedays I have an oozing rash.
Ciao, Areli

Elective

Today is a very special day. Something I have been wanting to do for years will be done today. It makes me excited and a little bit nervous. I hope all goes well, and I promise to share details soon. Wish me the best. I can't believe I am really going through with this. Okay, Okay deep breath and be happy.

Ciao, Areli

Sweet Lies

Liar, liar pants on fire... this is how we grow up viewing the idea of untruths, deceptions, and deliberate omissions. But, is there such a thing as a "sweet lie"? These Fleetwood Mac lyrics come to mind: "Tell me lies. Tell me lies. Tell me sweet little lies." You see there are those brief periods in life when we think we have it all figured out. We are doing everything we ever wanted to do, married to the person of our dreams, have the greatest of intelligence, and are just plain too cool. These delusions last but mere moments but in those moments you are happy, even powerful. Then comes the truth. We don't have it figured out. How dare we even think that? Utter shame and sadness follow this new consciousness. I think this is exactly where "sweet lies" exist. That bubble of exhilaration and accomplishment will eventually burst, but the waiting just a little longer before the revelation can be considered a "sweet lie".

Emma thinks she can whistle. She thinks she is an expert whistler. She squeals "whoo-whoo" in a high pitched voice with her lips puckered tight and then smiles wide, "Did you hear my whistle?". "That was an amazing whistle!", we all say. Then Emma says, "I can do it with two fingers." She opens her puckered lips just wide enough to get two fingers in her mouth and lets out an even more shrill "whoo-whoo". An even bigger smile spreads across her face and I applaud. I couldn't dare tell her the hideous truth that those were not whistles just noises and anyone can make them. No, she will figure that out soon enough. Today, she is an amazing whistler all due to a little "sweet lie".

Ciao, Areli

The Promise

Today was a gorgeous day. No, that word "gorgeous" isn't quite right it sounds to rough for this day- this day was sensational.

7:30 am - I open my eyes to the glorious sunlight flooding my otherwise unlit bedroom. The beginning of a promise.

08:30 am - Panera Bread for breakfast with family in tow.

09:30 am - Indoor swimming in a perfectly heated pool with only the company of dear friends.

11:00 am - Walk along river, family still in tow, sun still shining, and Jon camera ready.

12:00 pm - Grab lunch to go and head to Laurel Creek Park for a "pink-nic". Sun still shining.

02:00 pm - Light shopping: new bath-mat, lotion, hair product, and sour lollipops.

03:00 pm - Sonic for slushes and limeades.

03:30 pm - Bays Mountain for the most beautiful waterfall hike ever as the sun is still shining.

Home by 05:30 pm and the acknowledgment that the morning's promise proved true.

Ciao, Areli

It is a wild yet lovely ride.

As I briskly scoot the girls out the door this morning just in time to catch the big yellow school bus, I let out an accomplished sigh. Task 'numero uno' done! Now, I re-enter my kitchen where my husband, Jon, is dutifully make two very tall and yummy cappuccino's. Always return duty for duty, I say, so I ask him if I can make him anything special for breakfast. He teasingly replies, "Cherry Cheesecake sounds nice." It's funny, but I then realize I have all ingredients needed in my cupboards to produce a cherry cheesecake, and so task 'numero duo' is set in motion. As I put the mini cheesecake bites into the oven to bake I become aware that I haven't seen Emma-loo or her daddy for a precarious amount of time.

I go down to the garage/workshop to take a look-see. I find my silly little dumpling prancing around the yard in her sisters 'way-to-big' dress shoes carrying a newly made walking stick; she skips and hops all the way to my side. I am smiling big and thinking it must be wrong for her to be so cute. Then she starts babbling on about her newest dilemma, "What is the difference between peddling- like a boat, and peddling- like a bike?" Instead of trying to figure out her brain I just explain one is actually "paddling" and the other "peddling". She is satisfied and hops on her big wheel racing off to the nearest adventure in the land deemed "Glenn Backyard".

I then search on for my other MIA and I find him just as suspected in the "Great Man's Workshop" or his half of the garage. I am immediately impressed at what I see. It was only days ago that I suggested Jon make the girls a small doll armoire to hold all of their American Girl doll clothes and accessories. I showed him a picture of one I find online that was way overpriced and with that he nodded and bid me adieu. Now, before me I see a freshly painted beautiful piece of furniture that I would rather hold my own treasures than some measly doll clothes. I know the girls will be so happy and proud. I am immediately impressed and in love with this man who often takes me to the edge of my sanity only to swing the pendulum all the way back to bliss. It is a wild yet lovely ride. And don't forget there's cheesecake to boot.

Ciao, Areli