today...

Dear Joe,

Today will be the last time I kiss you goodbye as you hurry off, back pack in hand.  Today is the last day Genevieve cries at the door.  Today is the last day I have to explain where you are a dozen times before the little ones lay down their heads.  Today is the last night I will stay up late waiting for you.  Today is the last time I wander the house after the kids are tucked in and miss everything about you.  Today is your very last night of school.  No more homework, studying, late nights, missed weekends.  

These past two years have taught me a lot about myself and our relationship.  I have learned I can do hard things.  I have learned we can persevere when we're together.  I've learned what the word "support" really means.  I have had to grow up while you've been away.  These past two years have also taught me a lot about loneliness.  Some nights I never thought I could be so lonely.  There were many times I would lay on the warm cement of the driveway and gaze up at the stars thinking the loneliness might swallow me up but just as those thoughts were too much your headlights would turn down our road and you would be home again.  

I know it hasn't been easy for either of us. Yet through it all you have proven to me you an incredible man.  I knew it the day I married you but I never knew the depth of my love and respect until now.  Joe, you have accomplished so much in these past two years.  A new home, a new baby, countless work trips, your mom passing away and school.  Yet through it all you have never been upset or resentful for the amount of work on your plate.  You have always taken it one day at a time with one patient foot in front of the other.  

I'm so proud of you my dear. I hope you realize the magnitude of your accomplishment.  Not only are you graduating with your MBA but you are graduating with impeccable grades while you continued to raise and support a family, remained my sweetheart, worked long hours and stayed true to who you are.  Your patience and dedication is endless and I am just so proud to know you.

Congratulations my sweetheart.  You deserve all the happiness in the world and I can only hope I will be there to see all of your dreams realized. 

~ your girl.   

(remember this day? first day of school)

congratulations love.

you did it!

wherever you are...

I wanted you more than you ever will know,

so I sent love to follow wherever you go.

It's high as you wish.  It's quick as an elf.

You'll never outgrow it... it stretches itself!

So climb any mountain...

climb up to the sky!

My love will find you.

My love can fly!

Make a big splash! Go out on a limb!

My love will find you. My love can swim!

It never gets lost, never fades, never ends...

if you're working...

or playing...

or sitting with friends.

You can dance 'til you're dizzy...

paint 'til you're blue...

there's no place, not one,

that my love can't find you.

and if someday you're lonely,

or someday you're sad,

or you strike out at baseball,

or think you've been bad...

just lift up your face, feel the wind in your hair.

that's me, my sweet baby, my love is right there.

In the green of the grass... in the smell of the sea...

in the clouds floating by... at the top of a tree... 

in the sound crickets make at the end of the day...

"you are loved.  You are loved. You are loved," they all say.

My love is so high, and so wide and so deep, it's always right there, 

even when you're asleep.

So hold your head high and don't be afraid

to march to the front of your own parade.

If you're still my small babe or 

you're all the way grown,

my promise to you is you're never alone.

You are my angel, my darling, my star... 

and my love will find you,

wherever you are.

(by: nancy tillman)

Breeja

Joe's cousin Breeja Larson is headed to the London Summer Olympics

Breeja beat Rebecca Soni, the best breaststroker in the world, 

and world record holder Jessica Hardy, in the 100 meter breaststroke.  

Needless to say we have been cheering her on.  

Watching every moment we could and talking about her constantly. 

 Surprisingly, Genevieve has been just as enthralled.

 Asking if anyone who looked like a swimmer (even michael phelps) was "Brillow".

Now, she wants to be "Brillow" wearing Joe's goggles 

and swimming the breaststroke in the bath tub 

screaming: "I going to the lympics, I going to lympics yaaaay!!!"

Baby, maybe one day you will.

Until then we are so proud of you Breeja.

We are cheering you on!!!

33 years.

33 years ago on a warm summer day this hansom boy was born.

I'm sure his mama held him tight as tears ran down her face as she stared into

the sweet face of her first born son.  

I'm so glad he was born.  I'm so happy I found him.

I'm so thrilled he chose me.

I'm so thankful to wake up to his sweet smile every day

and close my eyes with his warm hands wrapped around me every night.

I'm so blessed he is the sweet father to my kidlets.

I couldn't be a luckier girl.

The world would be a sad sad place with out my joe.

He is a good man, wonderful father, sweet son and amazing husband.

Happy Happy Birthday my sweetheart.

I know this years birthday is bitter sweet but know

that I love you and will always be here to hold you

through the thick and thin.

love you.

Fin's Circus Soiree

what a perfect day.

family, friends, food and my baby turning one. 

I must say I can't help myself when it comes to parties.

I tend to go all out and boy did we go all out for Fin's first birthday.

face painting, bubbles, a bounce house, balloon animals, clown noses

and lots of sugar.

I couldn't help but reminisce about Genevieve's first birthday.  My how time is flying.

I made the balloon banner using this tutorial

it wasn't hard but tedious and time consuming.

Joe and I blew up 72 balloons.  We both had major headaches afterwards.

my sweet neighbor, Laura made all the desserts: cake, cupcakes and cookies

they were so yummy.

and what circus is complete without popcorn and cotton candy

Genevieve was the "ringmaster" 

face painting was done by the amazing: athena

grammy and grandad

there is just something magical about bubbles

I made my headband using this tutorial

we had about 60 of our good friends and family come and help us celebrate Finley's first year of life

here is just a few of them...

Happy Birthday Finley James.

We love you.

(all photos were taken by the wonderful alisha gregerson)

\