Monthly Archives: August 2015

the guy behind the blog (july 2015 edition)

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I love including Michael on the blog whenever I can, so when I saw this fun little survey here, I just had to ask him to participate! I want our girls to be able to look back one day and read something that their dad wrote, instead of just hearing from their mom all the time!

Before I turn this post over to him, I can’t go without mentioning how seriously adorable this photo is…  I’m convinced that there’s no faster way to melt a mama’s heart than a daddy dancing with his littlest girl. Anyway…_MG_8878

1. What is your all time favorite food?

Hmm… this is a tough one. I’ll basically eat anything that’s put in front of me (except for items in Question #4 below). I’m not very picky. So, not sure if I have a favorite right now. But, my favorite growing up was either mom’s homemade bread or Chicken Florentine. I think I was lucky enough once to have both in the same meal and I’m sure I probably exploded. Talk about some good food!

2. Who is the cook between you and your significant other?

Um… definitely not me. I can do cookies. And breakfast. I make some mean waffles. Beyond that, I haven’t had to make much. Tara does a fantastic job!

3. What is the weirdest thing you have ever eaten?

On my mission, we had some Filipino Elders that occasionally dared us to try some of their food. So, I went with the balut challenge. Definitely the weirdest thing I’ve ever had and totally backs up my thought that a cultural delicacy is something only that culture would eat. (Be warned if you Google it)

4. Are there any foods that you absolutely detest?

Mushrooms and olives. Probably the only two things I can’t do. Mushrooms is just a texture thing. Olives has a story to it…

On my mission, we visited a lady’s home where she invited us in and offered to make us a salad (it was lunch time). She came back with a Greek salad, complete with green olives, olive dressing, and it wouldn’t surprise me if the lettuce was some distant olive cousin. Basically, too. much. olive. Ever since then, I haven’t been able to stomach olives.

5. What is your favorite local, little-known, or hole in the wall place to eat?

We frequent a small Greek restaurant here in town. It’s a small family-run restaurant, but they have the BEST gyros!

dear kaya (2.75 years)

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Dear Kaya,

You turned two and three quarters of a year old in June, but as is the norm lately, I’ve put off writing this, just because I have so much to say about you, my sweet daughter. I save up all these tiny details in my mind and mentally draft my letters to you so many times before I actually write them.

If I had written this back in mid-June, it might have been a completely different letter. Kaya, you have endured and persevered through SO much in this past month and a half. You are an amazing example to me of strength, love, and forgiveness.

Even though you were hurt by Jax, you never stopped loving him. You instantly forgave him, and you’ve risen above the possibility of letting a traumatic experience change who you are. You still love animals. You are not afraid.

You are strong._MG_7999I don’t know what I did to deserve to be your mama, sweet girl. You are so very tender-hearted and (almost always) looking out for your little sister.

You tell me when your stuffed animals are sad, tired, or miss their mommies, and then you nurture and cuddle them. You are always taking care of everyone, real or imagined._MG_8848The little things in life are your favorites. I love how easy it is to surprise you with something so small and see you find joy in it for weeks. Anything with an animal or Olaf on it is sure to win your heart these days.

You’re becoming so self-sufficient lately, too. You sometimes insist on making your own sandwich, and you’ve even started cleaning up your own toys without being asked. I can’t remember when our living room has ever been so tidy!

_MG_7985When we aren’t out on a walk, in the car, at church, or grocery shopping, you like to pretend that you’re doing all those things! I find it so funny when you grab your baby and your purse and start “driving” places.

_MG_8000Peeky, we love you so very much. You light up our lives in a way we couldn’t have imagined. You may still be small, but you’ve taught me so much already.

Love, Mommy