At Christmastime. That was two months ago.

I pulled out the nativity that my parents got me way back in 1989 for the first time this year. Actually I think this is the first year that it's been in my possession since as soon as I purchased a house my mother showed up with boxes of stuff that "is yours," including all Christmas decor that was tangentially related to me. Anyway, when I opened it I found this:

A note from my mother, reading: "Where ever you may be when you next unpack this nativity set, remember all the Christmases we shared it together. In its new home it will make many more memories."

I texted my mother as follows:

Me: I opened the nativity :)

Mom: I know I put a message in it. But I have no idea what I wrote anymore.

Me: About remembering its memories and making new ones.

Mom: Oh, how nice of me!

I dunno if we broke the angel or it it didn't come with one but that's the angel we have, so there she is.

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27

I love cake. Hence, I love birthdays. Especially my birthday because I get to pick the cake. Or the foods of celebration in this case, since I'd already had birthday cake last week. My birthday was on a Thursday this year and it was pretty darn awesome. Casual and fun.

At work, my boss gave me flowers, and my awesome interns surprised me after work with cupcakes from Hello Cupcake on Capitol Hill. They were so good I ate two.

We had dinner at Red Robin with my little brother and father (toasting with their bottomless root beer floats).

The boys helped me unwrap my gifts.

My mother is very crafty, so she saves a lot of things. This is the first time she's left me a note on a birthday gift to save things though.

B was disappointed to find out that he had given me the exact same birthday card two years in a row (and I could prove it, since he always dates his cards). His words were "Damn it, Hallmark!" But it's a nice card, so if he thinks of me when he sees it I have no objections.

I felt really loved with all the well wishes and little things my friends and family did (texts, cards, gifts, Facebook posts) to let me know they were thinking of me. And that's the best part of any birthday.

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One Year Later

2013

2014

As of Sunday, September 7, B and I have officially been married for one year. Time does indeed fly. In many ways the year was the same as the past four (three? four? I don't even know anymore) that we've been together. We already lived together, so we didn't need to merge two households. We already shared a joint bank account. I didn't change my last name. Really, our day to day lives didn't change that much, but there is something intangibly different about being "official". It feels different to be presented to the world as a married couple, even though our commitment to one another was cemented long ago. 

We wanted to mark the occasion with a few days of just enjoying one another's company. Also we just bought a house and aren't in a position to shell out cash for a big splashy trip at the moment. So we took off from work Friday and spent two days at the beach with some good friends.

Sunset over the bay.

 

Ice cream, always.

We went home Saturday night and spent our actual anniversary hanging out at the house, and doing some of our favorite things together:

Eating.

B made me blueberry pancakes for breakfast and I used my favorite Disney "Mrs." mug. We also got Chipotle for dinner and had frozen yogurt for a special treat.

Cuddling.

With both each other and the cats.

And being outside on a beautiful day.

Hiking in the local park.

I personally love to find unique gifts, so I gave B a wallet card to replace the tattered note I wrote to him years ago that he's been keeping in there, and a little book of things I love about him.

A lovely day to cap off a great year, and a great way to launch the next, hopefully-equally-as-great one.

  

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Swimsuits, Babies, and Insults

That title pretty much sums up my 4th. We spent the afternoon hanging in the pool at my pre-school friend's father's house enjoying his massive annual party. The perfect place to be since the mercury was hovering at 100.



So patriotic! So summery!

The place was practically swarming with babies, which of course is fine with me. It may be why, however, a guest of about 5 asked me where my baby was.

"I don't have one," I replied.

"Oh, it's still in your tummy?" she asked, staring at my bared abdomen.

"Yes, yes it is." I couldn't think of any other way to reply. For one, if you want to get into semantics, she is technically correct. Any future progeny are, with half of their required DNA, still "in my tummy". Second, did a 5 year old just basically call me fat?

I went in search of some baby cuddles to remedy my wounded ego.



Baby toes in the grass!

The baby possessing the above toes fell asleep on my chest rocking in a shaded porch swing. Is there a better way to end a summer holiday? I think not.

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"It's called A Salute to All Nations, But Mostly America."

Via

Kermit the Frog: We will also see a rousing finale from Sam the Eagle. What's it called, Sam? 
Sam the Eagle: It's called "A Salute to All Nations, But Mostly America". 

Kermit the Frog: Sam, are you ready with that finale? 
Sam the Eagle: It's a glorious three-hour finale! 
Kermit the Frog: You got a minute and a half. 


From MuppetVision 3D, at the Hollywood Studios in WDW, if you didn't know (and you should've).


HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA.


Also: 


John Adams: A second flood, a simple famine, plagues of locusts everywhere, or a cataclysmic earthquake, I'd accept with some despair. But no, You sent us Congress! Good God, Sir, was that fair? 


Thomson: The count, being twelve to none, with one abstention, the resolution on independence *is* adopted. 


From 1776, which you should also know. Now I'm off to enjoy a swim, good food and some illegal fireworks. Huzzah!

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