Happy Birthday Amelia Jayne!

On December 10th, 2002 at 9:17 p.m., my life changed forever.  Amelia Jayne Jarzabek made her grand entrance into the world.   

Tomorrow my baby turns 5.  

In this short period of time, I have learned so much . . . 

I have learned that immense strength comes in the tiniest of packages.

I have learned that miracles happen every day.

I have learned that a tiny blonde toddler can make a 6 foot tall police officer play "hairdresser" for hours on end.

I have learned that trying to rationalize with a child does not work.

I have learned that my child is the reflection of the very best of her father and myself . . . and sometimes the worst too.

I have learned that it is very hard not to laugh when your child blurts out "Well, that sucks."

I have learned that I cried harder and longer on her first day of preschool than she did.

I have learned that being a mother means that your days of all night party have ended and staying up all night with a puking or coughing child have begun.

I have learned that I am not the center of the universe...but my child is.

Happy Birthday Amelia.  I love you three

SNOW DANCE

The previously scheduled litany of thankfulness is being temporarily interrupted to bring you this brief message.

I am currently doing the Snow Dance.

For those of you who do not know what the Snow Dance is, it is the dance that young children and teachers do when inclimate weather is predicted in the hopes of getting an unscheduled day off.  My version of this ritual is really quite atrocious.  It looks like combination of the "Cha-Cha Slide," The Chicken Dance" and something from a reaaaalllly bad rap video from the 80's.  It may be ugly, but 9 out of 10 times, it works.  

I'll keep you posted.  

Things I am thankful for...Part Two

Starbucks

Yes, I know...Things I am thankful for Part Two should be devoted to my daughter, Amelia Jayne...or my family...or even my dog Zen (aka Zenadine Zedan).  But the fact is, I need to include pictures for those posts and I haven't figured out how to make my camera and my MacBook be friends.  And so...

Starbucks...I am so thankful for thee..

I admit it...I'm a little obsessed.  I blame this entirely on the following:

1.  I am a mom.  I have a lot of stuff to do and not a whole bunch of time to do it in.  I have no time to be sleepy.  Starbucks puts the zip in my zippity do da.  Not to mention the fact that it allows me to stay awake through my Tuesday night Administrative Skills and Mentoring class.  This, indeed is an amazing feat.

2.  It's DELICIOUS.  Seriously, have you ever tried the deliciousness that is a Peppermint Mocha?  A steamy cinnamon Chai.  YUMMMMMMMMY!

3.  Happy People.  The baristas are super duper chipper.  The music is jazzy---especially now at Christmas time.  This is the only place I know of that plays the Jack Johnson version of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.  That alone makes me want to move in.

4.  Cool lingo.  Going to Starbucks is almost like traveling to a foreign country!  "Grande" "Venti" "Frappucino"  Doesn't that make you feel worldly?  Mais Oui!

5.  Impeccable Interior decorating.  Sometimes I pretend that Starbucks is home . . . An immaculate home with comfy chairs minus dog hair and table tops without juice boxes.

Truly, I can go on and on . . . but I feel a Grande Nonfat Sugar Free Gingerbread Latte calling my name . . .Care to join me?

Things I am thankful for...Part One

For me, this week officially marks the start of the holiday season. I staunchly refuse to start my holiday celebrations and/or shopping when the Hallmark ornaments hit the store, which is now roughly two weeks before Labor Day.

In celebration of this wonderfully festive time of year, I thought that I might reflect upon what I am truly thankful for this holiday season.  There are oh-so-many things . . . the fact that there are not one but TWO radio stations now completely devoted to Christmas songs, the sugar-free, non-fat, Gingerbread latte (grande, please) that has now become part of my weekly diet, and the upcoming skip work-get out early-super-de-duper shopping extravaganza with my mom that is coming up next week.

In spite of the fact that all of these things I am truly thankful for, I thought that I should decide my first thankfulness post to my soul mate . . . my hubbie . . . MikeyJ.

I adore my husband for so many reasons...He accompanies me on my weekly voyages to the Barnes and Noble without complaint.  He has been to every single one of my races---even the Bright Nights race last year in sub-zero temperatures.  He even occasionally  starts my car for me in the winter.  But this past Saturday came the end-all-be-all most spectacular reason why I truly adore my husband.  

As we made our way from the Target where we braved the toy aisle to coffee at B&N, we had a conversation that went like this:

M: I was thinking . . . 

B: Uh-huh . . . 

M: I think we should get a cleaning lady...

B: Absolutely. Positively. Now.

M: You are busy with work and school...and I am busy with work and school.  We want to spent time with Amelia when we are home and that doesn't lend itself to cleaning...

B: You don't have to sell it to me mister...let's do this!

M:  You're not offended are you?

B: Me?  AHHHH...thats a NO!

So hats off to you Mike...you are truly what I am most thankful for this holiday season...if you don't count our daughter...and Starbucks (only on Tuesday when I have class.)  Now...take out the dog, will ya?