My sentiments exactly...

On days this beautiful, I have an even harder time than usual staying indoors cleaning.  Lord knows I'm never really much of a fan of the daily chore load.  I'm just saying, on days like today, I can totally justify my lack of domestic prowess much more easily.

"She sat down before breakfast. Decided how to spend her day: Climb trees. Run fast. Sing at the top of her lungs. Do the dishes tomorrow."

How adorable is that little journal? I can't get enough! And a new issue of Better Homes to read outside in the gorgeousness of today? Yessir, I think that sounds like a plan!

Happy Wednesday!  Hope you're enjoying your day as much as I am mine!

xo,
Carlyree

To the boy who's nearly 2...

"If, out of time, I could pick one moment and keep it shining, always new, of all the days I have lived, I'd pick the moment I met you."

I'm in a music video?

Oh. Em. Gee. It's actually true. My sister, her friend, and I all made the latest music video from Parachute for their song "What I Know."  Are you as shocked as I am?  We aren't actors or anything, just fans, which proved to be enough to make it into their awesome new video comprised of footage from their St. Louis, MO show... The one we just happened to go to in April! Oh, my mom is even in it (in the background taking a pic!) If you blink, you'd miss my .01 second of an appearance (at the very end), but it was, as silly as it sounds, thrilling nonetheless!

So enjoy, and go buy their new cd 'The Way It Was', which came out yesterday! It's amazing! Buy it here.


Happy Wednesday to one and all.

xo,
Carly

Where does the time go?

Are we really almost halfway through May already? This worries and excites me all at once. If I've learned anything, it's that life with a toddler boy zooms by faster than you can say, "Slow the bleep down!"

For now, I'm just trying to savor my time with the baby boy as much as I can. Looking back on pictures from his first two years (he'll be 2 in June!) bring me to the all-too painful realization that these moments do not last. My grandma in all her infinite wisdom (especially concerning children) always tells me there are no 'do overs'. She couldn't be more right. I am so lucky to stay at home with him, so even when I feel exhausted, stressed, or overwhelmed, I just have to remind myself that one day not so far off he won't need me, or perhaps even want me, as much as he does at this very instant.

So I will treasure every last second of morning toast & strawberry breakfasts, playing with chalk & bubble-blowing afternoons, and late-night cuddles, becasue I know these precious moments are running out as I see my sweetheart baby boy grow more & more every day into more of a smart, charming, & tall little boy...

One of my favorite but seriously sad, sad, sad poems is this one below. Enjoy, but if you are a crier, do grab a tissue first. You've been warned.

"You were six months old and full of fun,

With a blink of an eye, you suddenly were 1..

There were many things we were going to do,

But I turned my head and you turned two...

At two, you were very dependent on me,

But independence took over when you were three...

Your third birthday, another year I tried to ignore,

But when I lit the candles there weren't 3, but four...

Four was the year that you really thrived,

Why, look at you now, you're already five...

Now you are ready for books and rules,

This is the year that you go to school...

The big day came; you were anxious to go,

We walked to the bus, going oh so slow...

As you climbed aboard and waved goodbye,

I felt a lump in my throat and a tear stung my eyes...

Time goes so fast, it's hard to believe,

That yesterday you were home here with me...

And tomorrow when the bus brings you home &

you jump to the ground

You'll be wearing your cap and graduation gown...

So I'm holding on to these moments as hard as I can,

Because the next time I look,

I'll be seeing a grown man!"

 Poem found here.

The Power of Words...

A very short, but simple and moving look at the power of words and actions.  Love it.  Thanks to d. Sharp Journal!

Angels can fly because they carry no burdens...

My Mr. Hubbs and Mr. Chubbs in perhaps my favorite picture of all time. 

Because I miss writing...

I have started a blog in a semi-desperate attempt to remember all the wonderfully sweet & silly moments of life with a 23-month old that seem unforgettable as they occur, but often (sadly) slip my mind just one week later.  I'm also looking to exercise my mind a bit as I slowly feel my short-term memory slipping through my fingers.  Finally, I just really, really miss writing... As a formerly religious diary-keeper (in grade school), who grew into a journalism major (in college), who then morphed into a communications coordinator (as a young professional), writing had always been a comforting constant in my life... but with the birth of my 1st baby, I've sort of fallen off the writing train.  And now I'm ready to jump back aboard, so to speak, so full steam ahead, friends!  It might be a bumpy ride from time to time, but I promise it'll be fun, so hang in there! 

P.S.  Do you like how I took the whole train reference and ran with it?