I'm as Old as Jesus

Today is my Jesus Birthday. I'm now as old as He ever was. And my life isn't nearly as good or as bad as His was. Which I think is right about where you want to be.

(Can I say that out loud? Well, I just did.)

It's bizarre that I moved to NYC when I was 24. 24?? Really? In some ways that seems a lifetime ago, and in other ways, just a few years ago. It's wild.

In my dream world, I would reflect on lo, these 9 years as a New Yorker and share many favorite stories. But sadly, there's too much going on at work today and I don't have time.

Geoff did send me this amazing bouquet today at work though.


I love the heart that is formed at the top. It is amazing.

Maybe I’ve told this story already, so if you get bored, feel free to move along. I have a very strong memory of one of my mom’s friends telling me something that stuck with me for years. (Mom, I don’t know why I think it was Mary Alice Blake, because that would have made me a freshman in high school at the oldest, but I do). She was telling the story of a friend’s daughter who had just gotten engaged. In her entire life, she’d never been given a dozen red roses. And she prayed throughout her life that God would give her a sign, that the person she was supposed to marry would give her a dozen roses. And her fiancé did shortly before he proposed. And that’s how she knew he was the right one. Well, my romantic little teenage heart just ate that right up and remembered it for years. And as I got older, I semi-started to make my own version of that prayer. For some reason, I always wanted to be sent flowers at work. So I thought, maybe that could sorta be my sign. And sure enough… Geoff was the first man to ever send me flowers at work. I’m just sayin’… I know that is cheesy as hell, and I apologize but…I’m just sayin’.

Anyway, back to birthday-related things...tonight is just a small dinner with some friends. Something low key and easy and that will provide many opportunities for sangria. Just as it should be.


PS- My office just did this. Not the best for my waistline, but DANG does it look good!!


PPS - This day keeps getting better...Just after cake, our Executive Director brought her dog Rusty in for a visit. Please! (He also was really into the cake)

Mothers Day in The Connecticut

We spent Mother's Day out in CT with Geoff's family. Was sad not to see my mom on Mother's Day, but we had a lovely time with my in-laws. (Still weird for me to say I have in-laws, by the way. And yes, it has almost been a year. Clearly, I am slow to adjust to change. Even good ones.) It was a gorgeous day.

And just FYI, for those of you who were at our wedding, the picture above was a little closer to what I pictured the cocktail hour would look like.

Instead, it looked more like this.


Ah well, what can you do? It was still a great party.

We had great fun with the nieces & nephew, as always. A little catch with Uncle Geoff and some general hanging out and reading with Aunt Kate. Much conversation and food and completely being entertained by the kids.

Maya shows Uncle Geoff her painted toes. Yes, there are polka-dots.


Maya snuggles up to her dad


Kayla contemplates football, and likely, life, while wearing a tutu. Doesn't get much better than that.


Crawling away... I knew as soon as I took this shot that I was going to be obsessed with her tutu all day.


Seriously, this is the best outfit ever


Please.


Liz and the kids


I'd heard through Geoff that Khal had thought we should celebrate my birthday the entire month of May. I'm all for that. So this was even a partial birthday celebration for me. And there was a killer, super, mocha chocolate, crazy, amazing cake that was made. It was not to be believed!


Kayla made quick work of it.


I like how here she seems to be saying (and I hear it in my head as a sort of low, guttural almost gremlin-y voice)... "MMMMmmm, yes. Now, what else do you have for me?"


The aftermath...Cake was such serious business, she lost a shoe in the process.


Great fun as always. And I'm realizing....somehow we always manage to be in CT when there is cake available. I swear we don't even do that on purpose.

Happy Mother's Day!

The Snake Cake

Just 'cause it was so impressive....I have no idea how my sister-in-law actually did this. And yes, his tongue is made of chocolate. Please.