3 days, 3 states

(If you want to listen to MJ's soundtrack down below while browsing you will need to scroll down and press play)

MJ and I flew to Chicago this Memorial Day weekend to spend time with my Uncle Bobby and Aunt Linda (my distraction to avoid dwelling on what would have been my fourth wedding anniversary).  As we began our decent and I could point out that oh so familar skyline I had visions of throwing pennies into Buckingham Fountain, waving to our reflections in "the bean", and running on the planks of Navy Pier.  Yeah well someone or something had different plans for us.....it rained the entire weekend.  SO we did what we have come to do best we turned lemons into lemonade with some help from our wonderful hosts!  Between the yummy restaurants and fun-filled venues we didn't have time to care about the weather!  Chi-town I will forever love you, but Indiana and Michigan had a lot of fun to offer my girl!!  Here's a couple slide shows, videos, and pics of only a FEW our adventures!

Fair Oak Farms

Demonte, Indiana

BellaBoo's

Lake Station, IN

Water Room Video 

Train Room Video

Redamak's

New Buffalo, MI

This burger joint was so yummy!  Straight out of Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.  If you are ever in New Buffalo, MI it's well worth the stop and the calories.  I snapped this with my phone on the way out.

The sunset in Dyer, IN on our last night of the weekend.  The rain always pays off.


Auntie Wynn


Uncle BoB-eeee


Three days, three states.........one tuckered out little girl!
Could only mean one thing.....GOOD TIMES!!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you Auntie Wynn and Uncle BoB-eeee......we love you so!!
(remember! "don't worry kitty it's okay")

Videos

Pictures can be very powerful, but thanks to modern technology so can video.....(don't forget to pause the blog music at the bottom so you can hear the video sound).

In this clip Miah mimics a few animal noises.  She's is slightly distracted by Mickey Mouse Club, but you will get the idea.

We plan to give swimming lessons a whirl again this summer.  In this quick clip I think you will see she is ready.

This "move" was generated organically when Miah would get out of the bath or the shower this past winter.  We have no idea where it came from, but she quickly realized it made everybody laugh.  Naturally she does it any time any where!!  Especially when she is getting in trouble hoping to distract me from my reprimanding.  It is called "Freeze". 

This clip is one of my favorites!!  This girl LOVES her music!!!  Especially if it is something she can move to.  This particular jam out is to The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Can't Stop from their By the Way album.

Can't stop the spirits when the need you,

This life is more than just a read through!

Hoppy Easter 2011

It's beginning to seep in.......my girl is blissfully happy and insurmountably loved.  My biggest fear the moment I learned the dreadful news that Jeremiah died was, "Is our baby going to be okay without a Dad?"  In this past year I can't count the times I've sighed in relief.....She's going to be ok.  More than ok.  The more I watch and witness minute by minute the unbelievable resilience of life through Miah Jane the more I believe to no longer have fear, but faith and hope.  Moments like Easter this year cast all my doubts aside and hold fast to my tried and true.....LOVE NEVER FAILS. 

I know I haven't been updating as often as I used to, but quite honestly life has gotten in the way and I am absolutely treasuring the feeling.  I can't explain the pleasure and healing I have found in my glorious routine or should I say routines with Miah.  I don't know that I would dare say I feel normal again, but I feel like I'm living.  She and I are living.

With all that gushiness aside.......Easter 2011 was an "eggs"travaganza!!!  My lovely parent's hosted a brunch for MJ, her besties Devin and Lexi, AND Devin and Lexi's family!!!!  I feel like I'm always saying my Mom out did herself, but I assure you when I say it I'm not exaggerating or over using the phrase.  The woman and her culinary skills NEVER cease to amaze my taste buds.  Once our bellies couldn't take anymore we headed outside to my Dad's meticulously well taken cared for yard to watch the kids find eggs loaded with money, jelly beans, and toys.  The "oohs" and "aahs" from their little mouths were incredible.......if only they knew the gifts the give with their smiles and eye twinkles.

Powerful stuff those smiles and eye twinkles aren't they?

To Grandmother's House She Goes (Grandpa lives there too)

No place compares to Grandma's house. 

The millions upon millions of Grandma's houses out there each have that unspoken special comfort that can only be created by none other than Grandma.  We all remember it and may still enjoy it to this day.  My girl is fortunate to have a woman that was born to be a Grandma.  My Mom is an incredible grandparent and wears this hat with the most love and pride.  Without a word my she helps remind me how lucky I am despite what I have lost.  Just when I thought I couldn't love my Mom any more than I already have all my life she brings it to whole new level when she dotes on my little bandaid.

Here's a few snapshots of MJ at her Grandma Refuge.......

We create masterpieces.....

....in Grandma's slippers.....gets the creative juices flowing.

We take a shot at Beethoven...

We wrestle Chester for his bed and toys......

We swim.......

We stop to smell the roses...

We dance like everyone is watching......(we aren't bashful with the dancing)

We steal Chester's bed and toy AGAIN.

Let's her win every time. 

Such a pal.

Tea Time

I had great intentions of capturing Kindermusik class this morning, but failed miserably.  My purse, baby necessities, and multimedia in tow I thought to myself "not shabby for over sleeping and running fifteen minutes behind.  You got this JoJo."  We make class just in the nick of time, Mama takes a deep breath, and we greet our mini music friends.  Class begins, Miah starts dancing right on cue, aaaaand my video camera is dead as a doornail.  Ah, well that's okay I've got the regular camera that takes video as well.....um yeah memory card in my laptop at home.  AAAAAAHHHHH!!!  So no Kindermusik clips today.  BUT I will be sure to be better prepared next class.

After class we hit the grocery store, three mini boxes of raisins, a dash of oblivious, and a sprinkle of rude humans later we both ran out of there screaming for the safety of home.  Ah home.  We love our home.  Where everything has it's place be it all over the living room or tidied away on a shelf.  It ours, it's cozy, and it's safe.  Not just lock the door safe, but refuge safe.  Where our moments, memories, and imagination run freely together and we don't have a care in the world.

So come everyone and join us for a spot of tea, because we were feeling a bit British this afternoon!

Hellow Love. (In her best Julie Andrews voice)

The British have proven time and time again that they know how to rock.  Have they not?  Rockers drink tea right?  Tea time isn't always frilly hats and pinkies up!

We musn't forget the mushrooms Mummy!

 

Hm, delightful indeed.

Mickey, Minnie, do you take cream?

or carrot sticks?

Wow child you look like your Daddy here!

Tea is all gone Mum?

Ah well, carry on then......

Cheerio!