weekends, solidarity and breakfast in bed

For the record...the sparkle? It's back baby!!! There are still some little negatives trying to raise their ugly heads, but to them I say "BRING IT!" The last straw was a 24 hour bout with food poisoning for me and my baby girl Annika last week. It was such a ridiculous thing to happen to a group of people who have been isolated and sick for 4 weeks now. And it made me mad...crazy mad. And in that anger I found the ferocious, protective, strong momma, that has been missing. I dismissed the "sleepy on the couch at 8pm" momma and gave my prize fighting, strong momma a much needed hug, then sent myself on my way with a hearty slap on the rear end...varsity sports style. And like all pumped up athletes, I needed a song.  Thanks to Lady GaGa for providing the motivational dance track for this revival..."Born This Way." Holy buckets that song gets me. Yes, I know what the song is about...and no I don't have anything to announce here today. lol. But between it's inspiring message and my selective use of the lyrics...it is currently my theme song:)

I'm on the right track, baby

I was born to survive

No matter black, white or beige

chola or orient made

I'm on the right track, baby

I was born to be brave

Don't hide yourself in regret, 
Just love yourself and you're set 
I'm on the right track, baby 
I was born this way, yeah!

"Born This Way" for me means a return to my natural state...optimistic, cheesy happy, positive, alive, awake, aware, curious, taking chances, energized and overflowing with love.  Or...full of the sparkle:)

So it won't surprise anyone to hear that this revival has been fueled by injections of the monster love from my people.  For 2 months now we have all been walking around a little like the living dead, each in our own way, each needing something different to bring them back to the light.  For some it has been alone time, for others loads of family time, dog piling ourselves on each, hugs and hand holding and for some prayer.  At times the loneliness caused by being away from the extended family has been suffocating.  But there has been Facebook and blogs, phone calls and messaging, skyping and webams.  Thank God for technology.  But, come hell or high water, we've been there for each other, through blizzards, sickness and busy work schedules.  And in those moments, the sparkle began it's slow return.  

My dad Mario told me to recharge slowly...it feels better.  In my desperation to return to the old "normal" I poo hooed this idea, how could living like this for even one more day be helpful or healthy.   But, he was right because now this new normal feels earned and more permanent.  It wasn't given to me, I worked for it and I own it. I think we are all getting there.  We have stopped longing for the old normal and are embracing this new one.

So, these moments I'm talking about...the life giving ones, have been crammed into weekends.  These poor weekends have really had alot to deliver, we've put hefty demands on their 48 short hours.  But when you put the right people, in the right places, for 48 hours...well it's a beautiful life.


2 weekends ago:  South Dakota Bound!  Road trip:) 

We gather to hit the road and caravan to the great plains of South Dakota.  My favorite thing about this photo?  It was about 11 degrees out and look at how we are dressed. Gotta love us tough midwesterners:)   If the sun is out...it's warm...period.

Is there anything better than ONE beer at a local greasy spoon on a road trip?  

Do they sell these at Target? 

The long, and not so winding road to South Dakota.

The idea was that we would try to get through some of Maria's things, but we reserved the right to get through nothing if it didn't feel right. We actually managed to do quite a bit, being in her home was comforting and made the task a little easier. But we also spent time just being home and doing the things we don't get to because we live 5 hours away.  Barrett and Chad kidnapped Grandma and Grandpa and took them to the casino, an outing that earned them endless cool points with G & G:)   Teresa and I took Grandma shopping.  I cooked for everyone, Kathy brought delicious food and Grandma and I made halupsie hot dish.  


It was all there, everything we needed, exactly when we needed it.  

Great Grandma and CeCe look at photos.

And find Grandma Maria:) 

I got to photograph some of my favorite little faces.








And got my full fix of Auntie moments.

I also got to let Cece play in my makeup while mom and dad did taxes:)

We celebrated a birthday...

Photograph by one adoring momma Teresa.

I heard singing coming from the bathroom and I so wish I could have captured it for the world to hear later.  I lingered outside the bathroom door for a few minutes with tears in my eyes, just listening to the sounds of this beautiful family.  Some moments are overwhelming, and this one, my brosin in the shower with his amazing wife and precious daughter, singing and laughing, was just that.  I was an unintended recipient of the wave of love and joy coming from that little family in the shower.  It was 100% love coming from them and I couldn't help myself...I had to go in and freeze that moment in time for them...or maybe really for me.

Our snowed in day, spent writing thank yous at the Grandparents house with wine and chocolate cake.  Thank God for blizzards!

Last weekend.  Solidarity & breakfast in bed.


I usually try to leave politics out of my blog.  For those of you who know me, you know this is no easy thing for me to do.  But I'm sharing this time because I took the girls to their first peaceful protest last weekend which provided much more for them than I could have imagined.  They are old enough to know my political leanings, so this was not about trying show them what I believe, but it was about showing them how great our country is, how you can disagree with an idea or person and you can peacefully assemble in protest.  The girls were amazing, they engaged in conversation with individuals handing out fliers, holding signs, listened intently to the speakers and sang America The Beautiful with over a thousand citizens.  They asked smart questions and continued the conversation all the way home.  I always say I'm just trying to raise good human beings...I think they are well on their way.

Full disclosure.  We are a union family, Brandon works for the University system and is in a union.  

And on the lighter side, Miss Annika got up at 6am on made everyone breakfast.  She has never done this.  She was energized by the rally all weekend and went on a good deeds blitz.  And because Daddy gets to sleep in on weekends...he got the added bonus of breakfast in bed.

Annika is the unlucky recipient of "the grace", a disorder that makes us fall randomly, break things constantly and in general we act like we don't have thumbs.  This was a very tense moment, would "the grace" strike? 

Sweet Success!!!

Liam promptly took over the breakfast, smearing pancakes in butter dishes and syrup.

It's good to be the Daddy.

And that brings us to this weekend.  This weekend is super...duper...chill.  I've even spent a good deal of time playing a new video game.  If I'm playing a video game, then you know it is a super...duper...chill weekend.

Raspberries on Dad's iphone...sure, why not? 

Total kiss rejection from Liam.  Must have been the coffee breath.

"Truly Scrumptious" curls.  I've been singing that song all weekend. 

Liam's first encounter with Superman.  

Autumn's one millionth encounter with my camera.  

And it's only Sunday morning.  I'm pretty sure there is some wicked awesome on the agenda today, but I have no idea what it will be.  I know I'm making my second cup of "Donut Shop" coffee (it's either really the best coffee ever or it's name just makes it seem that way)  and that I've jumped out of my chair twice to dance already this morning.  Liam just woke up and in turn woke up Annika, so those two babies are now rocking my morning. 


Annika just asked for a donut run.  So now that's happening:)  


Hope you have a super, duper, chill Sunday with your people <3