Gratitude Friday

Feeling the love and gratitude lately for...

:: my friend...feels good to laugh, chat, knit and be together again.

:: plenty of free time to lounge around and avoid housework, watch the snow/rain and keep the kids in their jammies all day long!

:: this MacBook....

:: coffeeeeeeeee!

:: freshly mopped floors.

What are you feeling grateful for today?

Olympic Games :: Chez Lynch

This has been the winter for Mia & skiing! She took some lessons which gave her an enormous boost of confidence. She even proclaimed, "I like going fast!" Thank goodness kids all wear helmets these days! Skiing has given her the opportunity for some quality time with Daddy too.

~riding the chairlift.~

~Peek-a-boo Mia~

Shaun White has some amazing skills...but check out the Lynch kids with their tandem, living room, snowboarding style!!!

Happy Winter!

Boston :: Aquarium & Children's Museum!

We spent a splendid day in Boston...doing all the good family stuff...the Aquarium....

~starfish~

And the Children's Museum, which is always so much fun. We try to go once a year...it is amazing to see what peaks their interest each year...and always reminds me of what a difference a year can make!

~the special George exhibit was a big hit~

~Benji never wanted to leave the Construction Zone!~

The pictures are in reverse order, we actually did the Children's Museum first, then Tom, Mimi & Poppie took the kids over to the Aquarium, while Grammie, Auntie & I had some quality time at Fanueil Hall & Quincy Markey. We had some (ahem) refreshments and a little Urban Outfitters ( I still loooove that store!) retail therapy. We all met back up again (and Benji was very tired) so we headed North and stopped for Indian on the way home. We arrived home happy & verrrrry tired. It was a full and fun day. I need to take Mia to the MFA soon....I love Boston.

Gratitude Friday

I've missed Gratitude Fridays for 2 weeks! Gasp! I've been feeling a bit grumpy with a bad case of the "I wants" and an extra bad case of the "maybe I should ofs" Like, Maybe I should of gone straight to graduate school, or moved to France, or insert regret here. But, if I had done those things, I would not have met Tom and fallen in love with such a handsome and thoughtful, sweet and kind man...I would not have had my two beautiful babes, I would probably not be so close with my Mother and Sister. So, I've dumped out my cup of regret in favor of love and gratitude...I'm feeling grateful today for...

:: My love...I did not listen to my father's oh so romatic advice of marrying for money, I married for love...and I love you more and more each day...I'm looking forward to a lifetime of chats, laughs, good food & wine and sweet kisses. I love you Tom.

:: Good friends to laugh with (sooooo hard we cry!)

:: Kaitlyn--for those awesome jeans! I'm wearing the Citizens of Humanity ones today!

:: Sundried tomatoes and goatcheese--the combo is a little 1997, but is so yummy to me!

What are you grateful for today?

Happy First Birthday Maya!

One of our favorite little girls had her first birthday party yesterday! Happy Birthday Sweet Maya!

~Appliqued presents for the little one.~

~Benji played with the dollhouse that Maya's Mommy & I played with as little girls!~

~Katie & Mia!~

~The birthday girl enjoys her cake! She wears it well.~

~ Especially for Maya, from Mia...a little pink dolly to love.~

So much love in these parts lately...I'm feeling it & hoping you are too! Happy Valentine's Day!

My Apron Matches My Outfit...

And the other "little" things in life that are making me happy...

I normally change out of my work clothes upon arriving home...but this afternoon was different and I found myself still in skirt and heels starting to prep dinner. I totally channeled June Cleaver when I realized (with glee and a phonecall to Tom) that my outfit matched my koi fish apron...ah yes...it is the little things.

~Heels you say? Since 7 am? No worries, they are Ecco brown patten leather t-straps I picked up last fall at the outlet for a song! Comfy!~

Other things making me happy are my necklaces hanging on nails on the wall--easy to accessorize at 6:30 am! The rest of my bedroom is a big big UGH...I hate it and wish somehow someone from hgtv would come and re-do it for me...it a hardly the refuge I imagine...*sigh.*

Mia & Benji prepping for Valentine crafting....
And this little guy pretending to drink tea--and really enjoying himself!

In the midst of a chilly winter, it is the little things that get us through...rekindling friendships, blogging to remember to enjoy, butternut squash soup on the stove and (for now) two happy kiddos playing together long enough to let Mama unwind with a glass of wine and her computer...Happy Monday Friends.

Happiness :: Me

I don't like to have my picture taken...I wouldn't say I'm photogenic and I always feel I look much better in person. Perhaps that is why there are basically no pictures of myself on this blog. So this is me....at 30 years and 7 months old.

Just for fun...10 things that I love about myself:

:: my strong eyebrows...naturally arched and nearly black...

:: the way my legs look in heels...still like a dancer's...

:: my fine bone structure...tiny features, pixielike.

:: I'm curvy in a slim way...in all the right places as my Mimi would say. (and I think I look better naked....you'll have to take my word on this...is that tmi?)

:: my sense of humor, I'm a wee sarcastic and witty...I laugh all the time, especially around Tom, he's a funny guy!

:: my laugh...loud & boisterous!

:: my ability to love--fiercely...

:: my ability to forgive.

:: my sense of style

:: the self confidence I feel about the woman I've grown to be.

I'm not trying to be egotistical...or make everything all about me...in my life these days there are some very important little people whose needs always come first. I've learned to love myself (flaws and all) and I'm truly one of the happiest people I know. It feels good. So love yourself people...who else will if you don't!

Oh yeah...

Today I wore a new dress to school, with a little vest, and my barcelona boots. I even wore eyeliner. I felt good. I used to really love fashion. I'd pour over the newest W magazine and fantasize about Christian Louboutin heels. To say life has shifted a bit is an understatement. These days most of my fashion budget goes to OshKoshB'Gosh or the yarn store. With my body shifting and the gaining and loosing of 45 pounds 2 times in the last 5 years, fit was a priority--not fashion. Seriously, I have gone from 110 pounds (healthy on my 5'3" frame) to 155, back down to 105, back up to 155 and now a comfortable 11o again...nursed 2 babies--gone from cup size a to dd, back to a, back up to dd and now a comfortable c in 5 years! I was reluctant to buy anything to snazzy during the post partum times, knowing that I'd either loose the last pounds or get preggers again.

I'm not saying I really let myself go...but I didn't put much thought into my outfits (cleanish? fits? good to go!). But this Mama...oh this Mama was totally inspired by a blogpost to clean out my closet, put away all the saggy butt stuff that is too big and get my sassy butt into some cute clothes...Turns out, I have a lot of good stuff in my wardrobe already...and I'm looking forward to adding cute pieces slowly...when I'm inspired (Okay...I want like the entire Anthropologie catalogue right now!).

It might seem cliche, but when you look good...you feel good. It also feels great to rediscover a little bit of Kim again.