My Mama

In honor of Mother's Day, I thought it fitting to showcase my Mom and some of my fondest memories of her. I consider myself very lucky to call her my Mom. She has taught me how to be a strong, successful woman but at the same time, how to laugh at myself (usually because she was the one laughing at me). So without any further ado, and in no particular order, I present a few snapshots in words of my Mom:

1. Opening night of the fall musical my freshman year of high school. I, showcasing my inherent grace, fell on stage - front and center. All I can hear as I quickly get up is my Mom laughing.

2. Numerous dance recitals and dance competitions over the years where she would sit in the stands and work until I came out on stage and she would watch with undivided attention until my dance was over. Or how we would quietly mock the other Mom's and kids as the Mom's held out tights for their 13 year olds to step into.

3. The way we fought because of that guy I thought I was in love with freshman year who was a few too many years my senior.

4. The day I got my license she let me drive off to my BFFs house. When I called home to let her know I was leaving but would be a few minutes late, she grounded me from the car for a week. (Still the only parenting decision she made that I vehemently disagree with).

5. The two of us getting me into my dress and ready to leave for pictures on my wedding day. Neither one of us cried until my very sentimental cousin entered the room and started crying.

6. 5th grade and I have a book report the next day. I had procrastinated and it needed to be typed. So I would write a page and then run it downstairs to her to type up while I wrote another.

7. My first job (a cashier at Cub) required me to ride a bike to work but oftentimes my shift would end way too late to be biking home. Mom would drop a car off and ride the bike home.

8. Saturday after Saturday for 2 years Mom and I would meet at WW and support each other through the loss of many, many pounds.

9. The musical my junior year required my Mom to make me a costume in one night. She did it (and by the way, I remember all of the grumbling and annoyance that accompanied it) and I was able to wear it the next day for pictures (none of which I was in).

10. Fun runs growing up (I always hated them) and my first, and only, 5K on last years Mother's Day. She was thrilled. I still hate running.

The dance recitals/competitions, choir concerts, musicals, church performances, and various other things that a kid drags a mother to are what make up my memories of my Mom. She always put me first and made my stuff feel important. I hope I can do the same to my little.

Love you Mom. Happy Mother's Day!

What is Joy?

Here's the thing. I've learned something over the past few months. I've learned that happiness and joy come in predictable and surprising packages. In my last post, I celebrated spring and I am still enjoying that blessing. Today was an absolutely exquisite 73 degrees in MN...in April! The sky was blue, the air was still, and the sun shone down brightening up every tucked away corner.

But I have found other sources of joy. I see pure joy in Dante's smile when he makes a joke at his Dad's expense. I see happiness in the way my neighbors are mowing their lawns and planting their gardens. I witness happiness in my coworkers when something finally clicks into place; when their project takes off.

And I see joy in my husbands face, when we talk about our new baby who is on the way.

Because joy can be found in two pink lines.

Baby Luopa
EDD November 25, 2010

Hello? Anybody there?

I admit that I went oh so long without updating the blog but truly, I had nothing of interest to say. The dead of winter does things to me and most of it isn't pretty. I get up, stumble into work, do my thing, and come home to curl up on the couch and watch movies or bad tv. I can't get myself to be overly productive or exciting and the blog suffers. There's just nothing to say you know?

So I'm going to try to do better...if anyone is still out there reading.

Productivity. BOOYA!

What's better than a boring post about what I did today? Probably everything but the boring post is all I've got.

Today I spent my time: mowing, vacuuming, scrubbing, dusting, organizing, shining, sweeping, and laundering. Tonight I have my feet up and am giving my lower back a rest as I bask in the thrill of my happy place.

Oh, and today commences the month of me. You can start sending gifts now.

*smoochies*

I had a dream...

...of the most perfectest day ever.

It was magical.

Last night I dreamed that I woke up to Adam giving me the most perfect day ever. I don't know where it came from but it has already provided me with numerous smiles and one fit of giggles today.

In the dream, I woke up and came out of the bedroom to find presents as far as the eye could see. They were all shapes and sizes; wrapped in Christmas paper, birthday paper, general paper; and topped with perfect, squiggly ribbon. They were allllllll for me. (C'mon, who doesn't love presents?) I proceeded to open just one tiny gift and inside was a Banana Strawberry Lip Smacker! For some reason, this was incredibly exciting!

I then looked into the corner to see that he had set up the Christmas tree (I <3 Christmas). Except, he had only set up the bottom section of the tree. Even though it wasn't complete, I thought it was beautiful.

Finally, he topped it all off with making me all of my favorite foods. There was cake (duh!), ice cream, candy, and maybe even some non-sugary foods. Heaven.

As fabulous as that day would be, it's probably better as a dream because I'm still smiling. :)

Spring!

Ah spring!

Take a deep breath.

::inhale::

::exhale::

Do you smell it? It's rebirth.

The sun is shining, the snow is gone, and the grass has the slightest green tint to it. You find that you leave the house and forget to grab a jacket. Maybe you're sleeping less. Maybe you're eating less. Maybe your general mood has improved and you're beginning to see opportunity and excitement in the most unlikely places.

What a gift.

I treasure this time of year. Maybe it has to do with my birthday (wink) but I think it has a lot more to do with the freshness in the air and the sun on my face. I love the feeling of newness and anticipation and this is what spring is to me. Anticipation of summer bonfires, scorching heat, and many more hours in the day.

Happy spring!!!

The roles we play

Have you ever thought much about how who we are is dependent on who we're with? I am a wife, a stepmother, a daughter, a sister. I am a co-worker and a team leader. I am a niece, an aunt, a granddaughter, a cousin, and a friend. And I can be most of these things in one day. And usually I can glide seamlessly between and among them without a thought. But then there are those rare days when it's hard to just be Me.

So what does this mean? Who sees the "true me"? Well that's the beauty of this. Everyone does because I'm multi-faceted and have different sides to my personality. Just because I get giggly with my friends and I talk about work and the dissertation with my family doesn't mean that either of those things are false. It's what makes me (and you) a complex individual capable of different depths, ideas, and characteristics.

Let's add more complexity to this. Your friends could think your great, your family can love you, but your coworkers could think that you need to get your head out of your ass. How is that possible? If you're great to some, can't you be great to all? Well no, you can't. And maybe that's a good thing. It keeps us honest and always striving for better.

For those of you who get overwhelmed with the different roles you play, remember this. You are great one way or another.