Be the light

"Travel light, live light, spread the light, be the light."

It's a beautiful Monday morning and, while I enjoy the nice view from my office window, I can't help but wish that I was playing outside with my son.  In spirit of the glass half full, I'm grateful to have this wonderful position at my company that keeps me challenged and motivated.  In the spirit of I-can't-wait-until-4:30pm, i'm posting some beauties from our trip to the zoo yesterday. 

The zoo is my magic place. It's Dom's magic place.  It's where I watch his eyes light up in wonder with every new experience.  The joy in the ordinary comes alive at the zoo.  One day, Dom sat on the edge of the sidewalk and patted the ground, his sign for me to sit down.  We sat there, two peas in a pod, watching the small waterfall land on the bronze otter statues.  There were people walking every which way, yet Dom & I just lived in that magical, ordinary moment. His eyes weren't focused on "the next big thing."  His mind wasn't racing to "what do we do next?!"  His incredible little self just spotted this mini waterfall and wanted to view it.  We sat, talking about the waterfall and otters. He eventually was ready to play in it with abandon.  While I don't think it was necessarily a "play area," we certainly made it our little area of fun.    Now, any time he asks me to have a seat, even if we're trying to run out of the door in the morning, I do everything in my power to take that that moment with him... because these moments are what it's all about.

"Travel light, live light, spread the light, be the light."  Yes, my Yogi tea bag this Monday morning was very wise.  It inspired me to take a moment, ground myself and be grateful for this good life.

Happy 5th Anniversary

We headed to Iceland in February this year in celebration of our 5th anniversary. There are 300,000 people in the entire country. My favorite thing about Iceland was how we would go outdoor adventuring (waterfalls, volcanos, watching wild horses, hiking, exploring tectonic plates) then we would "hot pot" it afterwards.   Every town is geothermal heated with "hot pots" (hot tubs or hot springs) with the fanciest being The Blue Lagoon.  When we drove into any small town we would see signs for gas stations, food, lodging & this sign with a circle & steam coming out of it. It was a hoot.

Now that our actual anniversary actual day is here, I'm relishing in how lucky we are to be married to each other.  Marriage takes work, yes, we've realized that.  Compromise, laughter, listening, faith & "letting it go" are the keys for us.  This marriage also equals hanging with my best friend 24/7.   I love everything from date nights, to lazy Sunday mornings, playing in our pool, hanging with good friends, watching our son experience new discoveries, Sunday night TV laziness and long walks around the neighborhood.  In summary, this is a great life & I'm most definitely partnered with exactly the right person!  Cheers to the next 5 & many more.

Hanging at the blue lagoon - face masks & champagne

We had practically the same car in Iceland & Ireland

Getting ready to see the Northern Lights. This is a snowmobile suit on top of my ski parka & ski pants. Late evening on a boat in Iceland = chilly!

Heading in from the Northern Lights

My chauffeur around the country

Iceland Black Beaches 2014  - Wish You Were Here!

100% of body weight into the wind. They film "Game Of Thrones" here.

Beautiful sunrise.  Also 100% of body weight into the wind!

Gulfoss

Watching the geysirs (that's how they spell it) - the wind made it chilly!

Spring Visitors

Now that it is summer, I wanted to reflect on what a fun spring we had. The visitors came streaming in & we loved it. Every. Minute. Of It.  !!

Playing with daddy's headphones & mommy's super great friend Amber 

Gram Sam visited!!  Brunch with the ladies

Win Star casino with the Leskos!

Molly & June Do Dallas!  Nick named them "Jolly"

Dom & June always held hands in the car

Mornings were fun with 2 kiddos. Dom rocked June's teething necklace.



OUR TRIP TO TENNESSEE TO SEE THE CAULK FAM!

Dom & Dad on the awesome wrap-around porch

Nico & Dom Hugs

Smoky Mountain Hiking

We went chasing waterfalls

Easter & Mother's Day Celebration (a bit late!)

Life has been so busy... all of these great spring actives are being posted a bit late!  We had a wonderful Easter & Mother's Day celebrations at Omi & Granddad's house. We're so lucky to be able to live near family.

Easter Fun

Mother's Day

Happy Father's Day

We had such a wonderful Father's Day.  I picked my dad up on a Wednesday & he stayed until the following Monday. It was really nice having him here.  Below are details on the fun weekend:

Wednesday: Pops arrived in the late afternoon & I cooked salmon for the first time.  Success! We had a great dinner on our patio.

Thursday: Mike, Terry & Pops went to the Pero Museum & to lunch. That night, we tried going to the Jimmy Buffet cover band at the Dallas Arboretum but Mr. Dom was not having it. I don't blame him because the concert started at 7 & that's Dom's bedtime. At about 6:30 & 2 blocks from home, we made a game time decision & turned around.  It turned out to be a great night.  We played buffet music on the patio & had our picnic at home.

Friday: I worked a half day, picked dad up, then dom at school.  We picked up Starbucks & headed to the Founder's Park at DFW airport.  Dom & pops both loved watching the airplanes land. It was really cute watching Dom squeal as each plane came by. That night, dad & nick made us porterhouse steaks. What a treat!

Saturday: Nick & dad did some cleaning up around the yard while Dom & I headed to swim lessons.  We did a classic lunch of hot dogs, fruit & chips for lunch outside. It actually reminded me of what dad would make for us when we were kids & helping in the yard.  The seasons they go round & round :)    Dom took a wonderful 5 hour nap that afternoon.  While Dom played with his fabulous new sitter, the 3 grown ups went to see Godzilla (dad's pick :)

Sunday:  The morning was so incredibly special to me. While I was busy getting the house ready for the party that day, Dad babysat Dominic. In the past, Dom was pretty scared of dad, especially right after the stroke.  Now that Dom is growing up, the two of them have formed such an incredible bond. It was beyond precious to watch the two of them cuddling on the couch, talking about books and playing with toys.  Those were moments I will never forget. I could hear the pride in dad's voice as well as he said, "he likes me now! look, we're reading books!"  Precious.

Monday: I took Dom & pops to Central Market for breakfast. We had breakfast tacos on the outdoor patio. Then, I dropped dad at home, dom at school & hopped on a flight for a work trip. Nick picked everyone up mid-afternoon & took they all went to Love Field to send dad off with lots of hugs.  

Almost 2 years ago, we didn't know what would happen with my pops. While it's been a long road, and there are still tribulations, I am so proud of both he & my mom.  I am also incredibly blessed to have Nick as my husband, the father of my child.  Happy Father's Day!