dear 20 year old me {healing}

Dear 20 year old me,

When you were standing in the back of the church, dressed in white, holding your Daddy's arm and looking into a church filled with people...  that feeling in your gut wasn't butterflies, and the shaking and tears as you walked down the aisle spoke silently to your heart.  You knew it then, you knew it the moment you stepped foot into the limo that took you away to a life you had just childishly chosen.  Life would change from the dreams you had for yourself at 17.  When the fork in the road gave you a choice, yours was a difficult one.  You were young, and foolishly in love, or so you thought. 

The doubt in yourself never waned.  The feelings grew stronger, and the time to live with purpose, love & joy again tugged longingly at your heart.

You were stronger than you believed you could be.  Somehow, one day at a time, that glimmer of who you used to be...  who you COULD be again...  would come flooding back in waves that enveloped you so quickly, you could hardly catch your breath.  A new path was suddenly before you, and only five short years of heading in the wrong direction were enough to catapult you into your next journey.  It would not be an ordinary moment of awakening, but one to be relished with every fiber of your being.  You were free to live, once again, as if taking a breath for the very first time.

Now, twenty-five years later, some of the scars have healed, as the memories fade from that time you wish to erase from your life.  But do not forget, as much as you try, that good has come from that dark and stormy time in your life.  Strength once lost has been found again, and living for the moment is a choice you now make daily. 

You are transformed, happier, and wiser with each year that passes.  Embrace it.

love,
45 year old me

Music in their genes!

This week has been full with music again at Plymouth Middle School.

Here's a video from the nosebleed section of Oliver's 6th grade choir concert.  It was a very cute song and Oliver told me in advance that I would like this one in particular.  He was right.  The actions were equally entertaining.  The lyrics can be found here.  I am so impressed by the size of the choir this year (although I know it has something to do with the elimination of study halls).  It's very inspiring to see the passion for music passed along from these fabulous teachers to the kids, year after year!  It gives me goosebumps and brings a tear to my eye.



Also on the same night were the performances of the 6th grade orchestra and band. 
An excerpt from the Kitchen Can Can where teachers are also playing on instruments that can be found in the home.




The next evening were the band performances by 7th, 8th grades and the jazz ensemble.  Henry played and although I didn't get video, I managed to record all three songs that he played in.  You'll have to contact me for the mp3 version if you'd like to hear (unless I can figure out how to link it here from somewhere else, yet to be discovered).  The gym was HOT on a 95* day, so each band eliminated some music from their repertoire, but I'm guessing the vote that was taken allowed the kids to keep their favorites.

Left to go in this school year is the Sola Voce performance by Henry (and company) on Tuesday, May 21st at 7 pm.  Then, that's a wrap for music in our school for the 2013-2014 season!

Mother's Day 2013

Had a wonderful day of celebration!  Not sure where the time went, but here's a short recap.

JP and I were up early and off to the Minneapolis Farmers Market - one of our favorite places to be on a Sunday morning in the summer.  We had to purchase a few more items for the straw bale gardening, and some herbs for breakfast.  It was very cold and eerily quiet there, so we didn't stay long.  We will head back to people watch another morning.

a little foam with your latte?

With his fresh herbs and recipes splayed out on the counter, I left JP home, full with a caffeine buzz, to get breakfast started.  He is in his glory & element when left to do as he wishes in the kitchen!

the beginnings of yummy goodness!

Met my parents at church to see Oliver's last musical performance in the youth choir at Calvary.  He is in the top row, far left by the white flag.  This was obviously one of his favorite songs of the program.

Happy to be done with youth musicals, can you tell?

Headed back home to a scrumptious brunch made by Chef John Paul.  Sausage & Asparagus strata and Blueberry Pecan Coffee Cake.  Bloody Mary's by Julie.

The rest of the day was just a perfect, lazy afternoon, with a photo session tossed in to commemorate the day, of course!

 

Oliver, Grandma, Grandpa, Henry

 

Nothing like lovin' from ma boys to make the day complete!

Do you have a favorite photo from the day to share?

follies of a spring weekend

We finally had our first dose of Spring weather!

 

 

JP cleaned up the patio enough to start the weekend

with happy hour!

 

Saturday morning started with the sunrise

and a couple games of LAX

in the Plymouth dome (sans sunshine).

Saturday - date night began with a car trip to St. Paul

Dinner at Dixie's on Grand

 



 

A walk along Grand Avenue

A sit for JP to enjoy at cigar.

 

Ice cream - my favorite, Peppermint BonBon in a sugar cone!

 

And then the sounds of Cole Porter,

the final in the Broadway Songbook series.

Elsewhere in the weekend - Oliver is learning how to be persuasive in text:

sweet, sweet boy

This plea didn't work.

Sunday after church I took Henry up to get a LAX goalie net. 
The two of them put it together (with only a little help from the 'rents).

 

goalie drills?

Henry's first year at playing goalie.  As the Mom, it makes me fearful, yet shows me that my son can be fearless and take on something no one else was willing to do this time around!  These boys never cease to amaze me and are growing up so very quickly before my eyes!!