Return to Whole

After being away for much of the month, Kevin is home!!  Though there is a refreshing newness to our love after a separation, I surely prefer the companionship of my man.  So many moments of the day beg to be shared by our finely honed dynamic of a year-weathered romance based on best friendship.  I just don't feel whole without it.


(OK super tangent---I can never get enough of Pandora for matching my mood.  I'm sitting here watching Kev do his sudoku puzzle as the long day fades, and out busts Adele with her cover of one of my favorite Billy Joel songs "To Make You Feel My Love,"  followed by Patti Griffith and Let Him Fly, which was my anthem the year I gave Kevin up for Lent and then Cowboy Take Me Away, an absolute fav.....seriously, Pandora?!?!?


Due to a cracked inky screen and lack of time, my blogging and picture editing moments were few and far between, so expect a glut of them again my pretties.


Can I just say, I'm loving life right now?  

Some random joys of the past few days:

~~A day of sunshine, breezes, rain, clouds and sun again?  We enjoyed a jaunt to campus with Donna and D, then snuggled in for an afternoon rainy nap.  It's like a perfect mix of everything, encouraging a delightful balance of get out and go and then just be.


~~Family.  Couldn't get by without the support of mine, especially my mom and mama in law.  They are such selfless other-focused women, I can only hope to be half as amazing as they are when I grow up.
And I can't even begin to describe the cuteness of this cousin love and their sleepovers, with sleep limp bodies curled up into the tiniest corner of our king size bed:

Auntie, stop with the pictures, I'm sleeping here!

~~Ever-growing love and friendship between my Jacob and Ceci.  He is so protective and gentle, she adoring and affectionate.  Mix that with morning family snuggles and you have yourself a sweet sappy sundae of Haley bliss.

~~A trip to Cleveland to meet Mr. Joseph Dominic Pillari, the newest blessing of Q and TJ, and our soon-to-be godson:

The four-day visit was a blur of monkey toddlers and laundry, gut-busting laughter and dishes, blowouts and awe at the blessed kinship we share.  

Ceci and Leo took to one another immediately in their impish mischief and love of a good climb.  
We left the room with both kids in their booster or high chair and a few moments later, this is how we found them...

Lucy just melted this Auntie's heart, as mine was the name she called first thing in the morning or saying through tears, "I just want to snuggle Auntie."

Having such anointed friendships with Quinn and TJ, it is such joy to see our children forming their own bonds, through under-bed improv sessions and grown-up phone chats about the essence of dramatic arts.  ;)

We love you guys!!


~~Let's say my new favorite watering hole is the back of Jess' truck with my ladies and some refreshing beverages.  

Honestly, best baby shower ever.  

You know it's a good night when it involves a large woman hurling herself down a toddler slide and (basically) sticking a 9.8 landing.  

Take that, Dorothy Hamill....or should I say Ang?  ;0)



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~~Our dear Sarah gave birth to Miss Marigold last week, and her homecoming was just a delight.  Many of the Village children helped to make signs and, as we waited, I reveled in my role as a veritable camp counselor (in the best possible way).  We sat around singing rounds and learning some of my favorite childhood games like Statues and Mother, May I.  Soon enough, the call came and everyone got into position:

As one can likely surmise, there really isn't any lack of babies up in here.  And yet, with each new life, the children welcome the newest blessing into our tribe, awed by the teeny bundle and truly, truly joyful for the older siblings---not a brooding jealous heart in the bunch, just a whole lotta love.


My heart is continually bolstered by the simple joy of these children.  Of course, they spend such time together that they have their sibling-like skirmishes, but all in all they truly love one another and want to share in joy and divide sorrow.  

Living in this place---where most of us embrace the simple life with its hidden blessings and bouquet of children--is, outside of faith, the biggest gift we can give them:

Though  I am in full-on cathartic mode, I'll end the post for now....In the next days, I plan to share a bit of life changes I'm making.  For now, I'll leave you with a slew of jumping pics---my latest obsession.  Ya just can't deny the uninhibited bliss.  Go on, try it---I dare you.