I Love (Feb. 28th).....

.....soccer.


I played soccer for about 8 years as a kid.
Always got placed as the fullback...guarding the goal.
One of my coaches affectionately called me
"thunder-foot" because of my kicking abilities.

At least that's better than "thunder-thighs."

Oh, yeah. I was called that, too.
Sigh.

But I digress.

All 3 little Indians are playing this Spring,
so I am now the consummate soccer mom.
Three different practices. On three different nights.
Three different uniforms.
Three different games on Saturdays.








Yesterday was our first "game day"...
four hours at the fields loaded down with
our cooler containing team snacks and our lunches,
blankets, folding chairs, and this little one.......





Buddy was well behaved, generally speaking.
He just chilled out on the blanket and
ate up all the affection he received from passers-by.

When the kids weren't playing in their respective games
they hung out at the playground.
And then came back to find us for more snacks.




This is Mr. Frownie-Brownie....
who is so into soccer that he
pouted when he couldn't play on
Deven's team.

So he drowned his sorrows in his
5th bag of Goldfish crackers.




The boys are addicted, and Priya seems to love it, too.
She scored her first goal.
In her first soccer game ever.

Animesh and I are huge fans...
our screaming and cheering and excitement
rivals this dude on my playlist.
It's stressful for Animesh who is
ultra-competitive.
I'm just happy the kids are getting
fresh air and exercise.

So this ends the month of "I Love...." posts.
It was a fun challenge, Melody.

But now I'm ready for March.
And Spring.
AND SPRING BREAK!

Skiing, anyone?

I Love (Feb. 23rd ed.).....

...the beach.

Especially when the beach is
the destination for a girls weekend.











So many funny moments to recall.


So many laughs we shared.


A little bit of wine consumed.


CELERY
HAIKU
HERMIT CRAB
HANGOVER
ONIONS
EGGS
CAR-CHASING


These words will never again
mean the same to any of us.


Thank goodness what happens at the beach
stays at the beach.

And thank goodness for amazing girlfriends.

I Love (Feb. 17th)....

....birthdays.

My family's birthdays. My friends' birthdays.
My dogs' birthdays.

There is something special about celebrating
someone's arrival to this planet.

And, yes, I even love my birthday.

Even if that birthday is commemorating the big FOUR-OH.

Today I turn 40.

I've been looking forward to it for awhile.
My 30s were filled with the highest of highs...and the lowest of lows.
I'm eager to leave those lows behind and move on.

Last year I wrote myself a letter.
I re-read that letter last night.
To my delight...I still believe
every word I wrote to myself one year ago.

My friend, Tecla, took me to lunch yesterday.
And baked me rainbow cupcakes.
She knows how much I love cupcakes.

Thanks, Tecla. You rock.
And, Jill....we missed you a lot.







I'm blessed beyond belief,
because there are other people
in my life who want to celebrate with me.

Today. Tonight. And, oh! This weekend!

So, bring on the big FOUR-OH.
I'm ready for it.

It's gonna be a great decade.

I Love (Feb. 16th).....

....these boys.

I hesitated posting them together...
because they really are their own individuals.

But they belong together.

They are two peas in a pod.

They can be the best of friends...

...and the worst of enemies.

They are all-boy in their
fearless-jump-off-the-sofa ways.

They crack us up with their
one-liners and their imagination.

They can have me seething mad one minute....
and giggling uncontrollably the next.

They offer unsolicited hugs and
soft whispers of "I love you, Mama"
when I least expect them to.

Both are strong-willed.
Both are strong-willed.
Both are strong-willed.
(Catch my drift?).

Both adore their big sister.

And we all adore them.

I would played this lullaby for both boys
when I nursed and rocked them as babies.

Godspeed, little men.

I just love these boys.

I Love (Feb. 12th).....

.....these girls.

Page and Dawn

Vanessa and I

They said old friends are some of the best kinds of friends.
I couldn't agree more.
Who else has grown up with you
through bad boyfriend experiences,
bad hair styles,
bad parenting days,
bad grades,
bad life choices,
and other curve balls life throws at you?

I've known Vanessa, Dawn, and Page
for over 20 years now.

Gasp.

And spending the evening with them last night
as we celebrated my upcoming 40th birthday
was nothing short of awesome.

Vanessa decoupaged this box
with pictures of gorgeous, famous 40-somethings on it
and gave it to Page back in December when she turned 40.
Last night it was passed to me for my 40th.
Vanessa will receive the box in May.
Dawn...in June.

The box itself was great, but what was inside brought me to tears.
These girls thought long and hard about the gift...
and who I am...
and what I enjoy...
and their thoughtfulness means more than words can say.

Here's my ultra-cool new guitar strap.
And, as Vanessa put it, my "Sheryl Crow" cuff bracelet
to wear while I rock on.
How ironic that I was just talking about Sheryl Crow
during our drive to The Yardhouse last night.
Little did I know.




Thanks for an awesome celebration, Vanessa, Dawn, and Page.

Yep. These girls will always be my friends.
They know way too many secrets about me.
Especially after last night's discussion.

:-)

I Love (Feb. 10).....

...this video.
It will warm your heart.

I Love (Feb. 8th)......

....Mondays.

Even Mondays that start off kind of dreary.
Like today.

I know.


You think I'm crazy.


But I really DO love Mondays.
Because I love schedules.
And routines.
And Mondays mean that Tuesday is around the corner.
And Tuesdays are the start of
a few quiet days in the house
when all 3 precious offspring are in school.


I really do love Mondays.

I Love (Feb. 5th ed.)

....this precious young lady.

Notice anything different in this picture?

Priya got her ears pierced yesterday.
It makes her look so much older.
So much more grown up.

She loves to read, sing (on key!),
and dance.

She loves zebra stripes and rock songs
but will surprise me every once in a while
by wearing a bow to church.
To remind me that she's still
my little girl.

She's the best big sister to her brothers.
The best.

She can make friends in no time flat.

She's like a fish in the water.
Amazing swimmer.

She has the best belly laugh.

She's a Daddy's girl.

She wants to play flute and guitar like Mommy.
And do triathlons. :-)

We love and adore this precious young lady.

I Love (Feb. 4th ed.)....

....music.

All different kinds to suit all of my many moods.

Listening to it when I'm feeling mellow.

And when I'm feeling worshipful.

And when I'm feeling funky.

And when I wanna feel engergized.

And when I'm feeling empowered.

And when I'm feeling a little bit country.

And a little bit rock-n-roll.

And when I'm feeling rebellious.

And when I'm imagining myself as a famous musician.

And when I'm feeling nostalgic.

And when I want to feel hip and relate to a younger crowd. :-)

But not only do I love listening to music.....

I love playing music.

I love music.

I Love (Feb. 3rd edition).....

....coffee.

Only 2 cups.

Only in the morning.

And only with flavored liquid creamer.
Peppermint mocha is the current fave.
Oh, yeah, along with Italian Sweet Creme.

No powdered stuff for me.

Yes, I'm a creamer snob.

I Love (Feb. 2nd edition)....

...this man.

I shot these last night as Animesh was doing one of the most romantic things he's ever done for me.

He was sorting Girl Scout cookies.

We've been married nearly 12 1/2 years. Roses are nice, but let's face it. Emptying the dishwasher, folding the laundry, making the kids' school lunches, and, yes, sorting Girl Scout cookies are now the way to my heart.

I kept shooting and shooting pics of him, and the flash was clearly annoying him after about 27 takes.





Yet he kept sorting. While I sipped wine and took pictures.

What a guy.

Put a Little Love in Your Heart

Here it is. My favorite month of the year. February. Now, that's not to say that I don't LOVE December when we celebrate Jesus' birth. And it's not to say that I don't LOVE March or April (depending on the year) when we celebrate Jesus' resurrection.

Because I absolutely DO love celebrating those holidays that are at the heart of who I am and why I am here.

February is special for other reasons. Valentine's Day for one. Even when I was single I enjoyed celebrating....because even though there was no man in my life didn't mean my heart was void of love! I love my family. I love my friends. I love the God who created me and put me here. And I'm a firm believer in celebrating not only romantic love on Valentine's Day---but all of the different love relationships I am blessed with in my kids, girlfriends, etc.

And then there's my birthday. Just a few days after V-day. When I was growing up I knew virtually no one with a February birthday. But over the last 10 years I've met more and more friends born in the "love month"...in fact...three of my dearest peeps are awesome fellow Aquarians. Although, Yvette, you might be a Pisces...but you're an honorary Aquarian to me. :-)

So, in the spirit of love and hearts and all things ooey, gooey, and mushy...I'm accepting my friend Melody's challenge this month. I'm gonna (attempt to) post one picture a day of something or someone or some place that I love. What a great idea. It's kind of like an online "gratitude journal" of sorts since recalling all those things that I love and have to be thankful for are sure to boost spirits and give me warm fuzzy feelings.

Especially on a cold, damp, dreary day like today. And hold onto your hats because it's gonna be a month where I hope to post on the blog EVERY SINGLE DAY! Gasp!

So, c'mon. Join Melody and I in a fun, "love-themed" blog-a-thon.

It's sure to put a little more love in your heart.