What's That You Say, Mrs. Robinson?

Quietly giving thanks

This Thanksgiving Dan and I are at home with Payton. Darren is up at my Mom's and I'll join him there tomorrow (after we do some black Friday shopping that is). It is a very different kind of Thanksgiving these days. We used to go to Dan's Mom's house with about 20 other family members. It was crazy in many ways, but it was great.

Now it is very quiet. Dan and I watching football, Payton in and out of the house. Ronaldo likes that we are here on the couch for sure. I'm still cooking only instead of the whole shabang, our menu looks like this:

• Roasted chicken with potatoes and carrots
• Sausage stuffing
• Garlic mashed potatoes
• Swiss corn bake
• Garlic and butter green beans

We just finished a yummy appetizer of bacon wrapped water chestnuts (pictured here). YUM!

And this year I'm more thankful than ever for my family. We may not be a perfect family, but we love each other very much and everyone is healthy.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

It's almost that time!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Could this be it?

I think I have finally found a new name for my blog, but I'm going to wear it for few days or so before I completely commit to it. It is a line from "Here's to you Mrs. Robinson" which has been a defining song for me since the day I got married and actually became Mrs. Robinson.

It serves the purpose of identifying myself and what the blog will be about without pigeon holing myself as a Mommy blogger. While my children are a huge part of my life, I am at a time in my life where there is more balance in what I do, what I'm interested in, and yes...what I want to write about.

So here's to me, Mrs. Robinson!

What do you think?

Daddy's Home

I started this post way back in March of 2009. Dan had just lost his Dad, Ralph, to cancer and I had just spoken to my Dad for the first time ever on the phone. It was an amazing emotional time. Bittersweet to say the least:

Dear Dad:

Well, here we are at a turning point in our relationship.

The sound of your voice on the phone a few days ago was like a warm, soft blanket laid gently over my soul.

It continues to warm me as the days go on. I think about our next conversation, when it will come, what it will be like. The beautiful part is that I feel like I can make it happen whenever I feel the want or need to do so. You have opened the door for me, not just as a courtesy, but as a true invitation. If I were unsure of it, I would be calling you frequently. But I feel so certain that this is just the beginning, that there is no need to manufacture reasons or excuses. I just need to follow my heart and when the spirit moves me, you will be there.

And I, of course, am here whenever you next decide to reach out.

Since then, I have spoken to my Dad again. He called me as I sat in the beautiful house that Ralph and Betsy had renovated just prior to Ralph's passing. There is no coincidence, in my mind that Ralph has had a hand in bringing my Dad and I closer since his passing. He is pulling some strings, I'm sure of it.

And now, I actually call my Dad, Dad. It sounds so simple, but I have never called anyone Dad in my entire life. This Father's Day (one that was so very difficult for us because it was our first one without Ralph) in an email thanking me for something I sent to him, my Dad signed off as "Dad" and I've been beginning each email with "Dear Dad" ever since.

It will take some getting used to, but I love it!

And here is the song that plays in my head when I think of my Dad:

A note from paradise

Just a quick note from paradise! We have been in Hawaii for the last week. Headed home today. Vacations are a mixture of fun and family dynamics. Not necessarily relaxing but still good! More later!