I hope you all had a wonderful Easter Sunday celebrating the Resurrection.

RJ and I decided to tell Landon about the Easter Bunny. Our plan was to keep it really understated. Let him have the fun of the bunny, the basket, and the egg hunt but center the day on Jesus. HaHa. So much for good intention. Ten minutes ago when I picked Landon up from his nap the first thing out of his mouth was "Easter Bunny?" As in, did that bunny come again today and can I eat more candy?

I kept with my mom's tradition for Landon's Easter basket: one chocolate bunny, a new Easter outfit, and a new book. Sweet and Simple.

I absolutely love church worship on Easter. This year our church put together a choir, and the view was spectacular.

Landon and his best girl Avery did a great job hanging in the bleachers during the service. Largely in part to the brilliance of our Children's Ministry director, my friend Jen, who passed out goody bags with crayons, candy, sunglasses, and bubbles before the service.

And I was absolutely thrilled to realized that both Target and the entire mall were closed for Easter. I made an emergency run out for trash bags and when I pulled up and Target was closed I couldn't have been more thrilled. Sometimes I feel as though our nation, which was founded on Christian principles, is turning it's back on God more and more. It was refreshing to see that big commercial companies are still recognizing Easter as a Holiday. Although I am sure they are politically correct and closing so that people may celebrate bunnies and family they are still observing non-the-less.

He is Risen. He is Risen, Indeed.

the helper

On Tuesday I discovered a slow water leak underneath the sink in the kitchen. It's probably been leaking for about a month without our knowledge and I was super bummed to have to tell RJ about it. Water leaks tend to ruin evenings.

Poor guy spend the majority of Tuesday night with his head underneath the sink. And when he wasn't down there he was a Lowe's buying an second, third, fourth part to try and fix it. I really felt awful for him so I tried to keep cold beers handy and Landon out of the way, but the little man wanted in the action. There were wrenches, and flashlights, and screwdrivers, and Daddy - a little boy's dream!

Had is been me stuck underneath that sink I would have been so annoyed by my "helper" crawling all over me and stealing my tools. But RJ has the patience of Job. He didn't seem to mind at all when Landon jumped on his stomach to grab a nearby tool, or blocked Dad out to get a better look himself. And despite the fact RJ was pretty upset about the water damage he kept his voice upbeat and positive while chatting with Landon.

RJ's such a fantastic father. I just love watching these two tackle projects together.

East Coast - The Food

One of the highlights of our East Coast trip was definitely the food.

I memorialize trips by what I eat. I can remember the majority of the meals and snacks I consumed on our European adventure nearly 6 years ago far better than I can remember the churches and historic sites I saw. 

And since RJ had to work during the day on this trip we lingered over long dinners together. Savoring the delicious food and the peaceful, uninterrupted, served after 9pm, adult conversation themed, mealtimes. 

In Washington DC we had Ethiopian food for the first time.

Delicious! Full of flavor and spice. Somewhat reminded me of Indian food.
Anyone know of a good Ethiopian cookbook?

In New York City I had the most amazing grilled cheese sandwich.

I have thought about it every single day since then.

The cheese was on the inside AND the outside of the bread.

Crispy cheese on the outside; gooey on the inside
with mustard sauce

Connecticut was beautiful but no food to write home about.

But Boston....

Oysters with horseradish

Fresh clam chowder

From the oldest restaurant in America

Italian restaurants with staff that actually spoke Italian.

And Italian bakeries around every corner.

Stuffing my face with a pistachio cannoli  

 And because I hoofed it around the cities all day I don't think I gained an ounce.

Pretty much the perfect vacation. 

Home Again

I had the most wonderful time these past two weeks.

Palm Springs

Washington DC

New York City

Connecticut

Boston

Alone time

Amazing food

Shopping

And best of all,

lots of quality time with RJ.

Can't wait to share more with you

April 15th

It's tax day.

The day the Titanic sank.

And one of the best days of my life.

Happy Birthday to my little sister, April. I can't believe that you're all grown up. I'm proud to be your sister.

And Happy Happy 2nd Birthday to my boy Landon. You are a gift and not a day goes by that I don't thank the Lord for you. Only two years old and already making a mark on the world.

And, if you missed the drama/excitement two years ago you can get Landon's birth story over here. Chelsea at Us Three Birds is featuring a collection of birth stories and I am honored to be a part.

Good-bye Hello

I cried when I said good-bye to Landon yesterday. For a slit second I nearly backed out. How could I leave my darling boy for an entire week? But now, 24 hours later I am doing much better. I feel as though I'm saying hello to a part of myself I haven't seen in awhile. The independent, culture-loving, traveler who sometimes gets shelved in exchange for park time and snuggled. Both are "me", both fulfilling, but sometimes these two parts have a difficult time coexisting. It's nice to embody this forgotten side for awhile. Currently I'm sitting in a funky coffer shop in Georgetown DC. I've just finished an phenomenal americano that took five minutes to create. Pure coffee perfection. My handsome husband and I are sharing banana bread and organic yogurt while reading Relevant magazine and NY times. Every hour or so I wonder what Landon's up to and pray he is having fun and not missing us. But I think I just might enjoy these next few days after all.

Go Barefoot

Join me tomorrow, April 5th, and go all day without shoes

You can get more information here.

"Shoes are a status symbol [in Ethiopia]

children dream of having their first pair."

- Dr. Larry Thomas

Chairman of the Tropical Health Alliance

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separation anxiety

In two years I've left Landon overnight twice. Once for a three day bachelorette party in San Diego and again for two nights in Pasadena for a wedding. Both times leaving was much easier than I anticipated. Actually, RJ and I were having such a good time at the wedding we both thought the other person checked in on Landon and his grandparents, but neither or us had, so we went more than 24 hours without even checking on him! 


But that last trip was nearly a year ago. And yesterday, after I had left for four hours to go to Target and my book club meeting, Landon came running to the door to greet me. He threw his arms around my neck, wiped his snotty nose against my check, and excitedly told me all about taking a walk with daddy and seeing a really big bunny at the mall. My heart turned to mush right then and there and I wanted to freeze time forever. 

So how am I going to leave my little guy for an entire week??! I am east coast bound with my husband, and rather than drag him on a quick moving trip we thought he (and we) would have a better time if he was with his grandparents. 


I am so incredibly excited to have some time with RJ. Although we get alone time in the evenings after Landon goes to bed it's different to share an adventure, or even just a coffee and a donut, together without any interruptions or distractions. And the last time we stayed in a hotel we had to put Landon to bed in the bathroom forcing us to watch tv with no volume at 8:00pm - totally romantic.

But I need your encouragement friends. Veteran moms - have you left your little one for longer than a few days? How did you do? I've already determined that I will not talk to him on the phone. I think it will be too difficult for both of us. Any other tips?


OH, and for my traveling friends, if you had 24 hours in New York City, and you've already seen all the big tourist attractions, what would you do with your time?