just mister rogers

it just feels like a good thing to share:


"We all know how meticulously new parents look over their new baby to be sure there are no blemishes - no deviations from what they anticipated.  But no matter how beautiful the baby is, there are always deviations from what his or her parents anticipated.  The greater those deviations the more those parents need to have the opportunity to mourn - mourn the loss of the image of the perfect child they dreamed they would have.  They need to work through the sense of disappointment about things that the child is not.  They need to give up the image of having the perfect child before they can appreciate the child they really do have." (Many Ways to Say I Love You: Wisdom for Parents and Children from Mister Rogers)


Isn't this so bittersweetly true?  When I read this, I felt like crying and smiling at the same time.  So beautiful to me.

just gay

I don't care how gay I am for loving them!

just 1+10=11

That's right, it's our anniversary plus the anniversary of our 10 year anniversary dream honeymoon trip.


We went to Burano, an island of Venice, 1 year ago today.  I wish we could have spent a lot more time there than we did.  It was an amazing little fishing village that is known for it's handmade lace.  

Burano, Italy, 7.15.10

We had bought very little and realized, "we are leaving tomorrow!"  So Burano was the lucky little village where we purchased gifts for Skye.   

The dress she's wearing we purchased from a shop in Burano.   The lady we bought it from was the very one who made the dress!  Amazing!  And then the little bag we couldn't resist, a little curly-red-haired girl with a kitty!  Too perfect for our kitty loving, curly-red-haired girl!  

It was an amazing day!

Burano, Italy

7.15.10

The other great news about today was that we got to see this gorgeous "lady":

Already she looks so much like her big sister.  I'm just "Amazed" how lucky I am!  An amazing husband, three amazing kids (with a new baby girl on the way), and amazing memories... 

just my mama's name

A year ago tonight we were on a gondola ride in Venice.  Totally cliched, but it was AWESOME!

Venice is an amazing place.  It's only downfall (besides the obvious) is that the Venetians really are not very friendly.  Despite that we had an amazing day!

just florentine heaven

"Heaven

I'm in heaven 

And my heart beats

So that I can hardly speak"

This is how I felt at the Academy of Fine Arts in Firenze, Italia.  To be surrounded by Michelangelo's sculptures & what felt like his presence.  David is truly amazing.  I could have stayed there forever.

Firenze (a.k.a Florence) 7.13.10

We completed our goal of seeing the Four Ninja Turtles (by seeing a sculpture by Donatello).  At the Vatican the day before, we'd seen Raphael & Da Vinci.

Walked up Giotto's Bell Tower.  Aaron really isn't fond of heights.

On top Giotto's Bell Tower.  Gorgeous view of Florence.

We now know how grateful we are NOT to be a Cartusian Monk.

just san gimignano

7.12.10

The tuscan village, San Gimignano (gi-min-yano), is a magical place (or medieval dream) with A LOT of tourists!

7.12.10

These towers, streets, and buildings are more than 1000 years old (and still mostly intact), so you truly feel like you're in medieval Europe.  (If you want to walk these streets and climb these towers, play Assassin's Creed II.)  The other fantastic experience here (for Aaron only) was visiting the austere Death Penalty Museum and Torture Museum!  It added to the ancient authenticity of this town.  

just day three in rome

A year ago today, I had my second "WOW" of the trip. 

7.11.10

Two words: la pieta

We luckily had brought binoculars & were able to see Michelangelo's only signed sculpture.  But to see this with my own eyes was a memory I will treasure forever.

Aaron's "WOW! Can't believe I'm here" also happened a year ago today...

7.11.10

Upon exiting the tour bus, I (Aaron) walked as if in a dream-state.  I couldn't believe I was nearing the Roman Colosseum!  Once inside, we beheld the gargantuan and mesmerizing location of ancient violence.  Oh, to walk where gladiators walked!  (Truth be told, they don't let you down where the gladiators prepared and fought, so let me try this again.)  Oh, to at least walk where Roman citizens walked who actually saw gladiators fight (and walk) was a divine spectacle!  Did I also stand where Bruce Lee fought Chuck Norris in Return of the Dragon?!  There were too many glorious moments to contemplate during this sweltering day in Rome.