Dear Taylor Swift… A Thank You.

August 30, 2011 By 27 Comments

 

Dear Taylor,

I need to thank you.  Not simply for the gift of your music.  But for the magic wrapped in the moments you gave me on the night of your concert here in St. Louis.  Sure, you are talented….. I never doubted that.  But what I didn’t know was how I would feel as I watched you through the eyes of my sweet girl. I cried at her awe, at the beauty of watching her wide brown eyes, her open-mouth, her sweet up-turned freckled nose.  I knew these were seconds I wouldn’t get back.

She just turned seven.  This was her first concert.  Thank you for knowing and understanding the faith I and hundreds of other moms put in you that night.  Your language was pure.  You walked the line between sassy and mature – never veering into territory that would cause me to cover my girl’s ears.  Thank you for being the kind of role model I can point to with pride…  a talented young woman with spunk and sass….  who’s heart is clearly as beautiful as her face.  Your mom must be so intensely proud of you. Heck, I was proud of you…. and you know how close we are.

 

You know how we experienced you?  Holding hands… drinking lemonade….. singing along to your songs.  She giggled.  She marveled at the stage and the size of the trucks used to move you and your crew from one city to the next..  She asked 724 questions.

She trusted me.

She trusted me to know the songs, to lift her when she needed to be lifted, to hold her as she fell asleep in my lap as you sang your final song.

It was magic.

Thank you.  My Taylor Swift concert experience *might* have been better than hers.

Love,

A Grateful Mom.

 

A special thank you to our friend Karla Shaffer and her daughter, Avery (a good friend from school) for allowing me to use the featured picture of Taylor – they had fantastic seats and their pictures of the night were amazing!


 

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What has most surprised you about Motherhood?

May 5, 2011 By 11 Comments

I must have been 16, maybe 17…. Locked in one of many teen vs. mom battles of wills and I thought to myself “when I have a daughter, I will NEVER treat her like this!!”  cue the heavenly orchestra because really?  I KNEW BEST.

That sentiment was followed by many other variations:

“I will never say that….”

“Because I said so?…. What kind of B.S. is that anyway?”

“I will never make my daughter wear that….”

“Curfew?  What curfew?  I will TRUST my children….”

“My brother has different rules?  I will treat my children the SAME….”

So, it was surprising to me when, the moment my small girl was placed in my arms, the world shifted on its axis.  I always knew I would love her.  But I didn’t know I would LOVE her.  Because no one can really prepare you for what that feels like – the emotion that sweeps your soul – the commitment you make to yourself, to her – in that split second, “I will take care of you, baby….  Even when you fight me.”

And I knew.

I knew that all of those teen angst moments would come back to haunt me.  I will be hard on my children – because I love them.  I will have high expectations for them – because they deserve that.  There are rules.  Because they need them to shape their sense of right and wrong. And no, they don’t like some of them – but you know what?  I can make those rules….  Because I said so.

It surprised me to realize I had this in me.  It surprised me to realize that while I was wrong all that time, I really just didn’t know – how could I?  And you know what?  My kids will feel the same way.  And someday… I imagine, they will be surprised to realize that I too, like my Mom (and Dad) really did know what I was doing…

What has been most surprising to you about Motherhood?

As a side note:  Other things that I have found surprising?

  • When your child is sick or hurting, you can and will tolerate anything – even vomit in you hair.
  • I’m not nearly as patient as I thought I was
  • I can operate on 4 hours of sleep a night.  For a very long time.
  • The love you feel as a parent is fierce.  Like I-will-knock-you-down kind of fierce.  I hope I am never tested.
  • I believe kids are born with a certain personality – and no amount or ‘kind’ of parenting will change that

This Mother’s Day conversation is sponsored by a company I love (and use!) Tiny Prints.  I love that they have given me some beautiful things to think about as Mother’s Day approaches.  All of their Mother’s day cards(and Father’s day cards too!) are fully customizable and can be sent straight to the recipient. You can even schedule the cards to be sent ahead of time too.

 

 

Filed Under: Am I lucky or what?, Extraordinary, Mommy Lottery, Recent Posts Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Capital One Mascot of the Year is Revealed

January 3, 2011 By 2 Comments

Thrilled.  I was absolutely thrilled to be a part of the Capital One Mascot Challenge over the course of the past 16 weeks….  This weekend, at the Capital One Bowl Game in Orlando, Florida – the winner was revealed….

Each of the 16 original mascots receives $5,000 for their University’s Mascot Program – the winner – Big Blue –  is given an additional $15,000 towards scholarships.

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I resolve…. to give myself permission to JUST BE….

December 31, 2010 By 9 Comments

All of the chatter around New Year’s Resolutions typically gives me a headache – mainly because I start to feel all panicky, asking myself a series of Danielle -you-must-resolve related questions:

What do I need to change?  What have I done well, but could I do better?  What have I NOT done well and desperately need to adjust? If I decide to make this ever-growing list…..Will I ever LAST?

Typically, I abide by a personal theory – my NEW YEAR is actually on my birthday.  Not on January 1st.  This means, naturally, that I have an extra three weeks to rework, revamp, resolve and refresh.

But instead of stressing about all of this ‘re’ business, I’m resolving to do only one thing:

I’m giving myself permission to JUST BE.

2010 has been amazing.  I would like to reflect on it and absorb its highs and lows without the pressure of deciding what I could have done or should have done *better*.

I have had so much running around in my head – so many goals and wishes and dreams – I keep hearing, ‘go big or go home’, ‘write it down, make it happen’, ‘set your goals for 2011′ and the like…..  and while I agree, I really do….  what I need…. what I want…. is to JUST BE. Just like I am in that picture with Delaney.  I am living completely in that moment.

I want to ponder. To ruminate. I want to reflect on the greatness of the people who inspired me. I want to relish the experiences.  I want to treasure the moments – the little ones and the gigantic ones that shaped this year.  And in order to do that….  you know what I have to do?

I have to JUST BE.

So, in the coming weeks, as my reflections and ruminations morph into plans, I will share….  In the meantime, I would love to know what is inspiring you as we celebrate the beginning of 2011.

I would like to thank the amazing folks at Paper Culture for being a part of one of the most inspiring experiences I had this year.  They were one of two companies to sponsor the Creative Alliance Conference in October- during which I discovered new friends and created alliances that are still shaping who I am today….  That holiday card pictured is the one I created with Paper Culture to send out for ExtraordinaryMommy – and honestly, it makes me excessively happy EVERY time I look at it.

Filed Under: Am I lucky or what?, Can we talk?, Extraordinary, Recent Posts

A Plan, A Promise, A Letter….

October 28, 2010 By 18 Comments

Eight years of marriage isn’t typically a major milestone.  In fact, the more you have, (unless it is a 10, a 15 or a 20) it seems the more traditional the celebration becomes – kiss, ‘happy anniversary’, dinner, card, gift….

And this year, with Jeff training an out-of-town colleague, I believed even our dinner had been bumped.

But I was wrong.  Surprisingly-delightfully-wow-I-had-no-idea-wrong.

A surprise morning massage.  Instructions to be ready at 7pm.  And to be f-a-n-c-y. (I like fancy) So, I tried.

My brother-in-law appeared  a few minutes to 7:00 and I was sent to a local restaurant with directions to introduce myself to the hostess.

I did.

She squealed.  Yes, Squealed.  And then said, (and I quote) “Oh, I hope I don’t blow it!)

The plot thickens.

I’m escorted to the bar.  I’m seated.

The bartender gives me this: (like I’m a regular, or a princess or something)

And then I wait.

I make friends with strangers at the bar.

They ask if I’m waiting for anyone…. and then what we are celebrating.

My husband texts.  He’s on his way.

When he arrives, we are taken to our table.

And I see these:

Impressive.  So much forethought.  So much effort.

And then, the note.  And, I have no doubt that I am LUCKY.

Dear Danielle,

Crazy 8, it’s all 8 up, Call our first 8 years of marriage whatever you want but this I do know: 8 is not enough. I want more.

This 8th year of marriage has taught me a valuable lesson.  Being married is a team game. It’s you and me versus the world.  And you know what, there’s no one I’d rather have on my side.  I couldn’t imagine going against you; that would not be fun. And, I’d never ever do this without you. I love our life too much.

I know that I’ve stated how proud I am of you, but what you’ve done, starting a business, raising 2 “small people”, dealing with my emotional swings and still finding the energy to laugh at my jokes (well that’s easy when they’re so darn funny) is truly amazing.  I love you for so many reasons.

You have a business with a consistent revenue stream and even more important, you have found a career for which you have a passion.  On top of that, you have taught me that being truly happy is THE most important thing in life.  For that I thank you, I thank you for pushing me.  I thank you for understanding that I love you and the kids first and myself a distant fourth (to a fault).  I thank you for making me realize it’s ok to think about me as well, but thank you for loving me the whole time.

I think this 8th year of marriage has brought us closer together now than where we were in Octboer 2002.  I think this 9th year of marriage will see significant change in our lives, but the most important part is that the 4 of us are together, healthy and happy.  I love adventure, only if you’re navigating all of life’s crazy turns.

So, thank you for marrying me 8 years ago.  Thank you for sticking with me this past year.  Thank you for teaming up with me to raise 2 wonderful loving, unselfish children.  Every time I look at our daughter, I see you.  She is a little angel.  And every time I look at our son, I laugh.  He’s the spitting image of his pop.  I love it.  Thank you for our family.

I love you.

Jeff.

The note is reprinted with Jeff’s permission.  Because only his words give the night the magic it possessed.

Filed Under: Am I lucky or what?, Gratitude, Recent Posts

My Husband – Everything a Daddy Should Be…

June 21, 2010 By 4 Comments

Happy Father’s Day to the most amazing man I know…..

jefffathersday1

He is a snuggling, kissing, nap-with-you, toss-a-football, teach-you-to-pitch-and swing, wipe-your-tears, make-a-crazy-silly-face, tickle-you-until-you-cry, rub-your-legs-in-the-middle-of-the-night, save-you-from-monsters, read-you-the-same-book-twelve-times, keep-you-safe, teach-you-to-protect-each-other, let-you-stay-up-late-to-watch-the-Cardinals, believe-in-Fairy-Godmothers, dress-up-like-a-penguin-for-Halloween, help-you-with-homework, catch-you-when-you-fall, hold-your-hand, cookies-and-milk, take-you-to-Disney-World, celebrate-you-learning-to-ride-a-bike, coach-your-teams, sing-at-the-top-of-his-lungs, get-down-on-his-knees-and-play, love-your-mommy, tell-you-he’s-proud-of-you, say-prayers-with-you-before-bedtime – KIND OF DADDY.

The small people are Lucky Ducks – no doubt about it.

And, I am one lucky wife and mother.

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What Matters Most

March 11, 2010 By 16 Comments

I had a moment today when I was mad.  Quite mad.

But then I realized.  It doesn’t matter.

But this does.

whatmatters

Today, Coop and I went exploring.

We found rocks.  Lots of them.  Small and tiny.  White and Brown. Speckled and plain.

When he said prayers tonight – the only thing he said ‘thank you’ for:  ’going exploring with Mommy’.

That Matters.

It matters that he cooked dinner with me.

whatmatterscook

And.

That he tipped that chin up at me, waited a beat until he knew in his little 3 year old heart that he had my full attention and then he whispered, “Mommy, is it ok with you if I stay three forever?”

Yes,  Coop, you can.

And that is what matters.

Most.

Filed Under: A little piece of Heaven, Am I lucky or what?, Featured Content, Recent Posts Tagged With: , , ,
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