Yes, I am talking about se.x

A couple of weeks ago, 1969 and her office posse of Brown people (four of us) went out for drinks afterwork. Three women in their 30's and our young buck little brother who is a whopping 23 and thinks he knows everything.

So we start enjoying some beverages and he tells us about this new chick he is phone macking from How.ard. So we ask him how far he has gotten with the young lady.

He tells us that he has been talking to her on the phone but he was slated to visit her over Memorial Day weekend and he was pretty sure "the deed" would be going down.
So we asked him what tricks he was going to pull out of his arsenal. That boy said ..."I don't need any tricks. I am me." After a full three seconds of dead quiet...**crickets chirping**....all three of us burst out laughing.

He proceeded to tell us that he would not perform any oral activities the first time out and that he doesn't need to.

Now you know, three grown azz women had to get all in his business (but we are all cool like that so it's okay). He claimed that it's against his beliefs. WHAT?

So my question is....your beliefs allow you to stick other parts in but you cant do oral?

So after we challenged his beliefs, we had to ask if it was okay for her to do it to him? Of course, it was......

Now I am gonna assume it was because he is a young buck but dayum. What's up with that? Now I remember back in the day when brothers would swear to Big Baby Jebus that they didn't do "IT" but would get behind closed doors and .....LOL

Are these stigma's still out there? I know I am asking the right people....cause ya'll are all nasty. Seriously, as wild as these kids are, we were shocked that he had this puritent kind of mentality. I am all for making sure the individual is legit before engaging in safe activities but he really was like "I just won't do that PERIOD."

I will say that the three of us advised him that if he was a true mack....he would go up there, just give her the oral of her life and then break out. LOL (Mr. 1969 agreed.)

I'll leave this one open to the forum....what things won't you do? Do Rules Exist for you when dating or is it all fair game?

To Do List

"The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
they just make the best of everything they have."

Today is one of those days I dreaded getting up. I have several really important meetings and i feel like I am drowning in projects and falling behind. I may have to pull a few late nights this week to keep my head above water. Thank God for Mr. 1969 and his support. He will hold the fort down at home so I can catch up to my responsibilities.

Every now and then, I have to think about re-organizing my priorities to make way for some blessings. If I am too busy doing all kinds of things....I might miss out on a friend, a new opportunity, a free smile, a really good idea or some emotional support.

I would hate to think I am too busy for all of that goodness because I am stuck in a meeting or trying to make a deadline.

Have a great one....

Cook out etiquette

I have high expectations when it comes to Barbeques/cookouts.

For me, a standard cookout should serve at least the following:

Hot Dogs (Grilled and slightly charred)
Burgers (the homemade kind are better than the pre-packaged patties)
Chicken (clean, seasoned, nicely grilled with barbeque sauce)
Potato Salad (must be made with celery, relish, Hellman's mayo somewhere in your recipe)
Baked Beans (brown sugar, hint of onion...)
Fruit Salad or Watermelon.

I can pass on anything else but if you have these basic items, I am straight.
So when I show up at your cookout and you are missing any of these? 1969 is heading home to eat. It's like sacrilige.

Ghetto cookouts are the worst. You know, they tell you the cookout starts at 2pm....you get there at 4pm and they still haven't heated up the grill?

They are taking meat and chicken out of the packs and just throwing it on the grill?
No seasoning, no cleaning, etc?

The drinks aren't cold. They have one bag of ice for 100 drinks.

**sigh**

Not everyone needs to entertain. If you can't cook.....don't. Just order some pizza and keep it moving people.

Can you tell I ended up somewhere I shouldn't have this weekend?

The Good News....

The Good News is....

one of my meetings today was cancelled.

The Bad News is....

Strategy meeting has been moved up and it's gonna be a doozy.


The Good News is.....

Lost was SUPERFANTASTIC last night

The Bad News is....

We have to wait until Feb 2008 for the next new episodes (AnonymousNupe....holla at your girl on the episode last night!)



The Good News is....

I have been sticking to my exercise routine.

The Bad News is....

I have been sneaking donuts...shhh! Ya'll know I can't say no to frosting.



The Good News is....

The View was actually interesting yesterday after that fight!

The Bad News is....

The only reason I would ever watch it, is to see a fight.


The Good News is....

the daughter of a former NY Giant is the new American Idol.

The Bad News is....

I only glanced at the show to see if Paula's nose was chipped from her fall...LMAO


The Good News....

Mr. 1969 got the JOB

The Bad News....

There is none :)

Wednesday's Musings

Clog shoes are so ugly. I don't care how comfortable they are....they are hideous. Unless you are a five year old girl....you should not have these on. And on boys or men? Oh heck no.

The new birth control pill that stops your period. I know ladies, it sounds attractive but aren't you supposed to have a period for a reason? It's nature. Ten years from now when folks are getting uterine cancer and they don't know why.....mmm...hmmm

Can Par.is just go to jail already? DAMN!

Who watches "Dancing With The Stars"?

I think some major stuff is gonna go down at my Strategy meeting tomorrow. Someone is gonna get in trouble and it ain't me :)

Revlon Lip Gloss in Raisin Glaze is the truth for brown girls....thanks Tia!

50 is retiring from rap music? Is anyone mourning the loss?

Who are ya'll voting for? Obama or Hilary? or hell, Al Gore? LOL

Does it matter as long as Bush is gone?

Margaritas on the rocks with salt.....YUM. (But the last hangover is still fresh in my head....ouch)

T2's new thing is having me kiss boo-boos. If he finds a scratch, I have to kiss it like five times. Mother's deserve awards for this stuff. Kissing scabs is YUCKY.

Are skinny jeans gone yet?

Is anyone else mad that Angelina Jolie is playing Marianne Pearl in that new movie or is it just me? Can a brown person get a brown person's role?

I need a Rita's Mango Water Ice........

and for the record....Heroes was a great show all season and then showed the weakest season finale ever. Lost started the season weak and will make up for it tonight with a killer finale. Go Figure.

How bout them Mets? :)

Another Hotel Adventure-

So one day, 1969 was working the weekend shift. Ra.ge against the Machine and The Wu Ta.ng Clan were performing together on tour and both acts were staying at our upscale hotel.

That night, I get a call on the radio about "damage and groupies". I get up to the Wu's floor and there is a line outside of the suite with a whole slew of underaged girls. All ethnicities, dressed in hoochie attire. These heffas looked like somebody's 12 year old daughter playing dress-up. As I start walking down the hallway....the suite door opens, a cloud of smoke comes out (I swear) and out comes one of the Wu's (name withheld to protect the guilty) who is naked and holding a towel around his waist...

He shouts out into the hall..."If you ain't here to f*ck then GO the F*ck home" and takes one of the girls and walks back into the room.

OKAY....

So I come down the hall while calling security on the radio. I let all of these young ladies know that unless they can produce an ID with their age, they will be escorted off the premises. Most of them had no ID, so we rounded them up and walked them out. I wished I could have called some mommas. Little Becky and Uniqua needed an azz whoopin.

So as I am chasing these girls out....I get a 911 alert on my radio and rush up to the other suite. The other group had thrown a chair out of the window into the courtyard. Are you fr.eakin kidding me?

Needless to say....the next morning when they left and housekeeping got into those rooms we almost had a revolt. All I remember is one of the latina houskeepers telling me "Mami. You no pay me enuf money to clean dat nasty sh*t okay? You look at it. I not a dog. No Perro aqui, okay?"

**sigh**

Summertime

Summer is in the air. My favorite season. When you are born on a tropical island in July, you can't help but love summer.

I have been waiting all year for the sunshine and heat to return. This weekend will kick off the beginning of summer for many. We are not heading out in all of that crazy traffic....but we will be grilling and chilling at Chateau 1969 and taking the kids to the Aquarium and to a few street festivals.

Mr. 1969 just finished a fourth interview this morning with the RVP of the new company. It went really well and he should be hearing from them by the end of the week. I am praying that he gets this job because 1) he's perfect for it, 2) the salary is GREAT and 3) he is bored out of his mind at home.

As for your girl, I am enjoying the sunshine, doing what I do. I am currently obsessed with the food network again after a long hiatus and saw a few really good ideas yesterday. Ni.gella was serving up some great breakfast recipes. I mean, what's not to love about strawberry cheesecake pancakes? WOW. Wouldn't that be a great item to serve at a brunch?

I will be saving that one in my arsenal.

Enjoy the sunshine today people. We'll chat later.

P.S. Mets took 2 out of 3 in the Subway matchup. What's up haters?

Overheard in the 1969 house last night....

1969 comes in the house and gives T1 a big hug that he can't escape from.
He starts laughing because he can't escape and 1969 starts giving him kisses all over his face.

T1: Mom, are you trying to get sexy with me?

(Record scratching.................................)

1969: What does sexy mean T1?

T1: You know....when girls love boys alot.

1969: Oh. Well, I think sexy is a grown up word.

T1: But it's not a BAD word right?

1969: It's not a BAD word but it's a word that grown ups can use. It's not really for kids. Maybe you can say mommy LOVES you alot?

T1: Okay, but I like sexy better.

Pray for 1969 ya'll.

TAG, I'm it!

And I see I've been tagged by my homeboy, Fresh.

Before I answer, I just have to say that Fresh is one of the coolest individuals I have never met. For real. If our paths ever cross, watch out, we will probably snap on your outfits, get drunk, eat some jerk chicken, go shopping and then take over your corporation. He's good people.

So I have to answer 5 things I obsess out. Only five? Damn. I obsess over almost everything. I am a planner by nature so everything needs to be planned out. Hence the obsessing :)

Okay **breathe** here we go:

1. My Health.

1969 was a hottie back in the day. I used to eat everything under the sun, never work out and still remained a size 4. Tall and skinny. I could have given some of those Top Model girls a run for their money. Then came T1 and a 54 pound pregnancy. Did you hear me? 54 pounds. T1 was 9 lbs but that other 45 lbs was all stuck on your girl. A year passed and I got it down to about 20 pounds but I slowly realized that the weight was NOT coming off. It was gonna take work. Major work. So I started to eat healthier and exercise. Just when I started making progress, I had T2. I had to start all over. So although it's an ongoing thing I agonize about (like most women), I have made tremendous strides and I am on the road to maintaining my fabulousness.
I plan on being that MILF mom at the soccer games, Holla!

2. My Style.

Call me shallow, but I like to look a certain way. I am a t-shirt and sweats girl at heart and will rock a pair of sneakers like no bodies business. However, no matter what, I like to have a certain look. I like to look "effortlessly chic". Stylish without the "I tried too hard today" aura surrounding me. I make an effort to always leave the house looking pulled together. I learned a long time ago, that when you are dressed, you feel your best and at work I believe in dressing for the job you want not the job you have. Doesn't always have to be expensive....just pulled together.

3. My Family.

This is a given. I am Wonder Woman. I take care of my loved ones and obsess about it. Hell, it's my LIFE obsession and won't ever go away. I sit in meetings wondering if T2 had his jacket on when I dropped him to school, I call and schedule doctor's appointments when I am grocery shopping. I remember an entire list of details for everyone and forget mine. In short, I am a mom.....it's my job to obsess.

4. LOST

Now you guys know I am a Lost fan. I now find myself on websites reading all of the geek theories. **sigh** I may be beyond saving at this point.

5. COOKBOOKS/KITCHEN GADGETS

I collect them. I have shelves devoted to them. I actually use them. I am a kitchen junkie.

Now let me go tag some folks.....

I Think!

I was nominated as a Thinking Blogger by this lovely individual.

I found out that it means I am supposed to cough up five great blogs that I read.
I know I could pick my usual suspects, the ones I read everyday that most of you are already fans of....but instead, I will try and give some other folks a little shine.

I love Go Fug Yourself and read it every day. These ladies critique Hollywood outfits and their commentary is usually DEAD ON. I laugh so much at the outfits but even more at their critiques.

Stereohyped is my newest obsession. It is a black blog for entertainment, political commentary, etc. It is only a few weeks old, but I am already hooked. Check it out!

For my Trinidadian commentary, I am hooked on the Manicou report. I catch up on the views of a young Trinidadian and enjoy his great writing.

For superb Trinidadian food recipes, I check out TriniGourmet. Not only is she gorgeous, the gyal can cook!

And if you really know me, you know that I spend a lot of time here or here.

Have a great day!

Flashback

I am swamped today at work but wanted to leave you with one of my all time favorites.
This one is for the Brooklyn massive :)

Stepping Up To The Plate....

The Regional VP will be here today so your girl 1969 got up at 5am, did the power workout, came home....showered, got dressed and put on her corporate best.

I treated myself to an extra hot, nonfat, Caramel Macchiato (No Dunki.n today) and a multi grain bagel. I am in before 7:30am and geared up. I am on my game.

Last time he was here, he hit me with a whole bunch of questions that I had no answers for. This time, I am ready for him.

I have a really good friend that weighed over 300 pounds. She had severe asthma and chronic knee pain. Two years ago, she underwent gastric bypass surgery. She has since lost about 125 pounds. She wants to lose another 25-30 pounds and has been doing a great job of walking and eating healthy. We worked out together this morning and for real, she inspired me.

She didn't like something in her life and she decided to make a change. She committed herself to doing better. It's not all perfect, but she is still trying.
She celebrated the day she was able to walk into an Old Navy and buy a pair of jeans. Small things are a huge victory for her.

So today, when I have to face the big cheese....I am going to be confident. If she can take on her entire life, I can surely handle the VP of my region.

The Weekend Review

Hope everyone had a great weekend celebrating Mother's Day with the mom in your life or being pampered for being the great Mom that you are.

I spent my weekend doing some good deeds. On Saturday, I cooked curry chicken, peas and rice and stewed cabbage for a really good friend of mine to bring over to her Mother's house for Mother's Day. We had fun in the kitchen and I think she may be able to make it herself next time. She called last night to say that her mom loved the meal, so that made me feel good. In addition, a few people heard that I was cooking for her and asked me if they could hire me to cook for them. Hmmm....note to self. I will have to start to really think about this. I have kicked around my catering business idea for so long. I may have to step this up. Stay tuned.

I woke up on Mother's Day and participated in the Breast Cancer R.ace for the Cure. There was a great turnout and hopefully, lots of money was raised.

When I came home, my boys gave me cards, made me some lunch and took me out for ice cream. We ended up at the playground and had a great afternoon enjoying the weather.
Just spending the day laughing at my kids was perfect.

This week will be busy. My Regional VP will be in to check up on me this week. That should be interesting. Mr. 1969 has a 3rd callback interview on Thursday for a great job. I can't really complain but hey, the week is young!

Hope everyone had a great weekend. Sorry for the randomness. Later.

The Definition Of Love

I am inspired today by a great blogger. He's so great, I don't even want to share. LOL. I want to keep him all to myself. But today he wrote a post about Stevie Wonder and more so, it was a tribute to his Father and to love. He said that love is gangster not all whispers and softness.

This got me to thinking about love in general and I have to agree with him.

Listen closely......LOVE IS NOT FOR PUNKS.

You can't half step when you are in love. You can't love like you are afraid to get hurt. Love is about emotion and feeling. You have to put yourself out there. Yes, love is vulnerable. You may get hurt but you may also fly.

To experience all of the excitement and true passion....you have to want it. You sometimes have to fight to be heard. You have to sometimes admit defeat to learn a lesson.

It is not always easy. The road to something worth having is never easy. But when you finally get to love, you know you have earned it. You savor it. You feel a sense of serenity and calmness take over your spirit when you are in the presence of that person. It's beautiful.

And to stay in that state....sometimes you will have to check each other when you are slacking off. Reality will try to test your love. For it to work, you each have to want it. You have to communicate. You have to stay in the other person's face and tell them what is working and what isn't. If you say it with love and your partner is mature enough to handle it....it will only make the love stronger.

Musiq is putting his heart out there in this new song that you are listening to on my blog today. I am feeling this song. It's hard for a man to admit what he is singing about. That is real. Teach Me How To Love.

And the true definition of love is this woman....my mom.


She has never given up on me, she has stayed in my face and gotten grimy when she needed to but still offered me a shoulder to cry on when I was weak. She is the definition of love. Happy Mother's Day to her and to all of the moms out there. Teach Us How To Love.

Paying the Piper

So last night, me and my girls went out. We were celebrating Jen's birthday. She loves to Salsa dance so we ended up suprising her by going to salsa night at North.by.Northwest in G.ermantown. The food was mediocre at best. The service was meh. But the drinks were flowing, the music was great and we all danced the night away.

Unfortunately, I consumed one too many alcoholic beverages and I am hurting this morning. Not even Starbucks is working. I already took some aspirin, drank some water...I am too old for this mess! Not to mention I have a meeting to run at 3pm.

Then I have to go home and celebrate this man's birthday.....



I need all of your hangover cures. Should I eat something? Not eat? Oh damn....we are having lunch at Chili's today. I may end up hurling in a bathroom. UGH!

Pray for me....

Would I lie to you?

Do you ever judge yourself?

You know, when you sit and do a complete self assesment of where you are, how you are behaving, your life...period?

I tend to do this alot. I find myself thinking about my actions, what I could be doing better, how I can be a better person. I know I am FAR from perfect. Hell, I am flawed as hell. I do the best I can and sometimes I slip up. Sometimes, I get out of pocket and I need to check myself.

I don't always say I am sorry to people but I do say it to the CREATOR. I have to hope that is enough sometimes.

I am stubborn. I like to call it being tenacious. Whenever you look up Cancer's horror-scope, it says things like "moody" and "tenacious". That is code for evil and stubborn. LOL

I am a highly opinionated individual. My opinions are not always good. Sometimes, I am judgemental. But see, I know these things. They make me who I am.

I don't trust people easily. My friend FRESH says that it's cause I am from NY. It makes me feel like folks always have an ulterior motive. He may be on to something. I still think I feel that way because many people are shady to the core.

Either way, I do take note of these traits on the self-assessment.

My friends say I judge myself too harshly. I still do it. Why? Because I know that they don't always know how my mind works. I may say the right thing and do the rght thing but in my head....I am cursing people out and wishing they would just go away.

My thing is this.....you can lie to others.....you can't lie to yourself. What are your faults?

Confessions of a Nerd

I have known that I am a Nerd for a long time. Growing up, I would rather read a book than go outside to play. I would spend hours reading my encyclopedia's (this was before internet people...remember, I am old!)and fill my head with random facts.

We would watch Jeopardy at dinner and I would know most of the answers (unless the category was Opera or some other craziness). In 6th grade, I came in 4th in the Daily N.ews NYC Spelling Bee.

My high school was highly competetive. You had to pass an entrance exam and score in the top five percent to get in. I made it. It was at this school where I found my fellow nerds. We were nerds but still cool. I had a haven to express my nerdiness.

I was a sports geek. I loved the Giants and the Mets (still do). I knew stats, ERA's, yards gained. To this day, I probably know more about football than most men and have won more football pools than I can remember.

I read comic books. I am an X-men fanatic. Wolverine is my favorite hero cause he kicks azz.

I love horror movies and will watch them late at night since Mr. 1969 HATES them. LOL

I love sudoku, I love GAMES magazine, I love puzzles.

My favorite tv shows are LOST and HEROES. I TIVO them when I am out of town.

In short, I am a nerd. My friend Jen calls me the "CHIC GEEK".

Since you all have been reading this blog so faithfully, I figured you should know what you're dealing with.

These are my confessions....

She's a maniac.....

The weekend was so busy, I am almost glad to be back at work where I can rest...LOL

Friday night, I was part of a "Women Entrepreneurs " event. My best friend was the keynote speaker and she was fabulous. (I expected nothing less). I am so proud of her as a mom and business owner. She really is inspiring.

I also got to spend time with a good friend who had a baby recently. She is another working mom who holds it down. She is a brilliant attorney, gorgeous and has a beautiful daughter. Awe inspiring indeed.

Saturday I woke up and attended a service project counseling teenagers on well....teenaged stuff. We talked about sex, HIV prevention, sexually transmitted diseases, abstinence, self esteem, etc. It was a great program. Our kids need help for real! Some of the questions and discussions were EYE opening. We are failing our youth in a major way. Each of you can be a mentor to someone. All you need is a few hours a week. You really can make a difference in someone's life.

Sunday, I got up and worked out. Took my son out roller skating and ended up at a street festival. Barbequed later that day and relaxed with the hubby.

Yeah...I could talk about doing too much but it's just a part of who I am. When I am sitting still, I feel like I could be doing something. I just can't win.

Mr. 1969 has a 2nd interview today (right now actually) for a great job. Say some prayers for us!!! I think the job is one that he would be excellent at. It's also close to home....no commute.

Wish us luck and have a great week.

Mom's Rock

As a mother, I thought I would share some gift ideas for that number one lady in your life....MOM.

If your Mom is a product junkie...how about some C.arol's Daughter? All natural, great smelling and rich and satisfying. This mango melange set is pampering and stylish.



On a budget? Spring and Summer are upon us and if your Mom needs a nice colorful tote bag to wear with her linen....how about this one from Tarzhay...under $20 and would look fierce with an all white, tan or chocolate ensemble. I would rock mine with a white sundress and those tan Kors shoes....



For a mere $150, you can show up with a classic gift for mom that she will treasure. The style is classic and will work from casual wear to church. Not to mention, it comes in that famous blue box :)



If your Mom is like me and mine, we love a beautiful robe. This one is feminine and cut like a kimono. Gorgeous.



This is what I want.....just in case you were wondering....



If Mom has a sweet tooth, how about these?



Just remember....all you Mom's out there....

Writer's Block Returns

LOST IS THE BEST SHOW ON TV.....I highly recommend that all of you catch up on those DVD's over the summer.

Is it me or is everyone missing the boat that Nee-Yo is clearly playing for MY TEAM?

Is that "Lip Gloss" song annoying the heck out of anyone else? What Chu Know Bout Me?...uh....that you can't sing?

Why are there still women walking around with unshaved armpits and legs? YUCK. And if your outer parts look like Sasquatch....I don't even wanna ask about anywhere else. It's summer...excessive body hair is soooo not sexy.

People that smoke in their cars disgust me. Especially if their kids are in the cars with them.

White pants with cellulite on the back of your legs? Not a good look.

The Big Cheese is in the building today (and I do mean THE BIG CHEESE, THE OWNER, THE MAN WITH HIS NAME ON THE BUILDING).....why is everyone running around like a chicken with their head chopped off? I mean they are scrubbing the elevator grates with a toothbrush. LOL DAYUM.

Sick office workers....no, after ten days of hacking....it's not "just your allergies". Take your azz to the Doctor.

SLISH jinxed me.....T2 has entered the terrible two's and his lil slasher is in effect mode. He may not make it to his Birthday next week.

For T1's Cinco de Mayo party, I had to find Spanish Music. All I had was Big Pun and Shakira....LMAO! "You nasty twin...I don't care" is sooo not appropriate.

I went walking on the track last night and there were four women, dressed in workout clothes that sat on the grass and talked for about 30 minutes then left. I bet they told everyone at work how they "Been working out" for the summer.

I bought these yesterday.....**sigh**. Damn that M.ichael K.ors....he's like kryptonite to me.

Where did I put my magic lasso?

Work is kicking my butt right now. Projects, upon projects. Hey, I wanted to be a Director right? Therefore, I have to get into high gear.

I currently have taken on way too much (you're not shocked?) and don't know how I am going to do it all.

I am co-chairing an event for Women Entrepreneurs through my sorority this Friday in Philly. My best friend and proprietor of this establishment is speaking.

I am also chairing Food and Beverage for our 2008 AKA Regional Convention in Philadelphia.

I am also a co-chair of the AKA Fundraising Committee and in the midst of planning a Jazz Fundraiser.

Last but not least, I am planning T1's class "Cinco De Mayo" party on Friday and planning T2's Birthday party for next Saturday.

Oh yeah....and I work ten hours a day.

Coffee is my friend......and I think I need a new pair of shoes just for GP.

Counting Blessings

2am....

T2 is lying on top of my chest with an ear infection. He can't sleep laying down because his ears hurt. After administering his medicine, I instinctively prop all of the pillows behind my head and let him fall asleep on me so his head is elevated. I hold my palm against the offending ear, applying pressure, so it stops throbbing and he finally stops crying and falls asleep.

It's quiet. His heart is beating against my chest. I think about my baby. He will be two next week. He's the stubborn, headstrong one. Good natured and sweet but determined and tough.

My oldest is a star. Something about him lights up the room when he walks in. He commands attention. Loves to joke around, loves people, loves the spotlight. Aries. Fire.

But my baby is a different type of child. He is quieter, more introspective. Loves his big brother. He is content to follow him around all day. He lets the older one shine and cracks up at all of his antics. But he doesn't let the older one push him around. He stands up for himself. If T1 tries to take his toys, he will say "NO" and fight him for it. This baby is one tough little cookie. Taurus. Earth.

As he lays on my chest, I think about the type of man he will be one day. I hope that I am here to enjoy the whole thing. This strong little baby will one day be a man.

As he snuggles in and starts snoring, I get up and put him back in his crib.

I kiss his older brother on his head and cover his feet sticking out from under the blanket.

I pause to take in this moment. The quiet when they are all sweet and vulnerable. I am sure I feel what mama birds feel when they have fed all of the birds and they are all asleep in the nest....contentment and peace.

Everyday there are blessings all around me despite whatever forces try to bring me down. Tonight, I am stopping to embrace mine before I miss it.