Overzealous potty trainer.

I am, to my own admission, an overzealous potty trainer. If Luke makes any mention of the potty or wanting to use the potty or having to go potty, my voice shrills and I eek with excitement as I shuffle him over to his little potty. I think I need to tone it down a few notches as there were two separate "potty incidences" over the Thanksgiving holiday and both involved my in-laws, how embarassing.

Act 1-

Grams was in the bathroom with the door closed and Luke, with no certain awareness of privacy, busts in and exclaims, "Come on Grams, you can do it."

Act 2-

Pax was leaving the bathroom and Luke rounds the corner, jumping up and down saying, "Yea Pax, yeah Pax."

I wonder where he learns this from.

A few more cute one-liners came out of that little guys mouth over the holiday-

Pax was trying to put a dvd on the tv and for some reason it was not working. Pax looked over at Luke and said, "Sorry Luke I can not get this to work." Luke stated, very sincerely, "It's not your fault Pax."

We were all sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner at my parent's house and Luke wanted to say the prayer. "Dear God, thank you for this breakfast. Amen"

In the cutest little Italian accent he can muster, he says, "How you doin'?"

All these changes.

While in Florida for Thanksgiving I got to spend some much needed time with my amazing sister, Jamie. She is genuine, insightful and so open with her heart. We are as alike as sisters can be and as different as sisters can be. During one of our deep conversations, she made mention of how much I have changed over the last five years and since meeting Matt.

As I think back over this time I have to agree whole heartedly. Over these years I have become a wife and a mother, my eye's have been opened to so much regarding the ways of the world, how we live and my faith. My heart's desire to seek and learn is being filled and I am eager to continue down this path.

Jamie (isn't she simply gorgeous??) and Eli in Ponce Inlet, FL.

So, one change that is always constant in our household is food, what and how we eat. This past year I have been privy to lots of new information on nutrition that is steering me down a new path in the kitchen. The movie, "Food Inc" revealed some interesting insight into the food industry. It contains a lot of information I was familiar with but putting it into a visual medium puts a whole new perspective on things. The book, The China Study, was an insightful read, focusing on the health benefits of reducing animal proteins in our diet. I also pick up "The Healing Herbs" by Michael Castleman every now and again for reference on the curative power of herbs, love it, as well as, Vive le Vegan by Dreena Burton. All of this has led us to a more veggie friendly lifestyle. We still eat meat/fish- probably once or twice a week for dinner, another two or three nights are vegetarian fare and the rest are usually vegan. We are really working on reducing our dairy consumption too. It is an adjustment (more for Matt and Luke) than myself but we are well on our way. Hooray to healthier living!

One of Matt's very favorite vegetarian dishes is this Goat Cheese and Arugula Pasta. Easy to make too so I thought I would share it.

Ingredients

• 5 1/2 ounces goat cheese
• 2 cups coarsely chopped arugula, stems included
• 1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 8 ounces penne pasta
• Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Crumble goat cheese into a large serving bowl. Add arugula, cherry tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, and salt and pepper. Drain pasta, and toss with goat cheese mixture.

True Friend.

Chrissy is just one those girls you are lucky to have in your life. Her and Ray came to visit us in Florida before we left and we had the best time. Her giving spirit and eagerness to try new things always excites me. Her devotion to her husband and family are to be admired. Even though there are thousand of miles between us, she calls just to see if Eli got another tooth or if Luke knows where the Pyramids of Giza are.

Thanks Chrissy, thank you so much. XOXO

Oh, and one of the best things about Chrissy is her husband, Ray. These two laugh more than anyone I have ever met. Luke can never get enough of Ray, how can you blame him. The man is riding on a Junior Razor just so Luke can see how it is done.

Love in Mexico.

Congratulations to Dana and Sam! The wedding was beautiful, the weekend was an adventure and the laughs were endless. I was honored to be a part of it. Love to you both~

More goodbyes.

The boys and I were able to spend time in Spring Hill visiting Matt's family right before we left. We laughed a lot and we cried even more. I cherish those days....when I think back it almost feels like I am remembering snapshots of a movie that I've watched a dozen times.

Dana holding Eli and laughing at Luke as he played drums in the other room and fell off the stool. Then making his way over to the "secret" cookie spot that only they know about.....no one wants to spill the beans to Gino.

Pax revving up the lawnmower and shouting, "Hey Luke, lets go for a tractor ride." Luke smirking as they go up and down the street.

Then Luke running in the house and begging to go on the exercise machine, like Pax.

Grams, with more energy than most teenagers, playing and reading, laughing until our bellies hurt.

Luke savoring every minute of love.

Love you EMOYL. XOXO

Goodbye Florida.

Leaving Florida was so bittersweet. The excitement of a new adventure, the sadness of knowing our families would be more than just a drive away.

Over the past several months I have made a conscious effort to be mindful in my life. I tend to be a major planner and while that is helpful in some situations, I almost always miss out on the fun because I am thinking about the "what is next." In the last few weeks I had with my family I wanted to enjoy every minute of it and that I did.

My sister and Luke catching frogs in the pool.

My dad convincing Luke to splash my mom and get her hair wet even though she pleaded them not to. He was also the one that advised Luke that he could stamp Big Bird and Ernie up his arm and that it would be okay.

My mom lovin' on Eli every second she could.

My brother holding Luke on the merry-go-round, pointing out where I was standing so they could both wave.

While I enjoyed each moment, my heart misses them every day. Two thousand miles feels like a world apart.

Girlfriends.

Getting to spend time with my girlfriends invigorates me. They can challenge me and make me laugh all in the same breath. I hosted a girl's night at my house this past weekend, a pizza making party. I made the sauce, they brought their own toppings and recipes...it was a cook-off of sorts with an official taste test, surprise and prize at the end of the night. Thanks girls for braving the weather to come out!

The competition begins.......

The surprise is revealed and the reaction is priceless, thank you Becky for providing the "larger than life" photo of Dana. So nicely donated to us by the bank that used it for promoting their "Get Financed for a RV" campaign. What??

At the end of the night, we each shared a goal. Mine~ I am running in a half marathon in Florida at the end of February with both my sister and mom. Thank you Jess for the inspiration (and congratulation on your pizza win), and for my sister and my mom for agreeing to come along for the ride. 15 weeks and counting.