Beautiful Life

Some days it is easier than others. 

But there is beauty in each day.

It is easy to see when something magical comes your way, like giving your sister a life.

Other days, life delivers a gift in a package that no one wants to receive.

Don't be afraid to untie the ribbon and look inside. 

Yes, I'm talking to myself these days. 

Let's just say it has been a long week, and will be an even longer journey. 

Time to get started. 

Just Saying

After yesterday's post, which apparently had a few of us in tears,
I thought I should snap back to reality today.

Laundry.
Not a fan.

I wait as long as possible to do it.
And then when it's all clean, it takes me forever and a day to fold it all.

It seems I am far more willing to carry a baby.

Seriously.

Easy Bake Oven

We sell baby stuff. 

Furniture, bedding, gifts, towels, bath soap, you name it.

People always ask me "doesn't it make you want to have another baby?"

Umm, no? Not exactly.

Sure, the THOUGHT of being pregnant again makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

But the THOUGHT of being responsible for raising another child does not.

I did decide to have another baby - a business. 

It has taken all the sleepless nights, exhaustion, commitment and love that a baby does.

I'm good with that.

All that being said, a life changing event has occurred in my family. 

This is a picture of my little sister, 24 years ago, in the NICU. 

She was born with an intestinal disease for which there was no cure and all babies born before her died. 

The surgeons decided to take a chance. 

She had extensive surgery, all exploratory and experimental, as a newborn baby.

They saved her life. 

She has worn deep abdominal scars her entire life. 

But they saved her life. 

Recently, she went in for a routine ovarian cyst removal that seemed to be preventing pregnancy. 

The surgery did not go routinely.

When she woke up the news was grim. 

Due to the extensive adhesions, her abdomen is a twisted, nearly solid, wall of intestine and other organs. 

Carrying a full term pregnancy is out of the question. 

She will risk her own life and certainly the baby's life. 

Sobbing was the only appropriate response.

Can you imagine? 

Newly married, full of anticipation of becoming a mother and building a family. 

Shattered in an instant.

Anger welling over the cards life has dealt.

But without the cards she would have no life. 

In my heart and in my mind, there was no question how this would turn out. 

So, very, very soon, the genetic child of my sister and her husband will begin it's life inside my body.

I will never forget what it felt like to become a mother for the first time.

I am unbelievably honored and humbled to have the opportunity to help my only sister to have a child of her own. 

This will be a crazy journey for us both - full of laughter and tears and anxiety and hope. 

And life.

She didn't have any say in the way her surgeries went as a baby. 

And she doesn't have any say in whether or not it is safe to have a baby now.

I think she deserves the opportunity to have something go right. Just this once.

Deep breath. 

Take another. 

Holy Moly. 

Just call me Easy Bake.

I'm not the mother.

Just the oven.

Mother's Day Giveaway!

Okay, here's the deal. 

It's a giveaway! 

A real, bonafide, giveaway.

We would love to hear about your mom, your aunt, your sister, your best friend who you think is the best mom you know and why! It can be an actual mom, or someone who has been mom-like in your life. 

To Win:

1. Like Minorbird's Facebook page.

2. Leave us your comment/description of the woman you think is fantastic. 

3. Ask your friends to "like" your comment. 

Number of "likes" on your comment AND the sweetness factor of your story both matter! 

We will announce the winner at noon on Saturday!!

The Goods:

A set of earrings and matching necklace from La Vie Parisienne. 

I wear this set almost every day.

It is casual.
It is dressy.
I get a TON of compliments.

The sterling silver stud earrings are made with champagne colored Swarovski crystals.
Big enough to get noticed.
But not so big that your ear lobes droop. 

The necklace is also a large champagne colored Swarovski crystal.
Sterling silver 16" chain with a 2" adjustable section.

We can't wait to hear all the stories of the amazing women in your life!

Good luck ladies!! (and gentlemen)

A Garden for Plant Killers

Today I was feeling particularly garden-y.
Probably because I was thinking about Mother's Day.

I haven't figured out what I'm doing with or giving to my mom yet.
If you are like me, you can now feel better about yourself. You are not alone.

There is something about Mother's Day that puts me in the mood for a garden.
There is also something about Mother's Day that puts me in the mood for food that tastes like cake.
Who am I kidding?
I am ALWAYS in the mood for food that tastes like cake!

Enter: Cornbread from Saturday night's dinner. 

Or Sunday morning's breakfast for my daughter. 

Whichever. 

Enter: The daughter who ate all the cornbread.
And the daughter who made me a mother for the first time.
Love her!

Back to the garden.
Actually, the non-garden for those of us who are watering challenged.
The well-known secret is that I kill all plants that require more than the most minimal attention possible.

Boxwood.

You spray them with water once a month!

Even I can handle that. 

I bought this line of table linens, Couleur Nature, at the suggestion of one of my favorite people, Claudia.
She said I would love them.
She was SO right!

Obvious good choice for someone like me.
Instant garden. Instant good mood.
No watering required!

Okay, so I strayed to the beach. 

I couldn't help it!

Love the beach. 

It has lots of water already there. 

This lamp does not need to be watered.

Enter: Blog Math
Mother's Day =  Food That Tastes Like Cake + Garden -- the Water.

If I come up with some fantastic idea that completely encompasses the sacrifice and life-long unconditional love that is being a mother, I'll let you know!

If I come up short, I probably won't mention it. 

Today, more than ever before, I know how special it is to have the opportunity to be a mother. 

Mother. Sister. Daughter. 

Love you J. 

The Majors are Waiting

My older boy is actually on the team. 

The younger one is not. 

But he thinks he is. 

No one has the heart to tell him otherwise. 

Coach is nice and lets him practice with the other kids. 

Coach was nice when he asked him to let the other kids have a chance getting the ball. 

He seems ready, by his professional posing ability, to go all the way. 

Best part is the pink glove.

He owns a blue glove. 

Maybe it's his good luck charm. 

Or maybe he's three and unreasonable. 

He grows on you. 

Kind of like a chocolate bacon bar. 

Yes, little bacon pieces mixed into a candy bar. 

It came highly recommended. But still. 

The first day I tried it I tried to give it away. 

No takers. 

Then, this morning, I was hungry and too busy to get real food, so I tried it again. 

It was tasty! And sort of breakfast-y.

I ate the whole thing. 

You can see why I am still trying to give 10 pounds away. 

No takers. 

Sometimes a home run comes in a package you weren't expecting. 

Sleeping In Today...Sort Of

Any time we are expecting a couple thousand people downtown in one day, I get a little anxiety.

What if the store doesn't look good that day?

What if I spill food all over my shirt before it even starts? (Holiday Stroll flashback)

What if there is some other catastrophic happening that ruins the day?

Dear brain: Shut up and get to work.

The day started at 7am putting up the tent for the sidewalk sale.
Let me repeat: 7 am. Tent.
Me and the troops.

Festival started at 9 am and so did my son's t-ball game.
Oh so thankful for a seasoned t-baller known as POP-POP to take him to his game and cheer!

Summer is so close I can smell it. 

Always changing things up a little. 

I've been thinking about these since I saw them in January!

Did I mention the troops?

As soon as you say "don't shine that in your eyes" you have just come up with a cool idea that needs to be tested immediately. 

Dear Little Sister, you are running low on favors. 

I know you love the owl bracelet, but still. 

The other 130 pictures I took of him were with his grumpy face. 

On purpose.

We had a great day, with no catastrophic happenings! 

I have to thank everyone who came over and helped out .

I couldn't have done it without all of you! 

I heart nice people.