JANIE AND JACK

I had really refrained from shopping until approximately three weeks ago. When I visited my aunt and uncle, who live in South Lake, I stumbled upon a little boutique called Janie and Jack. THE. CUTEST. STUFF. EVERRRRRRRRRRR. I wanted one of everything, but again, I refrained. Thirty eight bucks for a pair of kids shorts? Are you kidding me? I wanted one of everything in there. From hats to swimwear to the most precious little knickerbockers, I have never seen such adorable baby attire in my life. Again, I refrained.....until I got home and Googled ole Janie and Jack. And what do you know? They have a gosh dang website. They own Gymboree. They are masterminds in the baby fashion world. You can shop from your laptop at home and no one will ever know. I think it's ridiculous to spend bookoos of money on clothes she will only wear a couple of times. At this very moment I have on a pair of denim capris I bought before Justin and I got married and a white t-shirt from Target. I won't even discuss how old my shoes are.

But this? Really? It's all over.

JUST CALL ME DUB

Mattie: I just got to shake George Bush's hand!!!!! He was walking into Muster and we were in the same section and he stuck his hand out to me!!!!

Me: SHIT. THAT'S AWESOME.

Mattie: Heck ya!!! He's like 3 rows in front of me...him and Barbara and the Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, but I only shook George's hand.

Me: Now go wash your hands.

Mattie: Haha! Right. Granddad will be so proud.

Me: Yep.

Mattie: It made my life.

THE SECRET OF LIFE IS A GOOD CUP OF COFFEE

Every once in a while Justin and I will take turns letting one another sleep in on Saturday mornings. Today was my turn. Around 9:00 he opened the window, so I could smell the rain, and left me with a heaping pile of blueberry pancakes. It truly made my weekend. Over the past couple of years the importance of the smaller things in life has become very apparent.

We have an automatic grinder and timer on our coffee pot. Every morning at 7:30 I feel a deep gratitude for the delicious cup of Starbucks brewing in my own kitchen.

Randomly Justin and I will have our wedding rings off at the same time. Yesterday I was putting lemon oil on the furniture and he was working in the yard. As I buzzed out of our bathroom, I noticed the three rings laying together. It was as if someone had tossed a handful of jacks and our rings landed perfectly, overlapping each other. There was something so romantic about it.

The touch, the smell, the sight, the feel of your child makes any day, every day, worth living and living well.

Good sheets are worth millions. I don't know how many times we say, "How is our bed so comfortable?" or "Don't you think our bed is more cozy than (name some hotel from our past travels)?" or "The more we wash them, the softer they get." Thank you Pottery Barn and Chris for the best sheets in the whole world. We feel like we are in a swanky hotel every morning.

Eating out is overrated. It's not that we don't want to eat out. Our choices consist of K-Bob's, Albert's Manor (don't ask), and a slew of Mexican food joints. We cook at home 29 out of 30 days every month. We eat lunch together at home and we plan big meals in the evenings. Justin is incapable of cooking a bad meal. New recipes have surfaced such as prime rib soup and blackened Snapper with rice and coconut stewed vegetables. We both have a passion for time in our kitchen.

Sesame Street is better than ever. I watched it as a child and don't see anything wrong with letting BB get in an hour of educational television every morning. There's still Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, The Count and Groucho. What's new? Appearances from names such as John Legend, Sugarland and Meredith Viera. It totaly rocks!

You can never hear I love you Mommy or I love you Daddy enough. It never gets old and has the ability to effect you in a new way each and every time it leaves her lips. It can change the feeling of an entire day.

We, in our own little corner of the world, feel alive and happy and complete. Each of us has our own definition of 'the small stuff'. Maybe it's the tune of a good song or the taste of good wine. Maybe it's the word raisin or puzzle blurting out of your blonde baby's tiny little mouth. Whatever your blessing may be, I hope something special touches you deep inside this Easter weekend. I hope you feel love all around you and remember just how good God is.

JOHN WAYNE

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