Exploring Central Park with Mandy & Jon!

When did she become such a little girl?!

But, oh, I'm so proud of this child she's becoming. My darling, daring girl.

Four: Fruit, Silk, Flowers

Paris

I, Misty Lee Marie, in the name of the spirit of God that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood and the love that resides within my heart, take you, Samuel Henry,

Ireland

Kuala Lumpur

to my hand, my heart and my spirit, to be my chosen one.

Bangkok

To desire you and be desired by you, to possess you and be possessed by you without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for you.

Caribbean

Arizona

I promise to love you wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond - where we shall meet, remember, and love again.

I shall not seek to change you in any way.

Hawaii

I shall respect you, your beliefs, your people and your ways as I respect myself.

Niagra Falls

Pangor Laut

Costa Rica

Phuket

I did then, and I do now, my love. You've literally given me the world. Looking through the THOUSANDS of photographs we have over this short time we've had together (this list here is just a summary - I left out so much!), I couldn't be more filled with joy. You and I, we've had more adventure and happiness than any two people could ask for ... and we've only just begun our lives together.

You. Have. Given. Me. The. World.

Thank you for the best four years of my life. I cannot wait for the next 50. Or more! You are my every dream come true, my every hope confirmed, my every fear vanquished. You are my soulmate.

Mo Chuisle.

Elmo LoooOOooves you!

Maire has begun to really play with her stuffed animals now. She loves on them, pretends to give them bottles, dresses (undresses) them, even gives them her medicine and pretends to clean their noses.

It's amazing to watch... how this tornado of a child that runs through our apartment and down the sidewalk can be so absolutely gentle with her little stuffed friends. She puts them on her shoulder (like we carry her) and pats their behinds. She talks to them softly, brushes their hair, sings to them.

I love that she's so gentle, so loving. She BEAMS when we acknowledge how nice she is to her "babies." And, truth be told, I beam too. I feel like with all the small moments as a mom I must mess up, seeing her be so loving means I must be doing something right.

One Elmo is never enough.

No, seriously - are there more Elmos?

Kisses for Elmo.

Sweet dreams with Elmo.

Of course, she does love Elmo. LURVES him. But her favorites include Grover and Curious George (still. but now naked. poor George.) and her absolute favorite... the friend most likely to be carried - without dropping! - up to ten blocks, Bedtime Carebear.

Oh, my little girl. How I love you.

wedding

Right before the wedding...

So she can party *all night long... All night... All night long...*

Central Park

So on my birthday weekend we met Joyce and Mark (and Aoife!!) at Central Park for a picnic and playing. Joyce took these photos and I LOVE them.


I also love just watching those two girls together. They are *hilarious* and such little wonders! It's crazy to see them, talking, sharing, playing together... when it seems just yesterday I was in Joyce's office complaining about feeling spew-ey all the time...

(more pics of this day to come soon)





It was the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Dear Little Darling Daring Girl,

Please feel like this again soon. Xo, your mama

Beautiful happy girl

She had a bit of a rough weekend with high temps and coughs, but is beating it awesomely. Lots of good love and giggles is definitely the best medicine.