willow is one

happy birthday, my dear sweet child. i cant believe i didn't know you a year ago, and now its like i've never not known you.
you are the most curious little child. you are restless for entertainment. you have such an intensity that i see in every move of your tiny body. you want to touch and taste everything you see. you wear your heart on your sleeve. you are completely fearless. you drive me crazy but you are my sanity. you are so forgiving and kind (for those times when i am a bit crazy). your smile lights up a room. you have the largest bank of silly expressions that you pull from constantly (and they twist my heart further 'round your tiny finger). you don't tolerate any nonsense. you are so very serious sometimes (i guess you get that from your father). you love going to the swings, even if it means freezing your tush off for as long as you can stand. you love apples and oranges, even to your own (and my nose's) discomfort. you squeal and squawk when you see that i forgot to put away penelope's water dish in the morning (then quickly put your hand in it and splash the water out). you can crawl like a little flash of lightning nowadays, and because of that, you have no desire to walk anymore. you (almost) always wake up happy, chatting away to yourself till i come get you. you carry on all sorts of conversation when you're in the mood, and i have no idea what you're saying (but its so dang cute).

you are the best girl i have ever known. i am so glad to see you grow everyday, and i cant wait to see the lady you will become. i know i have only seen one of your many years on this earth so far, and you're going to have to work really hard to top it, but my goodness girl, you really are the best.

ps.
i love you.

st. patrick's day

clay and I moved to Ireland on this day five years ago. it happened by accident, and I didn't even realize it (post wedding brain) until we got on the plane in New York, and it was full of people wearing green (tall hats, clover shirts, beer glasses, the whole lot) yelling in excitement about their one day in Dublin to party and celebrate St Patricks day. and every year I think about the people on that flight, I see pictures of people's celebrations on Facebook, I see what goes on in my own city, and I read about the aftermath on the news.
and I always get thinking about this day. and how one whole day a year, millions of people gather to celebrate (ok, or they just wear green, get drunk, watch parades, and get in fights) this tiny little island and it' s place in the world.
but sadly, this day has nothing to do with it's namesake. and I think dear old St. Patrick would turn in his grave if he knew half the shenanigans that went on around the world on his day.
instead though, can you imagine what would happen if everyone put down their drink and prayed for this place? Ireland doesnt need another excuse to party, it needs another revolution like the one in St Patricks time. and it needs it badly.
BUT God is doing something too. and He desires a revival just as much as we do (even more!). and if I may say so, I think He is in the beginning works of one. so while we have yet to see fully the plans God has for this place, rest assured, He does have some great ones.
so while your eyes are on Ireland today, would you put your celebrations on hold, for just a moment, and pray for this place and it's people? and maybe celebrate this day for what it was meant for. that God used a man, small and insignificant as he was, to do His great and meaningful work in this country, and changed people's lives for an eternity.

winter, please be over soon?

this winter has felt like the longest, darkest, coldest, meanest one yet! I don't really know why it seems any worse than the rest, but it sure is a fighter. and maybe it's because last year we had a baby to look forward to at the end of it? or maybe because IT ACTUALLY IS, but I'm reallllly ready for it to be over. poor willow just wants to go on the swings for longer than 5 minutes without freezing her tush off and I would my toes to stay intact when we spend any amount of time outside!

but I guess it's only the beginning of march. maybe I'm asking too much of Ireland? or maybe I've seen too much sunshine on the other end of Skype calls with people in California that it's making me antsy. either way, could we get this over with? I'm ready for a summer of light layering with cardigans and skirts and medium denier tights (cause this is still Ireland guys, lest you forget). and ill leave you with a weather forecast for this coming week.

not so much COLD as it is wet, wet, wet.