Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Impromptu Date Night with a side of Speech Therapy

Two Friday's ago during Natalie's speech therapy session, I approached the topic of weaning Natalie off of straw sippy cups and inquired how I might go about introducing a regular cup for her to drink from.  Natalie's rockin' speech therapist was all over it!  She darted out of the room with insane enthusiasm and returned with at least 10 varieties of liquid holding apparatuses; dixie cups, nosey cups, medicine cups, tumblers and tupperware.  Sixty minutes later, Natalie and I walked out of her session with a game plan devised by her SLP & me.  The following night Ben & I had an impromptu date night with Natalie in tow.  



























                                                                         
 After an intimate dinner on Main, 
we strolled over to our local Starbucks (sidenote: I'm so in love with Starbucks, I've attempted to get my mom & sister to work there...just so I could have free drinks!  Both attempts were an epic fail.  Plan B:find a handsome barista and date him on the side;-) )  While we are placing our drink orders I notice Via Refreshers on-the-go packets in a new flavor...Valencia Orange.  I quizzed Jonathan as to which flavor Refresher he would prefer "the Orange or Lime?" he said "If you remotely like orange, I recommend going with Valencia!"   SOLD!  I added it to our order.   Sweet barista Jonathan surprised us and fixed a sample of the Valencia Orange Refresher and served them in these adorably small Starbucks sampler cups.  Soooooo, naturally I had to have Natalie practice drinking from the cute cup!!   AFTER I shared some of my sample with Natalie, barista Jonathan notified me that "the Refreshers do contain caffeine!"  I promptly informed him that I would be dropping her off when they closed and she would remain in his care until she fell asleep! 





 Needless to say, I kept the cup and I make her practice with it one meal a day...with water, NOT the via Refresher! Hahaha.

Monday, July 8, 2013

Unk- Quiet, Gentle & Kind


   


 To say today was exceptionally challenging would be an understatement.  Each of us said goodbye to a portion of our heart...some more than others.  

     Raymond, Ray, Unk, Unk the Great.  Those were just a few of the names Ben's uncle acquired during his 77 years here on earth...and I can't believe it's been over 2 weeks since his passing.  Every time I pull onto the family property and behind the big house, I expect to see him outside doing some type of yard work.  It was an unexpected passing and it's jolted each and every one of us. 

   I was blown away when Unk's wife, Arlene, asked me to do a reading at his funeral.  What an honor to be able to speak at such an amazing man's end of life service.  Of everything he has accomplished, I felt out of place being the person chosen to pass along the following message:

{Go placidly amid the noise & haste & remember, what peace there may be in silence.  As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.  Speak your truth quietly & clearly; and listen to others, even the dull & ignorant; they too have their story.  Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.  If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain & bitter; for always there will be greater & lesser persons than yourself.  Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.  Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.  Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.  But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself.  Especially, do not feign affection.  Neither cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity & disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.  Take kindly the counsel of the years,  gracefully surrendering the things of youth.  Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.  But do not distress yourself with imaginings.  Many fears are born of fatigue & loneliness.  Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.    You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees & the stars; you have a right to be here.  And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.  Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever  your labors & aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.  With all its sham, drudgery & broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.  Be cheerful  Strive to be happy.}


       Doting husband & magnificent uncle; our very own animal whisperer.

Unk & Hannah; touring the property



Unk & Mai-Tai
Arlene & Unk

Ray, Marna & Herb, Tabitha
Ben's Uncle, Mom, Dad & sister