M & J Monday

We woke up in the usual way,

but it was not a usual day.

Out on the lawn,

plain as could be,

stood an orange wishing tree.

"I wish!" said I.

"I wish!" said you.

And so, our double wishes grew.

I kept my wish a secret one,

but you were not so shy.

You clapped your hands,

jumped off the bed, and said,

"I WISH TO FLY!!!"

In just a whistle's worth of time

and not a second more,

our feet were not attached to ground

the way they'd been before.

Up we went, just you and me,

high above the wishing tree.

We flew in silence,

like the birds.

It was too beautiful for words.

But your wishing wasn't done.

Why should you just stop with one?

In the valley, far below,

down where all the wishes grow,

your wishes grew, both big and small,

till I could hardly count them all.

In fact, I barely got to ten

because you wished for breakfast then.

"I wish," you said,

and just like that,

the friends you wished for

came and sat.

"I wish! I wish! I wish!"

you shouted.

Wishes bowed...

and played...

and sprouted.

Every wish was wishable...

even you, invisible.

But as the day began to end,

your wishes became quieter then.

I saw your silly sleepy head

was wishing it was back in bed.

And so, I did what parents do.

I picked you up and carried you.

As you drifted off to sleep, you whispered,

"Did your wish come true?"

I whispered back, "My little one,

my wish was just to be with you."

You and Me and the Wishing Tree

~Nancy Tillman

The Long Distance Edition

Phew. This week was something, let me tell you. Marcus is dealing with a major growth spurt where he eats like a 15-year old and sleeps like an infant. And, Julia nailed down a cold and has slightly regressed in the sleep department. Survival has come in the form of coffee by day and hard apple cider by night.

That's not to say the last couple of weeks haven't lacked in awesome. Because, there's been a lot of good to celebrate. Let's get to it.

Best Friends For Life

(as 7th grade Desirée would have written it: BFF4L)

My life long best friend came for a brief visit. We haven't seen each other in about two years, and the reunion was much needed for us.

We snuck away for a little girls evening of good food, stellar views, and even better conversation.

We were able to pick up like time and distance don't separate you. I hope it isn't two more years before we have another get together.

The Disney Pixie Dust Challenge

In keeping with things that are long distance... I finally did it. I pulled the trigger and signed up for a half marathon! Actually, the challenge is a 10k on Saturday followed up with the half marathon on Sunday. I mean, why not?! I've wanted to run a Disney race for some time now and I decided it was now or never. 

These were last year's medals. Just looking at them has me all sorts of pumped!

And, I'm going to need to hunt this down once the races are complete. I'm totally the running nerd who has this kind of magnet on her right bumper. 

The race isn't until May, but this is just the push and motivation I need to run farther than three miles at a time. Plus, I think I might just have to sneak in another half before the Pixie Dust. 

Mug Love

I know this is supposed to be linked up on Monday, but I got the ok to sneak in my reveal a little early (thanks, Stephanie!). 

I was partnered with Stefanie over at Lexie Lou, Lily, Liam and Dylan Too, who lives on the other side of the country (how's that for long distance!?). Just how perfect are these mugs?? Guys, I cannot tell you how excited I am for the return of Gilmore Girls on November 25. Seriously, I'm positively giddy. I fully intend to get cozy on the couch with these sweet mugs and get lost in the goodness that only happens in Stars Hallow. Who's going to join me so I can share my mug love?!

That's a wrap for this week!

Have a great weekend!

Apples and Orchards

Over the weekend we decided to leave the hustle and bustle of the city and head to the foothills to check out the apple orchards. In merely 90 minutes we were in wide open spaces, fresh air, and mountain views. It was just the kind of retreat we needed to recharge. The added bonus was we also stocked up on apples during our outing.

Marcus had been begging for weeks (months?) to go apple picking. I have no idea where he got the notion, as I'm sure he didn't remember our first orchard trip, which we made two years ago. Last year we had full intentions of getting to the orchards, but a crazy heat wave and a very new infant just didn't make things possible.

Upon arrival Marcus was bursting at the seems with excitement. He was so ready to pick every apple he could reach. Unfortunately, we visited so late in the season that many of the trees had been picked clean, or some tree's apples were just not ripe enough to bring home. Regardless, we searched until we had a few bags heartily filled. Marcus was on a quest, and slim pickings were not going to stand in his way of filling his bag.

A quick stop at the mill gave us a go at pressing our own cider. Marcus wanted in on every step of the process.

For a majority of the time Julia was content to hang out in the Kelty. But no apple picking experience would be complete if she didn't get to romp around a bit herself. I don't want to rush time, but I can't wait to see how different her experience is next year.

After several pounds of apples and one filled-to-the-brim gallon of cider, we retreated from the foothills.

Currently, I am in the process of making all the apple things, and I can't say anyone is the least bit mad about the goodies that are coming out of the kitchen.

If you have any great apple recipes I'd love to hear them in the comments!

M & J Monday

A bushel of apples I picked

In search of the perfect one. 

I looked from morning's bright rays

Till the evening's setting sun.

But it didn't take long for me to see

That the apples of my eye

Are right in front of me.

Happy Monday!

Noah's Bandaid Project

Amidst the hustle and bustle of every day life you may have missed the fact that September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness month. I wasn't aware of this until Brittany reached out and told the story of Noah and his band aid project...

Noah was a little boy from the Kansas City area who, at the tender age of six fought and lost his battle with cancer in June of 2015. 

However, during Noah's time battling leukemia and undergoing many treatments that required the prick of a needle, he discovered how uncool the traditional band aids were. And, Noah recognized there were kids on his hospital floor who were going through the same things as him, and not a single cool band aid was distributed to them either. 

That's when Noah began his band aid project. Noah began a drive to collect kid-approved band aids to bring to the hospital. What started as a small project turned into something much larger.

I wish I had the words to do justice to the compassion Noah had. Instead, I ask that you please take a few quick minutes to watch this courageous little boy, and listen to his story. Fair warning that you will likely need a tissue or two. 

In Brittany's email, she asked bloggers if they would be willing to donate to the band aid project. After hearing Noah's story, and watching the video there was no hesitation on our end. We loaded up a box with band aids and sent it out. This little boy, whom we've never met, has touched us in such a profound way. 

If you'd like to help with Noah's Band aid project there are a couple of ways to do so:

1. Send band aids.
If you'd like to collect cool band aids please send them to:
Noah's Band aid Project
119 North Parker Street Suite 110
Olathe, KS 66066
Please note, band aids cannot be sent directly to hospitals, as they are considered hospital supplies. Funneling the band aids through Noah's Band aid Project is the way to go.

2. Monetary donations are welcome.
The Wilson family is working to increase the lack of funding nationwide for pediatric research. Currently, only four percent of cancer funding is for pediatric research. Thus far, the Wilson's have raised $100,000, and that number continues to grow. If you would like to donate, please visit:www.noahsbandageproject.com

Listening to Noah's story certainly put life into perspective. And, I've been sure to hug my babies a little longer and a little tighter each night. 

Marcus || 4.5 Years

Marcus,

It's kind of incredible to think you're just six months shy of turning five. 

You, little boy have the sweetest soul. When people you care about are upset or hurt you are the first to try and remedy the situation. The compassion you have at such a young age is astounding. Please, never lose that. The world needs more of that. 

There are no adequate words to express just how great you are as a big brother. If I ask you to help with Julia - be it to cheer her up, or play with her, or help her out - you typically jump at the opportunity. You are so good with her, and I am so thankful for that.

I'm probably quite biased, but I genuinely think you are a pretty athletic little kid. It makes me so proud when you dive in and swim off into the pool, or when you pick up a bat and smash a ball over your dad's head, or when you legit dribble a soccer ball. And, you can throw a football with a better spiral than I could ever dream of. We've started soccer, and I love this little glimpse of what organized sports has in store for you.

You ask every day if it's a preschool day. You love going, and I think next year you'll transition quite nicely into full day Kindergarten. Your friends mean the world to you, and you love spending your days with them.

On the flip side, we do have our days, mister. You can be oh so stubborn, and have been known to throw some pretty epic fits. You aren't a stranger to time-outs, but thankfully we don't have too many of those. You're learning about boundaries, and how far you can push them.

You are all boy. Burp and fart noises are hilarious to you. I don't get it, but you sure do think it's some funny stuff.

Your sense of humor is priceless, and you love getting others to laugh and smile. Your giggle is contagious, and that alone can send me into a giggle fit myself.

As of late you've really been into coloring and drawing, cutting and pasting, and writing the names of your family members, pets included. You make all these little creations and then tape them to the walls. At any given point we will have countless items hanging from all locations of the house.

Outdoors is your preferred place to be, and many mornings I have to keep you inside longer than you'd like, as I'm fearful our shenanigans would wake the neighbors at 6:30.

While your sister naps, during our quiet hour in the afternoons, you'll often try to climb into my lap and snuggle in we read a story or watch a show. I love that you do that. It will be such a sad, sad day when you no longer fit.

One of my favorite parts of the day is one of which you likely are totally unaware. Long after we've tucked you in to bed, read our stories, and said our prayers I will sneak into your room kiss your cheek and whisper that I love you. Sometimes you'll sweetly nod your head, and it melts me every time.

Buddy, you are just so awesome. Thank you for lighting up our days by simply being you.
I'm pretty excited to see what year five has in store for us.

Love,
Mommy

M & J Monday

I wanted you more

than you will ever know,

so I sent love to follow

wherever you go.

It's as high as you wish it. It's quick as an elf.

You'll never outgrow it... it stretches itself!

So climb any mountain...

climb up to the sky!

My love will find you.

My love can fly!

Make a big splash! Go out on a limb!

My love will find you. My love can swim!

It never gets lost, never fades never ends...

if you're working...

or playing...

or sitting with friends.

You can dance till you're dizzy...

paint 'til you're blue...

There's no place, not one,

that my love can't find you.

And if someday you're lonely,

or someday you're sad,

or you strike out at baseball,

or think you've been bad...

just lift up your face, feel the wind in your hair.

That's me my sweet baby, my love is right there.

In the green of the grass... in the smell of the sea...

in the clouds floating by... at the top of a tree...

in the sound crickets make at the end of the day...

"You are loved. You are loved. You are loved," they all say.

My love is so high, and so wide and so deep,

it's always right there, 

even when you're asleep.

So hold your head high and don't be afraid

to march to the front of your own parade.

If you're still my small babe or you're all the way grown,

my promise to you is you're never alone.

You are my angel, my darling, my star...

and my love will find you,

wherever you are.

Wherever You Are;
My Love Will Find You

~Nancy Tillman

Happy Monday!