HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Picture Day

Today was picture day for the Jersey Jenti. With a little bit of bribery and a lot of doing whatever it took to make the kiddos smile, we got some great shots (not sure the photographer enjoyed my monkey impression as much as Grace did, though.)

Eric and I drove separately so he could put them down for naps afterwards, while I picked the perfect poses. Having experienced my silliness in the aforementioned getting-the-kids-to-smile process, the sales lady probably didn't know what to expect during the ordering. And I certainly delivered. As soon as the shots appeared on her viewing screen, my eyes filled with tears...tears for the happy smiles of our beautiful family, and tears for the smile we can only imagine. Another bittersweet reality check. But thankfully there's a lot more sweet than bitter these days!

What A Difference Four Years Can Make

Earlier today I went to the polls to vote. And while I'm not one to wax political, I am one to wax philosophical. When I went to sign in, it turns out I'm still registered under my maiden name. So I got to thinking about everything that's happened in my life since the last Presidential election--marriage, babies, supreme joys, significant losses, and lots of in between. Yes there've been bumps, but so many blessings. Looking forward, I also thought a little about what I hope to accomplish over the next four years. If I've learned anything, it's that there's just no telling (or controlling) what's down the road, but it certainly doesn't hurt to dream.

Regardless of who ends up in the oval office, how do YOU hope to spend this next term?