Sweet Nothings.

Kim: "Do you like this new belt?"

Andy: "I don't know --- are we hunting for trolls?"

Future Home: Storage.

I saw this on Pottery Barn's website and loved it, particularly the little dog bed that's worked right in.  

This is typical of me, I collect things for "future" use.  I think it drives Andy nuts because I've got an entire stack of magazine pages devoted to a future home or future home projects.  

He's tried to break me but I cannot be stopped!

Pendulum Shifts.

We had canceled our original plans for Memorial Day because life was getting a little unpredictable with a number of items.  On Thursday this week, Andy sends an e-mail from his current post in Israel and he announces that he is coming home for a few days and taking back off for Japan on business.  I've never been one to let a true opportunity flee and going to Japan definitely sounded like one!  

The stars aligned, responsibilities handled...and we are going to Japan!

Happy Mother's Day.

While the day came and went without this post, my Mom and I still used technology to connect on her day.  We Skyped and yes, we love technology!

My Mom is the most selfless person I have ever met.  A devoted mother to the three of us, a loving wife to my Dad, she is truly a cornerstone of our family.  

I admire her for many, many things, but what I admire most is her willingness to work for our educational benefit.  With limited resources, my grandparents opted to send my Mom's brothers to college, assuming they would play a stronger financial role in their future households, so she never got the chance.  

Growing up in our household it was never a question of if we would go to college some day, it was a question of which college we would go to.  I know this may seem minuscule in the span of a lifetime but it is the largest lesson in selflessness I have experienced.  She worked 40 hours a week for the majority of my life to support the funding involved with our (sister and brother too) private education.

There was a particular time when I remember my Mom crying to me because she felt bad that I graduated from college with loans to repay.  She wishes she could've done more.  I was dumbfounded because to me she had given me the best gift of all, one that was invaluable.  My student loans continue to be nothing more than another monthly bill but her lesson in selflessness will stay with me for a lifetime.

I Love You, Mom!

On a completely unrelated note, while I was searching for the song link, I found the video montage below from Napoleon Dynamite and I must be frank, I never tire of this movie.

CHALKionship.

I've been quietly following the NBA playoffs because I learn from past experiences.  Last year, my team, the Cleveland Caveliers, made it to the finals and I was very vocal about my support as they continued to move round to round.  In fact, my family was so jazzed, we moved my brother's graduation dinner back so we could catch the game after the ceremony.  

While I did not have a blog at that time, chances are the title would have read "Celebratory Heartbreak."  Ben graduates = good.  Cavs lose = sigh.

In my lifetime, Cleveland sports have taught me the art of patience as we move from year to year with minimal amounts of success that never lead to a championship of any kind.**

So here's a fun little video about our star, the one and only LeBron James.  He is amazing and very mature for entering the league at such a young age.  For anyone who does not understand the chalk reference, keep an eye out for the beginning of the next Cavs game.  

GO CAVS!!

** My husband may not agree since I'm usually the one jumping off the couch screaming at the television during a game but since he's in Israel I don't even have to go there.  My point still stands, I've learned to be patient :)  

Why I Love Him.

He tucked the best handwritten note under my pillow when he left for Israel on business.

He gladly dances on the other side of our Skype conversation as I lip sync Ray Lamontagne's "You are the Best Thing" to him just for fun.

He loves me unconditionally.