little H

I didn't know a couple weeks ago when this special ring was ordered for me (thank you Mom for the gift and Raychel from Fruition Jewelry for your beautiful work) that it would arrive on the very day I had cried so many tears for my Hermie.

He is going to be okay, it is looking very good for him. As I write this he is in surgery. I have worried myself sick...taking photographs and blogging is a good distraction from earlier today, especially since he is in the very best hands and hopefully going to be feeling much better.

Hermie woke up early this morning in a significant amount of pain, as the morning progressed and after going to the emergency room at 4 am then to his regular doctor at 9 am, he started to decline and show neurological damage. This is very common in dogs with long backs...they have very long spines and have a lot of discs that can become herniated.

We feel very fortunate for the wonderful doctor who cares for him on a regular basis and his doctor doing the surgery today. It is frightening to make decisions on what is best for him and each one of them has been so kind, comforting and supportive.

Today also would've been my Gramma's 87th birthday. I think that's a good sign, her spirit is looking out for Mr. Hermie Monster.

hearts + hermies

43 years ago today Mom and Dad eloped to North Carolina...so happy they did!

Happy Anniversary!!! love you.

last night watching the season premiere of Parenthood,

I'd like to live in one of the Braverman's homes and eat at a 

communal table with my family and twinkly lights above

{9.13 to 9.14}

...

hermie monster

...

kadee-did

Happy Birthday to my sister Kadee! She is preparing for a big exam that medical students take between their second and third year, it is pretty serious because she has taken a vow of studying until the big test. We get to see her if we bring Sprinkles cupcakes or offer to do the dishes.

Her life is about to change in a big way, not just because she is going to begin that third year toward doctorhood but because she's getting one of these tonight!

Kadee collects quotes the way some may collect seashells or buttons. They are on her fridge, shelves, mirrors, computer desktop, inside books, under the bed...this one was on the back of driving directions she wrote out for me one day, then later she wondered why I had her quote on my fridge.

Well, I found it inspiring for one but more importantly because I had a little bit of her right there with me everyday when I go to get my orange juice and I love that.


After a long day of studying we get to celebrate with her! We will eat tuna and noodles, sing, eat chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, watch her open presents, maybe go in the spa...wrap her up in comfort before she must leave to sleep then study some more.

Oh how I love her. 
...

peek-a-boo

Hermie cuteness! This little guy gets his teeth cleaned in the morning...minty fresh kisses for everyone!

...

one tiny dancer distracting me with her cuteness while I was making spaghetti

...

:: Thank you, Chelsea Ann at PaperCakesFinds for the super cute squirrel feature! ::

there is... only one person in the whole world who... ...

...

♡ would pick the yucky beans out of the homemade chili she made for dinner

♡ knows how much sleep I need each night, even to this day

♡ puts ketchup on my mac and cheese

♡ loves me, despite the old sandwiches I hid under the couch

♡ knew me before everyone else did

♡ cut my white blond hair on windy days sitting on the electric box

♡ walked through my new home for the very first time with me

♡ flew us to Santa Monica for a weekend of our own

♡ calls me Breeze, sings it to me when it's time to wake up

...

Mom, I love you so very much. xo ...

....

{Two of my favorite photos...all of us huddled together at the beach, Dad behind the Pentax camera and all of Mom's girls dressing up and being silly, (that's me peeking from the way back in the red hood and then in overalls.)}