She's Only Happy In The Sun

"I know you may not want to see me
On your way down from the clouds
Would you hear me if I told you

That my heart is with you now

She's only happy in the sun
She's only happy in the sun

But if the sun sets you free, sets you free
You'll be free indeed, Indeed

Every time I hear you laughing, I hear you laughing
It makes me cry

She's only happy in the sun
She's only happy in the sun"
--Ben Harper

Three Little Birds

This is for myself as well as anyone else needing a little pickmeup.

Happy When It Rains

I came across this picture the other day.
It made me laugh.
It made me happy.
I could really use both today.

Rio had another seizure last night.
I hate looking at pictures
and labeling them;
attaching negative feelings to them.
Before the seizures:
"Life was so carefree."
After the seizures:
"I took that photo an hour and a half before
Rio had a seizure."

I don't want to see any of that.
I just want to see Rio
and be happy
even when it rains.

The Saltwater Room

Some family came to town this week.
Of course we visited in the saltwater room.
Let's face it, if we're sick of being indoors,
our only other option is to be in water.

Rio has no problem with that.
She prefers being in water to anything else.
You should see her when it's time to get out of the water - not pretty.
And you know how voices carry over the sand....

My beautiful cousin was visiting from Tallahassee.
This girl is tan.
And having spent plenty of time on all the beaches in the panhandle, she reported that they are oil-free.
Good news for anyone who had plans to take a relaxing vaca on the tar pits beaches of Florida.

"Time together isn't ever quite enough "
--Owl City

Paid To Smile

My brother was filming a commercial for his comic book/gaming center, The Dark Side, this weekend.
Whenever he make s a new commercial, he gets everyone involved.
All the geeks dress up or wear their Dark Side t-shirts.
Rio has grown out of her Bat Girl and Wonder Woman costumes, and not being able to find much in the way of superhero costumes for little girls, we had to resort to the Queen of Hearts.
She kept that tiara on the entire time!
She had a blast.

My brother and grandfather

Even our 94 year old grandfather wore his Dark Side shirt and
had a cameo.
(He called me later that evening to find out when he would be on t.v. - he didn't want to miss it.)
It was fun.
I'm very proud of my brother and the geek heaven/empire he has built.

Disclaimer: Rio did not get paid to smile...she gives those for free.

Fuzzy Blue Lights

Before we adopted, I spent hours combing the internet in search of the adoptee's perspective.
I wanted to be sure that I wouldn't be hurting the very being I would give anything for.
I still worry.
I know that she is loved beyond belief. I know that she is treasured even more for being such a miracle.
I know that it feels as if she came directly from me.

But that's my perspective.
Right now, I can see we share that. She feels the same way.
She's happy.

But I'm always afraid that'll change.
As new babies enter the family, as remarks are made about who they resemble, as she starts to notice that we may not resemble one another.
I'm always afraid that she'll get a sinking feeling.
That she'll feel displaced.
That for just a second she'll feel unhappy about her life.

I will always honor her feelings and I let her know every single day
how special she is to me.
I'll just keep looking at the light that surrounds her.
It's amazing.
And I'm sure she'll see it too.

The Curse Of Comfort

I've written before about how Rio has always moved herself through certain stages with incredible ease. She ditched her Paci pretty early, slept through the night without issue, enjoyed eating and trying new things, and even started potty training like it was old hat! I am quite aware of how easy I've had it. She's a peach!

However, we have one hang up.
An old friend that she refuses to let go of.
And that's unusual.
Whenever she gets a hold of something or is engaged in something she doesn't want to give up, all I've ever had to say was, "say bye-bye to {insert object or activity here}" and she would wave or say goodbye and willingly go. Too simple, I know!

But her bottle? Oh heck to the no. She ain't lettin' it go.
I've tried several techniques, but she needs plenty of fluids to keep her temperature down and to combat constipation. If it weren't for those two important reasons, I would have pushed it sooner.

I'm at a loss. How do I take away my baby's last remaining comfort?
Maybe I'll just let her go to college with a bottle instead of a teddy bear. What do you think?

Sleeping In

Last week I had the strangest dream
Where everything was exactly how it seemed
Where there was never any mystery of who shot John F Kennedy

It was just a man with something to prove
Slightly bored and severely confused
He steadied his rifle with his target in the center
And became famous on that day in November

Don't wake me I plan on sleeping
Don't wake me I plan on sleeping in

Again last night I had that strange dream
Where everything was exactly how it seemed

Concerns about the world getting warmer
People thought that they were just being rewarded

For treating others as they like to be treated
For obeying stop signs and curing diseases

For mailing letters with the address of the sender
Now we can swim any day in November

Don't wake me I plan on sleeping
(now we can swim any day in November)
Don't wake me I plan on sleeping in
Don't wake me I plan on sleeping
Don't wake me I plan on sleeping in
--The Postal Service

Hoppipolla

This song translates into something about jumping in puddles and happiness. I can totally get behind that and so can Rio.

It rained non-stop all day on the fourth of July (highly unusual for Florida) and then just as we got on our bikes to ride downtown, the sky cleared into a beautiful blue sunset. Fitting for the day.

We appreciate where we live and those who have fought on our behalf.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

You Are The Everything

19 years ago I met this guy.
It was the summer before my junior year of high school.
I was smitten.
I called my mom and told her that I met the guy I was going to marry.
Crazy, right?
We've always considered ourselves lucky to have met so early in life.
He's my best friend and he's the most affectionate person
I've ever known -
and I love affection.
Well...I love him.
Happy 16th Anniversary, Maestro!

Our Wedding Song:
"You are here with me
You are here with me
You have been here and you are everything"
--R.E.M.