April's First Day of Kindgergarten

I met April eight hours after she was born. It was October 15, 2002. She was this tiny little bundle of joy, the new daughter of my very best friend Kate. It was late in the evening and the hospital was quiet. I remember being so proud as I walked confidently past the nurses station to Kate's hospital room. It had been the longest 4-hour drive from Duluth to Morris, Minnesota ever!

And now she's in kindergarten. Here she is, all grown up on her very first day. She was heading off to Spanish immersion kindergarten where she is rapidly surpassing my own language skills.

Wow. I don't have any of my own but I am still shocked at how quickly they grow. She is such a cutie pie and I am so thankful she is in my life.

Sunday Morning Ritual

This Sunday is like every other. Duke is curled up under my feet. I have a cup of sugar and milk with a splash of coffee in it. And I am reading people's secrets at http://postsecret.blogspot.com/.

If you have never visited this site, take a peek. It may not be for you, but I find it fascinating. New secrets are posted every Sunday morning.

I can say with almost certaintly that I covet no secrets in my life. I don't think I can think of something that I have ever experienced or felt that I wasn't able to share with someone else. My husband is my greatest confidant, so he hears it all. I am thankful that he encourages me to simply be me. Every day. No matter what.

And I am thankful for friends whom I can share tough stuff with. Friends with whom I can be real, honest and genuine no matter the circumstance.

I did send in a secret once, though. And now that I think about it, it wasn't so much a secret as it was a statement to myself. It was a about a victory I had made in my life, something I had finally overcome. Creating the postcard and sticking it in the mail was invigorating.

For now I will get back to my coffee and then carry on with what will turn out to be a fabulous day. No matter the circumstance.

A Silly Game

I will use the 1st letter of my name to answer each of the following questions. Play along, people.

1. What is your name? Amy. Duh.

2. A 4 Letter Word: Alta. The favorite Utah ski resort of my friend Sarah, who says she is bringing me there this year.

3. A Boys Name: Andrew. My first serious boyfriend.

4. A Girls Name: I love the names Amelia and Avery.

5. An Occupation: Accupuncturist.

6. A Color: Autumnal. I just made that up, it's a shade of orange.

7. Something you wear: Ann Taylor. The best brand ever. At least for my line of work.

8. A Beverage: Long Island Iced Tea. Wait, that doesn't begin with A.

9. A Food: Apples. My absolute fave, couldn't live without them food.

10. Something found in the bathroom: Apricot Face Scrub by St. Ives. I used this all the time in college but have since moved on.

11. A place: Anywhere But Here, USA. Did I mention I need a vacation?

12. A Reason for being late: Auto problems, but this has never happened to me. Only once have a run out of gas and my dear friend Megan promptly bailed me out. In thiry degree below weather in Duluth. I loved those warm spring days in Duluth.

13. Something you shout: "Amen!"

Ok, I tag anyone who needs blog fodder.

Random Thought of the Day

"Stop trying to keep up with the Joneses because the Joneses are broke."

I heard someone say that today on a CNN interview and thought it poignant!

ABCs

A: I really like my name. Thanks, Mom.

B: Barack.

C: Cheesecake Factory. Yum.

D: Duke, of course. The best dog in the entire world. And the hairiest.

E: Everything doesn't have to be my way.

F: Forgiveness is setting a prisoner free. And then realizing that you were the prisoner all along.

G: Grey's Anatomy is rotten this season. I have given up on it once again.

H: Holly is just too far away for my taste.

I: In the absence of my judgment everything would be just fine.

J: I was always so ready to move on from the last name Johnson. Turns out it's not that big an issue when you live someone other than Minnesota.

K: I wonder what ever happened to my friend Mark Keating from high school.

L: All you need is love. Dum dum dum dum dum.

M: Mabel is the name of Deelayne's new black lab. She was rescued from the pound because her (now) older brother Booger had taken to sleeping in the bathtub since his older sister Annie was put down.

N: Notting Hill. It's one of my favorite movies.

O: Obama.

P: Physician Assistant. Maybe one day.

Q: Quincey: the name of my four-month old neighbor girl.

R: Radio -- Cities 97 in the twin cities is the best. I love listening online.

S: Summer is very hot in Utah. Smart. My husband says I am smart.

T: Triglycerides. A measure of fat in your bloodstream.

U: Utah. The last place I ever thought I would live. Wait, I never even thought about it.

V: I like Victory Ford. She's a character on Lipstick Jungle. Tune in Wednesday nights.

W: I have been to more than 45 weddings in my life. 12 of which I have participated in. I was the bride just once.

X: I don't think I have ever had an xray. I have had a lot of things, but never this.

Y: The color of my bedroom carpet growing up was bright yellow. It matched my brother Justin's orange and Tyler's pee green. Gotta love the 70s.

Z: I really dislike visiting zoos. It's too sad seeing every animal caged up for our supposed viewing pleasure. Please don't ask me to go to the zoo.

Eleven

Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. --Psalm 115

Eleven years ago today I received 5 percent of my brother Tyler's bone marrow. We planted those seeds inside of me and hoped and prayed they would like their new home and take root.

They did like their new home. They did take root.

And I am aware today that my root, my rock and foundation is God. Not to me, God, but to YOU be the glory.

Happy Birthday Holly

My only and therefore favorite niece turned one last week. She is such a doll baby and is growing up so quickly. I have to resort to watching her grow up in pictures. But fabulous pictures they are!