and i line my secrets up all by one, i put 'em all away when i was done.

the office, a photo by sassyladybug on Flickr.

i wrangled the husband into doing some cleaning this weekend. our office is half playroom-half desk space for our computer. unfortunately, it all-too-often is our dumping ground. the children dump out the toys, and because i have a system to getting all the toys to magically fit in the cubbies, i am the only one who ends up putting the toys away. the husband dumps bills, papers, whatever onto the desk and that is another problem.

so we spent some time during morning nap working. all the toys put away, papers sorted through, and i felt amazing. blinds open, sun shining in through the window into a clean room and i was blissful.

the benefit is that the kids play with their toys better, and i can actually find things when i need them. chris hung my bulletin board for me and i found this cute little card that came along with a purchase from etsy. now if only chris would hang some picture frames for me, i'd be even happier than that little birdie.

they say you're not somebody until someone else loves you

valentines, a photo by sassyladybug on Flickr.

cheri hosts a craft night every tuesday. i never do the intended craft because i like to go against the grain. and, because i rarely prepare ahead of time.

i brought my materials to make andrew's valentines for his class. these cute owls were super easy and i love how they came out. andrew put the eyes on and i helped him write his name, so they are not all made by me.

the link to the website with instructions for the owl is here.

baby, baby, baby.

IMG_9789, originally uploaded by sassyladybug.

oh my sweet little christian. too bad i have neglected this blog so badly. your 1st birthday passed, your baby book is empty and i have not written about what a wonderful first year it was being your mommy.

get used to it, kid. your mom's a sap. i cry at the drop of a hat. you seem to make me cry even more. you have this amazing smile, and your eyes light up your whole face. i cry when you smile and i cry when you cry.

i'll be honest now and say that i cry when you throw food on the floor, too. why do you like to do that so much? i tried it and its not really that fun. along with the winter weather, i have decided to stop cleaning the kitchen floor. i figure that because of this winter weather and your food throwing combined, I am giving up on cleaning the kitchen floor. maybe when spring comes around again.

you're now 19 months old, and you are very independent. you talk a lot and you know exactly what you like. you surprise us everyday by insisting on watching your favorite tv show, your favorite snack, or your favorite toy. you love to follow your big brother around the house. in fact, you have started giving back to him all the grief that he has given you during your first year. i am proud of you for that.

you are my baby. and even though i will likely have to search my email archives one day when you ask me when you took your first steps, i will remember the other important things, when the camera was put away, and it was just you and me, laughing, and making memories.

the soup was hot and split pea and on the stove

hearty italian bean soup, originally uploaded by sassyladybug.

i love soup. truthfully i can't stand the really brothy-noodle type soups. chris loves that kind and i'll be honest, i make what i like. which is why i am very lucky that he will usually eat whatever i serve him.

i make this delicious soup with extra veggies and we fight over the leftovers. it is comforting and hearty. mashing the cannellini beans actually gives the soup a creamy texture, although i no longer use the blender for this. instead, i grab my potato masher and give them a quick mash. any escapees don't bother me because i love beans in my soup.

perfect for leftover ham, this is my absolute favorite soup.

hearty italian bean soup, originally uploaded by sassyladybug.

if I could write I'd set all the words free to follow you.

i'm coming back.

i know you, you know me.

recipe - mac n cheese, originally uploaded by sassyladybug.

my family has a few die-hard recipes that we always go back to. i've never been a fan of mac n cheese. i admit it. my mom didn't make it all that often and i've never really liked cheese. and then once i found out that dairy and i are not bffs, well. cheese and i parted ways.

but then i found myself pregnant and able to eat cheese without any repercussions (gross, i know) and my sister's mac n cheese became my favorite.

her secret? using seasoned salt instead of regular table salt. i like to mix it up, so i use 1/2 tsp seasoned salt, and 1 tsp regular salt.

anyway, her recipe is hands-down the best recipe, and now i have friends calling me for it. so much that i typed up a pretty recipe card so i can give it to them and they'll hopefully save it and stop calling me. and i feel like i should share it with you, too.

what happened.

IMG_9046, originally uploaded by sassyladybug.

taken at andrew's birthday party, my dear mr. o is pretending to grab my sisters, umm, boobie

what happened to my month of May? i envisioned beautiful days of playing with my boys and spending time crafting, baking, all kinds of things i love.

here's what happened. my sister found a lump in her breast and pretty soon she was calling me with the three little words I Have Cancer. scary stuff, except we don't feel too scared. should we? because we come from a family of strong women. strong women who have overcome lots of crap that cancer is only just another thing to add to the list. my sister is seriously amazing and has handled her first chemo treatment like a pro.

doctors appointments, tests, family in, family out, and i can safely say she and i are tired. my dear sister and i are here, together, and that's ok. we will find monotony in the routines, the procedures she is going to go through, because we will be together for it.

i have learned in life one lesson that has struck me in every difficult situation: i can get through anything with my sisters. i think she will agree with me 100%. i am here for her, always, just as she has been for me.