Living the dream...

Break was a blast and now I gear up for Monday and the week ahead . I am blessed to have the time off of work that I do which enables me the opportunity to be with them as often as I am. 

It makes the six hour distance not seem so tough. 

As Tristan gets older he makes me laugh incessantly with his farmer lifestyle and surfer tendencies. The little dude has it... looking forward to summer and getting to hit the Atlantic again and see him show his stuff. Maybe he's a little too young for some true hang ten action, but you never know : ) 

Tristan & I stirring things up @ Walmart in the pineapple bin. 

Spring is break-in

Spring Break is here and nearly coming to a close. It's hard to believe how quickly time passes. Although there were no palm trees or epic travel stories from the other side of the globe it was comforting to spend a week with those I hold closest to my heart. Having tea and oatmeal on the porch with Tristan, holding little Gabe in my arms and savoring the little things that I rarely have the opportunity to be a part of was truly a blessing. 

Anyone who knows me would say that there's more salt water than blood flowing through my veins, but these days on the farm with the ones I adore over rode a few hours of surfing in the Atlantic. Besides, I'm already planning a trek to the shore within 72 hours of returning to Jersey : ) I am not a farmer and will never be, but family overrides all that.

I am a firm believer that the chickens are potentially possessed and although I nearly lost an eye in pursuit of the perfect egg, there was no wavering on my part. I will never be able to gracefully herd pigs. Tristan has a better shot at catching a piglet with a fishing net than I do any day. I've come to terms with that, but I'll still keep treking on.  Being with my 'peeps' makes the world seem a little less loco and continually allows me to keep things in perspective. 

books, babies & baby cow ballads

Last week it was great to have the opportunity to spend the day with Ellen Hopkins, NY Times Best Selling Author, at Seneca. She's as down to earth as you can get and a dear friend, Albert Borris, connected us a few years ago. I had a blast hanging out with two pretty legit people. Both Al & Ellen have books coming out in the next few months. Feel free to check Ellen out @ ellenhopkins.com or albertborris.com. Support your local authors! 

Headed out from Jersey in the wee hours of the morn on Saturday rendezvousing with my madre & Tristan to work the Farmer's Market in Richmond. Getting a big hug from my little dude always makes the long hours on the road fully worth it. With the market showing signs of life again it's a positive sign that spring is certainly on the way. I am beyond ready for some warm weather & to wear flip flops without the toes hitting the frost bite zone. 

The farmer's market is adjacent to the Richmond train station & every half hour or so a train would pull in. It was awesome watching Tristan running around & clapping with each train approacing saying, "crazy train, E, it's crazy train..." 

A friend hooked us up with the greatest 'special' of all time for Tristan. For the past 24 hours all I could tell T is that I was brining an epic special for the new big brother. "Can you tell me what my super special is ,E? Please.." As Tristan pulled up to Panera with my mom his face lit up as a four piece drum set was propped up on the side walk. The little dude was all about it and once we got home there was no time wasted on kicking out a few jam sessions. The E&T video version we're most proud of is what we'd like to call, 'baby cow, unplugged.' 

I'll post some pics within the next day or two of Gabe. I was able to hold him for the first time today, but my camera has been a tad unpredictable. My heart melted holding him in my arms and praising God for the safety & health of my two little dudes. God is good. 

 

reflecting upon...

I've been doing the blog thing for awhile now taking time to journal thoughts, travels and my life. Although I attempted to avoid posting today it seems that it would be almost wrong not too. Ten years ago today the life of my family and four others changed dramatically. Shana, Angie, Meg & Amanda lost their lives to a drunk driver on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Mike was the only survivor.
It's something of a double edged sword when there is a chapter in life that causes you to wince when you think about it, yet has in its own way become a defining part of who you are. It is mind boggling to believe that ten years has lapsed and in that time a whole lifetime has gone by. Time that seems forever ago and moments it feels like it was just yesterday.
As my mind spins in a thousand directions thinking how wonderful, beautiful and painful life can be. So much we will never understand and what time has taught me is that there are things we were never meant to. April 6th, 1999 was one of those and I've come to terms with that. I believe that our girls were not taken in vain. And I believe from the inner core of me that a difference has been made through efforts of each family member in our own individualized ways. When you feel life has kicked you in the shins you can either hold onto the pulsating pain or you can take a deep breathe and continue to step forward even though there is still a sense of throbbing. Everything is about how it is perceived.
Through everything I am grateful for the blessings bestowed upon me & the reality that I had Shana for 17 years. Life can indeed hold its share of tragedy, but there is also plenty of richness and beauty. Never take those around you for granted and love and life with open hearts and open arms.

God is truly epic

It has been one long, intense week of ups and downs. Last Saturday Gabriel Paul DeLaura entered the world. Initially all was fine, but we would soon find that there were some pretty intense complications. We went from elated to an aching from uncertainty. I have been in awe of how God's hand is truly in everthing. Our little dude is a fighter, but it was scary for a relatively short span of time that seemed more like years than a few days. The doctors were able to figure out what the root of his rapid breathing and a number of other issues. It was like riding a roller coaster blind folded for about four days.

Now, exactly seven days from his birth there has been so much that has gone on that words would not do justice to. But our little Gabriel is and his big bro are home with mom and dad. My heart swells in gratitude, awe and happiness. I head to Va for Spring break and could think of no other place I would want to spend my time than with these two dudes.