Visiting: Diane and Michael

 Road Trip!

We (and I do mean WE) took a little trip before Memorial Day Weekend to see our wonderful family, Diane and Michael.

47 Years As Lovebirds

The last time we saw these two lovebirds was last summer when they came to visit us.

Azaleas In Their Backyard

The previous summer we travelled to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary.

Cozy Living Room

Because I can now climb stairs (!!!! I've been practicing for over a year and can now do more than one flight a day !!!!) we were able to stay with Michael and Diane in their beautiful, warm, cozy, peaceful home. 

A Happy Tovah Rose

Gershwin Found A Friend In Diane! 

Even both of the puppies settled right in!

Michael even bought toys for the puppies, which they rudely ignored, but have decided to enjoy now that we are home.

We headed out of town on Wednesday around lunch time, had some time to catch up with Diane and Michael and get settled in before my nap, and then we had a wonderful meal together.

I loved this wine!

Dinner is Served

Salad, zucchini and salmon on the grill (a la Michael), quinoa dish and homemade thousand island dressing = YUM! 

Diane makes sure all of the food meets our dietary restrictions. She's a true hostess.

Death By Chocolate, Butter Pecan, Rainbow Sprinkle's, Hot Fudge!

We topped off dinner with a dessert of ice cream we had brought from a place Diane and Michael love, hot fudge made from Diane's mother's recipe (AMAZING!), and rainbow sprinkles (Michael is a man after my own heart). 

I was so excited about ice cream, hot fudge and sprinkles I took a photo. Ha! 

After 17 years of no ice cream, I'm now able to enjoy it in small amounts.

More Azaleas In Their Beautiful Yard

After a three hour dinner sitting up at the table (!!!) we chatted late into the night. 

The following day, we went out for lunch at an amazing Thai restaurant, took a drive through the beautiful countryside around Stroudsburg, stopped back at the house for some more ice cream, and then hit the road to head home.

I am so grateful we were able to make the trip to see Diane and Michael this year, to continue to grow closer to them, to share our journeys, and to have now been able to see them THREE years in a row! 

So many years have passed without seeing those I love that I just want to pack it all in. Somehow, I have to pace myself.

It's easy to look back over the past three years of visiting with Diane and Michael and see the dramatic changes that have occurred for me in that time period. At their anniversary party, I struggled with symptoms constantly, took a tremendous amount of medications to get through the event and visiting, and crashed big time afterwards. 

Last year, I crashed afterwards but still enjoyed the visit very much. Still, Diane and Michael came to our home to visit.

This year, I made the trip with relative ease. We traveled and visited (enjoying that long dinner) all on the same day. Yes, I slept in the car. Yes, I napped when we got there. We went out to lunch the following day and made the trip home. Again, yes, I slept in the car.

If I may say so myself, it's a big hairy deal. And I'm so happy about it.

Thank you so very much for your gracious hosting of all FOUR of us, Diane and Michael. We love and adore you so much and cherish our time with you. You're the kindest, smartest, funniest kind of people--the very best kind. :)

Blessings,

Emily

Oh, What a Night!

Abbie, Dad, Me, Mom

Wednesday night was a BIG night! 

Mom, Dad, Abbie and I went to see a performance at the same auditorium where Lisa has nurtured me for all of these years and made it possible for me to attend performances while being reclined. 

Now, seven years after attending my first performance post-illness, I went to a performance and SAT UP in the 'regular seats'. 

In the Mood: : a 1940's Musical Revue

Being able to really see the stage, the expressions on the singers and dancers faces and the fingers of the musicians making notes of joy pour out of their instruments made attending a performance a completely different experience. 

Me With Bud Forrest

Afterwards, I met (and had my photo taken with) the creator, producer, and music director of In The Mood--an uplifting and fun performance of 1940's music. 

I also got to wear one of my new SHORT dresses. :)

Wearing My Warrior Gear At The Beach

We arrived home in time for me to catch the second half of the Golden State Warriors game in which they beat the Houston Rockets to secure a spot in the NBA playoffs. 

This will be the first time in FORTY years that the Warriors will be in the playoffs. 

When I heard that the Warriors reached this huge goal after so many years and it coincides with my own approaching big 4-0, I felt those little chills I get when I feel like the universe is all aligned.

This Warrior will be cheering on the Warriors that are Stephen Curry and his team. Curry is the kid that no college wanted to recruit because he was too small and didn't show enough potential. Now, he's the superstar of the NBA and 2015 MVP. 

This Warrior known as Emily is feeling a little bit like Curry right now--on top of the world. 

Big and little victories every day. Week after week. Cherishing every single one. Not taking a moment for granted. Because there are no guarantees. 

So, I sat up for a performance; I wore a short dress; I could be more fully engaged in the show because I could really see the performers; I had my picture taken with the producer; I felt well enough to still come home and cheer on the Warriors; and I watched them win.

It was a good night.

Blessings,

Emily

Happy Hospital Visit + Jennifer

Yayyyy!!!!!

Today was one of those "This New Life is Amazing" kind of days. 

Rebekah had told me that when she had her third baby, I could come visit her in the hospital. I either live far away from my friends having babies or I've never been well enough to visit a friend here locally when she had a baby.

Bliss

Today, for the first time ever, I made a HAPPY trip to the hospital.

Baby Katie

I got to hold this newborn baby girl, Katie, for almost 45 minutes! She was very sound asleep after having gotten a bath and eating (very hard work!).

Adoring Her New Baby Girl

I'm so thankful to Rebekah for sharing this special moment in her life with me and allowing me to be a part of it. After having two boys, you can tell Rebekah is enamored with her little girl. And how is it that she looks so great after having just given birth at 4:30 in the morning?!

I have always gotten to meet Rebekah's babies soon after they were born, but never at the hospital as brand new babies. Now I know what all the fuss is about when it comes to holding that teeny little miracle so soon after she enters the world.

Tovah Really Wanted Snuggle Time with Jennifer!

In addition to seeing Rebekah and meeting Katie, I had my monthly "Tuesday Tea" with Jennifer, which always fills my soul. Tovah Rose seemed very happy to see her vet. :)

Two great friends. A new baby girl. All in one day.

This New Life.

Blessings,

Emily

Monday Dog Blog: Kefir Time!

T and G Share Goat's Milk Kefir

Our days are pretty awesome around here, but a highlight of our day is our afternoon snack of local goat's milk kefir.

Please Say "Free" So We Can Have Our Snack!

Sometimes Mommy forgets to get it out for us, but we always remind her it's snack time at 4:30 before nap time. 

Being a Generous Little Brother

Mommy uses kefir every day in her smoothies, and it helps her tummy a lot. We think it helps our tummies stay healthy too with all of those healthy bacteria! :)

Sharing

I (Tovah Rose) am very picky about my kefir. At the beach we had to buy the store bought kind. Blach. I didn't like it at all. I only like the kefir from the 'goat guy' at the Farmer's Market. 

Delicious!

The way we share our kefir every afternoon melts Mommy's heart. She thinks we are adorable (which we are). 

Happy Monday!

Blessings,

Tovah Rose and Gershwin

Monday Dog Blog: The Birthday Princess

Miss Tovah Rose had a wonderful third birthday. She got the full princess treatment.

(I admit--I waited to do her birthday photo shoot until AFTER she was groomed!)

I can't believe she sat still for these photos!

Tovah Rose received a birthday message from her littermate and sister Cricket! How sweet is that?! And isn't Cricket a cutie?

So, Miss Tovah Rose thought she would like to wish Miss Cricket a happy birthday in return!

And Gershwin lovingly helped.

We hope Cricket had a great birthday too!

We did open gifts on Tovah's actual birthday.

She was pretty interested in helping to open her goodie bag.

But then Gershwin took over and did the opening while Tovah watched!

Gershwin had a blast tearing up the tissue paper and the bag and running all around the yard with the shredded paper. He learned how to open packages from his big brother, Asher.

For once Tovah Rose didn't snap at her little brother and just let him do the hard work while she 'supervised'. 

She was pretty happy with her loot.

She got lots of good treats, a new ID tag, new collar and a new leash.

A good birthday indeed!

We hope year three for Miss Tovah Rose Twinkle Toes is FANTABULOUS!

Blessings,

Emily (and Mom and Gershwin)

"You Can Never Have Too Much Mothering"

Mom, Me, Abbie

"You Can Never Have Too Much Mothering"

I wish I could remember who said this to me many, many years ago. 

I've thought of it so often over the years.

At the Arboretum

This Mother's Day I'm thinking about the blessing of all of the mothering I've received throughout my life. 

A Night Out With Dad, Abbie and Mom in February--To See "Sister Act"

I have a stepmom who loves me and whom I love. She has seen me through all the years of my illness and oh, the joy she takes in my new life! It brings me to tears.

I had grandmothers who mothered me. I have aunts who are like second mothers to me. I have a tribe of women of all ages who mother me. I attend the Hadassah Hanukkah party each and I'm the youngest person by at least 20 years--and everyone mothers me. 

Yes, Even Goofy Lisa Mothers Me :)

All of these women who mother me teach me what it means to mother, the many ways we can mother, that being a 'mother' can take many forms, and that it really does take a village to mother human beings (and our fur kids).

My Beloved Aunt Jeanette

I cannot post a picture or make a list of all of the women who have been part of the tribe of mothers in my life. But you likely know who you are. You listened to me, you helped me learn how to sew or another skill, you cooked food for me, you cared for me, you lifted me up when I needed it most, you gave your love without expectation of anything in return. 

With My Mom

I wonder if we ever outgrow our need to be mothered? I know, at 40, I still need and want mothering. 

And I am fortunate enough to find myself FULL to the brim.

Thank you, first and foremost, to my mom for her selfless love. Thank you to Abbie for accepting me as her stepdaughter. Thank you to my Aunt Jeanette for being a second mom to me since I was a baby girl. Thank you to EVERYONE who has mothered me in any capacity. 

Whether we are the mother of a child is not the only definition of motherhood. We can mother in so many capacities. 

So, this Mother's Day, I thank all of the women who have helped to 'raise me up right' these past 40 years. I hope I'll find ways to pay it forward in the form of my own mothering as the years go on. And for now, I'll go on mothering these fur kids of mine. :)

Blessings,

Emily