Happy Halloween

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears...

It is my sincere hope your Halloween was safe, fun, and full of treats--no tricks!

A Secret About the Light Inside

You aren’t fooling anybody, Mr. Happy Pumpkin.
Especially me.

I saw what they did to you.
I helped in fact.

Your insides were full of seeds and string.
But, we scooped it out—my mommy, my sister, and me.

And now, here you sit,
with a happy smile and a wink.

Mommy says, “It’s possible to show the world you are happy,
even if your insides are scooped.”

She knows the secret. Something about a light inside.

She says it is hard sometimes, but if we show our light,
and make others happy,
we can be happy too.

So, you aren’t fooling anybody, Mr. Happy Pumpkin.
I see your light!

And hey! It makes me happy!

I Heart Faces Brings Awareness to Breast Cancer

This is no monkey business.

In addition, about 207,090 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women.

These numbers are staggering. And, when I think about the many many children left without their mothers as a result of this horrible disease, I almost cannot bear it.
On a positive note, at this time there are over 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States, and we can raise this number! We can! Through education and awareness and the dedication of many individuals and organizations throughout the world, we will beat this disease!

Hot Pink Housewives is one such organization that I hope you will check out! Co-founded by my friend, and a Breast Cancer Survivor, MaryAnn, Hot Pink Housewives is a Facebook group "created to promote Breast Cancer awareness through love and support."

Note to my sister, Ashley, who walked in a Breast Cancer Awareness 5K this weekend: I'm very proud of you!

Get Ready to Deliver Sunshine

Today is October 22nd. In two months, we will celebrate Acts of Kindness Because of Heller 2010. I hope you will join us. To learn more about Heller and about Kindness Day, go here. You can also join us on Facebook at Random Acts of Kindness Because of Heller 2010.

xoxo,
Heller's Mom

Wordless Wedneday -Some Things Leave Us Speechless

For Nicholas, it was his first ride on the trolly that left him without words.


For Mommy, it was watching her baby ride the trolly like a "big boy."

I Heart Faces - In the Orchard

Feeling fruity?

Can you guess which fruit had Nicholas thoroughly confused this afternoon as we shot this photo?

"Silly Mommy, oranges are ORANGE. They are not green." Well, perhaps they will pass for green apples?

Check out other I Heart Faces "fruity" photos this week here.

The Jungle

Nicholas: "Are we in the jungle?"
Daddy: "Well...technically...no, we are not in the jungle."
Meredith: "It looks like a jungle."
Daddy: "No, it isn't a jungle. If this were a jungle, there would be no road here for us to walk on."
Nicholas and Meredith: "Oh."
Meredith: "There isn't a road over there. Is that the jungle?"
Daddy: "No. But, it is kind of like the jungle, because there is no place to walk, and it is filled with trees and animals."

A wayward bike rider flies by. Only by the skin of our teeth do we remain unscathed. As a metaphor, jungle often refers to situations that are unruly or lawless, or where the only law is perceived to be "survival of the fittest." Of course, pedestrians should have the right-of-way, but the riders on our "jungle path" seem to be oblivious. The rider's mother laughs out loud. "Oops!"

Me: "This place is a jungle. Hold hands and stick together."

Photostory Friday - The Train Station

Mapa was coming to visit on the train! I was so excited. Mommy said to "grab my train hat," and get ready to go. I was ready in a flash and insistant that we leave right away.

So, we arrived early. Very early.

If you know my mom, then you know she had her camera in tow. She always has her camera. So, I agreed to a few shots. I even flashed her my pearly whites without protesting.

I couldn't wait to see my Mapa. Since Mom was "picturing," and my sister was texting, I kept lookout. I didn't want to miss Mapa's train arrival.

My sister stopped texting for a few minutes to smile for Mommy too. Well, a half-smile anyway.

You know, waiting is hard.

I think my sister thought so too.

Was Mapa's train EVER going to arrive?

Suddenly, we heard the announcer say that Mapa's train was coming.

I got ready.

And, after a little bit more waiting (ok, a LOT more waiting), Mapa was finally here!! I held my sign high so Mapa wouldn't miss me, but Mommy thinks she probably didn't need the sign. She says that my brilliant smile could have lit the way!

Mommy says that next time, I get to go on the train to visit Mapa. I can't wait!! In the meantime, I rode the trolly. I suspect Mommy will post those photos soon.

Hosted by Cecilyand Mamarazzi

My Philosophy

Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky. ~Rabindranath Tagore


I welcome the clouds.

Homecoming Dance 2010

The dress. The hair. The shoes. The accessories. The final touches. The PHOTOS. The friends. But, most of all...

The memories.