"We live in a beautiful world." (Coldplay)

Be thankful for what we have, not what we don't.

February 26 is just one of many times of year that trigger the memory of my late brother, Kevin Vilnit (10.8.1978 - 2.26.2002).  My brother died of Hodgkin's Lymphoma at the ripe young age of 23.  I was a senior in college at the time and to be honest - it was devastating.  His death has impacted my life significantly and for the long term.  Eleven years have gone by this year and I still miss him like it was yesterday.      

Childhood photo (me, left and Kevin, right)

College photo, Kevin

Time does help heal and it reminds us to appreciate what he have, not dwell on what we don't.  I don't mean this in an insensitive way at all.  And its what Kevin would want.  Of course I wish he was here living and enjoying each holiday, party, birth....each life moment with us.  If you dwell on what you don't have, you will be miserable.  We chose to remember Kevin as a family (we do every year in fact).  We had a gathering at my parent's house with my grandmother, my sister and her family.  We enjoyed pictures, memories and good food.  I went home thankful for that time together and especially thankful for the life I have with my husband and my son Rhys.  Life isn't always fair and it isn't always easy, but there is so much beauty in the world to explore and enjoy.  Go out and find it!  

Happy Valentine's Day from my little beast!

I found a really fun Valentine craft idea on Pinterest to do with Rhys and thought this was one way to really make the most of your groceries!  We started out by cutting off the bottom of the celery stalk, used some red finger paint and stamped the stalk onto cards for our family.  The stamps made pretty roses for our loved ones on Valentine's Day!

Rhys tested out the stamp on scrap paper before we started in on the card stock.

Then we started in on the craft.

After Rhys helped me to add roses to all the cards, I drew stems and leaves for flowers and let him play in the paint.  It got a little messy!

We broke the project into two steps in order to let the paint dry before Rhys added some additional art work to the cards.  So we washed up, had lunch and Rhys went down for his nap.  While he was sleeping I added the writing to the cards.

Once he woke up, Rhys broke out the (washable) markers and added his own personal touch.  Each card came out quite unique, just like my little guy!

This craft was easy, fun and great for winter when we are often stuck indoors.  All done!

Beasts that go bump in the night

I truly never know what a given night will hold.  Last Friday I was hoping for a solid night sleep after a hectic and tiring week.  I was practically falling (well, let's be real - actually falling) asleep on the couch around Rhys' bedtime, which is between 7:30 and 8:00 pm.  My husband was kind enough to recognize how exhausted I was and he helped Rhys get ready for bed.  On an almost nightly basis, Rhys convinces Jim to lay down with him.  Nearly an hour later, I peep my head in the bedroom.  Just as I expected - Rhys is still awake, eyes staring at the door and my husband is snoring away.  I (attempt to) wake him up and get ready for bed. I check on the guys one last time.  This time Jim gets up and comes to our room. We try to watch "Seven Psychopaths," but quickly fall asleep.  Throughout the night, Pugsley, our wonderfully athletic black puggle jumps up into our bed hoping he will go unnoticed and be allowed to snuggle alongside us.  This happens, hmmm, at least a dozen times.  At about 1:30 am, I hear the quiet pitter patter of footsteps and a knock on our door.  For about an hour, we go back and forth with Rhys about where he is goes to sleep - his room (the preferred option) or our room.  Eventually, he passes out in our bed.  As the clock ticks on, I faintly hear the sound of what sounds like someone about to vomit - Brody, our fawn puggle.  Jim leaps out of bed and barely gets him into the kitchen when the first round makes its appearance and then again farther into the kitchen he vomits a second time.  At this stage its around 4:30am and now I really can't sleep.  Jim and I have Rhys laying horizontally between us and I am basically being pushed off the side of the bed.  I head out to the couch, curl up under a blanket and watch a movie.

But you know what - it ended up being a great and relaxing morning.