melted smoosh

i think it was around age eleven that i first wrote down a bucket list of sorts, including such varied accomplishments as visiting Antarctica, getting my hair highlighted, and getting a tattoo. (you can probably guess which of these things i've actually managed to do.) but when i turned 29 last September, i didn't have any particular goals in mind for the year. leave it to Jon to start working on a 30 Before 30 list in April, just five months before my big 3-0. not to be outdone, i created my own list and managed to complete all but two items on it. this has truly been one of the most fun and fulfilling summers of my life as i raced the clock to visit new places, try new restaurants, learn new skills and, in short, do all those things i always say i've been meaning to do. in coming up with my list, i tried to think about my own short term and long term personal goals, and also about what i would do if i were a tourist in my own city. and as for the two things that just didn

i'm sure the day is coming when Greta will lie to me about something ... or scream that i'm a mean mommy ... or sneak off to do something verboten. but today, i'm soaking up the sweetness of toddlerhood.  the fact that she spontaneously kneeled during the Eucharistic prayer this morning (when usually she sits on the kneeler or stands right next to me), and how she looked up at me with a huge smile to make sure i noticed her.  the moment she exclaimed, "Jesus!" during the homily.  her dramatic narration as she  pushed the Power button on the TV: "uh oh! what issss it? what happened? oh no!" her alternating requests for me to sing "Jesus" and "gor-ly" on our drive home from the grocery store this afternoon ("Jesus Loves Me" and the "Glory To Thee" text to the Thomas Tallis canon), and the undeniable plea for "more sahn! more sahn!" (more song).  oh, sweet girl. i hope you never stop singing.