Laughter

What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul.-- Yiddish Proverb

During a birthday party today for two of Kiki's good friends from the neighborhood (Sophie and Savannah), Kiki was playing with Eric B. and I heard her giggle. A real, soulful, full of joy laugh that made all the other noises in the room full of toddlers disappear for me.

Does a better sound exist than that of a child laughing?

It reminded me of a video of her when she was about 6 months old that Amir took while I was away. She still has the same laugh...

And, just for fun, because people are always asking me how long Kiki's hair really is, I thought I'd post a picture of her bathtime when her hair is wet and straight.

Dry and curly versus wet and straight:

Doesn't even reach her shoulders curly and is half-way down her back straight.

Tiffany and Daniel's Wedding

And I love you today, tomorrow, and forever
I will trust and honor you
I will laugh and cry with you
With unfailing love, I will stand by you
Through the best and the worst
Through the difficult and easy
As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life
So help me God.

~Vows from the Senden Wedding

This is going to be a long post full of pictures! Amir and I have just returned from a fabulous weekend in Charleston celebrating the marriage of Tiffany and Daniel.

I won't lie, it was HOT and I'm covered in chigger bites, but we had an absolute blast!

The wedding was beautiful and touching, with the most meaningful vows I have heard at a wedding yet. I used a portion as my quote today. Tiffany has been a dear friend for more years than I care to mention, and I fully believe she married "the one". They looked gorgeous as you can see, but also you can see the joy in both of their faces.

For those of you who are married, you probably can relate to me in that I barely remember Amir's and my actual ceremony. I was so nervous, it all seems like a blur to me.

For Tiffany and Daniel, though, it truly looked like they were in the moment and felt every word.

Both the wedding and rehearsal dinner were on the water- just amazing scenery all weekend- and southern style. They even had a bluegrass band at the rehearsal dinner.

We definitely partook of the spirits more on Friday night that Saturday, and made poor Amir take picture after picture. He pretty much refused to be photographer on Saturday, so you'll see we have many more photos of the rehearsal dinner ;-D.

It was so nice to spend so much time talking and partying with my long time friends that I don't see nearly enough these days.

And, it was also very nice to spend some time with my husband without the pressures of daily life.

It was a great weekend!!!

Take- 1 eyes closed...

Take 2 - can you look at the camera please, Eric Balzuweit is going to be waiting for my blog post and I need good pictures ;-D

Take 3- that's better! See how professional Angela is? She has a beautiful smile right at the camera everytime!

Girls Nights Out

The best mirror is an old friend. ~George Herbert

Last weekend was quite full, and very fun starting Thursday with Crystal's evening of shopping for the benefit of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. She managed to arrange for a local restaurant to donate food and wine for the evening which we enjoyed while we shopped at a charming little store called The Shoppe of Vinings. A portion of the proceeds were donated to CCFA. I was SO impressed with Crystal's planning abilities :-D.

Also, the James family, along with many of their close friends and family, did a walk for the CCFA on Sunday which earned over $200,000!!! Check out their website for more details and pictures.

Friday night I got to celebrate my dearest friend Shannon's birthday. We ate at Parish in Inman Park. The restaurant is beautiful and the food delicious. Can't wait to go back. It's always heartwarming to spend time with old friends. As I have mentioned before, Shannon and I have known each other since we were 11! Her big sis Lori (who was always so cool to us growing up), Dana (who also went to High School with us), and Jennifer (sorority sister from college :-D) made great evening!

Then, Saturday, the girls from the neighborhood had a Sex in the City night. Thanks to Susana's clever planning, we started off at her house with cosmo's and watched the final episode before heading to Atlantic Station for dinner and the movie.

Sunday definitely required some rest, but I'll never complain about being busy. And, I know how lucky I am to have such good friends.

Memorial Day

Honor to those who never sought it;

Fame to those who never wished it;

Glory to those who never dreamed it;

Immortality, for they earned it.
~ Mike Grissom

Before talking about our Memorial Day celebration, I wanted to take a minute and remind myself that it is intended to be a day spent reflecting on the memory of fallen soldiers. Without revealing too much about my political views, I'm terribly saddened by the loss of life our country is experiencing (and other countries are experiencing as well). I'm proud of those who have volunteered to serve and pray each and every one comes home safely to their families.

In Israel, there is a Memorial Day (Yom Hazikaron) followed immediately by Independence Day (Yom Ha'atzmaut). Memorial Day is somber and reflective and Independence Day is celebratory and festive. I think that is a good way to remember those no longer with us while still honoring those who remain.

That being said, we did have a great time at a poolside BBQ with some of our best friends. The guys did the grilling (or hiding from the kids as we like to say), while we swam, chatted, and just relaxed. Couldn't have asked for better weather or company. Enjoy the pictures :-D.

My First Sleep Away From Home

To bring up a child in the way he should go, travel that way yourself once in a while. ~Josh Billings

Kiki spent the night away from home without Amir and I for the first time this weekend!

Meemaw wasn't feeling well, and Allyson and Eric stepped in and offered to have Kiki spend the night with them (and Sophie and Jack of course) so Amir and I could go to a shower for Tiff. I can't think of a better family to look after our daughter.

I didn't realize what a big deal this would be until I got out of the shower Saturday afternoon, and Amir and Kiki were gone :-(. Off she went for her first sleepover away, and I didn't get to give her a kiss goodbye. What a stark reminder of how big she has gotten.
Allyson said the girls were great and had the best time. They did exactly as Sophie said they would "laughed, talked, played, and... slept!" The pictures the Balzuweit's took speak volumes.

I'm very proud of Kiki for being so at ease sleeping at someone else's home. It helps she's known the Balzuweit's since she was 4 months old :-D.
Take a look at Allyson's blog for a better description of the nights events!

Thank you again so so much!!!

The party was also a lot of fun. We drove up to Flowery Branch and got to hang out poolside with great friends, listen to a live band, and be in a beautiful home on the lake. We're so happy to celebrate with Tiffany and Daniel and are ready for the Big Event in Charleston next month!

Mother's Day, Part 2

There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it. ~Chinese Proverb

I won't even begin to try and put into words what it means to me to be a mother. Far more eloquent women long before me have written about the trials and triumphs of motherhood and I'll leave the task to them.

I will say that I will never be the same after having Kiki, and that is a good thing, and that my family means everything to me.

The Mother's Day celebration began at midnight for me because my loving husband just could not wait to give me the most beautiful and touching and charming and moving (you get the point) portrait that my friend Crystal photographed and had made for us. See his post below...

It is without question the best gift I have ever received.

In the real morning, Amir picked up Kiki from her first spend the night out party with her best friend Sophie(next post!), and served me breakfast in bed. That evening, we celebrated for the 3rd year in a row with Sophie and Jack's parents- our dear friends the Balzuweits at JCT. The dinner was delicious, the company wonderful, and the evening perfect.

I'd also like to take the opportunity to thank my own Mother. These days I forget sometimes that I am also a daughter. My friend Danielle, who always gives the best advice, said this weekend that our job as parents really is to simply make sure our children know we love them. I can say without any hesitation, my mother always made me feel loved. Thank you.