weekend wonders

hello friends!

i hope you had a wonderful weekend.
oh they go by too fast....every single one of them.

i spent the majority of mine shuttling the boys around,
cleaning and organizing, and ignoring the fact that our tv
was on entirely too long {i made an exception for the playoffs}.
the highlight of my weekend was having breakfast with
my girlfriend charlotte and her new baby aidan.

we met at konos the beach, grabbed a coffee and sat on a deck overlooking
the pier and ocean and talked about life - what her new life as a mother looks like,
the exhaustion of it, and the joy it brings. it was wonderful.
i could have sat there all day staring at her sweet baby and chatting.

on sunday, i started to tackle organizing our digital photos and i came
across a clip of finn that i recorded during his submarine obsession phase.
i couldn't get over how his mannerisms even at age 7 are almost exactly as they are today.
the way he speeks, dreams big and shares details are characteristically finn.

as i was watching the clip, finn came into the room and asked if he could watch too.
he did and then turned to me and said "mom, i really really thought i was going to
atlantis in a submarine".  i replied "yes, i know. i listened to your plans and saws dozens
of submarine schematics over a year and a half about how you were going to do it".

he grinned and said "why didn't you tell me atlantis didn't exist. i smiled and said
"why would i do that. i didn't want to kill your dream finn....that's what childhood is all about....dreaming big.
he smiled and shook his his head, he understood.

i then had to share with c and we both sat and watched together with cheeky grins,
and slight tugging at our hearts.  we miss that little 7 year old boy.
that little boy turns 12 in just a few days. *sigh*

the joy of a new life

word can not express the joy of new life.
- herman hesse


i received a very happy announcement last night.
my dear friend charlotte's baby boy arrived!
my heart couldn't be happier for her and her husband shawn.

we were just together on sunday for several hours.  we talked and
walked to get a coffee and wondered when he'd make his arrival.
he came a week early and well, JOY is the perfect word to express
his arrival.

meet aidan oliver lantz, born 12/22,

char and shawn won't ever forget this christmas,
the year they received their best present ever.

little lantz: arriving in december

i've been meaning to post forever that charlotte,
one of my dearest girlfriends is expecting a baby boy in december!!
when she shared the happy news, i literally couldn't stop smiling for hours.
{it was early and was glad she gave the ok to share with mr. gerber}

charlotte and I met years ago when we worked at the same architectural firm.
we go way back....pre-kids and before she was even married.  with the exception
of c, she was the first person i told when i got pregnant with finn.

i had always hoped she and her hubby would become parents someday,
and now the day is almost here.  they will be awesome!
the boys are i are so looking forward to loving on their little guy.

here she is with her cute belly and cool airstream in the background.



in love with italy

this is the beautiful city of san margherita ligure located in northern, italy.

my girlfriend charlotte is heading here tomorrow. 

oh how i envy her. 

i LOOOOVE italy - everything about it!!!

c and i went years ago - 1999 and i still have vivid images of the places we visited. 

they are imprinted in my memory. forever.

i hope to go back again someday...

i asked char if she'd let me hitch a ride in her large suitcase

but she didn't think she'd make it through customs.

she did however promise to meet me for breakfast

when she returns to share stories and lots of photos.

caio and happy travels sweet girl.

xo

shake it up char

exercise is a dirty word. every time i hear it, i wash my mouth out with a martini.
- mimi allen shaw

this quote came right off the birthday card i gave to my friend charlotte this past weekend. 
inside it reads: it's your birthday - shake things up and enjoy!

my email was down at home yesterday, march 8th, which is char's *actual* birthday.
because of this, i wasn't able to put up a birthday post to her, so here it is, one day later.

happy birthday girlfriend! you grow more beautiful every year - inside and out.
 i'm trying to remember how far we go back now - i want to say 10 years?
remember those avrp days downtown - *grin*.
so much has happened since. 

here's to  many more years of friendships and martinis!!

paws without pads - a success

the big day finally arrived. after hundreds of hours of work over several months, my friend charlotte's efforts were made real this past saturday. with the help of dozens of local businesses and volunteers, about 20 dogs were helped today.

a groomer, located downtown loaned both her shop and her services for the entire day and a business next door opened their doors as well to allow a staging area for the visitors to pick up a variety of items for their furry friends. every owner was given a large bag which they could fill up with a new collar, leash, food, treats, shampoo, flea treatment, and even toys. the animals left clean and their owners left with a smile on their face. the volunteers well, we left exhausted, but with the knowledge that we made a difference today. this was so gratifying.

our local channel 6 news came by and interviewed charlotte (she did amazing). take a few minutes to watch this newsclip and it will be sure to bring a smile to your face. i'm thankful for charlotte and for all her hard work and her vision. she turned her idea into a reality. she is an inspiration to us all. thank you charlotte on behalf of so many!! xo

a local woman and her adorable pooch

vay washed several dogs shannon working wonders with shears

charlotte (in the middle - pink hat) and several volunteers