Life B.C.

Dear Claire,

You're probably thinking by the title of this post that it's going to be about Life Before Claire.  

Nope.  I can barely remember what that was like!

It's actually about Life Before Cells.  Not the tiny ones floating around inside of you!  Cell Phones.

I don't know what communication devices are going to be like by the time you're a young adult, but trust me, you don't want to have one with you all the time.

I actually consider myself really lucky because I went to high school and university before everyone and their seven-year old had a cell phone.  Believe me, those really were the days.

Why?  Because I left my house on a Friday night, crammed into a car with four other friends, and nobody's parents could get a hold of us!  It was bliss.  You made it home by curfew, parents would ask a few questions, and you could tell them most (okay, some) of the truth.  Best part - there was no evidence.  There was no cell phone with a GPS being carried around all night. There weren't a hundred pictures that were taken only hours earlier to scroll through.  There weren't texts from twenty people to read over. And they couldn't just go check out my Facebook or Instagram to see what I'd really been up to. Freedom!!!

Not only do I love how there was no evidence for my parents to see/read, I loved how there's no evidence for anyone to see/read!  High School is a bit of a gong show, and not one that I want myself, or the whole world, to have to re-live with me!  

But the absolute best time to not have a cell phone with you at all times?  University.

Being able to make some plans with some friends, head out to the bar, and just see what happens is a kind of freedom that is difficult to find these days.  Seriously, we would go out with a few people and then just let the night happen.  We might run into more friends, we might not. We might decide to leave one place and go to another so we just would.  We didn't have to text a bunch of people and let them know.  

The best part of that freedom was that we could talk to new people and make new friends because there was nothing holding us back.  There wasn't a friend who was going to be angry because we didn't call/text them back.  No one was going to see tons of pictures of us the next day and know our every move from the night before.  And when things weren't going great with a boyfriend I never received a series of angry texts that would ruin my night.

Ahhh, Freedom.

It really was great, just "being" out in the world, without technology cramping the fun.

So Claire, whatever your communication device is ten and fifteen years from now, I really encourage you to leave it at home when you're out with your friends.  It may feel strange, but trust me, you'll never find that kind of freedom again, it only exists for a short time so seize it while you can.

Letting Go

Dear Claire,

I haven't been able to write to you in over four months now, I've had a complete mental block and for the most part it's still there.  I'm starting to think that the only way to break through it is to write.  Even though I don't know what I want to say to you anymore.  Even though I feel like my writing is now frivolous.  Even though I feel like it's not important, that it doesn't matter, and that I really don't know anything after all.  I'm going to do it, I'm going to write because afterwards I always feel better.

Four and half months ago, on October 11, 2013, my cousin and friend, Lisa passed away.

I feel like nothing has been the same since.

Since then I have been processing and asking and avoiding and crying and wondering.  I've asked 'why' and slowly come to terms with the fact that there is no answer for that question.

I've blamed God, I've thanked God and I've begun to realize that when it comes to matters of life and death, God is not picking and choosing, it's just the natural cycle of coming in and out of our world.

This would be a lot easier if Lisa had been a terrible mother.  She was the greatest mother.
This would be a lot easier if Lisa had been an awful wife.  She was the most loving wife.
The most loving daughter, friend and cousin.

She hosted my bridal shower.  When you were born she hosted my baby shower and gave you your wooden table and toy box.  She is Jack's Godmother.  She loved having the family Christmas at her house every year and still used the place cards that Teghan wrote when she was just a little girl.  She organized an amazing golf tournament to raise money for the Hospital for Sick Kids. She made the best Slush and martinis.  She loved baseball and Zumba.  She loved dressing up at Hallowe'en.  She did everything she could for her kids.  She planned family vacations.  She put her family first.

Some days I still can't believe she's really gone.

I had pictured the two of us having each other when our parents are gone.

She was supposed to be at your wedding.

She was supposed to be there at every step of Teaghan and Chris' lives.

She and Bruce were supposed to grow old together.

So you're probably waiting for the "Something Profound" part.  I was watching a movie the other day and they were interviewing a grief counselor, he said that "grief is love's unwillingness to let go".  It's true, it's so hard to move beyond grief when I don't want to let her go.  I want to see her this summer.  I want her to come again at Easter so we can do another egg hunt outside.

But, then I ask myself, what would Lisa want me to do?

She would want me to love life fully just like she did.  And I can't love life fully if I'm stuck in this hole of grief.

Then I ask myself, what would I tell you to do if you lost someone you loved.

I would say "Claire, you have to love the person enough to let them go.  Let yourself have peace.   Remember them with an open heart of love and joy and not one of resentment and bitterness."

I'm not at the part yet where I can be grateful of the life she lived, even though it was an amazing life, i'm just not there.  But I will get there, I will let go, and I'll do it a little more each day.  Lisa loved reading this blog so I will keep it up and remind myself that nothing, done from your heart, is meaningless.

Love you Claire,
Mom

Breast Milk v/s Formula...The Real Truth

Dear Claire,

Lately, and by lately, I mean the last fifty years, the debate of breast milk v/s formula has raged on.

Lots of pressure being put onto mothers regarding their choice (or not!) of how their baby will be fed.  Studies showing that it doesn't matter, studies showing that one is better than the other, studies showing that one will make your baby smarter, study after study after study.

I wonder, will this pressure still exist when you (maybe) have children????

I just want you to know, all the studies are wrong.

I had an epiphany last night while you were in the bath and I realized the liquid that actually makes kids smarter.

It's the bath water sucked out of the face cloth.

That's right. You heard me, the bath water sucked out of the face cloth.

Both your Auntie Andrea and I did this obsessively and between the two of us we have five university degrees, so clearly, it's the bath water that really makes kids smart.

It all came to me in a flash of dirty-water brilliance when I saw you lapping it up in the bathtub yesterday.

So don't worry about what you feed your baby, breast milk or formula, they'll turn out just fine.  Well, just mediocre.  If you really want a smart kid, better get them chugging that bath water a.s.a.p.

There, now you can relax and just enjoy your baby, whatever she/he is drinking.

Love Mom

Claire's Forensic Portrait

Dear Claire,

Lately this video has been circulating the internet in a big way:

http://youtu.be/XpaOjMXyJGk

After watching this (and tearing up like every other woman!) I immediately thought of you, my little beauty.

Right now, I'm sitting with an imaginary forensic artist.  This is what I have told her so that she can draw you perfectly.

1. Claire is three-feet tall, this is the perfect height for reaching counter tops, peeking out windows, and riding a tricyle.

2. Claire has dark brown hair that flows to-and-fro when she runs outside, goes down slides, and goes way up high on a swing.

3. Claire has happy-shiny eyes that have a beautiful sparkle radiating from them.  They especially shine everytime she sees someone she loves, small animals, and jumps on her bed.

4. Claire has a cute nose that seems to be very good at smelling any kind of baked goods.

5. Claire has a perfectly shaped mouth and lips and she often turns her tongue into a taco.  She is extremly skilled at making her mouth do strange things like opening super-duper wide, making click-clack sounds, and getting chocolate and candies to disappear in it.

6. Claire has two very nice strong arms.  She can carry almost anything she tries, she can pull herself up on to the play equipment, and she can give great, big, long, wonderful hugs.

7. Claire has a great tummy and back, she can roll around on them, bend to do summersaults, and enjoys being tickled on either. Most importantly, Claire's beautiful heart is safely nestled between them, ready to give kisses at any request.

8. Claire has two strong legs that make her run fast, jump high, and dance happily wherever she goes.

9. Claire has ten perfect toes that she likes to be counted and tickeled every now and then.

10. I almost forgot!  Claire has the most wonderfully shaped head in the world!  It is perfect at containing the best part of her - her brain!  Her brain is fantastic, too amazing to be drawn accurately!  It holds all of her great ideas (dressing dolls, playing house, going on adventures), it is home to her talents (making people laugh, doing puzzles, colouring,) and displays all of her feelings (happy, excited, grumpy when she gets her hair brushed).

This is how I see you...I hope you see yourself the same way :)

Love Mom

Risk It Baby!

Dear Claire,

When it comes to work, your mom, is a mini-risk-taker.  That's right, for the most part, I've followed pretty safe and traditional paths. I've always done what i've enjoyed, but never in a crazy, over-the-top, wild and throw all caution to the wind kind of way.

But here's the really weird thing.  When I have taken risks at work, they've always worked out in my favor.

Oddly enough, out of my four teaching positions, I only knew what one of them really was, when I accepted the job!

Being willing to dive into the unknown is what has kept me feeling challenged, what has stretched my learning, and was has forced me to rise to the occasion again and again.

In only nine years of teaching I have been willing, excited, and able to change.  Able to go with the flow.  Able to embrace newness.  Able to learn as I go.  Able to invent and create.  Able to fail and then learn from those experiences.

So DIVE IN!!!!    It will all work out in the end because it's your instinct to swim.

Love you when you're brave,
Mom

Let Me Count the Ways

Dear Claire,

I think all mothers would agree that having children changes your life in so many ways.  You go from seeing movies, hanging out at Starbucks, and having room in your back seat to spending most evenings at home, having to make plans ahead of time and having the back seat of your car filled with car seats, toys, and random crumbs.

But you, my sweet and lovely girl, have changed me in the most wonderful ways, let me explain.

#1. Before you, I thought work was simply what you did during the day.  I thought it was something you got paid for and that you got days off.  Now I know that having kids is real work.  That you don't get a coffee break, that you're on-call 24/7, and that all the motivation is intrinsic.

#2.  Before you, I used to call my students' parents and talk to them like I really knew their kid!  Crazy!  Now I completely recognize that I know a little speck of their child, I know only how they are in my class and it doesn't reflect their whole child at all.  I am, thanks to you, a much gentler teacher now.

#3.  Before you, I used to feel sorry for kids when they were being bullied; now I feel worse for their mothers.  Now that I have you, I can't imagine you being bullied, or picked on, or made to feel small.  I feel like it would break my heart and my heart breaks for all the moms (and dads) who's kids are made to feel this way.

#4. I used to think in a much more 'black and white' way when it came to parenting.  Things used to be either right or wrong, this way or that.  Now I feel like there are grey areas everywhere, and parenting is just a guessing game.

#5. I used to be hard on people.  I used to be more judgemental.  I used to dislike more people.  Now I just feel more love and see the child in everyone and how they came to be the way they are.  You have made me more accepting.

#6.  I used to think mothers were crazy.  Why are you so worried about where your kid goes to daycare?  You're spending how much on your kids activities?  What do you mean your kid won't sleep in past 7am?  Who cares what you kid will or won't eat?  Turns out, they're not so crazy after all.

Love you Claire...I'm sure you've got a lot more Mommy-Makeovering to do, especially in those teen years!
Love Mom

Claire, Our Little Player

Dear Claire,

This weekend you had this conversation with Daddy in the car:

Daddy: "I love you Claire."

Dead Silence

Daddy: "I love you, I love you, I love you Claire."

Dead Silence

Daddy: "Claire?"

Claire: "I heard you Daddy."

HAHAHAHAHA

That's right girl, you're young, keep 'em guessing!

Love Mom

Wired for Struggle

Dear Claire,

Life is not always easy.  Things, crazy things, hard things, sad things, and really odd things, are going to be thrown at you.  As your mother it is my natural instinct to want to protect you from all of these things.

It's my instinct to want to jump in, rescue you, and save the day!

I will. And I won't.

If you're in immediate danger - I'm there for you kiddo.  If you've fallen way down the rabbit hole - I'm there for you kiddo.  If you ask for help - I'm there for you kiddo.

But...all humans are wired for struggle.  You are meant to fall down, you are meant to have your heart broken, you are meant to get picked last for the team.  You are meant to fail a test, come fourth place, and lose friends along the way.

Your brain wants you to get back up, it will help you find love again, and it will encourage you to try again, and it will lead you to new friendships.

Your brain will stop doing all these amazing and wonderful things for you, if I am always there to do them for you.  Your brain likes practice.  Your brain needs to learn from each of your little struggles so that it is there to help you when the big ones come along.

And the truth is, I can't always be there for you.  That's why you have you.  And you, are the strongest, most capable, most brave, most "cry for a bit and then pick yourself back up" person ever.  I know you're this way because it's genetic.  It's in your DNA.  You were born strong and everything you'll ever need can be found inside of you. 

So I encourage you to embrace the struggles!  Meet them at the front door, welcome them in and learn from them.  This is the best way to live and the only way to learn.  Triumph is not in the easy wins, it lies in the struggle.

Can't wait to watch you overcome,
Love Mom.

Timeless Tuesday - The Last Hollywood Star

Dear Claire,

Once upon a time (I think it was the 90's) people loved movie starts and rock stars and we loved hearing about them from time to time in the newspaper and seeing them at award shows. 

But things have changed and now they're everywhere and we're right there with them.  We're watching them brush their teeth, argue with their families, give birth, go shopping, and do a million other mindless activities.  It's called reality-TV.  It's called US Weekly.  It's called TMZ.

As much as I love it, I hate it.  It leaves no mystery to celebrities and when you see them in a movie all you can think about is "I wonder if she brings her tiny dog to the set everyday in that little Louis Vuitton carry all?"  Or.."I wonder if he filmed this before or after re-hab".  It really kills a movie.

There are a few exceptions to this rule and one of them is my favourite...Leonardo Dicaprio.  Man this guy is good at staying out of the tabloids.  Sure we all know that he only dates models and that he loves his Prius...but that's about it.  I haven't seen his house on MTV, he clearly doesn't shop at 'The Grove' or eat at 'Nobu' because he's never on TMZ and he only does interviews when promoting his work.  Love it.

The best part is, when he's acting in a film, you belive he's the character.  You're not wondering about his personal life, you're solely focused on the film.

Love it.  Love you Leo.  Love you Claire.

Bye Bye Two

Dear Claire,

Today is your very, very, very last day of ever being two years old!  When I told you that this morning you just laughed hysterically and than said "I happy Mommy"!  I think you're happy because you know we're going out for supper tomorrow night with Grammy and Grampy and you will get a few gifts.

So far, two has been your best year yet.  You learned your letters, you took dance lessons, you went ice skating, you went to the zoo and swam at the beach.  You made snow angels, went sledding, and can even print some letters!  You even got a baby brother - what a busy year you had...i'm tired just thinking about it!

Here are my predictions for 'Claire Age 3'

1. You will be an absolute showstopper in your spring dance recital
2. You will stop crying when we shampoo your hair (please)
3. You will learn to print your name (you've already got the 'C' and 'A' and 'I')
4. You will become even more hilarious with your wild jokes and funny facial expressions
5. You will race down the sidewalk on your tricycle
6. You will swim all by yourself
7. You will continue making Daddy have a time-out on the stairs when he is bad...usually once a day.
8. You will cuddle more with Mommy and not just when you're tired or not feeling well (please)
9. You will help Jack learn to walk, blow a kiss, and sit next to him on the swing set
10. You will keep being my very big, very special, very kind, very funny, and very smart most favourite girl.

Gosh - time flies...look how little you used to be!
Happy Almost Birthday!
Love Mom

Be Nice to Jack...He's Your Only Sibling

Dear Claire,

It has been a long time since I've written to you...I don't know where the past month has gone! I guess with Christmas, New Years and planning your Birthday Party I haven't had time to write.  Eeek!

Anyway, on Friday you will turn three years old! Can you believe it?  You have been such a great big sister lately and are really starting to play with Jack more and more.  You always bring him "his" toys to play with and you're getting better and sharing "your" toys with him too.  Lately, you think it's hilarious to let him chase you, but you're way too fast because he can only crawl.  Poor Jack!

Mommy thinks that a sibling is one of the best people in the world.  You are so lucky to have a brother, I always wanted to have a brother when I was little, but having Aunty Andrea was still pretty good.  A sibling will know you better than anyone.  Jack will know your good, bad, and your ugly.  He will know how to push all of your buttons and will definitely do this throughout your childhood, and probably still sometimes when you're both grown up!

You and Jack may not grow up to be best friends.  You may only get together on the holidays or other special events.  You may not see eye-to-eye on many topics. 

You don't have to, he's still your brother. 

You will know his favourite things and all the things he hates.  You will know what he does when he's mad and what his different laughs mean when he's happy.  You will know all the "bad" things he did as a teenager that mommy and daddy don't even know about.  You will know all the things he's great at and you will also know his greatest struggles.

You will share more history, more memories, more experiences, and more DNA with him than almost anyone else you ever spend time with.

So be nice to Jack.  Love him, take care of him, laugh with him, tell on him, keep his secrets for him, and be there for him when he needs you.  And if you do this, something tells me, he'll do the same for you.


Love you Claire Bear!
Mom

One Piece is Not Enough

Dear Claire,

I haven't been able to write all week.  Something awful happened one week ago in the United States and twenty-six innocent people were killed while at school.

Since then I've been thinking about those little children who were taken from their families.  I've been thinking that this is my favourite time of year and I bet it used to be for those families too.  I've been thinking that when it comes to tragedies like this; I have no advice.

I don't know what to tell you.  I don't know whether I'll know what to say when another tragedy like this one happens and you're old enough to ask questions, and to worry, and to wonder the same thing we're all wondering: why?

I don't know if I'll tell you the truth either.  If I'll have the courage to tell you that sometimes, there isn't an answer, and we may never know why.  And even if we did know why, would it make it any easier?  Can we find peace without having the answers we're looking for?

When I started this blog, I would sometimes think, that God forbid, anything ever happened to me, at least you would have this.  You would have this blog, my pictures, my belongings, and most of all you would have Daddy and Grandma and Grandpa who would be able to fill in so many pieces for you, about me.

Since Friday, I've been thinking...what if it was the other way around, and you were taken from me?  I don't have enough of you yet.  Your artwork is not enough yet.  There aren't enough home videos of you.  I don't have all your report cards, your graduation cap or your wedding veil.  We haven't played Barbies yet, you haven't been to a sleepover, and we haven't even argued about you spending too much time on the phone.

The pieces I have of you right now are not enough.  I want more.  I want every single piece to the person you are meant to become.

In my paryers to keep you, and all children safe from these types of senseless violence, I will continue to think about the families of Sandy Hook Elementary School and how they no longer have the same dreams they had seven days ago. I will keep mindful that the pieces they had hoped for have been stolen.  I will pray for them, and wish them peace and that they will hold onto as many pieces as possible of their beautiful children.  

Love Mom

Two and Ten-and-a-Half Months

Dear Claire,

Today I thought I'd write and tell you how absolutly adorable you are!  You are at such a cute age (almost three) and I think I'd better record some of your cute antics so we never forget them.

One day, about four weeks ago, I called you a 'maniac'.  Since then, if I call you a monkey, silly girl, or just about anything else, you correct me and say "no, I'm ma-mi-ac'.

Also, you seemed to have found an imaginary friend named 'Wolf'.  Sometimes he's very tiny and you carry him in your pocket.  Sometimes he lives with you in the backseat of the car.  And sometimes, he gets very big, and runs alongside the outside of the car growling.

Right now you call your little brother 'Jackie' and 'Hubba Hubba'.  Mommy calls Jack 'Chubba Chubba', but you just can't seem to make the "ch" sound, and in this instance - it's pretty funny.

You love to crawl and pretend to be a kitty, you'll come "drink milk" out of Mommy's hand and let me pet your head.

You love to "make" us hot tea and always make sure we blow on it to cool it down before sipping.

You love dancing around the room and have just learned to do sommersaults - I think you've done about one hundred of them in the past week.

You like to show Jack everything you can do; yesterday you were very excited to show him that you did up your coat zipper all by yourself.

Do you really have to grow up?  I have a feeling the day will come when you won't want Mommy to cuddle you in bed, Jack will drive you crazy, and you won't let Daddy throw you up in the air. 

So i'm going to enjoy every moment, because one day you're going to go your own way for a little while, but I'm not worried, because I know that "your way" will lead back to us.

Love you right now and for all the days to come,
Mom

Have a Best Friend (or two or three)

Dear Claire,

Having a best friend is crucial.  Find one immediately.

Okay, maybe that's a bit dramatic, but here's the thing: you are going to need someone to talk to.

There are going to be days (and maybe even months) when you don't want to talk to me or daddy about things that are bothering you, exciting you, or just weighing on your mind. You'll need a bestie to talk with.

There are going to be times when your boyfriend or husband is driving you crazy and you'll really need someone to vent to.  Call your bestie!

There are going to be times when you're own children are slowly pushing you towards the insane asylum.  Call your bestie!

One of mommy's dearest friends in the world is Leanne and she's not feeling well today so let's dedicate this post to her and maybe it will cheer her up!

Here are some great reasons to have a best friend (and some silly things that Mommy and Leanne have experienced)

#1) Someone to plan your life with!  You can throw out all sorts of wild and wonderful ideas about where you want your life to head and this person will support you 99%.  I say 99% because a real bestie will tell you when you've really lost the plot and help you get back on track. (ask Leanne about the condo with the fire-man pole...we may still purchase one for our retirement years)

#2) Someone to have sleepovers with!  Horray for sleepoves!  Sleepovers are the best time to share your secrets, your hopes, and your hangups.  You can laugh, watch cheesy movies, and maybe even gossip for a few minutes. (ask Leanne about our very first sleepover)

#3) Someone to shop with.  Nothing else needs to be said about this one.

#4) Someone to plan your wedding with.  Let's be honest, chances are that your finace isn't going to care about flowers, place cards, or the proper etiquette for hosting a bridal shower.  Insert your best friend who will gladly obsess over each of these details with you. (ask Leanne about all the crazy wedding mishaps...including Mommy throwing up 4 times the morning of Leanne's wedding due to a teeny-tiny Claire in my belly)

#5) Someone to gently tell you the truth.  This person will kindly let you know when they're worried about something you're doing.  They'll be honest with you when you ask them to be, especially about a precarious haircut or boyfriend who you know, deep down, you should probably break up with. (I'm sure Leanne will happily tell you about a few duds I dated before meeting Daddy)

#6) Someone who will never judge you because they love you!  Your best friend may not always agree with everything you do, but she will love you regardless.  She won't judge you, or remind you about past bad decisions, she'll just be there for you.  So make sure you're there for her too!

Love you Claire, Love your best friend, and Love you Leanne!

Mom and Lindsay

Save A Tree, Not A Boyfriend

Dear Claire,

If you end up anything like me, you're going to have a bleeding heart for people.  You're going to want to help others, you're going to stick your neck out for friends, and you're going to do try to lift people up.

This is (I think anyway) a great way to be.  I like helping people, I like seeing people succeed and I feel best about myself when I'm helping others reach their potential. 

So....I followed my passion and found a job that lets me do this five days a week.

If you want to help people, then help people.  Just make sure your boyfriend (and definitetly not your husband) is not the person who needs to be helped. 

Obviously, we're all humans and we've all got baggage.  But be attracted to someone who can carry at least a few of their own suitcases.

Obviously, when your partner is down or going through a difficult time, you've got to be there for them.  But be attracted to someone who actually wants to solve their problems, overcome their issues, and aim to be a better person.

Because, you can't save people.

You can help people, you can guide people, you can provide opportunities for people.  But you can't save people.

And all that helping, guiding, and providing takes a lot of time and a lot of energy.  Your home should be your soft place, your easy place.  Life, marriage, and mothering will be hard enough on it's own without having to save your husband too.  So my advice, find someone who needs a shoulder to lean on once in a while or an ear to listen, not someone who needs you to be their life preserver.

Love you when you've found your match,
Mom

People Are Good

Dear Claire,

Today I was overwhelmed by the kindness of others.

Right now, I'm working with a young girl, who is living in awful conditions.  She has lost over fifteen pounds in the past two months, not because she is dieting, but because she can only afford to eat one meal a day.

Now that I have you, it's just unbearable to see young girls living like this.  I can't help but imagine what I would do, if suddenly, you were forced to live like this.

In speaking with this girl, I learned that she needs some winter clothing and a few things for her house - a pillow and a blanket.  I know that she needs more, but is too proud to ask.

I quickly posted her needs on my 'Facebook' page and within minutes, several people contacted me with everything from clothing, to food and giftcards for this young woman.

So, whenever you're with a group of people, or watching the news, and everything is doom and gloom, remember that is not the whole truth.  The truth is that, time and time again, people are good.

I know that you will know this instinctively.  Because, you, my sweet little girl, will be good too.

Love Mom

Thanks to all those who are helping :)

Someone To Look Up To

Dear Claire,

I don't know what things will be like when you're a bit older, but right now, it seems really hard for young girls to find a decent role model.

Obviously, there are amazing young women out there doing amazing things, but they seem to get a pin-head of media attention while the women who are spiraling out of control, are on the front page of every magazine.

However, once in a while, along comes a woman who graces the covers of magazines because of her talent, humility, and grace.

Enter Kate Winslet.

Most important, Kate is one sheer force when it comes to her acting chops.  I mean seriously, she's been nominated for SIX academy awards and even won for best actress.  The best part about Kate, is that she takes on serious roles.  She's not afraid to play kind women, lost women, cruel women, broken women.  Love her.

Kate is also fantastic because she's comfortable and honest about her body.  So many women, especially ones in the public eye, force themselves to remain rail thin, and after awhile, they really all seem to look alike.  Kate is different, she's a natural beauty who has made the decision to remain, naturally beautiful.

And in the spirit of giving and taking advice...I promise to take this nugget from Kate:

"I accept my body. I accept how I am and make the best of what I am given. Children orientate towards examples. That's why I talk solely positive about my body in front of my daughter."

Love Mom

What's your favourite Kate Winslet movie????

A Room of One's Own

Dear Claire,

Every woman needs a room of her own.  A place she can go to unwind, to explore something new, to read, to write, to think, and to 'just be'. 

A place where you can listen to your favourite song again and again without interruption.

A place where you can sing into your hairbrush without being watched.

A place where you can sprawl out and daydream.

A place where you can create something beautiful.

Last weekend I made a little place for you....

Love you,
Mom

Empty, Dull Closet

Claire's New "Closet Club House"

P.S. Our house was built in the 1940's so we have a couple of "funny" closets which have slanted ceilings and aren't really that great for storing much.  So...might as well do something fun with them!

Readers - Did you have a special place of your own when you were little? 

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Timeless Tuesday - New York City

Dear Claire,

Today there was a wicked storm that has destroyed so much in New York!  It has been awful to watch on the news, especially since it is the place that Daddy and I went for our honeymoon.

However...NYC is timeless!  The people will, as always, join together, pick up the pieces, and move forward.

I Love You New York...and you too, Claire!

S.E.X. Part 1

Dear Claire,

I don't know why, but writing this to you is sooo scary!  I realize that right now, you're just a little girl, and the "real" sex talks will come later one.  But..I kind of wonder if I'd be more likely to tell you the truth while you're little and it feels so far away.

There's so much to think and talk and wonder about when it comes to sex, so this is definitely going to be a series of tidbits that hopefully, you'll take pieces of when it comes to the decisions that you make.

Okay, Mom, breathe.

So...you know I love hanging out with the girls right?  I'm always off to "ladies nights" and "book clubs" and really my number one hobby is chatting the night away with my girlfriends.

In all of those hours, and hours, and hours logged, dishing all the dirt, sharing all of our stories and secrets, not one woman has ever said this sentance "the best sex I ever had was in high school".

Just sayin'.

Love you even though you're going to grow up one day.
Mom

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