Post-Its. I’m pretty sure that I got married because of a well-placed stack of post-it notes.

A little background:

My childhood was many things. Stable was not one of those things. I always longed for a normal life, whatever that may be. I think all I really wanted was to be able to come home and know what to expect.

Fast-forward a few years:

I’d been seeing Nick for a while. And we’d been friends for a while before that. I had to call him one day to tell him something. What I actually told him isn’t important. The important part is that he had to write down some of the details.

Even from 170 miles away while sitting in my dorm room, I knew exactly what Nick was doing. I could see it in my mind. The post-its and notepads stacked directly under the phone, the cup of pens sitting close by. He was standing there and picking up a well-placed post-it, and then picking up one of the conveniently placed pens, and writing down the info. Then he would carefully fold the note exactly in half and place it securely in his pocket, right next to the ever-present pack of Marlboro Lights (in a box, never in a soft pack), where it would stay until the information was needed.

And it just hit me. Here was the stability and normality that I had wanted my whole life. No need to look further. I had found it. And that was the moment that I knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him.

Post-its. Who knew?

Happy fourth anniversary, Nick! I love you!

Everyone get ready to say awwwwww.

I was telling Cole earlier that mommy and daddy had to clean the house because we are getting ready for grandma to come and visit. He ran to the door and looked outside while asking, "grandma? grandma?".

Isn't that cute?

You Should Get a PhD in Science (like chemistry, math, or engineering)

You're both smart and innovative when it comes to ideas. Maybe you'll find a cure for cancer - or develop the latest underground drug.

What Advanced Degree Should You Get?

You know that scene in Shrek where the princess is singing with the blue bird? And then the princess holds a high note and the bird tries to do the same? But the bird starts to swell and then explodes from holding the high note?

My kid? LOVES that scene. He laughs at it everytime. I find that a bit disturbing.

On two separate occasions recently I've gotten a bit of a glimpse into the future.

Example 1:

Cole brings me a tupperware container. (He likes to play with bowls, pots, pans, etc.) He appears to be having problems getting the lid on. He tells me what he needs me to do, unfortunately it comes out "blad capa shunta flid" and I don't speak toddler. I push the lid down. He looks at me and sighs loudly, takes it back and walks away muttering under his breath.

Example 2:

Cole got a toy vacuum the other day and it came complete with attachments. He was walking around the coffee table with the little hose attachment and I said "Cole be careful with that hose." He just sighed loudly in exasperation and went into his bedroom.

Exactly how did I end up with a miniature teenager? I thought I'd have at least 5 years before he'd figure out that parents are just there to make sure you never get to have fun.