Fill me up

I am not a mother like you are.
(Have I said this before?)
I have no human baby.
I am not stashing away my pennies for college tuition.

But my boy gave me a hug tonight.
A real hug the best way he knows how.
And my heart melted.

He often slaps his paw onto my shoulder
or across my legs.
A possessive teenager. Hey ma.

Oh but tonight, he gave me the hug
of a little boy in love with his mom.
Before he knows that other girls exist.

He put his arm over mine
and his cheek next to mine
and I sat there wishing that someone would come catch us in our hug.

In that moment I felt like he was telling me
he will never get sick again,
or tinkle on the couch.
That he will never run away from us
or hurt another dog.

Of course the moment passed.
Something caught his attention,
and as quickly as he was entwined around me
off he went.

I am not a mother like you are,
but at the end of the day
a hug is a hug.

And his love fills me up again.

When Two Become One.

Happy Birthday EMAH.

Sometimes it feels like our families aren't two different, but one. And the same.

And that makes me happy. It gives me great joy.

I love you today. And I love love love the times that are to come.

Thanks for all you do for me.

A picture buffet and proving me wrong.

I hope you pronounced buffet as boofay. It's more fun that way.

There was life before THE bug, I am sure. I just forgot what with all that whoopsin'. Here is some evidence.

I spy an Emah sandwich.


The Whelans steal a quiet moment.


I call this "The Chairlift".


This way Xave!


"Xavey I am TRYING to watch BABE".


"Ok. I forgive you."


Cousins give Bri a massage.




Post Note which is really a pre-note... but later.
Did you see all that embracing, canoodle, snuggling? Might we be huggers?

Hugs and I Love You's...

I am pretty sure we've touched on the hugs.

I am not a touchy feely type. At all. Sometimes I even look at people who I know don't know each other all that well and see them hugging, fakely, exaggerating it so as to draw attention to themselves, and I cringe.

But I do love hugs, and I love you's. Especially unwarranted ones. Today I got a lot. And so did Nonie. Poor girl. Just sitting strapped into the shopping cart minding her own business watching the singing milk cartons and tasting every sample Stew had to offer. With monster Xave grabbing her from behind for 20 minutes.

After some free samples, mini cider donuts, chicken fingers and a candy corn or two we climbed back into the car. And while everyone was tired, no one closed their eyes. A very bleary eyed Dec repeated from the back, "Emma, I love you" over and over again. Just like he does every week we are together. And I melt.

I will miss our Wednesday fundays when I start my new job, but will do my best to make some time for the four of use. Two boys and two girls, it's a perfect combo.

And plenty of hugs to go around.