It's so hard to say goodbye.

I'm already feeling it. The post-holiday-depression. This was my weekend. Our anniversary just barely behind us, and my birthday and Mother's Day just a day apart. Ross treated me like a queen all weekend. A doughnut in bed on Friday (he knew I was going to breakfast with friends so he kept it light and healthy :)) Then dinner at Roy's, WHICH I've decided is definitely one of my favorite restaurants. If you have one near you, the Butterfish--- it's amazing. It's the kind of meal where I was already craving it again, as the waiter took my plate, which I so femininely left one reasonably sized bite on. I mean really, the portions... just too big for my appetite, I could only eat like 9/10ths of it. I could see it in his eyes, he thought me so delicate. Even though my pile of Edamame (sp?) was noticeably taller than Ross'. (I hate how you have to leave evidence on your own plate. And you can't scrunch them up and hide them in your purse like candy wrappers.)

So anyway, Roy's on Friday night for my birthday, sushi for appetizer, butterfish for dinner, and the flour-less souffle for dessert. I was just the right level of famished beforehand. Way beyond the right levels of full after, but It WAS the perfect dinner. I love birthdays. I love how the bill doesn't count toward the going-out budget, and the calories just don't count at all. Don't forget... the butterfish.

Oh and when I came downstairs Friday morning, my kitchen table boasted the box with the remaining Bristol Farms doughnuts, a couple of cards and a perfect square box all wrapped up. Inside of which was THIS!!!!!!!!!

He got it. The lens. Long story short, it's a big deal. And I really didn't expect it. NO I still don't know what I'm doing with this camera, but I have stalked Allie's blog enough to know I want whatever she's got. And then to have it confirmed by Sarah... well I'm convinced that now I really do JUST need to actually learn stuff and practice. Perhaps the camera manual to start. But I GOT the tools. At f/1.4, this lens has such a wide aperture, I can capture so much more light (especially since we specifically chose our house as to avoid the sun in this hot place) without, of course, using that blasted flash. And with such a short depth of field, it does an extra good job at the whole 'one thing in focus, the rest out of focus' thing. Allie calls it Bokeh. I may regret admitting I have this new lens, like my pictures should get better, but I'm pretty sure they won't for a really long time. So please no expectations. Just SUPER excited to have the tools. Thank you Ross!!!!!! I got other great stuff from family and friends I didn't take pictures of.... THANKYOU all!

But as for things I did take pictures of, Mother's day consisted of breakfast in bed, these lovely tulips (I'm LOVING tulips these days, they're like the happiest flower in the world... once they get enough water in their stems and they stand up of course), the new book by Stephanie Meyer, I don't know anything about it but am super excited for a new fun book to read. And this very un-photogenic brownie from the ward. yum.

It also consisted of just a happy happy Sunday with the most generous husband ever. SO excited for an excuse to serve. He is an example to me of how to really treat someone like royalty. Seriously, today, a queen. I love him.

And it's mother's day. Let me confess that sometimes, I complain. I think it's hard to stay home with two little kids. I think 2 1/2 is a really trying age. I think being yelled at for a majority of the day can wear on you... more than a little bit. I think not having a completely routine and scheduled life like you did before children has some major challenges. But there are at least a handful of moments every day that feel just like these pictures look. And for those, and the crazy moments, I am SO grateful to be a mother. I have never had so much feeling. They come together you know? The good with the bad. But how wonderful to feel so much because of these little spirits. I wouldn't trade lives with a real queen.

Did you notice the undies. Yup. It's true.

That one's recent but I've failed to mention:

--- Binky bye bye - check

--- Crib bye bye - check

--- Diaper bye bye- check (ok not at night but still)

Hooray!


Far too much for one post. If you've hung in this far you deserve a treat. Have some virtual brownie, un-photogenic but super good.