if you know my grandma, you may think of her as quiet. maybe she's considered shy. and don't get me wrong - she can be quiet, for sure. however, the things that she does - the way she cares for people - speaks volumes so loud that not many people compare.

one of the ways that she reaches out to others - whether it's her kids, granddaughters (or great grandson), friends or even acquaintances - is by sending cards. it is an art that is lost on my own generation, sadly, but the joy that comes from those cards is so great. whether it's a "just thinking of you" theme, or any one of many holidays (including the hallmark ones), she lovingly and at this stage in her life, painstakingly, makes out those cards with the recipient prayerfully considered each and every time.

another way that she shows her compassion is by sharing - picking up a few extra things at the grocery store to send home with one of the granddaughters, specifically picked according to their likes. buying books or activity/coloring books for her great grandson to learn from and stay busy with. when she and grandpa were still minnesota twins season ticket holders and would attend the home games, she would come with treats such as hershey's bars and m&m's (just to name a few) to share with their group of friends they'd come to know over the years in the section.

she's always asking about others, and deflecting any question or concern about herself in favor of what is going on with you. letting you know that you're loved. prayed for. are one in a million.

but grandma - that is you. you truly are one in a million. you are loved. prayed for. a blessing to so many, but especially to me. love you.

while i haven't decided if i want to do an all out baking day, i think i may want to try my hand at these:

Sea Salt Caramels

• 1 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 can evaporated milk
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 cup light corn syrup
• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 Tbsp. coarse sea salt
• Oil or cooking spray

Directions

Active time: 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring sugar, evaporated milk, and heavy cream to a boil over medium heat. Add corn syrup and continue cooking until mixture reaches 230°.
Add butter and vanilla; continue cooking, stirring constantly, until caramel reaches 240°. Remove from heat, stir in salt, and carefully pour into a lightly oiled 9″ x 13″ baking dish (parchment paper in the bottom of the pan is helpful).
Let cool at least 1 hour. Invert onto a cutting board covered with waxed or parchment paper and cut into 1-inch pieces with a sharp, lightly oiled knife. Caramels can be wrapped in waxed or parchment paper or cellophane. (To serve candy-store style, wrap individual pieces in parchment paper and secure the ends with a simple twist.) Store airtight at cool room temperature (around 65°) or in the refrigerator; will keep up to 3 weeks.

a note i wrote to my tall, dark and handsome husband

***

you make my heart skip as much now as you did when:

• i saw your neon jacket in 1990
• we really started dating in 1994
• we got engaged at gooseberry in 2000
• i saw you at the front of the church in 2001
• we found out i was pregnant in 2006
• carter was born in 2007

can't wait to keep adding to the list that weaves the story of our lives.

ten things

ten things i can't live without (not including jamie or carter):

1. my bible. although i don't spend as much time as i want to sometimes, i read it every day. right now i'm in jeremiah.
2. coffee. there are days when i have to limit myself to 3 "cups"....not sure if it's the weather getting cooler or what.
3. stride gum - sometimes two pieces at once, please.
4. my phone. facebook, twitter, email, what's not to love?
   
5. my saucony running shoes.
6. tivo.
   
7. contoured foam memory pillow. jamie and i each had one, but we left mine at the hotel in schaumberg last year on vacation. i promptly commandeered his.
8. facebook. there, i said it.
9. gap jeans.
10. podcasts. they help make the commute tolerable.

mn state fair - labor day 2010

our annual trip to the state fair with my parents happens on labor day. it's been fun to see the things that interest carter each year...from just people watching to fascination with the animals; from the food (or lack thereof this year!) to the rides. it's just one more example of how being a parent is so much fun to see how he experiences things!

sometimes i am filled with so much love for my beloved son i can hardly stand it. then there are mornings like today.

we were going to target, to buy him a spiderman on a four-wheeler that he'd been eyeing since we'd first started potty training. well, he has been doing really well in the potty training department, and we wanted to encourage him. however, upon our arrival at target, after discussing how important it was that he put his listening ears on, apparently - in his words - "they fell off". so we promptly left target empty handed.

after carrying him back to the car, all the while whining and sometimes screaming, he decided he was going to be incredibly defiant and not get into his seat. now, i was about to lose my mind, so after a couple failed attempts at time outs i just climbed into the car and grabbed him and put him in his seat. i told him he was in a time out the whole drive home, and that when we got home he would have to do another 3 minute time out. well, we got home and he marched himself right in and right to the time out spot. when the timer went off, he gave me a great big hug and apologized. i was feeling much better about things, and it really did seem like he knew that he'd been naughty.

after helping jamie with some stuff he was doing with my car, i told jamie to get ready and take a little bit of a break. i'd take carter to the park. so we left for the park, and carter ran almost the entire way - a half mile. so...my lesson learned is: get the boy out for some exercise before going to target next time! hopefully that will help!

loving the beach!

$22 is an amazing steal to get all of us to the beach for a whole year. and though we've only been three times, we feel like we've already gotten our money's worth! the days have been perfect beach weather, too - nice to sit on the blanket near the water, but when it gets too warm then just saunter over to the super shallow water to wade for just a little bit!

these were from the 4th of july weekend:

just arriving, about 9:30 am

playing at the water table

fun in the water with daddy

we will definitely be back soon!