4th of July

The Kids

 Dear Familia,

I had a wonderful 4th of July in AZ this year. We stayed at the Fort McDowell Radisson for fireworks and pool time on the 3rd and a movie marathon on the 4th. It was great.

Along with being proud to be an American, I am also proud to finally have accomplished one of the many things I either "pin" or "bookmark" to do sometime in the future. Tie Dye 4th of July shirts :) Miranda at one little minute did a fabulous DIY for this project and it turned out amazing...the kids even did most of the work!

If you check out her blog, also check out her "Project Repurpose". I originally found her blog because of this post and I promise that someday I will figure out how to do it! Probably need a sewing machine and any sort of sewing knowledge first though. Haha. Also, Lysh, for baby #2 I will make sure we get you set up for "Project Baby" :)

Love,
Jem

PS Next year, everyone should definitely come visit Zane and I in DC for the 4th. Come on, fireworks in our Nation's capital. What could beat that?

What is 4th of July without a star?

Cruize!

 Dear Familia,

I could not have planned my AZ trip better...I arrived late in the evening of the 26th and Lysh went into the hospital on the 28th. Cruize Nicholas Cordova was born June 28th at 2:02 pm. He was 8 lbs 9 oz and 20 & 3/4 inches long. He is so adorable and I love getting to hold this bundle of goodness in my arms.

Love,
Jem

Love and Loss

The last time I saw Kate

Steven and Courtney's Marriage Celebration

Dear Friends,


This poem was read at the Celebration of Life for my friend Kate in March 2011, again at the memorial hosted by her parents in Wyoming in July, and on countless other occasions. It also happened to be read at the wedding of my friend Steven who celebrated his marriage same day she passed away. On the anniversary of both, I thought I would share...

i carry your heart with me
(i carry it in my heart)
i am never without it
(anywhere i go, you go, my dear;
and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling)

i fear no fate
(for you are my fate, my sweet)
i want no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)

and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing, is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;
which grows higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

-- e.e. cummings

Love,
Jem