a love story...

 ...that dates back thousands of years.

It has just recently become clear to me that I have known my husband far longer than I had previously thought.  I sincerely believe that this love is eternal and we have been together in this world many times before.  And as much as I want to tell you those ancient tales today, sadly I am not privy to their details...

So I will stick with this lifetime.

The above statement does play a role here.  This union is no accident.  First of all, we look just alike, in the eyes.  And I believe that was our first hint at true love.

This story begins in early adolescence.  A quick romance of long evening phone calls squashed by a move to the East.  Letters kept him close while I gained my footing so far away.  Many words exchanged at first and fewer as time went on. Eight years slowly went by...

Both of us still posses all the letters that were written. 

I came to visit the desert many times over those years and I called him every single one.  I never went with intentions to see him, but intuition played as a reminder and checking in was part of this plot.  His number had been branded into my brain from the gazillion preteen phone calls made during those first fateful months.

Then came the year.  Neither of us new it would be the year until it became quite clear that that was exactly what it was.  And had always been.  

It happened at a record store.  

A glance was all that was needed.  An evening visit.  We spoke of books and the world, under the Arizona sky.

He was accepted to The University of Jerusalem.  Received the letter that very day.  A major in classics with a passion for language, this was it for him.  But not really.  Because I came and reminded him that it was not.  

I was whimsical and spontaneous.  I was on my way to the pacific northwest.  I asked him to come along, the day after the night of the year....

"How do you know I should come along?" he asked.

"I don't know, but I promise to stay with you and I hope that you do." I said, not knowing that these words had always been written.

and he did. he came with me.

And then we grew and we grew and we grew. Sometimes seemingly apart, not knowing the roots were entwining the most during the hardest times.  And now it has been ten plus years and he is my best friend. my eternal soul mate.  my one true love.

and now were are living the happily ever after.

Learning.

I had to go away this past weekend on an unexpected trip.  It was not the first time that I left the Mister to care for our kidos, and I am quite certain it will not be the last.  And I am very confident in his abilities to entertain those two and be happy doing it.  

However...

The evening before my departure, he says to me... I know it is not important, but what will we do for dinner?   I shrugged my shoulders and said we would figure it out and quickly drifted asleep.   

In the morning I woke Gabi and told her I had to go.  She burst into tears, as usual, and asked me to stay.  And after she caught her breath she says what will we do for dinner?  I say I don't know, you guys will figure it out, don't worry.  We hug and kiss and she gets ready for school.  

I am now ready to go with my overnight bag and blanket in hand ready to make my exit.  Noah gets up last, as usual, and I tell him I have to go.  He doesn't blink before he asks me,What will we do for dinner?

Clearly there is a need here.

So last night Mr. Witt got his hands in the mashed potatoes!  He did great everyone!  And I look forward to watching him grow as a mediocre chef, hahahaha.  I have to maintain my leverage in the house somehow!  I really do enjoy being needed, but certainly I must take necessary measures to ensure my family does not starve when I am away...

Who's the cook in your house?

I believe that...

                                             I have never been one to have faith.                                                                                                                                                                            I see myself as a recovering atheist and view my husband as a recovering catholic.  It seems that I had an aversion to anything organized and anything religious, for a very long time.  This included school and sports, pep rallies and games.  If it was organized you could find me at the exit sign. My mister, though rebellious at times still found himself at baseball practice and Sunday services.  He begged me for years to attend those Sunday services in one fashion or another.  I begged him not to.  For a short time we agreed to disagree.  He took the children and I went to the gym.  A woman passed him a note once, to encouraged his path as a single father and was no doubt looking for a response **wink wink.  And that was the end of that.

ANYWAAAYS....

I have come a long way.  So has he.  We are now free to discuss our beliefs about this fantastic universe without constraint or confliction.  It is an amazing thing.  Together we have faith and for this I am truly grateful.

In the face of suffering I find myself resting in this feeling of faith.  Not in a blind way.  More in a hopeful way.  Hopeful for meaning, for peace, for compassion.

I know two things to be undoubtedly true,

life is extremely fragile and we are so much stronger than we know.

A note from the Mister...

So, I certainly send very few emails - and I certainly don't like to demagogue (sic) - and to be honest, I'm not even sure if I believe that politics, congress, petitions, etc are anything more than a kabuki theatre distraction to ensure the masses that they have some form of participation in shaping their own destiny - but - that being said - the wonderful Socialist Senator from the Great State of VT has put forth a petition that seeks to correct one of the most erroneous mistakes in the legal history of these great United States - so - would you please be so kind as to sign this and pass it on to all like-minded, conscious, empathetic, intuitive folks you interact with via electronic communication - and believe with me for one moment that we, the people, can actually enact some form of good through the virulent cesspool that is our political system? http://sanders.senate.gov/petition/?uid=f1c2660f-54b9-4193-86a4-ec2c39342c6c

Much Love.

To celebrate...

a New Year and Ten Years passing.

Once upon a time I married a boy.  Today he is the man of my dreams.  

How does one celebrate such an monumental occasion? 

Luckily there are lots of options when you share an anniversary with the last night of the year.  People tend to gather together with light hearts and warm spirits.  So we just get to fit our celebration right in.

But ten years is a big one and I had to really think about what I was up for.  Did I want to share this night with anyone besides my Mister?  How did I see this night ahead of me?  What were my expectations...

I decided what I wanted was a night of intention.

So... this is how it went down.

Favorite flowers from my favorite shop.  A beautiful winter bouquet made by a beautiful flower connoisseur. Upon the pick up of our exquisite arrangement, flowers are not our only treat.  Chris is so engaging that you feel like you should pull up a chair and stay for the day.  She wished us a Happy Anniversary and a wonderful New Year and it was so lovely to see her.

I was thrilled to be invited to a most engaging dinner with our close friends Chris and Corie.  The food was nothing short of amazing, for many of the ingredients come right there from their farm.  Chris is a pizza maker extraordinaire and we all got to partake in the making of our very own.  

The bakery oven kept us toasty and the conversation kept us lively.  I made up some 2011/2012 questions for the table and we spent our chewing moments getting to know a bit more about each other and the year we had/hope for...  It was lovely.  We were thrilled to see Henry and Samantha there with their parents as well as Max, a dear friend of Noah's whom we thought was a perfect addition.  Thank you friends, for sharing in this special night...

Then to make our night, well... awesome, we sent a drift some Chinese lanterns, making wishes and marking this night in history.  It was nothing short of perfect.

and then I received my gift...and it was just lovely.

Our present to each other is a beautiful life in Vermont.  No diamonds, no gifts, no overnight stays... just the life we have always wanted to live.

a ten spot...

A Date With The Nutcracker...

Gabrielle has been looking forward to seeing this show for quite some time now and I was glad to escort her.  For the last time I had the privilege of seeing this ballet was with my grandmother, in New York City, on Broadway... and it was so lovely.

So Gabi and I dressed for the occasion...

and the show was enchanting, really it was. And I think Gabi is as in love with it as I was growing up.  Perhaps she will dance in it next year, we will see...

and then Matt and I couldn't help but play with the camera and mirror...

Next on the holiday list...PACK!!!

Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being "in love" which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.  Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two. 

 Louis De Bernieres I read this HERE today, and my heart leaped a little, thank you for these words Mrs. Nielson.  I do not know you but I know the love you speak of.   This is us. Mr. Witt reached for my hand last night, under the covers, after a long evening of busy.  He said i love you in a most sincere and long lasting sort of way.  I basked in the forever(ness) in the air that surrounded as I drifted into dream land.
I love you too darling.
**linked up to free write HERE, no and cool ;-)

Today I am thankful for...

A husband who makes me laugh all the time.  

You will see in some of these radical photos that I try and keep up with his high jinx, but then I realize that I am no match for this face and the hilarity that it holds... it is better that I just smile.

Seriously though...

the funny faces you make, 

the ridiculous songs you sing,

the awesome dance moves you have,

the infectious laugh that you belt out,

it makes my life so much better.  i love you darling.  thank you for being insanely hilarious.  i love it.

For the love of one...

11/1/11

eleven days until 11/11/11

11 days until Montreal to see my dad to celebrate this great event.

 I do realize this number is quite popular when the love for numbers is concerned.  There is just something about the numero uno that is just straight up awesome.  I see this number, in variation, everywhere and all of the time.  On the clock, in  an address, and most importantly in an email wishing me a Happy Day on 1/11 and 11/11 every year, from my dad.  And it just so happens that this year we get a bonus day, 11/1/11!!!
So this is fun for lovers of One...
Add the last two digits of your birth year to the age you will turn in this glorious year and it will consistently equal 111 or a variation of...

Mr.) 79 + 32 = 111

Muah) 78 + 33 = 111

Small One) 02 + 9 = 11Small One 2) 04 + 7 = 11

I dedicate this day to you darling Mr.  For you will always be the only one for me...

Certified...

I am not sure how many of you know that my husband, Mr. Matthew Witt, has been working his tail off to become CCNA Certified... What that means, you would have to ask him.

All I know is that everything he puts his mind to he completes with fierce determination and the utmost integrity.

This test was NOT easy...
 

and after almost a year of intense classroom time, labs, and oh so many study sessions into the early morning hours...

He is done.

He is certified.

He has again, put himself into a completely foreign land and undoubtedly spanked it!

Well done darling, well done.

So, of course, we went out to celebrate!!

And, of all things, he bought me a gift... for putting up with all the cramming, all the lonely nights sitting silently next to him, all the eye rolls and words of encouragement ;-)

fyi ~ certifications are not for lovers...

I finally got my.... and I am super excited!

Then, of course, we indulged in our favorite food at our most favorite place....

CHEERS to you my studious one. 

job well done...

Getaway...

Due to the absence of certain small ones I decided the Mr. and I needed to celebrate...
each other.

and what does a young couple do, when they live in the country; to celebrate that is?  

They escape to the big city!

This is me, driving out of the village, biting my lip in pure excitement to see lady New York again...

The drive in is surprisingly easy.  Every last bit of traffic is headed the opposite direction than us country folk, skipping town to enjoy a more relaxing, less city weekend!

Now, I have been chattering about this weekend for a solid few months, ever since my city mom graciously offered her flat while she joined the others bum rushing the countryside.

She knew the importance I had placed on this very short window of opportunity, and well, she spoiled us!  Upon our arrival we were greeted with the most beautiful tray of thoughtfulness.

My most favorite crackers in the entire world, you think I am kidding but no, they are divine.  Paired with delicious cheese and spread, wine, and the most fantastic...

chocolate.  

Cheers!

The buck doesn't stop there, oh no.  In celebration of Mr. Witt and my ten years together my darling matriarch gave a gift to us that is so rare, so unheard of, so blissfully exciting, that we jumped out of our seats upon receiving! 

...a night on the town!!!!

One can only assume what happened next... I passed out from all the excitement and dreamed of city streets, decadent cuisine, and theatre performance...

First thing first.  Downtown.  Record shopping.  We scored a Shins and, of course, a Bright Eyes Album

We wanted Pink Floyd The Wall, but records are now lamely expensive and so we passed on the fifty dollar expenditure, this time.

thumbing thru these now antiquated musical discs was ... perfect for our afternoon.

The walking in downtown is tiresome and builds an appetite quickly.  I find it almost impossible to choose a place.  Each outside dining experience seems better than the last.  To settle for one leaves me wondering what might be around the next corner.  We were lead to pizza, quaint and organic of course...

 well, the two lovely glasses of white was thirst quenching.  however, it did try to lull me to sleep.  

Next time, wait 'til the 5 'o clock hour...

Despite the afternoon downtime we were quickly lifted by the awesomeness of Broadway!

This show was so fun.  I have seen a few shows in my day but haven't been back to broadway in many moons.  The talent was amazing, the jokes were hilarious, and the music... rocked!

It was a wonderful day and night.  I feel so fortunate to have such access to a truly vibrant city.

A very dear friend lives there as well, that is a story for tomorrow... to be continued. 

Leaving on a jet plane...

It has been a solid ten years, like a rock solid 10, that Mr. Witt and I have devoted to creating and rearing our two little tykes.  

A lot of blood, sweat and tears have gone into this all consuming extravaganza ...  

**a lot of love and dedication too.

I think I can count on one hand how many times Noah and Gabrielle have spent night(s) away from their doting parents; that was greater than or equal to 1 mile away from our home.

I mean, look at them.  You think I would give these guys up so easily??

But they are older now.  The adventure of life awaits them.  And they have left, with grams and papa, for twenty-five whole days...

This leaves me with two emotions:

Ecstatic 

and...

terrified, alone, totally freaked out, sad, anxious, and... a little lost.

**cue the laughter as I realize having time for yourself is not all it is cracked up to be!

Day 1:  Barely notice the absence due to seeing them in the AM before sending them on that Jet Plane. Then coming home to a neglected house that need a good scrubbing.  Cue the tunes and an iced coffee, i have work to do!

Day 2: Feeling excited for that time alone I have been searching for since year 2002.  Plus, b/c Mr. Matt is studying for a big exam,  I went to Brianne's, cuddled a Bea, did some sewing, and got in some girl time. 

Day 3: Holy hell, what have I done?

Just kidding, kinda.

I am really looking forward to this time of seperation for one reason and one reason only...

Time with this guy!

This guy and me, well we haven't lived together, without smaller ones, in a very long time.

Best part so far...

The giggling on the first evening at the dead silence.

I am super excited for the kids to be in the state they were born, with their Grams and their Papa.  I hope for them...

time in the swimming pool with watermelon breaks

sun tanned skin

 a warm exit from a cold store

late mornings in a dark air conditioned house, watching cartoons

a monsoon storm

a breeze carrying the sweet smell of  creosote

and a trip to Shogun, the most delicious Japanese food

I am super excited for the Mr. and Me to be in the state that we love, together.  

I hope for us...

a spontaneous night out for a glass of wine and dinner on a week night

a walk by the lake holding hands and getting ice cream

a bike ride down harbor road in the evening hours

to see one live band, at least just one

to hike in the beautiful green mountains

to take a trip, just a mini one

to be in love.

updates to follow...