You knew I wouldn't get away from lists for too long

Perfect Opportunities
Every now and then, the perfect job opportunity comes along. And sometimes that happens twice in the same season. It feels as though everything loves you and as though you've hit a career stride. So you silently compliment yourself on not stagnating, on reaching your potential, on constantly moving upward, even if the movement has been slow. You can be proud that you left your old job for something better and not because you were forced to resign. (You'd be amazed at how many people experience the latter--even if they never admit it.) And while even failure can yield some level of success, it's nice when it's just success that yields success.

What's in a name?
Well, a lot is in a name. Especially when you're choosing the name of your child. And when you have a writing background, that choice can be even more difficult because everything reminds you of something else. I've changed my mind at least one hundred times now.

Decision '08
Another big decision parents make is choosing Godparents for their child. If the parents believe in that sort of thing. We do. To me, it's asking two special people to be positive influences in a child's life, further leading them to goodness. You hope they will share a part of themselves that's truly important, shaping that young life toward brilliance. It's the parents' job to raise that child, and so they do all of those same things, but Godparents are usually happy and honored to simply add to it. For example, Cienna's Godmother, Mary Beth, is known for her literature collection and extensive reading list. So for every holiday, birthday, party of any kind, visit, etc., she always brings Cienna a book, with a beautiful, little note inside. And the books are always awesome books, too. Cienna has quite the collection going. Joe, Cienna's Godfather, is an eternal optimist. He always sends her these great toys when he can't make it back from L.A., or he brings them in hand. They're always fun toys, yet educational. For example, the big Fisher Price Zoo set that includes talking animals, music and ABC games. The cash register that lets her play store and also teaches her about money. The awesome puzzles. And of course a collector's edition Barbie toy that teaches her about ...um, preservation. Both Mary Beth and Joe have been amazing Godparents and amazing friends.

Ty has been lucky, also, to have such doting uncles who will undoubtedly teach him unbelievable things as he gets older. And with Justin as his Godfather, I can only imagine what those things will be! :-) As for his Godmother, it was just beautiful to see Jocelyn hold him for the first time and watch as her face changed from unsure to magical. Unsure-t0-magical is pretty much the story of that girl's life.

Ryan will be Godfather to this baby, and I know he will be awesome. So our choice lies in which amazing woman we will ask to be the Godmother. It really is an important choice. And we're making it carefully.

It would suck to have to change church records and wills, you know?!

Dresses
Who went shopping with her mother-in-law Saturday and found two dresses, both normally retailing at $119 each and marked down to $4.99? Me. My MIL bought them for me because they're not only beautiful, but they also expand with a growing belly--even though they are not maternity dresses. What a find! I'm still happy about the shopping adventure--during which she also bought something for the new baby!

4th of July
I really do love this week every year. "Pressing up in honor of our forefathers" and MB's love of it has made me love it even more. But I love seeing old friends and family, grilling food, making a dish and taking it to picnics or "pic-a-nics" if you're from Pittsburgh, and, of course, fireworks--especially when watched with children and from someone's arms.