{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}

Today’s {Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real} brought to you by the letter ‘B’.

{Pretty}

Unlike the parts of the country which are suffering from far too much snow, January and February have been unseasonably warm here in our neck of the woods. Our afternoon walks involve t-shirts and sunglasses and are accompanied by the sounds of birds singing in the trees and the scent of things growing. Speaking of which, these blossoms are lovely, are they not? I am somewhat saddened by the early blooming – the daffodils are already out! – because it can only mean trouble later in the year when we will be in desperate need of water, but still, I can’t help but enjoy the early spring.

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{Happy}

As I was scrolling through pictures and thinking of what to post, I realized there has been so much happy here this week! From a beautiful candlelit Valentine’s dinner:DCM_7823

to the bonding between this girl and her dad:DCM_7830 (2)

to the discovery of the letter B (she really figured this sound out just a few days ago, and it’s been all B all the time since then):

But the happiest thing of this week? After three weeks of a being sick and waking an average of 6-8 times every single night, Katelyn slept from 10 PM until 3 AM last night! Hurrah for better sleep! Don’t we look so well-rested?20150219_082123

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(You can see the ‘B’ again in that first photo)

{Funny}

My funny moment this week was captured by video and not by an image. Watching a child’s sense of humor develop is so much fun – just two weeks ago, Jonathan did this same thing with her, and then it just perplexed her. Baby laughs are the best.

{Real}

Jonathan and I did not grow up in traditions that observed Lent, nor are we currently a part of a faith community that does so. (Side note, I feel this lack; there’s much wisdom and beauty in the liturgical year, and I wish I were more knowledgeable about it and how to incorporate it into my life). I often want to take this time to focus and prepare for the celebration of Easter, but I almost always forget to think about what that might look like in a given year until, oh, 9 PM or so on Shrove Tuesday. This year I was a bit ahead of the game; on Tuesday morning, as Jonathan was leaving for work, I asked him, “Do you want to do anything to observe Lent this year?” He came home that evening with the idea of eliminating sweets, which is a fabulous idea except that he had some delicious dark chocolate cranberries and “the best dark chocolate bar” he’s ever had and I had some locally-made mint truffles – all a part of our Valentine’s day stash. Rather than gorging on it (and not really enjoying it) or letting it go to waste, we decided on a small compromise: we will eat this chocolate, but nothing more until after Easter. Which perhaps misses some of the spirit of Lent, or perhaps just means that next year we need to plan better so that, should we decide to forego sweets, the chocolate will be gone by Ash Wednesday. Bye bye, chocolate (sort of!).

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Those are my pretty, happy, funny and real moments for the week. How about you? Come on over to Like Mother, Like Daughter and join in the fun!

2 response to "{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}"

  1. By: Emily Posted: February 19, 2015

    Jenn, in our tradition, every Sunday is a “little Easter” and you can celebrate with the things you gave up. If you count the days, the 40 days of Lent don’t include Sundays. So save that chocolate for Sunday! 🙂

    • By: Jenn Posted: February 19, 2015

      Oh! I like it. I think I knew that at one point, but forgot. Excellent. Chocolate on Sunday it is.

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