I feel like my posts have been downers, and I apologize in advance for this one as well ending up that way.

I learned Saturday morning that a dear dear friend passed away unexpectedly Friday morning. She left behind two girls. She was a single mother. Their father is not a part of their lives. My friend's family lives in Italy. My heart is literally breaking for these girls. These girls that I still remember as babies. These girls that I spent many summer nights watching grow up. 

I am amazed by their strength and courage. I am amazed by the wonderful job my dear friend did raising them to be such strong beautiful people. To still want to help others while their world has literally just crashed to the ground. (I type this with a burning lump in my throat, and tears blurring my vision).  I cannot imagine their pain.

I am happy they have each other. I am happy my dear friend has many wonderful friends taking them in, giving them support, hugs, laughs. I am happy these girls know how much everyone adored, loved and respected their mother. They know my house, arms, and anything else I have is theirs without question.

I am sad they are visiting their mother's home country for the first time without her. I am sad that this trip that should be joyous is absolutely devastating. That they are burying their way to young mother, next to their grandfather.

I know my dear friend will be welcomed into heaven. That she is watching over us, hoping we are not sad, willing us to remember her enthusiasm for life. Watching everyone wrap her daughters in love.

My friend is(was) such a passionate, loving person. Her accented English always brought a smile to my face. She had so many trials and mountains put in her way and she joyously overcame each and everyone of them.

I pray that I leave such a lasting impression on people. That my legacy will affect even one person as hers has affected so many. 

Mi ricorderò sempre Cristiana! Sei una persona meravigliosa. Ora avete ali d'angelo!

I was working on a post last night of randomness and then I watched on the news and now I feel like my bits of randomness are so unimportant. This week has been crazy and the more I think about it the more I see that our lives are not guarenteed.

Imagine sitting at your dinner table, talking over your day with your loved ones, including your precious children, or putting those precious children to bed and then have an explosion take everything away in a blink of an eye. I cannot even wrap my head around it. While the Boston Marathon bombing was horrible and horrific - there is some crazy person or group responsible. This fertilizer plant - complete randomness. My first reaction, ANGER. Anger that these people had everything taken away, loved ones, homes, memories lost in a flash. My second, SADNESS. I am sad. I am sad for these families affected, I am sad for those affected in Boston. I am sad that our world is not full of love and peace.

I pray that those that survived will be able to come to peace with the events of last night. That tomorrow or the next day, there will be helpers and heros. That this community will see the goodness of mankind and be showered with love and support.

Today, tonight and through this weekend - I will hold my daughter tighter and longer. I will tell my husband how much I appreciate him and love him. I will pray that I get as many days, months and years to spend with my family as is needed for them to know they are loved and valued.

I will look into ways to realize my dreams (of being a stay at home momma) and ways to help all of those families that have been effected by both the Boston Marathon bombings and the Texas fertilizer plant explosion. 

I want no regrets if something should happen tomorrow.

"Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people living life in peace

You, you may say
I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will be as one"
- John Lennon

Tuesday Tidbits

How is it April 9 already??

How is it that my baby is 10.5 months old??

Or that I am in the midst of planning a FIRST birthday party??

Or that this child of mine is on the MOVE? Not walking but cruising and doing this weird crabwalk-scoot-crawl thing.

Life is busy, per the usual. But I would not give up one minute of it.

I will be back with some Pinterest birthday inspirations @b_wackyamzgrllfe

A condensed post of monthly pictures

Some other fun - house project posts

And some budgeting questions.

Also I need a blog designer. I want to spruce up my space (and I want to make this a .com site). I have seen some how-to's out there but honestly... Can someone just do it for me?? and I can learn the ropes later??

Have a blessed day! and just for kicks! How was THIS taken  ONE YEAR AGO?? Things sure change in a hurry~! (I noted that I do LOVE exclamation points! I'll work on this)