Dream Vacation

Dashing Boy and I are visiting our old abode this week. I asked Dashing Boy if it is a little stressful having me join him on the trip because instead of coming back to the hotel and resting after work, I have all sorts of social things and such lined up for us.

It is wonderful to have friendships that are still maintained and cared for even when distance becomes part of the equation.

And so I went with Belle's mom to pick her up from preschool today. And she ran out to greet us with the sweetest shy expression. She was shy with me for five minutes and then she was full of crazy energy all afternoon, so excited to talk and show me her life.

Goodness, if I feel this much love as a former nanny I can only imagine the amount of love I will feel as a mother!

It is exciting thinking of this as being our last trip before we have a baby! I get so happy thinking about it.

When we first found out we were pregnant I asked Dashing Boy if there were any big trips or things he wanted to do before our baby arrived. "No, not really at all," he said. I said the same thing back. We couldn't think of a dream vacation (hypothetically of course :)

Because mostly I think that dream vacation in our heads is time at home with our baby and families. And camping trips with our children, and some late night cuddles on the couch.

I am sure that it will evolve a bit, perhaps to a chocolate tour of Europe or something :) but for now I'm grateful to take a short little trip to Montana then head back home to our dream vacation.

Homemade Fancy, pt 2

HOMEMADE FANCY 2009!
presents: dollar store inspiration
These two little projects are semi-homemade and add a fun little spark to the room.

First: I wanted to add a touch of something to my living room centerpiece. I have a large, wonderful quilt hanging that my grandma made for me. So I decided what it needed was some garlands. These worked very well with this set up, but they could look fun and festive in many different places.

Here is what it looked like when I was finished:


For this project I simply purchased two white ball garlands from Joann's. They were on sale two for $5.99. Next, I went to the dollar store and found some lovely jingle bells: nine for $1.

The bells came with golden twine to tie them with. So I tied them on the garland.



Simple and festive. Total cost per garland $4. Not too shabby.


Next, well this project isn't really homemade at all but it's too fun. I was looking for a table centerpiece and I remembered that at Belle's house they had a large glass bowl in the center of their table and for every holiday Belle's mom would fill it with something fun. Fruits in the summer, tons of conversation hearts at Valentines day. Belle loved it.

I have a nice, large glass salad bowl that is used on rare, fancy occasions. So I filled it with ornaments from the dollar store.


I love all the different textures! Total cost: $4. Perhaps I will start a tradition of filling this bowl with different things too.

You Just Never Know.

When we moved to Montana a few years ago I was a bit lonely. Do you think I'll ever make friends? I'd ask my mom dramatically in phone calls.

I never would have guessed that soon I would make two of the best friends I've ever had.

They were unexpected friends.

One was 9-months-old and the other 60.

So on our last trip to Montana I was most excited to see this little girl:


and pay tribute to Lorna, who I could hear happily squealing in my head as I decorated her grave for autumn- her favorite time of year.

Adventures in Nannyland Day 2

Santa Claus: "Now what would you like for Christmas little girl?"
Belle: "A turkey! I would like a turkey!"


during planned trip to build-a-bear:
Jenny: "Belle, what would you like to make?! You could make a teddy bear, a monkey, a kitty cat, a moose, an elephant, a penguin, a turkey
Belle: "TURKEY! A turkey! I would like to make a turkey!"


Later on...
Jenny: "What do you really want for Christmas?"
Belle: "A turkey!"
Jenny: "You just got a turkey!"
Belle: "A real one Yenny."

Adventures in Nannyland

When I graduated from college and entered the workforce I never imagined my path would lead me to what was for the last year-and-a-half-- my dream job. nanny.

No, never saw that one coming.

I worked at a regional paper/magazine when I graduated but it didn't quite do it for me. So there I was living in smallish town Montana, with low job satisfaction, unfamiliar surroundings, and few established social outlets. I was a bit of a sad girl- just ask Dashing Boy.

Then finally one day I stopped, analyzed my situation and asked myself- What would make you happy? If you could be doing any job right now what would that be? What is it going to take to make you fall in love with this town?

The answer came easier than I expected.
I want to be with children. I want to be a nanny.

It was a powerful decision. One year. That's what I would do. I would be a nanny for one year and find happiness in my town and life and self.

I had no idea how true that would be.

I looked at that one year as being sort of a break from it all- I had worked hard in college, taking 18 credit hours every semester. I graduated in just 3 1/2 years. And I was burnt out.

I needed to simplify.

What better way to do that than to spend solid quality time with a 9-month-old? Everyday through Belle's eyes I saw beauty in the simplest of things. I got to be part of many of her greatest milestones- crawling, walking, talking, eating, singing.

The world is magical and beautiful- sometimes it just takes a little perspective to see that.

Being a nanny gave me perspective.

I learned and grew more in that year (and a half - I just couldn't resist) than I think I ever would have in any professional career.

This last week I got to be nanny again- well something like that. And in an Arizona airport I waited for two of my best friends to arrive. When I first saw Belle she looked at me a little confused but with knowing in her eyes. Then, suddenly, she threw herself into my arms and this busy, restless two-year-old laid her head on my shoulder and held on tight for a solid ten minutes.

I held on tight too-so happy. Happy for friendship and love and children and airplanes, and a small choice that changed my life.

oh, and I did fall in love love love with Montana.

Nanny takes a trip.

For the next 3 days! I can't wait! Check back soon for more simple life love!

Some time with Belle.

A much needed visit! I love this little girl!



First and foremost we took a trip to the zoo.



My cousin K. and her beautiful niece Zel joined us. It was Zel's first trip to the zoo! K. was a fabulous auntie and loved the bonding time!

and Belle was very responsible to make sure Zel was never left behind!


Later on, it was time for COOKIES!


And a visit to Cinderella park!


The perfect visit for a family-sick nanny!

Love is a many splendid thing

"The other nannies had warned me about this very moment, the moment when you'll be tempted to break the cardinal rule of nannydom. And yet...I simply couldn't resist. 'I love you'... Three little words made leaving this job 1,000 times harder." Excerpt taken from The Nanny Diaries.


My sweet little Belle, I love you. and I miss you. deeply.

I didn't realize a year and a half ago that you would become one of my best friends, a kindred spirit, so giving, vibrant and purely real. You mean so much to me and my heart aches without you.

I'm beginning to think about what job I want to pursue here. I say think because I can hardly face that it won't be with you. I'm a bit of an emotional disaster! You changed my life Belle. You changed how I feel about myself, family, career, and the course I want to take with my life.

So thank you Belle for loving me and giving me so much. I'm so proud of who you are and for all the glimpses you gave me of who you will become. You are a beautiful person with a beautiful soul and I am forever blessed for being your nanny. I love you!