Letter From Nana...

Letter written to Rissy from her Nana...

I feel so blessed that I could be in Texas for the birth of little Clarissa. She has now taken up residence in that part of my heart where I pray and worry and dream for my children and grandchildren. I have thought of her often these past couple of months and wish that I could once again hold her in my arms, rock her and whisper a blessing in her ear of all that I would hope for her. Like Fiona, Fauna and Merriweather, the matronly fairies in Sleeping Beauty, I wish I could wave my magic wand and bestow my deepest wishes upon her.

My Dear Clarissa Ann, my little Southern Belle, you were born into a long line of Southern ladies, women gracious, hospitable and strong in every way. Texas ladies who single handily ran cattle ranches and cared for the sick. And in your line of ancestors you have those who fought in the Alamo and preached self-reliance and hope after the Civil War. I hope that you will be strong of character and gentle of heart as you look to this wonderful heritage you have through all the different lineages.

 You were also born into a city of diversity. It is a melting pot of so many cultures, a city of art and science, a city that put men on the moon and is a mecca for art and theater. I hope that you will carry this tradition in your heart also and be open to all. Seek learning and wisdom. Embrace science and math. Surround yourself with art and literature.  Follow your mother’s example of seeing beauty and delight in the smallest flowers and in the most glorious sunsets. Glean from her those principles of art– balance, movement, color and composition that will help you to look at the world with wonder and amazement. From your father learn reasoning and science so that your life will be balanced and full.

 Take advantage of every opportunity you will have for travel, to explore, to circle the world and to share your experiences with others. Live broadly and deeply. Read broadly and deeply. Love broadly and deeply. Know how much you are loved and thought about, no matter where you may be living. Know that even a picture brings joy to a Nana’s heart. You were born into an age when the world is shrinking and we are connected with each other in so many different ways, always take advantage of these to stay in touch, both with those you love intimately and those whose lives you may cross paths with briefly.

Gather all of life in a loosely woven basket. Gather the moon and the stars and the sunrises. Gather the smell of pines and the fragrance of roses. Gather the sounds of rushing rivers and the songs of birds at the end of the day. Gather smiles and tears and love and laughter. Gather hugs and pain. Gather manna daily from the poets and philosophers; the thinkers and the musicians. Gather joy and sorrow. Fill your basket to overflowing and then share with others. Give of your meager loaves and fishes and then gather the abundance that will come back to you.

I bless you that you will always be yourself and never try to be someone else. Nurture your spirit and soul and learn of those gifts which only you possess and which only you can use to help heal this world. Dream big. Live fully and at times even recklessly. Take risks and be prudent. Climb mountains and swim in oceans and then sit quietly under the stars and ponder your place in this vast universe. Rejoice in the mystery of it all. Be satisfied with not knowing while always continuing to seek.

Most importantly, I bless you with a strong heart, a loving heart, a giving heart. Open your arms and life to all those around you. Notice the one who is not within your circle and bring them into it. I pray that you will be healthy and strong. I pray that you will have all you desire and need in this life. I pray that you will be safe and secure. Never forget how much you are loved and prayed for and thought of and how delighted we are that you are part of our family, welcome to our hearts, our sweet, precious Rissy.

Our little sleeping beauty.  Thanks for the beautiful letter Nana.  I know she will always treasure it.  And thank you to Grandma Gregory for the cute dress.  Love you both!   Jess

A Mele Kalikimaka 80 Degree Houston Day...

 Happy holidays from the land where palm trees sway.  Today we made snowmen out of sea foam and sandcastles instead of gingerbread houses.  Spending the day with our friends in the sun helped keep my mind off the fluffy white stuff falling in the mountains right now.  As the Cat in the Hat likes to say,  "The Arctic has snow. The beach has sand.  And each one is really a beautiful land..."

Christmas Tree Tea...

Our trip-treat from John's business trip was Parisian macaroons.  Since this is a delicacy we don't have everyday James, Rissy, and I made it an occasion with a tea party.

Meet James's new best friend, Max.  He came home with us from our last trip to Oklahoma.  Max was John's best friend when he was little.  It is amazing he has lasted all these years.

John wasn't the biggest fan of coming home to his son sipping make-believe tea.  But he is just going to have to live with it since I no longer have sisters near by to brunch with.

I attended the Women's Club auction again this year.  It went much smoother than last;)  Last year the theme was "We Are Wild About the Holidays."  This year the theme was "We Are Still Wild About the Holidays."  I love that these ladies love their animal print!  

This isn't the country club.  At least not ours...Here are some photos from John's last trip to Romania.  He will be traveling here lots in the coming months.  

 Interesting facts about the Bucharest Parliament building...

It is the world's second largest building (after The Pentagon).

It houses 1 million cubic meters of  marble brought in from nearby Transylvania.

Construction on it started the year I was born ('83) by an evil dictator who starved the Romanian people:(

Madonna recently had a concert on the balcony.

Since I am much more home bound these days with two small kids I've been craving seeing new architecture and design like crazy.  Thankfully I have a hubby who takes time to bring me little bits of his travels home.  I so appreciate the small things like snapshots of trendy hotel bathrooms or macaroons from the Paris airport.

I hope everyone has a nice weekend with lots of holiday parties and cheer!  Love you!  Jess

Miracle On 34th Street...

We walked out the door the other day and James exclaimed "present!"  Little did he know our neighbor's house was being fumigated for termites. We went outside to see "the world's biggest gift" ten times that day.  Then it disappeared as fast as it appeared.  Kind of like Frosty the Snowman.  I love that holiday magic showed up out our front door when we were too sick to leave the house.  Christmas with kids rocks my holiday socks.

The Daily Dish..

We are still drowning in diapers and DayQuil at our house.  But hope floats whenever I look at this gravy boat.  John's Mom, Aunt Claudia, and Grandma Nan all gave me these antique heirloom dishes over Thanksgiving.  Every time I see them I smile and remember that our illness will pass.  We will be eating Christmas dinner off these pretty plates in no time.   

And speaking of dishes, here is our sick little teacup.  James is our bull in a china closet.  He doesn't know his own strength and smothers her with kisses.  But besides that he is a perfect big brother.

When We Get "Fever" We Go See Beyonce...

Not really, but as far as baby doctors go, this is as close as you get.  Our Yale graduated pediatrician is an R and B singer on the side.  Pretty cool!  I wish I could say we saw her in concert this week instead because we have sick kids.  But, we've all been singing the blues since we've returned from Oklahoma.  It's been the hardest motherhood week for me to date!  It is so heart wrenching seeing Rissy so stuffy and sick.  And physically exhausting changing diapers, nursing all day and night, and taking care of a James while feeling like I could keel over.  How I've missed my mom this week!  But as Destiny's child would say,
I'm a survivor (What?) 
I'm goin'na make it (What?) 
I will survive (What?) 
Keep on survivin' (What?) 
At least that is what I've been singing to my self;)
I think we are over the worst of it.  I am itchin' to pick up my camera again and catch Rissy's big smile she keeps flashing despite being sick.
 Hallelujah it is Friday and John will be home from work for the weekend.
Wishing all our loved ones a happy, healthy, holiday season.
Love, Jess

One Delicious Day...

Rissy with her Great Grandmother Nan.

 Cousin table.

 John with his dad.

 My sweet sisters-in- law.

Post dinner walk around the lake.

 John and his brothers watching football.

Thanks to the Gregory's for being so giving to us.  We love you!  Jessica, John, James, and baby Rissy.