This Weekend I . . .

April Fools day, one of my least favorite days of the entire year.

This girl is about as gullible as it gets.  So to make this day better, I decided to do a link up at Syndal's bloggy blog!

This Weekend I...

Enjoyed the last day of touring wineries on the wine trail we took part in.  We visited two wineries, did tours, and tasted a lot few wines.  

We really enjoy learning about wine and love drinking wine.  Plus it is fun to do something different and get out and about.  It was such a beautiful day, we enjoyed a glass outside at the one winery with this view.  I often do not appreciate the beauty of my state.

This weekend I...

Toured some of the Gettysburg Battles once we were done touring the wineries.  

We've done the entire tour before so we decided to stop at a few of our favorite locations and enjoy more of the beautiful weather.

First we stopped at Vito's favorite spot which is a giant tour that overlooks the Battlefields.  It has 10 flights of stairs and I must really love him for doing it.  Because here I am two days later and my calves still hurt every time I move.

Then we headed over to my favorite spot, Little Round Top, which is a big hill that overlooks a lot of the Battlefield.  It also had a ton of huge rocks for children (and Vito) to climb on. 

This Weekend I...

Watched the long awaited return of Doctor Who.

Then over the past few days since, have been theorizing with Vito and friends through tweets and emails and texts.

This show always leaves me with so many more questions than answers.

And I CAN NOT get enough of it!

This Weekend I... 

 

Had a busy day celebrating Easter

We enjoyed an uplifting church service with friends.

Celebrated how great is our God

Made delicious lemon bars that Vito's family devoured.

Spent lunch with my family and dinner at Vito's Grandparents.

We ate candy out of our Easter "Basket" (tupperware container) from my mommy.

 Took goofy pictures in bunny ears.

And received sweet notes from my Princess.  

Being an aunt is really the biggest blessing in my life.

My heart is bursting.

Overall, it was a busy and exhausting, but amazing weekend!

Now back to reality.

And how was your weekend?

"Oh Darling, Don't You Ever Grow Up, Just Stay This Little."

Title: Taylor Swift - "Never Grow Up"

Anyone who knows me/has ever really talked to me/has read my blog for awhile will know one very important fact about me.

My favorite thing in the entire world is being an aunt.  

I literally cannot think of anything on this earth I love more.

I take the title of "Aunt" very seriously and I truly believe the close relationship I have continued to share with my niece is proof.

As an aunt, I try to go out of my way to spend extra time with her.  You never know how long you have until hanging out with your aunt isn't cool anymore and isn't worth bragging about in school to all your friends.  I'd like to think this time will never come.  Then again, she once told me I could call her Pookie Princess for the rest of her life.  Even proudly announced to her Nana "MY Essa calls me her Pookie Princess and I love her!"

My heart swells.

Now? I am hushed if I threaten to call her it in public.

It has been awhile since we did something one-on-one so last week, I decided we needed some time out and about.  So last Wednesday I picked her up and we had a dinner and froyo date. Dinner at McD's for her choice because she wanted chicken nuggets and froyo as my choice because she had yet to experience it.  Needless to say, she thought it was the coolest thing ever.

While talking over dinner and froyo, because 9 year olds have a lot to say, we started discussing the future for her.
I asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up.
She proceeded to tell me, very seriously, about the three things she has narrowed it down to.

1. A Babysitter.

"Because I just really love kids and babies. But I don't want my own.  I just want to watch them and play with them."
She's clearly my niece, what can I say?

2. Work with Animals.

"I love animals so much.  I'd really love to help them.  But not operate on them so I couldn't be an animal doctor. So maybe I could just help train them or something?"

3. A Hairdresser.

"I love playing with hair.  And I have a fun time doing a girl's hair at the baby-sitter's."

I just love the thought process for contemplating her future.
My thoughts?
That girl can be anything she wants, as long as she is happy.

I feel like it was just yesterday that she was born.
Yet today she is conquering the 4th grade.

And tomorrow?
She'll be conquering the world; one puppy, baby, or hair cut at a time.
And I couldn't be more proud.

"I will never let you fall, I'll stand up with you forever I'll be there through it all"

Title: The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus: Your Guardian Angel

Today, six years ago, everything in my life changed. Six years ago at this very moment, I was playing the waiting game. Scared, nervous, anxious, excited. Who knew that on July 21st, 2003 the best thing that has ever been in my life would be born? Not me. Today is my niece's 6th birthday. 6 already? I can't believe it, it brings tears to my eyes thinking about it. This little girl won my heart over when things in my life were unstable and scary. She single handedly saved my life before she knew how to talk. I am lucky enough to have seen her grow from an infant into this little girl, heading for 1st grade, thinking she is 16.

When she was born, I was living with my sister that summer to escape some of my problems. If my mom would have let me, I would have moved in there, but she made me come home at the end of the summer, but in the last 2 months, I was there to help around the house with my niece. I was there giving midnight feedings, and rocking her to sleep. It might not have always been a glamourous job, but I wouldn't have traded it for anything.

The day she said "Sessa" was a wonderful day for me. Knowing she knew who I was, well that feelings is indescribable. Now, she still calls me Essa even though she can pronounce my whole name by this point. I secretly hope she always calls me Essa. Something about having a special name, it warms my heart. Nothing makes my day better than her hugs and kisses.

I almost moved once, far away to be with Vito. She was only 3 at the time and she didn't know. We went to Rita's one night and as I was carrying her, she put her arms around my neck and looked up at the sky and told me "Essa, if you ever go away, I'll go to the stars and find you." I didn't move away, I couldn't. Thinking that this little girl would miss me, knowing I'd be missing out on her growing up, it crushed me and I changed my plans for her.

I see her every week now, and if I don't I miss her like crazy. If Vito didn't absolutely adore her, I wouldn't be able to be with him. The moment he melted my heart was the day he sat in her room, with her in his arms, reading her a book. He put his head on top of hers and kissed her head. I cried.

6 years of memories, and so many more to go. I can not wait to see what is in store for her in her life. I'm so excited, but so sad. I feel like I blinked and she is grown. I do not look forward to the day when she doesn't think hanging out with her aunt is cool anymore, where she doesn't look forward to crawling up on my lap and snuggling with me, calling herself my cuddle bug.

Today I celebrate the life of the best thing in this world.

I love you MRD, more than you'll ever know.