Happy Birthday, Sugar Bear!!!

This adorable little princess turns 25 today!  I can't even believe it.

She was the most beautiful, alert and happy baby. She was so easy. 

She did have her little tantrums, but they were few and far between.

She still has her tantrums but only when she is tired, hungry or stressed.

Just like when she was a baby. 

She is the dearest thing in the world to me.

I always struggle to find the words to express how it feels to be her mother.

She is the absolute joy of my life.

 

So today, even though I can't be with her,

I have to let her know that I'm thinking of her always.  

This is a little game we've played since she was just a little girl,

but I never tire of it and I hope she doesn't either.  

Jessica, if they lined up all the 25 year old young women in the world and

told me to pick one for my daughter, do you know which one I would pick?

 

I'd pick one just a little taller than me with brown/blonde hair (it varies)

One who smiles with her whole face and can light up a room with that smile. 

One with the most gorgeous blue eyes imaginable. 

I'd pick one with a heart for animals. 

I'd pick one that only recognizes only two food groups... carbs and grapes. 

I'd pick a girl who always has time for her friends and who is deeply loyal. 

One who was so strong, who fights to move forward even when circumstances suck.

A girl who doesn't like sweets much.

I'd pick a girly-girl who loves a good pedicure, new haircut and a tiara on the right occasion. 

A young woman who almost finds it impossible to lie.  

Who never took a sneak peak at the Christmas presents no matter how tempting. 

I pick the one with an absolutely sharp and wicked sense of humor.  

A young girl with such a positive outlook on life,

who always has hope for a better day tomorrow.  

A young girl who is so clumsy, she can fall just walking across a room.  

A young lady who still loves to be tucked into a snuggly bed like a burrito. 

A girl I could depend on to set the clock on the microwave. 

A young lady who is so forgiving of a mother who can sometimes be a hot mess

and has taken off to the other side of the world. 

I'd pick a girl who is just as lovely on the inside as she is on the outside.

I would pick out the one girl how stole my heart 25 years ago today

and who shall forever be the center of my existence no matter how far apart we are.

I would pick you.  Every time. 

I love you, Child of Mine.  

Happy Birthday!!!!

xoxo

Mom

Hohe Domkirche St. Petrus

You can't talk about Cologne without mentioning the Dom.

This massive Gothic Cathedral rises above the city like a large, dark bird.

Via

Construction of the Catholic Cathedral began in 1248 and continued for about 250 years.

In the 1800's, it was finally finished to the original plan. 

Our hotel was right next door and we had fantastic views of the cathedral.

The city of Cologne was mostly destroyed during WWII

and the cathedral suffered many hits but managed to remain standing. 

 

It took my breath away every time I looked up at it

especially in the evening as the snow started swirling. 

It is a World Heritage Site, a place of pilgrimage and Germany's most visited landmark.

It seems wrong to let the tragedy in Connecticut pass without some comment.  

But, I just don't know what to say other that that my

prayers are with all of those affected. 

 

The death of a baby is like a stone cast into the stillness of a quiet pool;
the concentric ripples of despair sweep out in all directions,
affecting many, many people.
--De Frain, 1991 

xoxo

Selena

I Spy Friday featuring Dusseldorf

After a morning in Bonn, we boarded the train again for a quick trip to Dusseldorf.

The Dusseldorf markets we visited were a bit smaller than the ones in Bonn and Cologne. 

Dusseldorf is a financial center and quite fashionable.  

There were some very serious shopping opportunities on offer.  We might have to go back. 

We strolled for a bit, but after along day we really just wanted to sit, enjoy a good meal and conversation.
We found the perfect spot and settled in for a bit.

This was our first trip with friends and it was so much fun to have a big group to cut up with. 

We did get a few looks, but it's because we were all usually laughing and having a great time.

I can't wait to do it again!

So, thank you to Sarah, Stephen, Jill, Alyn, Craig, Erin and Matt
for making my first Christmas Market trip so much fun!!

 

 

London is in full on holiday celebration mode.

Talk about hustle and bustle, it's crazy!

But, so much fun.  Lights and decorations are everywhere.

Every restaurant is full of Christmas parties.

We are trying to squeeze in as much as possible.
It's just going by too fast.

Have a lovely weekend!!!

xoxo

Selena

By the way, to celebrate one year of blogging I've decided to invest in a proper blog designer.  If you have someone in mind, I'd love the recommendation.