". . . it's love that gives you the strength. It's being nice to people and having a lot of fun and laughing."

Yes, I am quoting Drew Barrymore. This picture is from Mother's Day before we went to church. I wasn't about to wake Ollie, but Zoey is always ready for the camera, just like me. It is not that I think I look amazing in every picture, as I clearly don't--it's that I love to be able to time travel back to moments like this.

Right now, my whole family is sleeping in preparation for the big night out. We are going to see Arthur. It is a live production at Artpark. Considering Matty was up until midnight working on deadline and his college class final, I even got him to take a nap for once. This way, hopefully, everyone will be up for the big event. It's actually funny. I love live events so much that I am excited. It's not Barenaked Ladies, or 311, or Tori Amos, but it is amazing in a different way. Vicariously, I suppose. Zoey gets so excited. She has been talking about this all week. I foster this passion and excitement very carefully. The ability to get excited about your life is what separates the happy people from the bored people.

My dad was the one who really taught me that lesson, by example. He always made things in to an adventure. It didn't really have to be a big deal--it could be a long walk, flying a kite, playing videogames, etc. It was always "the greatest nature walk of all time" or "seeing if we can beat the world record for the highest flying kite" or "the ultimate championship of Frogger." So, I pass this on to Zoey. Of course, it is easy to exploit this type of adventure seeking. My college boyfriend, Tim, convinced me to go on many crazy roadtrips by calling it an "adventure" or pointing out how we had to take advantage of our youth. Matty, also able to spot my weakness/strength a mile away, has explained that I don't actually need much "convincing" at all, just the appropriate co-conspirator.

Thus, when we have to do something we don't like or want to do, we always call on the fact that "We are Chandlers." When we make something small, like Arthur, in to the grand adventure of a lifetime, "We are Chandlers." I like this about us. Zoey has already developed this. When I was pregnant (and miserable) I frequently needed to get out of the house and do something, but I A) didn't have much to do B) didn't have money to do it with and C) wasn't in condition to do much of anything. Zoey and I developed the Target adventure. For $7.00 we got hot dogs, drinks, and each of us bouhgt something from the dollar aisle. We'd look around for an hour or so--contented for a little while to be on our Target adventure.

Zoey just padded down the stairs, Ollie is stirring. Time for our "amazing" dinner of dino nuggets, french fries, and mac and cheese for Zoey's grand adventure to see Arthur. I'm pretty psyched :)
Amber