the package

i should begin by saying that if i ever tell you, "i'll mail it to you", i am probably going to end up disappointing you. i have a terrible track record with the post office. i can't quite put my finger on it, but it never goes well for me.


but on the flip side, in spite of the fact that it is terribly hypocritical, i LOVE receiving packages. last week, the girls and i discovered this giant unexpected box on the front porch.



both of my girl were in desperate need of spring coats. they have both outgrown their winter coats and neither had one to bridge the gap from winter to our never arriving chicago summer. the box contained 5... that's right, i said it... FIVE perfect coats.

these two are the favorites. they are reversible with fleece on one side and water resistant material on the other. perfect for rainy days! d is especially fond of hers because it is her first experience with a zipper. who knew that a zipper could bring such joy to a 15 month old??? every morning she spies her new digs on the coat rack and demands to have it put on her. a typical day as of late involves d running around with coat, diaper and shoes. and you can bet she's zipping up and down the whole time.

the box also contained some wonderful books by some of my favorite authors. buying books for me is always tricky because i have boxes and boxes of books in the basement from my various classrooms. somehow, this box contained titles that i don't have!!! they have quickly become our new favorites.

.
the next layer of goodies was of the stamping/card making/scrapbooking category. the girls and i have had so much fun stamping with letters and e is using them to learn to "write" words. she is making her momma proud! the girl is just moments from bursting onto the independent reading and writing scene

AND THEN, can you believe it, there was an entire pack of homemade personalized stationary! as a little girl, i used to make regular trips to the mall to spend my allowance on stickers at the local fluff-n-stuff. i have distinct memories of going with several different friends and being so jealous as they bought up all the stickers containing their names. they would plaster their moniker all over their bedrooms, school supplies lunch boxes etc. and me... while i was just jealous because not once did i find a sticker that said "tasha". because of this, getting these cards was extra special.

and some of them had the whole families names. they are beautiful.

the box was sent by my beautiful aunt sharon and while the popping peanuts are long gone, the smile still hasn't left my face. it was such an unexpected and special gift. and maybe, just maybe, it will propel me into a new phase with my own package sending. i started this week by sending my mom a card... baby steps, i know... but at least a small start towards paying it forward and rewriting my terribly track record.