They Didn't Have You Where I Come From

Today is a special day. Today, I, Rav, will choose the Sunday Morning Song of the Moment. But first, I have a few words to say (and if you know anything about me, then you know that I can never say just a few words). I try to show my appreciation for my lovely wife, the mother of my children, everyday. But I know that I often take her for granted. I don't always "get" what it takes for her to do what she does everyday, and still greet me with a smile when I walk in the door. We made the decision that it would be best for Tab to stay home with the kids, and not work. This was the best decision for our children. They get from her, what they would fail to get in a daycare. I am not knocking daycare, but nothing beats some good 'ole home grown mommy lovin'.
Prior to meeting Tab, I had a vague idea that I would like to get married some day and have children. Tab has discussed that we met at summer camp, so I won't go into that. But I recall that the first time I met her, what I wanted became crystal clear. I knew that I wanted to be with Tabitha. The first time we kissed, I had a clear picture in my head of us getting married. I knew, without a doubt that she was the one.
Once you get to know Tabitha, she is a lot of things, more than she may seem at first glance. Tab is sensitive and empathetic. She is kind and caring. She has a heart that is just so great. She sees things in a way that I wish I could. Everyday, I am thankful that we met and that I was able to convince her to date and then marry me. Not that she had much choice, after all, I did hit her over the head with a club and drag her to my cave.
Tab, I can never show you how thankful I am that you are here. I can never show you how much I love you. But I will spend the rest of my life trying.
To all of you mothers reading this I also have a few words to say on behalf of men. We will forget important dates. You will open that present and look into the box, and oh yes, it will be an iron. A nice iron, high tech and all that, but an iron none the less. We will smile, as you open that box, in anticipation. knowing that you really needed a new iron and quite pleased with ourselves that we found this totally awesome iron. Despite what may be in that box, an iron in my case, it was put there with love in our hearts and you in our minds. We do appreciate you for what you do and thank god that we decided you wanted to stay home instead of us, because we would have gone crazy long before now. We love you all.
Without (much) further ado, the Sunday Morning Song of the Moment today is a song by the Dixie Chicks called "Lullaby". This is a sweet song which is beautiful and has touching lyrics.
The video was made by someone and posted to youtube. It uses a lot of the same images over and over, so just sit back and listen, and watch if you want to.

What I Really Want

Mother's Day has always sort of bothered me. As do my birthdays. I have a hard time being celebrated in that way. Yet, I really do want to be celebrated. It's a long story as to why. But I think it's a genetic dispostion.

Mother's Day though, always seems to be this big build up. The likes of which seem, by design, to be a big let-down. When the calendar rolls around to that day, I half choke on it like this dry, lump of sand in my throat and accompanied by a looong, slow roll of the eyes. And yet....
The other half of me wants a day. A day that is a little sweeter than all of the rest. A day that isn't a big build up and isn't a big let down. Just a nice day.

A few weeks ago, Rav asked me what I wanted for Mother's Day. I told him nothing. Which, is pretty true. I mean hell, does he want to hear about the 2 week vacation I would like to take that we can't possibly afford right now? Because that's what I really want.
But seriously.
I have the little herb garden I wanted.
I have my music.
I have the iPod.
I have the computer.
I have, have, have.
For all that we think we don't sometimes.
Then, after a quick second I said to him, On second thought. You know what I would like to have?
I heard the chuckle and the brief catch of the breath coming from my Rav.
What's that? He asks.
I would like you to call T.L. (he is a coworker of Rav's who is also a photographer).
Ask him how much it would cost to do a family portrait. I've wanted one of the four of us for so long. I feel so bad we have a lot of really good portraits of you, me & Connor. That's what I want. A family portrait.
I hear and feel the relief wash over him. OK. Sure. We can do that.

Calls were made. A place was decided on. A date was set. And a more than fair price was handed to us for a full photo shoot.

So, this Saturday the family Ravioli will be heading to a beautiful park. A beautiful park that is tucked away in the hills (snicker, snicker. Because if you've ever travelled in DE, you know there aren't many) in the northern part of our state. The park that was to be the site for our wedding. But is still so special to us anyway. And in that park, we will attempt to have a portrait taken of our family.
I can't wait.
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In other news, I want to thank you all for your kind words in my last post. I took your advice and called the area manager. We had a bit of a heart-to-heart. She set me up with a store that will be a better fit to my situation.
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And not only that....my hopes are no longer dashed. As I am now heading to Chicago. For blogher. With the lovely, Deb. We both needed something. And I think this will be it. I can't wait.