Well, technically, I have disappeared. But I have a good excuse. I'm working on a new big project that I'll be sharing with all of you in a week or two. I can't wait. It's exciting.

Last night, Emily and I met for dinner again. We talked until they took away our drinks, and started sweeping up around our table. (And I'm suspicious they even turned down the heat.) Then we escaped to the bathroom where we took more pictures and fussed with our cameras. I always wonder if Emily and I will ever run out of things to talk about. But every time we part, I have to restrain myself from picking up my cell phone during the drive home to tell her the "one more thing I forgot to tell you." This connection with Emily always instills the belief in me that this blogging community holds something special.

While this new project is consuming a lot of my time and brain energy, I was struck yesterday by the things in my life that ground me, and bring real life into perspective. It's usually small, simple, every day things.

Yesterday, it was sewing buttons on Dan's work pants--sitting in the comfortable chair in the corner of our bedroom, listening to Emma and Mary outside in the hallway, lying face to face, flat on their bellies, lost in their make-believe play.

It was walking into Elizabeth's room, to swoop a crying baby out of her crib and into my arms. Feeling her body sink into mine and relax, her cheek against mine.

These are the things that make my life sweet. That bring me back. That make my heart swell with thankfulness.

I hope you'll find that sweetness in your life today, as well.