January 27, 2012

the epitome of Hannah.

Menswear, I tell you what.  When you want to be comfy and not in sweatpants, this is where it’s at…
Boyfriend Chinos/ Scarf: Old Navy.  V-neck: The Loft. Oxfords: Target.  Cardigan: Aero.  Belt: Mr.’s  Fedora: Kohls.



And now a little story:

Everyday at 3 o’clock I walk four houses down to the corner of our neighborhood.  At 3:04 the bus pulls up and I wait, watching as the children start piling off until I can pick out the shoes of my oldest 2 littles hopping off the bottom step and onto the wet asphalt.  Then I watch them from across the road as they wait for the bus driver to hail them across the street.  I can usually tell by their faces what kind of day they had at school.



And today, Hannah’s face was all wrong.



I knew it the minute I looked at her, she had that look where you’ve been being brave all day and now you’re looking at mom, and that means it’s okay to cry.  (This still happens to me when I’ve had a bad day and my mom calls.)  By the time she reached me she was all but in tears.  She buried her face into my stomach and let out a delicate little sob.  “I lost my lunchbox today!” (hiccup)



“What happened to it?” I asked.



“I don’t know, I had it in the lunchbox bin and then when I went to get it out it was gone.”

(sad sad face.)



Side note: I’m a homemade lunch kind of mom, you know peanut butter and jelly and such.  Which is great because Miss Hannah, she’s a homemade lunch kind of girl.  She loathes buying lunch.  



“I had to buy lunch and there was no money on my lunch account and so the lunch lady had to give me a purple slip.” Apparently getting a purple slip is really embarrassing.

(home run on my part right there- note to self: always have back-up lunch money on the account in case lunch goes missing)



“But they let you buy lunch?” I ask, trying to make sure she had actually eaten.



“Uh huh.” (another hiccup)



We’re walking home now.



 “Well, what did you get?” (distraction is the key to calming irrational females at any age)



“Pasta.”



Oh good, this is a positive, Hannah looooves pasta.



“Pasta, huh?”



“Yeah, and it was disgusting.” (small wail, another hiccup)



Sometimes, it’s just hard to be seven.  



When we got inside I scooped her up onto my lap on the chair next to the fireplace, and talked to her about how all these silly things don’t matter.  That it wasn’t her fault or mine that her lunch went missing; sometimes these things just happen.  She didn’t have to be embarrassed, and yes, mom will pay for the lunch she ate.  Then I made her stick by me all afternoon, because somehow when you’re a little girl and you had a bad day at school all you need is time with mom.



Then this evening, I messed up dinner.

I don’t know what happened but I’m pretty sure that I added 1 and 3/4 cup of water to the mix when I was only supposed to add 3/4 of a cup.  That’s what I get for cooking and talking on the phone at the same time.  When I realized my error, I stood staring down at the mess and boy I really wanted to get frustrated.  I started shaking my head and said “Oh shoot.  I think I just ruined dinner.”



Hannah, standing next to me, looks up, smiles, shrugs and shakes her head a little, then says: 



“This life, it just happens that way sometimes.  I mean, I lost my lunch box today.”



All I could think was, “I do not deserve this child.”



Anything I give that little comes back tenfold, time and time again.





That is the epitome of Hannah.

 Photobucket

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44 comments

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44 Comments

  1. E Elezi wrote:

    I read this story in a glance, and you know what: I loved it! The way you write is unique and very warm. It`s the beginning of my working day (I live in Europe- Albania)and I can say that this was a really good way to start the day! Thanks Cori for sharing thins with us! I send you a lot of hugs!

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  2. Jacki wrote:

    Adorable story! What a sweetie.

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  3. Katie @ My Darling Days wrote:

    You’ve got a keeper :) Enjoyed this story, thanks for sharing!

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  4. Andi wrote:

    Precious story!

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  5. Sherry @ A Happy Valentine wrote:

    Sweet outfit, sweet story, sweet child. You live such a sweet life, Cori. I’m enjoying your blog so much.

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  6. projectdowhatyoulove wrote:

    Awww that was too sweet of a story! She is such a little cutie! Also LOVE the outfit!

    Natalie
    http://www.projectdowhatyoulove.wordpress.com

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  7. Essence Brown wrote:

    i hardly ever comment, but today’s post just warmed my heart!
    how sweet is your child!
    she is definitely a keeper!

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  8. Katie wrote:

    that is such a sweet story! I teach third grade and there have been a few times that a student gets all teary eyed when they realize they forgot their lunch and have to get a lunch “charge” I always try to be really sensitive and help because I would have been that child too! Except my daily lunch was bologna and cheese – Like it then, gross now. : )

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  9. modern Suburbanites wrote:

    such an adorable story!

    http://www.modernsuburbanites.blogspot.com

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  10. jessica dukes wrote:

    so so sweet. and i love her heart. :-)

    love,
    jessica

    p.s. i am a new follower too!
    http://www.morrisonlane.blogspot.com

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  11. Mara and Jae wrote:

    first off, i love that scarf with that sweater. it just works perfectly. and i love this story, your little hannah sounds like a real winner :)

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  12. EverydayMomStyle wrote:

    I really love reading your little reflections on daily life! Every parent has been through this- and hearing how you handled it, while also modeling an important lesson, is refreshing. You are a great mom and your kids are lucky to have such a patient ad kind mom!

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  13. Linz wrote:

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  14. lori wrote:

    so sweet… your little hannah is precious. and you are an outstanding mother.

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  15. Audra E Photography wrote:

    Can you send that Hannah to my house, please? I could use some of her wisdom most days lately. What a sweetheart.

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  16. Frannie Pantz wrote:

    This is the cutest story ever and totally makes me want to go and hug my kids because I can COMPLETELY relate to you. The picture of Hannah is the best.

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  17. MrsLord wrote:

    I loved this post!!! I have a two year old daughter and am so afraid that I won’t know how to handle bad days at school and such, but your post – scratch that – your blog helps me find the confidence I need as a parent! Thank you so much for sharing!!!
    Happy Friday :)
    xo
    thoughtsbyapetitebrunette.com

    PS – You/Your outfit looks amazing!

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  18. Cindy@Cinsarah wrote:

    What a cutie! Love this story! :)

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  19. Anonymous wrote:

    Have you ever thought about writing a book? You have such a way with words and telling your stories so that I feel like I was there with you. (especially when you are writing about your kids)

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  20. Jessica Gitler wrote:

    how sweet, what a amazing little girl you have and a wonderful outfit you are wearing too … love the comfort casual looks!
    jess
    http://www.jesscauseblog.blogspot.com

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  21. Katie wrote:

    i love hannah. seriously. I had a smile on my face the entire time…love that girl!

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  22. Audrey @ Putting Me Together wrote:

    I loveeee this post. Not gonna lie, it got me teary eyed. :)

    Audrey
    http://www.puttingmetogether.com

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  23. LeahJo wrote:

    this is such a beautiful post. It really struck a chord with me and brought tears to my eyes. My daughter is so close to me and this made me remember that I am who she will always find comfort in. Thank you for posting. You have a beautiful little girl.

    By the way – I chose your blog as my ‘blog crush’ over at Vintage Revivals. Although the name of the linky made me giggle, I find your blog as one of my all time faves. :)

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  24. makeupandpearls wrote:

    what a sweet little girl! she could teach us quite a few things… :)

    laurafornerphotography.blogspot.com

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  25. steffy wrote:

    I totally teared up at the end. What a wonderful post. Please continue to tell wonderful stories like this!!

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  26. Kara wrote:

    I enjoyed this – so cute – my 7 year old came off the bus, and had that same brave look – dug her face on my stomach and started to cry – I was reading your story like huh…same thing over here…not a lunch box lost but she forgot her doll on the bus – btw, I love your blog! :)

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  27. Whitney wrote:

    Very touching. I do not have a great relationship with my mother and I worry about my daughter and I having a close relationship. I pray that she will love and want her momma all the days of her life.

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  28. Aileen wrote:

    Awww what a sweet little girl. Thank you for sharing this little snippet of your life with us.

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  29. Merrick wrote:

    This story made me get a little choked up! Kids are seriously THE BEST.

    Merrick
    merricksart.blogspot.com

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  30. Along Abbey Road wrote:

    I think this is my very post yet. So inspirational, that little seven year old of yours. Thanks for sharing!

    ♥Abbey
    Along Abbey Road
    Sprightly So

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  31. Emma Frances wrote:

    This is just about the sweetest thing ever! I can’t wait to have a daughter someday! And you are a wonderful mother!!

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  32. Vivianne wrote:

    They do listen, even when you think they don’t – and little girls especially. My two and a half year old repeats my advice back to me, as well. And boy, some days I need it! Thank you for reminding all of us that even us mothers are fallible – but never to the point of failing :-)

    Vivianne @ littlepinkbookmarks.blogspot.com

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  33. Nina Patricia @ The Adventures of Nina Patricia wrote:

    Best story I’ve heard in a while. What a darling daughter you have. It made me feel that maybe, just maybe, I may be blessed with a little girl.

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  34. Carrie wrote:

    You and your daughter deserve each other – how wonderful that you can learn from and support each other with such love. :)
    BTW, I really enjoy your style, but my particular favorites are the menswear outfits as you wear them with such confidence, femininity and grace … :)

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  35. Hanna wrote:

    I ADORE every single little detail of this story! DARLING, DARLING little girl:)

    Posted 1.27.12 Reply
  36. The Small Fabric Of My Life wrote:

    Adorable post.

    Posted 1.28.12 Reply
  37. Kiersten M wrote:

    I am in tears because this is exactly how my little girl is but she is only 3, and I love her to pieces! Such a cute story, you are such a great momma!

    Posted 1.28.12 Reply
  38. LaynahRose wrote:

    Yes please! Can I have a girl like that someday?
    I love the way I feel when I wear menswear…

    Posted 1.28.12 Reply
  39. The Small Fabric Of My Life wrote:

    Please visit my blog to find out about the 2012 Capsule Wardrobe Challenge. I do hope you can join us.
    Jane

    Posted 1.29.12 Reply
  40. Emmy wrote:

    First of all, I love, love, love your outfit.
    And second of all, that’s such a nice story…we can all learn something from your little one ;)

    Posted 1.30.12 Reply
  41. Forever Young wrote:

    Pretty sure she is the sweetest cookie out there. I just can’t stand how much I love her:):):)

    Posted 1.30.12 Reply
  42. Lisa wrote:

    Your beautiful stories about your lovely littles never fail to bring a smile to my heart or tear to my eye. The blessings of life are neverending. Thanks for sharing yours with us.

    Posted 2.1.12 Reply
  43. Senja wrote:

    so adorable! :) thank you for sharing.

    Posted 2.3.12 Reply