I actually forgot that I’d taken these photos until I discovered them on the computer this week. Such an awesome surprise!

On the day after Sophie’s first birthday party we tossed the balloon garland out into the yard and let the girls have fun.

Sophie wasn’t too interested. But Lily? She couldn’t get enough.

Here’s my new favorite photo of the girls. And my heart goes KABOOM.

This is my new favorite thing off the grill (right up there with those yummy 97% fat-free Hebrew’s National hot dogs, but that’s a post for another day).

Marc whipped up this amazing dijon-based marinade and let the chicken sit in it for hours. He can’t remember where he found the recipe, but this one comes close. It is so good you’ll want to soak you entire meal in it. Fact.

He grilled the summer squash and zucchini in foil pouches with some tomato, onion, Italian dressing and herbs. I’m not really a big fan of squash-y veggies, but they soaked up the other flavors so nicely and were seriously delicious. We finished the plates with a scoop of steamed brown rice and our favorite whole grain dinner rolls.

I’m so glad summer is almost here because that means more grilling. And more seasonal fruits and veggies. And most definitely more hot dogs (post coming soon).

What are your favorite grilled meals? I’m always on the hunt for new recipes!

Baby girl is into EVERYTHING. All the time.

I have to sprint to beat her to the bathroom so she won’t engage in one of her favorite pastimes: splashing around in the toilet water. We also have to gate off the dog bowls, our shoes and pretty much anything gross that we don’t want going into her little mouth.

And yesterday Marc said she actually scaled one level of the bookcase in our bedroom.

No wonder Lily announces “Here comes trouble!” whenever Sophie enters a room.

And then she looks at us like, “Who, me?”

Sneaky little biscuit.

Things I’ve learned this week:

My skin isn’t as thick as I’d hoped it would be by now, 36 years into this life.

I will do anything to protect my children and their rights. Of course I’ve always felt this way, but now it’s visceral.

Rainbow cake makes rainbow poop. You’re welcome.

Things I’ve known but that became even truer this week:

The profound depth of my gratitude for my parents. They raised me to have an open mind and a kind heart, and I will be forever grateful for that.

My sister kicks butt. And gives amazing pep talks.

Marc is a kind, kind man with a huge heart. I’m a lucky girl.

My love for my daughters is bigger than even I can wrap my brain around.

I can’t imagine not being their mother.

I’m so incredibly blessed.

I realized it halfway to work on Tuesday morning. Smack in the middle of one of the biggest intersections in town.

I forgot to vote.

Crap.

So I turned around and drove to my neighborhood polling site.

It was pretty empty. I scuttled past the campaigners, got my ballot and filled in the little circles next to my candidates of choice. But I was really there for the last item on the page. Amendment One.

I read it. Re-read it. Scribbled furiously in the circle next to “AGAINST” and triple-checked that I had done it correctly.

And then, about 12 hours later, it became abundantly clear that I was in the minority.

The thirty percent of our state’s citizens who turned out to vote on Tuesday passed a constitutional amendment that declares heterosexual marriage to be the ONLY legally recognized union in North Carolina.

As I watched my Facebook and Twitter feeds explode with anger and grief that night, I sat stunned. I’m still stunned.

I simply can’t believe that equality for all is still so out of reach.

Women receive less pay for equal work. Our county school system is under threat of segregation. And now gay and lesbian couples can’t get married here. On top of that, Amendment One harms ALL couples joined in domestic unions outside marriage AND their children.

It strips people of their rights.

How is this still possible? It’s 2012.

Will my generation ever see equality? Will my daughters’ generation witness it?

I never, ever discuss politics or controversial issues on the internet. And my blog is one of the most benign out there. On purpose. But my heart is so very heavy. And I’m afraid of what Amendment One means for the people I love and all the people I’ve never even met.

I believe that God loves us all and wants us to treat each other fairly, with equality and respect, regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender or creed.

I believe that my daughters deserve a future in which they will be granted equal rights, whether they choose to marry men or women or not marry at all.

I believe that my state made a mistake, and I am hopeful for change. I love North Carolina.

I believe that the government and the voters govern our state and our nation. Not the Bible.

I believe that religion is very personal and very diverse. And it transcends law and politics.

I believe in kindness and respect and helping your fellow human being.

I believe that love is love.

LOVE IS LOVE.