Oh Grandma

I will NEVER forget to cherish:

 - your calmness

 - your love of life

 - your love for Papa

 - your love for your children and grandchildren

 - your forgiveness

 - your love of and for God

 - your belief in salvation

 - your kindness

 - your open heart and mind

 - your ability to accept...even the things you don't agree with

 - your beautiful voice.  i have to agree with Kendra - it's like a lullaby

 - christmas eve's singing carols while you and aunt mim played piano

 - playing canasta and dominos in your camper

 - you having us over for sleepovers

 - watching "golden girls" with you

 - you picking me up at school after i split my chin open in 1st grade.  you took care of me for hours.

 - spending afternoons at your house

 - your tapioca

 - your mac n cheese

 - your cottage cheese loaf

 - your love of friends

 - your prayer list

 - your commitment to the seventh day

 - your routine

 - the advent calendar you did

 - your positive words

 - your mom - she used to give us the best candy!

 - the son you molded into my dad

 - the uncle you gave me

 - the way you took care of papa

 - playing with the neighbors cats in miami.  you taught me "here kitty, kitty, kitty".

 - "tinkle, tinkle little star"

 - the fun times we had in west virginia

 - the scarves you used to wear with your hat to keep the mosquitos away

 - your "soup de-licious"!

 - the special blankets we had at your house

 - 5 little monkeys

 - the old lady with big ears that you measured on the stairs

 - your hugs

 - the way you have such a positive influence on so many people
 - your patience
 - the sound of you clearing your throat (family will agree).  i always loved the aahhmmm...
 - the prayer box you gave me at my baptism.  25 years later i still pull a card out and read one every day.
 - our walks to that park in miami
 - the beach we went to in palm city
 - the way i feel in your presence - safe and loved
 - the christmas decorations you gave to me last year.  my favorite is, and always has been, that little man that slowly falls down the chimney.  the huge pine cones you and papa found too.
 - your love for the outdoors
 - the little dance you do with kate
 - the way you shake your hips when your animated
 - the way you roll your eyes at dad and uncle jack
 - your organization
 - your stubbornness!
 - your ability to be so strong - even when life isn't kind
 - your belief that you are going to meet us all in Heaven

I'm sure I will add more, but for now I need to go play with Nick!  I love you Grandma!!

Day 2: What I Wore Today

Well I would love to post a current pic, but my camera isn't working.  The lens won't open or close....it's just kind of stuck.  I think the sand got the best of it.  While we were at the beach a little certain somebody "accidentally" dumped a bag of important things.  :)

Anyway, I can post a pic of what I am wearing - it's just wasn't taken today.  I'm wearing a t-shirt (from my sister - it's maternity...no, I'm not prego) and jeans from Target.  Oh, and this pic was taken one day before the camera incident.

Side note:  My hair is red/brown because I tried to do it myself and this was the only option after I FRIED it.  I can't wait to go back to a lighter color.

Day 1: Self Portrait

I'm not really fond of pictures of myself these days.  Maybe I should dig a little deeper into that and make some changes.  Heck, maybe this 30 day photo challenge (collinsincorona.blogspot.com) will encourage me.

Anyway, here I am.  A wife, a mom, playmate, breakfast-lunch-dinner maker, filler of the sippies, bubble blower, driveway chalker, swing pusher, basketball player, painter, butt-wiper, song singer (my poor kids), game player,  floor mopper, dish cleaner, bathroom picker-upper, laundry doer, lawn mower, weed wacker...and the list goes on.

...So you probably think I'm complaining?  No, I'm not.  I LOVE every.single.minute. that I spend with my kids.  It is trying at times and unfortunately they get the brunt of it.  But, they also get the best:  A mom that loves them SO much.  A mom that is always there for them.  A concrete foundation for them to build upon.

Well, here I go.  Day 1:  Self Portrait

Hands

"A wee bit of heaven drifted down from above, a handful of happiness, a heart full of love." I found this great quote here. My family surely brings me more than a handful of happiness. :) How better to capture the love of a family than with our handprints displayed as a work of art? It's kind of like a babies footprint...something you'll always look back and remember how precious they were.

Well, I can't take credit for this idea. I liked the tile idea, but hadn't thought about the handprints. Rob did. He's into woodworking now so he cut the wood, painted the tiles and we each took turns with the handprints. The kids especially liked this!

It turned out great and it added a lot of character to the room.

My Best Friend

We met in 5th grade. She was the newbie. She was cool and fun. We became instant friends. There is nothing that I wouldn't do for her. And, I know she would say the same about me. We usually talk a few times a week. Other times we go weeks without hearing each others voices. That's okay. We are connected...for life. :) Although I have two sisters; Jennifer was my "sister". We had school together. Took vacations together. (I remember our first vacation together we went to the beach and stayed up late eating Speckled Eggs...yumm. We also tried Nair...now that was a funny sight)! We shared crushes. We shared clothes. Even more, we had matching outfits for every day of the week. Haha...makes me laugh.

We've fallen apart and put each other back together. We've given and taken advice - good or bad, we always listen.

We had our first children together. We were each others' support. We were both miserable. Her more than me. She was on bed rest. I got to go to work. I often wished I would be put on bed rest! We talked about the pains, the nudges, and the awesomeness of pregnancy. Now, our children play together. Nick and Macey have become great buddies. They love each other.

It's Jennifer's birthday today. Happy birthday Jennifer! I love you forever and always.

Jennifer and I in our matching outfits. Awe...how cute!

Sorry girlie, I couldn't resist. I can't find the one with both of us dressed funky. Just you. Hope you get a good laugh!!!

The bride is Jennifer. I was her Maid-0f-Honor. Knowing now what I didn't know then makes me understand how horrible I was at the job. Sorry girl...I really had no idea.

At my bachelorette/bachelor party. It was a fun time!

I just thought she looked really super pretty here. This is her, myself, and my Uncle Jack. Two nights before wedding.

In Chicago. We had just driven 2 hours to get to my in-laws' house. We were half-way ready for my wedding.

She's always been really good with make-up. I've always needed help. Perfect!!

Happy birthday Jennifer!! I love you more than you'll ever know. I wish I could find more pics. Oh well, this will have to do.

Love you,

Heart

Halloweens Gone By

Karly's first Halloween: A ballerina.

Nick's third Halloween: A boxer.

Nick's second Halloween: Beagues the Beagle

Nick's first Halloween: A cutie.

Remember When...

Remember when I was young and so were you
and time stood still and love was all we knew
You were the first, so was I
We made love and then you cried
Remember when

Remember when we vowed the vows
and walked the walk
Gave our hearts, made the start, it was hard
We lived and learned, life threw curves
There was joy, there was hurt
Remember when

Remember when old ones died and new were born
And life was changed, disassembled, rearranged
We came together, fell apart
And broke each other's hearts
Remember when

Remember when the sound of little feet
was the music
We danced to week to week
Brought back the love, we found trust
Vowed we'd never give it up
Remember when

Remember when thirty seemed so old
Now lookn' back it's just a steppin' stone
To where we are,
Where we've been
Said we'd do it all again
Remember when
Remember when we said when we turned gray
When the children grow up and move away
We won't be sad, we'll be glad
For all the life we've had
And we'll remember when