So Much Love To Go Around

Okay so I didn't post this the other day - but here are three birthdays I am wishing happy, healthy, fun filled years to!!!!



Cooper & his Momma Julie - Cooper entered the world at: June 21, 2008, at 5:52 am pacific time. He weighed in at 5 lbs, 7 oz, measuring 18 inches long. (according to Julie's blog-along with the picture of the two of them too - shameless steal yes :) ). From the looks of the pictures, his Daddy Bob is pretty happy too! Here's to you kid, and to your mommy (especially) and daddy who did so much to make sure you had the best chance on the outside that they could!!! (By the Way kid.. you also share your birthday with my niece so it's a pretty good day all the way around ;) )


Colten.... our little one year old (June 25th): I'm going to have to steal the picture from your Grammie of you eating your cake from last night! It's hard to believe you've been amazing us with your cute little smile for a year now! It's also amazing how you can be so darn cute and such a darn trouble maker all at one time! Now I'm just waiting for you to really start talking, (your next word needs to be Cole!!!) because I'm sure you will take the entertainment you provide already to a whole new level!!!!! I love ya little man!



And drum roll please..... after much anticipation, frustration and pain (on his momma's part):



HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMETT JOHN! Born this morning at 1230am, four weeks early and NO IMMEDIATE TRIP to the NICU!!! You, my little friend are truely a miracle. From the feet and the rump you were sticking into your momma's ribs to the sudden revolt at coming out to play, you are truely one loved little man! You have two brothers who are going to love you in their own "special" ways, and I for one, can't wait to see how the three of you gang up on your poor mom. ;) Happy Birthday Tiny! And I must say - you look like the fighter you have been :)

Mother of the Year - What a Crock

I read a blog post earlier this morning that has been weighing heavy on my heart. Granted I'm not *quite* a mom yet, but even so I am a little disheartened by my friends posts.

My disheartened feeling is not by what she felt in terms of the feelings she conveyed in her post, but more by the fact that women are programed to compare themselves to other women regardless of what the topic is. The way we dress, the choices we make, the careers we choose, the schools we put our children in, the way we dress our children or raise them, the list goes on and on. All of these things we are programed to compare what we feel is right to what is being hailed as the social "norm" in the media or by the so called professionals.

How are we supposed to compare our lives to that of someone like Angelina Jolie, J Lo or Madonna? All these women have a seemingly endless supply of money and resources at their disposal that most of us do not. Yet they are hailed as the "best mothers". June Cleaver even still holds stock in what a "Mother of the Year" should be - only now she also works a full time job. None of these so called role models are right for everyone - nor do they apply to what some people deal with, handling obstacles that they did not ask for but where handed when the cards where dealt. (And they may vent their frustrations - but they do not complain about the hand they where given in the sense that they wish it wasn't given to them because truth be told, they wouldn't change those obstacles or "something mores".)

My friend's blog post that prompted this one, was about being "No Mother of the Year". This woman has and is facing insurmountable odds yet she feels like a failure. As far as I can tell, she is anything but. She deals with putting the needs of her 3 children first - before her own and her husbands. And sometimes (more often than not at the moment) she has to choose which of her children's needs to but before the other 2. No mother likes to do things like this, nor do they take this challenge willingly. But they do what they need to do, to make sure that at that moment in their child's life they thrive. She has been giving everything she can, and then some, to make sure her children get everything they need to have the best possible life that SHE can provide. Yet she still feels like a failure.

Society condemns people who have a child with a special need, or a phrase I like better - "something more", if they choose to have more children because it is like they are trying to make up for a mistake. This couldn't be farther from the truth, they are attempting to provide that child with the same things that they were given as a child - a family. The complete family experience, including siblings.

My friend is by in no way a failure. She is a strong and courageous woman who takes things on the chin, and attempts to keep moving forward despite the weight of the crud being thrown her way. No one, not you - not me - not the so called "professionals" can say she is doing something wrong. She is standing up for her children doing everything she can, the best way that she can and she is giving ALL that she can (and more) for all 3 of her boys - because they mean the world to her. In my book - that so called "Mother of the Year" crap is just that. However if I had to pick one person to wear the crown - she would have worn it for the past eight years, and every year from here on out. I only hope that as a new mom - despite facing the unknown of motherhood that I can only follow her example of selflessness and dedicate everything to raising my kids the best way I can.

If you would like to read this wonderful, couragous woman's blog - I suggest reading the whole thing (it's been around a while) but you can find her here:Cheerio Confessions

Happy Father's Day!

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Happy Father's Day

To all the Dad's that have been there throughout the years for their kids, in every way imaginable I hope you have an AWESOME DAY!

And for the record: I know many Dad's who's kids don't just have 2 legs, but 4 also. These men are no less a Dad, and usually have a couple of "adopted" 2 legged kids too. And we wish them the best day of the year so far!

Our Happy Father's Day wishes go out to (beside everyone, but specifically): Grandpa S, Papa, Chris, JJ, "Laz", Ronnie, Rob, Bob, & Jason.

Memorial Day - Everyday

The reason for Memorial Day is to remember fallen while in Military service to their country, here in the US.

Personally, my opinion is that it is to remember any service member. Fallen or otherwise. The Fallen are in a better place - and the memories of who they where and what they accomplished is not anything that should be forgotten or tossed aside. Who better to remember those that fell then those who are left to tell their stories? The ones Who Remain Behind. How many times do we hear about veterans from ANY conflict that are left with survivors guilt because they did not bring everyone home? Or because they couldn't do something more for those they where trying to help? These men and women should not be remembered on separate days - Veterans Day and Memorial Day. Their stories intertwine. You can not tell one with out the other.

More so this year, but every year since my husband enlisted in the Navy, Memorial Day and Veteran's Day takes on a whole new meaning to me. Sure, I have family who proudly served their country in generations before where I stand. My Uncle was a POW in Korea - he was and is forever changed by his experiences that he had. However - he would not be here with out those that fell around him. I may not know those men but I remember them. And I thank them. My husband's squadron lost 3 sailors this year. At first we mourned them. Now we remember them. I thank them. I thank them for the courage they had to go fearlessly into the great unknown. I thank them for their abilities and the lives they touched where ever they went and those they worked with. My husband was touched in many ways - some good some a little horrifying at the time. But now he stands a better man, a stronger man, a stronger SAILOR because of what he learned from the men who fell around him.

Don't just remember The Fallen - Remember those Who Remain Behind. They all tell parts of the bigger story.

What I was Doing 8 Years Ago Today

7:30Am – Just waking up. Eating breakfast trying to figure out how we were going to do everything done that needed to be done.

8:00Am- Getting fussed at by my mom to get in the shower so my hair would be dry by the time Annette got to the house to do my hair and make up.

9:00Am- Last minute fitting for my dress that Nana was still sewing. (my family likes to take things to the edge ;) )

10:00Am- Helping my mom finish the enchiladas for the reception. Played on the floor a little with my cousin who was trying to pull a “mini-me” stunt from Austin Powers and eat my mom’s cat.

10:30am Sarah and June showed up… the real preparation started.

11:00am Hair and makeup began. Annette taking care of me, Papa taking care of Sarah’s hair.

12:00pm Last minute “try on” of my dress with my shoes.

12:30pm Loading everything into my Nana’s van and making a mad dash to The Ranch.

12:45pm I got dressed, the staged photos began of me and mom, and my Nana and what not. (Cousin Kathy tried to slip me a beer to “calm my nerves” but Nana rejected it – She came back w/ beer in a pepsi can. Gotta love Chris’ cousins!)

1:00pm-ish Everyone got lined up to walk down the isle with Cousin Kathy filling in as the coordinator sending people at the appropriate time.

1:10ish – I walked down the isle with my brother (and almost lost a shoe) and married the man who’s soon going to be a daddy!

1:45pm-ish The party started for everyone else while the wedding party sweltered outside in the heat getting pictures taken.

2:30pm The party continued with food, beverages and dancing. All in all it was a lovely outdoor wedding that was a relaxed enviroment where everyone had fun. (including the kids who where using the chairs from the ceremony to launch themselves into the creek - in their underwear! Gotta love country weddings :) )

Happy Anniversary

glitter-graphics.com

To my husband of 8 years....

My Mother's Day

Here is what my loving family - and extended family sent me:

From L to R: the yellow card is from Sox and Calvin as well as the Roses, the blue card is from my BFF Sarah , the pink card you can't see very well is from Ms. Jean - in it she included the lovely poem I posted earlier today, and the pool is from my loving husband. I had complained that I wanted a pool for our back yard because it's starting to get hot and yucky here and I am getting to the point where it's getting harder to go down to Jess' house to "borrow" her pool ;). The only issue will be keeping the boys out of it, ok well Calvin anyhow.

Mother's Day Poem

The wonderful Ms. Jean sent this in a Mother's Day Card to me, and yes I know I'm posting it a day late but better late then never right?!

A Mothers Day Prayer for Mothers

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray my sanity to keep.

For if someplace I cannont find,

I'm pretty sure I'll loose my mind.

I pray I find a little quiet,

far from the daily family riot.

May I lie back --- not have to think,

about what they're stuffing down the sink

or who they're with or where they're at,

or what they're doing to the cat.

I pray for time to be by myself,

(Did something just fall off the shelf?)

To cuddle in my nice soft bed,

(Oh no, another goldfish dead!)

Some silent moments for goodness sake

(Did I just hear a weindow break?)

And that I need not cook or clean,

(Well, heck, I've got a right to dream!!)

Yes, now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray my wits about me keep.

But as I look around I know,

I must have lost them long ago!!

I *heart* My Papa

My papa is very special to me. Aside from the fact he is my only living grandparent, I've always had a special connection to both him and my Nana (they are both my mom's parents). This could be attributed to the fact I'm the first grandchild on that side of the family.

He claims I got my artistic ablities from my Nana's side of the family, but I think I got some of it from him too. From what I've been able to tell, he's been pretty excited about me having a baby, even though he says he doesn't like them when they are little. (according to my mom, it took him 2weeks after I was born to pick me up, and then he never put me down!) He has been bugging me for the past month or so to "tell" him what I want him to get for the baby. So I told my mom what to tell him to get, and since he doesn't use the internet much for anything, and pays in cash mostly, he told me the other night on the phone he was going to send me a check. Okay, I thought no big deal.

*Side note* this kid is already making out better then my brothers or I did as a kid - Papa is one of those who finds "treasure" in other people's trash. We never knew WHAT we were getting for birthday or Christmas presents or where it was coming from. So the fact he's spending money on the baby already is surprising, although not completely unexpected ;)

Here is what Chris and I got in the mail yesterday - along with a check. It gives you a small insight into my Papa's sense of humor:





This is going to be one of those things that WILL go in Jr's scrapbook :)