Happy Birthday to our crazy, I'm so grown up now that I'm three, go down the tall slide, spin on the merry-go-round girl!
Monday, September 25, 2006
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Faithfully,.........
.....loves her husband. To her love is more than a word or something spoken, it was her last look into my eyes before I stepped on the plane. As I stared she said without words, "My love is unconditional". It was her hand holding mine before we parted, a touch that was more powerful than the winds of "Katrina", a touch that said I am in love with this family of four. It's her soft voice on the phone that brightens my darkest days, it calms my deepest fears and soothes my aching heart.
The word "Weak" doesn't apply to this woman. She seamlessly runs this family with dedication, power and devotion; even when she is at her lowest point, the rest of the world would quit.....she keeps going. As a Navy wife she has been a pillar of strength for this family. After two children she is more beautiful today than ever before and tomorrow she will be more beautiful than today. This amazing woman packed and sold our home and relocated in Michigan all practically on her own; better yet, she then followed her dreams enrolled herself in school, again, and is on her way to being a portrait photographer of unimagineable talent and is already the best in the family.
Some might ask, "How did you get so lucky", well I ask myself the same question, so I am sorry I can't answer that. But I will ask all of you what your defintion of "Forever" is, because for me its not a unit of time, but a measurement of my love for my wife.
When you and the one you love can look at each other and say I have found my soulmate......Thats "Love", Faithfully.
The word "Weak" doesn't apply to this woman. She seamlessly runs this family with dedication, power and devotion; even when she is at her lowest point, the rest of the world would quit.....she keeps going. As a Navy wife she has been a pillar of strength for this family. After two children she is more beautiful today than ever before and tomorrow she will be more beautiful than today. This amazing woman packed and sold our home and relocated in Michigan all practically on her own; better yet, she then followed her dreams enrolled herself in school, again, and is on her way to being a portrait photographer of unimagineable talent and is already the best in the family.
Some might ask, "How did you get so lucky", well I ask myself the same question, so I am sorry I can't answer that. But I will ask all of you what your defintion of "Forever" is, because for me its not a unit of time, but a measurement of my love for my wife.
When you and the one you love can look at each other and say I have found my soulmate......Thats "Love", Faithfully.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Grey's
Tonight was the first night of Grey's Anatomy. If you are anything like me, you have been counting down the days all summer until tonight. There is something powerful about this show, powerful enough to move you. It makes you feellike being a better person, it makes you question your life and the way you live it, it makes you love what you have and work hard to get what you don't. It's just a great show. If you haven't watched it, try and you'll see.
So tonight the show started off with a silent bang, one of my favorite Dixie Chicks songs. If you know it, you heard it, if you don't, you didn't. But it's an amazing lullaby that they wrote for their kids, and I just happen to sing it to mine all the time:)
At the end of last season Denny died. It was emotional yes, but tonight- for me- was way more emotional. Sometimes somethings bring you right back to a certain situation. For me tonight it was back to the day my brother died and the first time I saw him for the last time. (it's about to get pretty deep and pretty mushy, so stop reading if you're not into it).
Anyway, when Dr. Bailey was sitting in the waiting room waiting to identify Denny's body it brought me right back to Chelsea hospital, June 17th, 2001. There is something about that breathless feeling of seeing a body and the anticipation of knowing that picture will be stuck in your mind forever. The breathless silence that sticks with you. If you don't know what I'm talking about, lucky you. If you do, God bless you too!
"A split second changes your life and before you know it, you're someone else." and it's true. When he died I instantly became someone else. Not by my own doing, it just sort of happened. I instantly grew up. I instantly felt the weight of the world on my shoulders. Being his only sister, I'm all they had. Everyone else that is. I felt like I couldn't be carefree anymore, because God forbid I died right after my brother. God forbid I fail at something and let anyone down. Granted this feeling only lasted a little while, but still it was there. My bottom dropped out and I felt like I had to be the strong one.
Like izzy said tonight, "I was happy to play any part if it would make everyone feel more comfortable." So I did. I played the strong, solid sister; though not invincible. And it helped me to get through the shittiest part of my life.
Anyway, nuff of the sappy stuff. I just wanted to tell you how much I LOVE LOve Love this show! I am thrilled it's back and look out Thursday nights here I come. I'm sure I'll have more sappy blogs to post next week;)
So tonight the show started off with a silent bang, one of my favorite Dixie Chicks songs. If you know it, you heard it, if you don't, you didn't. But it's an amazing lullaby that they wrote for their kids, and I just happen to sing it to mine all the time:)
At the end of last season Denny died. It was emotional yes, but tonight- for me- was way more emotional. Sometimes somethings bring you right back to a certain situation. For me tonight it was back to the day my brother died and the first time I saw him for the last time. (it's about to get pretty deep and pretty mushy, so stop reading if you're not into it).
Anyway, when Dr. Bailey was sitting in the waiting room waiting to identify Denny's body it brought me right back to Chelsea hospital, June 17th, 2001. There is something about that breathless feeling of seeing a body and the anticipation of knowing that picture will be stuck in your mind forever. The breathless silence that sticks with you. If you don't know what I'm talking about, lucky you. If you do, God bless you too!
"A split second changes your life and before you know it, you're someone else." and it's true. When he died I instantly became someone else. Not by my own doing, it just sort of happened. I instantly grew up. I instantly felt the weight of the world on my shoulders. Being his only sister, I'm all they had. Everyone else that is. I felt like I couldn't be carefree anymore, because God forbid I died right after my brother. God forbid I fail at something and let anyone down. Granted this feeling only lasted a little while, but still it was there. My bottom dropped out and I felt like I had to be the strong one.
Like izzy said tonight, "I was happy to play any part if it would make everyone feel more comfortable." So I did. I played the strong, solid sister; though not invincible. And it helped me to get through the shittiest part of my life.
Anyway, nuff of the sappy stuff. I just wanted to tell you how much I LOVE LOve Love this show! I am thrilled it's back and look out Thursday nights here I come. I'm sure I'll have more sappy blogs to post next week;)
Monday, September 18, 2006
our weekend fun
Here's a few pictures of our calm weekend. We enjoyed a nice trip to the playground and our usual mill pond. Olivia made a new little furry friend too.
(Sorry the pictures are fuzzy, we were using my mom's little camera and it's got a foggy lens or something:)
(Sorry the pictures are fuzzy, we were using my mom's little camera and it's got a foggy lens or something:)
Sunday, September 17, 2006
So in love
I just got off the phone with my husband, after talking for an hour. And it's so refreshing. I know it's very hard for most of you to understand how being so far apart can sometimes enhance a relationship. Yes, absence makes the heart grow fonder, but absence also makes the heart grow stronger! Jeff and I have an amazing love, one that can cross any border. I don't know anyone who has been through what we've been through, what we are going through. You may think you understand, but chances are you don't, not at least fully. And I don't really expect you to...
We've come to realize how much most people take for granted. From the simple things like morning coffee, to eating dinner together around a table. Some couples naturally fall into routines and forget about what really counts, each other. I've seen so many couples take dives because they were so tied up with everything and everyone else that they forgot about each other.
Well with Jeff across the world, we have nothing but each other and a whole lot of dreams. I've never met anyone who understood me so completely and so deeply than Jeff. Having the luxury of phone conversation we are able to devote solid one on one time only to each other. Hours a day. Yes, this may seem strange to you, given where he is, but they've got it good (if you can really call anything there good).
We were so thoroughly spoiled living in Louisiana. We had each other and only each other. Yes, we missed the rest of our family like crazy, but we were delighted to only have ourselves to focus on. We were able to build a solid foundation that will stand the test of time.
Yes he's in the military. Yes he's gone a lot. Yes it sucks and you can't understand unless you've lived it and you were lucky enough to have one of the good guys, one that devoted his whole life to his family. So please, don't feel sorry for me. We're doing fine. We're better than ever. Because we have a huge gold pot sitting at the end of the rainbow growing each and every day....Just waiting for the day that we can watch it explode!
We've come to realize how much most people take for granted. From the simple things like morning coffee, to eating dinner together around a table. Some couples naturally fall into routines and forget about what really counts, each other. I've seen so many couples take dives because they were so tied up with everything and everyone else that they forgot about each other.
Well with Jeff across the world, we have nothing but each other and a whole lot of dreams. I've never met anyone who understood me so completely and so deeply than Jeff. Having the luxury of phone conversation we are able to devote solid one on one time only to each other. Hours a day. Yes, this may seem strange to you, given where he is, but they've got it good (if you can really call anything there good).
We were so thoroughly spoiled living in Louisiana. We had each other and only each other. Yes, we missed the rest of our family like crazy, but we were delighted to only have ourselves to focus on. We were able to build a solid foundation that will stand the test of time.
Yes he's in the military. Yes he's gone a lot. Yes it sucks and you can't understand unless you've lived it and you were lucky enough to have one of the good guys, one that devoted his whole life to his family. So please, don't feel sorry for me. We're doing fine. We're better than ever. Because we have a huge gold pot sitting at the end of the rainbow growing each and every day....Just waiting for the day that we can watch it explode!
Friday, September 15, 2006
A Proud Momma!
My conversation with Olivia's four Montessori teachers this afternoon when I picked her up,
"Olivia is so adorable!"
"She is the sweetest thing we've ever seen!"
"Thank you, she is quite the little miss," I say.
"When is her birthday?"
"It's at the end of the month," I say.
"Oh wow, we can't believe she's not three yet...She's so mature for her age, we thought she was almost four- she talks and acts like it!!"
"She's such a pleasure to have in class. She loves her little friends, she's so independent, and listens very well."
Flattered I say, "Thank you so much for the sweet comments." And walk away with my jaw dropped.
My little baby is the teacher's pet! Listens very well, um could someone please help her carry that over at home instead of walking all over her mother;) Honestly, she adores them as well. She loves school and took no time to adjust and make friends. She's so grown up for her little two year old status, I myself have to stop sometimes and remember that she's not six, she's two!
And I love her so much I just can't stop squeezing her every chance I get!
"Olivia is so adorable!"
"She is the sweetest thing we've ever seen!"
"Thank you, she is quite the little miss," I say.
"When is her birthday?"
"It's at the end of the month," I say.
"Oh wow, we can't believe she's not three yet...She's so mature for her age, we thought she was almost four- she talks and acts like it!!"
"She's such a pleasure to have in class. She loves her little friends, she's so independent, and listens very well."
Flattered I say, "Thank you so much for the sweet comments." And walk away with my jaw dropped.
My little baby is the teacher's pet! Listens very well, um could someone please help her carry that over at home instead of walking all over her mother;) Honestly, she adores them as well. She loves school and took no time to adjust and make friends. She's so grown up for her little two year old status, I myself have to stop sometimes and remember that she's not six, she's two!
And I love her so much I just can't stop squeezing her every chance I get!
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Sunday, September 10, 2006
My little girl,
Today we went to try on dresses with Brynn. Olivia will be in her wedding in 34 days;) And we finally were able to get together and have a little fun. Here is two pictures of Olivia in dresses, not any that we bought, but still cute. She looked like a mini bride, I have to say I did get a little choked up when I saw her dancing around the same way I did when I tried on my dress. So, So cute!
Saturday, September 09, 2006
A Great Weekend!
Thank you to everyone who turned out for Deagan's first birthday party. We had a wonderful time. It's nice to be back in Michigan and able to share these events with all of our friends and family (now if we could just get the military to let Jeff go). Deagan had fun running around and stealing all of your smiles. We enjoyed every minute of our vacation at the lake house. I love being in pajamas, and we got to loaf around all weekend. I hope you enjoy all of the pictures. We took over 200 pictures, here are just a few. Much love to everyone!!!!!
Thanks Again!
Thanks Again!
An unforgettable First Year!!!!!
One year ago we thought our world was turned upside down and would never be the same, boy were we right! We had evacuated our home and were staying at a complete stranger's house about to have a baby. I packed a car seat and a small bag of clothes for him...just in case we were unable to return home. All the while I was thinking that we'd be gone max three days...yeah right!!!! Hurricane Katrina came and wiped out everything. We wouldn't know for days exactly how bad it was. I scrambled to find a doctor in the area. Thank heaven for Linda and Dean, and Angie and Ryan! They took us in and made us feel like family. Thankfully, my parents and Jeff's parents were able to drive down and be with us too. Three days after the storm, Deagan came. It was a schedule C-section with a wonderful doctor I'd met just two days before. The nurses were FABULOUS and showered me with gifts. The hospital was nicer than the one we had back home. Deagan was huge and healthy, for a few days. Then our first round of sickness came. He popped a high fever and was given a spinal tap and full blood panel. Of course they found nothing wrong with him, but gave him his first antibiotics. The first of many! Monday came and jeff left with the dads to go check on our house in Slidell. The moms and I brought Deagan home to Linda and Dean's house. Never in my life did I suspect that I would have to bring my newborn baby home to someone else's house. You spend nine months planning for your new little one, building a nursery with all of your favorite things. Never thinking that things might not go that way. Of course the moms and Angie made everything as good as they could for me, setting up a studio room for us and acquiring all of the baby things that we needed. I'll never forget the teamwork effort it took to bring this little man into the world.
Soon we learned that our house and our town were not fit to bring children home to and we would be moving to Michigan. Jeff would have to remain behind to work. His bosses let him take enough time off to move us up north into his parent's house, but then he had to go home. So there we are, again, not in our own home. Paulla and Ron were more than generous! They took us in with open arms and created special memories that none of us will forget.
Christmas came and we were able to move home to Slidell, finally. The new year and a new beginning. The day we left for home, Deagan spiked another fever and had breathing trouble. We rushed him to the ER in Traverse City. Double ear infections and bronchitis. The first of many. He never was an easy guy, always difficult and frequently sick.
Life was good. Life was great for the next seven months. Deagan and Olivia grew closer and closer as they got bigger. We enjoyed many long weekends in our PJs just loafing around the house. A few hospital trips. First words. First steps. First teeth. His first real home.
Deagan is oh so different from Olivia. He is his own person in every right. He is in a word, CRAZY. He is the happiest little guy in the world. He has lived in four houses in one year, yet now he's super portable. He loves going places, he loves meeting people. He is a man's boy. He loves guys, he'll walk into a room of women and find the one guy in the room to latch onto. He adores his daddy. He's also the definition of a boy. He's rough and tough, he tumbles and gets up to do it again. He climbs on everything. He loves his puppy, and shares everything he can with him. He adores his big sister, but will wack her back to stick up for himself. He takes what he wants and fights to get it. He loves wheels and his favorite word is "GO!" He's always on the move. Olivia was so calm and quiet, deagan is the opposite. He loves to eat and will try anything, a fav being straight lemons and pickles too! He goes and goes until he passes out, then he'll be at it again. He is so adorable and the life of the party. He loves the spotlight (something big sister runs from). He could care less about the baby signs I attempt to teach him on a daily basis- pointing and screaming is so much more effective! He doesn't sleep well and is hopelessly addicted to his pacifier. He's messy, oh so messy and hates getting clean. He is all boy!
He is so much fun, difficult yes, but never boring. Deagan has the best spirit of anyone I've ever met. I love this little boy so much and am so proud of him. He's so little and has no idea what's going on half the time, but he makes the best of it. He has so much ahead of him. Just yesterday I was holding this little guy, oh so helpless. And today I am chasing a toddler. Oh yes, in just a few weeks his infancy passed and he is now a full fledged toddler. The once infant who would lay for hours in your arms, now just wants to run crazy and get into everything! Deagan, oh deagan. You're so special and the light of our lives. You have so much ahead of you!
Happy First Birthday Little Man!!!!!!!
Soon we learned that our house and our town were not fit to bring children home to and we would be moving to Michigan. Jeff would have to remain behind to work. His bosses let him take enough time off to move us up north into his parent's house, but then he had to go home. So there we are, again, not in our own home. Paulla and Ron were more than generous! They took us in with open arms and created special memories that none of us will forget.
Christmas came and we were able to move home to Slidell, finally. The new year and a new beginning. The day we left for home, Deagan spiked another fever and had breathing trouble. We rushed him to the ER in Traverse City. Double ear infections and bronchitis. The first of many. He never was an easy guy, always difficult and frequently sick.
Life was good. Life was great for the next seven months. Deagan and Olivia grew closer and closer as they got bigger. We enjoyed many long weekends in our PJs just loafing around the house. A few hospital trips. First words. First steps. First teeth. His first real home.
Deagan is oh so different from Olivia. He is his own person in every right. He is in a word, CRAZY. He is the happiest little guy in the world. He has lived in four houses in one year, yet now he's super portable. He loves going places, he loves meeting people. He is a man's boy. He loves guys, he'll walk into a room of women and find the one guy in the room to latch onto. He adores his daddy. He's also the definition of a boy. He's rough and tough, he tumbles and gets up to do it again. He climbs on everything. He loves his puppy, and shares everything he can with him. He adores his big sister, but will wack her back to stick up for himself. He takes what he wants and fights to get it. He loves wheels and his favorite word is "GO!" He's always on the move. Olivia was so calm and quiet, deagan is the opposite. He loves to eat and will try anything, a fav being straight lemons and pickles too! He goes and goes until he passes out, then he'll be at it again. He is so adorable and the life of the party. He loves the spotlight (something big sister runs from). He could care less about the baby signs I attempt to teach him on a daily basis- pointing and screaming is so much more effective! He doesn't sleep well and is hopelessly addicted to his pacifier. He's messy, oh so messy and hates getting clean. He is all boy!
He is so much fun, difficult yes, but never boring. Deagan has the best spirit of anyone I've ever met. I love this little boy so much and am so proud of him. He's so little and has no idea what's going on half the time, but he makes the best of it. He has so much ahead of him. Just yesterday I was holding this little guy, oh so helpless. And today I am chasing a toddler. Oh yes, in just a few weeks his infancy passed and he is now a full fledged toddler. The once infant who would lay for hours in your arms, now just wants to run crazy and get into everything! Deagan, oh deagan. You're so special and the light of our lives. You have so much ahead of you!
Happy First Birthday Little Man!!!!!!!
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