A Great Weekend.......

Why I am still awake I have no idea.....I didn't even have any caffeine Monday.

We had a very busy fun weekend and we didn't even go anywhere. I was off with Madelynn Friday since her school is closed for the summer. So she and I ran all over God's creation buying groceries and just getting things done. In between the errands, I also managed to get all the laundry done so I could enjoy my weekend too.

Saturday morning Phil had to work for a while so I took the three kids and headed off to Kaitlynn and Jackson's soccer games. The kids are just doing amazing in their soccer seasons. Kaitlynn is the smallest on her team but one of the quickest. She has learned to be a team player and that it isn't just about scoring points. I take my camera to almost every game but I get so involved with the games sometimes I forget to take pictures.

After Kaitlynn's game, we had Jackson's game and he is quite the different player. I have seen him wait in the hunt. He is not in the mix with all the other players he is waiting on the outside. He is there to kick the ball out of bounds to keep the other team from scoring. I have seen him wait patiently for that perfect moment to make the goal. I wish he had that much patience in other things he does.

After the games the kids were just so worn out we came home and napped, ate lunch and waited for Phil to get home. It was a great day with no place to be but we had fun nonetheless.

I guess with my Saturday nap I was bound to wake up early Sunday morning so Kaitlynn and I got up early and went to Mass. The first time I tried to take Kaitlynn to Mass it was a disaster. She was sooooo fidgety and just kept asking when it was over. This time it was very nice and I was glad she and I had the opportunity to go.

Later that day we headed off to some friends house to meet other friends and have dinner and chat. It was great!! We laughed and watched our kids have a great time. I am really glad we found other families with kids around the same age as ours. It was a total of 7 kids playing ranging in age of 3-10. It really was a great combination.

Today we ventured out to the local aquatic and fitness center because it was opening weekend for the outdoor water park. We were only there for about 2 hours but Kaitlynn found and old cheer leading friend, Jackson found a little girl that was on his kindergarten class last year and Madelynn just found the kiddie slides. There are two kiddie slides and she must have gone down each of them about 30 times each.

We stopped to get lunch on the way home and then it was vegetation time. Madelynn was so tired she passed out on her bedroom floor trying to still play. Kaitlynn and Jackson didn't take naps today but when I told them it was time for bed I did not get a single argument.

So again with all the happenings of the weekend why am I still awake. I have no idea.

Actually, I do I have a post I have been stewing about and not putting down on paper, per se. I am not sure I want to write about it but every time I shelve i,t it manages to fall back in my lap. We'll see what this week brings. With only 9 days of school left it is bound to be crazy.

I hope everyone had a Wonderful Memorial Day Weekend and remembered the reason we celebrate. Thank You to our solders who served and are serving this great country. For the families whose loved ones did not come home, the sacrifice does not go unnoticed. We are truly grateful.

TTFN~

The Hair Cuttery is open.

When I was told I would have a boy I cried. I was so excited. Although he has filled my life with lots of challenges, it has made us both better people. I love his bright blue eyes, Opie Taylor smile and the fact that he is incredibly smart.

Tonight I needed to open the "Hair Cuttery" and shave Phil's head. Jackson begged me to cut his hair. Excuse me not just cut his hair but shave it like Daddy. I didn't want it as short as Phil's so I had to compromise. It turned out better than I thought.

However, I am not sure I love the widow's peak. He looks like a blonde "Eddie Munster". But again it is just hair and it will grow back. Hopefully, by the end of summer. But something else happened today. Jack lost his fourth tooth in the last 6 weeks. It wouldn't be so bad but the other three teeth are either not in yet or only a quarter of the way in. It does make a cute smile when he shows the gaps.

After I was done taking a few pictures of Jackson, he asked if I would take a picture of he and his Daddy. Since they both just had hair cuts he liked being like his Daddy.

This has to be one of my new favorite pictures. My two favorite men in the whole world.

TTFN~



Kaitlynn's 1st Communion

May came in Like a Lion with a Wild Roar.......I am hoping and praying it will go out like a lamb nice and calm. I once posted how I was praying for a rut. To this day it has never happened. Since May has started you have seen how I have been to the Zoo (some days it feels like my second home), Camp Luck: Family Heart Camp, and most recently some of the family converged in NC for Kaitlynn's First Communion.

Phil's parent's arrived three days after we came home from camp and the adventures began. I was running around like a crazy person getting everything just right for Kaitlynn. Before she could be transformed into a little princess she had to go to an 8:30 am soccer game Saturday. Following her soccer game I snuck off with her to the nail salon to turn my grungy soccer player into that princess.

First Communion Day for Kaitlynn started early. We had to be at church across town by 8:30 but it was well worth every moment.

She was a little nervous.

If she can rock wall climb and zip line she can do this. 

The day was long and about 5pm I fell asleep on the couch but the whole weekend was worth every minute.

Congratulations Kaitlynn!! We are very proud of you.

TTFN~

Happy Mother's Day

By today's standards, certain things in my life are pretty rare. For starters this year my parents will have been married for 44 years. When life was rough they never gave up. I am very thankful for that. Something else truly amazing is that both of my parents are still alive. I am surrounded by so many people who have lost one or both parents. When I have tried to be there for them it is difficult. I have no idea what that tragedy is like to live through.

One comment I have heard many times, "I wish I could talk to him/her one more time. I would want him/her to know........." For me the best thing I can relate it to is my Grandmother. She died when I was 12 or 13. She truly was an amazing woman. The first five or six years I was married, I would dream about her all the time. The dreams were so real I could feel her standing in my bedroom. One night I even dreamt she was standing over my bed and I could feel her stroking my hair. She loved to style my hair.

If I could talk to her one more time I would Thank her for my Wonderful Mom. I would want her to know that she should be beaming with pride at what a stellar person she is. I have ultimate luxuries most would give almost anything for. I can call her anytime I want and when I need her most she is always there. She knows when to give her opinion and when to keep it to herself. I love to hear her laugh and see her smile. She is so beautiful inside and out.

Grandma Mom-Mom and I



My Mom and I



I have always loved this picture of us.



So beautiful...

Easter of 75 Grandma Mom-Mom, Mom and me. I love this picture.


If I had a dream of Grandma Mom-Mom tonight I would tell her she should be extremely proud because I have a truly amazing, most excellent Mom.

For all the Mother's out there I hope you have a superb day and are surrounded by love. For those who are missing their Mother, I hope you have treasured memories to remind you that She may be gone but never forgotten.

Happy Mother's Day!!

TTFN~

Camp LuCK 2012

We arrived as Doctors, Nurses, Lawyers, Architechs, Banking Executives, Accountants, Police Officers, Stay-at-Home Moms you name it, all walks of life were represented on the hallowed grounds of Camp Cherokee. Only this weekend it was Camp LuCK: 3rd Annual Family Camp Weekend.

Camp LuCK isn't for just any Family. To qualify, you must be a Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Family. Rest assured NONE of our Families asked, insisted or wanted to be a CHD Family; we were CHOSEN. We have all wrestled with wanting to know , "Why us?? Why do we have to experience this journey?" In some cases with terrible uncertainty. Once I discovered, accepted, wrapped my head around "CHOSEN" and lived my life as a CHD Family, I realized it truly was a GIFT.

Not only as Parents do we become these AMAZING people, we are raising some of the most OUTSTANDING children.

Shortly after arrival "unzipping" is completed. We were no longer these professionals, we are just parents raising a "Heart Warrior" and their healthy siblings in a world that doesn't always comprehend the battle. Walls are shattered and crumbled, everyone has a similar story. Every family is marked with a scar. Only here at this camp we see the Glorious Gifts beyond the scars.

We observe our children laughing, playing, dancing, running, thriving and in that moment when nothing else matters and it will be a memory burned in our history.

This year, my goal was to truly enjoy and collect as many memories as one person could hold. I didn't even take my first picture until 18 hours after I arrived. We made memories my children will carry for a life time. We laughed more, strengthen friendships and down right wore ourselves slap out thriving on every moment.

If I had to guess with all the cameras brought to the camp grounds more than 5000 pictures were taken. Here are just a few of the photos (memories) I collected.........

Thank you again to Levine Cardiac Kids, Camp LuCK Staff and the Fabulous Volunteers  who helped emblazoned outstanding memories we will cherish forever.

TTFN~

The NC Zoo.........

As if I don't have enough to do I signed up to be an approved volunteer for Kaitlynn and Jackson's school. They LOVE it!! I on the other hand have to re-work my schedule sometimes it is easier said than done. Most recently, I made the trek to the NC Zoo with the 1st Grade class for the second year in a row.

I had so much fun with Kaitlynn's class last year. Jackson begged me to come with him even though it was the my busiest time of year at work. I have to admit it was just as much fun last year as it was this year. It was nice to have that one on one time with him (without the siblings at least)

Jackson was very lucky his best friend who is in another 1st grade class ended up as part of Jackson's class. His friend's mom and I walked the zoo together and Jackson and his best friend were able to spend the day together.

It was a long, HOT day but very worth the time I would never get back had I not gone.

TTFN~

Still going.....

Since starting to play sports Jackson has become a different person. Don't get me wrong there are still days I can't hug and kiss him enough and then those I just want to run outside and light my head on fire. But I would sit all day and watch him play soccer and basketball.

He absolutely loves it.

But he is not the only one bitten by the sports bug.....and she is just as competitive as her brother.

In case you are wondering, I haven't asked the cardiologist if Maddie would be cleared to play. I really don't think he would say, "No" but I just haven't asked. For now we have agreed she has to wait until she is five and the doctor says yes. She has settled for just being Kaitlynn's and Jackson's biggest cheerleader next to their mother.

I have a strange feeling I will be spending the rest of my life on the soccer field. More stories and pictures to come. We have been very busy and the fun will continue through May.

TTFN~