My dad's arms

This past year has been a difficult one for me as I have struggled with the loss of my dad. My dad and I were close. I could talk to him about so many things and he would just listen. He loved me with all of my shortcomings and faults. Even when he was dying from melanoma he was so proud that his hospice nurse told him that I really knew my stuff. His face lit up when she said that. How awesome it feels to rest in your parent's approval and pride. I have been missing him so much and have been worried because some days I can't seem to remember my dad as he was when he was well, only sick.

The other day I was walking back into my work building after having lunch with my co-workers and walking toward me was one of my favorite patients. He beamed at me and then told me that he had missed me. I reached over to rub on his arm and then realized that his arms looked just like my dad's did when he was healthy. They were tan with light hair and freckles. In that moment I could see him again, healthy and happy and smiling at me. Mr. F. probably has no idea why his hug was extra long when I left him. I choose to look at these things as small gifts from my dad to me. A balm for my heart.

10 Years Today

Today I have been married for 10 years.  Has it really been that long since we said I do?  Was it really that long ago that we ran off to Lake Tahoe just the two of us?  To be very honest, I wouldn't have traded that day for the biggest, most glamourous wedding in the whole world. That day was and always be just ours.  Just the two of us in love and saying, "I do"

We have had our ups and downs in the the past 10 years, from learning to live with each other to learning to live with babies and now little people.  We have weathered the deaths of my father and his mother, two holes that can never be filled in our hearts but two hearts that understand just how big that hole is.  We have been through job changes, career changes and more moves than I care to count.  We have cried together, laughed together and yelled at each other (sometimes the latter more than the former).

The truth is that there is no one else in this world that I would rather be with.  For better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part.

I love you Bud.  Happy 10th Anniversary!!!!

Love,

Boo

It's all about the clothes

My in-laws are in town for the weekend and if you know anything about my father-in-law you would know that he lives to play golf. This weekend he came with the intent to get his granddaughter's golf clubs and so off to the PGA Superstore we went. I had no idea that that many golf clubs and related items even existed. Abby spied the lime green set and of course those were the ones that she wanted even though they were not her size. We explained that the tangerine colored set were her size. She nodded a quick okay but then dashed off to play a golf video game that she and Destiny had found. Her Opa wasn't convinced that she wanted a set of golf clubs and so I pulled her aside to question her about whether she wanted them and to remind her that Opa was spending the money and if she didn't want them that it would be better to say so right then. She said, "But when will I get to use them?" I explained that her dad and Opa could take her and that this golf store also offered lessons and clinics to learn to play. She smiled ever so sweetly at me and said, "Well, can I get a cute outfit to wear when I am playing?" And that is Abby!!

And this is the reason Bebe could be less than thrilled about Max

And here are the pics

Me and tens of thousands of my closest friends

Okay, not really.  For Abby's birthday I got her tickets to the Jonas Brother's concert which put me in the realm of coolest mom ever.  It also gave me the responsibility to take all three girls plus one friend to the concert of the year here in Atlanta since I couldn't talk Bud into taking them (he said and I quote, "You bought the tickets and it was your idea so you need to take them".  The girls rocked out to Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers and had a great time.  Mom popped in some ear protectors and enjoyed every moment watching her girls.  Oh, how I love them.  I promise some  pictures tomorrow but for now I am headed off to my wonderful soft bed.

Meet Max

I know we told so many people his name was Theo but it just didn't fit him and so his name is Max and he is doing so well. We absolutely adore him. Bebe is no fonder of him than the day he came home with us and she continues to act as if he doesn't exist with the exception of the swat she gave him several nights ago when he tried to bite her nose. I tried to get a photo of them together but it was an impossibility.

First Day of School

The girl's first day of school was Monday. They were so excited all weekend. We made a special shopping trip to find the "perfect" outfit to wear on Monday. Sunday night Abby couldn't go to sleep because she was so excited and happy to be returning to school. They all got up on time, got dressed cheerfully and even ate a bite of breakfast. They even consented to some front porch pictures before we left for the bus stop.

Maddie 1st day of Kindergarten 2008

Abby 1st Day of 3rd Grade 2008

Destiny 1st Day of 5th Grade 2008

My girls

The trip to the bus stop was more eventful. The van wouldn't start and so we decided to walk up to the bus stop. Abby ran on ahead of Maddie and then Maddie got her new shoes full of wet grass and by the time I caught up with her she was crying. She continued to cry as she headed up the steps of the bus for the very first time and so this is the face that I got.

Thankfully, by the time she got to school she had settled down and she let me walk her to her hallway where one of the teacher's aides met us. I teared up a little bit but not near as much as I thought I would. My baby is in Kindergarten.

Mama Blues

My baby starts Kindergarten tomorrow. She is ready, her mother is not. Her pink backpack is packed with her crayons and pencils and 20 glue sticks, her pink lunchbox has the peanut butter and jelly sandwich in it, grapes and two Chips Ahoy. She has her little red and black plaid outfit all laid out.

Wasn't it just yesterday that I walked in her room and found her standing in her crib for the first time? Now she is headed off to a whole new world. Whenever you ask her what her mama is going to do when she goes to Kindergarten she grins and says, "She is going to cry," and you know what she's right!!

Here is one of my all time favorite short video's of my girl. I love you Maddie Grace!!!

Abby's Birthday Party Pictures

"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Abby, Happy 8th Birthday to you."

Flip Flop Theme Cupcakes made with love (not necessarily talent) by Mom.

Doing the Cha Cha Slide in the pool!  Notice that there are no boys doing the Cha Cha Slide.

The slide was a hit with all of the kids.

Abby playing on the diving board

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Limbo a little lower now!

Abby and her boys (Malachi and Mason).

Newest Family Member

Yesterday we headed to Carnesville, Georgia (about an hour and fifty minutes away to pick up our newest family member.  The girls (and mom and dad) are head over heels in love with him. The only family member not impressed is Bebe.  She doesn't seem to mind him as much as she is determined to act like he doesn't exist.