A Boy and His Dog

There is nothing more special than a child's love for their dog.  Evan and Stevie are forming that bond - a forever kind of bond.

Mother's Day

Better late than never, I guess.

Mother's Day is by far my favorite celebratory day - not because the day is supposed to be about me or that it's a day to receive gifts - it's simply a day that I get to reflect on how happy I am to be a mom.

Robert always tries to provide opportunities for me to take the day to myself - like go to the beach, go shopping, get a pedicure, etc.  But Mother's Day to me is about spending time with my family and counting the two blessings I have in my life (well, three  - love you, babe).

So, what did we do for Mother's Day?  Hung out at Nascar Speedpark of course!  What Mother wouldn't find that dreamy?  We all know it's all about the kids - even on Mother's Day.

Evan's first hole-in-one!

In addition to our lovely day spent together, Robert did the grocery shopping for me and I received a very sweet homemade card from Evan and Mattie Jane.  Robert also hooked me up with a new pair of TOMS and a gift certificate for a pedicure - he's trying to tell me my dogs are barking! :)

Being a mom is the hardest job I've ever had, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.  There is no love like the love I have for my kids.  Happy Mother's Day to me!  Yay.

Mattie Jane Turns Two

It's a special day for a very special girl - Happy 2nd Birthday to our sweet Mattie Jane.

Mattie is a child FULL of life - bursting at the seams with personality!   We can barely keep up with her these days.  And don't let that cute smile fool you - this little girl is rebellious and full of attitude.  She bites, hits and may as well not have ears because she certainly doesn't listen - but she is so lovable, funny and sweet as pie when she wants to be.   If you want entertainment, come hang out at Mattie's crib for awhile - she won't disappoint...I promise.

We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE you, Mattie Jane!

Dada's Day

The term "Daddy" has not yet caught on in our household and I'm not sure if it ever will.  Evan has called Robert "Dada" since he was first able to utter words and it has stuck.  I'm assuming once Evan starts school his name choice might change, but until then it's "Dada" around this house.

So, yesterday we celebrated Dada's Day!

After showering Robert with cards, homemade gifts and a fishing trip for just the boys, we gathered everything we needed to spend the day at the water park.  The weather was beautiful and the kids were elated...as were we.  This was Mattie's second trip to the park, but her first time truly getting an experience.  And it definitely was a positive one.

Robert said something to me yesterday that really struck a chord - he said, "When Father's Day is equally as important as Mother's Day, I know that we have a great marriage."  While this may not be true for everybody, in our case it all comes down to  running our household 50/50.  I'm certainly not that mother stuck feeding and bathing the children and changing diapers around the clock.  Robert is extremely hands-on and contributes in all areas, not just being the fun, playful dad who likes to wrestle and throw the kids around.  He is more than just a dad to our family - he is a DADA - and that is way cooler than dad any day.

My children are blessed to have such a loving, caring man who would literally do anything to make them smile.  Watching Robert fall into the daddy role has made me love and respect him even more than I already did.  Every year reconfirms that I found "the one."

Happy Dada's Day, Babe.  You are amazing.

Happy Belated Anniversary to Us

Even though our official anniversary date was June 9th, we were busy celebrating a more seasoned anniversary in Knoxville (Happy 25th to Rob & Sharon).  But we certainly weren't gonna let our 5th anniversary go by completely uncelebrated - who passes up an opportunity to have a night out with just your spouse?

After receiving several recommendations, we decided to drive up to North Myrtle to try out Joe's Bar & Grill.  We sat at a cozy table for two on the covered deck overlooking the waterway.  The atmosphere was relaxed and casual, yet had the perfect fine dining touch to make the occasion feel special.  We started off with crab stuffed mushrooms served with a corn/black bean salsa.  The flavors were amazing.  I then completely devoured a small filet and twin lobster tails while Robert polished off a perfectly cooked filet with roasted potatoes.  I am disappointed that we didn't have room in our stuffed bellies for dessert, but I'm sure whatever they serve is wonderful.  We enjoyed the experience so much we decided this might just be our future anniversary spot.

We had originally planned to see a movie after dinner, but the phenomenal meal paired with delicious wines steered us in another direction.  We decided to head back to Murrells Inlet to stroll along the Marsh Walk.  There was a live band playing and an outdoor bar open for business.  We moseyed up and down the pier enjoying an adult beverage and the music - and of course each other.  It sure has been a lovely five years so far...looking forward to many, many more.

Missed Moments

As I was giving Mattie Jane a bath tonight, I watched her do one cute thing after another. She made an attempt at singing the ABC's, she splished and splashed with a smile full of teeth, she drank her own bath water and thought it was hilarious - and all the while, I sat there thinking...I should go get my camera.  But instead of getting up, I sat there and argued with myself.

Good Mama:  You should really go get your camera.
Bad Mama:  I'm too tired.
Good Mama:  Think about how many pictures you took of Evan at this age.
Bad Mama:  I take more pictures than most people - and again, I'm reeaally tired.
Good Mama:  But you should take the moment, right now - who cares if you're tired - and take some damn pictures - you'll appreciate it later.

I'm happy to report that Good Mama won this battle.

15 Month Well Visit

Three shots, a pricked finger and a few thousand tears rounded out today's doctor's visit.  Nothing four colorful band-aids couldn't fix.  Mattie Jane's current numbers are:

Weight:  29 lbs 13 oz (95+%)
Height:  33 1/4 in (95+%)
Head Circumference:  50 cm (95+)

Oh boy, are we in the climbing stage now!  We have found this girl in the center of the dining room table several times, not to mention every chair and countertop she can get to.  It's rather frightening, to be honest.

There is a lot of jibberish being spoken, but a few words we are able to consistently decipher - thank you, ball, bye bye, hi, mama, dada, more, bath.

Mattie Jane loves to mimic and dance - we can turn on anything from classical to hip hop and she is movin' and groovin'. She has also really formed a love for bedtime stories.  Every night, after we put on her pajamas, she climbs into the rocker in her nursery letting me know she's ready for a story.

Our rough and tough tomboy seems to have a bit of an infatuation with shoes.  She loves to put them on and admire them on her feet.  She also loves necklaces and bracelets and appreciates when we tell her how pretty she looks.

We have an amazing little girl on our hands.  We wouldn't trade her for the world.

Celebrating 95 Years

My Grandpa passed away peacefully in his sleep last night after spending 95 healthy years on this earth.  He was a man of principle and great discipline, but also had an enormous heart.  He could cook a mean lasagna and his beef stew would put all others to shame.  His advice was legendary, even if it wasn't his own.  I don't think my brothers or myself will ever forget the following quotes:

"When you assume, you make an ass out of u and me."
"Whatever be your goal, keep your eye upon the donut and not upon the hole."


My children were blessed to have met their Great Grandpa and as they grow older they will learn more and more about him from myself and other family members.

Enjoy your time in Heaven, Grandpa.  You worked hard to get there.  We love you.

Birthday Memories

My mom turned the big 6-0 yesterday.  Forty plus family and friends joined in on the celebration, but not in the traditional sense.  A swanky surprise party would've been great, but having a birthday three days after Christmas makes that kind of tough, if not impossible.  So instead, we surprised mom with memories - each one sent to me by her friends and family which I packaged separately.  The stack of envelopes was presented to her over dinner last night and the surprise was just as overwhelming as I thought it might be.  I introduced the surprise with this:

Mom,

Happy 60^th Birthday!  This is a milestone year for you, but for more significant reasons than just beginning a new decade.  You have overcome more in the last few years than most people will experience in a lifetime.  Your marriage ended after almost forty years, you lost a child and you were diagnosed with a life threatening disease – people probably expected you to wither away; become a changed person with no love for life.  But you chose to fight back.  Your strength brought you into work every day with a smile on your face when you probably wanted to stay in bed and cry.  You welcomed three more grandchildren into your life with enthusiasm and show them unconditional love every day.  You continue to do selfless things for others when you very easily could care less.  You have managed to face adversity with acceptance and grace. 

“Adversity is like a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are.” ~Arthur Golden

You are a strong, courageous woman.  I admire you, I idolize you, but most importantly, I deeply love you.

            Turning 60 is a big deal.  It’s a new beginning.  And the 40+ envelopes in your hand are proof that you have friends and family who love you and want to see you happy.  Each and every one of these people have been touched in some way by your kindness, your great sense of humor, your love…you have left a permanent mark on their life.  They all wanted to share their memories of you – ones that they will never forget.  So I will begin:

            I will never forget waking up one morning (I was in 7^th grade) and realizing that I just started my period.  Since several of my friends had already started theirs, I was somewhat giddy about it.  I instantly felt older, more mature.  I walked downstairs and woke you up to quietly tell you that “my friend” had arrived.  You staggered out of bed and brought me over to your vanity.  You dug deep into the back of the cabinet and pulled out a HUGE pad that must’ve been from the 1970’s.  I didn’t even recognize the packaging.  I wasn’t too thrilled, but I still took it and tried to adhere it to my underwear – but what do you know?  The damn thing was so old there wasn’t any sticky stuff left so it just fell out of my underwear.  I was mortified.  I immediately called Rosie Lopez and asked her to please bring me a tampon to school.   

            Another fond memory is your obsession with coloring your hair.  Thinking back I see shades of blonde, brown, red, orange…you name it, I saw it on your head.  But on this particular night you wanted to dye your hair back to its “original” hair color – whatever that was – I don’t think you really even knew.  After letting the color set for awhile, you washed it out and blew your hair dry.  I walked into the room to see Elvira standing before me.  Your hair was blacker than the ace of spades.  But the funniest part of the story was when Dad came home – you were already in bed asleep.  He came upstairs and asked me why Doobie was sleeping in his bed!  I said, “That’s not Doobie, Dad.  That’s mom’s new hair.”

            Most of all, l I remember our girl time.  I always felt special when we would go shopping together – just you and me.  I always got more clothes than the boys (of course you tricked me into getting cheaper ones – quantity over quality J )  There were a few years where we weren’t very close (we’ll blame it on teenage hormones), but now, more than ever, I realize how proud I am to be your daughter.  You are not only a wonderful mother, but you are a best friend.   

HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY, BIRTHDAY! 

I Love you,

Amanda

There were tears...

There was shock from who participated...

But most of all, there were laughs...and even sometimes howls...

Happy 60th Birthday to the greatest woman I know.  Thank you so, so much to everyone who sent their memories and shared this wonderful experience with my mom and me.