Ordinary Miracle!

Yesterday, when I got home from work, I saw that my beautiful hibiscus tree had 2 new blooms open on it. My parents gave me the tree for my anniversary. I love flowers and tulips and hibisucs are my favorites. I felt so much joy just seeing these flowers. Like there was a new beginning right around the corner. Hopefully, that new beginning is spring/summer. The weather we have been experiencing here is the pits!!

So, last night, we watched Charlotte's Web - the 2007 version. They have been showing previews on satellite for it and Olivia was fascinated by it. I found it at the library yesterday and quickly checked it out. She really enjoyed it. The talking animals were funny to her but I don't think she really got the premise of the story. Needless to say, since I am such a sap, I bawled!! At the very end of the movie, a song called Ordinary Miracle played. Of course, for my sensitive soul, it made it worse. It is such a beautiful song. It really makes you stop and think. So many things around us are pure miracles. My children, my hibiscus tree blooming, the trees, the flowers, the blue sky, the rain (and lots of it that we've been experiencing), just the joy of waking every morning to a new day. So utterly amazing, so beautiful, so miraculous! I thank God for all the miracles in my life!! Sometimes it's the most simple things in life that can bring a tear to your eye, put a spring in your step and a flutter in your heart!

Happy Birthday Dad!!

Today is my Dad's Birthday! My Dad is my hero! My first love! My Daddy! Even at 35 years old, this man still has my heart! I truly enjoy his company. We love to laugh and share inside jokes. I still worry about what he thinks. His opinion still matters. He can read me like a book. I can't lie to him because he can tell just by looking at me whether I am telling the truth. I hope I make him proud.

Every little girl loves their daddy. Some days I miss being that little girl. I miss those evenings when he would come home from work and we would go swimming before dinner. I miss being able to jump in his lap to deliver a kiss on his cheek or a hug around his neck. He taught me to ride a bike, drive a car. He worked hard to make sure I never wanted for anything. He taught me to be a strong, independent woman.

But, one of the cool things about being grown up is watching him interact with his grandkids. When I was in labor with Alex, he couldn't stay at the hospital because he couldn't bear to watch me in pain. After Alex was born, he told Jimmy that he better not do that to his daughter again. Of course, Jimmy didn't listen! Ha Ha! Alex and Olivia love their PawPaw. It's fun to see him do some of the things with Alex and Olivia that he used to do with me. Traditions. When I was a baby, he would put both of my feet in his had and lift me in the air. I would stand there. Trust! Strength! When I had Alex, he tried the same thing. Again, Alex mimiced exactly what I did at that age. Again, trust and strength.

So on this day, I honor my Dad. My hero, my first love! Happy Birthday Dad! I love you!

Happy Mother's Day!!

I love being a Mom!! Alex and Olivia are two great kids!! They both had my heart the minute I found out I was pregnant with each of them! I had no idea how hard being a Mom could be but it is definitely the most rewarding! Despite countless dirty diapers, sleepless nights, temper tantrums, and formula and food stained clothing, these two have brought so much JOY to my life!! These two rely on me for everything and in return, show me what real love is all about! So unconditional.

I taught them their A, B, C's, numbers and colors, and their manners. I read them stories. I kiss boo boos, wipe away tears and give each one many, many hugs and kisses. I wear my heart on my sleeve. Every accomplishment, milestone, every joy, every disappointment they experience just makes my heart explode. I am such an emotional person and these two really have made me feel things I didn't think possible. Such Blessings!!

Jimmy and the kids gave me an iSound alarm clock for Mother's Day. I have been wanting one ever since I went to Atlanta on a business trip and they had one in the hotel. It's an alarm clock you can put your iPod on. It's awesome. I love waking up to the songs on my iPod! Thank you!!

For my mom -- She always has the right words to say, at the right moments, whenever I need them. My mom just is, and always has been, the first person I go to when I have news to share… good, bad, funny, interesting or otherwise. I genuinely enjoy my mother’s company, and her opinion and her approval mean so much to me. I love you Mom -- Happy Mother's Day!

I also wanted to wish my Mother-in-law a Happy Mother's Day! She was an amazing woman who showed so much joy in being a Mother and Grandmother! I wish she were still here! I miss you and love you, Mary!

To my Aunt Debbie - Happy Mother's Day! You are so special to me. You are beautiful both inside and out. I am truly grateful for our relationship! You mean the world to me! My SHERO!!

To my best friend JJ, you are an amazing Mother, GodMother and Friend!! I love you and am so blessed to have you in my life for over 25 years!!

So, we spent Sunday with my family. I love spending time with my family. We don't seem to do it enough! Around this time every year, we have my anniversary, Mother's Day and my Dad's birthday. So we celebrated all three yesterday. We wanted to have "Kite Day" but it was monsoon season yesterday. So we had to postpone "Kite Day". What is "Kite Day"? This is a tradition from when I was a kid. We just get kites and go to the park and fly them -- seeing who can go the highest and playing the game of letting it go and chasing the string. I have fun memories of doing this as a kid with my parents. How awesome is it that my kids get to experience this with me and my parents. So, instead of Kite Day, Liz brought over her Wii. We played tennis, baseball, bowling and boxing. The attached pictures are of everyone playing boxing!! Me and Stevie got TKO's!! We are the Champions!! Mom kicked butt on tennis!! This was a lot of fun!

Such a great Mother's Day!

Happy Anniversary!!

On Saturday, May 10th, Jimmy and I celebrated our 11th Wedding Anniversary! I can't believe how fast time has gone by. There are days when I feel like we have only just begun and there are days when it seems like we have been together forever. So much as happened to us in the last 11 years - we've been through some trying times, some sad times but mostly, we have happy times. We also have two of the best things to come from our marriage -- Alex and Olivia. I couldn't ask for anything more!!

Saturday was also special because my sister went and tried on wedding gowns. Who would have thought 11 years from my wedding day, my little sister would be trying her own wedding gowns on? We had a great day! She found her perfect dress and let me just say it is gorgeous. I can't wait for Bryan to see her!! Olivia also tried on a few dresses. Every dress Lizzie tried on, Olivia told her she was beautiful -- and she was!! Seeing her next to my dad with her wedding gown on brought back memories of my wedding day. I choked up a little bit seeing them.

It was a perfect day!! Thank you Smooch for 11 great years and here's to many more!!

Hi ya Grranpa!

That's a line in the movie Meet the Robinsons. I love that line. Olivia and I have been saying that line since Tuesday. Grandpa (Jimmy's dad) came up from Little Rock for a visit. We love when he comes to visit and we get to spend time with him. He is such a great Grandpa too. He really loves his grandkids (he's got 3 more in Little Rock). Alex and Grandpa spent the afternoon together yesterday going to lunch and then to a movie. Great memories for Alex!! Also, Grandpa brought Olivia a chef hat and apron with her name on it. So adorable and cute. She just loves Grandpa too. I was worried that they wouldn't have a bond or connection because of the distance. Alex and Grandpa are close because they had an opportunity to bond when he lived in St. Louis. But, Olivia proved me wrong from the minute she met that man. She loved him instantly. We always say that Mimi must be standing over his shoulder. But I think she just genuinely loves her Grandpa -- which is awesome!! I am thankful for that. I learned my lesson too and genuinely love my father-in-law. In the earlier part of my marriage, I was a brat. I didn't accept the love my new mother- and father-in-law gave me. It took losing Mary (Jimmy's mom) and Jimmy getting sick and us having to hash out our differences to finally bring us together. I am so glad we did! It makes it so nice knowing it's OK if we disagree and that we can still love each other.

It's always sad when we have to say good-bye. Grandpa is heading back to Little Rock today. We'll miss him! Lots of hugs and kisses and hope to see you soon were said!! Have a safe trip, Grandpa! We Love You!!

National Childhood Stroke Awareness Day

May 3, 2008 was an incredible, exciting and emotional day for us. The reason? It was the first Saturday in May which has been designated as National Childhood Stroke Awareness Day. Did you know that children can suffer strokes too?

Our Godson, Brendon, suffered a stroke before he was born. At 19 months of age Brendon was diagnosed as having suffered a stroke while in utero. As a result of the stroke he has been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, Right Hemi-paresis, and Muscular Scoliosis. Brendon currently wears braces on both feet and a splint on his right hand. Brendon is two years old and is only able to say a few words. Brendon has a gorgeous smile and spirit that you can see by looking into his eyes. Through all of his frustration he manages to keep on smiling. Ask any one who knows him...he lights up a room.

Since the day of Brendon's diagnosis, my best friend and Brendon's mommy, Jessica Spear, has been advocating and trying her damnedest to raise awareness for childhood stroke. Her efforts seem to finally be hitting the media. Last week, she possibly reached thousands to millions of people regarding childhood stroke by appearing on Show Me St. Louis and the radio. The biggest event took place on Saturday, May 3rd when Brendon received the honor of throwing out the first pitch at the Cardinals vs Cubs game. All of Brendon's supporters were out in full force sporting our Brendon's Smile T-shirts and awareness ribbons.

We are so proud of Brendon! He has such perserverance! He is our HERO!!!

Please help continue the effort to help raise awareness for childhood stroke. A link to Brendon's website is posted under "Links" or you can go to www.caringbridge.org/visit/brendonssmile.

For more information on Childhood Stroke you can visit www.childhoodstrokeawareness.org or www.kidshavestrokes.org to see more SURVIVORS.

My Son!

I love my son!! He is my first born. My sunshine!! He definitely has my heart!! Alex is such a sweet, compassionate, caring boy. He is known as the peacemaker among his friends. He is so easy going and laid back like his Dad. He definitely did not inherit my type A personality. Olivia got that one! He is so good to his sister, who can treat him pretty rotten at times. Last night, while we were in bed reading books, he asked Olivia if she wanted to learn to snap. Check out the pictures of him trying to teach Olivia how to snap. Look at the joy on his face as he is teaching her. Can you see it? All his love and kindness. Isn't it awesome! I feel like I don't know the first thing about raising a son. But I think I am doing a pretty good job. He has a great balance. I love to hear his laugh. I love the color of his hair. I love his blue eyes. He is so loveable! He is so kind. I think about what he will be like when he gets older. I hope he keeps all these wonderful traits. I hope he knows how much I love him!