Welcome Baby Ella!

Shane's niece Crystal and her husband Todd had their first child a few weeks ago -- a beautiful baby girl named Ella Marie. We finally got to meet her this past Sunday at a small get together at Shane's folk's house. Christian loved her. He wanted to hold her and touch her and watch her while she was sleeping. What is it about little kids being so drawn to babies? Even when we're out and about somewhere -- if he sees a baby he makes a beeline for it and asks, "can I look at your baby?" I know, I know, maybe we should have given him a sibling but alas it is much too late for that now. He'll just have to enjoy his cousins!

Captain Bailey!

We were on vacation the last two weeks of August. We went to Michigan for a week and visited with my family. One of the highlights of the trip was Christian getting to go into the cockpit of our airplane and sit in the Captain's seat and wear his hat. That's a pretty big deal when you're five and he loved it!

We had a great time in Michigan and for the most part had some pretty great weather. We spent several afternoon's at Aunt Mikki's pool and for the first time Christian swam without "swimmies".

We also spent a day on Mackinaw Island. Our weather was perfect. We took the ferry over at about 10:00 a.m. and the first thing we did was visit Fort Mackinaw. It's a really neat place so if you ever get the opportunity to visit you should. We had a picnic lunch in the park afterwards and then just walked around the island a bit before taking the ferry back to our car.

Riding on the ferry boat to the Island

Hanging out the soldiers

Learning about the rifles

The cannon was really loud!

Dressed like a little soldier

Another highlight of the trip was the bonfire at my brother Ted's place. Christian loved the bonfire because he got to play with his cousin Connor, roast marshmallows and eat smores and ride on Uncle Ted's 4-wheeler. I'm really disappointed in myself that I didn't take more pictures, especially since all of my siblings were there and it would have been great to get a picture of all of us together. I guess I was just having too much fun sitting around the fire and gabbing to think about getting the camera out.

Christian and Connor playing with their cowboy pistols

I did get a picture of the old high school gang when they stopped by my mom's to visit before we left. It's hard to believe we were ever in our teens and in high school but not hard to believe we're still friends. There's just something about growing up in a small town.

Julie, me, Mindy and Donna

We all loved visiting our Michigan family and like always, the time went by way too fast. Christian did not want to leave and can't wait to go back. He really wants to go in the winter so he can play in the snow so we may have to plan a Christmas visit soon.

Now, summer is over and school started back yesterday. We're looking forward to fall and all the fun it brings -- Cox's Farm, pumpkin carving, Halloween, raking leaves (not sure how fun that is!) -- hope your summer was as fun as ours.

Visit from the Tooth Fairy!

Christian lost his first tooth yesterday while he was at school! And, it happened to be the very first tooth he got when he was 4 months old! He was so excited about it and actually anxious to go to bed last night so he could put it under his pillow for the Tooth Fairy. She arrived without fail and he found $2 under his pillow this morning.

Arrrrrrgh!

On Sunday we took Christian on a Pirate Adventure and he had a blast. It's located in Annapolis, MD so it's not too far away. It was most definitely worth the trip. The kid's get to dress up in pirate gear and go for a ride on a "pirate ship" on the Chesapeake Bay in search of sunken treasure. Here are some of the pictures.

Summertime and The Living is Easy!

A 10 ft. inflatable pool with filter - $45.99

Chemicals to keep the water clean all summer - $28.79
Miscellanious pool supplies including skimmer and vacuum - $69.99

And grass seed to use in the fall to re-grow the grass in the dead patch where the pool was - $19.95

Watching Christian cannonball and play in it all summer - Priceless!!!!

We bought this pool the second week of June because Christian was going to be off school for a week and I was going to be home with him. The weather report for the week was calling for extremely hot (90 degrees +) and humid conditions. I knew I'd go crazy being cooped up in the house with him all week and I also knew I'd be miserable if we had to be outside in that nasty heat all day long so Shane and I thought it would be worth the investment to get this little pool. We figured that even if we only used it that one week it would be worth it! Well, we used it that week and we've been using it consistently ever since. Shane and I even get in it! It's actually fairly easy to maintain and keep clean and the filter does a pretty good job although it's pretty slow. But, if we know we're going to use it in the evening when we get home we just turn it on in the morning before we leave and it is ready to go when we get home. Christian has even had a few pool playdates and everyone seems to have a blast. Cowabunga Dude!

My Dad

Well, another Father's Day has come and gone. As many of you who have lost a parent or close family member know, the grief over this loss is something that you just simply learn to live with. The saddness subsides and you put it away in place where it can be managed and you go on. Well, many of you also know that no matter how much time has passed or how far away you've managed to push that saddness that sometimes it just surfaces for some reason. It could be almost anything that triggers it; a news story on T.V., a song you hear on the radio, a found photo you've not seen in a long time or a special date or occasion. And even though I've successfully navigated the previous seven Father's Days, this most recent Father's Day was a trigger for me. And while I can usually shake these bouts off in a few hours or at most, a day, I just can't seem to put it away this time. Since Sunday my mind has been racing with thoughts of my Dad. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a blubbering mess of grief and saddness unable to function. I'm just acutely aware of how very much I miss him and all the little things I loved so very much about him.

So, I thought maybe if I blogged about it a bit and got some of it out, I'd be able to put it back in it's rightful place and carry on. So, here goes...

My Dad never set any world records, made millions of dollars, traveled the globe, made any great discovery or even graduated from college. He was a small town guy who never had a desire to be anything more than he was. And, it wasn't that he didn't set his goals high, in fact it was quite the opposite. The goals he set for himself were quite high and he met and exceeded every single one of them. At the ripe old age of 19 when he found out he was going to have a child he decided he was going to be a faithful husband and a father who would provide for and love this baby. And he did. He was a faithful and loving husband to my Mom until the day he died. And not only did he love and provide for that first baby, he did the same for the next five that followed. Pretty awesome goals for a nineteen year old kid!

He had a strong work ethic and was a loyal employee. He showed up for work every day, worked hard and did his job because he knew that people were counting on him. In fact, it was from work that the ambulance picked him up and took him to the emergency room on the day he died. Although, he had been having smaller heart attacks throughout the two days preceeding his death, he managed to wash, shave and dress in his uniform and go to work that day. Pretty determined man I'd say. Another goal achieved.

He treated my Mom with respect and kindness and told her every day that loved her before he kissed her good-bye on his way to work. They took care of each other and worked as a team. And after 20+ years of raising kids and being busy with so many things other than than themselves realized that even after all those years had passed and all six of us left our home that they actually still loved each other and had fun together. He knew he needed her and decided early on that he would foster their relationship and that regardless of the problems and mistakes that come about in every relationship that his love for her would be stronger than any of those silly things. His promise from the very beginning was to make this woman happy. Check off another one of those goals as achieved.

He had six separate goals for each one of his children. He understood that we were all different people and knew we'd all make different choices. Some of which he didn't always agree with but supported us anyway. One of the truly wonderful things about my Dad was that although we knew he always had an opinion he never gave it unless we asked for it. He was not judgemental. He taught us right from wrong and on those occasions when we did go wrong, to accept and take responsiblity. To learn from the mistakes, don't make them again and move on. He knew he had six little ones to guide into being decent, hardworking, compassionate people. My siblings and I all have our own different lives, we know how to love and we're all good people and most remarkable is we all like and care for each other. He, along with my Mom taught us how important we were to each other. They taught us the importance of family. Goal achieved x6!

My Dad wasn't perfect. I'm sure he drank way too much beer and smoked way too many cigarettes. He never went to church, he swore too much (even made up his own swear words), he drove way too slow and he'd never take my Mom on a vacation. He didn't see any reason to be anywhere other than home. But he loved me. He was always the first one to say "I love you babe" when we'd talk on the phone after I moved to Virginia. When I'd come home to visit he'd hug me so hard I thought I'd break in two and then he'd get so emotional he'd have to go hang out in his garage/workshop until he'd composed himself. Whenever I'd have a relationship end and be nursing a broken heart, I knew I could always call him for a healthy dose of "he was no good anyway", or "you deserve a much better guy than that goofball". No matter what went wrong, it was always their fault. And, let's face it, every girl needs at least one man in her life who thinks she is perfect just the way she is, that she is always right, and that she is the smartest most beautiful girl in the whole world. Thanks Dad!

You know I'm in no hurry to get to heaven. I've got way too much to still do in this life. But when it is my time I know I won't be afraid. It will be so nice to see your smiling face there to greet me and to give me one of those big hugs I miss so much. I love you Daddy and I miss you very much. Happy Father's Day!


When the Thought of You Catches Up With Me

It can happen any moment
Without reason or rhyme
It might be right around the corner
Or it'll come up from behind
A picture that I thought would fade
That I still clearly see
When the thought of you catches up with me
It can happen on a Sunday drive
The sky above a shade of blue
Headin' down some lonesome highway
Then you come into view
Mile after mile goes by
But you're all I see
When the thought of you catches up with me
When the thought of you comes to mind
It'll carry me away to a better place in time
It can happen in the dead of night
Or any day of the week
Sometimes you'll come find me
When I'm in bed asleep
And I'll have that dream about you
And I sure love what I see
When the thought of you catches up with me
When the thought of you catches up with me
When the thought of you catches up with me
*Lyrics by David Ball

Weekend Playdate!

Christian had a playdate with his "girlfriend" Megan on Sunday and they had such a blast that I had to blog about it. But first, a bit of history on this duo. Christian and Megan have been going to preschool together for the last two years and have been an "item" since very early on. Within the first few weeks of starting school together Christian has referred to Megan as his girlfriend and told us on several occasions that he is going to marry her. His devotion has never wavered.

The afternoon started with a game of dress-up. You know it's serious when he lets her wear his all time favorite Knight's costume!

Next on the afternoon's agenda was a trip to Lake Accotink park. We'd hoped to take them on a canoe ride but they were having a boat regatta and not doing any boat rentals on Sunday. The place was packed though and they had a bunch of other fun stuff to do. The favorite activity for these two was the water shower archway. I didn't think we'd ever get them out of it.

But the playground eventually sounded fun so off we went...

and would you believe it, there were two swings open at the same time so we commenced to swinging. For any of you who know Christian well, you know that he will swing until the cows come home as long as someone pushes him. Megan seemed to be loving it too.

Eventually they got hungry so we headed home where they dined in the front yard and then ran through the sprinkler for a while.

The rest of the afternoon was spent cruising the neighborhood in Christian's Jeep. I think it was Megan's first "car date" and was definitely the highlight. Christian even let her drive a few times.