Because of Him, I Am.......

As with all of my important posts lately, this one is also a little late. Do you sense a trend here? But again, the meaning and the sentiment could not be more sincere.

My heart still breaks just a little when I think of him, and how amazing it would be to watch him with all of his great-grandkids. I know that he would be filled with pride and they would make him smile non-stop. He is missed daily, but I know he is still there, because I can feel him in the details. And, all thirteen of those great-grandkids have one of the most loving and vigilant guardian angels in all of the heavens. I love you Grandad!!

Memorial Day 2008

These are just a few of my favorite people in the world. Not all of the nieces and nephews were there for the Memorial Day festivities, and some were just moving too fast for me to catch on camera. But it was a good time, and it was great to be able to catch up. Seems like life is always so busy for everyone and it is next to impossible to get everyone together at the same time. We are hoping for a family picnic this summer though, and trust me...I will take tons of pictures! Hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday weekend, and now it is back to the same old grind!!!

Rock Band

Critter and Burda seem to really be concentrating hard on this session of Rock Band. But I think my nephew might just have a career as a roadie waiting for him if the whole professional baseball playing stud doesn't pan out! And the hubby....not gonna let him quit his day job for sure.

Conversations With A Man

Hubby: Honey, thanks for such a great dinner tonight. I just want to be sure you know how much I appreciate it.

Me: Sure baby, you're welcome. (this was said with a knowing grin)

And what was this culinary masterpiece that won my mans heart? Chili dogs and french fries!! And not even homemade fries.....just your average everyday garden variety bag type.
Do you think he is hoping to get lucky? Yeah, me too! ;)

Oh, And PS...

I have fixed the problem I was previously having with the comments so it should no longer be an issue. So don't just be a lurker, feel free to leave a comment. It can be about politics, global warming, gas prices, pop culture or whatever else might trip your trigger! I would love to know if anyone out there is listening.

Who's Idea Was It To Wear Capris And Flip Flops??*

So the temperature today is a balmy 55 degrees, with tomorrow's temperature expected to be a scorching 65 degrees!!! Friday we will again be blessed with a high of only 56. I know what you're thinking....you're thinking what the hell point is she trying to make here?? My point is that Friday is the start of the Memorial Day weekend!! This is the weekend we usually go out and spend a small fortune on blow up swim toys, foam noodles and diving sticks. We also buy enough sunscreen to supply a small third world country with all of the UV protection they could possibly need. Seriously......did you happen to notice how pale my third child is? If he got any whiter, he would be transparent!! The sun is not his friend. Now where was I?? Oh yeah!!!! How are we supposed to get our summer party on if it stays this damn cold?? Mother Nature is really giving us a kick to the crotch here! I need sun!! I need warm!! I need summer to start all ready!! So if anyone out there has a direct line to Mother Nature, could you please make a small request for me? Tell her I would greatly appreciate it if she could HURRY THE HELL UP! Please and thank you!


*thanks for the title Lesa!

My Pre-School Graduate

I had to pick the video that would give you the best view of his bobblehead impression. It is subtle, but let me tell ya...it is pretty damn funny in person!! You can see me and the kids in the background trying so hard not to laugh out loud. We were not very successful at this I am afraid! But he didn't notice and I still got my fake rose so all in all it was a very good night.

Mom's Day at Pre-School, 2008

This doesn't require much explanation. Today was Little Man's last day of pre-school, and starting this fall he will be in "big boy" school.

As Promised....

Ok, I know that I am pretty biased but they are pretty damn adorable. The pictures turned out so great and I cant wait to get new frames so I can set them up all over the house!! Oh, and sorry for the crooked one....didn't scan quite the way I wanted but I was just too lazy to re-do it. :)

Pre-School Pet Day

Today was pet day at the Little Man's pre-school, and this was by far the cutest pet in the place. I didn't hear the whole story behind this sweet little girl, but she doesn't even have her eyes open yet! Of course every one of the kids wanted to take her home, and I have to admit...I was pretty tempted to grab her and run!!

The Prettiest Flower In My Garden

I was up at dark thirty am today to take my friend to the airport and after I dropped her off I started to think about what she means to me. She is the friend I have had the longest, which means she knows all about my warts and imperfections, but tolerates me anyway. Her life post High School hasn't always been fairy tale worthy, but she copes with an almost perfect balance of insanity and grace. Sometimes one outweighs the other, but eventually it all comes back to center and I admire her so much for that. Right now she is dealing with the inevitable loss of another member of her family to the dreaded C word, and this will happen sooner rather than later. I wish with every fiber of my being that I could take some of the sadness and feel it for her so she didn't have to. I owe her that....she quite literally saved my life one week in July back in 2000. Of course, my liver just might beg to differ with me on that. But I know for a fact that my life today would be completely different had I not been able to run away to the safety of her home and her amazing family for that week. So if you happen to have a free minute today, please say a prayer or send a happy thought out into the universe for her. She could really use a big dose of positive energy and believe me when I tell you that no one deserves it more than her!!

I Know This Is A Little Late, But The Sentiment Is The Same...

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Love,

Your Favorite Child!! :)

PS--The cutie in the background is my nephew! Gonna be a real lady killer that one!!

Welcome to the Club!!

So this is a day late, but I wanted to be sure to give a "shout out" to my little sister. However, the term little sister loses something when you hit 40. Or, as she likes to call it, the 20th anniversary of her 20th birthday. But whatever you call it, it is still officially middle age. Welcome to the club sis....you should be getting your official welcome kit anytime!! :)

Happy Belated Mother's Day

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day, and you got to spend it with the special people in your life. I personally could not imagine my life without my three amazing kids. They truly are my reason for getting out of bed every day, and I believe I am a better person simply because I get to participate in their lives. If I were to try and list everything they do to make me proud, I am sure I would quickly run out of room on this blog. But I can tell you that I would not, even if I could, change one single thing about them. I know that they can do anything they choose to, and I am honored that I get to support them every step of the way.
About 2 weeks ago, Critter and Burda took Little Man out to spend the day with them, but in reality, they all went to the Target Portrait Studio and got their pictures taken. So for Mother's Day I got the proof page, and the pictures will be available on the 16th. I cant wait to see them, and I will post the info so you can check them out online if you want. And, of course it goes without saying that I will scan 1 or 2 and post them here. I think that is about the best present they could have possibly given me!! I hope you all got everything your heart desired for Mother's Day!

Open Up Your Hearts and Your Wallets for a Good Cause

Remember the little boy fighting cancer that I have written about several times? Well, a very sweet man has come up with a wristband to be sold to raise money for the Iowa City Ronald McDonald house. You know what the wristbands are....you can buy just about any color, to support just about any cause. Well, I personally think this is a great cause, and I can do it for my nephew since he was able to benefit from some of the best doctors Iowa has to offer at the U of I Hospital. So I am posting the information directly from Coleman's carepage for you. I hope everyone can spare a couple of dollars. I know that if I skip 1 or 2 latte, I can cover the cost and that sure isn't giving up much. So, how about it?? Make this your random act of kindness for the month!

OH I almost forgot, if you still want a TEAM LARSON wristband, here’s Don’s email again.... dayersiii@verizon.net Thank you so much Don- (this is a man who has one of the most GIVING hearts we know…) I think this ‘little’ project has turned into quite BIGGER than he expected? He hasn’t complained though…and for him to do this for us, means the world. He needs the number of bands you want, sizes and an address to send them to. Donations are being forwarded to the Ronald McDonald house of Iowa City…our 2nd Home, not because of the house itself, but the amazing people who give of themselves there. It’s a special place to our family and so many others…we thank you for being a part of us giving a little back as a token of the huge help they’ve been to us.

The Soundtrack to My Formative Years

And I have to admit, I have seen more than a few of these groups/artists live in concert. The hubby's favorite song is in this montage and I bet you will never in a million years guess which one it is. But Critter and Burda don't get to guess, cuz that would be cheating!!

So, enjoy, and I apologize up front for that nasty 80's tune that will be stuck in your head all day!

Ok, Seriously...This Will Be the Last One!!

And again I am blown away by how beautiful my baby girl is. Of course, I think she is just as lovely in her sweat pants and no makeup!