This is a picture of the homily Fr. Bob gave at our wedding all
We are counting down to our 20th next July.
I think as the year goes on I'll share little bits of my wedding... ohhh that'll be fun!
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
He is the Love of my Life
Today we are celebrating 19 years... 19!!!
This is a picture of the homily Fr. Bob gave at our wedding all
We are counting down to our 20th next July.
I think as the year goes on I'll share little bits of my wedding... ohhh that'll be fun!
This is a picture of the homily Fr. Bob gave at our wedding all
We are counting down to our 20th next July.
I think as the year goes on I'll share little bits of my wedding... ohhh that'll be fun!
Monday, July 27, 2015
Diapers in Detroit
In August of 2004 we left China with our baby girl in our arms. It was glorious and wonderful and moving, and emotional and the best thing ever.
(leaving China) (I know I don't like it was glorious, wonderful, moving, emotional, or the best thing ever. No makeup, shower, and no sleep for a few days.) (But oh that sleeping baby in my arms)
But we were tired. To the bone tired. And we had 48 straight hours of travel in front of us. With a new baby (new to us).
And somehow when I packed the carry ons I only had "just enough" diapers.
(Here we are on the airport floor... I brought a plastic table cloth for the babies to play on in between flights)
Who knew that diapers filled with pee explode sometimes in mid air?
Hers did and we went through about 20 diapers from China to Detroit. When we landed in Detroit Anna was wearing her very last diaper. Very last.
The very first thing we did after landing (besides ordering American food) was to hunt down diapers before our connecting flight to Connecticut.
Scott found a pack of diapers. A little bag of like 4. Perfect.
They didn't really fit her but I squeezed her in. And crossed my fingers they'd stay on. It was only a two hour flight. Only two more hours til home.
I called my Mom from the airport (no cells on that trip) and told her to go to the store, buy diapers, and bring them to the airport. Or maybe I called my sister in law because Anna's cousin Ian was the exact same age. Anyway.
We made it home. But boy oh boy did I ever stress about those diapers.
Last night over tea Scott and I were chatting about our upcoming road trip. A total of 31 hours in the car. With one daughter who can't order anything off a menu or anything at a rest stop. I was worried. Okay, panicked. And even though we planned all of the food out there was room in my mama's heart to worry. Scott had only three words.
Diapers in Detroit.
At first I had forgotten. And then we laughed about it. How worried we were. The stress we felt. And how it ALL WORKED OUT.
I don't really travel well. You can ask Scott or my Mom or my Dad.
When I was on my honeymoon in Hawaii I begged and begged Scott to take me home. Yes, I did. (somewhere on this blog is a longer story about that)
Two summers ago I planned the ultimate seven night, eight day trip to Disney. Waited my whole life to take my two little girls there. And the night before I said to Scott, "maybe I could just call my Mom and she could go in my place." And I meant it.
Traveling makes me nervous. And I overcompensate. (except when I forget the basics.) I start buying as soon as a travel decision is made. Clothes for the girls, shoes, hair bows, New things to hold shampoo, a boatload of things to do in the car. So much that we could drive to California and back without an "I'm bored". It might rain and I think my raincoat is a bit too long. Better head to LLBean. I can't stop. It just helps me.
Scott says thank goodness when the trip finally comes. Because she can stop shopping for it.
But I'll have you know that after all of that I am over the moon excited about seeing these friends. And sitting on her porch. (wait, maybe I should get a new sweater... do you think it might be breezy there? Should I go with my cute flats or flip flops???... see there I go again)
And to see these friends too. Over the moon I tell you.
Just as soon as I stop shopping and actually go!
(proof positive that it ALL WORKS OUT) (somewhere in the air between Beijing and Detroit)
(leaving China) (I know I don't like it was glorious, wonderful, moving, emotional, or the best thing ever. No makeup, shower, and no sleep for a few days.) (But oh that sleeping baby in my arms)
But we were tired. To the bone tired. And we had 48 straight hours of travel in front of us. With a new baby (new to us).
And somehow when I packed the carry ons I only had "just enough" diapers.
(Here we are on the airport floor... I brought a plastic table cloth for the babies to play on in between flights)
Who knew that diapers filled with pee explode sometimes in mid air?
Hers did and we went through about 20 diapers from China to Detroit. When we landed in Detroit Anna was wearing her very last diaper. Very last.
The very first thing we did after landing (besides ordering American food) was to hunt down diapers before our connecting flight to Connecticut.
Scott found a pack of diapers. A little bag of like 4. Perfect.
They didn't really fit her but I squeezed her in. And crossed my fingers they'd stay on. It was only a two hour flight. Only two more hours til home.
I called my Mom from the airport (no cells on that trip) and told her to go to the store, buy diapers, and bring them to the airport. Or maybe I called my sister in law because Anna's cousin Ian was the exact same age. Anyway.
We made it home. But boy oh boy did I ever stress about those diapers.
Last night over tea Scott and I were chatting about our upcoming road trip. A total of 31 hours in the car. With one daughter who can't order anything off a menu or anything at a rest stop. I was worried. Okay, panicked. And even though we planned all of the food out there was room in my mama's heart to worry. Scott had only three words.
Diapers in Detroit.
At first I had forgotten. And then we laughed about it. How worried we were. The stress we felt. And how it ALL WORKED OUT.
I don't really travel well. You can ask Scott or my Mom or my Dad.
When I was on my honeymoon in Hawaii I begged and begged Scott to take me home. Yes, I did. (somewhere on this blog is a longer story about that)
Two summers ago I planned the ultimate seven night, eight day trip to Disney. Waited my whole life to take my two little girls there. And the night before I said to Scott, "maybe I could just call my Mom and she could go in my place." And I meant it.
Traveling makes me nervous. And I overcompensate. (except when I forget the basics.) I start buying as soon as a travel decision is made. Clothes for the girls, shoes, hair bows, New things to hold shampoo, a boatload of things to do in the car. So much that we could drive to California and back without an "I'm bored". It might rain and I think my raincoat is a bit too long. Better head to LLBean. I can't stop. It just helps me.
Scott says thank goodness when the trip finally comes. Because she can stop shopping for it.
But I'll have you know that after all of that I am over the moon excited about seeing these friends. And sitting on her porch. (wait, maybe I should get a new sweater... do you think it might be breezy there? Should I go with my cute flats or flip flops???... see there I go again)
And to see these friends too. Over the moon I tell you.
Just as soon as I stop shopping and actually go!
(proof positive that it ALL WORKS OUT) (somewhere in the air between Beijing and Detroit)
Friday, July 24, 2015
Road Trip
We're going on a big road trip coming up soon this summer. And I've done all of the fun stuff like packing clothes. Childrens clothes are my hobby. And why is it always the same... we all do what we love to do first and then we avoid the yucky parts? So all of the clothes are packed and ready to go but I have so much to do for the food and other necessities. At least one is getting done now. Empty my pictures from my phone. Lots of fun on there I tell you!
Like this one that Anna took. We got married here, in our home town, nineteen years ago this coming Tuesday.
on our way to having tea
my swimmers
still worried about this
this made me hap hap happy!!!
and this place makes me happy too
I adore the month of July
three miles every single day with Anna... love
where I stand... a lot
mandatory... 4:00 tea in the summer is grand. 4:00 September through June is chaos.
abigail took this cool sky
reading this a loud at meal times is giggly fun
new throw rugs make my mud room happy
cute guy at the grill
Like this one that Anna took. We got married here, in our home town, nineteen years ago this coming Tuesday.
on our way to having tea
my swimmers
still worried about this
this made me hap hap happy!!!
and this place makes me happy too
I adore the month of July
three miles every single day with Anna... love
where I stand... a lot
mandatory... 4:00 tea in the summer is grand. 4:00 September through June is chaos.
abigail took this cool sky
reading this a loud at meal times is giggly fun
new throw rugs make my mud room happy
cute guy at the grill
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Aww Gee
I thought this was it... really I did. Till I found these few clips on my phone. I "just gotta" (as Annie would say) get them here. So Abigail can see them someday.
And I'm sorry that my blog has been Abigail heavy and Annie heavy too. I do have another beautiful daughter and we are doing other things this summer... and a bunch of nothing too.
This is just a week and half into the production. My little Molly was still learning the lines. But oh boy I love hearing those girls belt out that song!
My Dad saying, "smile, smile!"
This one is only the third day when they still hadn't figured out the parts. They were just teaching them the dances to see who might be who!
Just learning it...
And this is checking online the day the parts were listed.
About two weeks in...
This is the preshow that happened in the lobby as everyone else was backstage. Super fun!
Dress Rehearsal (and oh what a fix, no peppermint sticks)
Dress Rehearsal bows
And last Friday we had a "take down the set" day and a party after. This is the last few moments of Annie magic! Abigail loved the choreographer!
And that's it... it's a wrap!
And I'm sorry that my blog has been Abigail heavy and Annie heavy too. I do have another beautiful daughter and we are doing other things this summer... and a bunch of nothing too.
This is just a week and half into the production. My little Molly was still learning the lines. But oh boy I love hearing those girls belt out that song!
My Dad saying, "smile, smile!"
This one is only the third day when they still hadn't figured out the parts. They were just teaching them the dances to see who might be who!
Just learning it...
And this is checking online the day the parts were listed.
About two weeks in...
This is the preshow that happened in the lobby as everyone else was backstage. Super fun!
Dress Rehearsal (and oh what a fix, no peppermint sticks)
Dress Rehearsal bows
And last Friday we had a "take down the set" day and a party after. This is the last few moments of Annie magic! Abigail loved the choreographer!
And that's it... it's a wrap!
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Annie
I know what you're thinking... how long can this go on? These Annie posts. This is the LAST. It is. But this is also the most exciting night.
You can tell just by looking at my girl!
This is Abigail and my Dad, her grandpa. I knew that after the show the stage would be filled with people taking all kinds of pictures and the set would be Warbucks Mansion so I had Abigail put on her orphan costume (even through she starts the show with the orphan pajamas) just so I could get these pictures.
Love this one. And love them together.
When the audience started filling up Abigail was really beaming. Especially when it was filled with pieces of her heart.
and this...
My Dad has always, always had the cast join hands before each performance. Wished I taped it. But I think I can remember forever since I've heard the uplifting talk for 42 years.
He tells them that this one a very special night. That "it's going to go by so fast. You'll hear the music, the curtain will go up, the show will start and then it will be over. Just like that. It goes by so fast."
He tells them to have fun. To enjoy themselves. To laugh. To give it their all. And to feel grateful.
He talks for a while them about feeling gratitude for being able to be a part of something wonderful.
And then she says it's time to close your eyes for a moment of silence. He says you can silently thank your parents. You can thank God. You can pray.
Abigail told me that she thanked God that it was all possible.
And he was right. The curtain when up
and just like that
the fun was over. And we have another wonderful memory to lock away... forever.
Abigail, you will always remember being Molly. You will forever have those songs, those lines, those dances in your heart. You will always have for the rest of our life you first musical and your time, precious time with your Grandpa.
You can tell just by looking at my girl!
This is Abigail and my Dad, her grandpa. I knew that after the show the stage would be filled with people taking all kinds of pictures and the set would be Warbucks Mansion so I had Abigail put on her orphan costume (even through she starts the show with the orphan pajamas) just so I could get these pictures.
Love this one. And love them together.
When the audience started filling up Abigail was really beaming. Especially when it was filled with pieces of her heart.
and this...
My Dad has always, always had the cast join hands before each performance. Wished I taped it. But I think I can remember forever since I've heard the uplifting talk for 42 years.
He tells them that this one a very special night. That "it's going to go by so fast. You'll hear the music, the curtain will go up, the show will start and then it will be over. Just like that. It goes by so fast."
He tells them to have fun. To enjoy themselves. To laugh. To give it their all. And to feel grateful.
He talks for a while them about feeling gratitude for being able to be a part of something wonderful.
And then she says it's time to close your eyes for a moment of silence. He says you can silently thank your parents. You can thank God. You can pray.
Abigail told me that she thanked God that it was all possible.
And he was right. The curtain when up
and just like that
the fun was over. And we have another wonderful memory to lock away... forever.
Abigail, you will always remember being Molly. You will forever have those songs, those lines, those dances in your heart. You will always have for the rest of our life you first musical and your time, precious time with your Grandpa.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Thursday Afternoon
I want to try to get down as many feelings as I can remember from that day. There was busy~ness. And exhaustion from being there late on Wednesday evening (dress rehearsal). Scott was away Tuesday through Thursday afternoon so dishes were piled in the sink until after I got them to sleep.
But there was that feeling of anticipation, great excitement for the Thursday evening performance.
That afternoon when we got home from the day performance I tried to get Abigail to fall asleep. I did all I could to make it possible. An after lunch bath, jammies, shades down, Raffi, but she just couldn't sleep. And that was fine. I remember being eight the day of a show.
When she "woke up" we had a little party for her. Sweet, and small, just something to mark the occasion of being in her first musical.
Anna and I went the week before to pick out a locket (the ultimate symbol of the musical Annie). Anna picked it out. Was so excited about it and for her little sister. She chose the font and what it would say on the engraving.
And Abigail was one excited eight year old about opening a present she knew was special.
Just because that box is so pretty.
She loved untying the ribbon. She loved the box in a box. She loved the tissue paper. And she loved the locket.
I have to find a sec to get a better picture of this sweet locket. It was sunny in the room. And I had the wrong lens on. And we HAD to eat, dress, and get to the show!!!
There is an A on the front. (A for Annie and A for Abigail)
On the back we decided to have it engraved Molly. Because I always want her to have her part close to her heart when she wears the locket. It was a big big big deal for her to get Molly. Not because of the lines or the singing. Without sharing too too much Abigail had a rough past year in school. We felt like her little confidence was beat down and by the end of the year she felt like she couldn't do anything right in school, wasn't smart, and was so behind she'd "never catch up". At the very end of the year I went in to school to hear her little reptile presentation and she was to timid and shy she could barely get the words out in front of the class. But then along came the summer and Molly was just what this little girl needed to find herself again.
Daddy brought home roses that afternoon.
Perfect, teeny, tiny celebration.
A quick mini dinner and some cake. We changed and we all headed off to the final performance. She was more excited than I'd ever seen her in her life. So happy that afternoon whizzing through all that had to be done. she was confident and beaming. And I was grateful. For it all.
But there was that feeling of anticipation, great excitement for the Thursday evening performance.
That afternoon when we got home from the day performance I tried to get Abigail to fall asleep. I did all I could to make it possible. An after lunch bath, jammies, shades down, Raffi, but she just couldn't sleep. And that was fine. I remember being eight the day of a show.
When she "woke up" we had a little party for her. Sweet, and small, just something to mark the occasion of being in her first musical.
Anna and I went the week before to pick out a locket (the ultimate symbol of the musical Annie). Anna picked it out. Was so excited about it and for her little sister. She chose the font and what it would say on the engraving.
And Abigail was one excited eight year old about opening a present she knew was special.
Just because that box is so pretty.
She loved untying the ribbon. She loved the box in a box. She loved the tissue paper. And she loved the locket.
I have to find a sec to get a better picture of this sweet locket. It was sunny in the room. And I had the wrong lens on. And we HAD to eat, dress, and get to the show!!!
There is an A on the front. (A for Annie and A for Abigail)
On the back we decided to have it engraved Molly. Because I always want her to have her part close to her heart when she wears the locket. It was a big big big deal for her to get Molly. Not because of the lines or the singing. Without sharing too too much Abigail had a rough past year in school. We felt like her little confidence was beat down and by the end of the year she felt like she couldn't do anything right in school, wasn't smart, and was so behind she'd "never catch up". At the very end of the year I went in to school to hear her little reptile presentation and she was to timid and shy she could barely get the words out in front of the class. But then along came the summer and Molly was just what this little girl needed to find herself again.
Daddy brought home roses that afternoon.
Perfect, teeny, tiny celebration.
A quick mini dinner and some cake. We changed and we all headed off to the final performance. She was more excited than I'd ever seen her in her life. So happy that afternoon whizzing through all that had to be done. she was confident and beaming. And I was grateful. For it all.
Monday, July 20, 2015
The First Performance
It was so exciting, that first performance. Here's Abigail getting her mic on.
And after that they go on stage for a mic check.
And then the show begins.
"Annie, read me your note"
"Maybe" Out of all of the Maybe photos I took (the ones where she falls asleep on Annie's lap) this one is my favorite!
Love her sleeping behind Annie
And Hard Knock Life was the BEST! This is Abigail up on an orphans shoulders acting as Miss Hannigan. "You'll stay up til this dump shines like the top of the Crysler building"
"Yank the wiskers from her chin"
"Get to work! Strip them beds! I said... get to work!!!"
And after that they go on stage for a mic check.
And then the show begins.
"Annie, read me your note"
"Maybe" Out of all of the Maybe photos I took (the ones where she falls asleep on Annie's lap) this one is my favorite!
Love her sleeping behind Annie
And Hard Knock Life was the BEST! This is Abigail up on an orphans shoulders acting as Miss Hannigan. "You'll stay up til this dump shines like the top of the Crysler building"
"Yank the wiskers from her chin"
"Get to work! Strip them beds! I said... get to work!!!"
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