Happy Birthay, Gail

Gail turned 60. We couldn't let this birthday pass without a big celebration! I often look back and thank God for gail- for so many reasons, but the one that often comes to my mind is that God knew i would still need a mother in my life after he took my own. I need one during pregnancies, births, child rearing, and amazing sales and clearances! He put her in my life for that very reason and although i deeply miss my mom, i couldn't imagine my life without gail. The hole would be much larger and harder to deal with if it wasn't for gail. You don't get to pick your mother-in-law. She just kind of comes with the husband, but i am so blessed that TJ's mom is awesome. It could have been so bad, but instead it was such a good thing!
I LOVE you, gail! And although i don't call you "mom" you are one to me and for that i am so very thankful. After six years of calling you "gail" i just couldn't switch what i called you that easily.
We love you for you and that is why you are so worth celebrating!

Jaelynne was so excited to celebrate Nammy's birthday.







TJ started cooking in the kitchen at 11:30 and didn't stop cooking until 6:30. Then it was clean-up!


The girls had so much fun on lori and trevor's bed.




Such giggling and smiles!


A dress is for twirling!




Jaelynne playing with her uncle Matt.


Camryn loves shoes. She wanted to try them all on.

The food was amazing! Good job, TJ!


Camy was hungry so i got her started right away.







Time to play Bunco. .. gail's request!

Jaelynne getting very sleep, so she went to snuggle on the couch with her uncle trevor





Jaely was really excited to give Nammy her bracelet.

Trevor & Lori

I was reminded how fragile life is, how health and routine can be so easily taken for granted. Friday, I was talking to Lori on the phone on her ride from work until she got home. They were going to go grab a bite to eat and she needed to let me go.

The next thing I know, gail is calling me Saturday morning to tell me that Trevor was in the hospital. He was violently vomiting and complained of immense stomach pain. It turns out he had an obstructed bowel. They had to put an NG tube to pump out every thing in his stomach in hopes of relieving pressure off of his bowel. They hooked him up to IVs and got some morphine into him to help with the pain. They did scans and x-rays, but were not confident what was causing the pain. His intestine could be twisted or there was a mass.

He was absolutely miserable for three days while they tried to figure it out, always hoping to get a better x-ray.

Today in the late afternoon, they finally did surgery to remove some of his small intestines. There was scare tissue there, a condition he was born with, but didn't know it. I am sure recovery will be long and difficult.

I guess i didn't need to go into so much detail, but i just felt so bad for Trevor and for Lori. The sound of the discomfort of the NG tube, the constant nausea or the pain of the anti nausea shot, the pain and the not knowing. I felt bad for Lori, as i so easily put myself in her place. All the mixed feelings and trying to hold it together.

And to think, they were just carrying about like normal a week ago and now, unable to go to work, to go home, and to eat. Life can just get flipped upside down so quickly.

I am thankful he will be okay. I am thankful that gail was there for Lori, who had to be there for Trevor. I am thankful to the doctors. I hope recovery goes quickly and smoothly.

I had to get out!

Today, I just had to get out of the house. I couldn't stand to look around at everything that needed to be done- the stacks of papers to correct, the dust on the furniture, the stacks of random kid items all over the counters and entertainment center, or the floor that needed to be vacuumed- and not be able to do any of them. The girls at this age, particulary, Camryn need to be watched and played with almost every second. Jaelynne used to be such an independent player, but now that she goes to daycare full time and and has some one to play with at all times, she expects that at home. Camryn will put herself in danger in just a blink of an eye. It doesn't leave a lot of time to get things done.

So the girls woke up from their nap earlier than to be expected. I had to get out. I was planning on taking Camryn to the mall because she doesn't have a lot of say in the matter, but as soon as Jaely noticed I was getting ready to go somewhere, she wanted to know where i was going. After i told her she said she wanted to go too.

I wasn't expecting it to be a wonderful trip because i had quite an agenda and i knew what Jaely's was- to play in the germ infested playland. in the car, i asked her if she wanted to be pushed around in the sit n stand part of the stroller (thinking, it would make my life a lot easier) but she didn't want to. We listened loudly to Farm Animal kid songs and sang along. She followed me around in Younkers, sat in the chair while i tried on stuff and gave her opinion on shirts i tried on. She talked to the maniquines and told them that they shouldn't stand on their tippy toes and that their toenails needed nail polish on them. She used an indoor voice and didn't run. She didn't rush me or nag me about going to the playland. She pointed out my beebo when we trying on clothes and asked me if i was cold. She picked out an outfit that she really liked in Gap and asked if we could buy it. . . little does she know Papa already picked out the same exact outfit and it is sitting downstairs ready to be given for her birthday.

I had an awesome trip with my daughter. It reminded me of shopping with my mom. What a grown up little girl we have. When did this happen?

Happy Birthday Babe!

I have started this post at least five times. It is TJ's birthday, and i am having a difficult time finding the words that describe how I am completely in love with him. I think back to when he was 16 and i was 17. Even then, i could see how amazing and compassionate his heart is. I could get a glimpse of what an awesome listener he is. Back then, i knew how intelligent and hilarious he is. But what i didn't know would later make me love him even more than i knew i could ever love a person.

I didn't know that he would someday be bathing both of our girls in the bathtub. I didn't know he would be the papa dragon and chase the Jaely princess and Cami princess into their Eric Carle Castle. I didn't know that he would be such an amazing cook who loves to try new things in the kitchen. I didn't know he would eventually be the grocery shopper of the family. I didn't know what a good kisser he was. I didn't know that he would be such an effective teacher who takes the time to build relationships with his students. I didn't know he would paint my toenails. I didn't know he would make snow angels with our daughters, rock them to sleep in the middle of the night, smother them with kisses, take them to numerous doctor appointments, apologize when giving me nightly fertility shots, hold jaely's hair back as she throws up, be my rock when my mom died, nor did i know he would tell me i am beautiful every day and would not let a day go by where he doesn't make it clear just how loved i am and how loved our girls are. I didn't know he would be such a wonderful woodworker, landscaper, chef, problem solver, reliable GPS, teacher, papa, counselor, friend, lover.

He is an amazing creation. An awesome blessing. A gift from God. Happy Birthday RR! I love you more than i ever knew i could love someone.