Family

It's 2:20 a.m. and I'm sitting in Daddy's hospital room. After having surgery less than 48 hours ago he is up and walking and in rare form. He has been reminiscing about his time in the Marines. Daddy believes that his training as a Marine made him a better man and able to handle many things in life. It taught him to be a hard worker and to never give up. He also has been reminiscing about how lucky he has been in his life and how extremely proud he is of his family. I told him that all of his kids are successful because he and Mommy always taught us to work hard and to push ourselves to accomplish our goals. He said that Mommy would be very proud of all of us. Daddy feels he has been so very lucky in life to have two wonderful women he has loved and they have loved him back. I am so thankful that he found step-mom after Mommy died. The three of us were talking the other day and they both feel that having each other has helped them live this long. It truly is all about family - life that is. Each day we should wake up and be thankful for those that surround us in spirit and on Earth. How lonely we would be if we didn't have our family connections to help us celebrate and to get through those tough times. I know I am so very thankful for my immediate and extended family. :)

Happy Days Ahead

I'm so excited that our kids are coming home this week! Being empty-nesters is weird! I get up in the morning and can blast the music as loud as I want and no one cares, because no one else is home. The dog looks at me like - oh....here she goes again, blasting the music, singing and dancing. She tries to join me but just can't get the groove with four legs. Son's room is ready for him to come home to...except all of his stuff is gone and now there is a futon ready for him to sleep on. It's pretty funny to see a 6' man sleeping on a futon that is not quite 6'....but he does sleep well. Lucky Daughter gets to come home to a real bed, since hers is still here. So a couple of days of bliss with a full house again. We are going to love it! We are going to cherish each moment we get to spend together.

Life, continued...

I open Facebook today and there are sweet words about my great-nephew Calvin who we lost a year ago today. I remember the day vividly when I opened the e-mail from my brother and my world stopped. Sisters and I took action and went to take care of family. It was an amazing few days. What I experienced in those days when we were together as a family is:
- that we are better together than apart
- that no matter how far we live from each other, we are still family
- that our family love goes deep
- that we take care of each other
- that we feel each other's hurt
- that we feel each others love
- that we are family.....

How lucky we are to have each other. I was looking through Calvin's mom's blog and came upon the pictures she recently dedicated a blog post to. As I went through the pictures my eyes filled with tears. Although Calvin was not part of my everyday life, he was very much a part of my life because he is family.
Seeing my brother's family all come together and care for each other - to celebrate Calvin and what he gave in the short time he was on Earth - was incredible. How lucky I was to be part of this experience. Those things that challenge us in life make us even stronger.
So as I live my life - day by day - I am continually reminded of the love that we have. On those days that are exhausting and full of some type of anguish - I remember Calvin and the joy he brought to so many people in his life.

LIfe

So it's been a while since I've blogged and figured I better get back to it. Lots of happenings - daughter is now working in her boyfriend's town at a new job...so her stuff is here, but she isn't...except when she comes home to visit. Son has three weeks left before he graduates and starts his new job! He is SO excited and ready for the training to be over! Husband and I have been busy with working on daughter and boyfriends home and getting it livable. It will be great when it's all done...just a lot of work...but will be worth it! So...life is moving along and things are changing. We now have an empty nest, well sort of, except that all their stuff is still here...at least most of it. It doesn't feel like they aren't here because their bedrooms are still the same. I guess once all of that is gone I'll have my empty nest breakdown. I love being with the kids and seeing them be successful and happy adults! It's great to see that all of our parenting up to this point has made a difference in their lives to help them be successful adults. What more could we ask for? Wow!

Birthday Week

Husband and I had a wonderful time in Pacific Grove. We stayed at our favorite place, Sunset Inn which has been totally remodeled. Beautiful and a great price. On my birthday we went to Point Lobos and hiked around. It was a beautiful day. We saw Star Trek - even though neither of us are true Trekkies - it was great! We had a wonderful time just hanging out and not having any agenda. That was the true gift.

Sick Bay

So....since last Monday I have been living in the world of the bed and bathroom! My view for the last week has been this! Woopee! When you are sick you totally forget what it is like to feel good - and productive. I missed 5 days of work. I can't remember the last time that ever happened! I lost five pounds because I ate nothing but a couple bites of toast and stomached two saltine crackers.....but of course my appetite has returned with a vengeance and those five pounds I am sure have found their way back to me! Lucky husband was on vacation - or was that lucky for me?? He was chasing me around the house - when I ventured away from the bed - with Clorox wipes! What a sweetie! Back up to checking e-mail, watching A LOT of Monk and eating finally! Can't wait to feel 100% again! Daughter and I have a 1/2 marathon the end of May I have to get ready for! Right now I can't even walk to the end of the driveway without feeling wiped out! Better get working on that right away! Son and daugther were ordered to stay away - but I sure miss them....lucky for me Dakota hung out with me all week.

April 25, 2009 - Long Time - No Post!

So...oldest brother told me last weekend that I hadn't updated my blog for a while...he was right! So...here it goes. Last weekend, as oldest bro put on his blog, was a wonderful family weekend celebrating Daddy's 89th b-day! What great man to honor. He has provided all of his children with wonderful morals and life! I am proud to be his baby. As part of the economy our nation is in, daughter was laid off...but it was a blessing in disguise. She has been spending lots of time in LB with boyfriend and working on the new home while looking for a new job. Most importantly...she is happy! What more can a mom ask for?? Son just finished his 12th weeks of the academy! Yes, still a proud mom, but now of a son who is 35 pounds lighter! It's not like he had a lot to lose, but he has dropped 2 pant sizes. He is doing fabulous! The work is HARD and the days are LONG, but he is doing great! Only 15 more weeks to go! The days will be getting longer as night class starts next week, but we know he can do it. He has a great attitude about getting through and learning everything he can while he's there. My new job since December holds many challenges that I have risen to. The learning curve is always straight up! Yesterday I spent the morning at a school wide assembly at the my old school. I MISS the energy of the kids - they are all so fabulous - and of the course the staff as well. It's hard to "give birth" to a great place and then walk away...but we do what we know we have to do. It will always be near and dear to my heart. Husband is working long hours...too long. But..he is on vacation this coming week and is so excited! He will be going to LB to help tear down a wall at boyfriend's new home. It's a great place - 10 acres - with no possibility of development happening around. So...daughter and I have signed up to do another 1/2 marathon the end of May...which means we have been getting our butts in gear! The dog is loving the walks and the chasing of squirrels at the park. Okay...all caught up for now...I satisfied my obligation to my big bro (ha, ha, ha!!).

Proud Momma

Tomorrow son starts the highway patrol academy. Today Dad, Mom and Son went to the orientation. It was amazing to see so many shaved heads! You could definitely tell the number of men going in. A total of 240 cadets, 17 of them being women - pretty cool! It was great for Mom and Dad to see that the academy is set up for Son to be successful and not fail. They repeated throughout the day how many different ways they support the cadets. During the presentation I was standing next to a young mom with a young baby boy, maybe 8 months old. I thought to myself...wasn't it just yesterday that Son was that little? How time flies. Mom and Dad are so incredibly proud of Son and his accomplishments. The next 27 weeks will be grueling for him and he will have days when he wants to say - I'm done, I'm coming home....but we know he won't! He is dedicated to this commitment and will make an excellent officer because he is such a good person.

So how can you not love this face! She actually thinks she is human!