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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Unofficial Start of Summer

I guess you could say that tonight was our unofficial start to summer as Graham had his first t-ball game. I'm amazed at what a difference a year makes. Last year the kids spent a great majority of the time playing in the dirt and only a small amount of time focused on the game. Tonight they were pretty focused on playing and didn't care so much about the dirt. It actually doesn't matter what they're focused on, they all look adorable no matter what they do!

Getting ready for his turn at bat

SWING

Right after Graham made this face at me, he told me that no Mom's were allowed in the dugout

This is very typical Amelia as she always has a book in hand. She was only semi-interested in watching the game.

I think this is her "I'm really hot and kind of bored and I really want you to put the camera away!" face.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Amelia's First Dance Recital

Today was a big day for Amelia...her very first dance recital!  I was certainly one proud Mama to see my little girl up on that stage dancing her heart out! I wasn't just happy to see how adorable Amelia looked in her little ballet shoes and lion costume, but I was so proud to see her in front of an audience having a great time! Amelia can be very slow to warm up in a new environment and being on a stage in front of a huge audience is definitely a new environment. But, she was so brave and showed off all her little dance moves with confidence! I will fully admit to getting completely choked up when Amelia spotted me in the audience which made her smile turned into a grin and she began to wave. Sometimes I still have to pinch myself that this life really is my own. Today I got to be the Mommy in the audience waving at my little girl up on stage and what a fantastic day it was!

My only regret for the day was that I didn't break the 'no pictures in the auditorium rule' which means I don't have a single photo from the actual performance. I need to remember this for next time. Some rules are made to be broken, right? :)


Getting ready for her big debut!
Celebrating after the show!

Amelia and her friends Zebra Mary and Zebra Laney. 

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

The two months leading up to now....

The past two months have been life changing for me. My life suddenly feels like it has two parts-before and after. In this case, before refers before the accident and after refers to after the accident. In early March, Sara, one of my very best friends, was in an awful car accident caused by a drunk driver. Sara, with all of her amazing strength and persistence, fought for her life for an entire month before she got her angel wings, as her wonderful mother, Carol,  would say. I spent countless hours at the hospital, reading to Sara, talking to Sara, and just sitting with Sara. During that month, I do feel like I was able to say good-bye to my dear friend, but honestly, I wasn't ready. Sara was the friend to me that everyone wishes they had. Sara was the friend that I was in constant contact with-if we weren't talking, we were texting, or emailing. A day didn't go by that we weren't communicating in some way. When I think back to the memorable moments in my life, Sara was always present. She was one of the first people to welcome us home at the airport when we arrived home with Graham and eventually Amelia. In fact, when our long awaited travel call for Amelia came, Sara was the first person I shared the news with....sorry, Jeff! :) I called Sara at work and from her desk in her very conservative work environment, she let out the type of joyful scream that only a best friend could scream. She was a constant fixture not only in my life, but in the lives of Graham and Amelia as well. She attended every birthday party and loved to call them on special days specifically to talk with them. I will never forget talking with her on Christmas morning and how she took the time to chat with each kid as she showed such a genuine interest in what Santa surprised them with. Sara's passing has left a hole in my life that will never be filled but I'm moving forward and am trying to live each day to the absolute fullest...exactly the way Sara would. And, I will make a real effort to stay on top of this blog. After all, it was always Sara who would remind me when I was falling  behind!

The emotion of the past two months brings me to where we are today. The kids and I had the opportunity (Daddy Jeff  had to be at work) to spend a few days in California with my Mom. Sunny warm weather, a great resort, and a change of scenery...did I even need to give it a second thought? Needless to say, we had a great time. We swam, we relaxed, we shopped, and the kids were good little travelers. Does it get any better than that?

Thankfully, the kids love the beach just as much as I do!!
This is Amelia's dream come true. She's in a serious "I LOVE horses!" phase and talks constantly about wanting to ride a horse. Well, a street fair in Palm Springs came through for her and she rode that pony with pride!
Amelia sure loves her Grandma!