Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Just a Little List...

So, it's been pretty close to a billion years since I last posted.  But I warned you, February is never good to me.

Here's a run down on recent events...

  • The girls turned 11.  Ridiculous, I know. 
  • Just prior to their actual birthday, I took each of them on their own little shopping trip - complete with a meal alone with Mom.  Casey chose the Olive Garden, Chandler picked the Grit.


  • On their actual birthday, we had cake and coffee with our family and those friends that might as well be family.

 {I love this picture for many reasons...1.Aunt Molly looks completely darling and smitten 2.The girls are wearing sweet new birthday dresses 3.Oh that Quinn!  He wanted to look nice for the party, so he picked out his tie to wear.  Tie and glasses on a 4 year old?  Swoon.

  • The birthday weekend led into a week of craziness, culminating in a flight to Chicago to surprise my Dad (who asks not be talked about on this here blog).
  • Seriously though...this is how the week went down...
Monday - we were all home.  Amen.
Tuesday - Chris taught class.  I wrangled children.
Wednesday - My birthday.  I turned 35.  No one sang to me.  Chris took Casey to dance class.  I did laundry and every time the  remaining two children began to fight I started with, "It's my birthday, please stop..."
Thursday - I took two children to dance class, Chris stayed home with one.
Friday - I took the day off work.  4 hours before I had to leave for the airport I decided to hit the outlet mall to find what I would be wearing on my trip, as I had yet to pack.  I'm that kind of awesome. I made it home with 3 new pairs of jeans and an hour to pack, shower and hit the road.
  • So I flew to Chicago.  About a month ago my step mom sneaked a call to me to tell me about the 60th birthday party they were planning for my dad.  It wasn't a surprise party, but she wanted to fly me in as the surprise part of the party.  I was beyond excited (and grateful).  I didn't breathe a word of it - facebook, blog, nothing - for fear that it would makes it's way back to him.
  • My younger brother picked me up at the airport and delivered me to my Gram's house (mom's mom) for a 20 hour stay.   On Saturday we ate out for both breakfast and lunch, which was pretty exciting.

 {my Gram has a cup for every grandchild - 19 of us - at her house and it's the only thing we use to drink out of when we are there - this one is mine}

 {sweetest lady in the universe.  in case you didn't already know that.}
  • Joey picked me back up in time to head to the party.  It was such an incredible night - to be the surprise - he had no idea and I will never forget the look on his face.  I will never forget how tightly he hugged me.  How he would let go and then pull me back in for another.  I had such a fantastic time with cousins and aunts and uncles {and my younger brothers, of course}.
  • I think one of the things I will remember the most from the evening was the speech that my brother gave.  Gah!  I can;t even begin to type it without tearing up.
  •  And if I haven't said it on here before, I think it should be part of this record, I have the most wonderful, amazing stepmother ever.  It's true.  I am so thankful that she has spent the past 31ish years in my life. 
  • On Sunday we went out for breakfast - my dad, my two brothers and me.  We spent the afternoon sorting through all of the donations to the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest.  In lieu of gifts, my dad requested toy and gift card donations for this charity.
  • And then my stepmom fed me in the most wonderful way - polenta, salad, and italian beef sandwiches.  It's the food I will eat everyday in Heaven.   In case you were wondering.

  • And then Monday morning came much too soon.  It's an odd thing - being torn between being a daughter in my father's house and a wife/mother in my own.  I was anxious to see my little family, but wanted nothing more than to be there when my dad came home from work on Monday.  My stepmom took me to the airport on Monday morning.  I held it together until the very last second.  My words would never be enough to explain to her how much I love her and appreciate her.  How I know that the surprise she planned was as much for me as it was for him.  And how much I love her for it.  I fought back the tears - only because I knew that if I started to cry she would and she still had to drive herself home - I only had to sit in an airport terminal with a cup of coffee waiting to board a plane home.
And so, that's it.  A little bulleted list of the past two weeks.  While I always do complain about February and it's brutal unendingness, I must say, this February has been one of my favorites.

5 comments:

Emily said...

I LOVE the cup idea that your Gram does! A certain Doe Doe I know should employ this, I believe since cups seem to be an issue sometimes. And, I might add, that picture on your cup, while it looks like Casey and Chan for sure, is the spitting image of a certain four year old, glasses wearing cutest thing on earth! I never noticed until that picture and whoa! Seriously. He obviously got his bad vision from our side of the family. He obviously got his cheeks, mouth, nose and expressions from you. :) It's precious. Glad you had a good and safe trip and welcome back to the jungle! :)

Zakary said...

I'm glad February is being kind.

Can you believe you have 11 year olds?

Unknown said...

Love. Hugs. More coffee. j

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
molly said...

So glad you had an amazing trip and special time with your family. Family is a wonderful thing and it's tough when they live far away. Glad this was a memorable one. Love ya friend.