I remember as a child we would load up in the car and drive out to the cemetery for the Memorial Day Services. We would watch the men and women dressed up in their uniforms with their shinny pins and big guns. Taps would play and then the guns would go off. The gun part I didn't love so much:) I chalked that up to fear of fireworks. We'd walk along the grave sites reading names and trying not to step in the wrong places. We'd pull the weeds off grandpa's grave and tidy things up. Then after the service we'd drive over to the service station for lunch. There we'd get flavored soda pop and cheeseburgers. YUMMY. The kids would sit in one booth while the aunties and grandma would sit in another. We'd check out all the trucker hats hanging on the wall. I have to say it was one of my favorite childhood holiday memories. As I'm much older the desire to share the same tradition with my daughter was very important to me this year. I think I've grown to appreciate freedom of life and understand now why it was so important for us to make the trip out to the cemetery each Memorial Day. Like one soldier said today Freedom does not come free. There is a price for it. I'm so thankful for those men and women who were willing to give their lives for the freedom of this beautiful Nation. For the chance for my daughter to live in such country and be able to Praise God openly, to have Rights and a Voice. I pray the Lord continues to bless this Nation and protects it from evil. I pray the Lord is marching next to those soldiers who are on the battle fields, in stations, working on bases, sitting behind desks, and so on...I'm honored to know and love such strong and courageous people, like Uncle Ted, Uncle Bill, Vinnie, Sarah B., Uncle Jimmy, Uncle Nick and so many more I'm forgetting. For those I didn't get to grow up with, like my Grandpa Casebeer. Thank you, each of you, for fighting for our freedom and being a soldier. I hung my Grandpa's flag yesterday with great emotions. For happiness and gratefulness of where I live. For sorrow for those who were lost or lost "something" in war. Whether it be their life or a part of their life, they'll never get back. I can't imagine what has been seen and is burned into your memory forever. And for fear, if that's the right word, for my daughter in hopes she'll continue to grow up in such a wonderful country. We went downtown today for a Memorial Day service. We heard different hero's stories. We celebrated life and death. We listened to the band and covered our ears during the gun salute. Thank you again! God Bless America.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Happy Memorial Day
Happy Trails!
What a busy weekend! We left Friday night to Palm Springs for some camping. Saturday we headed to the living desert zoo. It was hot and beautiful. We saw animals we hadn't seen in our visits: Big Horn Sheep and the Cheetas! After the zoo, Straty went golfing with some friends and Ame and I went to lunch and then back to the trailer. We went on a long walk with the dogs, along the main street in Palm Springs. We came back and cooled off in the pool. Amelia loves her raft, even though she'd get frustrated she couldn't make BIG splashes in it. She'd try to fold the sides down to get her complete arm in the pool. After splashing around we went and picked up daddy at the course (new Bob Hope course). We came home and bbq'd and then passed out. Sunday we got up and walked into town for some yummy breakfast. It was great, because the dogs joined us. Afterwards we headed home. Straty and I left with the family to CJ & Karen's wedding in San Diego. What a beautiful wedding it was! The family was sooooo happy. We're thrilled for the both of them! Sadly the Valet services lost dad's key to his car, so I road home with the sisters and fiances, while Straty road home in the tow truck and mom and dad got a taxi. They all didn't get home till 2:30am. What a weekend!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
I'm a little slow...
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Mommy is there something on my face?
How do you suppose I get this mess off my face? You mommy, get a rag!!!!
Amelia LOVES her apples!
Yesterday we went to the market and it was if the heavens were shinning down on the apples. Amelia's eyes got really big and the gasped with sheer excitement. Then started the reach and "eh, eh, eh" Gotta have it mom!!! She enjoyed that thing from the moment she had her hands on it all the way home and onto the couch. She wasn't giving it up. She turned down her milk for it! Her love of her apple was so cute though. She laid on the couch and danced with happiness. It was slow motion and I don't even think she knew what she was doing. Some of the moves I saw though I'd seen before:) Leg splay with pointed toes:), bridge grinde, prance...she's my S baby!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Happy Belated Birthday Aunt Judy!
Sorry for the tardiness! We hope you had a lovely day celebrating the lovely woman you are! Love you.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Monday YaYa went home
Before she left though Amelia made sure to have some quality time, asking YaYa "Da?" at every item in her color book. It was wonderful having you YaYa. We had a lot of fun on our adventures! Can't wait for your next visit. Love you. BTW way Tina, I just walked passed your room and guess who was lying on your bed? Miller Lite! Maybe he wanted to keep your glasses as a keepsake? He must miss you. We all do!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Proud to be your Mom
My Dearest Amelia I love you so very much. I thank God for the little girl he allowed to call me "Mum," You have touched my life in so many ways, it won't ever be the same. I love each morning when I awake and there you are in your bed with a big ole smile on your face. How you love your music and taps your leg with your hand and bobs your head. When you're walking holding on tight and take off running with your belly first. Or when I see you from a distance and you get that grin on your face and run with open arm. Baby girl I could go on and on. I love the way you look at life and how you pause to take it all in. How you say "Uh-Oh" and pull a stran of my hair off my face. How you gently lay your head in my lap or on my shoulder and those big kisses! How you get so sad when we have to leave church during the service, because you want to talk aloud. When we talk to Jesus and how you fake sleeping. Needless to say, I'm a proud mommy. Thank you for bringing such Joy into my life. It could never be replaced. Thank you Jesus for allowing me to raise Amelia. Please continue to direct me and speak through me. I love you so very much Amelia! You are my Sunshine. You give new meaning to LIFE.
Happy Mom's Day
Mom, I love you! Thank you for your friendship, your unconditional love, the special times past and present! My life is filled with Joy. You are an incredible Grandma to Amelia who's eyes light up every time she sees you! My eyes fill with tears watching the two of you. She's your Purdy Girl! We both love you very much!
Daddy and his girls...
Date night with Daddy led us to Fashion Island, where Amelia played in the water! Yummy PF Chang's and of course there was the merry-go-round. Amelia and YaYa hi-fived how much fun they were having! Girls just a wanna have fun with their favorite guy!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Another fun day with YaYa
Today we were off to the Butterfly Park, where Amelia counted the butterflies. She just wanted her belly rubbed. We headed to the playground and met some new kids. After playing, we worked up an appetite for lunch, so we headed to Jon's Coffee shop, my old stomping ground and place of employment. It was nap time for sure after lunch. Lit'l Miss Attitude has now gone from 1 hour (2) naps per day which used to be 2 hours!!! To a 2 hour nap once a day. This better only be because YaYa is here! She's quiet the pistol without sleep! After her nap, we played around the pool, played in the fountain and walked her baby. Andrew came by to take a look at the bathroom. I was hoping for the okay to start demo! No go though. Miraciously, Straty and I came to a cool conclusion on the bathroom!!!!! Barn yard table with the existing sink tops and so on!!! It'll go great with our doors and barn yard hindges. Andrew did install a shelf in Amelia's room. I bought 4 wrought iron brackets from a salvage yard, many moons ago. It's about time they are being put to use! I love being able to re-use things. If you haven't noticed, so places like Napa Style and Pottery Barn are selling vintage items with a limited quantity. All I've got to say, is I'm over gold/brass and the ivory walls with slobber and eye burgers:) I think I'm going to learn how to tile! We'll see. I've been told I'm pregnant and need to take it easy. Oh yeah. It's funny how the second one is so different. I can't forget that doc could call it quits for me anytime. I'm on my two week ultra sounds again. Things are going good though! Well that is except for the dreams. Imagine 100 women, matt to matt, in a high rise building, in an S Factor Intro being taught by a friend who's only taken an intro! Then Fred comes in with all these masked men and raids the place! Women are fleeing out of the building and there's good ole Tiffany doing an upside down trick on a Stop Sign, while women run pass her. Then the HS gang is chill'n on the corner. Strange dream. That's nothing though compared to some I've had. I don't think the hormone stuff really goes away. Those whom I've talked to who have had kids, say wishful thinking. Hormones are forever:( I am thankful I have an outlet though: S Factor. I could just sit in a class and body whisper a beautiful woman instead of dancing myself. Trying to be in someone's body, feeling her breathe, her emotions....It's so incredible. I know, I know, you all may think I'm crazy, but really and truly, it's so... well it just is. If only I could someday figure out how to carry what I feel in class, in the world. I feel like there are days I either can't get my feelings out into words and then feel really stupid or people just can't understand me. Then there are days when I feel talking is over rated. Is there truth to it or is it coded? You should check out the new website: www.sfactor.com. Go under "Listen to Us" then "be amazed by the journey" or "how to start S factor" and you'll see me:) G'nite.
