Thursday, June 28, 2012

Summer fun continued...










Trip to Sea World Orlando's Aquatica with Kansas friends, painting projects, pool time, and tackle time with dad!  Fun times!

Friday, June 22, 2012

Summer fun...

Today we celebrate summer...
Photo Caption 1: Addison waking up with his blankies...stretching to start the day!
Caption 2: Addison dancing to Kriss Kross' "Jump" a classic 90s rap hit, and showing off our pool party cake...complete with Lego figures and boat
Caption 3: Candlelight votives with limes on a silver tray and candlesticks on the dining room table...summer indoor play date decor...afternoon thunderstorm is foiling outdoor fun!
Caption 4: A sunny day last week, Bryan and I in the wave pool at Aqautica.
Caption 5: A pile of Monopoly money...the boys style of cleaning up.  My type A personality decided to at least carefully put it in a large ziploc before putting it into the box this messily!

We love SUMMER!

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Pain

Day 4 of injury...I sliced my hand webbing area between my fourth and pinkie finger on my left hand on this past Saturday.  I was very lucky to not lose a finger!  I had a gracious and helpful husband who helped me prepare for a trip to see Dr. Stieg, my mom who met us at the office to hold my hand, my dad who rushed out to relieve the neighbor who was babysitting our boys, and Dr. Stieg who came into the office on a Saturday to sew me up!  It was a God blessing that it all worked out despite the pain.  I'm learning that my efforts often foil...Pinterest can be dangerously tempting...it makes me reach for things that often do not need to be obtained.  I learned to slow down, and I learned to be more careful with knives!  I hope that no one in our family has to get stitches...it is painful, and I am healing slowly.  I hope to have my range of motion return in the coming weeks.  For now, I'm thankful that this is my first real injury of my lifetime!  I'm blessed.  Pain is temporary, and God is the ultimate healer and protector!

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Happy Father's Day Daddy!

Dear Dad-
I saw a great idea on Pinterest for a father's day gift...writing a list of things you remember from each year of your life related to your dad as a gift to your father.  So here goes...

I'm 32 years old, and here are things that I remember from the past years of our life together...
1979 I was born, your first child, and your first daughter
1980 I was one and beginning to walk and play more with you and mom by my side
1981 I was two and you and mom were expecting another baby
1982 I was three years old, and I went to the Wills' house down the street to play while Jackie was born!
1983 I was four years old and attending preschool and Sunday school at FUMC Winter Park
1984  I was five years old and started kindergarten as an Audubon Falcon!
1985 I was six years old, 1st grade, and twirling baton and marching in parades with mom...I'm sure you watched!
1986 I was seven years old, 2nd grade, and I believe by this age we were doing YMCA Indian Princesses
1988 I was eight years old, 3rd grade, and we continued to camp as father and daughter...I loved being your Pretty Rock and having you as my Curly Bear!
1989  I was nine years old, 4th grade, and I got my rake put in by Dr. Nurrell to help me stop sucking my thumb at night!
1990 I was ten years old, 5th grade, and I was selected as the Walt Disney World Dreamer and Doer...you and mom were there to celebrate by my side!
1991 I was eleven years old, starting 6th grade, and walking to Glenridge Middle School with Sara Coplan.  You worried about me carrying my backpack on one shoulder hurting my back (which it did) with so many books to carry back and forth to school.  It was the cool thing to do!
1992 I was twelve years old, 7th grade and running middle school track and playing volleyball for GMS...you and mom came to all my meets and games!  I was also playing competitive tennis at many tournaments.
1993 I was 13 years old, 8th grade, and I received a few more awards at the end of the school year.  You and mom were always proud!
1994 I was 14 years old, 9th grade center, and I began running cross country.  You were a great photographer and cheerleader with mom and Jackie too!
1995 I was 15 years old, 10th grade at the WPHS main campus, and I continued to run cross country and decided to dual sport in the spring playing tennis and running track.  You and mom supported me and even gave me my first family Volvo to practice driving.
1996 I was 16 years old, 11th grade, and sports were still my main focus along with studying.  You and mom gave me the 1983 White Volvo station wagon to drive myself to all my activities.
1997 I was 17 years old, 12th grade, and I graduated as one of 7 valedictorians of WPHS.  You and mom were once again very proud of all the accomplishments that I made in sports and in academics.
1998 I was 18 years old, and I started my freshman year at FSU...you and mom drove me to campus and gave me a new bike so that I could get around campus!  You always saw to it that I was well taken care of...the private dorm included!  You came to my fall collegiate cross country meets and cheered me on again even though I was finishing last in most races.
1999 I was 19 years old, and I started my sophmore/junior year at FSU since I had a lot of credits from high school.  I entered the major of Communication Disorders, and I was excited to have classes in the major.  You and mom continued to come to FSU for visits!
2000 I was 20 years old and completed my senior year at FSU.  I decided to stay on campus for grad school, and you, mom, and Jackie came up for my college graduation along with the Hooks.
2001 I was 21 years old, and I was dating Daniel.  You were accepting of him as he asked for my hand in marriage and even kept it a secret from mom so that I could tell her the good news!
2002 I was 22 years old, and Daniel and I were married at FUMC Winter Park on 10/12/2002.  You walked me down the aisle with grace and love.
2003 I was 23 years old, and Daniel and I moved to Fayette County GA.  You and mom continued to visit us in Peachtree City.
2004 I was 24 years old, and we moved from our apartment into our house in Senoia.  You and mom helped us settle in!
2005 I was 25 years old, and you, mom, and I traveled to New York City for the US Open tennis finals.  It was amazing to see real tennis on the large scale...it was great to watch Agassi and Federer play as well as the women.
2006 I was 26 years old, and Addison was born.  You and mom drove all night to be there for his actual birth.  You made it!  Your first grandson was born!
2007 I was 27 years old, and Addison turned 1 year old.  You and mom drove up to Senoia to our new house, and you celebrated the big day with us!
2008 I was 28 years old, and you, mom, and Dan Cook helped us make the cross country trip with the two Ford Escapes and trailer in tow from Senoia, GA to Overland Park, KS...for our move to the midwest.
2009  I was 29 years old, and you flew in for the birth of our second son, Bryan...your namesake.
2010 I was 30 years old, and you and mom continued to visit us in KS at our house in Olathe...for fishing and play time with us and the boys.
2011 I was 31 years old, and you flew out to KS to help me, Daniel, and the boys when I was suffering so greatly with anxiety and depression.  You were an amazing support and confidant during that time.  We thank you for being with us to encourage and support us!
2012 I am 32 years old now, and you welcomed us back to Central Florida.  It is good to be "home", and we love seeing you more often!

Happy Father's Day!  You've watched me and Jackie grow.  Now you have 3 grandsons to watch grow into boys to men as well!  We love you!  xoxoxooxxo

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Dear Addison,

Dear Addison,
Tomorrow you turn six years old!  Today you have your final day of kindergarten.  Time is flying by as you grow taller, wiser, and into a little man!  Your dad, brother, and I love you very much.  Last night you and your brother slept together again.  You love to spend time together.  I'm so glad that God gave you one another.

Another boy...another joy.  You are a great big brother.  At times you fight, but as a whole you and Bryan get along well.  You're both little comedians, and you make me laugh a lot!  I'm glad you inherited your father's sense of humor!  I have the patience for it, and he needs it too.

Too big...you tell you dad "God keep growing me!"  You're right!  Your wise words make me smile.  Just the other night we took a trip just the two of us to Publix.  You were talking to me about the difference between boys and girls and your ideas of heaven.  My oh my how I love to hear what you have to say!

Most people say to us that you are very likeable and creative.  You have done very well in your first year of real school.  Two schools...one in Kansas and one in Florida.  Making friends quickly is your strong suit.  You get along well with boys and girls!  This weekend we'll celebrate your birthday with a lot of school and neighbor friends!  A Lego themed pool party.  Your love for Legos is grand.  Building endlessly, you always surprise us with your creativity!  A future engineer perhaps like your Papa?  Whatever you become we will be excited to see you grow and mature into the man God made you to be.
Love,
Mom

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Dear Bryan,

Dear Bryan,
Happy 3rd Birthday!  I forgot to write to you on your actual day, but I was reminded to do so after watching you sleep early this morning.  You stumbled out of bed with your crazy Einstein-esque hair...saying, "mommy will you sleep with me I'm kinda scared."  Sucking your thumb, you are about the most precious thing on earth.  I am truly blessed with two wonderful boys.

Bryan, you are a smart little boy with a growing vocabulary.  You are a great shot.  Yesterday I watched in awe as you shot basket after basket at Chuck E Cheese in both the kid hoop and the bigger Street Hoop!  I know you will be athletic.  I'm not sure which ball sport will be your favorite, but your dad and I will support and cheer you on for whichever one you choose!  Right now you tell us you want to play basketball and soccer.  We'll see?!

Bryan you are also very independent.  You like to do things by yourself,  but you also will ask for help when absolutely necessary.  Your brother is a big fan of yours too!  You two get along really well, and I love hearing you two giggle and play together.  It is a rare treat!

Three years have passed by quickly, and I know you will continue to grow up before our eyes.  I love that you are still very blonde, and oh so little.  I know you're growing taller little by little, but for now I'm glad you're still my little boy.  Next year you'll go to two days of Mother's Morning out, and then you'll be in preschool and soon enough in Kindergarten!  Don't grow up too fast...enjoy the summer as we continue to swim, play, and eat lots of sweets together!
Love,
Mom

Friday, June 1, 2012

When Daddy's Away...

When Daniel travels to KC I have some remarkable moments with the boys.  I learn that life is much easier with dad in the game!  It is difficult to bathe and settle down two boys amidst phone calls from family and after lots of sugar intake.  I am a lax parent, and he is the stronger one.  We need that!

It was sweet to sleep with both of my boys last night in our bed though...even though they take up 3/4 of the bed, and I am left tossing and turning on the 1/4 that I have left.  Rearranging body parts, I make my little pillow available and steal a sheet back to cover me in the night.  They still sleep soundly though, and we fill our big whole in the bed while dad's away.  We miss him, and we love him!  See you soon!