Kindergarten Graduate!

 Year Round school is a drag!  It seems like forever ago that everyone was talking about their children's last day of school... and here I am just barely able to brag about my little Brenna.

SHE DID IT!

Holding her Diploma

It seems like she just barely started Kindergarten.  I thought then it was a huge milestone in our life... one that flew by faster than light.

Now watching her complete her first year of "real" school is an even bigger milestone than just starting out.  

First Day of Kindergarten

At the beginning of the year she was so ready to start.  Excited, Nervous, but READY!  I was ready too.  She had been in preschool for three years and was already advanced for her age.  She was bored being at home and was dying for a little bit of a social life.

I never thought in a million years that she could possibly change as much as she has in these short (seems short anyway) 11 months.  Not only has she grown taller, she has matured far beyond what I would have ever though possible for a 6 year old.  Not only has she blossomed socially, but she has become so independent and developed the attitude of a 16 year old.  

    She excelled from the beginning of Kindergarten.  Every report card we received she had the highest grades possible.  She made friends very quickly and maintained positive relationships with all of them. She became very popular with the boys too, although she won't acknowledge it.  

I can't believe that this day has come so quickly.  I can't believe that in just 2 months she will be headed to first grade and Sam to Kindergarten with the same teacher Brenna just had.  We were very fortunate to have had Mrs. Wilkin for Brenna and are SUPER excited that we get to enjoy her for another year with Sam.  

In Brenna's end of year journal she wrote, "I loved everything about Kindergarten!"  I think she summed up her year perfectly.  She truly loved every single day spent with her teacher and peers. She doesn't want the school year to end.  She told me she wishes that she could just keep going to school every single day.  I am so glad that she loves school as much as she does.  I know that this year was just the first of many successful years with our little Brenna. We are very proud of the little lady she is becoming and of the amazing student she is as well. 

Brenna on the last day of Kindergarten and her teacher Mrs. Wilkin

Brenna and one of her BFF'S Karis

Karis, Brenna, and Amaya

Her three BFF'S!
Alexa, Brenna, Karis, and Amaya

To show our appreciation for the hard work and devotion of her amazing teacher I had all the kids in class write her a little letter on an apple and tied them to roses.  I also made her a #2 pencil vase to hold all 24 flowers.  


I think it's safe to say that she really liked her gift.

THANK YOU
MRS. WILKIN
For being such an amazing person and teacher.  I couldn't have asked for a better match for my little Brenna and I am SUPER excited for Sam to be in your class next year.  

Life as I Remember It: A tad bit from my baby books...

No, I haven't forgotten about my blog series... I've just been taking a little time to learn a few things about myself is all. 


I'm not sure why, but I have two baby books.  

Maybe one was lost momentarily so Mom had to replace it and then the lost one was rediscovered at a later time?  

Or maybe Mom just loved me so much that she felt the need to spend her valuable time updating not one, but two books with all the wonderful things about me? 

(I like to think it's the second of the two)

I really appreciate my mom's efforts to keep as much documented about me as she did.  I learned a lot about myself through these two little books.

As I read through these books I had to giggle at the "World as it was when Our Baby was Born" page...
So much has changed from that time and it really put it into perspective just how old I am.
From the "Olden Days" as my sweet Brenna once put it.

When I was born...

President: Ronald Reagan

Latest Dance: New Wave, Punk Rock

Popular Songs: "Nobody"- Sylvia (who is that exactly?) and "Mountain Music"- Alabama

Popular T.V. Shows: Knots Landing, Hill Street Blues... WHAT are those?

Popular Entertainers: Barbara Mandrell (who?), David Brenner (Huh?), Olivia Newton John (FINALLY, one I know!)

Fashions/Fads: Mini skirts (not much has changed there), Tight skirts, tuxedo blouses (who says blouses anymore?), designer jeans, Wide waist belts (AND THEY'RE BACK!), Women's neckties (didn't they come back too for a minute?), Front pleat pants. 

Hit Movies: "E.T", "Mr. Mom", "Flashdance" (Really?), "Man from Snowy River"

Big Names in Sports: McEnroe- Tennis (Since when was tennis a popular sport? Only in the 80's!) and Richard Petty- cars (I'm assuming nascar... not the movie.)

My first doctor's exam was on May 20th, 1983 at 7 days old...

According to my books, the examination findings were this:

"A+ BEAUTIFUL (but of course I was!), enjoyable temperament.  Storks bite on forehead and granuloma on belly button.  Treated with silver nitrate to shrink it.  Slightly jaundice, but otherwise perfectly healthy."

What is a granuloma you ask?  

gran·u·lo·ma/ˌgranyəˈlōmə/

Noun: A mass of granulation tissue, typically produced in response to infection, inflammation, or the presence of a foreign substance.

I actually had this weird hanging thingy in my belly button my whole life.  I had an innie and an outie.  When I had my hysterectomy, my awesome doctor did some plastic surgery for me for free.  I seriously asked about having this thing removed several times with several different doctors and was told it was cosmetic so it wouldn't be covered by insurance.  Funny how when you are buddy buddy with your OB they will help you out with these small cosmetic imperfections.  He cut it out and stitched up my belly button and now it looks normal.

A few more things about me...

My first word: Dada (imagine that!) at 5 months.

I smiled immediately.

Rolled over at 3 1/2 months.

Slept through the night at 2 weeks (now that's an awesome baby)!

In my first appointment at one week I weighed 6lbs 5oz (lost 5oz from birth).

My first tooth was bottom, front, left... cut through on 11-26-83 (6 1/2 months).

Sit up alone- 4 months

Fav. Foods: Bananas, carrots, sweet potatoes, cream of wheat, garden vegetables, dutch apple dessert

Fav. Games: Patt- a-cake, Peek-a-Boo, Pony Boy

Fav. song: I Love you Bushell and a Peck

First Giggle was on July 20th (2 1/2 months)

I loved blankets with silk bindings.

Delivery doctor was supposed to be James Brinton, but as stated in my previous post I was delivered by nurses.

My pediatrician was Dr. Keith Clayton

I was named after my beautiful Aunt Kelly (both our middle names are Marie).

Mom says I sure loved my big sister Jaime...

My home address when I was born was:

2149 No. 1060 W. 

Provo, UT 84604

My books talk a bit more about other favorites and firsts...

Like holidays and birthdays.  

Gifts I got and toys I loved.  

Thanks mom for the documentation of all these things about me!  

June Photo Days 15-21

I have so much to blog about, but life has been really full of craziness!  I have been so bad at posting these pics, but I am just happy that with everything that is going on I haven't forgotten to take them!  

Here you have the third week of June...

Days 15-21

Day 15: Yellow... I got my very first summer bloom this morning and it just so happened to be a  yellow Lily!

The only bag I carry around... My suitcase purse.  It contains the usual, kid needs and a wallet full of plastic that doesn't do me any good.  Oh, and of course the endless amounts of garbage handed to me by the kids.  

Now, you may not know this about me because I just learned this myself.  I am officially vitamin D deficient.  In case you didn't know, Vitamin D is a mood enhancer.  Low on vitamin D means bad mood bear!  Now I have a good excuse for my occasional (okay more than occasional) bitchiness... I also learned this is a result of my bad kidneys.  Apparently if my kidneys don't work properly my body does not absorb vitamin D properly.  It is now a running joke with Bill when I am the slightest bit cranky with him he yells at me "VITAMIN D!" Heaven forbid it really be his fault! LOL 

My greatest imperfection, (ha yeah right... I have far worse imperfections than this, but we won't talk about those k?)  I got my dad's toes.  I have these pinkie toes that don't bend.  I have no knuckles in my pinkie toes at all.  As you can see they look really weird when I bend my toes... 

How do I choose just one?  I seriously have THOUSANDS of pictures on my computer, on disks, on my phone... and I had to narrow it down to just ONE?  Not gonna happen.  I have others that I love just as much as these ones, but a mother has this sense of pride with anything that has to do with her children, so not only do I LOVE these pictures of my kids, but there is that pride thing that goes along with them.  I still am in awe of my beautiful children and sometimes I find myself thinking, "I can't believe they are mine!  That I am capable of creating such beautiful and amazing children..."  Looking at pictures of them just fills my heart so full it feels like it might explode.  I adore these little people. 

Mom and Dad Eldredge put us up really LATE this night... Bill and I got the blow up mattress that he insists has a hole in it cause he sinks.  Little does he know it was solid as a rock on my side.  Not sure that air mattress sleeping is really the best idea with our size differences.  Bill sinks in and I am left awkwardly trying to keep my balance while I sleep on a bed that is VERY uneven... I am sure it would be quite the funny sight to see. 

Wondering where Day 16 went?  Well...
Day 16: Out and About....
Clearly I was too busy to take a picture of what I was doing day 16 and I haven't the slightest idea what I was doing either.



There you have it...

Enjoy your last few days of June ya'll... Final photo a day post for this month coming soon. :)  

Happy Photographing!

Movie's with Grandma T.

I think it's safe to say that a movie with my kids will never be the same... 

Let me tell you why,

As I mentioned in my father's day post,

We got to spend some quality time with Grandma T. last Friday.

The men (Bill and Grandpa T.) had taken off to a Bike Rally, which presented the perfect opportunity for a Movie/Dinner date with Grandma.

The kids have been DYING to see the new Madagascar 3 (Polka dot, Polka dot, Polka dot, AFRO!)

You know you have sung along with that when the preview comes on T.V.  

How could you not really?

It just so happened that Grandma T. suggested that we go see Madagascar 3. 

HA!  PERFECT!

Being the sneaky mom that I am, I didn't even mention this outing until we were headed out.  They knew we were going to go to dinner, but it wasn't until the drive over that they picked up on the fact that a movie would follow.  Once they realized we were going to a movie Brenna screamed with excitement, "Are you going to Madagascar?"

"YEP! WE ARE!"

Immediately they both started in with "Circus Afro, Circus Afro, polka dot, polka dot, polka dot, AFRO!" and it continued the entire drive over to the theater.  

We hit up IHop for some grub before the movie.  It was a bit early for dinner (2:30pm), but considering that my kids are ALWAYS hungry this time of day regardless of what time they ate lunch I felt it would work out well.  

I thought wrong.  

Both kids ordered their create-a-face pancake and wasted nearly the entire thing.  The fruit and yogurt were about all the kids could managed to down.  Sorry Grandma!  

We got to the theater in just enough time to catch the 3:50 show... Previews were already showing.  We found out seats and sat down to enjoy.  Not long into the movie Sam was full of the giggles.  At one point one of the animals hits another animal over the head with a down pillow, of course his head goes through it and feathers go flying all over.  Sam lost it.  He was laughing hysterically and of course so was I.  It was one of those I look at him laughing and I laugh harder, he looks at me laughing and he laughs harder moments. Needless to say, we had a good laugh.  

Now of course I had suggested that both kids go to the bathroom before we went in, and of course they insisted that they didn't have to.  

About mid way through the movie, Brenna started the potty dance in her seat. 

She and I left the theater to find the restroom while Grandma T. and Sam were left to continue to enjoy the movie. Now I didn't mention that this theater wasn't very full.  There were probably 20 people in the theater with us.  Which meant it was quite quiet and nice.  Apparently when Brenna and I were in the bathroom Sam decided to rip a big one for these poor 20+ people to hear and apparently Grandma couldn't hold her composure. 

Again, another one of those uncontrollable laughing moments courtesy of the boy! 

Ugh, Boys!

I have to give a quick review for Madagascar 3. 

It's VERY cute!  I loved it, I think Grandma enjoyed it, and the kids loved it as well!

I heard many people leaving the theater singing, "Circus Afro, Circus Afro, Polka dot, Polka dot, Polka dot, AFRO!"  It's just so catchy isn't it?

(I know that by now you are probably singing it in your head... I am.)

After leaving the theater we stopped out front so I could take a quick picture of the kids and Grandma T., for blogging purposes of course.  

Once they were all positioned I suggested that they all smile and sing, "Polka dot, Polka dot, Polka dot, AFRO!" 

Sam quickly suggested, very loudly I might add surrounded by a decent crowd of people, "No, how about we say WIENER!" (Finger up in the air for added enthusiasm).  

I Lost it.

Grandma T. Lost it too...

We couldn't stop laughing.  

I laughed so hard that I may or may not have peed myself a little. 

Don't judge, haven't we all laughed that hard?

I unfortunately was forced to try to hold it together in a public, crowded place...

I still managed to get a picture....

It was time to GO!  

We said our goodbyes and I literally giggled about this little outing the entire night.

I am still giggling about it now.

Thanks Grandma for dinner and the movie. We had fun.  We hope you did as well.

Anyone up for a movie with my son?

A Father Is...

I know I should have posted this a few days ago, but to be honest I was having way too much fun enjoying my kids and family to take a time out to blog.


A Father is...

A rock.

The solid foundation in which carries the strength of his family.

He is the safest embrace and sternest of hands.

He is a hard worker and provider.

He is wise.

In my life, my father has been just that.  A rock, my safety, my disciplinarian who taught by example what respect is. 

Respect for others and Respect for myself. 

He has always worked hard, and loved his children with such depth and unconditionally.

He is always there to offer a shoulder to cry on and wisdom to help me through the toughest of times. 

(even if at times I don't want to hear what he has to say)

He is one of my very best friends and I am so grateful to call him MY DAD.  

I am fortunate to have found a husband that does just the same for his own children.  Bill is an amazing father and has really impressed me with how much love he has for his family.  I see the same bond developing between him and our children as I have with my father and I am so grateful for the opportunity to sit back and watch them bond.  

This Father's Day was a bit different for me.  Bill took off with his dad to a Bike Rally out in Elko for a little bonding time of their own, which left the kids and I home to entertain ourselves.

After the heart attack event at the beginning of the month I had a new appreciation for what this day represents.  Not only is a day meant to celebrate all the father's in the world, it is also a day that they should be allowed to do whatever it is their hearts desire.  Bill wanted this time spent with his dad, and I was okay with that.  My dad wanted some time alone, to relax, rest, and just be.  I respected that as well.  He deserved to just be after the month he has had.  The kids and I just hung out all weekend.  We went and saw a movie with Grandma T. (blog to come about that), went to a birthday party for my nephew, spent a little time with my mom, and then had some good quality time at home.  

The kids and I made Bill a candy bar bouquet for fathers day while he was gone.  Bill came home Sunday afternoon and we just laid low for most of the day. The kids were so excited to give his gift to him, he barely made it through the door before they were handing over the goodies.  We did go out to dinner because none of us were in the mood for lasagna as I had planned to make.  Summer dinners are hard to plan... It's just too hot to cook. After dinner we stopped by my dads for a short, but sweet, visit.  We sat on his porch and talked while the kids played a hilarious game of hide-and-seek.  Everyone should really have the opportunity to watch my kids play this game.  They really SUCK at it, which makes it quite entertaining.  

Happy Father's Day to all you amazing father's out there! 

And thank you for being the Rock we all need in our lives!

Swimming 2012

Sam just wrapped up his first week of swim lessons and he is doing AMAZING!

I don't ever remember taking swim lessons as a kid

(though this doesn't mean it didn't happen)

so I never really felt it important for my own kids.

ATTN:  I have since been corrected by my beautiful mother "You all took swimming lessons Jess.  Yup You Did!"

(Her exact words)

One day I was sitting there watching my daughter at the pool and was baffled by just how much like me she is.  She was wading in the water at the pool being very cautious of every move she made.  Trying her very best to stay clear of splashing water and when she did get hit in the face with a good splash you could just see the anxiety overwhelm her as she tried to very quickly wipe the water from her face...

She is JUST like her Mother!

When I met my husband it was a big joke of how legitimately TERRIFIED I was of water.  I even panicked when I had to wash my face in the shower.  I hated water than much.

Now here my Brenna was with the very same fear.

I know first hand just how horrible that anxiety is and just how much panic is felt by not trusting being in water... regardless how deep it was.  I don't want my kids to feel that.

This is when I KNEW I had to do something to help relieve this anxiety for Brenna and ensure that Sam never had to experience it. 

I felt Swim Lessons were the best solution!

Brenna is still in school (damn year round) so unfortunately she couldn't participate in the first two sessions of swim lessons.  She can't start until after the 4th of July holiday. 

(Sad face)

Sam however could so I decided to let him start without her.  He doesn't have this same fear as Brenna so I feel it is good that he given the time to progress without the added competition of his sister.  Brenna is very insecure that Sam is better at swimming than she is so I am hoping that Sam will advance to the next stage before she starts allowing them to both have their own space and goals to work toward.  

Their competitiveness is probably the greatest challenge I face as a parent to children so close in age.  I hope that by them participating in the same activity, but allowing them to both work at their own pace will show them that it is okay if one learns a bit faster than the other.  In the end they can both achieve the same goal without the need to compete with one another.  

Anyway, Sam has been doing very well.  He is far more advanced in the water that the other kids in his level.  This is shocking to me simply because I am not a swimmer and haven't really taken the time to work with either of my kids on swimming technique.  Sam is just a "natural born fish" as his instructors would say.  He is actually swimming under water for a short period of time, floating on his back, and picking up on some of the strokes.  The kids in the next level up are so much bigger than he is and it is weird to think that he is so close to advancing up to the level they are at.  In order to advance they have to be able to push off the wall, swim a short distance, and then keep themselves afloat in waters that they can't touch the ground.  Sam is seriously almost there.

He has three more weeks of swim lessons before Brenna starts.  I really think that he will move up and my plan of no competition will work out.  

June Photo Days 8-14

I haven't blogged in what seems like forever!  I have so much to talk about, but first I wanted update my June Photo A Day stuff.  

It's been yet another busy week in the Tomlin house.

Happy to report that it has been MUCH less chaotic than last week aside from the fact that I TOTALLY spaced picking Brenna up from school last Friday...

Yep, I am that mom!  

She cried and I cried. 

In my defense though, after the dramatic events of last week I couldn't remember what day was what. Everything just seemed to be one big blur.  

My poor little girl.

She woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed Saturday morning and the first words were,
"Mom, don't forget to pick me up from school today okay!"

"I won't Brenna.... It's Saturday!"

She was relieved.

NOW onto the Photo-A-Day update...

June Photo Day 8:

6 O'Clock

Wide awake at 6am staring at the ceiling....

June Photo Day 9:

My view

Sam came in dressed in the jacket that goes to his build a bear...

What am I going to do with this kid.

June Photo Day 10:

A favorite bit of my weekend...

I got a short, but sweet, visit from myShauna and then got to spend Sunday at my dad's for a BBQ with my family in celebration of my sister Shania's birthday. Priceless!

June photo day 11:

Door

They say where one door closes, another one opens...

Come fall both my children will be in school full time, hopefully I will too... As a preschool teacher. :)

Turns out my interview on this day went very well because 

I GOT THE JOB!

June Photo Day12:

From a Low Angle

No matter how much I hate driving down town, the beautiful architecture makes it all worth it!

June Photo Day 13:

Art

Brennas art work from school... All my kids refrigerator art is my very favorite.

June Photo Day 14:

Time

Nap Time?

Why is it that he decides it is nap time when Mommy has TONS to do?  

This kid NEVER naps... not even in the car.

Good reminder that as a mom I am NEVER on my time... 

I run on everyone else's time. LOL

June Photo-A-Day 1-7

Doing these posts daily were kind of getting overwhelming.  I mean I put them on facebook daily, so I felt that doing it here was a bit too much and repetitive.  Last month I did a few of them, then decided that I would do just one big post at the end of the month, but that took me WAY too much time to put together than really should be necessary.  So I found a happy medium... 

POSTS BY WEEK!

So here you have the first 7 days of June...

Got my son up, ready, and dressed this morning.  Then went and did Brenna's hair for school.   When I headed to the kitchen to get the kids breakfast, this is how I saw Sam.  Fast asleep, back in bed, fully dressed.  It was a rough morning for him.  

This was a dozen donuts....
Completely devoured by my adorable family in less than 24 hours.
For the record I only had ONE!

Sunday we (my brothers and older sister's family) got together at my mom's for some delicious shishkabobs (spelling?)!   We just hung out and relaxed.  I always enjoy time spent with my family. 

Any guesses what this is?
I'm just gonna tell ya.....

Bacon wrapped chicken and provolone marinated and cooked in a homemade honey mustard glaze....
MMMmmMmmmMmmmm!

Courtesy of Applebee's...
Who needs KY when you got Pennzoil???
Right next to this sign was a one way sign... I'll leave those thoughts for you to come up with on your own.
I personally couldn't stop laughing.  

HAPPY SWEET 16 SHANIA!!
It was my little sister's birthday and with the big heart attack event (you can read about  HERE) it was important that we did something to keep her mind occupied and make the very best we could of her day.
First we went and spent the morning at the hospital with our dad.
Then we went to lunch and  after we went and check Brenna out of school early and did a little Birthday shopping.
Shania tried on at least 20-25 outfits.  We laughed and goofed off.
Overall it was a GOOD day!

My morning pick me up from the BEST coffee place EVER!
The Brew Monkey
I know it is SO bad for me, but I already cut out soda over a year ago so I figure I can treat myself to  one coffee a day right?  Though I don't get one daily, probably 5 out of 7 days a week...
It's still a lot I know.

Life Lessons from a Heart Attack...

It has been a WHIRLWIND of a week.

June 1st set the path for some major changes in the future of my family.

That story to come in a future post.  First I wanted to talk about this...

Some lessons I learned about life...

My thoughts start out with this quote a friend of mine posted on her blog Tuesday night.

"Treat your parents with loving care... For you only know their value, when you see their empty chair."

*SOBBING*

Tuesday night I was home, laying in bed, trying everything in my power to turn off my mind.  I had spent the entire afternoon at the hospital, with my sisters and step-mom, all surrounding the hospital bed my dad was lying in.  Unsure of what the future would hold for our family.  He was alive, awake, talking, and even laughing with us, but I was still left grasping at straws for positive thoughts while I sat there watching my "SUPER HERO" dad try to be strong for his baby girls. 

I'm not sure how anyone else sees their dad, but in my eyes (yes even at 29 years old) my dad is invincible. He is better than strong; he's empowering.  He's my Rock. 

So how is it, why is it, that my SUPER HERO DAD is the one lying in a hospital bed, so scared, vulnerable, stressed, sad, and feeling so defeated?

How is it that the man that has the most strong, loving, kind, and big heart was just told that he has a heart that was physically failing him? 

I was mad.

I was sad.

I was scared beyond comprehension.

No, I was worse than scared...

I was terrified.

I just wanted to trade him places... I just know couldn't function without my dad here with us.

At 4:30pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012 I got the most horrific call of my life.

My step-mom was on the other end and she said, 

"Jess, I have something to tell you.  Your dad is in the hospital, he has had a Heart Attack."

Those two words, Heart Attack, paralyzed me.

I didn't hear what came out of her mouth next all I could hear repeating in my head was "heart attack, heart attack, heart attack..."

And all I could manage to do was crouch down on the floor and scream "No, no, no, no, no..."

My grandmother, his mother, died at 53 from a heart attack.

On my dad's Birthday in January, it was something that was mentioned more than one time because HE was turning 53.

It has been nearly 19 years since his own mother passed away from a heart attack, at the exact same age.  

Now, why the dramatic reaction?

Because the realization that he was in the exact same place at the same time as his mom, my mima,  was just entirely WAY too much to process.

It took me a minute (okay, way more than a minute) to pull myself together enough and get the details that my poor step-mom was trying so hard to give me.  

My dad was in the hospital, he was very scared and stressed, but was okay. That is all the information that she had, aside from his blood pressure was still dangerously high and the doctors were doing all they could to get control of it. 

I should have been at ease with this information, but I wasn't.  My grandma too had what could be considered a minor heart attack, which resulted in her being in the hospital awaiting many tests just like my dad.  Only she never made it to the following day to have those tests done.  She suffered a second heart attack while in the hospital that killed her.  Okay just wasn't good enough for me.  I wanted answers.  I wanted to see him, hug him, smell that comforting smell my dad has, and just hold on to him tight and never let go.  THAT'S what I wanted, and that's what I needed.  

My step-mom explained that he was feeling very overwhelmed and guilty and that he didn't want any of us (his daughters) to come up to the hospital to see him.  

Guilty? I thought to myself.

Why would he be feeling guilty or responsible for this?

She explained that he felt as though he had let us girls down.  He knew his family history, but hadn't done his best to take care of himself properly.  He didn't want us to see him like this.
(I want my dad to know that he has not let me down.  There is not anything that he could ever do that would make me love him, need him, or respect him any less.  I am VERY proud to call him MY dad.)

My heart hurt, but I did not want to put any more stress on my dad than he was already putting on himself.  All I could do was sit and cry uncontrollably in the embrace of my own beautiful children, while I talked to each of my sisters over the phone in an attempt to try to console one another.  

I'm not sure what came over my dad, but it wasn't long before I got a call from him.  Just hearing his voice gave me some relief.  The conversation was short and the very most I got from it was, I could go see him.  I literally RAN out my door, kicked the car into drive, and got to that hospital as fast as I possibly could.  I met my little sisters in the parking lot and we took that long, confusing walk through the hospital halls together.  We were met soon after by my other two sisters as well.  I can't tell you how much I needed to just be there, how much we all just needed to be there, together.

We all just needed to see him, hug him, and just be with him. 

While we were there they were able to get his blood pressure to a safer level.  We all just sat, talked, and bonded over the next 3 1/2 hours.  I think it's safe to say that none of us wanted to leave, but we knew that dad needed rest.  So we gathered our things and said our goodbyes.  

I can't begin to explain that feeling of saying goodbye to my dad that night.  Though I got to see him, hug him, and just be with him... I was still SO scared.  

Who knew what the night would bring...

Which is what led me to the longest night of my life...

Consumed by the most unsettling feelings possible.

Lying in my bed, head a jumbled mess, thoughts racing, feeling so vulnerable myself.  Trying to wrap some sort of sense around how it was that my SUPER HERO DAD was laying in a hospital bed, so unsure of what his and our future would be.  

As I read through my friends blog she shared another quote that said, 

"Love the people God gave you, because he will need them back one day." 

I have never been given reason to come to terms with the fact that yes, someday I will lose a parent.  Not only have I never been given any reason to really contemplate that reality, but I was trying so very hard to deny that was ever a possibility.  Maybe I am a bit selfish and unrealistic, but I NEED  them still.  And up until this event, I felt that the fact I needed them was enough for god to keep them here with me.  I don't think that this was just an awakening for my dad and the importance of his health, but it was also a rude awakening for me as well.  I know that I will have to deal with the passing of my parents one day.  I am trying very hard to accept that right now, though I don't think I will ever be fully prepared for it.

The future still remains so unsure and he has many more visits to the doctors to ensure that he is on the right path to a healthier and much longer life.  

Today, my dad is home. Alive.

Tired, but alive... 

I am beyond grateful that he is okay.

I am beyond grateful that I did not have to deal with a loss right now when we were all so very unprepared for one.

I am so so so relieved that the big man above knows that  I , we, still need my dad more than he does right now. 

I am so happy that my dad is given a second chance at life and I know that he too is grateful for it.  

I will never take a moment spent with my dad, or anyone in my life for granted ever again. 

I am thankful for today and every day I am given with those I love.

Life is the very most precious gift I have been given.  I know that now. 

And my dad is still my SUPER HERO.

I will leave you with a little something for all my friends and family, old and new.  I LOVE YOU all so very much.  I promise to not only tell you all that I love you every chance I have, but to also make sure that my actions reflect this love as well.
XOXO

May Photo-A-Day Recap (Or in this case, Reveal)

It may seem as if I fell completely off the band wagon for the month of May Photo-A-Day fun, but in all reality I didn't. 

I just simply didn't blog my photo's.  I had so many crazy things happening in the month of May that I just decided, after having posted up to day 9, I would do one big post at the end of the month revealing my month in photos.  

In case you missed it you can see (and read the stories behind them) my first few posts of the month here, here, here, here, and here... 

Here is a quick recap of those days.

 



 

And Now for the NEW stuff...

May Day 10:

A favorite word

Simplicity... I strive for simplicity in life.  With two kids, school, mommy duties, wife duties, and of course everything else life throws my way I NEED simplicity in all I do.  Otherwise you may find me hiding in a closet, mumbling nonsense, rocking back and forth, pulling my hair out.  HA!

 May Day 11:

Kitchen

My little girl is seriously SO amazing.  She, at six years old, saw that the dishes needed done and took it upon herself to do them. I love her beyond comprehension.

May Day 12: 

Makes Me Happy

An early Mother's Day gift from my little man.  I love homemade gifts from my kids... they mean more than anything money can buy.  My heart is so full of love and happiness. 

May Day 13:

My Mom 

We got together at my moms house on Mother's Day.  It just so happened to be my birthday as well.    I spent the better part of the day at home with my little ones and husband.  I got an email from my brother that afternoon that said, 5 O'Clock, mom's house.  I couldn't just bail on the dinner plans Bill had made for me.  So I had to politely decline the invite.  It wasn't until a bit later than I learned my brothers had planned a little get together not only to celebrate mom's day, but my birthday as well.  At that point I HAD to make sure I didn't disappoint.  

I took my camera along because Mom ALWAYS wants a picture done with her and her kids, but for some reason it NEVER happens.  This day Sister Casey was doing all she could to not have to take a picture, but I put my foot down.... 

You can read more about my thoughts on Mother's HERE

and how I spent my Mother's Day HERE

{Along with some fun pictures}

May Day 14:

Grass

Spring Green.... I love to relax out in some shaded grass.

Spring weather is the VERY BEST!

May Day 15:

Love

This is an old picture, and maybe one you have seen before, but I love it.  

Bill is his usual dorky self, and I am blissfully in love with that man!

May Day 16:

I'm Reading

For Mother's Day/My Birthday Bill got me this book about how to run a successful photography business.  It's my current choice of reading material.  I have learned a great deal from it and have really enjoyed reading it.  I am sure it is a book I will refer back to quite frequently as I explore the photography business world.  

May Day 18:

Something I Made

Throughout the entire school year, each of the kids have had the opportunity to bring a poster board to school decorated with pictures and information about them.  Initially I believe it was suppose to be a weekly event, but somewhere along the line the teachers got behind.  It didn't seem to be quite as regular as they had initially intended.  It took them until the last week of school to get through all 20 something students.  Of course Sam's last name falls close to the end of the alphabet and he was one of the last ones to do his little all about me board.  It was only displayed in class for a few days before it got sent home.  I think next time I will just put together a little slide show that can be shared and then reused the next year so I don't have to spend a great deal of time on something that is only used for a couple days before it heads to the trash. LOL

May Day 19:

A Favorite Place to Be

BEHIND THE LENS

I love to take pictures... It's one of my "happy" places.  Bill has really been pushing me to start taking some nature photo's.  He thinks I would excel at it.  I personally like to photograph people... There is just something about a photo of a person that touches me, and inspires me.  I have said it before, but I feel that a person says so much about themselves without even having to say a word.  Hands, posture, wrinkles, clothes, facial expressions... all of it tells a story.  I personally like the story seen in every person.  Maybe, just maybe, I will take Bill's advice and focus a bit on nature as well, but my true passion is in the people.  

May Day 20:

Something I can't live without...

HA!

That's a given isn't it? 

My Camera.  

I would be lost without it.

May Day 21:

Where I Stand

FIRST: I would like you to take note of my awesomely awesome artistic abilities.  

These stick figures were drawn by yours truly....

Thank you, Thank you

(As I bow)

I am second to the oldest of 7 kids... Though we come from dis-function at it's best.  

Us older three girls have the same mom and dad...

Us older three girls and the middle boys have the same mom, but different dads...

Us older three girls and the youngest two girls have the same dad, but a different mom...

Are you following along ok?

You're lost aren't you...

Well, I guess the purpose of this post isn't to give you the run down of my family tree, but just to let you know where I stand...

So there it is, I am second to the oldest... 

OH! And BTW I also have 5 step siblings that are in the mix as well.

That's 12 kids in my family.

WOW!

WAIT?

Where are day's 22-27?

It was a holiday weekend, and friends came in town...

Give me a break! 

You can read a bit about our Memorial Day weekend and all the fun we had HERE

 May Day 28:

Today's Weather

Jessica Here, Reporting that today's weather was a bit cloudy, but beautiful....

SEE!

May Day 29:

A Number

My Favorite number to be exact.... Just in case you were wondering.

May Day 30:

My Personality

I did actually post about this day on my blog.  

You can find that post HERE

As you can see, I am quite the elegant, classy, wholesome individual.

Wouldn't you agree?

May Day 31:

Something Beautiful

We welcomed my newest Nephew, Wyatt Emerson Colton, into the world on May 31st.

The beauty of a new life is priceless, indescribable, amazing, blissful, surreal, exciting, precious...

You know what I mean...BEAUTIFUL in every sense of the word. 

I love this little guys so much already... 

CONGRATS SISTER KRISTIN AND FRED!

And there you have it...

MY MONTH OF MAY!  

I truly hope you all had as amazing of a month as I did.  

And in case you have missed it...

I started a blog series in May as well.

The story of my life,

(Told the way I remember it anyway)

You can catch my first few posts of

"Life as I Remember it"

HERE, HERE, and HERE

ENJOY JUNE EVERYONE!