Date Night - A Picture Safari

Yesterday Mark texted me while I was at work to let me know he was planning a date night for us.  Of course I didn't want to know what it was, I love surprises!  And of course I know it just kills him when I tell him I want to be surprised because he 'hates' surprises and can't keep the secret to save his soul.  LOL

So when I got home from work we ate dinner, packed Camden up and headed down to Downtown Detroit to the River Walk.  He had the whole thing planned.  We would start out at the River Walk so Camden could play in the water.  Then we headed over to Greektown to take our picture outside of the Casino in the exact spot we first met 3 1/2 years ago.  Next stop was Astoria, our favorite bakery/pastry shop to pick out a few tasty treats.  We finished our 'picture safari' at Comerica Park so we could take pictures of Camden with the huge tiger.  He even parked our car in somewhat of a 'neutral location' so we could get a lot of walking in...I think we covered almost 4 miles on foot, taking pictures of various things all along the way. 

He really planned this so perfectly, I could tell he really put a lot of thought into it. It was something Camden could participate in but sentimental and meaningful for us and he even fulfilled my request to go on a long walk after dinner.  Sorry ladies, he's taken.  ;) 

It was a "cheap date" but I loved it and it was very much needed.  Between our busy summer, two kids and busy work schedules we really haven't had much time for date nights.  I am a firm believer in having date nights, it just helps to make us feel more connected as a couple.

 Here are some pictures from our Picture Safari Date Night.

The very spot we met 3 1/2 years ago

Gosh I look wrecked.  But at least he looks good!

A happy note

Today as I was refilling my water bottle it hit me - I am happy.  I'm not just talking about on the surface happy.  I am talking about feeling it in my soul and down to my bones kind of happy.  Even sharing said happiness through social media kind of happy.  I'm not bragging.  I am just...well, happy.

After so many years of struggling to find my way through this life I feel things have finally started to fall into place.  I am married to my best friend.  He makes me laugh, he loves me for me.  We love, we fight, we are playful and supportive.  He works hard to support our family and advance his career.  He is an amazing daddy.  He makes me proud to be his wife.  He is everything I have ever looked for and he is officially and legally stuck....umm, I mean, mine.  ;)

God has blessed me with two awesome little boys.  They're smart and amazing little people.  They challenge me but they teach me.  They brighten my day and melt my heart.  They are amazing and I am so lucky I get to be their mommy.

I get to work with my best friend doing something I love.  It isn't my primary job (yet!) but it will get there.  This is something I have dreamed of doing for years and I feel like it is finally becoming a reality.  We have been busy all summer long so far and enjoying every minute of it.  If there was anyone I would want to be in business with, it is Alicia.  We work hard but we have fun doing it.  Working with your best friend doing something you love, could it get any better than that?

I am surrounded by amazing people in my life.  I have friends and family I adore and admire.  They inspire me and make me strive to be the best person I can be.

For reasons I don't understand I am blessed far beyond what I even deserve.  I am happy.

An angel gets her wings

There is a beautiful little girl I never had the pleasure of meeting.  I only know of her through my best friend and sister in law Nikki and her fiance Matt, she is Matt's niece and her name is Hannah.  She had blonde hair and blue eyes and the sweetest smile.  She has the face of an angel.

Hannah faced many challenges as she was born with severe brain damage possibly caused by a prenatal stroke.  Despite these challenges her parents found inspiration, creating Hannah's Hope.  Their Mission - Helping Hannah Help Others.  Read more of Hannah's story and about Hannah's Hope here: Hannah's Story.

On July 30th, this angel was given her wings - Hannah was suddenly and unexpectedly called home to Heaven.  When Nikki emailed  and told me I could feel the grief through her words on the screen.  I may not have ever met her or known her personally but that didn't stop the tears from falling.  For a second I felt a little silly, feeling like I was feeling grief that wasn't mine to feel.  But regardless if I knew her or not,  she was just a baby and I have a Mommy heart.  I couldn't even begin to fathom what it is like to have to bury your child.  My deepest prayers go out to the Martinez family.

Hannah's Obituary

You are probably wondering what my involvement is with this sweet girl if I never knew her personally.  Well, here it is.  Her story is inspiring and I want to help spread word of Hannah's Hope.  It is such an amazing organization.  Every dime donated provides:

• Monetary support for qualifying families in the Northwest Indiana First Steps program for therapies needed.
• Monetary support for families purchasing costly medical equipment (ie. Braces, wheelchairs, etc.)
• Dollars for organizations funding pediatric brain research
• Family gatherings for special needs children, their parents, and siblings, allowing them the opportunity to connect with other families.
• Hope to families knowing there is an organization that proves that families with special needs children are not alone.

Hannah might have been a little girl who was physically unable to help others but her story inspiring. And even though her life was cut far too short, her legacy will continue to live and thrive through Hannah's Hope.

To make a donation please click here: Hannah's Hope. 

A special day....

Today is July 31st.  To some it's just the last day of the month, creeping towards August.  To me, it is a special day.

8 years ago today at 11:18am, weighing in at 9lbs 2oz I welcomed a precious and beautiful baby boy into this world.  From the first second I looked into those blue eyes my life was changed forever and he owned my heart.

Now here we are 8 years later, suddenly I'm the momma of a 3rd grader....WHAT?!?!  He is smart  (sometimes too smart for his own good) and sassy.  I swear some of the things that come out of his mouth he sounds like a teenager.  He's pretty witty sometimes, too.  Let me tell you, Little Boy has jokes. 

He knows how to challenge me.  Sometimes I wonder if he is teaching me how to be a parent more than I am trying to parent him.  It can really become quite the conflict.  The funny thing is, the older he gets the more I realize he is just like me.  It can be a sobering thought sometimes, depending on the situation.  He might look just like his dad but his attitude and personality is definitely mine.  Mostly.  ;)

He has a big heart for a little boy.  Every fundraiser at school that is donated to a charity he wants to participate in.  I remember a few years ago he saw a commercial on TV from Tide, how they were accepting donations of new clothes and bedding for the victims of  Hurricane Katrina.  He immediately came to me wanting to donate something.  And given my own love for charity work he makes this momma proud with that big heart of his.

He makes a wonderful big brother.  Sure, they pick at each other and drive each other crazy but when it comes down to it he loves and adores his little brother, and Camden loves and adores his big brother.  He will do whatever goofy antic he can just to make him laugh.  Yesterday when I picked Parker up from his dad's he ran ahead to get in his seat and as soon as he opened the car door I hear "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" (high pitched yelling) from Camden, Parker quickly joining.  As I got into the car they were both giggling.  My mommy heart melted.

So today, yes, it is a special day.  Happy Birthday to my Parker Thomas...I love you to the moon and back!

Almost 15 mos old....Look at those curls!

My little man, growing up too fast.

A day with Bubbie

Yesterday Mark and I took Parker and my nephew Gabe to the Tiger's game.  This was something we have had planned for at least 2 months so we were all really looking forward to it, though I think I was looking forward to it the most.  See Gabe in the picture, wearing the blue hat?  He was my first baby boy. 

I met him, my brother and sister in law when Gabe was only 2-3 months old.  The first time I saw him and held him I immediately fell in love.  From that point on I would take Gabe for the weekends, drive up to Saginaw constantly just to see my new found family.  I cannot tell you how many pictures I have of my holding Gabe, rocking him, feeding him, playing with him, napping and snuggling with him.  We formed a bond.  I was his Aunt Manna, he was my Bubbie.

Fast forward a few years and some changes in life later and I feel like I lost my relationship with them all on account of these changes significantly altering my brother.  It saddened me...I lost my brother whom I always wanted a relationship with, my sister in law Amanda whom I had grown close to, my Bubbie and my beautiful niece Kadie who was still just a baby.

A couple of years after that Amanda reached out to me, AND despite everything she wanted to make sure I had a relationship with the kids.  Our own relationship has begun to strengthen again as well. I'll never be able to thank her enough for this.

My Bubbie is now 11 years old and only 2-3 inches shorter than I am.  He also proudly informed me he weighs 116lbs.  He's so smart and loving, and seemed very at ease being with us without his mom close by. 

So needless to say, to be given a day to hang with my Bubbie...I was thrilled beyond ecstatic.  I think they had a pretty good time too, despite the heat. 

As Amanda and I set a day where I can take Kadie to do something fun just her and I and the date was pushed into September due to busy schedules Gabe quickly said "I have to wait that long to see them again?!?"  No worries Bubbie, we'll work something out.  :)

Getting ready to leave Gabe gave me several hugs.  Not just a quick little hug but a real squeeze, where he held on for a few seconds each time.  Maybe he missed me as much as I missed him.  Our bond might have been interrupted temporarily but it wasn't severed.  I love that boy so.

Oh, and the game??  We won!!  It was a sold out game as we swept the Chicago White Sox putting us up by 1.5 games in the American League Central.  AND Miguel Cabrera hit his 300th homerun.  We all high-fived each other with each run made.  A successful day all the way around.

I'm an auntie (again)!!!!

July couldn't have possibly started off any better..... I became an auntie again!!

July 1st, 2012 at 4:36am my sister in law Billie and her husband Dave brought a beautiful baby girl into this world, Roxana Nicolette Howie. 

We were able to hold her just a few hours old.  It is always so amazing to me how something so small can hold so much power.  She is so precious and just completely took us all by storm.



Melting Uncle Mark's heart already



Daddy and his girls

    

I am smitten <3



 

7/3/12

 

This picture was taken 7/11/12.  Look how much she has changed already!





Parker just loves babies.  After holding her he told me he wants a baby sister

I am one proud and blessed auntie!

A day full of love and promise

Wedding season is officially in full swing!  Alicia and I have been working together quite a bit, we are currently in the middle of a wedding every Saturday, 4 Saturdays in a row.  It doesn't even feel like work, we have so much fun doing it and I find myself looking forward to each one.

June 30th was the wedding of Tyrone and Yoronda, what a sweet couple!  Yoronda was a stunning bride, Tyrone was the dapper groom in his ivory tux.  As Yoronda made her way down the aisle Tyrone broke down crying.  This couple is just so full of love for each other.

One of my favorite parts of the reception was the Mother/Daughter dance.  No, this isn't a typo.  Because Yoronda's father had passed away she did a Mother/Daughter dance.  You could tell upon first meeting these ladies what a strong bond they have. 

The rest of the evening was packed with fun and a lot of dancing, including a dance by the groom and his fellow fraternity brothers from college - it reminded me of a scene from the movie Drum Line.  I've never been a part of anything like that so it was pretty fun to watch.  :)

Sending many blessings to the happy couple!  I know they will have a long and beautiful life together!