Well, it really will be a quickie b/c it's past my Thanksgiving bedtime. However I felt I could not go to sleep without popping on to wish everyone a very SAFE and HAPPY Thanksgiving. By now I'm sure most of you have had your eats and are sitting around getting sloshed watching football or something.
Hook em' Horns.... :o)
I have so many things to be thankful for and I'm really most thankful, that I can see that.
So a few things to say I am thankful for - granted I could go on for an hour, but I won't.
1. My beautiful amazing sweet little boys. They think their Mommy hung the moon and that's alright with me! :o)
2. My beautiful sweet loving husband, I never in a million years thought I'd be lucky enough to find someone as wonderful as him...yet here we are all (yeah ALLLL haha) these years later still as crazy about each other as we were way back when. ;o)
3. My AMAZING extended family! I have a hard time calling my "extended" family "extended" to be honest. That sounds a smidge too impersonal I think. I'm talking like, Steph and fam, Mark and fam and Pop and Shannon. I think we're all closer than "extended" to me. I'm so so so thankful for them all. For all the times and all the ways they've been there for us each or individually and most of all, for loving our little boys the way they do. That's most important to me.
4. Of course, while it STILL sounds impersonal, my really extended family! Yeah, ya know to be sorta "orphaned" in a way...I've really got an ENORMOUS family, both sides and including my in-law family too. Holy hell we could all fill up a football field almost! ha!
I love that there are SO many of us, but no matter how long its been between seeing each other, the hugs are just as genuine and we can sit down and talk for hours like we've not missed a day! I think THAT is awesome!
5. My fabulous friends. I can say, beyond all the other ways I am so blessed, this is truly one way I feel extremely blessed because I have something in friends, that I feel few people get. You hear so many SAY they are thankful for their friends, but I really really am. I *think* most folks are very close to and very thankful for their families and a friend or maybe two. I am blessed to have many, many great and very dear friends. I confuse the hell out of people when I say, "My best friend....." because they tend to think my one best friend leads an insanely busy life. ;) haha
6. I am thankful for the opportunities I've been given in my life. No matter what path I've gone down, no matter how it turned out or seemed at the time. Good or bad. I am thankful for all of it. That could sound seriously mental if you knew how bad some of the bad was, but I can truly say, in my most serious manner, I would go through it again to be where I am and who I am. The good has so out weighed the bad, it's always worth it.
7. I am thankful for the chance to share, well this can only come out corny I guess I can't word it correctly, my soul with the world -- whoever sees it anyway. I think so many people walk around with so much in them that they are either too afraid or too busy or whatever... they never share it. So I am thankful, to be someone that cannot hold it in. My pictures are just a reflection of the way I see things and it comes from deep down. It is one of the few reasons it is sometimes difficult to do that for a living, because it is really so personal, even when the photos are ones I've been asked to take - the way I portray what I see is very personal and it is difficult to put a price on that, much less the times when people want more for less and just cheapen how much heart I put into it. Perhaps there will be some more writing and other expressions of creativity to come soon.... ;o)
8. Here's a good one...I'm thankful for ADHD meds and a dr. that finally listened to me all the way through rather than cutting me off b/c I did well in school as a child (small child mind you). This has opened up an entirely new world for me and it's taking a LOT (and I mean a LOT) of hard work to get where I want to be for myself and my family, but I will do it and I AM. SUre there are slip ups and I slide backward, but the important thing is...I keep on walking right back up that slippery slope. Insistent, persistent and completely determined to the day I die, to get to the top and stay there.
9. I am thankful for the many miracles I've seen in my life. When I can sit down and put it on paper, which I really ought to do that soon, the things I've seen in my life that I view as miraculous - its really pretty amazing. Since I"m not one of those people that's watched the sunrise from the top of a Tibetan monastery or walked on the moon etc... I've just seen a lot of everyday miracles. A lot of not so everyday miracles. Births, deaths and healing that seemed impossible. There are many more to come and I'll take them all and soak it up and NEVER forget.
10. Of course I should add a conceited one. WHy not? It wouldn't be very "me" without would it? In all seriousness though, whatever divine intervention we shall believe in. I can obviously only say it had to be God that did it. ;) I am thankful that I am me. That probably sounds stupid, or insanely narcissistic but...well, maybe you just have to BE me to understand it. I am glad I am the person I am, wherever I got the resiliency that I've somehow come by, wherever some of this all came from. I am thankful. I am thankful that I keep on going no matter what. I am thankful to not walk around bitter about things I cannot change everyday. I am thankful that I can accept my past and the actions of others as simply that and still just be happy to be me. I am thankful that I can accept others and our differences, granted sometimes it might take me a bit of thinking but I do always come around, and still love them and/or forgive them. I am thankful that I am no longer afraid to be heard. I am thankful that I can have a sense of humor nearly all the time about nearly anything.
So, with so many other possible scenarios of what might have been for me...I am DAMN thankful this is the one I got. I shudder to imagine how the simplest decision could have put me somewhere very far, from the someone I am now. I am truly thankful, that I don't use the "where I came from, what I've been through" bit as an excuse for ANYTHING.
(Again, that all might SOUND all full of me, but...you'd just have to know a LOT about me I guess. Only a few others can really grasp it I think). ;)
11. I am thankful for the beautiful happy smiles that wake me up each morning.
12. I am thankful for the little fingers that tap me on the back lightly when I'm getting a hug.
13. I am thankful for haircolor. ;o)
14. I am BEYOND thankful for our health. Words can hardly say it enough.
15. I am thankful for the little surprises that come my way sometimes, when I least expect them!!!!!!
16. Most of all, I am thankful. For the full tummy I've got tonight. The warmth coming from the radiators. The snuggles I will get when I climb in my bed in a minute. The roof that is keeping us dry. The car I've got to drive. The bills that are paid. We should all ALWAYS be thankful of that, but I will say these days...we should be THAT MUCH MORE thankful for it.
I hope that everyone, no matter how dismal things may look to you today, can sincerely find something at least one thing, they are truly thankful for and pass it on. Reminding others of what YOU have to be thankful for, might sometimes be construed as bragging, but I think instead, it reminds them of what THEY have to be thankful for and thus begins a domino effect. Everyone is walking around thankful rather than wishful.
Please enjoy your meals or company or the very breath you take today. Drive safely and smile! :o) If nothing else, be thankful you can do that! THere are people on this earth that can't even do that. So be thankful yoU CAN!!!!!!
I was not going to really cook anything traditional today. We were going to cook a meal and sit down to eat together, but I had no intentions of making an actual Thanksgiving meal.
However...on making a couple of turkeys for Mike's shop luncheon, I found that my son is a freakin NUT about turkey! Kade was going bananas over the fact there was a turkey in our oven!
He would NOT get out of the kitchen for HOURS! He talked at Steph-speed (that's really fast talking just so you know) about how he loved turkey, he wanted turkey, was the turkey done yet? he didn't want his dinner, he wanted that turkey b/c he loved turkey...and yeah it went on for AGES. I decided then I should probably go buy the poor kid a turkey. So...yes, there's ME (and sadly I was nowhere NEAR the only dumbass out at 7:30pm the night before) at the commissary last night getting a turkey and trimmings.
So... we did it!
I feel like a total grown up now. Is that weird? I should still feel like a "kid" per se b/c we went elsewhere to eat every year? Well, for whatever reason it really made me feel like a REAL grown up and a REAL parent!
Together Mike and I made (insane I tell you) turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, corn, rolls, pumpkin pie and my fab chocolate banana pie. So okay really some of the key things there were not from "scratch" but does that REALLY matter? no. The dressing was some fancied up stove top, the pumpkin pie was frozen...but everything else was REAL! We did it in very little time too.
We sat down and had our big meal all together at our table. We had wine glasses and the fancy plates out too! ha! The boys had apple-pomegranate cider and we had wine. They thought they were pretty cool getting "grown up drinks". The teacher wants Kade to talk about Thanksgiving tomorrow, I'm sure there will be mention of his grown up drink and that might not look so great..... I should maybe put a note in his bag. ha!
Otherwise we are all doing great! Just waiting on a couple of last minute items to come in the mail so i can get all of our packages sent off, I'm SO excited! I love buying gifts!!! I'm so so so into decorating this year too. I've never ever gotten very carried away with it, but I would sort of like to...I think. Maybe that's more of that grown up thing? How can I have been so "old" for my years all this time, but not feel like an adult for so long either? Somehow cooking a turkey and putting up some garland seems like it might be a rite of passage into my real womanhood.
Wow, there's a book title... ha!
So, um...yeah. So much for short. We all knew better though.
I have the gift of gab in type. What can I say?
I can say good night........
xoxoxox
Nearly there....
Friday, November 27, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Favor - I really don't think I ask for those often...do I?
So here I am again. I know, it's mind boggling isn't it?
Well, I am on at the moment to ask for something. I don't think I really ask for help often, and well it's not something that would really put anyone out at all I don't think.
If you might possibly remember, from my photog-blog, last summer JUST before we came over here one of my best friends found out her little girl had brain cancer. Emma is the same age as Kade, her birthday in a couple of days, she'll be five. She had brain surgery last year, she did 6 weeks of radiation where she had to go under general anesthesia every single day for treatment. She had to re-learn how to do pretty much EVERYTHING again, as the surgery messed up her fine motor skills etc... I'm talking about walking, talking, eating...the whole nine yards. She then had a follow up surgery to correct some damage done to her eye from the surgery. All of her scans came back clear.
She was vibrant, healthy and back to her old self. Back in dance, soccer, running and playing and laughing and being 4 years old.
She had another scan in September and much to everyone's shock, it was back. It was very small, this has been a slow growing, non-aggressive tumor all along. They had some time and were going to do another scan in November and were looking at other treatment options. So, she went in for her scan the other day...it's grown 10x its size since September and is now causing mild hydroencephalous due to putting pressure on the spinal cord. They MUST do surgery immediately.
Last time they could not get ALL of the tumor because it was attached to her spinal cord, for fear of the irreversible damage it could do they left 1% of it there and would kill that off with the radiation. This time, they --so far as I am aware, it may have changed today-- have to take all of it.
They got the results of the scan on Saturday, they had an appt today with the neuro-surgeon and oncologist and were told they would probably admit her on Tuesday and do surgery on Wednesday. I've just learned that...they won't even be waiting THAT long. Surgery is tomorrow.
The thought of what all is going on with them makes me physically ill. This is such a beautiful little girl, she and Kade were buds instantly. The family also has a younger girl, just a smidge younger than Cody who is just as precious.
So that in itself really gets to you, but there's even more...Em's Mom is pregnant and due any day now. Yes...that is right. I believe she will be able to have the baby at a hospital adjacent to where Em is having her surgery, so that will be good shoud little boy decide to come now, let us hope he will hang out another week or two where it's all nice and comfy.
I cannot, in all honesty, comprehend being in their shoes right now. It's extremely difficult now, as it was last year, not to BE there for this. Whatever I could do...
At any rate, my purpose is this, I ask simply that if you pray to please pray. If you meditate, or send good vibes, dole out karma...really, anything you've got, please I ask that you include this family. That is all she has asked for from anyone is prayer for the doctors to be steady handed and to find a miracle, for a speedy recovery for Emma and as little damage as possible.
So, please, as you say your bedtime prayers, or head off to church or are just thinking about sending good thoughts, please think of the Maltbie family this evening and tomorrow and anytime beyond that too of course. ;)
It is also a cause for me to stop short when I get frustrated with my boys for acting wild and crazy. I'm just so damn thankful that they can and it hurts so much at the same time knowing that Emma won't be able to fight with her sister for awhile again.
(If you didn't happen to notice it, and I'm not asking but if there were something more you wanted to do, there's a link up to the top left hand side here to help out if you wish. Keep in mind, that's just there to be there, I'm not here asking for money, just for prayers lots and lots of heartfelt prayers).
I love you guys so much and wish there was something I could do and I hope you will let me know if there is anything at all that comes to mind. You can call at ANY time, or email and let me know you are calling or something!
Well, I am on at the moment to ask for something. I don't think I really ask for help often, and well it's not something that would really put anyone out at all I don't think.
If you might possibly remember, from my photog-blog, last summer JUST before we came over here one of my best friends found out her little girl had brain cancer. Emma is the same age as Kade, her birthday in a couple of days, she'll be five. She had brain surgery last year, she did 6 weeks of radiation where she had to go under general anesthesia every single day for treatment. She had to re-learn how to do pretty much EVERYTHING again, as the surgery messed up her fine motor skills etc... I'm talking about walking, talking, eating...the whole nine yards. She then had a follow up surgery to correct some damage done to her eye from the surgery. All of her scans came back clear.
She was vibrant, healthy and back to her old self. Back in dance, soccer, running and playing and laughing and being 4 years old.
She had another scan in September and much to everyone's shock, it was back. It was very small, this has been a slow growing, non-aggressive tumor all along. They had some time and were going to do another scan in November and were looking at other treatment options. So, she went in for her scan the other day...it's grown 10x its size since September and is now causing mild hydroencephalous due to putting pressure on the spinal cord. They MUST do surgery immediately.
Last time they could not get ALL of the tumor because it was attached to her spinal cord, for fear of the irreversible damage it could do they left 1% of it there and would kill that off with the radiation. This time, they --so far as I am aware, it may have changed today-- have to take all of it.
They got the results of the scan on Saturday, they had an appt today with the neuro-surgeon and oncologist and were told they would probably admit her on Tuesday and do surgery on Wednesday. I've just learned that...they won't even be waiting THAT long. Surgery is tomorrow.
The thought of what all is going on with them makes me physically ill. This is such a beautiful little girl, she and Kade were buds instantly. The family also has a younger girl, just a smidge younger than Cody who is just as precious.
So that in itself really gets to you, but there's even more...Em's Mom is pregnant and due any day now. Yes...that is right. I believe she will be able to have the baby at a hospital adjacent to where Em is having her surgery, so that will be good shoud little boy decide to come now, let us hope he will hang out another week or two where it's all nice and comfy.
I cannot, in all honesty, comprehend being in their shoes right now. It's extremely difficult now, as it was last year, not to BE there for this. Whatever I could do...
At any rate, my purpose is this, I ask simply that if you pray to please pray. If you meditate, or send good vibes, dole out karma...really, anything you've got, please I ask that you include this family. That is all she has asked for from anyone is prayer for the doctors to be steady handed and to find a miracle, for a speedy recovery for Emma and as little damage as possible.
So, please, as you say your bedtime prayers, or head off to church or are just thinking about sending good thoughts, please think of the Maltbie family this evening and tomorrow and anytime beyond that too of course. ;)
It is also a cause for me to stop short when I get frustrated with my boys for acting wild and crazy. I'm just so damn thankful that they can and it hurts so much at the same time knowing that Emma won't be able to fight with her sister for awhile again.
(If you didn't happen to notice it, and I'm not asking but if there were something more you wanted to do, there's a link up to the top left hand side here to help out if you wish. Keep in mind, that's just there to be there, I'm not here asking for money, just for prayers lots and lots of heartfelt prayers).
I love you guys so much and wish there was something I could do and I hope you will let me know if there is anything at all that comes to mind. You can call at ANY time, or email and let me know you are calling or something!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
six years ago today...
Six years ago, on this very day...I married my best friend. I can still remember the day itself so vividly. My sister (bless her poor soul, what a trooper!) running around with me like crazy trying to get last minute things and getting our hair done and I can even remember that fateful trip to Fazoli's. Oy, word from the wise girls, don't eat lasagne on your wedding day! Too many carbs, bloat...it took an army to cinch me into that dress!!!
I am to this day so very thankful for ALL the people that pitched in SO much help for our wedding. Everyone, I think of it and I think of all the weddings I have shot now and really, we were so very blessed to have so many folks help out doing so many things. I knew it then and I still have not forgotten!
I remember being a ball of nerves. Not for marrying my sweet husband, but I think because of all the people that were there. So many people came, I was really blown away. So many folks came out to wish us well, to share in our special day...people we'd not seen in years, people that drove a LONG way, people we'd just seen the night before. So many people were there to support us and see this wonderful thing take place. I was, in itself, surprised that many people came at all for the weather was SO nasty that night and the church was such a long drive for most. It really meant so much to both of us though. It still contributed to my nerves though!
Who knows why I can stand in a crowd and talk to 100 people and not once think twice about it, but man...put me in a dress in an aisle with 200 people staring at me...YIKES!!!! I'm still astounded I did not fall. No really...
At the other end of that aisle though, was the most beautiful smile in the world. What I thought never existed in this world, what I thought people only wrote songs about or love stories or sappy movies. How wrong I was though, because here I was, walking toward him. There he was, waiting for me to get there. He took my hand, and I held his tight...
The rest of it all just floated away. We were getting married. Finally. This amazing person, was actually saying these vows? To me?? Why yes, yes he was. Nothing else mattered anymore, we were getting married and life was for us, just about us and what we had.
What we had and still to this day have, is something that I honestly am sad to say I think very few people get in their lives. I knew it then. I still do.
Our life together has, no doubt, been a whirlwind! For thinking we had it all planned out and under control, boy were we EVER wrong! It's certainly one of those moments when life laughs its ass off at you and says, "oh yeah ya think??? well how 'bout THIS then...???".
Regardless of anything and everything, we've gone through it ups and downs together. I mean think of it if you will, however your own relationships have gone, we've seriously had big thing after big thing after big thing the entire time we've been together. I sit and wonder now, what it could possibly be next? In all honesty, it kind of feels like things should calm now, the boys are getting older and don't need so much coddling, we're here for another 3 years so we KNOW we're not moving for a bit, I can't get pregnant anymore, unless I really AM that much of a freak of nature. So...I almost feel like I'm sitting around with a baseball glove just waiting to catch the next thing. Good or bad, I'm always ready. :)
Just four short months after our wedding day, we got pregnant with Kade, then just after he turned one, the BIG shocker, Mr. Uh-Oh Cody! So then that would be precisely 22 months to the day later, we had two kids! Holy crap! We sold our house, moved to Merkel, opened and closed a studio, Mike studied and gained two more ranks, we had another enormous shocker regarding pregnancy that really took its toll and then my surgery and then when we all thought FINALLY, things will calm down now...we moved to England.
Suffice it to say, I'm a bit hesitant to relax very much!
Through it all though, through all the ups and downs that any marriage has, although I think we've had far more ups and hardly any downs, we've stood by each other and supported one another through every single thing. Whether it was a nudge to follow a dream or a shoulder to lean on when things got too heavy. We've been together, there for each other. That's what it's all about anyway. So how could we have possibly gone wrong? We didn't, not at all.
Now, it's no secret that I'm a looney and firmly believe in fate, and karma and all that jazz. The timelines, the stories we told each other, the numerous times we could have met prior, the ways we could have almost not met, or not ended up together are so crazy, there is such a fine line...we both can only say it was truly fate that brought us together.
(if not two grandpa's upstairs in their coveralls manipulating things just a little...;o) ).
We are truly, truly blessed with two gorgeous, precious, intelligent, HEALTHY little boys. With friends and family abound that love us to pieces and are always there for us. We're living an opportunity that many only daydream about here in Europe. We have food in our bellies (maybe too much sometimes... ;) ) and our health. We've got each other everyday (for the most part) and that's all anyone really needs in life.
If I could wish something for everyone, I don't think I'd ask for World Peace (haha) I think instead I would ask, that everyone gets to have what Mike and I have, and that they can SEE it when they have it. I'm so thankful that WE see it and have always seen it from our very first date.
I am in the mood to be thankful for so much and what started all that I have to be thankful for...is my husband. Of course, I am thankful for loving myself enough and being strong enough to get to where I was to meet him, but beyond that (while it's certainly ENORMOUS) he is who I must thank. He's loved me like no one in this world ever could. He's been patient with me, he's understood me and most of all...he's accepted me with all my eccentricities. That in itself, tells me but one thing...he really does love ME. He can laugh at the dumb things I do, and when I am so angry at myself for flaking on something or forgetting something...he can make me laugh at myself too. I love that about him more than he probably knows. I love that he's always called me a fruit-cake, b/c it's an endearing term, that just tells me he really loves how off the wall I can be sometimes.
He's helped me to become more of the person I was striving to be, and still am. He's given me something I literally NEVER thought I'd have in my life, and that is two little boys who think their Mommy and Daddy hung the moon.
He is the hand that I hold, and that really says so very much more than anyone can ever likely know. There is nothing and no one that could ever come between us, of that I have no doubt. It is hard to say, and perhaps silly of me in many ways, but I think that people really know when they love and are loved REALLY REALLY to the core. I know that we do, each of us, no matter what fortune or fault. That is why, on this date, six short/long years ago...something fabulous happened because two people that really, really meant it, said their vows from the very depth of their souls.
He is, the only person, I've ever been able to picture myself old with. Ever, ever. I've never been able to picture myself old (and we'll be honest here, I don't think it's gonna be all that graceful for me) but I can see us, gray ....er...well okay I'll probably still be coloring but anyway. I can see us older, we'll say that because seriously I'm vain enough I'm sure I'll have my own suite at the plastic surgeons all in good time, and together. Still holding hands and laughing. That is what I see in our future, together and holding hands full of laughter. Now, it may well be us walking off to the funny farm together...but hey, we're still together. ;)
So to my husband, I love you...till my last breath to the very bottom of my soul. I still fall more in love with you each year, each month, each day.
(good gosh do I miss that figure though! *sigh*) hehe
I am to this day so very thankful for ALL the people that pitched in SO much help for our wedding. Everyone, I think of it and I think of all the weddings I have shot now and really, we were so very blessed to have so many folks help out doing so many things. I knew it then and I still have not forgotten!
I remember being a ball of nerves. Not for marrying my sweet husband, but I think because of all the people that were there. So many people came, I was really blown away. So many folks came out to wish us well, to share in our special day...people we'd not seen in years, people that drove a LONG way, people we'd just seen the night before. So many people were there to support us and see this wonderful thing take place. I was, in itself, surprised that many people came at all for the weather was SO nasty that night and the church was such a long drive for most. It really meant so much to both of us though. It still contributed to my nerves though!
Who knows why I can stand in a crowd and talk to 100 people and not once think twice about it, but man...put me in a dress in an aisle with 200 people staring at me...YIKES!!!! I'm still astounded I did not fall. No really...
At the other end of that aisle though, was the most beautiful smile in the world. What I thought never existed in this world, what I thought people only wrote songs about or love stories or sappy movies. How wrong I was though, because here I was, walking toward him. There he was, waiting for me to get there. He took my hand, and I held his tight...
The rest of it all just floated away. We were getting married. Finally. This amazing person, was actually saying these vows? To me?? Why yes, yes he was. Nothing else mattered anymore, we were getting married and life was for us, just about us and what we had.
What we had and still to this day have, is something that I honestly am sad to say I think very few people get in their lives. I knew it then. I still do.
Our life together has, no doubt, been a whirlwind! For thinking we had it all planned out and under control, boy were we EVER wrong! It's certainly one of those moments when life laughs its ass off at you and says, "oh yeah ya think??? well how 'bout THIS then...???".
Regardless of anything and everything, we've gone through it ups and downs together. I mean think of it if you will, however your own relationships have gone, we've seriously had big thing after big thing after big thing the entire time we've been together. I sit and wonder now, what it could possibly be next? In all honesty, it kind of feels like things should calm now, the boys are getting older and don't need so much coddling, we're here for another 3 years so we KNOW we're not moving for a bit, I can't get pregnant anymore, unless I really AM that much of a freak of nature. So...I almost feel like I'm sitting around with a baseball glove just waiting to catch the next thing. Good or bad, I'm always ready. :)
Just four short months after our wedding day, we got pregnant with Kade, then just after he turned one, the BIG shocker, Mr. Uh-Oh Cody! So then that would be precisely 22 months to the day later, we had two kids! Holy crap! We sold our house, moved to Merkel, opened and closed a studio, Mike studied and gained two more ranks, we had another enormous shocker regarding pregnancy that really took its toll and then my surgery and then when we all thought FINALLY, things will calm down now...we moved to England.
Suffice it to say, I'm a bit hesitant to relax very much!
Through it all though, through all the ups and downs that any marriage has, although I think we've had far more ups and hardly any downs, we've stood by each other and supported one another through every single thing. Whether it was a nudge to follow a dream or a shoulder to lean on when things got too heavy. We've been together, there for each other. That's what it's all about anyway. So how could we have possibly gone wrong? We didn't, not at all.
Now, it's no secret that I'm a looney and firmly believe in fate, and karma and all that jazz. The timelines, the stories we told each other, the numerous times we could have met prior, the ways we could have almost not met, or not ended up together are so crazy, there is such a fine line...we both can only say it was truly fate that brought us together.
(if not two grandpa's upstairs in their coveralls manipulating things just a little...;o) ).
We are truly, truly blessed with two gorgeous, precious, intelligent, HEALTHY little boys. With friends and family abound that love us to pieces and are always there for us. We're living an opportunity that many only daydream about here in Europe. We have food in our bellies (maybe too much sometimes... ;) ) and our health. We've got each other everyday (for the most part) and that's all anyone really needs in life.
If I could wish something for everyone, I don't think I'd ask for World Peace (haha) I think instead I would ask, that everyone gets to have what Mike and I have, and that they can SEE it when they have it. I'm so thankful that WE see it and have always seen it from our very first date.
I am in the mood to be thankful for so much and what started all that I have to be thankful for...is my husband. Of course, I am thankful for loving myself enough and being strong enough to get to where I was to meet him, but beyond that (while it's certainly ENORMOUS) he is who I must thank. He's loved me like no one in this world ever could. He's been patient with me, he's understood me and most of all...he's accepted me with all my eccentricities. That in itself, tells me but one thing...he really does love ME. He can laugh at the dumb things I do, and when I am so angry at myself for flaking on something or forgetting something...he can make me laugh at myself too. I love that about him more than he probably knows. I love that he's always called me a fruit-cake, b/c it's an endearing term, that just tells me he really loves how off the wall I can be sometimes.
He's helped me to become more of the person I was striving to be, and still am. He's given me something I literally NEVER thought I'd have in my life, and that is two little boys who think their Mommy and Daddy hung the moon.
He is the hand that I hold, and that really says so very much more than anyone can ever likely know. There is nothing and no one that could ever come between us, of that I have no doubt. It is hard to say, and perhaps silly of me in many ways, but I think that people really know when they love and are loved REALLY REALLY to the core. I know that we do, each of us, no matter what fortune or fault. That is why, on this date, six short/long years ago...something fabulous happened because two people that really, really meant it, said their vows from the very depth of their souls.
He is, the only person, I've ever been able to picture myself old with. Ever, ever. I've never been able to picture myself old (and we'll be honest here, I don't think it's gonna be all that graceful for me) but I can see us, gray ....er...well okay I'll probably still be coloring but anyway. I can see us older, we'll say that because seriously I'm vain enough I'm sure I'll have my own suite at the plastic surgeons all in good time, and together. Still holding hands and laughing. That is what I see in our future, together and holding hands full of laughter. Now, it may well be us walking off to the funny farm together...but hey, we're still together. ;)
(good gosh do I miss that figure though! *sigh*) hehe
See? I'll always be dorky with you! 8o)
Monday, November 2, 2009
Twick-oh-Tweat!!!!
Yes Happy (belated) Halloween all!
Hi, I'm Aimee and I'm the world's crappiest blogger. Okay so I still hate sitting at the computer. I'm trying!!! Really I am.
This year the boys picked their own costumes, much to my dismay. Nah, not really it could have been WAY worse for sure! Just leave it to Cody to go out in left field, but he was insistent on his and I really don't know WHERE it came from either! Gotta love it!
Kade was dead-set on being Woody. I've been DYING for us all to dress up like Toy Story characters for ages! So I thought this HAD to be there year! Alas, Cody wanted to be Spiderman. Uh...???? Only b/c we don't really watch Spiderman, we don't have many spiderman toys and honestly...they've just not given much thought to spiderman ever. I asked him numerous times though and he still insisted that is what he wanted. Never in a million years did I think he'd wear a mask, nor did I ask him or mention it, but out of the blue he went on in great detail how he'd wear a mask and again, I am lost on where all of this came from. At any rate, I ordered his costume...spiderman. Mask included.
Kade, had to be Woody. I asked if he just wanted to be a cowboy or if it was specific to Woody the cowboy. It was WOODY the cowboy and nothing else. Well...maybe I'm mean but I could NOT bring myself to buy that costume. If I could've found the set w/ just the shirt and hat etc... (in time b/c I did later) then fine. However the little jumpsuit thing was just WAY too cheap/froofy for me. I couldn't do it. So last minute miracle mom here, found a rockin cowboy costume in Cambridge! Yeah those are oddly hard to come by in England...wonder why? ha!
Anyway, he was overjoyed with it, while it wasn't ACTUALLY Woody, it was a cowboy and he was Woody damn it. He loved it.
To top it off, their lame parents dressed up too! Yep, MIKE got himself a costume as well. Shocked aren't you? I am!
So we were, Mike the Daddy Cowboy, Woody, Spiderman and Mom the Witch. Yeah I know shocker to some of you eh? ;) ha! Someday my dream of dressing up like Wonder Woman WILL come true! One of these days....
Anyway, the weather was MUCH nicer this year thank Goodness! We nearly froze our fake Incredibles muscles off last year! We met up with friends at the base and all went together. We had a kangaroo, 2 Spidermans(men?), 1 ladybug and 1 Woody. Quite a group!
It was pretty nerve wracking though, I guess we started so early last year we really missed the crowd, I had not realized that the base opened up and let locals on as well. So it was a mad-house by the time we all got over there! Cody had tried to change his mind and not wear his costume, but we coaxed him into it, everything but the mask (imagine that) I'm so glad he didn't wear it though, b/c it turned out his crazy signature Cody hair helped me keep track of him in the midst of candy chaos!
They did really well though and I can't believe how BIG they are still sometimes! They had a blast! I also love that they are young enough that just going to a few houses is more than satisfying for them!
I only took my small camera this year, which is fine anyway b/c it's not like I could get artistic shots in that mess anyway. My lens is STILL in the shop and I am about to flip b/c of it! I bought a replacement finally and got it here and was thrilled! I actually got it on Halloween to boot. Stuck it on my camera and "ERR99" pops up. Which in the world of a canon that's bad news. So...yeah all this time mine was supposed to be ready WEEKS ago, and I called again to find they didn't even have the PART in yet (I took it in sometime in AUGUST) and then to buy another that was similar but nowhere near as good and it not work! I'm going nuts here!!!
So, here's just a couple of snaps of them twick-oh-tweating. (That's Cody speak by the way, I just loooooooooooove the lack or "R" to be honest. Freakin precious!).
Here's Co and his good friend Tyler (who's wearing a vintage Kade costume :) ) just before we went out for candy. :) They are just a few days apart in age and soooo cute together!
Hi, I'm Aimee and I'm the world's crappiest blogger. Okay so I still hate sitting at the computer. I'm trying!!! Really I am.
This year the boys picked their own costumes, much to my dismay. Nah, not really it could have been WAY worse for sure! Just leave it to Cody to go out in left field, but he was insistent on his and I really don't know WHERE it came from either! Gotta love it!
Kade was dead-set on being Woody. I've been DYING for us all to dress up like Toy Story characters for ages! So I thought this HAD to be there year! Alas, Cody wanted to be Spiderman. Uh...???? Only b/c we don't really watch Spiderman, we don't have many spiderman toys and honestly...they've just not given much thought to spiderman ever. I asked him numerous times though and he still insisted that is what he wanted. Never in a million years did I think he'd wear a mask, nor did I ask him or mention it, but out of the blue he went on in great detail how he'd wear a mask and again, I am lost on where all of this came from. At any rate, I ordered his costume...spiderman. Mask included.
Kade, had to be Woody. I asked if he just wanted to be a cowboy or if it was specific to Woody the cowboy. It was WOODY the cowboy and nothing else. Well...maybe I'm mean but I could NOT bring myself to buy that costume. If I could've found the set w/ just the shirt and hat etc... (in time b/c I did later) then fine. However the little jumpsuit thing was just WAY too cheap/froofy for me. I couldn't do it. So last minute miracle mom here, found a rockin cowboy costume in Cambridge! Yeah those are oddly hard to come by in England...wonder why? ha!
Anyway, he was overjoyed with it, while it wasn't ACTUALLY Woody, it was a cowboy and he was Woody damn it. He loved it.
To top it off, their lame parents dressed up too! Yep, MIKE got himself a costume as well. Shocked aren't you? I am!
So we were, Mike the Daddy Cowboy, Woody, Spiderman and Mom the Witch. Yeah I know shocker to some of you eh? ;) ha! Someday my dream of dressing up like Wonder Woman WILL come true! One of these days....
Anyway, the weather was MUCH nicer this year thank Goodness! We nearly froze our fake Incredibles muscles off last year! We met up with friends at the base and all went together. We had a kangaroo, 2 Spidermans(men?), 1 ladybug and 1 Woody. Quite a group!
It was pretty nerve wracking though, I guess we started so early last year we really missed the crowd, I had not realized that the base opened up and let locals on as well. So it was a mad-house by the time we all got over there! Cody had tried to change his mind and not wear his costume, but we coaxed him into it, everything but the mask (imagine that) I'm so glad he didn't wear it though, b/c it turned out his crazy signature Cody hair helped me keep track of him in the midst of candy chaos!
They did really well though and I can't believe how BIG they are still sometimes! They had a blast! I also love that they are young enough that just going to a few houses is more than satisfying for them!
I only took my small camera this year, which is fine anyway b/c it's not like I could get artistic shots in that mess anyway. My lens is STILL in the shop and I am about to flip b/c of it! I bought a replacement finally and got it here and was thrilled! I actually got it on Halloween to boot. Stuck it on my camera and "ERR99" pops up. Which in the world of a canon that's bad news. So...yeah all this time mine was supposed to be ready WEEKS ago, and I called again to find they didn't even have the PART in yet (I took it in sometime in AUGUST) and then to buy another that was similar but nowhere near as good and it not work! I'm going nuts here!!!
So, here's just a couple of snaps of them twick-oh-tweating. (That's Cody speak by the way, I just loooooooooooove the lack or "R" to be honest. Freakin precious!).
Here are all the kiddos lined up outside the bowling alley. Can I just mention that the only child younger than Cody is our little ladybug? Yeah...he's a MOOSE!
Here's Co and his good friend Tyler (who's wearing a vintage Kade costume :) ) just before we went out for candy. :) They are just a few days apart in age and soooo cute together!
The first victims...er I mean house we stopped at! I just always feel so proud to hear them say it all by themselves and then finish with a big cute little kid voiced "THANK YOU!!!".
And here's the whole fam. My tights were supposed to be purple, but they were out, so then I asked for green. I think I looked like a bumble bee in a witch hat. Oh well... they were pretty reflective, so I mean in the name of safety I guess I could make a sacrifice or two. ;)
Co really was having a better time than it appears. I guess he just has that expression b/c we made him pause for a photo....
Here is Kade and our friend McKinley, he never leaves her side when she's around, she's a doll! :)
Cody and Riley the bestest Spidermen(mans) ever! :)
Kade and Tyler - I just love this pic!
And the "buddy-system" in full force! I found us kind of humorous, and there were all those silly (really damn smart) people with wagons and what not! HA!
Anyhoo....there you have it! Proof that we get dressed up in crazy costumes and pretend its Halloween and knock on people's door begging for candy in the middle of June.
Cody's asked me about 9,038,288 times to go trick or treating again... is it next year yet???
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