Blessing #16--My Sister-In-Law

YAY FOR MY AMAZING SISTER-IN-LAW

( This is what happens when you cover your face when I'm trying to take your picture.)
I was unbelievably ecstatic that October day when I learned that my brother had proposed to A. Yes, I was thrilled for him, but just about as much, I was happy for ME! The day my brother married A, he gave me one of the most amazing gifts ... the sister I always wanted. At their wedding
I can remember the first time I met her. She came walking around the corner, hand in hand with T, wearing that oh-so-cute white skirt. The fact that they were holding hands, comfortably, as they approached me and my folks spoke volumes to me before she ever spoke a word. This had to be a really amazing person, I thought. And, soon, I learned just how right I was.
At my wedding, between T and Gram
In what was a very significant statement, T invited A to accompany him to my wedding, which was only a few months after they started dating. Now, I really knew things were serious. And, I was thrilled! That wedding weekend, A just seemed like family. She asked for opinions on which dress she should wear and she shared some special information with me about my brother. I enjoyed that time so much.
One of their engagement photos
Soon, T and A were engaged and then married. When she walked down the aisle, she made my brother cry... which made me cry. She looked absolutely beautiful. In fact, there is a picture that her photographer took of her lying on a couch in a posh L.A. hotel that looks like a magazine spread. I wish I had that photo to post.
With two of her bridesmaids, before she had her dress on



Me and A at her wedding reception
Yes, she is very fashionable. In fact, when I was visiting her and my brother, recently, she even had these snazzy shoes to go with her lovely grey sweatpants. :) he he. (she's gonna kill me for that)

Enough said

She has such a comfortable presence about her. Even though she hasn't grown up around all of our "family friends", she acts like she has known them for years. My sister-in-law just fits in so naturally with our family. And she is soooo good with babies. I can't wait for her to have one, too! Oh, that thought just brings me such giddiness inside. No, I'm not making any announcements on her behalf. To my knowledge, she is not pregnant. I'm simply saying I can't wait for the day that she is!

At my baby shower

Holding Little Buddy when he was a week old

Our family (minus Little Buddy)

I remember how excited she was to learn that she was going to be an Auntie. She took time off from work and flew to AZ to visit her little nephew the first week he was born. She doted on him and was such a help. She made us food and she spent precious time with Little Buddy. A is amazing with children. It is no wonder that she has worked with them so well, for so long. She even taught uncle T how to change a poopy diaper, during one of our trips to CA.

He survived

A and T at Thanksgiving

She is so real. I just love hanging out with her. We don't get to do that often enough, living in different states, but I truly treasure the times we do get to share. We don't have that obligatory relative relationship. I don't feel like I have to be nice to her just because she married into the family. I genuinely love her. She is more like a friend than a "relative".

Me, Little Buddy, and A at Amy's baby shower

Auntie A sharing her Pinkberry with Little Buddy

This chick is a fantastic a fantastic chef. She can cook and she can bake. And, it all tastes good, to boot. On top of being a great chef, she is a wonderful aunt who's nephew adores her. She has endeared my entire family to her because she is just so sincere and real. I love how easy she is to talk to and how happy she makes my brother. Hospitality is definitely a gift of hers. She always makes people feel welcome and comfortable. For all those things and more...She is loved. Everyone should be so blessed to have a sister or friend like her in their lives.

Blessing #15--Little Buddy

Truly, my son is one of the most amazing blessings I've ever received. His funny faces crack me up, his laugh is contagious and his tears melt my heart. I'm totally hooked. I treasure the morning moments we have together and I cherish all the milestones that have gotten him to the walking, climbing, jabbering little guy that he is today. I love this boy more than life.

Moments after being born Less than 24 hours old

Eating and pooping makes a boy tired

One of his many funny faces

Yet another of his faces

Sad lip, melts my heart

Just kickin' back, relaxing after a round of golf

Whatchoo looking at?!!?

My little Santa

Concentrating on ticklin' the ivories

Another silly face at the piano

CHEESE!!

Like father, like son!

The "pooping" face

"After biting a lemon" face
"Birthday Cupcake" face

Happy Boy

Goofy Little Guy

Blessing #14--My Home

I'm blessed to have a roof over my head and walls to protect me and my family from the thunderstorms and crazy weather we have here. It may not always be immaculate and my kitchen floors may not always be crumb-free (much to my dismay), but it is my home. It is my safe place in which I can relax and retreat. It is a blessing to have a place to call "home".

Blessing #13--My Dad

~I love my dad~

Really, one of the most wonderful things about my dad is that I know he is unbelievably dependable. I don't mean that in just a "good guy", "run-of-the-mill" kinda compliments way. I mean that he is he kind of man who would do anything for his children. He'd do almost anything for his kids' friends and for his own friends, too. If I was driving across the country and ended up in the furthest state from him and my car broke down, he'd drive or fly out and meet me...just because that is who he is.
True, his silly jokes used to embarrass me a bit when friends were over. When someone would say "your hair is messed up", he'd respond with "thank you", a smile and a pat of his hair, proudly accepting the fact that they recognized that he actually had a little hair to be messed up. When people ask him how he's doing, he often tells them he's doing so well there ought to be two of him. Or, when a salesperson asks him if he/she can help him, he simply tells them that he is beyond help. He is a funny guy. I have friends who have commented about how appreciative they are of things my dad has done for them. Some even refer to him as if he were another father figure to them. That makes me proud.
I remember being a little kid and my dad would race my brother and me down the hallway. We'd take our mark at the kitchen linoleum and race down to the end of the hallway. Often, when my parents, brother and I would find ourselves congregating in my parents' bedroom talking together, my dad would take the opportunity to explain why that was exactly the reason we only needed a one-bedroom house.
My dad has always been a good example of a man of faith and a spiritual leader in my life. Never can I remember a time where I'd ask him a biblical question and he didn't know the answer or search God's Word to find out. I remember a friend telling me she her doctors had found a mass in her x-rays. As soon as I told my parents about it, my dad immediately said, "well, let's pray". And we did. Right then. Right there. Together.
On top of being a wonderful dad, my father is a very proud grandpa. He is so fun to watch with my boy. Toad and I met him for lunch one day while visiting "home" and my dad wanted to go to a certain sandwich shop. Not because he loved the food. But, because he wanted to show off his grandson to the ladies that worked there. It was obvious when we walked in that he had talked about Toad often. The ladies about jumped out of their shoes with excitement when they saw my dad carrying Toad into the sandwich shop.
Thanks for being the wise, loving, dependable dad that I am blessed to call my own. Happy birthday season to you, too, dad!

Blessing #12--Morning Moments

Each morning, when I go to get Little Buddy out of his crib, I look forward to the moments to come. I get there and ask him if he had "good seeps". He plays coy for a minute and then reaches up to wrap those chubby, yummy, warm, snuggable arms around my neck. He clings to me and I soak it in. He lays his sweet head on my shoulder and just cuddles in as he wraps his legs around my waist. It is kinda like having a warm, cuddly backpack on--but wearing it in the front--and it has a head that sits on my shoulder. Okay, so maybe it isn't like a backpack, but he is like a precious little cuddle bug so perfectly wrapped up against me. I love every moment of it. As he begins to lift his head, we make our way into the computer room, where we begin our music routine. I live for morning moments like these. I dread the day that he is too independent to need that morning mommy time.... especially since he seems to be becoming more and more a daddy's boy. *tear*

Blessing #11--Being Part of Something Bigger Than Myself

Today, we got together with good friends...18 good friends. And, today, more of God's plan was unfolded in the lives of several "young married" people. Our life group met to discuss what God had planned before any of us were even married....
Almost 3 years ago, my hubby and I felt there was a need for a small group for "young married people" at our church. We weren't really desiring to be the ones to start that group. We just thought there ought to be one. Well, God had different plans. He made it apparent to us that it was His plan for us to start such a group. Stepping out of our comfort zone, out of obedience to Christ, we did so.
And, today, I sat in awe at what God has done. This afternoon, our group decided that as we get bigger, we must get smaller. One of the principles guiding our large church is that as the church gets larger in number, it must also get smaller (in the way of small groups). So, our group decided that we need to split. And, I'm at peace with it. I truly believe that God has a perfect plan for each of us and He is going to continue to grow us as people and as friends. What a blessing that these people I call friends all want intimate, authentic relationships...enough to be ready to step into what God has for us next. It amazes me that we have gotten to a place where "birthing" new groups is a necessity. Praise God for His faithfulness to each of us in finding a group in which we can belong and where we can get plugged in with other couples in the same stage of their lives.

Blessing #10--My Mom

Updated with pictures as of 8/24/08 I am unbelievably blessed to have the mom that I have. She isn't just my mom. She truly is one of my best, most trusted friends. She is understanding and most of the time, she makes a lot of sense and provides solid advice. Except for the time that she told me I should wear the Espirit cherries jumper outfit that she got me for my seventh grade pictures and everyone made fun of me. :)

She is a confidant and a friend.... my mom and my example. Much of what she exemplifies, I wish to duplicate in my own life. I don't know how she balances all the things she does, but she does so with grace and beauty. Not only did my mom do almost all the legwork for my wedding (cuz I was in another state), but she also blessed me by agreeing to sing in my wedding, too.

I've often wondered how she managed to be a role model and an authority figure, but still end up being my friend, too. I have told people for years that one of my greatest desires is that my kids will want to be my friend when they are grown. I want that because I have it with my mom. And, I am extremely blessed because of it.

At one of my baby showers

My mom and I have so many wonderful memories. One time, we went to a beauty college to get pedicures. My pedicurist did an okay job, but the green-haired guy who was painting her entire toes and talking about his library of unitarian beliefs books was just a bit too much for us. We sat there, next to one another, looking straight ahead. We dared not look at each other, lest we burst out in uncontrollable laughter. When the torture was over, my mom had toenail polish all over her toes and it didn't even cover the entirety of her toenails. It was so bad that it was comical. We got out to the parking lot, after the whole ordeal, and we were both doubled over on the ground laughing. Uncontrollably laughing as people walked by us. So many times, we have gotten tickled by something and have been unable to stop laughing for a very long time.

Having fun at a friend's tea party

We know each other really well. I can follow her from one thought to another without there being any clear transition between the two. Recently, my mom started to tell me some difficult news and before she even got half of her sentence out, I knew what she was going to say. Random how that connection happens...but we definitely have it.

There is nobody I'd rather shop with than my mom. We just get each other. I never have to worry about whether she is getting bored or is wanting to go home already. We just know how to coordinate our shopping adventures to suit us both.

We enjoy traveling together, too. I remember on one of our Christmas Bed and Breakfast trips, we rushed back to the B&B, interupting our shopping bonanza, to make sure we were there to enjoy their highly tauted "afternoon hors d'oeuvres", only to arrive and find celery sticks and water!! On another of our Christmas trips, my mom highlighted my hair with a home highlighting kit. I ended up looking like a platinum blonde cheetah with orange stripes. Ay yay yay! Yes, there are pictures. Unfortunately, I don't have them with me.

There are way too many memories for me to share them all. But, I cherish each of them and always look forward to making more when we are together. Of course, we see each other more often since she is the grandmother to my precious boy.

When Toad was just a week old

When Toad was a few months old

She is an amazing Grandma and loves my son with every ounce of who she is. She spoils him...like when she let him have a Sees Candies sucker when she was babysitting him. He ended up with it all over his face. And, what did my mom do? She sent me a text message picture saying "Having a sweet time". Happy birthday season to you, too, MOM!