July 28, 2005 - 6:33 AM. 6lb 14oz, 20" baby girl
Like most moms probably do, I have been thinking about the events of the day(s) leading up to your birth. Like right now, 2 years ago I was in the hospital, sleeping a bit with my Stadol. For some reason, thinking about this particular day has been making me emotional all week long. I don't really know why, it's not your first b-day or anything. Perhaps it's because you are our last baby and now you are 2. Baby things are rapidly disappearing from our lives (if all goes well, we may even be a diaper free house by Christmas!!).
I looked at your sweet face while you were sleeping tonight. The soft baby curls and chubby little cheeks just make me smile in love. I could watch you all night long. It's only while you are sleeping that you are quite and not on the move. You love to chatter and you love to be right in the middle of all the action. There will be no stopping our Little Princess. You have everyone in the family wrapped around your little finger. You are my baby who doesn't want to let go of her mama and at the same time you don't want to be held back from anything.
I am amazed (though probably shouldn't be) at how much you know and take it. You can set the table and know which color plate belongs to each sibling. You want to do everything BP does and are always in her coloring things. While your brothers liked to eat the crayons at this age, you hold them correctly (in your LEFT hand - just like T2) and make lovely pictures. The last thing you say at bedtime is "Ehnen 'nuggle me?", wanting her to get in bed with you. It is so precious.
Your brothers adore you, well most of them anyway ;0). I think T3 doesn't know what to do with you yet because you took his spot as the youngest. No one will ever think of messing with you with three big brothers looking out for you.
You came into this world as a surprise blessing from God. You completed our family and filled my heart. A longing that never seemed to go away was satisfied with your arrival. You are a constant reminder and link to your precious Nana Helen. I thank God that, in His infinite wisdom and timing, He sent you to us. You were born out of love and have brought nothing but love to those around you.
Happy 2nd Birthday, Baby Girl. You have our hearts and we love you.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
The thought process
So we are in the big red Subur*bus today and a commercial comes on for S!x F!ags ammusement park. This naturally got the BP & T1 discussing the fact that they wanted to go there and when could we go. The conversation went of for a couple of minutes with me trying to put them off with vague answers.
I then hear T2 chime in, rather matter-of-factly, "Well, I just want to go to F!ve F!ags because that's what I am...five."
I just had to smile and chuckle to myself. Makes perfect sense to me, buddy. I love that kid :0)
Another bit of astounding knowledge came out last night at the dinner table. The three boys take great pride in belching and in passing that skill on to LP. This, by the way, is not something that I encourage but what are you gonna do? They burp for real and then she fake burps after them. I had stepped out of the room for a moment and when I came back to the kitchen I overhear the following conversation between T3 (3.5) and LP (2 on Sat)
T3 "Do it again M-M"
LP (insert burp sound)
T3 "again" (giggling hysterically)
LP (again, complying)
T3 "one more time, M-M"
LP (she does)
T3 "OK, now you are a boy!!!"
Lord help me LOL!!
I then hear T2 chime in, rather matter-of-factly, "Well, I just want to go to F!ve F!ags because that's what I am...five."
I just had to smile and chuckle to myself. Makes perfect sense to me, buddy. I love that kid :0)
Another bit of astounding knowledge came out last night at the dinner table. The three boys take great pride in belching and in passing that skill on to LP. This, by the way, is not something that I encourage but what are you gonna do? They burp for real and then she fake burps after them. I had stepped out of the room for a moment and when I came back to the kitchen I overhear the following conversation between T3 (3.5) and LP (2 on Sat)
T3 "Do it again M-M"
LP (insert burp sound)
T3 "again" (giggling hysterically)
LP (again, complying)
T3 "one more time, M-M"
LP (she does)
T3 "OK, now you are a boy!!!"
Lord help me LOL!!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Tapestry
There have been many times that I have heard life described in terms of a tapestry. The view we get is from the bottom - a lot of knots, tangled thread and just generally not very pretty. Kind of a big mess that you can't really figure out. But then there is the view from the top, the "big picture", if you will. The finished product - God's purpose and plan.
Now in some ways, the view from the bottom can almost be fun, trying to guess and figure out just what the end will be. I have a tiny obsession (blush) in my interest in Apoli*anne. Are they or are they NOT an item? They are just so darn cute, they should be LOL!! But whether they end up together or not is not significant to my world but I can have fun speculating, right?
But about when that view from the bottom gets messy and hits close to home?
My dear friend, Dottie, was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer last April. Things looked really good after the first round of treatment last summer. But in the last 2 weeks there has been nothing but bad news. There is no longer talk of curing the cancer but her comfort. She is dying and "I" don't think it is fair. She and her husband have had to have discussions on how and what to tell their two oldest children (13 & 11) when they get home from camp this weekend. Their youngest (age 9 and our goddaughter) is mentally handicapped. She needs her mom. Phil needs his wife. I need my friend.
Our church just hired a new Youth Pastor and he and his wife made the move from the Midwest to CT in June. They also had just found out they were pg shortly after they accepted the position. This was such an neat answer to a lot of prayers. Pastor E & his wife are AWESOME and we had the opportunity to have them to the house when they were candidating. We were so happy to officially welcome them here and see them on a regular basis. Last week they lost the baby. My heart aches for them because I know this was something that they wanted so much and have been waiting for for so long. I remember that pain.
Our dear, sweet Gabe and his precious, STRONG Mama. All that keeps going through my head these past few days is "you've got to be kidding me?!?! What else could possibly keep happening to cause this little boy pain? How many more days of seeing her boy hurt is Michelle going to have to endure? What is the point of all this? I want it to stop. I want to be able to make it stop. From such an early age, this child has just been through things that I could never even begin to imagine and he tackles it like a trouper!! He has had a wonderful teacher and advocates in the form of his parents, especially Michelle. But hasn't he /they had enough?
Now in some ways, the view from the bottom can almost be fun, trying to guess and figure out just what the end will be. I have a tiny obsession (blush) in my interest in Apoli*anne. Are they or are they NOT an item? They are just so darn cute, they should be LOL!! But whether they end up together or not is not significant to my world but I can have fun speculating, right?
But about when that view from the bottom gets messy and hits close to home?
My dear friend, Dottie, was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer last April. Things looked really good after the first round of treatment last summer. But in the last 2 weeks there has been nothing but bad news. There is no longer talk of curing the cancer but her comfort. She is dying and "I" don't think it is fair. She and her husband have had to have discussions on how and what to tell their two oldest children (13 & 11) when they get home from camp this weekend. Their youngest (age 9 and our goddaughter) is mentally handicapped. She needs her mom. Phil needs his wife. I need my friend.
Our church just hired a new Youth Pastor and he and his wife made the move from the Midwest to CT in June. They also had just found out they were pg shortly after they accepted the position. This was such an neat answer to a lot of prayers. Pastor E & his wife are AWESOME and we had the opportunity to have them to the house when they were candidating. We were so happy to officially welcome them here and see them on a regular basis. Last week they lost the baby. My heart aches for them because I know this was something that they wanted so much and have been waiting for for so long. I remember that pain.
Our dear, sweet Gabe and his precious, STRONG Mama. All that keeps going through my head these past few days is "you've got to be kidding me?!?! What else could possibly keep happening to cause this little boy pain? How many more days of seeing her boy hurt is Michelle going to have to endure? What is the point of all this? I want it to stop. I want to be able to make it stop. From such an early age, this child has just been through things that I could never even begin to imagine and he tackles it like a trouper!! He has had a wonderful teacher and advocates in the form of his parents, especially Michelle. But hasn't he /they had enough?
My mom went in for a CAT scan last week to check for possible masses on her female system. There have been some issues that should have been cleared up and aren't so the docs are checking things out. My head can not even begin to go down that road if the scan comes back showing something. We are still waiting to hear something. I am just glad my sister is in state at this point. God forbid we get bad news, I think it would be even harder if she were still in MI or already out on the field.
OK, so I am seeing a lot of ugly knots and tangled stuff down here, underneath it all. So what do you do when you can't see the top? How do you keep from getting angry and losing hope/heart/faith? What do I say to one of the above people to encourage and support them when I just don't get why it is all happening?
Not being one who believes in coincidences or "by accidents" I was reminded a couple of times this week of who God is through the kids and our Daily Bread readings.
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in time of trouble. Therefore we will not fear......Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:1-2a, 10a This was from Keys for Kids and the story was called Above the Clouds. A little boy and his gramma were on a plane, in bad weather, the kid just found out his parents were getting divorced. Gramma wisely told him (referring to the weather and life) "We'll go into some of those dark clouds. For a few minutes, we'll be in a thick fog, because that's what clouds are - fog. but just wait until we get above the clouds. You'll see......Above the clouds, the sun is always shining. We are going through a dark cloud right now. Things look pretty bad to us, but remember, God is still in control. Someday we'll break through the clouds, and life will be filled with beauty and happiness again."
These came from ours and it was all about us only having a partial view of the world around us and only seeing a part of the whole.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
"A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps." Proverbs 16:1
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
These words may make some uncomfortable and maybe even defensive. It is not my intent to offend. I just find great comfort in knowing that I am NOT in control. Is trusting always easy? Unfortunately, no.
Have I questioned God in all of this? Of course. I don't think I would be a normal human being if I did not ask Him "why"? Have I questioned God's wisdom in all of this? Absolutely not. Are my head and my heart always in agreement? No, but that is where I believe faith comes in. I am not saying this so that I can stick my head in the ground and pretend that there is not pain and sorrow around me. Nor am I trying to be "Suzy Christian" spouting pretty platitudes like "just believe" or "keep praying" trying to make everything OK. I am saying that without MY faith in God and my ability to poor out my every feeling and hurt to Him in prayer, I would be a lost mess. I am saying that if I didn't have the "safety net" of prayer, I would be floundering. I NEED to believe in God's wisdom and perfect plan or I would have no hope. Does that make sense? In the middle of all the heartache of my own miscarriage, if I did not have THE Solid Rock to lean on, I would have been farther in the pit of despair than I was. If did not have my ABBA Father to cry out to when my own father left, where I ended up could have been so much different.
I don't know just where I wanted to end up with this. Am I still emotionally saddened and drained from the pain of my friends? Yes, but I know in my heart that God will use each of these things for His wonderful purpose and plan for each one of these dear people and for His honor and glory, as well.
Good night & God bless.
We Have a Teacher!!
Got the postcard in the mail today with T2 Kindergarten teacher. She is not the same one that both BP & T1 had but Mrs. L is really nice and I think T2 will be very happy in her class. I think it is a good thing for all of the kids not to have the same teacher (especially two kids in two years). Anyway, he was so cute when he found out and I asked him if he was happy about it. He just got a shy smile on his face and said yes. BP & T1 were so sweet and encouraging, too, telling him how great Mrs. L is and how much fun he will have.
Sniff, sniff.....I am getting teary LOL!
Sniff, sniff.....I am getting teary LOL!
Pulpotomy
my goodness, has it been a whole month already since I last posted? Ah, well such is life during the busy summer.
Back in May, T2 had his regular dental exam. Out of the 5 kids, he is the only one who has a cavity (well, 2 if we are getting technical). Our dentist wanted a pediatric dentist to do the fillings since one was pretty deep and T2 is only 5. First of all, this has made me feel like a horrible mom because I let one of my kids get a cavity. I know I am being hard on myself but I still feel really bad that he now has to go through the process of getting them filled. Can't into the ped dentist for almost a month so in June we go see him. I obviously didn't understand where the 2 cavities actually were because I was looking in his mouth after this exam and noticed a small grey spot on one tooth and assumed it was the 2nd cavity we were talking about. Oh, and this trip to the ped dentist - was not for the filling just initial consultation - that insurance won't cover because they say too many check ups for allotted time period. That is a whole other subject that has me not too happy.
Fast forward three weeks to yesterday. This little grey spot on the tooth has now almost completely turned his tooth blackish/grey. I thought it was a very aggressive, fast moving cavity. The Captain took T2 to his appointment so that he could sit and hold his hand etc without 4 other siblings to corral. TWO hours after the scheduled appointment, they get home and I am anxiously waiting to see how he did. The Captain has this "you aren't going to believe this" look on his face. He then says, "you aren't going to believe what was going on with that tooth". It wasn't a cavity?, I asked. Nope. It was the nerve in his tooth, eating away the inside pulp of the tooth. It was so small three weeks ago that it didn't even show up on the xrays. The dentist said that if we hadn't had an appointment when we did, in another week the nerve would have eaten through and shattered the tooth. Mr. T2 would have been in a lot of pain. As it was, it took three passes to clean the nerve out of the tooth and one side of the tooth cracked. The Captain was really impressed with how this dentist handled the procedure and T2. All of the kids will now be seeing this dentist. He cleaned the tooth up and put an enamel coating on. This tooth will eventually fall out around 9 or 10 years old. Dentist said he doesn't know how these happen. Sometimes trauma to the mouth will cause it. Chances are T2 got whacked in the mouth at some point during everyday activities but nothing I can remember. The dentist can't remember the last time he had to do one or seen one so big in the tooth. Aren't we special?? LOL
T2 also thinks the fact that he has a cap on his cavity tooth (the deep one) is pretty cool. He walks around talking about the "gleaming booty" (taken from his Pirate Pete book) in his mouth.
Oh, what T2 had done today - a pulpotomy.
Back in May, T2 had his regular dental exam. Out of the 5 kids, he is the only one who has a cavity (well, 2 if we are getting technical). Our dentist wanted a pediatric dentist to do the fillings since one was pretty deep and T2 is only 5. First of all, this has made me feel like a horrible mom because I let one of my kids get a cavity. I know I am being hard on myself but I still feel really bad that he now has to go through the process of getting them filled. Can't into the ped dentist for almost a month so in June we go see him. I obviously didn't understand where the 2 cavities actually were because I was looking in his mouth after this exam and noticed a small grey spot on one tooth and assumed it was the 2nd cavity we were talking about. Oh, and this trip to the ped dentist - was not for the filling just initial consultation - that insurance won't cover because they say too many check ups for allotted time period. That is a whole other subject that has me not too happy.
Fast forward three weeks to yesterday. This little grey spot on the tooth has now almost completely turned his tooth blackish/grey. I thought it was a very aggressive, fast moving cavity. The Captain took T2 to his appointment so that he could sit and hold his hand etc without 4 other siblings to corral. TWO hours after the scheduled appointment, they get home and I am anxiously waiting to see how he did. The Captain has this "you aren't going to believe this" look on his face. He then says, "you aren't going to believe what was going on with that tooth". It wasn't a cavity?, I asked. Nope. It was the nerve in his tooth, eating away the inside pulp of the tooth. It was so small three weeks ago that it didn't even show up on the xrays. The dentist said that if we hadn't had an appointment when we did, in another week the nerve would have eaten through and shattered the tooth. Mr. T2 would have been in a lot of pain. As it was, it took three passes to clean the nerve out of the tooth and one side of the tooth cracked. The Captain was really impressed with how this dentist handled the procedure and T2. All of the kids will now be seeing this dentist. He cleaned the tooth up and put an enamel coating on. This tooth will eventually fall out around 9 or 10 years old. Dentist said he doesn't know how these happen. Sometimes trauma to the mouth will cause it. Chances are T2 got whacked in the mouth at some point during everyday activities but nothing I can remember. The dentist can't remember the last time he had to do one or seen one so big in the tooth. Aren't we special?? LOL
T2 also thinks the fact that he has a cap on his cavity tooth (the deep one) is pretty cool. He walks around talking about the "gleaming booty" (taken from his Pirate Pete book) in his mouth.
Oh, what T2 had done today - a pulpotomy.
Monday, June 18, 2007
And They Lived Happily Ever After
I've been tagged to tell you how I met Dave. Amy, you need to know that when you give me the chance to talk about my guy, it's never short and sweet LOL!! I'm just going to do it in a time line form for sake of ease.
Brief background notes:
- March 1989 - family left my childhood church and began attending W E F C(current church home) my Jr year of HS
- Dave is part of the 3rd generation of his family to attend W E F C but during the late 80's/early 90's, he was off doing his "rebelling" thing and our paths never crossed (that and being 6 years older we weren't in the same groups anyway)
- 1993/4 - Dave got things back on track, spritually, and came back to the church. He was in a relationship. We still didn't know one another.
Our Story
Summer 1994 - Dave came on board as a Jr High youth sponsor at church. I was already working with the Sr. High group. We had to attend monthly meetings together and I simply thought he was a very nice person (and I knew he was involved with someone when I met him). Very polite and hospitable.
October 1994 - Dave shared(during our sponsor meeting) that he and his girlfriend were at a crossroad and had decided to take a break to see if their relationship was meant proceed. Hmmmm, my ears kind of perked up at that bit of news. They weren't going to see or (I think) talk to each other for 3 months and then were going to meet and make a decision about whether to keep seeing each other.
Nov/Dec 1994 - through sponsor meetings and church we would see each other but we were still only friends. We were both in the orchestra for the Christmas program and had those additional times to interact. All of our friends who were also youth sponsors, kept telling me to "go for it". However, I knew that there was nothing to go for because he still was technically in a relationship with someone else. I am also very old fashioned and had no intention of being the one who "went for it". Let him pursue me LOL. After one rehersal, he asked if I had eaten yet and if I wanted to go and get something. You bet I did!!! Off to Friendly's we went for a bite to eat. We joke about who actually pursued whom (is that correct grammar?) at this juncture. Anyway, that eating event really opened my eyes to what an incredible man Dave is. We talked and talked and it was sooo easy and comfortable - about school, family, future plans. I found myself hoping that he wouldn't go back to the gf because I knew this was a person I wanted to get to know better.
New Year's 1995 - I found myself at a "let go & let God" moment. I was in ME with a friend and was really frustrated because I wasn't in control the situation. I think my feelings began to be invested when I knew the time was not right. In my prayer journal that New Year, I had to tell God that I was willing to accept whatever He had planned. If Dave wasn't in my future then I had to trust that HE had someone even more wonderful waiting for me (how that was possible, I was still struggling with). Life continued at status quo.
February 1995 - the time for the meeting with the gf came....and went (I only knew this because one of the other Jr. High sponsors (also a friend) told me). We still saw one another in church settings but that was it and he never talked about the personal life. It was also during this time that I did something for the totally wrong reason but that ended up being one of the biggest blessings in my life. Dave was going to be leading a short term mission trip to the Czech Republic that summer. So I decided to sign-up and be a part of the team. If nothing else, I'd see him at more meetings, right? I just recently found out from dear hubby that he spoke to the team trainers about NOT letting me go on the trip. They vetoed him.
March 1995 - I have to admit that I was starting to lose hope. Every time we talked there SEEMED to be interest or something on his part, there was definitely a very comfortable friendship. I knew that he and the gf parted ways weeks ago but still never heard anything from him. Oh, well.
BUT WAIT
A phone call one evening at the home of the S ladies. I really was in shock when I picked up the phone and it was HIM!!!! Even then, he was a very take charge kind of guy. He knew when he wanted to go out and what he wanted to do on that date. I said yes (like there was any doubt...or hesitation LOL).
March 18, 1995 - the first date :0)
We went out for dinner (after searching for several restaurants that didn't have an hour wait on a Saturday night) and talked and talked while we ate really fast. I couldn't believe the things we talked about, very personal and vulnerable stuff but it seemed so natural for us to share these things with each other. We followed up dinner by taking in the musical "Crazy for You" at the Bush*nell in Hart ford. During intermission, he jokingly proposed. I kid you not when I tell you that I would have had no problem accepting his proposal that night. You know how people always told you that you would just know when you found the right one? Well, I knew that night...and it really scared and excited me all at the same time. I was very happy that we had plans for the next night already lined up (going with a group to an Amy Grant concert). The show ended and he brought me home. The whole going to the door thing was a new thing, too. I didn't know what to expect or do. I was nervous and he gave me a kiss on the cheek. I went inside and jumped and down. My mom just laughed at me. Little did I know that he went away pretty ticked. Apparently, I must have turned my head because he was trying to kiss my mouth. I had no idea I did this (I told you I was all nervous!!) He said that no one who turns away from getting a kiss would have a second date. I am so glad the concert plans were already in place!!!! To this day we laugh about this night. In fact, as he was going off to work tonight, he was reading over my shoulder and realized I was writing about us. He said, "you make sure you tell them you were lucky we had more plans".
Mid-March/April 1995 - we spent every weekend night together and talked on the phone almost every day. It was kind of like a crash course in getting to know someone and it was never boring. I loved getting to know all about him. Our second weekend of dating I made dinner for him at my house. I remember saying to myself, if he shows up with flowers then I'll really know he's the one. When he got to my house that night, wouldn't you know there was a boquet of flowers in his hand?!?!
April 26, 1995 - after youth group, as had become custom, Dave came over to the house. We went up to the elementary school and swung on the swings for a while and talked. To my complete and wonderful surprise, the most wonderful man in my world asked me to be his wife. My answer was "are you joking?" Just what he was hoping I'd say LOL!! I quickly said yes. So 6 weeks after our first date, I was going to be this man's wife. What was even sweeter, was that it all happened in God's perfect way and time.
This is a long post and I know it doesn't even begin to capture the wonderful feelings that were a part of this whole process. Those six weeks of dating were so emotional, intense and just right.
Thanks for taking a walk down memory lane with me :0).
I tag Kristin & Amy L.
Brief background notes:
- March 1989 - family left my childhood church and began attending W E F C(current church home) my Jr year of HS
- Dave is part of the 3rd generation of his family to attend W E F C but during the late 80's/early 90's, he was off doing his "rebelling" thing and our paths never crossed (that and being 6 years older we weren't in the same groups anyway)
- 1993/4 - Dave got things back on track, spritually, and came back to the church. He was in a relationship. We still didn't know one another.
Our Story
Summer 1994 - Dave came on board as a Jr High youth sponsor at church. I was already working with the Sr. High group. We had to attend monthly meetings together and I simply thought he was a very nice person (and I knew he was involved with someone when I met him). Very polite and hospitable.
October 1994 - Dave shared(during our sponsor meeting) that he and his girlfriend were at a crossroad and had decided to take a break to see if their relationship was meant proceed. Hmmmm, my ears kind of perked up at that bit of news. They weren't going to see or (I think) talk to each other for 3 months and then were going to meet and make a decision about whether to keep seeing each other.
Nov/Dec 1994 - through sponsor meetings and church we would see each other but we were still only friends. We were both in the orchestra for the Christmas program and had those additional times to interact. All of our friends who were also youth sponsors, kept telling me to "go for it". However, I knew that there was nothing to go for because he still was technically in a relationship with someone else. I am also very old fashioned and had no intention of being the one who "went for it". Let him pursue me LOL. After one rehersal, he asked if I had eaten yet and if I wanted to go and get something. You bet I did!!! Off to Friendly's we went for a bite to eat. We joke about who actually pursued whom (is that correct grammar?) at this juncture. Anyway, that eating event really opened my eyes to what an incredible man Dave is. We talked and talked and it was sooo easy and comfortable - about school, family, future plans. I found myself hoping that he wouldn't go back to the gf because I knew this was a person I wanted to get to know better.
New Year's 1995 - I found myself at a "let go & let God" moment. I was in ME with a friend and was really frustrated because I wasn't in control the situation. I think my feelings began to be invested when I knew the time was not right. In my prayer journal that New Year, I had to tell God that I was willing to accept whatever He had planned. If Dave wasn't in my future then I had to trust that HE had someone even more wonderful waiting for me (how that was possible, I was still struggling with). Life continued at status quo.
February 1995 - the time for the meeting with the gf came....and went (I only knew this because one of the other Jr. High sponsors (also a friend) told me). We still saw one another in church settings but that was it and he never talked about the personal life. It was also during this time that I did something for the totally wrong reason but that ended up being one of the biggest blessings in my life. Dave was going to be leading a short term mission trip to the Czech Republic that summer. So I decided to sign-up and be a part of the team. If nothing else, I'd see him at more meetings, right? I just recently found out from dear hubby that he spoke to the team trainers about NOT letting me go on the trip. They vetoed him.
March 1995 - I have to admit that I was starting to lose hope. Every time we talked there SEEMED to be interest or something on his part, there was definitely a very comfortable friendship. I knew that he and the gf parted ways weeks ago but still never heard anything from him. Oh, well.
BUT WAIT
A phone call one evening at the home of the S ladies. I really was in shock when I picked up the phone and it was HIM!!!! Even then, he was a very take charge kind of guy. He knew when he wanted to go out and what he wanted to do on that date. I said yes (like there was any doubt...or hesitation LOL).
March 18, 1995 - the first date :0)
We went out for dinner (after searching for several restaurants that didn't have an hour wait on a Saturday night) and talked and talked while we ate really fast. I couldn't believe the things we talked about, very personal and vulnerable stuff but it seemed so natural for us to share these things with each other. We followed up dinner by taking in the musical "Crazy for You" at the Bush*nell in Hart ford. During intermission, he jokingly proposed. I kid you not when I tell you that I would have had no problem accepting his proposal that night. You know how people always told you that you would just know when you found the right one? Well, I knew that night...and it really scared and excited me all at the same time. I was very happy that we had plans for the next night already lined up (going with a group to an Amy Grant concert). The show ended and he brought me home. The whole going to the door thing was a new thing, too. I didn't know what to expect or do. I was nervous and he gave me a kiss on the cheek. I went inside and jumped and down. My mom just laughed at me. Little did I know that he went away pretty ticked. Apparently, I must have turned my head because he was trying to kiss my mouth. I had no idea I did this (I told you I was all nervous!!) He said that no one who turns away from getting a kiss would have a second date. I am so glad the concert plans were already in place!!!! To this day we laugh about this night. In fact, as he was going off to work tonight, he was reading over my shoulder and realized I was writing about us. He said, "you make sure you tell them you were lucky we had more plans".
Mid-March/April 1995 - we spent every weekend night together and talked on the phone almost every day. It was kind of like a crash course in getting to know someone and it was never boring. I loved getting to know all about him. Our second weekend of dating I made dinner for him at my house. I remember saying to myself, if he shows up with flowers then I'll really know he's the one. When he got to my house that night, wouldn't you know there was a boquet of flowers in his hand?!?!
April 26, 1995 - after youth group, as had become custom, Dave came over to the house. We went up to the elementary school and swung on the swings for a while and talked. To my complete and wonderful surprise, the most wonderful man in my world asked me to be his wife. My answer was "are you joking?" Just what he was hoping I'd say LOL!! I quickly said yes. So 6 weeks after our first date, I was going to be this man's wife. What was even sweeter, was that it all happened in God's perfect way and time.
This is a long post and I know it doesn't even begin to capture the wonderful feelings that were a part of this whole process. Those six weeks of dating were so emotional, intense and just right.
Thanks for taking a walk down memory lane with me :0).
I tag Kristin & Amy L.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Mortification
I realize, that as the mom of 5 children, moments of mortification are bound to happen. However, it still doesn't make it any easier when they do.
A little background. When T2 gets a cold, he ends up flat on his back for a 24 hour period just miserable. I could tell last Friday morning we were in for an episode when he wasn't hungry and wanted to take a nap. We were going to good friends' house for dinner that night. He spent the whole afternoon and evening coughing (I actually think it was some allergy thing, too). After dinner he went and laid down on their stairs and then we just moved him to a pile of pillows on the floor. LP had fun just sitting on his head. But I digress. My mom was also at said friends' house for the evening. The kids were all hunkered down in the living room watching a movie and T2 kept coughing. My mom thought a drink of water would be just what T2 needed. he told her that he didn't want one but you know that we moms (and grammas) know best;0). The next thing I hear is, "Kate, he just threw up!" WTG, Gramma. It only happened because of the coughing but it was still all over my friend's white chair. We get T2 and the chair cleaned up as besst as we can. The Captain says that we need to get going. I agree and get the rest of the crew packed up. 10 minutes later, the Captain is still talking. I then hear my mother go, "Oh, no!!!" and start laughing. LP was sitting with T2 on the base of the chair (without cushion) that had just been puked on and somehow she managed to blow out and up the back of her diaper ALL OVER THE CHAIR!!! Yes, mortification had now set in. My friend (and we have been friends since diaper days) was laughing so hard she was crying. I was, too, but I was still so embarrassed.
Fast forward to this morning. BP spent Saturday night with my mom and apparently had a very good time. My mom called this morning to talk and shared that they have some really good conversations. Mom starts out by telling me, "BP says that you (me) told her that Grandpa L & I got divorced because G-pa found someone prettier than me". My mouth hit the floor and I just said "What?!?!" My mom was totally laughing at this and I assured her that I NEVER said anything like that and it is no way true (my dad's 2nd & 3rd wives could not and do not hold a candle to my mother in any way). I told her that if BP wanted to know about your divorce that she would have to ask you or Grandpa L. Then my mother proceeds to tell me that she also now knows that my husband and I sleep in the buff (and so does anyone else reading this). Yet another moment of complete MORTIFICATION. My mom said that she had to ask BP how it was she knew this (she was afraid BP had walked in on "something"). BP said it was because "one night she couldn't breathe and she had to come in and get medicine and mommy had to put her clothes on to help me". At this point I just kept saying, OMGoodness, I can't believe she said that, I am mortified.....you get the picture. Dave comes in the room at this point and hears me talking and wants to know what is going on. I told him HE could talk to my mom. She tells him "I hear you're sleeping naked with my daughter" and he replies "I just can't help myself". The two of them are laughing hysterically and I am just MORTIFIED!!! I know it's OK, we are two married people but good grief does my mother need to know?!?!!?
And I thought nothing could make me speechless anymore
A little background. When T2 gets a cold, he ends up flat on his back for a 24 hour period just miserable. I could tell last Friday morning we were in for an episode when he wasn't hungry and wanted to take a nap. We were going to good friends' house for dinner that night. He spent the whole afternoon and evening coughing (I actually think it was some allergy thing, too). After dinner he went and laid down on their stairs and then we just moved him to a pile of pillows on the floor. LP had fun just sitting on his head. But I digress. My mom was also at said friends' house for the evening. The kids were all hunkered down in the living room watching a movie and T2 kept coughing. My mom thought a drink of water would be just what T2 needed. he told her that he didn't want one but you know that we moms (and grammas) know best;0). The next thing I hear is, "Kate, he just threw up!" WTG, Gramma. It only happened because of the coughing but it was still all over my friend's white chair. We get T2 and the chair cleaned up as besst as we can. The Captain says that we need to get going. I agree and get the rest of the crew packed up. 10 minutes later, the Captain is still talking. I then hear my mother go, "Oh, no!!!" and start laughing. LP was sitting with T2 on the base of the chair (without cushion) that had just been puked on and somehow she managed to blow out and up the back of her diaper ALL OVER THE CHAIR!!! Yes, mortification had now set in. My friend (and we have been friends since diaper days) was laughing so hard she was crying. I was, too, but I was still so embarrassed.
Fast forward to this morning. BP spent Saturday night with my mom and apparently had a very good time. My mom called this morning to talk and shared that they have some really good conversations. Mom starts out by telling me, "BP says that you (me) told her that Grandpa L & I got divorced because G-pa found someone prettier than me". My mouth hit the floor and I just said "What?!?!" My mom was totally laughing at this and I assured her that I NEVER said anything like that and it is no way true (my dad's 2nd & 3rd wives could not and do not hold a candle to my mother in any way). I told her that if BP wanted to know about your divorce that she would have to ask you or Grandpa L. Then my mother proceeds to tell me that she also now knows that my husband and I sleep in the buff (and so does anyone else reading this). Yet another moment of complete MORTIFICATION. My mom said that she had to ask BP how it was she knew this (she was afraid BP had walked in on "something"). BP said it was because "one night she couldn't breathe and she had to come in and get medicine and mommy had to put her clothes on to help me". At this point I just kept saying, OMGoodness, I can't believe she said that, I am mortified.....you get the picture. Dave comes in the room at this point and hears me talking and wants to know what is going on. I told him HE could talk to my mom. She tells him "I hear you're sleeping naked with my daughter" and he replies "I just can't help myself". The two of them are laughing hysterically and I am just MORTIFIED!!! I know it's OK, we are two married people but good grief does my mother need to know?!?!!?
And I thought nothing could make me speechless anymore
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