Kaytlin

Wow! The first of two events has FINALLY arrived. Thank you for your patience while I have been preparing for my daughter’s birthday. Kayltin turns 8 today. Her party is tomorrow. She wanted a sleep over so bad. So we came to a compromise. A half sleep over. The kids come in PJ’s and bring pillow. They will do all the fun stuff but go home after to sleep. We are having pizza delivered and playing games like twister. We can’t forget dress up since the theme is princess. But last and not least a pillow fight. With the economy the way it is I had to budget very carefully. I made pretty much everything from my overflow of craft stuff. Her whole party was for 12 girls came in under one hundred dollars (Yes I had that much overflow and did not even make a dent).

I made flower head pieces and wands. I got the idea from the wedding I have been working on (the other event). For the goody basket I made dangle bracelets and matching necklaces (I believe they are pretty cool since my son even wanted one, but not in a girly color). Plus I put together a mini princess coloring book. I had bought boxes of crayons during the great back to school sales for 19 cents. I even decorated small bottles of bubbles with ribbon and flowers like the head pieces.
I will update you about how the party went and will post pictures of the beautiful princess I except to see.

Next week is the Wedding. Look for more on that. Have a great weekend.

Believe in the Lord. Have faith in God above.

These are the things each of us has heard at least once in our life time. Not being brought up with religion in my home as child, I try hard to encourage belief with my own children. Attempting to do the right thing by them I have been taking the kids to church. Many times when we are going to the English mass Grandma will keep the little one with her. Grandma prefers the Spanish mass.

This past Sunday Amber went with us. She is 19 months old and is very independent. My husband calls her a firecracker. She is full of life and bubbly laughing all the time. In church she is often too loud and I need to take her to the quiet room. Not this week! The experience is something I wonder if I will ever see again in my life time. A miracle is the best way to explain. God reached out and touched my little Tooka. After not being in church for around 3 months she was an angel. She seemed to be filled with over whelming joy. Her eyes glowed. Amber climbed into my lap and gave me hugs with such warmth. As if God was hugging me himself. She in turn gave one to her sister Kaytlin and each person in our party. She returned to my lap, placing her arm around my neck; cuddling with a smile I cannot describe.

I felt in my heart that she could feel God’s presence; He filled her with joy. Watching her share the peace with our neighbors in the front pew was my greatest blessing Sunday. I don’t think I have ever seen God working like this before in my life. I pray I will again, and soon.

I have been thinking about my life a lot the last few days (ok weeks it has taken me this long to get the words almost right). My dad witnessed a small airplane crash flown by someone he knew. It has touched him in a way that will forever be with him. For me – I could have lost him! He was so close that along with another friend they ran to the plane when it crashed. It blew up a few seconds later. As far as I am concerned it could have landed on him or blew up while he was to close.

Than a day or so later M2’s friend (Gwen) who she has know all her life had a major life changing loss. Her husband left to stand with GOD. Even though he was 67 years old it may seem to some that he lived a full life. What about those who he left behind. His wife who was (I believe) around 15 years his junior. Gwen has to wake up each morning missing him with her heart. I do not want to even think about the evenings or when it is time to go to bed. This is my own personal greatest fear. I have seen what it can do to you. Kim was the first and far from the last I regret. She lost her husband of 16 years with two young girls to raise. It was so rough for her. I wish I could have made it better for her. I always want to make people better but it doesn’t always work that way does it?

AARRRHH! I just can’t get what is going on my head into words. Instead I am babbling. What I really want to spit out is about how my journal for my mom has helped me. I started it when she passed away 10 years ago this November. I was so lost without her. Just as I know Gwen must be now about her husband. I started to write to my mom what was going on in my life just as if I was talking to her. It turned into a memory book. Every thought of her it was added; filled with the emotions of the laughter, tears and events we shared together.

As others have lost their parents, spouses, friends, or anyone who has touched our hearts. I would try to share the comforts I found in the journal.

Today I happened to find the journal. Having not written in it in a while since it was not needed as much. Touched by the words I found in my journal; I think of Gwen. I am grateful all over again that I have these words saved to share with my mom’s grandchildren.

Still feeling all in knots about Gwen’s loss wishing I knew her personally; though I have heard stories about her over the years. I want to reach out and hug her with all I have. I want to embrace her and give her a part of me. Share the words that will make her pain go away (I know that there are no such words. Still I want to tell her them).

In Gwen’s husband honor I will go home today and share my mom’s journal with my children for the first time. Explain to them how important it is to live each day to the fullest.

I really feel her pain and I wish it on no one. My prayers are with Gwen and everyone who her husband’s life has touched. I pray for Gwen to have strength as I know she does. I send many blessings to all those that have loved and lost.

It is much easier to become a father than to be one.
~Kent Nerburn, Letters to My Son: Reflections on Becoming a Man, 1994

He didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.
~Clarence Budington Kelland

A father carries pictures where his money used to be.

To all fathers, the happiest of days; you’ve earned it!

The first official day of summer camp is today!

Remember how I didn’t have a plan? Yesterday we were still without a clue what to do with TJ, so my hubby set out to see what was in the area of where we work. Thankfully, he located a baseball camp, ironically just what TJ said he wanted to do.
Hubby called to find out if they still have room and left a message then took off to Sports Authority to buy him a glove. Hubby, Sara and TJ each left with one! I’ll use the one that hubby got a while back for a left handed person, though he didn’t understand why. I gave him the look and reminded him that I’m ambidextrous. I’ll play like the kids. What better way to teach them practice makes perfect and we’ll get some use out of the glove that was ordered wrong some 4+ years ago?
I swear there is a glove for hubby there too. AMB3 wanted one, but they were all way too big for her little hands.

Let’s not forget the balls to practice playing catch… or the cup to protect him. The cleats that were supposed to be $25 that were really $35. Hubby only grabbed the size; he never looked at the shoes. They where not the ones we looked at initially, but TJ thought they were much better.
He can change the Nike check to one of 6 colors.

And socks long enough to fit under the pants.

After spending $189, there was another $9 for the pants we forget the first time. Then we got to the car to find we lost one of AMB3 shoes, so I had to venture back to the store.

Fortunately, we got the call that they did have room but we were still missing stuff. Looking for a wee tiny crock and the rest for two more pants and the ¾ shirts. No crock and yet another $36. And off to camp he goes.