Monday, June 20, 2011

Royal Tea

Last Sunday we got to go to the South St. Paul Royal Tea.  The candidates for Ms. South St. Paul and the reigning royalty were there to work with the children doing different activities.  They made a crown, they played pin the princess on the castle, they colored and they had punch and little petit fours.  It was really cute!

Gracie met a candidate and tended to follow her around during the tea party.  This candidate was very sweet and we wish her the best!

Gracie and South St. Paul queen candidate, Marisa.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

The Bond Strengthens

I had the privilige of having a deep talk with Gracie on Thursday night.  It was a talk that tested my motherhood and made me stop and really think before I opened up my big mouth and said something stupid.  Which is not unheard of as I have very little filtering that occurs from brain to mouth. 

She was very upset about some things that were happening at school and she had a bad night at gymnastics.  She was crying but didn't want to talk about it on the way home from gymnastics so I let her sit with her thoughts for awhile. 

Later in the evening (9:30! on a school night) she comes into my room and she says she's ready to talk.  We talk for about an hour and she gets all her sadness out.  I then said, "let's list everything we know that makes you a smart, beautiful, wonderful 7 year old girl".  I started listing off things and the list kept getting longer.  She started to add some of her own thoughtful things.  Then, since she was done crying, she got up to get a tissue to wipe her nose.  She came back in the room and said, "mama, that was really nice that you said all those things about how wonderful I am."  She said this in a cracked, broken, sobbing voice and it was the sweetest words I have heard from her since she first uttered "mama". 

I have never had a conversation like that with my mom.  That was both of our faults.  We just didn't have that relationship.  But I do with Gracie, now.  I love that.

I can't wait to build that relationship with Auddie Girl.

Man. My feet hurt!

What's with the crazy title?  Absolutely nothing.  I'm sitting down wanting to make an entry about the world news that occurred today and I don't want to say anything stupid or offensive.  So my thoughts went to feet and how badly they hurt today which is unusual.

Now onto world events.  Today was a big day in US history.  Osama Bin Laden was killed in Pakistan. He was the mastermind behind these attacks on American soil which was unheard of at the time.


(As I'm sure you all know)


And this:



And this:



Saturday, March 26, 2011

Oops. . . she did it again.

Somehow 7 years have passed since I first became a mom.  Where did it go?  How did it happen so quickly?  And when did my little baby turn into a 7 year old?  She keeps on having a birthday and just gets older!  I was I had a remote to stop her or slow down time.

Grace (Gracie as she wants to be called) celebrated her 7th birthday today.  7th.  As in years.  Just yesterday I was rocking her and measuring her big finger against my pinky to see how little her fingers were.  Just yesterday I was trying size 0 - 3 mos. clothes on her hoping they would finally fit.  Just yesterday I was washing ANOTHER bottle and changing ANOTHER diaper.  Just yesterday I was buying more formula to give her and thinking about when she would start rice cereal.  Just yesterday I was wondering who she would become and what kind of little girl she would be. 

And just today I got to see who she is becoming.  I got to see her open all her presents and go around and hug everyone and say thank you after she tore into them.  Today I got to see her smile big when the camera was pointed at her.  Today I got to watch her show off her gymnastics skills that she has worked so hard to achieve.  Today I got to wake her up and sing Happy Birthday to her with her little sister who adores her in every, shape, way and form.  Today I got to watch her finally go through the spanking machine at gymnastics.  And today before she went to sleep over at grandma's, I got to thank her for having another birthday that helps me mark my little girl's journey of life.  Although the ride has been bumpy for me watching her get older, she is learning to handle it with charm and fortitude.

Happy birthday to my very special girl that made me a mama.  I love you, Gracie!

Story of my life

I published all the drafts I have written in the last year or so because I have every intention of updating my blog on a regular basis.  However, the story of my life is such that my good intentions never get finished.  If you don't believe me, check out the laundry room.  So started it.  Don't want to finish it!

H-Town in the hizzle!

UNFINISHED POST

 I hate flying.  I have always hated flying for as long as I can remember.  It scares me.  Terrifies me actually.  I need a significant amount of drinky drinky to get me through my flights.  Or prescription tranqs.  Each time I fly I hyperventilate as I get on the plane.  I have rituals that I need to perform in order to have a safe flight.  If the rituals aren't performed then I know we are going to die in a downward, flaming spiral of metal death. 

I don't know why I hate flying.  I've done it more times than I count.  My dad was in the Army and we moved every one to three years.  Flying was like driving for me!

I lived in Germany for 6 years and Spain for 4 months so I've been back and forth to Europe at least 5 times.  I fly about once every two years to visit my friend Susan or for a family vacation.  Yet I still hate flying. 

The reason I bring this up is because I just posted a new picture in my blog header of Heidelberg, Germany.  I was lucky enough to spend three of my very imformative years living in that wonderful city.  I got a chance to be there and have a great time shopping on the Haupstrasse, swimming at Leimen outdoor pool

Ramble ramble ramble ramble

UNFINISHED POST

 Here is what is on my mind as of lately:

I love my babies!  I am going to go through some serious withdrawal when I go back to school.  Although Grace has been Ms. Sassy-pants most of the summer, I enjoyed all the time I spent with her.  She has been a great help to me, fun to be around, and in general a fabulous kid. 

Auddie girl has really had a great summer

Update

UNFINISHED POST

 Should I update this blog regularly?

Wasabi?

UNFINISHED POST
THIS POST WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN ON JUNE 16, 2010


Hey ya'll!

Day two of summer came up rosy! 

Grace started her summer gymnastics schedule today and it's good.  Today at gymnastics Gracie did a round off, back hand spring, back hand spring.  It was so cool!  Oh and it wasn't on the trampoline.  She did it on the floor.  She wants to get her kip now so badly.  Each time she tries, I hold my breath and just hope.  So far. . . not so much.  Maybe soon?

I love summer.  Remember the feeling when you were a kid of summer coming?  It was an endless time to do what you want, when you want.  Ride your bike all over, walk to friends' houses and play whatever, whenever.  Sleep in late and go to bed late.  Read as much and as long as you wanted.

Monday, January 17, 2011

4 years

Dear Mom,
It's been 4 years since you died.  We still think about you all the time.  Gracie and I talked about you the other day.  She was asking me questions about you that brought back great memories.

We talked about the day she was born and when you got to first see her.  You and Terry were pushing each other into the room to see if it was a boy or a girl.  I remember your face when you held her for the first time.  You were like a goofy lady seeing the most precious thing for the first time ever!  Grace held your gaze steady for awhile and you were forever slave to her and whatever her needs were. 

On her 4 week old birthday, you and Pop Pop called to sing her happy birthday.  And although I was still struggling with nasty post-partum depression, that brought a little smile to my face.

One time you were driving with her and you were speeding and got pulled over.  You used her as your excuse!!  I'm just a grandma!  The cop didn't even give you a ticket.

You wallpapered her room without our help.  You just went ahead and did it all by yourself.   You only wanted perfect for Grace.

The awesome baby shower you held for me.  That was fun!  Stacey made us all write cards to Grace so that she could open them on each consecutive birthday.  I don't know what birthday year you are but we haven't opened yours yet in the first six years.  I'm sure when we do get to your year it will be a bitter sweet moment.

So many more memories that were horribly cut short by the brain bleed.   I can think there's only a reason you are already in Heaven waiting for us and we're still down here without you.  We will be honoring you at the 4th annual Fondue dinner in memorium of Audrey Gerlach, next Saturday.  We will be doing a lot of thinking about you that day.   .   .  sadly I don't think it will make up for the amount of time we don't think of you now that life has gotten back to normal since you died.


I love you mom.  I miss you.  Some days it feels like my stomach is twisting into a little ball and I can't catch my breath when I think about not being able to talk to you or see you again.   We will never stop thinking about you  and your wonderful, quirky being.

Love,
Lori