Treasures

I went to my Grandparents house with my mom yesterday to help with the cleaning out process. By being a part of this, I've decided to re-define what my definition of "treasure" is. I love my Grandparents- they were another set of parents for me and to see their pictures around stung me a bit in the chest, but I was still happy to be there. That house contains so much history and love and happy times for me. The things that I was able to take with me have meant more to me that anything.


This statue sat on the top right hand side of my Grandpa's desk my entire life. As a kid, I would stick my pinky in his ears and belly button (I know, ew.), but I always thought this was so cool. Grandpa always said that it was a statue of him and would laugh. I'm thrilled for this treasure. It will sit on the top right hand side of my desk now.


No story behind these. They are about 4 inches tall and they are actually salt and pepper shakers. These reminded me of Night at the Museum (Hunter is famous for quoting this movie) "No gum-gum for the dumb-dumb" Hunter and Corbin both flew at me to get to them when they saw them. They are excited about this treasure.

We lived with Grandma and Grandpa for a couple of years when I was really young and Grandma had these beautiful pillowcases with embroidered flowers on them. I thought I was so special because she let me sleep on something so beautiful. Later on as I got older, I specifically remember her making me do some, but I would never finish them because I thought it was boring. Makes me wish for some do-overs.


This was Grandma's apron. It's faded and soft and well-used. I'm happy that I can have it. Maybe some of her genius in the kitchen will rub off on me some day... I hope.

I miss Grandma and Grandpa so much. I miss the days of Kmart and icees, working in the gardens, cabbage and rice, BLT's (no tomato for me, of course)when the first tomatoes of the season would come in, playing cards, peanuts and coke (even though I hated peanuts, I ate them anyways b/c Grandpa did), bowling on Wednesdays, Driving range on thursdays, picking up leaves with the lawn mower, legos, barbies (and their furniture that Grandma made for us out of popsicle sticks), thundercats, Gilligan's Island, shopping at the PX, eating cherries off the cherry stand at the commissary, grilled cheese sandwiches, eating apples out of salt water as Grandma peeled them, learning new ways to weave hemp (I think Grandma was trying to relate with me at the time), listening to me, Grandpa's laugh, the way Grandma pronounced my name, her cold arms (I always liked to lay my cheek on them because when it was hot, her arms were always cool- even as a young adult I did this)... I KNOW that as long as I live my life the way I should, I will see them again and we will all be a family forever. No doubt in my mind. Their absense is noticed everyday, but my treasures will be a constant reminder of them.

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all Moms, Moms-to-be, future Moms, any woman to desires kids... or any woman that kind of likes kids... or any woman who comes across one every now and then... Did I cover all bases? Okay, so I hosted the dinner at my house today. It was a lot of fun! We had some great weather, great food, great laughs, and great company! Highlights: We feasted on roast beef and sticky rice (mom), homemade mac and cheese (Mikelene), corn on the cobb and pasta salad (Jaime), and brownies (Leah). We're awesome, I know. The men cleaned up and we sat around digesting and trying not to lose our dinner. Matt and the boys got us a princess pinata and all the moms got to wack at it and the kids ran for all the chocolate in there. It was a good time!

Mother's Day- May 9, 2010

Jaime taking a swing!

Leah's turn!

Hit it, Mikelene!

Mom got 2 good hits! She, however, opted for the Nerf bat rather than the steel baton

Oh, and for my gifts, My guys got me that fossil bag that I posted in my "likes post". Hunter gave me a really great card and a bird house, Corbin gave me some coupons and Dane gave me lots of kisses including the smacking of his lips with it. It was a great day with my family and friends!

Good times, Good times

Just wanted to post some random cuteness of my boys!


Matt got a new tent for a hiking trip he is going to be taking soon and when it came in the mail, he put it together and as always, these guys needed to try it out to see if it could pass the ultimate test... them.


On Fridays, "The Nana" comes over to baby-sit so I can go volunteer in Corbin's class at school. Everytime she comes, they build the tower... and it seems to be getting bigger and bigger!

Candid pictures are my absolute favorite! I was chasing Hunter around one morning with my camera and he tried to hide behind a door, but I was sneaky and stuck the camera around and snapped this! It makes me smile everytime- I rarely get a genuine laugh of him on camera.


Just wanted to take a picture of all the boys. The little boy next to Corbin is our good friend, Michael, who we consider a pack member!

Happy... Un-Birthday?

Today Dane and I went to Hunter's pre-school class and celebrated his summer birthday with his classmates. We brought a big cookie (courtesy of Publix) decorated with bugs. The kids enjoyed eating their slices of cookies!

Hunter was so happy!




Hunter's teachers, Miss Sheila and Miss DeAnna, told me that he's been eyeing this particular present all year long and he FINALLY was able to get it. (Parents donate one wrapped gift at the beginning of the school year and the teachers keep them in a closet and whoever is celebrating picks what gift they want out of the bunch)


Hunter totally does not look like a 3 year old in this picture. Is it me or does he look much older?! That added in with his height, makes for a very mature looking Hunter, I think. My baby is growing up. FYI- He doesn't turn 4 until July.