Firsts and Lasts

It's Thursday evening which means Ray is bowling. It seems like just last week that, when Ray would bowl I'd be home with the kids watching while they did homework or running to Target for something they need for school. My how things have changed! These days David is usually gone visiting his girlfriend or attending a Honda meet. My usual companions on Thursday nights are Nicole and her boyfriend Chuck. I really enjoy spending time with them; they get along well and seem to enjoy each other's company very much. I remember when I used to bowl with Ray. The kids would go with us and have dinner at the bowling alley. In between bowling I would go and sit with them. It was fun for a while but then they got a little older and started staying home while we bowled. It's amazing how quickly that happened; one day they were always with me and the next they were old enough to stay home. Sometimes I see young mothers treating their kids like little adults. It breaks my heart because they don't realize that much too soon your children are adults and all you have are memories of them. I believe that "firsts" are important memories for children but "lasts" are important memories for parents. "Lasts" are: the last time you change their diaper, the last time you carry your child on your hip, the last time you give them a bath. Celebrate the "firsts" but treasure the "lasts". On another note, I've been complaining to Ray lately that I don't have anything of my own. In order to avoid becoming a whiny, needy woman I've decided to dedicate more time to my blog. I like writing because I never know where it's going to end up. Tonight I sat at my computer and started with one subject and ended up writing about something else entirely. I hope if you're reading this you'll follow my blog and leave a comment every once in a while. Please continue to pray for our troops overseas. Be good to your loved ones and yourself. God bless you!

Update On My Life

When I started blogging a few years ago I decided to write about things that happened in my life, sharing my experiences and putting my thoughts about my life in writing. Then suddenly my life got incredibly busy and I didn't have time to think about my life, much less write about it. Well, now my children are almost adults, I'm a grandmother and there are times that I find myself at loose ends because I have nothing to do but watch TV. Time has passed by so quickly! Nicole is in her senior year in high school and we're preparing for her graduation. She was co-captain of the varsity volley ball team (she made the team her freshman year) and is currently coaching a youth team with her friend, Anyssa. She has a boyfriend (they've been together a year now) and a driver's license and a car! Thankfully, her boyfriend is a great guy and they get along well. I really like him, not only as her boyfriend but as a person. So far he's taken her to the prom and homecoming. It was really fun getting her ready for those events. Sometimes my heart hurts when I realize I will never again see my curly-headed 5-year old again. What I wouldn't give to spend a day with that little girl again. I actually have voice mails from her between the ages of 5 - 7 saved on my voice mail at work. Sometimes I listen to them just to hear that baby voice again. I wonder if there's a way to put them on a CD or something? My David is 20 years old now and out of high school. He reminds me of his father so much! He's had some ups and downs in his life but seems to be figuring things out so I'm pretty proud of him. He is hoping to get into a program at college to become a diesel mechanic. Cars have always been a huge interest for him and I'm happy that he will be able to make a living doing something he really loves. He has a girlfriend and she has been a positive influence in his life. I like her and I like when they spend time here at home with us. She recently invited him to the Sadie Hawkins dance at school...it was incredibly sweet and I'm looking forward to seeing them go. Graduation this year will be special because both Nicole and David's girlfriend will be graduating. Candie and Thomas are living close by now. Thomas left the Army after Noah was born and is now gainfully employed. Candie works part time and is an incredible mother to her son. They are looking for a house to buy and Noah is now a 4-year old little boy. While Candie was going to school for her EMT license, we had the pleasure of taking care of him until his daddy got off work. It was wonderful to spend evenings with him, watering the roses, palm trees and Lantana in the yard. He's so smart, loves the ocean and performing. I will have to devote an entire blog to Noah because the child is absolutely incredible! Rick and Mandy are still together and seem to be happy. They get along well and I'm grateful that they have made a nice life for themselves. This past Christmas I suddenly realized that all of my children are paired off and I had a wave of nostalgia thinking about what it was like before I met Ray, when the kids were all young. I can't close before saying a little bit about my life with Ray. We are preparing to celebrate out 8th wedding anniversary next month! We hope to renew our vows for our 10th anniversary (if we were younger we would wait until our 25th but we didn't get married until we were 51 so you do the math-LOL) I have to say, our life together just flows along. When we married we decided God would be first in our marriage and I think that's the secret. We are practicing Catholics, and somehow our faith seems to be cementing our relationship. I love spending time with him and never tire of talking with him about stuff. I am hoping to continue blogging on a more regular basis from now on. God bless everyone and please be kind to everyone you know.

Baby Desiree--Here At Last!

As promised, this is about the new addition to our family. She was born yesterday at 10:23 a.m. She weighed in at 7 lbs., 11 ozs. and her name is Desiree Adeline. How beautiful is that? We are all thrilled and can't wait to watch her grow and turn into the person she'll become. Desiree is the latest addition to the family that includes her parents and big brother, Daniel. May God bless them all!

On Baby Watch!

This morning I woke up to my cell phone ringing. My mind was still not quite awake but I instinctively picked it up and looked at it. When I saw it was my sister's cell phone number, my mind snapped awake and I answered with a little excitement. The reason for the call and my excitement is that my niece is in the hospital ready to deliver her second child! In my family every birth is viewed as an event. All the cousins gather around the prospective parents to oooh and aaah about all events in the pregnancy and the impending birth.

Like my dad before me, I view every new baby and a special gift from God to be cherished and loved. As thrilled as I am about every new baby born into our family, I still can't help but think about what my dad's reaction would be. He adored his grandchildren and would have been beside himself with joy about his great-grandchildren. I've often told Candie that my dad would be at Fort Irwin at least two weekends a month to see Noah. It's the cycle of life and death I'm discovering...the joys of a new life and the sadness of losing a loved one. It's odd to me how closely they are linked.

For now I'm focused on the birth of the new baby. When there is news, I will write about it. God bless all mothers and babies everywhere.

Summer Nights

At last today it began to feel like summer! We've had unusally cool weather this year and I'd started thinking summer would pass us by this year. On the 4th of July Ray, Nicole and I went to my sister's house to barbeque and watch fireworks at the local high school from the field behind her house. It was cool when we got there and by 7 p.m. we were sitting outside in sweatshirts freezing. We watched fireworks in bundled in sweatshirts and blankets, too!

Last weekend Ray finally got the pool ready so on Sunday we actually got in for the first swim of the season. It was great! I've always wanted a built-in pool and realized that if I lay on my floatie with my eyes closed, it feels exactly like a real live built-in. I'm almost ready to give up my dream of a built in pool and be happy with the little pool I have. Now that summer nights have arrived I look forward to sitting outside with Ray, watching the stars and talking about whatever comes to our minds. I treasure those evenings outside, lost in listening to him talk, exchanging ideas for our future and our hopes and dreams. This is our 10th summer together and we still haven't run out of things to say to each other during our summer nights outside in the driveway. I guess this is what a happy relationship is about. Here's to summer! Thanks, Lord, for all the blessings You've given me in my life. It's been a great ride!

Passages

It's July and we are days away from the birthdays of my two youngest children, Nikki and David. This is the year that David will turn 18 and Nikki will be 15. Wow, where did my babies go? Unlike their older brother and sister, these two were born to more "mature" parents. Dave and I were 38 when we had David and 41 when Nikki came along. Having experienced how quickly babies turn into young adults, I was determined to enjoy every moment of their lives. I'm happy to say that there has never been a regret or a dull moment involving these kids.

David recently graduated from high school and this achievement has filled him with confidence about his future. He has had a life-long love of cars and he's developed a lot of knowledge and ability when it comes to fixing them. I know he's also looking forward to getting his driver's license (his appointment is July 21 at 10:15 a.m.) At this particular moment he's teetering on young adulthood and I'm in the early stages of opening my hand to let this little bird test his wings. My heart is beginning to ache but it's time to give him over to the Lord and let him fly. Soon a new relationship with my son will begin to form and I'll be reminded that if you do a good job as a mother, your children leave your side and prosper on their own. It's one of the thorns of motherhood. I must remember to tell that to my daughter, Candie.

Nikki started high school last year and will begin her sophmore year on August 30. She loves sports (volley ball and softball), the beach and hanging out with her friends. She's a pretty normal kid, despite the fact that she is my baby and has been treated accordingly. I've loved watching her grow from a curly-headed toddler into the straight-haired teenager she is today. She has struggled with normal issues and a couple that most kids don't ever have to face, but she's come out on top. She's a good student, great athlete, and a sweet, loving daughter, sister and aunt. She will be my last child to graduate and I'm going to treasure each moment of her remaing years in high school.

I remember reading somewhere that you always remember the "firsts" but seldom remember the "lasts". As I grow older I realize that it's true. Maybe I will make a greater effort to remember the "lasts" these two children have. God bless everyone and cherish each moment of your life and the lives of your loved ones.

On Being a Grandma

One of the areas in my life that has changed dramatically is transitioning from "mom" to "grandma." How is it possible that I feel so young, yet am a grandmother? Happily, my darling Ray has helped me adjust to this new and very happy stage in my life. Being grandma to his grandpa actually feels good. We cherish every moment we have with our grandsons. I haven't had the opportunity to spend lots of time with Augie because he lives in Oregon with his parents. Despite the separation from him, I'm happy to be a part of his life and love that he knows who I am.

Noah lives a 2 hour drive away so I try and visit him at least once or twice a month. What I've noticed is how quickly children change. When Noah was born he looked just like his daddy. Now, he reminds me of his mommy, only in a different color. Noah has also grown like a weed this first year! He was so tiny when he was born such a short time ago. Now he's turning into a little boy before my eyes. He definitely knows who I am and has started calling me "G." His name for Ray is "Papa." Watching him run around my house gives me a good feeling. I thank God for every moment I have with this precious child He's entrusted to my daughter and her husband. Grandchildren are definitely a gift from God to be loved and appreciated.