Sunday, October 29, 2006

Birthday weekend of sorts

In addition to celebrating my dad's birthday on Friday, Adam and I celebrated a friend turning 30 on Saturday.

His actual birthday was on Oct 12th... So HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY CRAIG!

What a great time... besides awesome friends and a great time, the food was delicious! Wifey sure can cook!

Much love to the 'over the hill Paco' who could never possibly get old. Young at heart forever!

Friday, October 27, 2006

Better late than never

A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my dad!

Here's to the man who thinks Oct 27 is just another day!

I love you and hope you had a great day!

Monday, October 23, 2006

Long time no blog

I haven't been feeling well this past week so I have been a little absent on here... after work, all I could think of doing was vegging on the couch until it was time to go to bed! And many thanks to my husband who took care of me and let me do just that. Not to mention, I have an awesome Creative Memories photo album going and I have been focused on that lately.

So this weekend was pretty interesting... Saturday night my department had a social get together at the bosses house... only at an event like that (and 5 glasses of wine later) do you get a picture like this...

Yep, that's me with my bosses, smoking a cigar... good times.

Peace out ~

Saturday, October 14, 2006

White and Nerdy

This speaks for itself and before anyone says anything... yes, a few references did ring true... Shaddup!

Friday, October 13, 2006

Happy Friday the 13th!

I don't really believe all the hype about being unlucky today... in fact, I had a rather good day. Busy but good ;~)

I bet you didn't know that Riley does impressions. Oh yeah, he's a regular (insert famous impressionist here).

Check it out...

Can you guess who this is?

Anyone recognize this face?

Yeah, he's pretty awesome.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

How painful...

does life have to be for me to make a change? Apparently very. But I am ready now. I am going to really try to follow through with some major changes... no matter the fear of rejection or fear of hard work. I owe to myself to do this.

I realize this is cryptic but this is all I want to divulge right now. Wish me luck!

Sunday, October 08, 2006

How do you celebrate 10 years sober?

With LASER TAG of course!

What a great night... Rob orchestrated the whole event and for that I am so thankful! Here are some pictures of the nights festivities...


Gearing up for some hardcore laser tag.


Adam and Yocky


Being threatening with our warpaint


Group shot... left to right... Yaya, Loser, Pretty, Lucky, LightfeasorG, Shark, Punch, Spike, Knee, V, Phaseshift, Tiny, Cream Puff and I was Poofy. Good times!

Thursday, October 05, 2006

10 Years

Adam is celebrating 10 years sober today!

Check out his story.

I am so proud of you sweetie! I love you!

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

A litany of baby G pictures... cause she is so darn cute!

We have a new cutie in the family!!! Welcome baby G!


Sly and subtle 'What's up homie?' pose


Mom and big sis M getting ready for the day


Aunt S and baby G chatting it up


"(YAWN) Man, it's rough being this young... so tiring!"


"How do you like my mohawk?... Fixed it this morning, just for you."


Oh yeah, that definitely looks right!


Seriously! How small is she compared to him! What a peanut!


What a gorgeous baby... so loving her!


If you can get past my double chin, this is a great pic!... Now raise your hand if you didn't see the double chin until I pointed it out... oops ;~)


Talk about comfortable... like I was born to do this!


Oh yeah! It's what all fashion all the babies will be sporting this winter... ski bunny babies!


Big sis M and I at the opening of grandma and grandpa's store... looking good!


Mom and her girls!


Big sis M is going to do well with baby G!

Monday, October 02, 2006

Fathers

I have been thinking a lot about fathers lately. My biological father, David, in particular and how he relates or compares to other fathers that I come in contact with throughout my life.

My birth father spent 7 years with me. Living in the same house, watching me grow up, theoretically, being a father. Yet one year after my parents divorce, he was gone. I haven't seen him since I was 8 years old. I have spoken with him 3, maybe 4 times in the past 20 years. Wow, even to write that is astonishing. I remember once when I was about 14 or so, my mom somewhat threw us on the phone together (in a desperate attempt to help forge a relationship) and he blathered on and on about his step-daughter getting ready to go to college... couldn't remember how old I was or what grade I was in (let alone that I lived and died by the New Kids on the Block)... nope, rambled on about Laura, the (apparently) world's best step-daughter.

The last time I spoke with him, I called him just before 10:00 pm about some paperwork that I needed filled out. Deadlines were approaching and I needed it done so I could keep medical insurance through the military until I was finished with college (as was my right as his child)... and he got angry that I called so late. The conversation lasted maybe 3 minutes. I hung up before I started crying (ANYONE that knows me knows that is quite a feat) because I couldn't bear the thought that he would know how much he hurt me. I was 19. I haven't spoken to him since. I doubt he knows my mom is dead... actually, I doubt he cares. I doubt that he cares that I could quite possibly be alone in the world.

So I look at people in my life and fathers that I know now.

There is the father that attempts to have a relationship with his child but is blocked for one reason or another. The father that tries to know about his child but isn't let in. This guy, he is my hero. It doesn't matter if he always gets through or not... it is the effort and attempt that make the difference. I pray that when his child is of age, the love that is there will finally be able to be seen. I hope that it will be evident why he wasn't there all along and that his child will love him for the effort. Hang in there... from a kid that truly was abandoned. I would love to hear that my dad tried.

There is also the father that takes on more than necessary. The one that 'adopts' the older sibling of his biological child, even though they aren't blood relation. The one that loves his wife's child as if the child were his own... The one that has no problem adopting a child of a friend in need because there is no where else for her to turn... The father that earns money to support them and then, at the end of the day, goes home, kisses his wife and walk right outside to play with his 'children'. This guy is also my hero.

Then there is the father that comes in later in life. The one that doesn't do anything particularly heroic, or at least that is what he would say. However, in reality, he is quite heroic. The one that manages to erase years of hurt by another man and restore the lost confidence. The one that steps in and shows, by actions, how real love is supposed to work. The one that stands by through much pain and suffering and through the very worst of times and comes out the other end, still as strong and loving as ever. The one that I couldn't possibly live without.

So to all the fathers that I know... Thank You. I love you guys.

Sunday, October 01, 2006

Festivities

Some pictures from the weekend...

Dad, me, Adam, Billy, Cindy and Stacie

Billy, Dad and Stacie holding cell phones in lieu of lighters while Cindy did karaoke

Adam getting ready to dig into his Vacarro's eclair

Riley enjoying the ride to H-town

Adam and I's goddaughter, Erika Ryan, being adorable

Carter Sauce, Jeffrey and I... I swear Jeffrey was happier than he looks to see me!

Celebrating Nick's birthday... one of his many gifts was an electric razor... definitely needed!

The birthday boy!