I'm Officially a Soccer Mom!

That's a Lot of Bull

The kids stand in front of the big bull, an annual attraction promoting the local rodeo in our town.

Liam's 3 Year Old Photos

Mommy's Little Helpers

Telly Time!

 Me and a co-worker with our 2013 Telly awards. Trying to imitate the golden girls below.

Jack's First Day of Kindergarten!

 Jack was super excited about his first day of Kindergarten. I think my excitement almost matched his enthusiasm. I am eager for my "baby" to start learning. I told him that his brain is like a sponge and he needs to soak in as much as possible.

 Our daycare provider was sweet and took this picture of us. Why I never stand up in these types of photos I'll never know. I always go for the humped over look. Oy vey.

 Jack's signature two thumbs up (or sideways)!

 Navigating the halls of children and their parents.

Being goofy already. 

Watch out Kindergarten! You've got a wild and crazy guy in your class.

Kindergarten, Here I Come!

Jack and his kindergarten teacher. 

School starts tomorrow!!

Three Seats at the Table

Before I was blessed with children, I belonged to a group that gathered for game night several times throughout the year. The small group consisted of my mom and dad, a cousin and his wife and sometimes their daughter, an uncle and aunt and a family friend. I have fond memories of those nights. We gathered around a table and played domino games – Mexican or chicken. Depending on the size of the table, we would knock elbows with each other and have to hide our dominos so our very close neighbors didn’t discover our strategy. The company was great. Our family friend was a bachelor and made the best pies. My uncle brought his homemade wines. There were some good varieties and the questionable “Opposum Grape.” As we finished a few rounds and a couple of bottles, my uncle would begin singing the classics like the Beach Boys “Help Me Rhonda,” when he wasn’t doing so well in the game. 

It’s been a long time since the group has gathered for game night. Life got busy. Children and grandchildren were born. People grew older. Sickness and death broke into our content lives. A few years ago, our family friend died of a rare brain infection. Less than two years ago, a few years after successfully receiving a liver transplant, my cousin lost his battle with cancer. His wife, a woman older than me that I affectionately called “Flower Girl” at my wedding, recently passed away from renal cancer.

If the remaining members of the group gathered today, there would be three empty chairs at the tables we used to crowd around. However, if we could look beyond our sorrow and lift up the veil of death, we would see a table in heaven where there are many seats. Some are occupied. I am blessed to know three new arrivals who sit at that table.  Jimmy was the first. He was there for Bernie. And Bernie helped his wife make the journey home. At that table there is no sorrow, only laughter. No tears, only joy. God willing, we will all be together again one day.

Weekend in Review

We gathered for the annual Potato Pancakes gathering at my aunt Donna's house on Saturday. Never had potato pancakes? You must try them. This German treat tastes excellent with pancake syrup.

 

The pancakes on the stove.

Too many cooks in the kitchen.

"Mom, someone put this bow in my hair."

"I followed you down the hall, mom. Now what?"

Checking out the cow in a nearby field.

My kids love kitties. Matthew kept chasing this cat around.

 

Some treasures came out during the get-together like my grandma's wedding ring. I have a special fondness for old rings. They are so delicate and simply beautiful.

And here is the dress my aunt Donna wore in my mom's wedding.

Matthew making good use of his time on the swing.

Liam

Maggie giving me her big smile.

Jack, it's hard to catch the little booger. He's so fast.

A great site in the yard.