Remembering Great Papa and Great Grandpa

Last night at Mass during the prayers of the faithful, there is a part that mentions praying for the dead. Emma leaned over and said, "we pray for the dead?" Bryan explained that yes we do, like when we pray for Great Grandpa and Great Papa. On the way home, she asked if she could have a picture of them in her room. When we said our prayer for the evening we let her put the two pictures of Great Grandpa Jim and Great Papa Don from the Navy in her room. We said a prayer. Emma said that she wanted to see them and she wishes they were with her. I told her that when she thinks of them and prays for them they can see her from heaven. It was such a sincere and sweet moment. It is so amazing to see her process the information she hears at church and then to watch her come up with a way to honor our loved ones that are in heaven was heartwarming.

Thankful

It seems as the days go by the hustle and bustle of life can take over. We are in the middle of touring a variety of different schools in the hopes of finding the perfect fit. We are finding that we like parts of each one and wish we could combine them to make the perfect school for us, and then we would like it to be about 5 minutes (or less) away. It is a pretty stressful, exciting and tiring time for Bryan and I.

As I began my 25 minute drive home from dropping Emma off at Montessori, I began to reflect back on the night that Emma was born. Since it is Friday and Caitlyn and I are worn out by the end of the week from our commute, I had Elmo going on the DVD player for her. She was entertained (and quiet). I thought about what a true blessing she is and how lucky we are to have her; happy, healthy and going to Kindergarten next year. I am forever grateful to the people who were with us the night of her birth and forever thankful to Jesus for placing them there in our time of great need. I am thankful for the family members that came to visit and help us transition into our new stage in life. I am thankful for exceptional friends who listen to me and understand. I am thankful to Bryan for being such an amazing husband, partner, friend and Daddy. In the midst of the craziness of the big "K" decision I am ultimately thankful that we am able to make this decision for Emma, that we have choices and options.- Praise God for giving her life. And that He blessed us and made us lucky enough to be her parents.

Ok- so my Starbucks coffee helped me move onto my next reflection. Once a Mama of two girlies- you can't have deep thoughts about one and not the other. So, now in the second part of my drive (on my side of the 60) I began thinking back on Caitlyn and how lucky we were to get pregnant with her right after we moved here to AZ...she is a true miracle too. Because of the complications we had with Emma I was watched very closely by the most talented and educated perinatologist. With many extra appointments, progesterone shots and extra ultrasounds she was born healthy and happy. I think back to what the perinatologist said to me when I was still in the OR after my C-section. He said he was surprised I had carried her until 39 weeks because of a complication with the shape of my uterus. He also advised that she be our last baby. Bryan and I had already discussed this and had come to the conclusion that we were very blessed to have two girls. But, to hear it from a doctor was pretty hard and very final- not to mention I was on drugs and very emotional after just giving birth. Needless to say, we feel that God watched out for us and paved the way once again because if we had been told that with Emma's birth (since I would have had this condition then), we may not have had our precious little Caitlyn bear. I am thankful to the amazing doctors, nurses and to Bryan for his support and love during my pregnancy with Caitlyn. I am thankful that God made our family complete with the gift of Caitlyn and that she and Emma can be forever bonded with the love of sisterhood.

God is good, he is in control. We are so thankful and blessed. I am focusing on this for today and putting the school choice in his hands. He has a plan for us and the girlies. It is for sure, he definitely wanted them here on earth to do something great. Thank you God for Emma and Caitlyn.

Love,

A blessed Mama

Let's Go Fly A Kite

Emma asked Santa for a kite this year. She had a great time flying it for the first time. It was a slightly breezy day and it was perfect for flying a kite. She did a good job for her first time and said "I need to practice some more Mom." Too cute.

The "apple" doesn't fall too far from the tree

New Years Eve Bowling

Daddy and the girlies bowling the night away

Mel, me and Caitlyn (she is loving her first icee)

Emma giving it her all

A little help from Daddy

Uncle Nate chillen

Very talented Don

The kiddos with their icees...mmmm

Time for a little hug in between

Emma and Mathea

Nana, Papa and Nate

Aunt Bonnie, Mel and Nana

YAY for me !!!!

New Years Eve 2009

Bryan, Caitlyn and Andrea at Nando's Mexican

Since I was young, one of our traditions has been going to a Mexican dinner with family and friends on New Years Eve. That is followed by bowling. The more people to celebrate the New Year with the better. After bowling we would always have everyone over to play board games until the stoke of midnight. Then, the younger kiddos would bang pans in the streets. WOW, the neighbors must have loved us. Well, we are not quite to the games and banging pans stage.

The first New Years Eve I actually remember was spent with the Trujillio family, some family friends of ours. I must have been in about 2nd grade. We went to their house for chili, games and pan banging. This evolved into going to Mass, Mexican dinner, bowling and then board games. I do have to mention that Chuck Tujillio and his daughter Tiffany are both rockin bowlers so it was always a hoot. We even had a bowling pin penguin trophy passed around from year to year depending on who won (or did their best). The trophy will have to migrate down south in the next year or so.

It was always fun to spend New Years with the ones you love. This has always been a special tradition to our family. I hope we can continue this for years to come.

Heather, Jazmine, Emerson and Hazel at dinner.

kisses to my favorite babe

Mommy's 29th Surprise Birthday Party

My sweet husband surprised me and threw me a 29th birthday party at Benihanna. The whole family was there to help me celebrate. I thought we were going to dinner but everyone was there to surprise me. It was a lot of fun and very thoughtful of Bryan. Thank you honey for making me feel loved and special. I love you.

Kisses to my favorite baby Cate.

I am the luckiest mama around to have been blessed with a super duper fabulous hubby and two gorgeous and loving girlies.

Emma loved seeing our dinner cooked in front of us.

Cute little fam.

Nana, Papa and Unlce Nate- thanks for helping Bryan pull off the surprise.