MOTHER'S DAY 2008

As I mailed Mom's Mother's Day gift this afternoon, I started thinking about how truly blessed I am.

I am blessed because I have a Mom to celebrate this day with. Though we are miles apart, still. . . I have her. I know she's there when I want to call when I'm upset or want to complain or to share a story she's there. I think about some of my friends who do not have their Mom and realize how lucky I am. My favorite times ever with Mom were all the times we stayed up late just talking. They still are. . . as I look forward to her visits home when she stays with us and still we will stay up late talking. Of course, then there all the shopping times. . .And the weekend we went to New York. All moments I will always treasure.

I am blessed because I have so many wonderful women in my life from aunts, cousins, sister in laws and friends. All of them help me to be who I am. I learn from the every day. I am grateful for each one of them and for all they do, for all the ways they influence my children.

And I am blessed because I have two of the most wonderful, thoughtful children that I've ever known. Without them, I would never have known that one person could hold so many jobs at the same time; nurse, teacher, chef, taxi driver, social planner, maid, personal assistant. I never knew I was that ambitious. But seriously. . . Having them give me the privilege to hold the most prestigious title of all -- MOM -- and
I would never have known how much love my heart could actually hold.

I wish all of you a Happy Mother's Day. To Lauren and Matthew, thank you for letting me get to be part of that elite group called "Mothers".

Opening Day

Saturday was opening day for little league in our little town of Warren. All the players walked down main street and over to the field for the opening ceremonies. Matthew had his first official game in the afternoon. It was so cute because he is on the same team as one of his classmates. They played against a team that Matthew's "girlfriend" was on.

He did great! I was so proud of him. It's so exciting to watch them all. They are all so cute.

Oh My God. . . I'm Wearing a Skirt!

I haven't worn a skirt in years and years. In fact, i can't remember the last time I wore a skirt. But I found a couple of skirts at Kohls, for the grand price of 4.80. Can't beat that~! Since I've reached my 25lb mark, I thought i would be brave and go for it. Now 25lbs is a significant amount, but I still have a long way to go. Lauren is just too cute though. She has been bugging me for ages to wear a skirt. She has said many times "Mom, why don't you wear a skirt?", "Mom, I've never seen you in a skirt". This morning I got ready for work and put the skirt on, and as I was getting ready to leave Lauren's eyes lit up and said "I LIKE IT".

Of course, now I have this fear that I'm going to go to the bathroom and come out with my skirt stuck in my underwear.

My sweet girl

Saturday night after work the four of us went to dinner. After dinner Lauren and I went to the mall. She wanted to spend a gift certificate that she's had since her birthday. We were walking and talking and having some girl time. As we were walking she leaned over and gave me a big hug and kiss. You have just got to love those moments when you get unsolicited kisses and hugs.

John Adams and a couple of interesting things I've learned

Let me start by saying that in school I HATED history. I thought it to be highly boring. Once i started to travel as an adult and visited places like DC, Williamsburg, Gettysburg, etc. I just fell in love with American history. I love to learn about it and wish that my history teachers made it more interesting for me.

I've been watching the John Adams mini series on HBO -- it's really very well done. I've learned a lot. I have also been researching John Adams on the internet to learn more. Two things that I learned that I really found interesting. . .

On the first night that John Adams spent in the White House (he was the first president to live there) he wrote a letter to his wife Abigail and one of the things that he wrote was:

"Before I end my letter, I pray Heaven to bestow the best of Blessings on this House and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise Men ever rule under this roof."

How sad to see that there has been much dishonesty and corruption passing through that house.

The other fascinating thing that I learned was that Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on July 4th, 1826. Thomas Jefferson passed only hours before John Adams.

So there are a couple of facts for you to use should you ever get on Jeopardy~