Baby boy, on the way!

     Today we went to Rick's oldest daughter's baby shower. She is due within two weeks, but we all think the little man will come earlier...hopefully some time this week!
     I just love baby showers. Grandma Kim hosted it with Denise (a fellow colleague of mine). I just love Kim's house and yard, and it was a perfect setting for a beautiful time.
     I took Grandma Pat and our little one (who is soon-to-be an aunt for the third time, and she is only 6!). It was a nice girls' day out.
     Sarah had a blast running around with Sadie, Olivia and Jasmine. Especially fun was Sarah discovering all the nooks and crannies of Kim's place since that is where she will be spending time this summer. I am so glad it's just a hop and a skip from my place!
     The food was yummy (especially the fruit kabobs), and the ice tea was perfect, and the weather mellowed out. IDEAL.
     It was fun to spend some out of school time with Julie and Sandi, who are also teachers at Sarah's Montessori school. Those two are such a hoot, especially when together!
     What I really love about this gathering is that there is no issue with all of the mixed families being together.
     I sat next to Rick's ex-wife, Jill. We had such great conversations about all sorts of things, and we always find that we have more in common than we expect. I like her and her mom, Gloria a lot. It is such fresh air to have a civil and kindly relationship with one of Rick's exes.
     Again, it's all about the kids and being good to each other for that, if for nothing else. But, luckily with Jill, it's never strained. We are thankfully in a different place.
     It also makes me appreciate my ex's girlfriend, as she and I are in a good place, too.
     What I am REALLY excited about is the coming of the grandson; we are all thrilled and looking forward to meet the little guy! Soon! Stay tuned!!

Sizzling!

     I am definitely a summer baby...guessing that's why I was born in June! LOL
     I live for the hot weather. I just love it! I am so excited that it is finally coming.
     It makes me start to think about summer plans! Woo hoo! I plan on swimming this summer, and we are going to do private lessons for our own little water squirt! She just loves Yajaira, who will be her instructor!
     Then, a LIFELONG dream of mine is finally coming true! Our little one and I are going to take weekly horse lessons together! I am stoked! I can't wait for us to learn so much about horses (not just riding, but also how to properly take care of them).
     Rick and I are planning some camping and hiking trips for us all, and I already have some day hikes mapped out for a group of moms and kids!
     And, of course, our vacation and all sorts of stuff is coming! We plan on spending time with Rick's brother and his family in Moses Lake (Aquatic Center, here we come!), and also Rick's daughter and our grandbabies!
     I can't believe we only have 14 days of school left! I am soooo ready for summer fun!

FaMiLy

     Tonight we had a house full of girls! We had Rick's oldest daughter (who is carrying a baby boy) and her two daughters, and my mother-in-law all over for Rick and our little one's birthdays!
     Our boys are all gone, but Cody and Michael did call Rick today, and Jordie is up at camp, so he will have to terorize the old fart Rick when he comes home!
     The three little girls are sooooooo adorable! I am excited that they will get to spend more time together than normal this summer since during our little one's week where she is at her bio mom's she will be watched by our grandkids other grandma! I know sounds complicated, but we LOVE Kim, and we are stoked that our little one will be in such a good place when she is not with us.
     And, our other favorite new girl in the family is Buttermilk. It was a nice introduction to all the little girls tonight!

Sweet, sweet baby girl!

      HAPPY 6th birthday to our sweet baby girl! I can hardly believe that she is six today!!
      She came into my life when she had just turned one year and half. How time goes by too fast.
      It's so hard to believe that ten years from now she will be driving! LOL
      She has brought so much joy to our lives. Her smile sends the sun to shame. Her laugh grabs you by the heart. Her genuine love melts you into a puddle. She is most definitely our sweet, sweet baby girl!

Mama, that's me!

     Mama's Day. I find it to be a bit of an oxymoron this year, good grief :)
     It's sad to be away from my oldest and youngest on this day, as my kiddos are my world.
     Cody did call me this morning to tell me how much he loved me and that just made me happy and sad because all I really want is a big old hug from him!
     My little one, now that's complicated. We have joint custody, but when Mother's Day happens to land on her bio mom's week, well, I don't get to see or talk to her at all on Mother's Day.
     In the world of Mother's Day, step-moms don't count, at least not if you ask bio-moms. Thankfully that's not the case when you ask the kids!!
     My little girl is soooo stinking cute! She made me a Mother's Day present and invited me to her Mother's Tea at her preschool. I wasn't able to attend because I was in Seattle on a field trip with kids, but I was just so touched that she was so emphatic about inviting me.
     Her teachers told me that she was just so matter-of-fact about having two moms and needing to make two presents and have two invitations. That touches my heart.
     In the end, I had mixed feelings about missing the Mother's Tea, but I know it was probably for the best because even though she wanted both her moms there, her bio mom wouldn't have been real happy about my attendance, and I know my step-daughter would've felt that negative energy. So, it worked out for the best. And, it matches the old adage that it's the thought that counts!
     I appreciate that Rick has gone out of his way to make this day special. He was so cute when he told me how much he loved me for being such a good mom.
     So between Rick and Jordie this has been a relaxing and good day in which I feel appreciated!!
     Overall: Quite a bit of good and a tad of grief, Mother's Day 2008.

Welcome, Buttermilk, to our family!

     We just bought a mule!! She is white, thus the name, Buttermilk. She is HUGE, but a big old lover!
     She is very sweet-tempered and affectionate. I was so excited when Rick found her because I want to learn to ride more than anything. It's definitely on my list of things to accomplish this summer.
     She is gentle and sturdy, sure-footed and mellow, so I hope that she is a good match for a novice like me.
     Our real goal is to ride horses and pack in to camp out in the middle of nowhere with our kids.
     I am excited to progress with Miss Buttermilk this summer, and so far she has been fun getting to know!
     I will keep you updated on our progress.

My baby is not so much a baby anymore :(

     Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear, CODY. Happy birthday to you!!!!!!!!
     Could it truly be? Can my BABY be 19 years old today? SIGH. I don't feel like I am old enough to have a young man that age.
     Boy, we have come a LONG way since he was born back in 1989 just five weeks before my graduation from high school.
     This is the first year that I have not been able to be with him on his birthday. I was telling him on the phone how that made me sad, and he just laughed and reminded me that he is growing up, and that's what kids do!
     It doesn't make it any easier!!! My kids are such precious gifts in my life. I have been so lucky to have such incredible human beings with whom to share this life.
     So, we sent cards out last week, so hopefully he will receive those in time for his b-day. Of course, we enclosed gift cards to some of his favorite places to eat!
     The really cute thing is that my little one picked out a card, and she was writing Cody's name, and then I reminded her to write her name. She finished and handed the card to me, and I opened it up, and before her name she wrote LOVE. I told that was cool, and she informed me, "Well, you know I know how to spell love, and I love my brother so that's why I wrote it in his card."
     Just so matter-of-fact. I love little ones.
     I was going to send a big package, but he still hasn't receive the BIG one I sent right before Valentine's Day. Gotta love the military mail. Although now he has more of a permanent address, so it seems like mail is ending up where and when it is supposed to be!
     I have some special things that I will send in a couple of weeks, and what will be cool about that is that he will think his birthday is all finished! Tee hee!
     Also, I deposited birthday money into his account, so he could have fast access to it without having to rely on the snail mail.
     Then yesterday I found a special florist who focuses their business on the Marines at Camp Pendleton. I will use her service often, I imagine! So, I sent him a little something special.
     He was a little worried that he would receive some extra PT for that, but he said he is willing to take his chances.
     I have included a pic of my baby, not looking so much like a baby! It's a bit fuzzy because it's a cell phone pic. Enjoy!