Remember to Breathe and Hold On for the Ride

As a mother, I watch cetain things on TV or in life and gasp. What if Hayden did this or did that? Today I am reminded that though I'm his mother and I pray to God that nothing harms or derails this child, I also have to do what my parents did. They stood back with a fake smile, watched me grow, learn and have a whole lot of dangerous fun. This video reminded me of it. I gasped and then immediatly admired. You know why? If Hayden made this, you can bet your ass I'd be right behind him. It's going to be great raising a boy. I can't wait.

Here Comes Hanna

Well, I've been through an earthquake while in California, I've been in closets while tornado sirens went off in Alabama, I guess it would be fitting to go through a hurricane too. According to this model, we have a fairly good chance that it will hit directly at Charleston.

I've heard of evacuations and such, but never thought we'd actually have to decide what can fit in the van and go. Hope to God we come back to a house that is in tact or doesn't have a tree through it.

We'll try to keep you posted on everything that happens, as usual! Have a great week.

Update: I guess I'll become the person who tells you what's happening as I see it. All of this from a virgin in the hurricane department. For those of you who have been through them and worse than the category 2 they're predicting for us, this will come off as an amatuer. However, I am an amatuer.

I went out to lunch and saw a lot of things I didn't expect to see for some reason.
I left to go to Babies R Us to buy a pack and play (no, we don't own one) incase we have to evacuate--where would Hayden sleep? Driving on the freeway, I saw two Coast Guard trucks with two boats heading towards the beach. Reality set in. I saw more out of state cars heading out (their poor vacations probably cut short). The Honda dealership by our house was removing the checkered flags that are supposed to draw your attention to the lot. Two non-work trucks loaded with large quanities of plywood. Each gas station I passed had cars lined up. Loads of people from work are leaving at lunch to buy supplies from the local grocery store. Constant news reports being watch by co-workers about the hurricane and numerous calls from family and friends wondering what they're going to do. We're all waiting to hear whether our company is going to shut down officially on Friday. Hey! It's like a snow day, just more dangerous. I am thankful for the advance notice that it is coming, but like an earthquake or torando, you know as it is happening or just in advance to prepare for the worst and then pick up the pieces. With a hurricane, it's like going in to a fight you know you're going to lose and hope for the best.

Ode To Dad

Most women look at the man they marry, or are about to marry and think, "would he be a good father?" I, obviously, answered this question with a yes. After a year of fatherhood, I realize that my husband is an above and beyond husband and now father. Today, I took the picture you see, in the mall. My poor husband, tired and worn out, loaded down with various purchases at the mall. He kept a smile on his face as he pushed Hayden (stroller loaded down as well) through the mall following and saying, "Yes, I like that". What a guy. However, there were many instances this weekend (along with most days) I looked at my husband with admiration for his complete and undying dedication for doing what ever it takes to help his family.

Our long weekend started off by driving to Columbia. We visited the zoo in 91 degree weather and while we were all hot, he still pushed Hayden, looked at the animals, rode the carousel- all with sweat dripping from his face. We went to the state museum where he would carry Hayden, push the stroller, chase him, then run ahead to unlock the car and start it so the air conditioning would be cool by the time we reached the car seat, then he would pack everything up- all with a smile (did I mention that he drove the hour and forty minutes up and back too?).

Yesterday, we were all slow moving as Hayden was up quite early (try 5am). He got up and laughed and talked with me, got a bottle for Hayden, all with a great attitude. We were slow moving and when we all were stir crazy enough we decided to go to one of my favorite places, the library. We packed everything (and everyone) up and drive downtown. We strolled around and when Hayden got fussy and I wanted Robert to be able to take his time, I tossed Hayden around and watched Robert smile. Finally, when we all had enough, we stood in line to get our books. Just as we were about to step up, Hayden threw up on me and on the floor. I guess tossing him around wasn't such a good idea. So, without saying a thing, Robert rushed to find a restroom and some towels as I stood there shameless in the middle of the line. He came back and wiped us all up and took us home. No telling me how stupid I was for holding our one year old upside down, just a smile.

He grinned as I said this morning, "let's go to the mall and then to the grocery store". As he loaded and unloaded in a constant stream of endless "stuff", he still smiles. Then when I realize two hours later that I forgot to get Hayden's cereal bars, he goes to two stores to get them so he could "save me a trip".

When I thank him for his devotion to our wellbeing and happiness he simply says, "just glad to be on the team." What a guy. I thank him all the time, but I can't really tell if he understands the complete sincerity when I say, "thank you for all that you do. You're the greatest thing that has every happened to me. You do more than most and I appreciate it." So, tonight in ode to my husband and the wonderful father he is, I'm baking (yes, you now know the gravity of the thank you) a homemade hot fudge cake. I know the way to my husband's heart is through his sweet tooth and tonight, the cake is solely for him. Thank you for all you do, Robert.

New Music Friday

We're upon a long weekend. A weekend which I hope you find yourself surrounded with friends, family and making gret memories. Here is some new music for your trip. Have a great weekend! See you in September!

Coldplay- Viva LaVida (I'm sure most of you have this)

Ray LaMontagne- You are the best thing. Back to his sultry sound. Sexy and sounds similar to Otis.

Cold War Kids- Something Is Not Right with Me (one of my new favorite bands, picture of them on this post)

John Legend- If you're out there

Billy Joel- New York State of Mind & Vienna (Breck, remember the Billy Joel concert? This brings me back--great times)

Take A Train

Okay, so I just looked on Amtrak Website and much to my amazement, they still offer trains to travel in. I knew they did this on the West coast thanks to the travel channel, but didn't know that we could take a train from here in Charleston. So, after a little research, I figured out it would cost around $300 for Robert, Hayden and I to take the train to visit my sister-in-law in DC. Seriously? That's cheap. It would take a little longer than driving (around 8 hours one way), but we wouldn't have to drive, we would just have to let Hayden run up and down the aisles for 8 hours.

Has anyone done this? Is it a nightmare? It sounds so cool to me, but then again, I could be nostalgic for it. Post here and tell me your story or email me.

Happy Birthday, Dear Friends

Today is the birthday of two dear friends, Brian and Breck. Brian and I have been friends for what seems to be all of our days. Though in recent years, our friendship has gotten closer. We've been through a lot together and you're always there offering your friendship. I'm honored to be your son's Godmother and you and your wife being Hayden's Godparents. I am blessed to have you in my life. It's an honor to know you and call you my friend.

Breck and I met later on in life as freshmen in college. We had a lot of great adventures and this is the girl who can always make me laugh, no matter the situation. I'm amazed at your strength, your wisdom and your easy friendship.

I celebrate you both today. I hope this approaching year offers you both more than you could hope. Happy birthday!

From the Freshman to the Senior

We spent another morning in the Doctor's office. Robert and Hayden both with pink eye, Hayden with another double ear infection. After five weeks of illness, we were down in the dumps.

I got a call from one of my oldest friends, Sarah today. When I asked how her life was, she said, "adventurous". That right there life breathed back to my heart. Due to this marvelous blog, you hear everything about my life, but I don't hear much from yours (meaning all of you who read this). I asked what was happening and she told me the greatest news that she was 16 weeks pregnant. Now, this normally is good news, but for Sarah and her husband Paul, this news has been long coming. It has been a heartbreaking, challenging and very long road. This new immediately brought me to tears and seeing the genuine smile across Robert's face as I told him, warmed life back in to my soul.

The story between Sarah and I could be a novel. We met when I was going in to my freshman year of high school and Sarah was about to start her senior year. Her house one away from our cottage and meeting her was by chance as I actually thought her brother was the hottest thing I'd ever seen. Richie, my brother and Eric, her brother, became friends and one short week later Richie asked if Eric could come stay with us in our home town. Their parents agreed only if his older sister, Sarah, would come too. I did know her from anyone. That four days, sealed our life long friendship. Though Eric and Richie eventually grew apart, Sarah and I stayed strong. When the summers came to a close, we would write each other weekly letters and told about our daily lives. When summers came back, every weekend would be spent beside Sarah's side.

Sarah and I are complete opposites. She was always kind, generous and "good". I was adventurous and a little wild. I would spend hours sitting on the diving dock with her telling her talking about what I was doing. Her eyes would widen, but she never judged, never told me what I should and should not do, she just listened. She appreciated each part of me unconditionally and loved me for who I was. I learned so much from her, from getting my first under age driving lesson in her car to most important, loving and enjoying people for just who they are, no matter what.

Now, just shy of being friends of 20 years, I still listen to her and wonder how can someone be that genuinely good and kind? How is that possible? I think it comes from her parents and their lives. As a result of many summers by Sarah's side, her family became my own. When Sarah was in my wedding, she said that her mother and father would be attending. Sarah's father, who was paralyzed in a hunting accident 20 years prior, would be making the 12 hour drive down to attend, my heart swelled. When she later told me that this would be the first trip outside of the state of Michigan since the accident, I lost it and cried. To be loved and genuinely cared about, to be given a friendship with a person and their family, is God's work.

Now, to know that this wonderful person and her family will experience a baby, to me, is one of the greatest gifts from God. It snaps you back in to reality that no matter how stressed out you are, how sick your own child and family is, each second of it, no matter how good or bad, truly is a gift from God.

Sarah and Paul, my heart swells with this wonderful news. I know you will enjoy each second of it and raise a child who will change a life, as you have changed mine. I love you.