Flashback Friday

How cool were we????

 

Happy Spring!!!!!!

Guess what color I am in the comments...........

Reflecting on 2012 on New Year's Day...

   
     Well, I may be a day late (and a dollar short), but this ol' blog helps me reflect on the days, weeks, months, and now even years gone by.  Although I haven't been as disciplined about capturing everything I would like, I do love all the connections I have made, pictures I would not have otherwise taken, and memories captured here.  I am definitely going to keep at it!!

     2012 was a good year and a pretty busy year.  Here are some highlights:

     We went on a family trip to the Scottsdale and Sedona, Arizona areas which I blogged about here.  We love Arizona and had a great time!!

     There were, of course, several things that came up with regard to my mom and caring for her.  One of the more alarming days was when I picked her up for a doctor's appointment and found what she had done to her hair.  I am sure my blood pressure was through the roof that day.  Then, there was the call I received when she fell and was taken to the hospital while I was up north with my family.  That was scary and has a sense of deja vu to it.  I think a lot of us remember this past summer as being especially HOT HOT HOT!!  We got a surprise call that the power was out at my mom's senior apartment complex, so Grandma came over for a sleepover with us and we helped her "keep cool".  We were also very happy to celebrate her one year anniversary of living at her senior living apartment.  There were times we were not sure it would work.

     I was proud and lucky enough to travel to Orlando, FL to see Megan perform with the high school marching band at the Magic Kingdom at Disney World.  It was a fun getaway and a once in a lifetime trip for Megan.  Megan also survived her freshman year of high school and hasn't looked back.  She also took driver's ed and is driving with a permit.  She was very busy with soccer, marching band and her heavy class load.
     Jacob and Kristin turned 12 in June and had a small celebration with some friends.  They survived their first year of middle school, played soccer, volleyball, and football, and kept good grades during an extra busy fall.
     We did not get to our place up north as much as we would have liked.  However, we did have a great time when we did as shown here and here.
     The highlight of our summer was traveling to the East Coast for a family visit.  The weather was noticeably cooler and more bearable and we all had a great time!!
     All of the kids and the parents were exceptionally busy during September and October.  The past four months have gone by super fast.  You can always check out what Megan was up to.  Megan remains a very responsibly student.  She loves anything to do with One Direction (obsessed) or music and her friends from school.  Jacob kept busy, too and enjoyed his first year of middle school football.  He has developed quite a sense of humor and I am enjoying watching him become a young man who is also smart, polite and sensitive.  Kristin is always happiest hanging out with friends, but kept super busy with soccer and volleyball this past fall.  She is kind hearted, diplomatic, and has become quite creative with her arts and crafts this past year.  We laugh together a lot!
     Once November hit, things really went by fast preparing for the holidays, going to concerts, a visit from my mother-in-law, and some post season football games.  It's all been quite a ride and we look forward to a clean slate in 2013 and making the most of all the new year has to offer!!!

     Looking forward to following you on your journey, too!!

 

 

Flashback Friday

     Me and my baby brother, Mike, many Christmases ago!!!!!! 

Yes, my mom even sewed my corduroy skirt and vest!!!  Jealous, right!!?? 

 

 

Flashback Friday: Birthday Edition

     Twelve years ago today Jacob and Kristin came into the world!!  It was an emotional day filled with much anticipation and love.  We are out celebrating with them today, and I will be back with the details.

Love You Both!!!

Happy Birthday 12th Birthday J and K!!!!!!

Love, Mom
XOX

Staged Photos Never Work...
Sure, We Coulda Taken Pics All Day 'Til We Got It Right,
But Jacob Is Not Big on Photo Sessions...and it's his Birthday!!!!!

Flashback Friday!!

     It's Friday, so I'm gonna take a 19 year 1 month "flashback" to my wedding day...  I appear to be in some serious conversation with my mom.  Wish I could remember exactly what it was about, but I have some guesses.  (Hopefully it was not the "sex talk" - ha!)  Those of you who follow my "Monday Memories With My Mom" posts will see what a difference 19 years makes -- for both me and my mom.

     I admit, I went right for the wedding photos which are easier to access than the even older ones.  Beware, once I get the photos from the 70s, 80s and 90s from my basement, then we will have something to laugh about!!

Who else wants to play Flashback Friday!!??  Link up with Ramblings of a Suburban Mom and play along!!

Happy June -- I love June!!

Christmas Flashback Friday, Part 1

     Sometimes I am organized, and sometimes I am not.  My photos are not organized, unless you consider being randomly shoved in photo boxes organized.  Oh, what I wouldn't have given to have all of my kids baby and toddler pictures digitally downloaded onto my computer.  Theoretically, organization would have been much easier. 
     However, in the midst of my volumes of photo boxes (someday to be placed in albums or scrapbooks) I often find glimpses of the past that just melt my heart.  I wish that I had all of my kids "Christmas card photos" in one location, but I don't.  It is on my list of "things to do".
     In the meantime, I wanted to share this sweet picture of my little ones...just eight "short" years ago.  There are a few things I love about this picture, aside from my obvious desperation in coming up with the improvised idea of the "angelic" garland on each of their little heads.  First, I love black and whites.  Second, the fact that they are all looking at the camera and seemingly cooperative (although I'm sure there were numerous photos taken).  Most of all, I love (as only a mother could) each of their individual facial expressions and the folding of their little hands.  It was (and is) so fitting of their personalities.  Jacob begrudgingly putting on a small toothless smile, disguised behind his perfectly folded hands and fully cooperative.  Megan with her two front teeth missing, a smile of Christmas wonder and delight, delicately tentative about putting her hands completely together.  Kristin, very confidently smiling with eyes sparkling and hands put together enthusiastically.  It's a classic photo and I love it!!!
     Although memories like these should be in our hearts forever, it sure is nice to have a picture to remind you!!

Jacob (3), Megan (6), Kristin (3)