Monday, June 30, 2008
As I sat in the auditorium last week for Rachael's moving up ceremony I had a few moments to reflect over the past 14 years, how quickly it has gone and how in a blink of the eye she will be thru high school then on to college. The same held true for Friday night, sitting in the bleachers, waiting, and again thinking back over the past 17 years, how quick they have gone, but when the class of 2008 started to march in and I saw Micheala for the first time in her cap and gown, the pride I felt was overwhelming , but soon after, fear creep in and hung around. Not fear for Micheala's future or the choice she will make as she goes thru the next few weeks , graduation party's galore, which means a drink fest, but she has a good head on her shoulders and she know that if she ever feels she can't make it home I am only a call away,no matter how far or what shape, I will come, collect her, no yelling, no lecture, just a safe ride home, two aspirin and bed.
So, as I was sitting there and this fear came over me, watching these parents beam with pride, I realized "WHAT AM I DOING?"
I am 45 years old, on a roller coaster ride called adoption, still at least what 3 or 4years from my referrals, that puts me knocking on the big 5-0 add four years before she goes into school, 54 and 13 to high school graduation puts us smack dab in retirement. Aislinn will , sadly, be are only child and when that fear grabbed hold of me I started to question myself. Is it fair to her? Is it right? Is our want to become parents the right thing at this stage? Will our maturity make us better parents or worst parents? After this fear gripped me it hung around for the weekend and every time Andrew would ask me "what is wrong? whats the matter? I just cried. ( I didn't want to tell him what I was feeling till I could get a handle on it and explain it)
Fast forward to today. Quiet day at camp chaos I only have Tommy & Kenzie. So as Tommy is eating his grilled cheese sandwich and watching Andrew's Speed Racer cartoons, I went upstairs to change Kenzie and put her down for a nap but her poor teeth were hurting her and she just wanted to be held . So I checked on Tommy once more and sat with Kenzie in the bedroom chair , just holding her, cooing to her in soft gentle words , rubbing my finger along her cheek as her little body started to relax against me. A calm came over me, the fear started to subside a bit. I realized that A child loves you unconditionally. They don't know age, color , or size, just keep me dry when I am wet, Hold me when I get hurt & cry, Love me no matter what. And that is our plan, to love this child unconditionally be the best parent that we can be, give her all we have and all we are.we may be the oldest parents in her grade but thee is one thing going for us, Andrew never acts his age. So he will always be the young at heart one.
As Always Be Good & Be
Safe
Labels: Thinking
| posted by Unknown at 5:36 PM
Sunday, June 29, 2008
for explanation of three words go here
As Always Be Good & Be Safe
| posted by Unknown at 7:46 AM
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Back to back night ceremony's, one inside , one outside, a I made it thru with out to many tears.
Rachael's moving up ceremony was held in the school auditorium , very hot, long and crowed but one I would of never had missed. After photo's were taken we dropped Rachie off with a few of her friends and her cousin (from Ireland) to Apple-bees so they could get a bite to each and celebrate their achievements.
On to Friday nite, @ 4:30 I sent Andrew to the local florist to pick up Micheala's corsage and they "forgot" to make it and didn't have anymore roses (On Thursday I had ordered 2 rose corsages, 1 for Rach & 1 for Mckay) So a carnation corsage was made for Micheala , luckily this was the worst hitch of the nite. Needless to say I am going to be looking for a new florist.
Friday night here on the island was Hot and Humid, just great for an outdoor ceremony.
We left the house @ 5:45 to get to the school, parked a few blocks away (knowing what traffic would be like trying to get out of there, only one way in and out)& walked to the school. (We learned our lesson the night before and didn't wear heels but sandals) Climbed up in to the bleaches and waited. The ceremony started pretty much at 7pm. Speeches were made my all the key note speakers including Senator Charles Schumer.
A couple of weeks ago a classmate of Micheala's passed aways after a courageous battle. The class of 2008 decide to present the first Diploma of the nite to her parents. That started the tears thru the crowd and a standing ovation. After that they ran thru the other 500 plus names, the moving of the tassel and the throwing of the hats and we were done, with the exception of pictures, We tracked McKay down in the school gym and for the next 25 minutes it was pictures with a bunch of friends. After we got home, it was off to a round of parties.
Micheala & Rachael, there are no words to express my feeling towards you both. I have said it before and will say it again, I am proud of you both, honored to be a part of your world & will always be here for you both. Just always remember, "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.
>
As Always Be Good & Be Safe
Labels: family, graduation
| posted by Unknown at 3:08 PM
Thursday, June 26, 2008
As Always Be Good & Be Safe
Labels: LID-iversary
| posted by Unknown at 8:25 AM
Monday, June 23, 2008
Test your 70's music knowledge....I was raised on the music from the 40's & 50's and I am pure country now so I didn't think I stood a chance by taking this quiz. Minute I started it and the music was playing I was rocking out and remembering things from my childhood long ago. Great music and awesome memories.
If you get a chance take the quiz and let me know how ya did.
I scored a Far Out
95% on the
As Always Be Good & Be Safe
Labels: emails
| posted by Unknown at 12:12 PM
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Friday must have been one of the longest days in my life. My Best Friend was going in for surgery, I took the day off to sit with her husband but being the freak that she is, she wanted me to stay with the munchkins (McKay, Rach & Connor) instead of "jinxing" her. Every time She has had to go into the hospital it was always me who had the kids and her husband took her by himself. So Friday after they got done with their finals I took they out to breakfast while Enda was at the hospital waiting for Siobhan to come out of surgery. Thank god for text! We were able to keep in contact knowing what was going on and when she got out. (she is fine and will make a full recovery) So my three words for the thorn in my side that I call my best friend is...
GET WELL SOON.
As Always Be Good & Be Safe
Labels: Three word Sunday
| posted by Unknown at 6:36 AM
Saturday, June 21, 2008
As Always Be Good & Be Safe
Labels: Season
| posted by Unknown at 9:30 AM
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Guess I've had a lot to say this past week,the last couple of months I have been only doing one maybe two post a week. This will be my ninth post for the week but how could I let such a special day go by without saying something about such a outstanding young man.
Today is the birthday of a very special munchkin in my life. Goober is a funny, outgoing,kind, considerated & very athletic young man playing Football and Baseball.He loves hanging out with Andrew.
Goober, Happy Birthday, I can't believe you are almost a teenager. I hope you have a great day. Keep being as sweet as you are. We love you.
As Always Be Good & Be Safe
| posted by Unknown at 12:18 PM
Saturday, June 14, 2008
We plan on a quiet day today just a visit to the cemetery and then a BBQ here with our friend and three of my munchkins. This day does get a bit easier each year but there is still a ache deep down. So when I saw this Fathers dad glitter I had to post it.
How appropriate that it states a "daughter first love"
I've heard this song a few time in the last week and think it says it all.
Keith Anderson - I Still Miss You
As Always Be Good & Be Safe
| posted by Unknown at 2:33 PM
Labels: Holidays
| posted by Unknown at 2:32 PM
OK I admit it, I am not handling this month all that well.I'm not a basket case (yet) but its close. I have been going thru photos of the kids,and I can't believe where the time has gone. I didn't give birth her,but I couldn't love her more. For over 17 years she has been "mine" (OK her parents share her with me)from first tooth, to first step,First word, to first illness( Mckay was a healthy child and didn't get her first "illness(high fever, Throwing -up) till she was three and her mom was in the hospital having Rach and I had the "pleasure" of taking her to the Dr's).There has been birthday celebrations from Chuck E Cheese to sleep overs. Family dinners & family vacations. Soccer games, Track & Gymnastic meets, Field hockey games and school concerts. Quiet talks, Major Fights, a few tears,some whispered secrets, a lot of laughs and good time. But 17 years? It feels like only a moment. Kenny Chesney has a song."Don't Blink" and some of the words are:
"Don't blink
Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you
Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
Don't blink
You just might miss your babies growing like mine did
Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your better half
Of fifty years is there in bed
And you're praying God takes you instead
Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think
So don't blink
"Best start putting first things first."
Cause when your hourglass runs out of sand
You can't flip over and start again
Take every breathe God gives you for what it's worth"
As I have stated before, I treasure every moment with my munchkins, from the oldest to the youngest and everyone in between but I thank god for putting this child into my life. The joy she has brought, the incite to parenting she has supplied and the pride we feel in the young woman who stands before us is unmeasurable.
From This............
To this..........
So my Three Words for this week are: Growing to Fast
As Always Be Good & Be Safe
Labels: family, graduation, Three word Sunday
| posted by Unknown at 10:59 AM
Friday, June 13, 2008
Labels: Days
| posted by Unknown at 10:02 AM
Thursday, June 12, 2008
| posted by Unknown at 4:58 PM
Happy 15th Birthday Matthew.
Today is the birthday of our nephew & my godson Matthew.
Meatball is a cute kid who is sweet, generous,kind funny & very talented.We had the pleasure of seeing him perform in Aladdin last year,(unfortunately we miss him in West Side Story this year)
Meatball we luv you and can't wait to see you @ the end of the month.
Also a happy birthday to our brother in Law ( & Matthew's dad) Mike.
As Aways Be good & Be Safe
Labels: family
| posted by Unknown at 12:18 PM
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Another enjoyable peaceful weekend for me while we went camping. Early Saturday morning Beavis, Butthead & his wife left me to go to do some work on their property about an hours away. So I was left alone with Misty for about 6 hours with nothing but silence. An occasional bird chirp, a babbling brook in the distant surrounded by trees. It was pure heaven. I read for awhile then did some more letter writing. Every month on my LID-iversary I write a letter to Aislinn, sharing our hopes and dreams for her, the fears we have had, what we are doing during the wait. My plan is to give these letters to her when she is older.
When we arrived back on the island the heat was unbelievable. Try explaining to the munchkins as to why they couldn't be outside on such a sunny day and how it was better to stay inside where it was cooler.I was worried about my mother with her breathing in this heat. Thankfully it seems to have broken for now but my thought are if this is only Early June what is it going to be like in July & August?????
I find it funny that every year Andrew goes Deer hunting upstate and every year they never get a deer (most of the time they don't even see one) Friday before we went away these two showed up in front of our house. Good Thing he can't hunt on the Island!
One last thing I finally did it!! I went and ordered the camera I have wanted. Now I just have to wait and get my hands on it, read the manual and maybe take a photography class and then I will be one happy camper.
As Always Be Good & Be Safe
Labels: random things
| posted by Unknown at 11:28 AM
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Prom 2008
If its June it must be prom season. On Friday night Micheala and her fellow classmate had their Senior Prom. (I can't believe that in less then 18 day my oldest munchkin will be a High School Graduate.) I was suppose to be at their house by 3:30. Normally not a prob, I took the afternoon off from work (was getting off at 3) Stew-be wasn't going to be home till 5 since we were heading upstate.But of course with my luck we hit a snag. We have been trying to get carpet in the basement since I painted it a couple of months ago.Went to Home dep*t three weeks ago, they came 2 days later to measure and haven't heard back from them, so on Wednesday I went on line to here requesting an appointment for Thursday between 1& 3pm. At 2;50 on Thursday afternoon the salesperson was here, measured, gave me a price and we signed the contract. They were to install on Friday and It was stated on the contract that I need it to be finished by 3pm. I was told NO Problem. On Friday The carpet installer was here at noon and left @5pm. The room is about 11x14 plus the 5 stairs leading to the main floor.At 3:30 I Called Siobhan to tell her she was on her own with taking pictures (sometimes I think its the only reason she keeps me around, if it wasn't for me taking photos of her kids she wouldn't have any! LOL) and that I would be there as soon as possible.A few minute later McKay called and asked what was wrong as I was telling her I stared to cry, to think I was going to miss out on seeing her before what would be a once in a life event just broke my heart. At five pm just as the guy was walking out of the house, Andrew got home and drove me to the house where the picture were being taken. When I saw her all decked out the I got all misty, Mckays face lit when she saw me and she dragged me around for the next 45minutes taking picture . As I went across this yard full of guys in Tuxes and gals in gowns, watching parents taking picture, you heard the same thing over and over, Have a good time, be careful, I trust you its everyone else I don't, if your going to drink, please don't go overboard. After the prom was over a group of her friend rented a house out east for the weekend. She had a blast.
Mckay & the family
Her date Andy
Her and her girlfriends. In just the 13 months since this was taken what a difference.
Just some of the kids going to the prom
As Always Be Good & Be Safe
Labels: family
| posted by Unknown at 11:23 PM
Another crazy week here at Camp Chaos. I can't believe that it is June already, another school year is winding down, summer is in the air! The BBQ last Sunday for Andrew's B-day (pics to follow)was great fun for all. Friday Night was Michaela prom so I took the afternoon off to make sure I was there to take pictures and see her off( I am having a hard time believe my oldest munchkin is graduating in a few week going off to college and Rach will be in High school).
My nephew Seamus is so in luv with the youngest munchkin of my gang. Little Miss Kenzie lites up when he talks to her and he will come in from playing if she is crying to see how she is and make sure she is OK. This ruff and tumble little boy is as gentle as anything when it comes to her. So My three words for this Sunday are
A Blooming Romance?????
We're away for the weekend again. Looking forward to peace, quiet and more reading.
As Always Be Good & Be Safe
Labels: Three word Sunday
| posted by Unknown at 6:00 AM
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Three Word Sunday
Finally here on Long Island Summer is in the air. Temps have been in the 70's & sunny. As soon as the kids get here in the morning(Circan 9 & Tommy 9:30) they ask if the can go out since its "a sunny day" and out they go. Fianna & Seamus get here bout noon and straight out they go until their parents get home. They go home tired & a little dirty (ok a they are filthy) but they have so much fun. They like "hanging out" in the little house.
As Always Be Good & Be Safe
Labels: Three word Sunday
| posted by Unknown at 2:51 PM
