The Moment You've All Been Waiting For....

The grand finale of birthdays, at least until June. I'm betting you guys are as glad this is over as I am.

I would say that I'll try to make it as painless as possible but that probably wouldn't be true. Just repeat in your head; This is the last birthday posting until June. This is the last birthday posting until June....

We can't have a Star Wars party with out the Star Wars Galaxy. Since we haven't quite figured out space travel at the speed of light, we bring the Galaxy to the kitchen.

I got them on E-bay, in case you were concerned for my children's dietary habits. We only eat at Mickey Dees every other day. :)

Simple, yet does the job.

I'm going to be honest about the cake, this was an after we dug in shot. The icing was like mud and the figures were slippin and sliding everywhere, it was like Mud Wrestling Star Wars Mania '09. I actually thought it was oddly funny. Gameboy wasn't amused, though it wasn't his birthday so what do I care? :)

I took more pics of the guests of honor than my kids. Fresh meat I guess.

This is Big C trying to free princess Leia from her capture by Darth Vader.

This is Lil C and Bossyboy. They played really well together except those few times when they admitted they didn't want to play with each other. It was nice for BossyBoy to play with someone near his age for a change.


Lil C was so cute trying to bust this balloon it was hilarious. I had very little time to take a bunch of pics as camera battery power was not on my side.

Lego Bingo anyone? I deemed Wonder Boy the Bingo caller, as I knew he would know what the names of the ships and characters were better than I would. He loved it.

I love Lil C's expression. I'm guessing he was helping to blow.

The boys had a blast and though I was concerned that 3 games would not be enough, it was plenty and the boys easily entertained one another on their own. I was just thrilled to have S and her boys down for a nice visit. I know S enough to know that I can relax in my house and have an overloaded sink full of dishes and she not care or think she has to do them, as my mother or MIL would.

Wonderboy is a natural entertainer and has a flair for the dramatic. As S and her boys were leaving, Wonderboy put his hands on Lil C, looked him straight in the eye as if he was having a serious conversation with him and said; " I want you to know something very very important. This is very important." (pause for dramatic effect and a throat clearing) "May the force be with you!"
He had S and I rolling with laughter. He actually dragged it out longer and probably said other things as well but you get the gist. It's probably one of those things you had to be there for. He was very serious about it and poor Lil C probably had no clue what he was talking about.

After it was all said and done, I was completely exhausted. I think all the energy of entertaining, preparing, cleaning from all of the activities for the whole month came at me all at once and after straightening up the house yesterday, I had a major power nap the rest of the day. Thank goodness it's only one birthday in June and then were home free the rest of the year.

Happy Birthday My Little Wonder!

Today's Wonder Boy's birthday. He is certainly a miracle and a wonder. We are so blessed that he is a healthy happy boy.

Here is his interview-

Name: Wonder Boy

Age: 9

Favorite Color: Purple because it's Mace Windo's light saber color. (Well of course!)

Favorite Subject in school: computer lab (Future Al Gore maybe?)

What do you want to be when you grow up? A comedian/entertainer

Book of all time? "Goose Bumps even though it scares me silly and makes my bones crack. " (Typical Wonder Boy philosophy)

If you could be any animal what would it be? A dog, like a shaggy dog.

Best memory of being 8: Going to grandmas

Worst memory of being 8: A boy bullied me

Favorite T.V. show: America's Funniest Home Videos (This is what he wants more than anything for his birthday)

Favorite Movie: Star Wars Episode 6

Favorite Sports Team: St. Louis Rams ( He really just says because his big brother has a team, he really has no interest in sports.)

Favorite Athlete: Tom Brady

Favorite Movie Star: Tom Berjeron (the guy on AFV-the scary he thing is, he actually Google's Tom.)

Favorite Food: Pizza and Hamburgers

Favorite Place To Eat: McDonalds and Burger King

Favorite Place To Go: Toys R Us

Favorite Place To Go Online: Poptropica and Amazon to find stuff for my birthday.

In case you just cannot get enough Wonder Boy (why wouldn't you?) here is a few of my favorite Wonder Boy posts- Lick You Like a Momma Cat
Battery Dead? Call Eagle Auto Glass

Easter Eggstravaganza

I believe I've eaten my weight in carbs, fats, and sugars this weekend. I've got one more weekend to go of the insanity!
Here's a few random bullet points along with pics.

-First off, my parents were about a mile away from the fires in OK. They barely saved my high school, over 70 houses burned down in the surrounding area. I think every one on the planet that knew my parents were calling to see if they were ok. It's always reassuring when the financial advisor calls.

-I mentioned the boys had to do a Math Egg Hunt at school. The concept is brilliant- They first must find an egg with a math problem on it, then they must find the "answer egg". Genius, I tell you.


-Yesterday the hubs took the familia to down town Big D to show off his office. We then rode the trolley and ate at this awesome fish place. The kids had a blast on the trolley and it was fun to see Big D that way. Of course no pics were taken cause I forgot the camera.

-The rains came (Im sure OK was greatful) so my boys Easter egg hunted barefoot, because we are still hillbillies adjusting to suberbia. Besides, I figured it would be easier to wash their muddy feet than their shoes.

Please turn your eyes away from the giant forest of weeds/crab grass that is along the perimeter of the fence. It was at least great for hiding eggs.

-I was greatful I didn't have to over do it on the cooking this time. My parents brought down BBQ and the only thing I had to slave on was warming up the ribs and heating up the beans. It was wonderful.

-I am now stuffed on BBQ, Easter candy, and birthday cake.

Yes, this is the same cake lit twice.

Happy Birthday My Fool!

The boys computer has been come and go lately with the wireless Internet and it has driven me crazy to the point that I'd choose dial up over this. I think the computer is not picking up the wireless router signal as it's to far away- a whole 50 feet if that. I'm thinking that I may have to rearrange the den to where the computer is in closer range of the router. Grr.
All of this to say my birthday post is late because I'm using the hub's laptop which has great wireless strength but no pics of my bouncing baby boy, so I improvised and took a quick pic of the little butterball from his baby book.

I can't believe it's been a decade!

I also did a little interview which I hope to do each birthday for the boys.

Name: Gameboy
Age: 10
Favorite Color: Red
Favorite Subject in school: P.E.
What do you want to be when you grow up? A video game maker
Favorite Book of all time? Leminy Snickett Series of Unfortunate Events (He's on book 10 right now.)
If you could be any animal what would it be? Bear
Best memory of being 9: When we went to the carnival for Nolans birthday
Worst memory of being 9: A really bad day at school
Favorite T.V. show: Pokemon
Favorite Movie: Godzilla (This one came from left field)
Favorite Sports Team: New York Giants
Favorite Athlete: Eli Manning
Favorite Movie Star: Jack Black
Favorite Food: Calamari and Pizza
Favorite Place To Eat: Little Italy (Sadly it's in Tyler)
Favorite Place To Go: The fair
Favorite Place To Go Online: Cartoon Network

P.S. (as Bossy Boy would say) Remember I mentioned my little birthday project for his cupcakes? I looked up a bunch of kid birthday and April Fools jokes. I printed them out and made little umbrella shapes (April showers..) from cardstock and applied the jokes to that. The cupcakes were in really brilliant spring colors and the whole thing was really cute. You'll just have to visualize it because I forgot to take a pic and almost forgot the cupcakes. I'm having one of those days.

Were havin a party!

Time to kick off the first of many parties that will be happening here at WM247 headquarters. A dissertation if you will...

I'm going to apologize right now for the very poor quality photos. I was stubborn and did not want to turn on my flash and these boys were hyped on some serious sugar and I could not keep them still for anything. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

First off a few pre party shots. Funny thing about this, a twitter/facebook/former blogger friend thought when I said "party shots" she thought I literally meant shots. No alcohol was consumed during this party. My sanity is in perfect condition thank you very much, my house and my hand also did not suffer from the near miss of a fire either...ahem what fire?

I've always thought I had knack for entertaining and decorating. Martha Who?

Did you notice the "white" elephant in the room? So classy don't you think?

I think I saved myself a bundle of money by buying the pizza supplies and making our own. I already had most of it on hand just needed the crust. I was not feeling to adventurous yet to make dough though. Boys scarfed it down and slumber kid said it was really good. I probably saved 20 or 30 not ordering delivery.




Open present time...I videoed the rest of the presents so the hubs could at least partake in some way. I will spare you that. I feel really bad that the hubs was out of town for this shindig. There will be more party where that came from.

Don't you just love to get a sneak peak of all my biznezz going on in the kitchen? I feel so exposed, like I'm showing you the inside of my underwear drawer or something.

Sundae! Sundae! Sundae!

Yeah, about that fire...


It was harmless really. I just recommend you not try to light a candle with a paper towel ignited by the stove. If you do, have a large bowl of water at the ready and warn children to never try this at home. I am what you call an improvise when you don't have it (matches/lighter) professional.

If you didn't follow the happening sleepover of '09 on twitter shame on you than you missed out on the fun. The other slumber kid who was to bring the sister was a no show. Somehow deep inside, I had a feeling that was going to happen. So the hoopla was a let down. Would have made some juicy blog fodder though. If you know me you know, I would not have caused a stink whatsoever and would have smiled and waved boys smiled and waved and let the little girl party with us too. I just never grew any cahonies to cause an issue even if I would have been right about it.
1 down 2 to go!

Seriously? I Mean Seriously!

Gameboy just gave me word that one of his friends can only come to the party if he brings his 5 year old sister. Seriously?
Something like this wouldn't phase me if say I knew the kid, his sister, the parents and all that stuff that seems acceptable when inviting people to a party. I don't know this kid from Adam.
The parents are just going to have the cahonies to show up at the birthday sleepover mind you, and just drop his kid sister off too? Granted Gameboy did say the boy nor his sister would be spending the night. Well, that's a relief.
I'm not going to come to a quick conclusion on this yet, as there may be some kind of miscommunication. It would be really lovely if the parents themselves would be considerate enough to call me. Shoot, I even put my e-mail address on the invite incase there's a parent like me, who hates calling people but will e-mail you any time and twice on Sunday.
My first conclusion is to think the parents want a free babysitter for date night. Homegirl ain't a babysitter..much less a free one. I'm going to be stroking out enough with just two extra kids. I mentioned I will be hosting alone right?
What exactly am I going to say to these parents if they really are going to carry through with their little plan and attempt to drop their daughter off too? Uhm excuse me folks, I think you left someone behind?

It's 11PM Do You Know Where Your Mom Blogger Is?

Thanks everyone for the concern on the cake. Since guilt and that nomination for mother of the year haunts my sleep at night, I felt it necessary to make an emergency trip to the grocery store at 11pm at night.

Normally I enjoy these late night trips of traipsing down the aisles, just not on a weeknight when sleeping beauty needs her sleep.

Have you ever tried to find a birthday cake for a 4 year old boy at 1130 at night? It's not as easy as one might think. I scoured the whole bakery looking for a boyish cake. I took out just about every single cake in their refrigerators and came to a couple of conclusions:
1. Girls must dominate the earth or alteast East Texas. Just about every cake was cutesie, floweryish or a combination of both. If I found one that was blue in icing color it was plain with flowers. Not quite what I'm looking for.

2. Don't have a baby in early June when it's graduation season. Every other cake that was not a girlie cake was a graduation cake that of course had to be in every school color of every local high school in the East Texas area. That's a lot of graduation cakes folks.

I did finally strike gold and found the only boy cake in the lot. A 4wheeler on a grassy icing path. A typical East Texas kind of cake. At least it went along with the "cars" theme in weird kind of way.

More on the birthday boy later...I know your ecstatic.

A Long Time Ago...

Well maybe not so long ago...8 years to be exact.
Happy Birthday little big boy!

People Are People No Matter How Small

Tonight I had a lovely date with a handsome 7 soon to be 8 year old Wonderboy. We don't get to many alone time dates and when it happens it's normally a trip to the grocery store with his little brother.
Hubs and I decided that since we're not doing a blow out birthday bash for him, like his big brother, that maybe he'd like a night on the town with mom. That's exactly what we did. He chose a very sophisticated restaurant of the King of Burgers and a theatre showing of Horton.
We both were the main ones of the household wanting to see it so we took advantage and I'm glad we did. We both loved it and he said at the end, "Mom that kind of made me want to cry." I felt the same way. It had a very good message.
I think we'll start a tradition of switching celebrations for these two. One year one kid has a bash with friends while the other selects an outing with their chosen parent. We will still of course have a family celebration for him with cake and a visit to Geoffrey's store on his actual birthday.

Party Like Its 1999

We always tell Gameboy that the song 1999 is his song, since he was born then. Since I'm beyond exhausted after going to bed late and then getting up at 3 in the morning to tend to the sick birthday boy and now all the exhaustion of running amuck for his party..Im a pooped partier. With that I bring you a montage of pictures with out the montage song. Just think of Artist Formerly and Now Reformerly known as Prince song 1999...it's stuck in your head now isn't it?

Why yes he did get to go to Geofferys store and picked out everything he wanted. Cause were lazy when it comes to wrapping things or there just wasn't any tape or paper around.
Thats gonna leave a mark
Yeah he's mighty proud
I love it when a birthday number is even..its all about the candle ratio being even to bring balance back to the force. Yeah I'm weird when it comes to numbers and don't even realize it.
I love how I got it right as some of the candles were going out.

Happy Birthday You Fool!

That's right my biggest baby isn't so much a baby anymore. He's nine today, April Fools Day. I think that he loves that his birthday is April Fools day, despite his father's protests at midnight 4/01/99 when I went into labor with him. I think his own son made a fool of him.

I believe that not only is it a celebration of your kids life, but also for the dear mother who had to go through it all. I ecspecially love thinking back on GB's birthday, because everyone who loved and cared enough about me were all there that day waiting for his arrival. Wait and wait they did and never to leave for food or anything. I don't think I had ever felt more surrounded by love than I did that day. Sadly when we moved to TX the fan fare wasn't as big.

Here's a few baby pics, cause any proud momma always shows off baby pics on her baby's birthday

Now he's made the big time of being the lead role in the school play..he's all grown up..sniff.
I'll have a whole post of his birthday activities next weekend...it should be interesting as long as fear is not a factor for you. ;)

*Updated I jinxed myself last night before going to bed by mentioning to hubs that we have been so lucky that the boys have not been ill and have not missed any school. At 330 am, Mr Birthday boy released his bowels in the toilet..ahem. He seemed fine this morning but I went ahead and let him stay home just in case..besides I like to have the day off on my birthday too.*

Happy Birthday Dad!

*This was posted last year, one of my first birthday posts*

Today is my dad's birthday. I believe he's 70 as he always tells me he was 40 when I was born.
He has always been pretty much a laid back kind of guy, not to much ever really bothers him. As long as he has his T.V. and food he's a pretty happy go lucky kind of guy.

My dad has been a pretty hard worker all up until he retired several years ago and he would say " I don't try to work any more than I have to." Which is fine he deserves the relaxation.

He always has a story for everything and anything. It doesn't matter what you say or do he can think of something that has happened to him or someone he worked with related to it (or sometimes not really). I think it was just always a reason to tell a story. I've heard most of these stories atleast a half a dozen times or fifty. Each time he throws in an extra something in thats either a bit of an exaggeration or not quite the same as he told it the last fifty dozen times. My dad never claimed to be a great fisherman but has those great kind of fisherman stories. When I married my husband he was delighted to re tell his stories to a new live willing body. He continues to tell him his stories cause he has to catch up to all the fifty dozen times he's told them to me and the rest of the family. Sadly my poor dear has a ways to go.
I mentioned dad's a pretty easy going laid back guy right? Well I forgot to mention this laid back stuff goes away when OU football is on. Dad was a regular season ticket holder from the 70's through the 80's when OU was in their hay day. When he wasn't at the game he was at home parked in front of the game watching the game on T.V. and listening to the play by play on the radio. Around football season it's best not to come visit unless you have your ear plugs with you. For some reason Dad thinks that the boys out on the football field can hear him screaming at the top of his lungs "COME ON DEFENSE!!" or if they make a touchdown "ALL RIGHT!" Dad's voice is rather booming loud. I mean when I yell all right at the top of my lungs, walls and windows don't tend to shutter around me. Somehow dad's voice is just about at that octave. Needless to say if it gets really bad on the OU side it's best just to leave the house. If it gets really really bad dad throws the t.v. off or changes it to golf or something more calming until he's settled down enough to flip back over. He's pretty passionate about his OU football, and thats ok with me cause I'm pretty passionate about it to.
Happy Birthday Dad! Not that he's ever gonna read this cause well as he says him and technology just don't get along. Keep those stories coming for another 30 years and I'll keep listening or pretend to be listening. Cause some day the stories will no longer be told atleast not the right way, and the quiet during football season just wont be the same.

Happy Birthday Sis!

Friday was my sister's birthday and of course since I was busy having a pity party I neglected to mention it.
I actually remember the day, I was about 6 years old. The main thing I remember is my dad dropping me off at day care and telling the pre school teacher that he had a baby girl this morning. I remember thinking thanks dad for telling me!

She's a very special person and brings joy and hugs to everyone she meets. Just like her meeting The Garth Brooks at Special Olympics.

"When They Dropped the Bomb Out Came My Mom"

Dec 7, 1941 is of course a day many many Americans will never forget, as it's the exact day my mother in law was born. Oh you thought I was meaning the other thing? Well of course that to!

We call her little mother trucker, because she's all of 5 feet tall and drives a semi truck. She's out on the road 95% of the year and when she is home she's taking care of Nanie (C's grandma). She doesn't get to see her grand babies but 2 or 3 times a year. I know it drives her crazy that she can't see them as much. She comes down every year the weekend of Christmas and we have our little marathon shopping run. Of course sometimes her choices not exactly mine and sometime to much one on time with her can drive me a little battie but nonetheless she really has genuine intentions and has a lot love to give.

I didn't get to really have a lot of bonding time with her after hubs and I married since she was on the road a lot. The few times we did spend together she drove me nutso crazy with her cleaning/laundry frenzies and just how her way of doing things was the right way. A typical MIL. The ice was finally broken during our move to Texas. Since we had the good fortune of her being a truck driver, she offered to drive the moving truck for us to Texas. Hubs felt like this would be a good time for her and I to bond. We spent over 12 solid hours together driving in one day all the way from OKC to East Texas and then back again in one day. For some reason my brilliant husband reserved the rental truck for only a day and stated that it had to be returned by midnight that night. Fun times! I don't know how we made it but I had never been so exhaustedly exhausted in all my life. C's mom shared all of his baby stories and then some and we laughed and laughed (which I think was all due to the exhaustion). When we arrived back in OKC at exactly 11:52 that night, it was to late to go knocking on the door at my parents house to sleep; and go figure, there was some kind of college softball tournament going on and not a single motel/hotel available in sight. We tried every single one from the high pricey ones to the cheap cheap ones and nothing. I was about ready to just sleep in the car. We finally found a motel 6 that had one room left and it was of course a smokers room, we didn't care. I think we literally just plopped on the bed and crashed no worries of anything else.

When Wonderboy was in the hospital for months and months after being born, she not only took it upon herself to take Gameboy who was just a little over a year old and care for him for months on end, she also was caring for C's dad who was fighting his battle with cancer. She treasures those months she had with her grand baby despite the challenges of caring for her sick husband as well. He gave her joy at a very sad time. I can never express enough how grateful of her I was for all she did at that time.
C always likes to proudly mention his mom's birthday considering the date and year on which she born. He always says "When they dropped the bomb, they had my mom."
Happy Birthday S! We love ya!

Another Birthday

Today is C's dad's birthday. If my memory serves me correctly, my M-in law told me they brought home little C's on Waynes birthday and he was one proud papa. I wrote up a memoriam post here back in May, in memory of his passing. He would have been 66 or 67. I thought I'd jot down a few fond memories of my F-in law.

-I remember being terribly nervous meeting his dad for the first time. His father casually mentioned that C. rarely brings a girl up to meet him. He must have known right off that C. was serious about this one.

-His dad always had a habit of blowing his nose at the dinner table. I totally would gross out when he would. C. told his dad that it grossed me out. He would tease me to no end about it and go out of his way to not blow his nose at the table with me there.

-His dad and I loved teasing C. about random stuff. We just loved to gang up on him especially when his buffalo eyes were bigger than his butterfly butt. He thought for sure when he ordered 4 biscuits at breakfast that he would be able to eat it all. He obviously couldn't and we never let him forget it.

-Gameboy got his very first haircut on his first birthday. It was the very last haircut Wayne cut. He barely had the strength to do it, but he did. He died 4 weeks later.

-I feel certain he fought to live long enough to see his 2nd grandson born, even if it meant seeing him in NICU on video.

-One of the hardest decisions I ever had to make was leaving my sick baby in Big D to go with hubs to T-Town in OK, to be with his dad. I'm glad I did as hubs needed my support. We drove like bats out of you know where to get there as we didn't think we would make it.

Happy Birthday Wayne we love you and miss you.
-

Bossyboy's Story

Bossyboy will be 3 on Sunday June 3rd. His story isn't quite as telling as Wonderboys survival story, but this doesn't mean it shouldn't be told.

I really and truly never thought I would or could get pregnant again with all the fun issues I had with the first two. Whether the kids head was to big to go out the normal way and had to be taken out through C-Section with the forceps or a lapsed cervix that just wouldn't hold any more; I just didn't think it was possible. Since my other two came so quickly between each other that I figured no protection and almost 4 years since the last it just wasn't gonna happen. Surprise! Surprise!

I had gone to OK for a visit with the family and on the 5 hour trip back I felt the icky fluie symptoms strike. Assuming of course it was the flue. As the next couple of days progressed I knew it had to be more. I even told a girlfriend at work that I was probably pregnant cause I just know how my body is when I am. She talked to me into getting a test and the rest is history.

We had the ultrasound done around 16 weeks and I was convinced that this one was gonna be a girl. No one was going to persuade me other wise not even an experienced ultrasound tech. I was in total denial when she told me she was a he. I just knew that it had to be to early to tell. So yeah well that's at least the only time I've ever been wrong.

I was actually a little more excited for this one but knew that I was going to have hurdles to over come due to the circumstances of the last one. They did the whole cerclage thing and from there I pretty much had a smooth sailing pregnancy the rest of the way to the end. Low and behold I was scheduled for the C-section the following Monday and started having contractions that Thursday. I really didn't want an "emergency c-section" but I really didn't have much choice and I really didn't want my cervix to rip apart with stitches in it...yeah not fun. When I checked into the holding area to be checked and monitored the place was pretty crowded. It must have been a full moon. Since I was having pretty continuous contractions yet the other ladies were there long before me I was magically whisked away for my C-section and I could here them writhing in pain and wondering why I got to go first. Nana boo boo if your cervix was sewed up like mine you would have gotten to go..so suck it haha. I really wasn't thinking that well maybe a little.

When my little bundle was finally born at 10:37PM he cried and cried the entire time they were cleaning him up all the way to the nursery after they had already snugged him in. My mother to this day believes they left him "sprawled out naked" to long and that's why he's the bossyboy that he is today and why he clings so much to his mama. I think he's just spoiled by his mama cause this baby's mama actually got to enjoy him to the fullest with out being in a post partum depression fog. Besides he's probably my last so I can do what I want.

He loves to do everything his brothers do and cannot understand why he can't do some things they do. He's probably more boy than the other two combined. He loves loves to be outside just playing. He could already hit the t-ball on the tee when he first turned two. He's probably going to be our little sportsguy. His daddy taught him to say "touchdown" when he just started to speak. In fact I think it was his second word after mama.


He can be a holy terror one minute and a sweet huggy kissy boy the next. Even though he's not the little girl I wanted, I couldn't imagine trading him for 20 girls.
Happy Birthday Bossyboy!

Happy 30th!

"Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold."
The old girl scouts song. This song rings true for my dearest and oldest friend. I don't mean that she's my oldest friend but that shes a long forever and a day friend. I think we've been friends on and off 15 years maybe more. My head explodes trying to think of the numbers. Anyway were friends and have been for a long time.

Today she turns the big milestone 30! I used to share many a birthday of hers with her and her family. I was pretty much the 4th sister. We were next door neighbors but really just slept at our own houses. We were usually always together, it was very rare we weren't together. We completely wore down a path from her house to mine and could pretty much walk that path with our eyes closed even with trees and rose bushes in the way.

Her family didn't have the traditional kids birthday party with games and other children running around. Their birthday's consisted of pretty much just the family with the birthday girls preferred cake of choice; usually being red velvet or a broken glass cake famously made by her aunt and burgers on the grill by her dad. There was usually a great shopping spree with all the girls (including me of course), grandma, and Aunt S. They would literally shop til I could drop, hitting every mall in the metro area. I loved those birthdays just for the simple traditions and family whom I claimed as mine in my own way.

Last year I happened to be in town when she was in town and was able to make the trek to her parents house pretty much following the same way we used to. This time I had my boys in tow and anxious to see her precious little baby girl after her christening. The family was gathered around just like old times. The grandmas and aunts were all there and the tradition remained alive for the next generation. I felt as if it was a small family reunion my own little family reunion. They welcomed me back as if I had never really left.

I wish I could be there for her 30th, but she knows I will be thinking of her and her family and that delicious red velvet cake.