Elisha's Fifth Birthday!

Amazingly, it's been five years since Elisha was born. He is growing into a very caring and considerate, funny, tender-hearted, smart fellow - all credit to his Mommy Jessica. It's a joy to be his Grammy. He wanted his birthday dinner at the chinese restaurant - and the one thing he had consistently requested was a wallet. The celebration was just a prelude to his party the next day.. This first pic is his party at his daycare.




After a very rainy birthday, the day of his party turned out sunny and relatively warm. Jessica invited friends and family to Elisha's backyard "campout" party. We all came to roast hotdogs and make s'mores. Mikayla said it was the best birthday party ever! and I have to say that the ooey-gooey hot melty chocolate-marshmallow s'mores were better than birthday cake! Good call, Jes!

There were tents for playing and spooky stories - complete with Joe in a scary mask!

Happy Birthday, Elisha!

Fall in Virginia

I went on a mini-adventure today to a waterfall above the Smith River in Henry County VA. Beautiful...

Gala Birthday Weekend - Part TWO - Carolina Panthers

For part of my birthday present, *** took me to the Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons game, Sunday 9/28. I'd never been to a PRO football game. I wasn't sure if I'd have a good time, if the seats would be decent, if it would be any fun, if I'd rather just watch the game on TV!

Well. I had a GRAND time! We had no traveling problems, got to the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC in plenty of time. *** didn't remember me telling him I'm afraid of heights, so when we first got there and found our seats - it took me a good five or ten minutes of holding on VERY tight to be sure I wouldn't just topple over and fall all the way down. This was one of the first times I was able to actually look down - before most of the fans had arrived. They were still out in the parking lots having lunch! This pic is pregame.

How high were the seats? All seats had anti-nosebleed kits. We were in the end zone - highest section. In this pic, our seats would be just under the sign - in the nice, shady section (toward the right of center endzone). After the stadium filled up, my "falling down"-heights thing was all better, and by the end of the game, I was jumping up and down like the rest of the fans. Our neighbors were nice and loud and fun to be around. They had their own cheers (What'd we get? FIRST DOWN! What'd'ya want? TOUCHDOWN!! wooo-hooo!!!) and were very friendly. I didn't feel like I missed anything - we were directly across from one of the big screens - just catch the instant replay. It was great, wonderful fun.

It was a perfect fall day for football. And thanks to their OUTSTANDING defense, Panthers won 24-9. *** says it was their quarterback, Jake Delhomme, who won the game - he did have an excellent day - but I think it was a combination of the fans (including ME!) screaming and cheering, along with the defense, and the offense. Okay - so it was mostly us fans! And - because I haven't mentioned Anna in this Gala Birthday Celebration - I just want you to know - I still see her everywhere. This girl was about four rows down from us... look familiar? This was my third birthday without Anna - which means more than how old I am (51, now). This Jennifer is Three.
Thanks to all of you who have held my hand and helped me make it this far.

Gala Birthday weekend 2008 - Part ONE - My Special Birthday Visitor!!

Because Ashley is a direct, personal friend of Barack Obama, he emailed her to invite her to Greensboro to hear him speak on MY birthday. So she invited Jessica & me to go along with her (and about 20,000 of our closest buddies). So off we went!

We waited in line about two hours... can you tell we were EXCITED to be there to hear the next President of the United States of America!!

Ashley with new t-shirt ready to go through security check... that's one of our "standing in line" friends in front of her.

Here we've made it through the line, through security and are waiting for the Stars of the Show to arrive. Notice the police snipers atop building roofs - they were everywhere...

Waiting...

Jes' new shirt...

Finally, Senator Joe Biden and Senator Barack Obama!!! We went CRAZY! We could hardly believe we were actually there - we were THERE with the NEXT PRESIDENT!!!

Jessica used her "flip" to record part of the speech...

Of course, his speech was passionate and intelligent and inspiring. So GLAD he decided to come see me on my Birthday!

June 8, 2008

Today's Anna's 20th birthday. I've gotten emails from several folks who remember her today.

I remember the day she was born - June 8, 1988 - her due date. Nice & easy delivery compared to her sister. It was a pretty June day - not too hot. If I'd known I'd only have her for seventeen years, I think things would've been different. If she'd had a disease with a shortened life expectancy, we would've cherished moments more. But I didn't know.

I know the sound of guilt for me is a tea set rolling around the trunk of my car. It rolls and clinks around every curve and corner - I hear it and I remember my failings. When Jessica was two, we had her portrait made - fancy deal. Then when Anna came along, we (my Mom & I) took her to have HER portrait made - in the same dress. The photographer put out a tea set as a prop - and Anna was delighted to no end. She poured the pretend tea and enjoyed being the star of the photo shoot. For years after that, every time we'd drive past that photo studio, Anna would ask, "When are we going to have another tea party, Momma?"

I don't know, Anna. Why didn't we have more tea parties? Why didn't we play more? Why wasn't I a better mom to you, my sweet girl? I'm sorry. Now there's my old tea set in the trunk - and I let it roll around to remind me - so I never ever ever forget.

I miss you, my sweet, beautiful girl. I miss you so.

Happy 20th birthday.

Catching up

So what's up with me?

Hmmm... the last post that I wrote was rather dramatic, huh? I was feeling rather dramatic then. As always happens, things calmed back down. I'm amazed by people causing crises in the name of "helping" - I let myself get caught up in a bunch of nastiness, and then I had to get my life back on track (yet again). As of today - smooth sailing. Of course, winds blow storms in and there's always rough weather, but today is a smooth, calm, happy day. Knock on wood, etc.

Somewhere in all of the yuck were things said to prove to me that he isn't perfect. No kidding? Accusations that he may have issues. Wow - good thing I don't have any of THOSE! Veiled innuendos that turned truth upside down. In the name of "helping." That's okay. I think I'll try relying on myself, my own observations, the way he treats ME, etc.

Our relationship has come through the trials improved, I think. We've both learned how the other person deals with stress, arguments, anger, trust, etc. So until the next storm blows in and we have to deal with it, we're good. New & Improved, even.

Sunday is Anna's 20th birthday. Keep her in your thoughts please.