Not such a tame world....

So in 2006, today was an important day in the family....

It was the day that my mother-in-law and father-in-law, welcomed their very first grandchildren into the family. It was also the day that my sister-in-law and her husband finally became parents.

Heavens knows that all of us "kids" kept Mom & Pop waiting for a very long time before they became grandparents. We belonged to the 10+ year club. But then we did things with a bang! First they went from 0 grand kids to 2 grandsons in 1 day (twins) and 2 months later we brought home the granddaughter.

Amazingly, in the past 5 years, all involved parties have survived and thrived. Looking back now, it's mind-blowing how much has changed in 5 years.

We went from this:

 
 

past this (2 years old):

 

and this (3 years old):

 

and even this (4 years old):

 

to now (5 years old). How did time pass so quickly?

 

They've come into their own. They have strong likes & dislikes. They've got crazy little quirks. They've got more energy than anyone should have a right to. Spider-man and superheros, Lego's and scooters, guitars and drums, have all become an important part of their daily lives.

They've gone from babies to toddlers to real little boys. This fall they start kindergarten, and I for one am not ready -- and I'm just the aunt!

Boys -- I love you insanely! And I'm so grateful that you live nearby and I get to watch you grow up.

Happy 5th Birthday!!

[p.s. -- Don't you just love how I condensed 5 years into 5 photos? I think I feel a scrapbook layout coming on....]

Three Years Ago Today....

We buried my maternal grandmother. After an 18 month fight with an aggressive variety of dementia, Nana finally passed away. I was there for the last two weeks of her life. And while there are many memories that I would like to fade away, I am finally at a place and time where it doesn't hurt so badly to think of her. And so today, I'm going to pay my respects to Nana, my way....

My grandmother was born & raised in New England, in the 1920's & 1930's. She had very clear memories of The Great Depression and was an upstanding, thrifty Yankee in all senses of the word. She married my grandfather at the age of 18, and as he was in the Navy - their early married years were full of moving adventures.

In spite of 63 years of up's & down's, they were very much in love and devoted to one another. We, the family, really thought that losing Nana would kill Grampy; but he's surprised us with how resiliant he is and 3 years later he continues to bring JOY to our lives. [This was their 60th anniversary photo.]

They had 4 children; two boys & two girls. Although the order was girl, boy, boy, girl, over 13 years. Those children have gone on to give them 10 grandchildren and thus far 6 great-grandchildren. At Grampy's 80th birthday, we had a chance to get a photo of as many of us as possible.

And then again in 2007 at a family wedding.

 

Throughout her life, Nana was a hard worker. She had many jobs, mostly clerical in nature. At one point she was the "Girl Friday" at the local police department. Later she was a administrative assistant at a Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children.

She was also a devoted Catholic and a pillar in the local religious community. And she was musical. She loved to sing. And she was an accomplished organist. It wasn't until we were going though a box of very old vintage family photos that I heard about the time in the early 1940's when Nana's church sponsored her to study organ playing at a school in New York City. I so wish that I could have heard the story from her, but I'm thrilled to know that detail from her early years. It also makes me realize that one of these days, I'm going to get serious and finally learn to play piano. I've wanted to for 33+ years now, so it really is getting to be time. And maybe, there's a little bit of talent that runs in the family - we just don't know it yet.... Sadly, I don't think I have any photos of her at the organ that sat in the living room. But here is a vintage shot of her & the other student along with their instructors the nuns [Nana is without a hat.]:

Nana was also fiercely devoted to her family -- all the branches. In this 4 generation shot, Yours Truely is the cute toddler with the pigtails:

 

In the past decade or so, there have been some splits and in-fighting and family politics. [As I am sure there are in most families, especially the larger they get.] But through it all, Nana maintained that we were all family and that we should all watch out for one another. She worried about all involved, whether they wanted her concern or not.

I take great comfort from the fact that in the last days of her life, I was one of her key caregivers. And I hope that it provided her some comfort to know that she was at home and surrounded by all her family. And for a time, everyone was able to put their hurt feelings aside and come together for this incredible woman.

Her wake, mass & funeral were an incredible celebration of her life. Because of her service to the local police department, she had an honor guard for the funeral procession. I find it's difficult to come up with words now. So instead, I'll share these photographs that I took three years ago....

 

 
 

  

 

Funny story -- when it came to leave St Michael's for the cemetery, the limo for the family wouldn't start. So even though the hearse was set to go, we all decided that Nana wasn't ready to leave church yet. It was a small beam of humor on a very sad day....

 

 

 

 

 
 

 





 

 

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas....

My true love gave to me....

Tabitha

Good Grief! Where to start?....

How about "that adopted children are 100% intentional." Since joining our family almost 4 years ago our lives have certainly changed. And mostly for the better. We are definitely not bored. I've greatly enjoyed watching not just Tabitha grow, but also Michael evolving into the Dad he is. And he's amazing by-the-way.

When we started dating about 16 years ago, we always knew we wanted a family. I daydreamed about 2 boys and a girl and Michael was OK with whatever I wanted.

Turns out that life doesn't always work out the way you expect. It was 11 years later that we began to pursue an international adoption. The process was an adventure from the start. There is an emotional roller coaster aspect that cannot even be expressed adequately. Reams of paper; hours of time; multiple appointments of "vetting" to defend "Why we wanted to do this" and "why we thought we'd be good parents"; were followed by two very long flights to Russia with the subsequent adoption of this magical little girl that we call Tabitha.

 

You can read more early adoption stories at my original blog.

It suddenly hit me the week before Christmas 2009 that she really is growing up. The new haircut, the contacts, the orthodontics, but mostly measuring her along "the Wall" and realizing that she's seven inches taller than when she first came home -- all hit home. It makes me realize that the time we have her at home with us is racing along, much faster than we think. And as much as I'd love to slow the clock down, I can't. It also makes me hope that she's getting the parenting that she needs and that we aren't "screwing up" too much. I guess I'll know more in about 20 years and I'll get back to you on that....

In the meantime, it has been delightful to observe that quick mind of hers learn English fluently. This year, she's making huge leaps in learning idiomatic language, i.e. "The walls have ears". Her sense of humor is also developing. Not so much on doing chores & homework, though. She is a gifted athlete and almost a natural at every sport she tries. She is tender hearted for small children and loves loving on them.  Same goes for animals. She is one of the most resilient people I know. Her life experiences to date would have made lots of adults I know, curl up in a ball and cease to exist.

That being said, she can infuriate me like noone else can. We seem to know how to push each other's buttons with just a glance or word. She is my match in the stubborn department. And most days her emotions rocket like a roller coaster. But still -- I wouldn't trade her for anything.

Michael & I agree that our lives weren't complete until she was here.

There are lots of Tabitha  stories between both blogs. On this one, she has her own category on the right side-bar. So I'm not going to repeat myself. Instead I'm going to share a few of my favorite photos over the past 4 years:

2006

 

2007
 

2008

2009

So who knows what kind of photo material she'll give me for 2010?...

So Tabby-Cat, if you happen to read this, hopefully you'll know how happy we are that you're part of our family; How much we wanted you! And even on those days when I drive you crazy [and likewise], I love you very much!

Mom

 
 
 

On the Tenth Day of Christmas....

My true love gave to me....

Doug

He ranks as the best kid brother ever.

We are nearly 4 years apart, and I'll admit that in our younger days -- I gave him quite a bit of grief. Now that he's 6'5" and I'm only 5'10", I mind my manners. Because when I don't, he picks me up off the ground until my toes don't touch. It only took being handled like a sack of potatoes once for me too "get with the program"!

So here's an early shot. He was a cute devil.

Family legend has it that my Dad took me to the observation window for the nursery and dragged a chair over for me to stand on to look through at Doug in his crib. As I stood there, I looked up at Dad and very seriously said "Can we leave him here?" I'm sure my Dad fought to keep a straight face, and I remember him telling me "Well it doesn't really work that way. He belongs to us now so we have to take him home." Some 36 years later -- I'm glad we kept him.

(Don't worry. He wasn't really dressed in pink, it's color shift on the slides that this was scanned from....)

Doug and I fought like cats & dogs all through our childhood, but as soon as someone else started  to pick on one of us, they ended up with both of us to deal with. That comes from having been Army Brats growing up all over. We ended up being the most constant companion in each other's lives.

We didn't actually start to grow close until I left home for the last few years of college. It really is true - Absence does make the heart grow fonder. The fighting greatly calmed down and we started to really watch out for one another.  

Early on in life, I was the "evil genius" and got him in trouble all the time. As we reached out 20's, that changed & he had a way of talking me into "stuff", i.e. I remember a country-western dance class & fencing class in college. In the CW class I ended up being one of 20+ girls along with about 5 guys. You would have thought I had an automatic dance parter but not so. And the fencing class? Yup. Not only did he talk me into that, but he talked his best friend into it too. So much for having an automatic partner there as well. Of course, I can't begrudge him that too much, since otherwise through a series of subsequent events I wouldn't have met Michael....

He's been there for me at key moments in my life. He was the one to find me when I collapsed from a massive bleed at 19 years old. And in August 2008 when I ended up hospitalized with pulmonary emboli, he literally dropped everything in his life to move into my hospital room. He stayed with me the entire time and for a few days after I was discharged. And not once did I have to ask. He asked me "Do you want me there?" and no sooner had I said "Yes" than he hit the road and was on his way. He kept it real though and "insisted" on documenting the experience....

One of my favorite times with him was in March 1999. I did my last rotation of medical school in Hawaii. [I know -- I hear the chorus of "poor Theresa" in the background. If it's any consolation, the team I worked with decided to treat me like an intern instead of a medical student & what I learned there I use almost daily now. Still, there was plenty of "beach time"!] For 5 weeks I stayed with Doug & his wife. She was working nights most of the time, so it was one of the first & only times that Doug & I had to ourselves for an extended visit and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Besides the fact that he's always introducing me to new music, or new books; we now get to share the "joys of parenthood" together. He resides on my short list of speed-dials and often times we'll call one another, just to hear each other's voice. He is my buddy. He is my longest known best friend. He is the best "little" brother a girl could have. And like I said earlier, I'm glad we kept him....

So Too-Tall, Here's Lookin' at you Kid!!

Love ya' more than you might know....

Red  

 

On the Seventh Day of Christmas....

My true love gave to me....

The precious gift of Cousins!

AKA Bonnie, Andrea, Erin & Candace.

I have the privilege of knowing them from their very earliest days, since I'm ahead of them by about a decade. I distinctly remember the phone calls my parents received on the days these girls were born. I also very clearly remember them at this age:

Which, by-the-way, was quite some time ago. ;-) 

In my late teens & early 20's, when I'd visit family in New England, one of my favorite parts was getting a chance to just hang out with the girls. In spite of our age difference, we all had lots in common and genuinely enjoyed each other's company. Over the years, our age difference doesn't seem so great. And while it may be 1-2 years since I saw all of them, we keep in touch often by phone, e-mail, text and Face Book. I love being able to still be involved with them even though I'm half a country away. Seriously. What would we do without technology?

Early on I had that mysteriously cool aura of being "the oldest grandchild", so I tried to set a good example to lead by. I was the first woman in my family to finish college and then go on to graduate school and my doctorate. So far all four have gone to college and two have gone on to graduate work and completed masters programs. Not too shabby, I think!

From the very start we have joked that when I'm with them I tower over them like Gulliver. I am forever grateful that they don't make too much fun of me for being the "tall one" and usually they behave without too many "How's the weather up there?" jokes. [And yes, I am slouching in this photo to "fit-in" better....]

Apparently I also set the trend that, while engaged, one moves in with a guy first, gets a house and then gets married. At least I got the "engagement, marriage, then parenthood" order correct! And thus far the girls have followed suit.

Interestingly, as we all get older, instead of being the mentoring one, now I'm on the receiving end of advice. Bonnie has been my go-to gal for education feedback for Tabitha. Erin and I commiserate on parenting woes. [Mostly Tab drama -- her kiddo isn't old enough to really cause trouble yet!] Andrea & Candace keep me in touch with what's "young & hip" otherwise, as I rapidly approach 40 I run the risk of terminal "fuddy-duddy".

When our grandmother was dying January 2008, we all came together -- but at a new level of adult maturity and I was able to really appreciate how my little cousins had grown up. I miss them terribly and it pains me to live so far from them, but I know that our lives were meant to be led in different directions. I don't know that they know how much I deeply love them. They are the little sisters that I never had and I feel fiercely protective over them. I deeply hope that as we continue to grow up, that we're able to maintain our close family ties, and that our children will be close cousins as well.

And did I mention that these girls can DaNcE!!

Love Ya'll to the Moon & Back!!

 

On the Fifth Day of Christmas....

My true love gave to me... Five Gold Rings....

Actually, more precious than golden rings, I'm lucky enough to have lots and lots of kids in my life. Tabitha obviously, but besides her are all the others who brighten up my life.

Going in chronological order, oldest to youngest (and using initials only for privacy's sake) :

Miss A.

She gets credit for being Michael's and my first "niece" to experiment with. Her parents were expecting her when Michael & I first started dating, so we've watched her grow up. We can't believe she's soon to start driving! This was her at 4 years old and at 14 years old:

  

After Miss A the family went to the boys! Lots of nephews in fact. 

First up is Mr. J.

My brother's oldest son, this little guy was born a month before I graduated from medical school. I got to meet him at 5 weeks old. He's sprouted quite a bit since then. Here's one of my favorite photos from Summer 2008. He has the honored role of "First Nephew". And when he visits me, I never know when I'm going to get a sneak hug attack!

Next up is Mr. C.

He's my brother's younger son and he has two speeds: full go and off. This little guy and I didn't hit it off the first time we met. As a matter of fact, I really didn't like him at all. Personality-wise he struck me as a carbon copy of my Dad with a serious cranky twist. Granted he was only 6 weeks old at the time....Still he's improved considerably since then. I look at him now and see lots of family resemblances between him, my Dad and myself. He cracks me up when he visits. He has the family stubborn streak from both sides, so he can be a bit more of a challenge -- but this past summer he learned that he couldn't "out-stubborn" Aunt Theresa. So here's 6 weeks old up to 6 years old:

 Mr. J holding Mr. C
 
 

Mr. J, Tab, Me & Mr. C

Next up are nephews #3 & 4, aka "The Twins"

These two are the sons of Michael's sister. They're closing in on 4 years old soon, but in the meantime, they are all go, Go, GO! Watching them grow-up is amazing. By virtue of being twins and born a tad early, they had some developmental issues to overcome. That hasn't slowed them down much overall. Recently, they've really started talking and some of the sentences they come up with are just startling! It makes me so grateful that after the boys arrived, my SIL & BIL moved back to Texas. I know they miss the mountain states and the four seasons, but living just 20 minutes away is well worth the sacrifice in my book. As the boys get older, I can't wait to start them on "Summer Camp with Aunt Theresa". One of these days, I'm going to get all four of my boys together, as well as my TomBoy Tabitha, and I'm going to get my group photo. It's just all about timing!

So here's B & W: [No! That's not short for "Black & White!"]

That was then:

And this is now:

Les Petites

The next main group of children in my life that I treasure are referred to as "Les Petites". These are the sons & daughters of my closest friends. I see them often enough that I'm known as "Tia Theresa".

In chronological age you'll find:

Miss A., Miss H., and Miss E. Here they are with Tabitha when we went to the New Moon Premiere:

Each of these girls brings a different element to my life. Miss A could be my carbon copy from the age of 13. I so relate to her on so many levels that it almost breaks my heart. She also holds the title of being Tabitha's first "American" friend. Until a recent move, Miss H & Miss E were at our house often enough that we refer to them & Tabitha as being "next-door sisters". Miss H tends to be super serious, except when she's not. Whichever she is, she is always entertaining to talk to. And her younger sister Miss E. The Delightful Miss E. She is sweetness & innocence & kindness rolled up into a firecracker package. It can be hard to keep up with her when she gets going, but she is never boring.

Now keeping the numbers even, are the three boys. And I'll admit it -- I have a huge soft spot for these three guys. Had life turned out differently, had I unlimited funds, had Russian adoptions not become so difficult, etc ad nauseum; then I would have a little guy of my own. But I don't. So I am fortunate that my friends so willingly share theirs and these guys all like to hang with me.

Mr. E is the oldest. He just turned 5 and honestly I can't believe how big he's gotten. I remember when just two years ago, we'd play a hair ruffling game & he thought that was the funnest stuff ever. Now? Don't even think about touching the hair.

  

Next up is Mr. D. He's a recent addition to the group, but his Mama has fit in very well to make our fourth. He's very much like his Dad - strong & silent. But once he warms up a bit, he is all personality. He's coming up on 3 soon and I have a feeling that he'll give us a run for our money.... It tickles me to no end though, that when we're all together, he'll ignore everybody else, just to give me high fives! Talk about feeling like "The Chosen One!"

And then there is Sweet Mr. X.... I have a huge sweet spot for him. I heard him being born. I saw him at 4 hours old [both as "Tia" and Dr.] and then have seen him at least weekly ever since. He's rapidly approaching the terrible twos, but watching him grow up has been the next best thing to having one of my own. It simply thrills me when he walks right up to me, throws his little arms up, and demands to be picked up to my level. He knows how to make himself at home at our place, and he delights in tearing apart my work bag so that he can play with my stethoscope. Since I see him the most -- I've got WaY too many pictures of him, so he gets two: [the second shot isn't the sharpest, but I love his "look".]

So these young ones add to my life. There are many others who didn't get a mention as I see them only periodically, but I think of them often as well.  The ones above get credit for keeping me young and entertained, and they allow me to see the world through new eyes time and again. I think this quote sums up this post well:

I brought children into this dark world because it needed the light that only a child can bring.  ~Liz Armbruster

 

So "Here's lookin' at you Kid!"

 
 
 
 

On the Fourth Day of Christmas....

My true love gave to me....

Mom & Dad

Definitely glad to have these two in my life. I wouldn't be here without them, so that ranks a huge Thank You!

Back in the day, I think they were probably the most unlikely couple: small town New England Girl marries small town Southern Boy/Army Officer. According to my Mom, at their wedding reception people were placing bets on how long they'd stay together. I'd say they've gotten the last laugh as they celebrated 41 years together this year. Absolutely, they've had their up's and down's over that span of time; but they manage to compromise and move on. [Although when they built their house in 1996 we thought they'd come to blows over faucet finishes....] That they've stayed together and happily so, is inspiring to the rest of us.

And on their 40th Anniversary: [I LoVe how they are laughing together in this shot!]

 

I know that I get my love of crafting and baking from my Mom. But I also share her gift of writing. In her late teens she wanted to be a journalist, but higher education wasn't the common path for girls back then. Mom has always been a writer though -- even if she mostly expressed herself in letters. I would like to think I share her compassionate side as well. And then everyone who meets both of us comments on how much we resemble each other and how much we sound alike. [I really need a more recent photo - it's been awhile Mom!]

 

My Dad is who I inherited my sarcastic wit from. As well as my height, and he gets credit for introducing me to the world of photography. I think I also get my sense of adventure from my Dad. Excitement for me is just throwing a bag together and heading out on a spontaneous road trip; something I haven't done since college really. And back then, more often than not "hitting the road" meant a spontaneous flight up to see the grandparents, riding behind Dad in the plane cockpit.

If I get my soft side from my Mom, I definitely get my hard, cynical, demanding side from my Dad. And really, it has worked out to be a perfect blend for my medical life. The softer compassionate side really does care for my patients, while the demanding side seeks to practice medicine to the highest standards I'm capable of. I am willing to trust people and give them the benefit of doubt, while being fully aware that human nature does not always have the best intentions....

Growing up, I heard my Dad and his pithy sayings all too often. Now with Tabitha, I hear my Dad's words coming out in my own voice:

• "Poor planning on your part is not an emergency on my part."
• "If you're looking for 'sympathy', it's in the dictionary between 'suicide' & 'syphilis'."
• "Measure twice and cut once."
• "It's not a "real" project until you've made the third trip to the hardware store."
• "Anticipate! Anticipate! and Anticipate! And then have a back-up plan just in case...."

I can only imagine the counseling Tabitha will need on down the road....

Both of my parents instilled a love of reading as well as a love of animals. Growing up there was always one or more dogs around. Now Michael & I have diversified and it's cats and dogs, but it's all fur really. And both of my parents always encouraged me to gain as much education as I could. Without their support, I wouldn't have the three degrees that I do.

 

Just a few paragraphs and photos is hardly enough to say how much these two people mean in my life, but a little public recognition can go a long way. I love you both very, very much and what time we get together is tremendously precious to me!

And tomorrow will be Day #5....

On the Third Day of Christmas....

My true love gave to me....

Some seriously fantastic in-laws!

What they say is true: when you marry someone, you marry their family as well. That can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on lots of factors....

Overall, when I met & married Michael, his family's quirks & personality weren't at the forefront of my radar. It's been over the years, as these people have become a constant in our lives that I've realized how incredibly lucky I got!

For starters, everyone knows the cliches about the evil Mother-in-Law. I don't say so much, because I don't want to be lynched, but honestly, truly, I adore my MIL! First, this woman loves her family fiercely! Don't think about coming between her and her grandkids, because you will lose. Second, Michael's parents did a good job raising him, but I credit her with how easy-going his expectations are domestically. This man thinks nothing about helping with laundry, chores, grocery shopping, child-, dog, and cat-care. All directly due to his Mom's influence. He may not have been the tidiest of bachelors, but at least he knew how and he was willing to try. And that right there has made my life so much easier. Third, the fact that she worked while he was growing up helps me out too, since I'm juggling home, work & family much like she did. Instead of marrying a "Momma's Boy" I got a second Mom. How awesome is that!?!

 

Now Pop, that's a different story. It took a number of years for him to grow on me. That irksome tendency he has of arguing semantics drove me nuts, especially when he'd start talking about science or medical topics that clearly I knew more about.... It helps that I don't take myself as seriously now as I did about 15 years ago. But what changed for me most was in 2006 when he went from "Pop" to "Grand-Pop to three" in less than 2 months. This man was just meant to be a granddad, and seeing him with the grandkids made me start appreciating him a lot more. He's a shutterbug too, so that gives us more common ground to share. This year at the family May birthday party, Pop & I sat on the back patio talking cameras & f-stops & lenses for awhile and I genuinely enjoyed myself. Here's hoping for many more years of camera-talk and group family vacations!!

Now Shell, Michael's sister -- That very first meeting didn't go exactly well. We caught each other at respective bad moments. I had spontaneously (and nervously) asked Michael out on a date and was picking him up from his house and Shell was up past her elbows in sink suds trying to clean the house. I could tell she was ticked off, and like most women I was convinced that I'd done something wrong. In fact many years later, I got the background story that she was ticked at Michael because she'd agreed to clean house for him for a price & she was figuring out that she'd settled WaY too low.

At any rate, 15+ years later and we get along pretty well, I think. She's turned out to be a fabulous Mom to my twin nephews and a fantastic aunt to my daughter. Like most working Moms she juggles a lot and keeps life held together pretty well. I count myself fortunate that she's always been warm & welcoming to me. Never once has she had the jealous sisterly attitude that I "wasn't good enough for her brother." FOr that I am eternally grateful! She too is a shutterbug, so I enjoy those times when we get to talk cameras. Unfortunately, with the kids the ages that they are, we don't have lots of "sit & chill" time to chat, but maybe one day....

And I can't mention Shell without mentioning Shaun. He is the epitome of chill! If I could sum him up in one word, it would be "Patience". That may not be the way he actually feels, but that's how he deals with the rest of us. And when we get together and the kids start getting loud -- Patience is definitely called for. He's been one of my go-to guys for dog-training help. [I just wish that Sam, Zoe & I weren't obedience school "drop-outs, but that's another blog post....] And when it comes to getting things done, I know that I can ask for his help and the two of us will be done before the rest of the family realizes there was a task at hand, i.e. unloading the Jeeps & making camp at the beach this summer. It's just icing on the cake, literally the birthday cake, that we share the same birthday! We joke that we did this on purpose to make it easier for everyone to remember. I'm older by a year or two, but Shaun is so mellow that I don't mind.

Here's the foursome at our house for Thanksgiving this year [Straight out of the camera, so be kind...]:

On another branch of my tree, is another sister-in-law; my brother's wife, specifically. I've know Lisa now since 1994 and I've watch her grow-up from college ROTC to the Army nurse she is now. And I am so very proud of her for what's she's accomplished, most recently her Masters in Health Admin. Her stubborn, forceful personality may drive me nuts sometimes, but I am always, always very proud of her. Right now she's currently involved in clinical research on PTSD, which is quite the buzzword in the military these days. It makes me happy to know that what she's learning now, has the potential to help thousands of other people. That stretches much further than anything I've ever done. I don't have the mindset for research, but she has found that niche that genuinely makes her bloom. On another note, Lisa get the credit [or blame as the case may be...] for introducing me to the world of scrapbooking in 1999. I couldn't be happier with this hobby that ties together my love of photography with storytelling and craftiness, paper, scissors & glue! I hope that over the past 12 years that Doug & Lisa have been married, that I haven't ever been that "jealous Big Sister" and that Lisa knows how much I love having her around! Especially this past 3 years when they've been stationed within driving distance.

Whew! That officially catches me up on my days. So Tuesday will be Day #4. In the meantime, the temperature is falling again and it's a crisp 34 degrees. I'm snuggled in with my hot chocolate, popcorn and space heater as I write out the next few days of "Love". Tune in tomorrow!
 
 

On the Second Day of Christmas....

My true love gave to me....

My Great Aunt & Uncle, Dot & Russ. My Aunt Dot was Nana's older sister, so genealogy-wise she & Uncle Russ really are my "Greats". After my paternal grandparents had passed away in 1996 & 1997, they really did assume the role of my second set of grandparents. Here we are with my brother during our Summer vacation in 1994.

 

Over the years, they have always been willing to talk with me. Hear about my life & world -- but likewise they've shared lots of theirs too. Some of my favorite memories with Uncle Russ were him entertaining me for hours with stories about his childhood growing up in rural New England.

 

Now Aunt Dot was always the fashionable, stylish one in the family and between her & Nana they made sure that I grew up loving to shop. But I had to know how to shop well. I learned how to spend my money on quality & well made items. And I always learned a thing or two about putting together an outfit and when "too much was really too much". By the way, Uncle Russ was never a slouch in the clothing department either, although it was in my 30's that I discovered his secret really was that Aunt Dot did all his shopping! And now I find myself doing the same with Michael....

They also cultivated my love of travel. In a simple way really. They traveled often and everywhere. In my teens, they seemed like the most adventuresome members of my family. And no matter what, once they returned I always recieved a fat envelope filled with postcards & post-it notes that Aunt Dot had jotted her observations on. One day, I'd really like to visit some of those place they travelled to - just to say that I'd been there also. Right now with 32 degree weather in North Texas, Aruba would easily be at the top of the list!

When I graduated from medical school, they came to Texas to be there. Truely, that day marks one of the biggest accomplishments of my life and I was so happy to have them included in the family there celebrating with me!

I've seen recent photos and they're both aging. It's harsh facing the reality that I'm getting older & they're getting older as well. They look so fragile now so I really treasure the time they're still here. I wish that I lived closer to see them more often; however I'm grateful to have had the times with them that I have had.

Cheers Aunt Dot & Uncle Russ!!

Love you LOTS!!

 

On the First Day of Christmas....

My true love gave to me....

The Sweetest Ever Grampy!

Yup. First up on my list of people is my Grampy. He's my Mom's father and family legend has it that while Mom was pregnant with me, he was the only one who wanted a girl first. Lo & behold! I ended up being born on his birthday.

One of our first photos together:

In spite of my Army Brat upbringing and moving often and all over, Grampy & I have been pretty close over the years....

 

Any opportunity that we had to celebrate our birthday together we would. So far that's added up to be a handful of times. My Grampy has always been abundantly affectionate and I'd like to think that I've gotten my silly sense of humor from him. Over the years he's taught me that girls can play with tools too! And I think that I probably got some of my drafting & technical skills from him.

It's impossible to mention Grampy without mentioning Nana, the most beloved of his life. They had just celebrated 63 years together three weeks before Nana passed away. They were ever so gracious to allow Michael & I to share their wedding anniversary, as Grampy & I share our birthday. Michael & I were married on their 52nd anniversary and we hope to reach as many years as they did.

In 2001, this was Michael & I with them, when we visited in San Antonio as they traveled to one of Grampy's Navy reunions. That was an amazing dinner and we had a blast meeting some of Grampy's cohorts from World War II.

This was Nana & Grampy on their 60th Anniversary in 2004:

I am so proud of him for how he has continued to live a day at a time since Nana left us almost two years ago. He's kept himself busy with his woodworking and designing wooden toys for hospitalized kids. I'm glad he's still with us, and I want him to know how much I love him -- even if I'm not the best at staying in touch!

Cheers Grampy!!! Love ya!!