Today is my daughter-in-laws birthday. Does anyone know why we use the phrase daughter-in-law and not just my son's wife? In-law seems so disconnected. Like we have to acknowledge them by law or something. Maybe that fits some people's DIL's, but it certainly doesn't fit mine.
I LOVE my DIL. My son couldn't have picked a more beautiful woman to marry. She is warm, kind, thoughtful, funny, beautiful inside and out, and most importantly, she loves my son. She makes him incredibly happy and she fits right in with our family.
My DIL and I enjoy each other's company. We like to go shopping together (even if my son doesn't get why we pick out our own gifts while we're doing it and still wrap them and give them to each other.) We both enjoy the occasional Starbucks. We love to take pictures and spent hours doing it together on vacation.
I had always thought that I would love to have had another child. I wouldn't have placed an order for a daughter, but I would have been thrilled to have had another one. I may not have given birth to my DIL, but I love her like I could have. In my case, DAH would be a much more appropriate title for my DIL. Daughter-At-Heart.
Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday, dear DAH! Happy Birthday to you!
I hope you have an amazing day! I love you!
MIL
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
There's A New Kid On The Block
When my daughter was getting married, I put together a notebook of family favorite recipes for her. At the same time, I made one for my son. I thought that he might think it was lame and not be the least bit impressed, but he appreciated it. He started cooking while he was living on his own and going to college. He has never stopped experimenting with recipes and that's a good thing. He mentions in his new blog about how some recipes you try are just terrible, but that that is ok. I'm hoping that means he has forgiven me for the beyond awful orange chicken recipe that I inflicted on him when he was a teenager. I'm pretty sure that might have been a throw it away, get in the car, let's go to McDonald's kind of night.
Anyway, my son's new blog is yummy, colorful and humorous. Check it out here. I think you'll really enjoy it. Bon Apetit.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Happy 2nd Birthday Matthew
Dear Matthew,
How is it possible that you are already two years old? It seems like just yesterday that God brought you into our family, but in many ways it seems like forever. Last year, when we celebrated your first birthday, there was such a cloud of uncertainty hanging over your future. This year we celebrate not only your personal milestones, but the joy that comes with knowing that you are a forever member of our family.
There are always events in life that you can look back on and remember exactly where you were and what you were doing when they happened. We were in the car driving North on the 15 from Sea World towards home when my cell phone rang. It was your mommy. She asked me to tell your brother that we got to keep you. I thought she should tell him herself, so I handed him the phone. His response was, "We DO????" There was such joy on his little face. I then looked to see what you were doing. You were sound asleep. Happy and content, without a care in the world. As if you already knew that God meant what he said in Jeremiah 29:11. So, you see Little Buddy, that event is forever etched into my memory under the category 'I Know Exactly.....'
The week after you left, I flew to 'that other state that you live in' to stay with you, your mommy and brother while your daddy was in Israel. We had a great time. It was so nice to be able to finally fully enjoy you and not worry about any of the legal stuff. You were adorable. Sweet, snuggly and in.to.everything. You were bound and determined to keep up with your brother and irritated when you couldn't. We went on a field trip with The Rock Star's preschool class. We went to watch him play T-ball. We read books and played with toys. The week went way too fast and grandma had to go home.
We next saw you in July. We spent 10 days at the cabin in Lake Tahoe together. Stranger-danger had set in and it took you quite a while to warm up to Grandma and even longer to Grandpa. But, once you did, boy did we have fun. We got to introduce you to the Lake, just like we had your brother a couple of years before. You had no fear, and apparently no thermometer either. You didn't seem to care how cold the water was.
We went rafting, swimming and hiking.
You loved to go on long stroller rides, play at the park and eat. Boy could you eat. We tried to make you your own little area for sleeping. We put sheets around your pack-n-play and tried to make it so that you couldn't see us. Well, you were too smart for that nonsense. You figured out how to peak out and how to pull the whole thing down. You were not going to be excluded from all of the goings on of cabin life. I was able to get some adorable pictures of you on what is hopefully the first of many trips to "The Pumpernickle Family's Heaven on Earth.'
In late August you, your brother and mommy flew down to visit and to go camping over Labor Day. Your daddy was driving down later to join us. I picked you up at the airport. I had already decided that in lieu of your July 'stranger-danger' issues that I would let you come to me. I basically ignored you. Your brother rushed to me and threw himself into my arms. You were toddling around the airport. While I was hugging your brother, I felt a little tap-tap-tap on my leg. I looked down and you were grinning from ear to ear. You let me hug you and we were fast friends from that moment on. Grandpa did the same thing with you when he got home and you warmed right up to him too.
The week before we went camping we went to the beach. The day we chose to go to the beach it was cold. You didn't seem to care. You didn't even seem to mind that you were covered in sand.
We visited Grandpa's work and you sat in the helicopters. Your smile says it all.
That trip was your first camping trip. You seemed to really enjoy it and you had a rite-of-passage as well. You were the youngest of 4 children on the trip. There was a huge pile of rocks in the site next to us. The campground uses them for ground cover, but they are really a magnet for children to climb on. Since the pile was in full view of our campsite, we let all of you climb on it. You would get yourself to the top, sit down, look around and smile huge. It was adorable. After you had sat for a few moments you would look toward our campsite and yell, "Dad, dad!" As if to say, "Hey, look at me. I'm a big kid now." You did it several times and you were so proud of yourself for keeping up. I think we might have even let you try a s'more on that trip. I hope that we will have many, many more camping trips together.
In late October, Grandma flew up to visit you and to go to a Women's Event with your mommy. You were waiting for me at the bottom of the escalator in the airport. What a surprise! I thought you would pick me up curbside, but you and your brother were waiting with smiles on your faces. When I got to the bottom, you both ran into my arms and hugged me. What an amazing welcome. A few days later Grandpa flew in and we got to spend several days together. We went to Jump & Bounce. You, your brother and Grandpa bounced and bounced until poor Grandpa couldn't bounce anymore.
We went to the Airplane Museum. You walked around and looked at all of the airplanes like such a big boy.
We went to the pizza buffet that your brother loves so much and it was obvious that you like it too.
You rough-housed with your Grandpa.
We flew home knowing that we would see each other again right after Christmas.
You drove to our house on December 27th and we celebrated Christmas together. You were so cute with all of the ribbons and bows. You had definitely learned how to open gifts and didn't need much help in that department.
We went to the zoo and visited Grandpa at work while you were here. You love to sit in Grandpa's helicopters just like your brother. We had a lot of snuggle time. We read books and played with duplos. You learned how to get out of the pack-n-play and you had yet another rite-of-passage. You joined your brother and Grandpa and slept in the tent in the family room. You settled right into your sleeping bag and were the last person up the next morning! Hopefully just the first of many, many nights spent sleeping with Grandpa.
We are coming to visit you for your birthday. We can't wait to help you celebrate turning two! You have grown and changed so much in the last year. You are starting to say a few words. The way you say 'Jesus' and 'I love you' melts Grandma's heart. Your giggle is infectious. Your hugs and kisses are delicious. You have gone from toddling to running to climbing mountains and sleeping in tents. You have been introduced to some of our favorite places. We are excited to see which ones you embrace as your own. I hope that you will recognize that the best parts of these experiences are the time spent with family.
This next year will bring many more changes. We hope to be able to carry on conversations with you by your next birthday. It will be fun to watch you as you give your brother a run for his money. The sky is the limit for you dear Matthew! Happy 2nd Birthday! Grandma and Grandpa LOVE you!!
How is it possible that you are already two years old? It seems like just yesterday that God brought you into our family, but in many ways it seems like forever. Last year, when we celebrated your first birthday, there was such a cloud of uncertainty hanging over your future. This year we celebrate not only your personal milestones, but the joy that comes with knowing that you are a forever member of our family.
Last April you came to visit Grandma and Grandpa while your parents were dealing with the court hearings that would ultimately determine your future. While Mommy and Daddy were gone we took you and your brother to Sea World. We went through the paces of making the day as much fun as possible while waiting on pins and needles to hear from your parents.
There are always events in life that you can look back on and remember exactly where you were and what you were doing when they happened. We were in the car driving North on the 15 from Sea World towards home when my cell phone rang. It was your mommy. She asked me to tell your brother that we got to keep you. I thought she should tell him herself, so I handed him the phone. His response was, "We DO????" There was such joy on his little face. I then looked to see what you were doing. You were sound asleep. Happy and content, without a care in the world. As if you already knew that God meant what he said in Jeremiah 29:11. So, you see Little Buddy, that event is forever etched into my memory under the category 'I Know Exactly.....'
The week after you left, I flew to 'that other state that you live in' to stay with you, your mommy and brother while your daddy was in Israel. We had a great time. It was so nice to be able to finally fully enjoy you and not worry about any of the legal stuff. You were adorable. Sweet, snuggly and in.to.everything. You were bound and determined to keep up with your brother and irritated when you couldn't. We went on a field trip with The Rock Star's preschool class. We went to watch him play T-ball. We read books and played with toys. The week went way too fast and grandma had to go home.
We next saw you in July. We spent 10 days at the cabin in Lake Tahoe together. Stranger-danger had set in and it took you quite a while to warm up to Grandma and even longer to Grandpa. But, once you did, boy did we have fun. We got to introduce you to the Lake, just like we had your brother a couple of years before. You had no fear, and apparently no thermometer either. You didn't seem to care how cold the water was.
We went rafting, swimming and hiking.
You loved to go on long stroller rides, play at the park and eat. Boy could you eat. We tried to make you your own little area for sleeping. We put sheets around your pack-n-play and tried to make it so that you couldn't see us. Well, you were too smart for that nonsense. You figured out how to peak out and how to pull the whole thing down. You were not going to be excluded from all of the goings on of cabin life. I was able to get some adorable pictures of you on what is hopefully the first of many trips to "The Pumpernickle Family's Heaven on Earth.'
In late August you, your brother and mommy flew down to visit and to go camping over Labor Day. Your daddy was driving down later to join us. I picked you up at the airport. I had already decided that in lieu of your July 'stranger-danger' issues that I would let you come to me. I basically ignored you. Your brother rushed to me and threw himself into my arms. You were toddling around the airport. While I was hugging your brother, I felt a little tap-tap-tap on my leg. I looked down and you were grinning from ear to ear. You let me hug you and we were fast friends from that moment on. Grandpa did the same thing with you when he got home and you warmed right up to him too.
The week before we went camping we went to the beach. The day we chose to go to the beach it was cold. You didn't seem to care. You didn't even seem to mind that you were covered in sand.
We visited Grandpa's work and you sat in the helicopters. Your smile says it all.
That trip was your first camping trip. You seemed to really enjoy it and you had a rite-of-passage as well. You were the youngest of 4 children on the trip. There was a huge pile of rocks in the site next to us. The campground uses them for ground cover, but they are really a magnet for children to climb on. Since the pile was in full view of our campsite, we let all of you climb on it. You would get yourself to the top, sit down, look around and smile huge. It was adorable. After you had sat for a few moments you would look toward our campsite and yell, "Dad, dad!" As if to say, "Hey, look at me. I'm a big kid now." You did it several times and you were so proud of yourself for keeping up. I think we might have even let you try a s'more on that trip. I hope that we will have many, many more camping trips together.
In late October, Grandma flew up to visit you and to go to a Women's Event with your mommy. You were waiting for me at the bottom of the escalator in the airport. What a surprise! I thought you would pick me up curbside, but you and your brother were waiting with smiles on your faces. When I got to the bottom, you both ran into my arms and hugged me. What an amazing welcome. A few days later Grandpa flew in and we got to spend several days together. We went to Jump & Bounce. You, your brother and Grandpa bounced and bounced until poor Grandpa couldn't bounce anymore.
We went to the Airplane Museum. You walked around and looked at all of the airplanes like such a big boy.
We went ice skating. You looked so cute in your little skates.
We went to the pizza buffet that your brother loves so much and it was obvious that you like it too.
You rough-housed with your Grandpa.
We flew home knowing that we would see each other again right after Christmas.
You drove to our house on December 27th and we celebrated Christmas together. You were so cute with all of the ribbons and bows. You had definitely learned how to open gifts and didn't need much help in that department.
We went to the zoo and visited Grandpa at work while you were here. You love to sit in Grandpa's helicopters just like your brother. We had a lot of snuggle time. We read books and played with duplos. You learned how to get out of the pack-n-play and you had yet another rite-of-passage. You joined your brother and Grandpa and slept in the tent in the family room. You settled right into your sleeping bag and were the last person up the next morning! Hopefully just the first of many, many nights spent sleeping with Grandpa.
We are coming to visit you for your birthday. We can't wait to help you celebrate turning two! You have grown and changed so much in the last year. You are starting to say a few words. The way you say 'Jesus' and 'I love you' melts Grandma's heart. Your giggle is infectious. Your hugs and kisses are delicious. You have gone from toddling to running to climbing mountains and sleeping in tents. You have been introduced to some of our favorite places. We are excited to see which ones you embrace as your own. I hope that you will recognize that the best parts of these experiences are the time spent with family.
This next year will bring many more changes. We hope to be able to carry on conversations with you by your next birthday. It will be fun to watch you as you give your brother a run for his money. The sky is the limit for you dear Matthew! Happy 2nd Birthday! Grandma and Grandpa LOVE you!!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Malfunction
All of a sudden I can't post any pictures to my blog. Does anyone have any ideas why? When I click on the 'add images' icon absolutely nothing happens. Every other icon works. It is sooooo frustrating. Any ideas?
Friday, December 24, 2010
Happy Birthday To My Favorite Son
Today I want to wish you a very Happy Birthday and describe you along the way:
Hilarous
Attentive
Playful
Practical
Youthful
Brilliant
Incredible
Righteous
Talented
Happy & Husbandly*
Diligent
Amazing
You-nique **
Jaunty ***
Original
Novel
I hope your day is as special as you are. I love you!
* A word you made up, but that fits none the less.
** You try coming up with another adjective that starts with Y.
*** Bet you didn't see that one coming. It means 'having a self-confident air.'
Hilarous
Attentive
Playful
Practical
Youthful
Brilliant
Incredible
Righteous
Talented
Happy & Husbandly*
Diligent
Amazing
You-nique **
Jaunty ***
Original
Novel
I hope your day is as special as you are. I love you!
* A word you made up, but that fits none the less.
** You try coming up with another adjective that starts with Y.
*** Bet you didn't see that one coming. It means 'having a self-confident air.'
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Summer Fun Continues
In late August, my daughter and her boys came to visit us for almost two weeks. When we had last seen Little Buddy, in Lake Tahoe, he hadn't been very happy. He didn't willingly come to any of us and he preferred, in fact demanded, to spend all of his time with his mommy. When I picked them up at the airport I decided that I would just ignore Little Buddy and let him come to me in his own time. The Rock Star came running (literally) out of the terminal and jumped into my arms. He gave me the biggest bear hug, all the while telling me how much he loved me, how much he had missed me and how excited he was to be here. Of course my heart melted. My daughter told me that he had been telling everyone on the plane that he was coming to see his Grandma. About that time, I felt a little hand patting me on the leg. I looked down and Little Buddy was grinning from ear to ear. I bent down and hugged him and we were best friends for the rest of the visit. Apparently, if you do things the Little Buddy's way it works out better for everyone.
We had a busy week. The weather started out boiling so we went to the pool. The Rock Star promptly got stung by a bee and screamed bloody murder. In his mind that bee must have been the size of a B52 bomber for all the ruckus he made. Grandpa got the stinger out immediately, but he still needed the lifeguard to put three band aids on his foot. We spent a lot of time in the pool, the spa and at my sister's pool.
We planned a beach trip with my son and daughter-in-law. Of course it was freezing that day. We made the best of it and the boys seemed to have a good time, even if the rest of us wished we had parkas!
Of course we had to visit Grandpa at work. That just goes without saying. It is also imperative that each and every helicopter is properly sat in. I just adore the first picture of Grandpa and his boys.
Our son-in-law arrived and we ended their visit with a camping trip. We had a big group. Our son and daughter-in-law joined us, along with her parents and several of our friends. The boys made new friends with Nevaeh and Trinity. They played for hours, went fishing and made s'mores. There was a huge pile of rocks near our campsite that all of the kids climbed on. Little Buddy followed, climbed to the top and screamed "Dad" while waving frantically. Almost as if to say, "Look at me. I'm all grown up and playing with the big kids." About every 5 minutes he would scream dad again. He was so excited to be playing with the bigger kids. The Rock Star caught his first fish. Little Buddy slept in a tent for the first time and The Rock Star slept on the top bunk in the trailer with Grandma and Grandpa. THAT was something special! The adults played a ladder golf tournament. We all ate way too much and the weekend went way too fast.
When the weekend was over, it was time for my daughter and her family to head back to 'that other state that they live in' so that the Rock Star could start pre-school. Hubby and I went home to prepare to leave for another vacation in just a few days. More on that to follow, but we were definitely blessed to have some quality time this summer with family and friends.
We had a busy week. The weather started out boiling so we went to the pool. The Rock Star promptly got stung by a bee and screamed bloody murder. In his mind that bee must have been the size of a B52 bomber for all the ruckus he made. Grandpa got the stinger out immediately, but he still needed the lifeguard to put three band aids on his foot. We spent a lot of time in the pool, the spa and at my sister's pool.
We planned a beach trip with my son and daughter-in-law. Of course it was freezing that day. We made the best of it and the boys seemed to have a good time, even if the rest of us wished we had parkas!
Of course we had to visit Grandpa at work. That just goes without saying. It is also imperative that each and every helicopter is properly sat in. I just adore the first picture of Grandpa and his boys.
Our son-in-law arrived and we ended their visit with a camping trip. We had a big group. Our son and daughter-in-law joined us, along with her parents and several of our friends. The boys made new friends with Nevaeh and Trinity. They played for hours, went fishing and made s'mores. There was a huge pile of rocks near our campsite that all of the kids climbed on. Little Buddy followed, climbed to the top and screamed "Dad" while waving frantically. Almost as if to say, "Look at me. I'm all grown up and playing with the big kids." About every 5 minutes he would scream dad again. He was so excited to be playing with the bigger kids. The Rock Star caught his first fish. Little Buddy slept in a tent for the first time and The Rock Star slept on the top bunk in the trailer with Grandma and Grandpa. THAT was something special! The adults played a ladder golf tournament. We all ate way too much and the weekend went way too fast.
When the weekend was over, it was time for my daughter and her family to head back to 'that other state that they live in' so that the Rock Star could start pre-school. Hubby and I went home to prepare to leave for another vacation in just a few days. More on that to follow, but we were definitely blessed to have some quality time this summer with family and friends.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Summer 2010
Wow! According to the calendar, it's fall. According to the thermometer on my patio, in the shade, it's finally summer. It's currently 96 degrees. A great improvement from yesterday's record breaking 109. I'm ready for fall, but certainly enjoyed all that the summer had to offer.
We started out the summer camping at Pinezanita with some of our good friends over Memorial Day weekend. It's a great way to kick off the summer season each year and it's close to home. It gives us a chance to relax and get the trailer out of storage.
In July we went to Lake Tahoe. Hubby and I were at the cabin for 2 full weeks. Our daughter and her boys for 11 days. Our son and daughter-in-law for a week and our son-in-law for 5 days. The cabin was a little crowded, but we had a good time. We got to visit family in Reno. My cousin and her husband came up for the day and some great friends from Auburn spent a day with us too.
We packed a lot of fun into the time we had together as a family. I invite you to take a look:
The next time I blog I will share with you my daughter's visit in September and our Labor Day camping trip.
We started out the summer camping at Pinezanita with some of our good friends over Memorial Day weekend. It's a great way to kick off the summer season each year and it's close to home. It gives us a chance to relax and get the trailer out of storage.
In July we went to Lake Tahoe. Hubby and I were at the cabin for 2 full weeks. Our daughter and her boys for 11 days. Our son and daughter-in-law for a week and our son-in-law for 5 days. The cabin was a little crowded, but we had a good time. We got to visit family in Reno. My cousin and her husband came up for the day and some great friends from Auburn spent a day with us too.
We packed a lot of fun into the time we had together as a family. I invite you to take a look:
The next time I blog I will share with you my daughter's visit in September and our Labor Day camping trip.
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