It has been just under four months since mom passed away. In aspects, it seems as though it was yesterday and in the same instance it seems like a lifetime ago. I don't know if it was the world wind of the holidays or the fact that it really hadn't yet set in, but it seems like recently I've been having a really hard time trying to figure out who I am now, without my mom.
You see, everyone has that someone who is their "person." Their person they go to and are 100% themselves. The person they talk to, confide in, and the person who keeps them grounded. My mom was, without a doubt, my person. I talked to my mother EVERY single day. She was my touchstone. And without her here, I simply feel lost. I called mom when I needed advice with the kids, Brian, school, the house, life. Brian used to joke that I never made a decision without running it by my mom, and to some extent, he is probably right.
I know people go through loss all the time, and they say it gets easier. But right now, I don't know how my world will ever be okay again. When mom was sick, I was so sad when I thought about all the things that she would miss out on, with my dad, my kids, her friends. I think I was even more sad that my kids would really never realize what an incredible grandmother they had. But to be honest through all of it, it never really occurred to me, how much I would truly miss out on, as well.
It's been a rough week and I'm sure it won't be the last. But I know there will be more good days than bad and thats all we can really hope for. We focus on the blessings in our life, and they are plentiful. And on those bad day, well, as mom would say, "you put your big girl panties on, " hold your chin up, and pray that tomorrow is the day you find your way.
Last week, we were so lucky to have Aunt Sandy come for a visit. She had originally planned to come to watch the kids for an extended weekend while Brian and I weren't to Vegas. When she started looking for flights, I asked her to stay a little longer so I could enjoy her company, as well. It was a very busy 12 days, and we had such a great time with her here.
Sandy does a great job taking care of people and pitching in. I was hoping that she would just use this time to sit back and relax. I had purposefully made plans to cook each night, so she wouldn't have to and enjoy being on vacation. Within two days, that was killing her. So off to the store, she and Stella went, to get the ingredients to make a pineapple upside down cake... Yum!
While in Vegas, we received this picture of the breakfast she made... Every child needs French toast created into butterflies ona Friday morning.
When we got back, Aunt Sandy, asked what I would like her to help me with, over the next week, while she was here. Sandy's flowers always look beautiful, so I told her I wanted help figuring out what to plant in my yard. Her eyes sparkled, and when we dropped Stella of at school, on Tuesday, we headed to get flowers and then got to work!
The results are beautiful. I can't wait for the flowers to take off and really fill in!!
Besides planting flowers, we did lots of cooking and baking.
Stella and Sandy making homemade meatballs.
We made cake bites. Well, Stella, Sandy and I made cake bites, Briggs pretty much just are the sprinkles and chocolate.
Although we did a lot around the house, we did let Sandy leave the house. While she was here, we all went to the Butterfly World Exhibit. It was really neat. The 3-D movie, at the beginning, was actually really interesting. The girls was wanted to watch it twice.
Most boys, Briggs's age, are obsessed with one thing or another. Some boys love trucks, other love Mickey, while other might like airplanes. What is my son's fascination, you ask? Shoes, and preferably, his sister's shoes.
Briggs loves shoes so much that Uncle Brandon and Auntie Alison thought that he needed his very own set of light-Minnie shoes. They would be happy to know, these shoes are worn several times each day ;-)
I believe whoever came up with the phrase "terrible 2's" hadn't yet had kids who were in their 3's because looking back the 2's were a piece of cake! I remember time and time again, talking with Kim and Alison, who both have girls about a year or so older than Stella, about how trying our time was. Oh the whining!! I'm not going to lie, there were plenty of times I considered going back to teaching simply because I couldn't handle the whining!!! Over and over they assured me that it gets better as they get closer to four. I'm not going to lie, I was hoping time would move along to the next stage. Thank goodness they were right!!! I can not tell you how many times over the last couple of months, I have truly enjoyed my conversations with this little girl. She is hysterical and has a mind of her own. Don't get me wrong, we still have episodes of whining, but they are much, much less often and usually can be directly correlated to someone who is over-tired. We are still working hard on being a good "first-time listener" but generally a gentle reminder guides her back on track. I LOVE THIS AGE!!! So now that we are to that next stage, I'm okay with time standing still for a while. Let her stay young, let her stay innocent, and let her always want to snuggle on my lap while Mickey Mouse.
This past weekend we were fortunate enough to meet up with Brandon and Alison for a weekend away... and it was heaven.
We were so lucky to have Aunt Sandy volunteer to fly in to watch the kids so we could have a weekend away. But for the sake of being honest, I think Briggs and Stella were really the lucky ones.
Check out their plates... Eggs, fruit, and french toast shaped like butterflies. What's not to love about that.
We headed to the airport Thursday afternoon and while standing in line at the airport to go through security, Brian finally booked us a room. His plan was to wait until the last minute and try to get a good rate at a really nice hotel... boy did that plan work out well. He was able to score a room at the Bellagio.
When checking in Brian was able to sweet-talk us into a fountain view room. AH-MA-ZING!
Thursday night, Brian and I went to dinner at BurGR, a Gorden Ramsey restaurant inside Planet Hollywood. After dinner, we called it an early night and went back to the room to catch up on some much needed sleep. Brandon and Alison arrived after 11 and we decided just to meet up with them in the morning.
On Friday morning, we all met up. The boys did a little gambling while Alison and I caught up... I swear the two of us NEVER run out of things to talk about.
Because we had the whole afternoon open, we decided to go see a movie. I know, we fly to Vegas to go see a movie? YES!!! It is not too often that we have time alone to go see a Friday matinee. We went to see the second Hunger Games movie. Although it was good, I think I was a little disappointed. I had heard from so many people how this movie was so much better than the first, that I think I set my expectations just a little too high. But overall, I am so happy that I finally went to see it. (Yes, Kim I did kind of cheat on you for going to see it, but I promise I will go see it again).
Alison had made reservations for us to go to dinner at the Asian restaurant, Jasmine, inside the Bellagio. The food was good and we had such a nice time talking and reminiscing about mom. After dinner, we headed to a Improve Comedy Club. We bought the tickets earlier in the day at one the the half-price places. I don't remember the name of any of the comedians, but it was definitely worth the money... we all enjoyed them.
After the show, the boys decided they wanted to head do to Freedmont Street to do a little gambling. It didn't start out very well. Within forty-five minutes or so, I had lost my money, and Brandon and Brian weren't too far behind me. However, their luck quickly changed, that and their Jack and Diet Cokes began to kick in. We were all having a lot of fun at the table. You would have thought with all the hooting, hollering and high fives, we were betting and winning hundreds of dollars per hand, as opposed to the $11.50 Brandon was betting or $16.50 when he got daring.
At about 1am, Alison and I were finally able to drag the boys out of the Golden Nugget. While we were looking for food, somehow the boys led us back into another casino?? Brandon convinced Alison to let him play one roll of Craps. And lucky for us, Brandon is very good at multi-tasking. He was able to shake it with one of the dancers, as well.
After he lost his $3, it was time to head home. Brian had begun his hiccuping, and we all know that doesn't end well. I did question him about his state of being and he informed me that he wasn't that drunk... "I'm not a drunk as your brother." I mean really, from the picture above, do we really want to use Brandon as our compass???
We were fortunate to have the most interesting cabby? Wow... is all I have to say. Unfortunately, Brian doesn't really remember much of the cab ride home.
Needless to say, Saturday morning we slept in. On our way to the MGM, to meet up with Brandon and Alison, Brian and I stumbled upon an Oxygen Bar. The girl working assured us that it would increase our energy, stamina and help alleviate any hangover symptoms that we may or may not have had. We decide to give it a try.
I can't say either of us were ready to have a marathon night like the previous night, but the back massage that went along with it was really nice. After the Oxygen Bar, we met up with Brandon and Alison and headed to Paris. We had a little time to kill, so we decided to have a drink in the restaurant inside Eiffel Tower. The view was nice, and again we were able to watch the Bellagio fountains.
Saturday night, we went to dinner at Olives, in the Bellagio. And words can not possible describe what a wonderful experience we had. We were lucky enough to get seated on the outside patio right next to the railing of the fountain pond. Our view was incredible.
We were so close to the fountains, there were even times we had a little fountain mist. Not only was the view incredible, the food was equally amazing. Each of us ordered something different and I honestly don't know whose dish was better. We sat on the patio, enjoyed good food, good wine, good company and were just all together thankful about how lucky we truly are. This night, hands-down, is on my top five of greatest overall experiences.
After dinner, we headed to the Mirage to watch the Cirque De Soleil show Beatles Love.
I will be honest, I didn't know all of the songs and was confused in part but doesn't confusion kind of go hand-and-hand with Cirque De Soleil? Overall, however, I really enjoyed the show.
Today, we had brunch at the MGM buffet, watched a little football and headed home. I cant say enough of how wonderful it was to get away and recharge the battery a little bit. Even with the amazing weekend we had, I know one of the best parts was coming home to see the kids!! Thank you so much, Aunt Sandy, for letting us have this weekend away!
Selfie of Brian and I
World's Largest Chocolate Fountain, located inside the Bellagio. Yum, Yum!!
{Document a snapshot of your life & find beauty among the ordinary things in your day!}
Coffee with caramel coconut creamer...the only way to start the day.
Alison and I are hosting a bridal shower for my cousin next month. Here are the finished invites, ready to be sent out.
No, I'm not pregnant!! I had a follow-up, ultra-sound, appointment for my legs. Briggs was lucky enough to go with me... fun times!
Friday is laundry day.
Our daily dose of what will Briggs climb on next? Today he conquered Zarady's kennel.
Stella and her friend, Ava, at the end "Kids Day Out" at USA Gymnastics.
Lounging on their new chairs, from Pops, watching Mickey Mouse.
Our children were so loved for Christmas this year that we had to send three boxes back. They arrived today.
My friend, Kim, has begun selling this "miracle" face cream. I began my five day trial today. I can not wait to wake up tomorrow and look twenty-five again.
My night ended with Briggs getting sick. I mean projectile vomit, sick. And where did he choose to do this? All over me!! Yuck, yuck, yuck!!! I will spare everyone the pictures of the incident.
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