Aidan, our 2nd child, turned 7 today. He chose to have a "Wii bowling tournament" for his party last Saturday. We had the party at our church building because the gym is much more spacious than our living room. I made him a bowling lane cake, which was fun. We had a tournament that started with four competitions and went down to the final two competitors. The final two ended up being Aidan and his big brother, Connor. Connor won, but not by much. Tonight we had family party at my mom and step-father's house. My mom and my step-mom actually made lasagna together for the party and I made a 3 layer chocolate cake. Aidan wanted a new pocket knife, which he got from Mommy and Daddy. He also really wanted a Zhu-Zhu pet, which is apparently the most popular toy this season. My mom found him one on line. He as thrilled! If you don't know what a Zhu-Zhu pet is, look it up, they are cool. Aidan also got some cool marbles and a marble mat from Grandma and Grandpa Annis. He is a lucky little boy!
I still can't believe that it has been 7 years since Aidan came into this world. Aidan was supposed to enter this world, via planned c-section, on November 26, 2002. However, he felt the need to come the day before. I woke up at 5 a.m. that Monday morning, in labor, not liking it. I sat in the bath tub, I moved around, I tried everything I could think of to stop the pain. I finally called to doctor's office at about 9 a.m. and they told me to go to the hospital if the contractions continued or became closer together. About an hour later I took Connor to the Hamilton's house, next door, and left to the hospital. My mom had just started a new job that morning. John and I got to the hospital and checked in. The anesthesiologist came and checked my lungs, telling me he would see me the next morning. I told him I was having a baby that day, not waiting another day!! Dr. Anderson said that he wanted me to walk around a little bit and he would come over to see me at lunch and decide then if we would deliver that day. The contractions continued. My mom arrived. Mimi arrived with Connor. Papa arrived. Dr. Anderson came in and talked to me. He said there was no reason to wait a day. The nurse started prepping me for surgery. I was so excited to meet our little boy!! Dr. Anderson asked Dr. Cannady to assist him, and I remembered that he had assisted in my appendectomy when I was 6. Only in a small town would that irony take place. Aidan entered the world at 2:39 p.m., weighing 8 pounds 1 ounce, and measuring 19 inches. I had to go to ICU because recovery was packed. I had a nurse that I had had when I was recovering from my appendectomy, another irony.
I got to my room about an hour after Aidan was born and what a beautiful sight!! Connor and daddy had helped bathe him for the first time. He was wrapped up all snugly in a blanket with a cute blue hat on his head. I held him for a few minutes. It didn't take long for Papa to take him from me. That was the beginning of a special bond between Aidan and his great grandfather. They were almost inseparable most of the time. Aidan still lets us know, at least once a week, that he misses his Papa.
Aidan is still as sweet, kind and beautiful as the day he was born. He is funny! He is smart. He is active. He never really stays still, even when he is sleeping. He has more freckles on his nose and cheeks than his brothers. He has beautiful blue eyes. He is the smaller, in stature, of my boys, but what he lacks in height he makes up for in personality! Aidan makes me laugh everyday, and I am so thankful for him.
We had a few names chosen, but knew the moment we looked at him that Aidan was it. His name means "fiery spirit" and that he is! His middle name is my grandparents surname. We gave it to him because we had told Papa when Connor was born that if we ever had another boy, we would give him Bryant as part of his name. Bryant is a name to be proud of and one that Aidan will always live up to, I am sure. We have always called him "Bug," a fun nickname for a fun boy.
We am grateful to have Aidan as part of our family. We cherish each moment with him and look forward to continuing to watching him grow up to be a great man!!
Happy 7th birthday, Aidan! You are the best Aidan in the whole world, don't you ever forget it! We love you for always and forever, Aidan Bug!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Happy Father's Day!!!
It's Father's Day....a day to celebrate father's and fatherhood. Perhaps even a day to reflect upon what makes a father a father and what does fatherhood consist of? Every person in existence has a father, even if they don't know him, talk to him, like him or see him. Some people, like myself, are blessed to have a father and a step father, both of whom are equally considered a father. My boys are blessed with a great father, who they love and admire. John never knew his father because he died when John was only 5 months old. But, John had a great foster father during his teenage years who made a great difference to a life that might have otherwise turned out.
I have been thinking a lot about what makes a father a father. After all, not everybody has their biological father living with them. I see "broken" families on a daily basis where I work. I technically came from one of those "broken" families. I never once felt, as a child, that I came from a "broken" or a different family. I am sure that I never felt that way because I still had a "dad" in my dear grandpa. Papa always made sure that I knew how much I was loved and he supported me in everything I did. He did all of the things with me that a father would have done. From taking me to father/daughter functions in Girl Scouts to teaching me how to drive and how to pitch softball, he was the "dad" when I needed it most. Even with all of this, I still knew that my father loved me just as much. I always knew that he would have liked to be the one to do all of those things with me, but circumstances were out of his control. I loved getting letters and postcards from him, seeing the new places he was living while serving our country in the Navy. I loved seeing him when I could. And now, as an adult, I am so happy that we still talk through e-mail and on the phone. We look forward to having them come out this year and spending time with them. I am even more blessed to have a step-father who truly loves me and supports me always. Jay loves our children beyond measure and is truly their beloved "poppi." He lets them stay the night as often as they want to, and he teaches them things that the rest of us never could. He often has more patience with my boys than I do.
My boys are blessed to have a father who loves them without end. Sometimes I think part of fatherhood is knowing how to act like your children, because John does it so well sometimes. In all seriousness, though, John does love his boys and he wants only the best of the best for them. I have heard it said that the most important example in a child's life is that of their same gender parent...a father has a great task ahead of him from the beginning. I know that my dear husband is up to such a task, even when the going gets tough. I believe we all have great expectations for our children, and I know that it takes an entire family to help them to achieve their goals. I am thankful for the fathers that I have had in my life and the many great examples that my own children have in their lives.
Happy Father's day to my husband, my dad, Jay, and of course, to my Papa! Thank you to all the fathers who strive everyday to help their children to become great adults.
I have been thinking a lot about what makes a father a father. After all, not everybody has their biological father living with them. I see "broken" families on a daily basis where I work. I technically came from one of those "broken" families. I never once felt, as a child, that I came from a "broken" or a different family. I am sure that I never felt that way because I still had a "dad" in my dear grandpa. Papa always made sure that I knew how much I was loved and he supported me in everything I did. He did all of the things with me that a father would have done. From taking me to father/daughter functions in Girl Scouts to teaching me how to drive and how to pitch softball, he was the "dad" when I needed it most. Even with all of this, I still knew that my father loved me just as much. I always knew that he would have liked to be the one to do all of those things with me, but circumstances were out of his control. I loved getting letters and postcards from him, seeing the new places he was living while serving our country in the Navy. I loved seeing him when I could. And now, as an adult, I am so happy that we still talk through e-mail and on the phone. We look forward to having them come out this year and spending time with them. I am even more blessed to have a step-father who truly loves me and supports me always. Jay loves our children beyond measure and is truly their beloved "poppi." He lets them stay the night as often as they want to, and he teaches them things that the rest of us never could. He often has more patience with my boys than I do.
My boys are blessed to have a father who loves them without end. Sometimes I think part of fatherhood is knowing how to act like your children, because John does it so well sometimes. In all seriousness, though, John does love his boys and he wants only the best of the best for them. I have heard it said that the most important example in a child's life is that of their same gender parent...a father has a great task ahead of him from the beginning. I know that my dear husband is up to such a task, even when the going gets tough. I believe we all have great expectations for our children, and I know that it takes an entire family to help them to achieve their goals. I am thankful for the fathers that I have had in my life and the many great examples that my own children have in their lives.
Happy Father's day to my husband, my dad, Jay, and of course, to my Papa! Thank you to all the fathers who strive everyday to help their children to become great adults.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
NEWS!!!!!!
I forgot to add to my last post...no I didn't. This needed it's own post.
John got promoted to manager of GNC. He is excited! I know that he will do well. This is a huge blessing for our family and we know that it is truly only by the hand of God that we have been blessed.
Congratulations, John!!!!! We love you!!!!!
John got promoted to manager of GNC. He is excited! I know that he will do well. This is a huge blessing for our family and we know that it is truly only by the hand of God that we have been blessed.
Congratulations, John!!!!! We love you!!!!!
Remembering.....
Somehow Memorial Day weekend always feels like the real ending of Spring and the beginning of Summer. Perhaps this is because it is so close to the end of the school year or perhaps because the weather seems to get a little nicer about this time. I don't know exactly why, but it feels that way every year. I love that I get a 3 day weekend and that my boys have one too. And, I love what Memorial Day really celebrates. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father created us with minds that hold memories and that we can thus recreate so much history.
One of my favorite memories of growing up in truly "small town" America is the Memorial Day parade that takes place every year in Ferndale. I still remember watching the parade each year of my childhood and placing flowers on the "grave of the unknown soldier" each year. And now my own children get to do the same. A very special part of my memories of the parade have everything to do with the fact that my grandpa was a part of the parade for as many years as I can remember. He proudly walked in the parade with the VFW for years, and then as he grew older, he rode on the VFW float. My grandpa was always proud to don his army hat and show his patriotism. He was truly Proud to be an American and I am grateful for his example. For years, my grandfather put his flag out every morning and then he would carefully bring it in at night. Aidan loved to be there to help Papa put the flag out or bring it in.
This year we will be going to watch the parade, having missed it last year since we lived in Utah. (Instead we went camping in Southern Utah, where it was much colder than expected.) My boys will all take flowers with them, probably from Mimi's yard. It will be hard not to see Papa sitting on the VFW float, and I will probably cry. But, I am so grateful to live in a place where I am free to watch a parade that truly honors and remembers those who have fought for me, and you, to have such freedoms.
So, in honor of all who have fought and all who continue to fight for our freedom....check out this cool video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0mm4u2VzDs
Enjoy your holiday and remember to enjoy your freedoms always!
One of my favorite memories of growing up in truly "small town" America is the Memorial Day parade that takes place every year in Ferndale. I still remember watching the parade each year of my childhood and placing flowers on the "grave of the unknown soldier" each year. And now my own children get to do the same. A very special part of my memories of the parade have everything to do with the fact that my grandpa was a part of the parade for as many years as I can remember. He proudly walked in the parade with the VFW for years, and then as he grew older, he rode on the VFW float. My grandpa was always proud to don his army hat and show his patriotism. He was truly Proud to be an American and I am grateful for his example. For years, my grandfather put his flag out every morning and then he would carefully bring it in at night. Aidan loved to be there to help Papa put the flag out or bring it in.
This year we will be going to watch the parade, having missed it last year since we lived in Utah. (Instead we went camping in Southern Utah, where it was much colder than expected.) My boys will all take flowers with them, probably from Mimi's yard. It will be hard not to see Papa sitting on the VFW float, and I will probably cry. But, I am so grateful to live in a place where I am free to watch a parade that truly honors and remembers those who have fought for me, and you, to have such freedoms.
So, in honor of all who have fought and all who continue to fight for our freedom....check out this cool video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0mm4u2VzDs
Enjoy your holiday and remember to enjoy your freedoms always!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Belated Birthday wishes....
So, the hard drive in our Macbook crashed and burned last weekend. Bummer for us on a few levels, but especially since it meant that birthday wishes for our Mimi would have to be belated. However, we did not forget Mimi's special day...........
Wednesday was my grandma's birthday. I won't tell you just which number birthday she celebrated, because that just isn't my place. Suffice to say, she became a grandma at a fairly young age, making her still young today, in my opinion. Mimi was 2nd born to her parents and the only girl. She grew up in Ferndale, married my grandpa, became mom to a daughter and two sons, later became grandma to me and one other granddaughter and even later became great-grandma to my sweet boys. She and Papa were married for 53 years, practically their whole adult life! She's my Mimi! Mimi is a great example of hard work, dedication and love. She really is wise and wonderful. She is truly our family's matriarch in every sense of the word. I truly believe that Mimi is a remarkable woman! I am grateful for her love and support always, and I am grateful for her strong example of being a wife and a mother.
Happy belated birthday to you, Mimi!
Wednesday was my grandma's birthday. I won't tell you just which number birthday she celebrated, because that just isn't my place. Suffice to say, she became a grandma at a fairly young age, making her still young today, in my opinion. Mimi was 2nd born to her parents and the only girl. She grew up in Ferndale, married my grandpa, became mom to a daughter and two sons, later became grandma to me and one other granddaughter and even later became great-grandma to my sweet boys. She and Papa were married for 53 years, practically their whole adult life! She's my Mimi! Mimi is a great example of hard work, dedication and love. She really is wise and wonderful. She is truly our family's matriarch in every sense of the word. I truly believe that Mimi is a remarkable woman! I am grateful for her love and support always, and I am grateful for her strong example of being a wife and a mother.
Happy belated birthday to you, Mimi!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Happy Birthday to Grandma Annis!!!
Today is my step-mother, Rhonda's birthday. We were lucky enough to have my dad and Rhonda live here for a few months a couple of years ago. Korbin was the only one of the boys they got to see a baby. It was the first holiday season I got to celebrate, in my whole life, with both my parents together. I am not only blessed to know that both my mom and my dad have spouses who love them, but I am blessed to have two extra parents! On top of that, I have parents who not only support, but completely understand the relationship that I have with the other of the two. And, the best part is, my boys get to have 4 grandparents just on my side of the family! We miss having grandma and grandpa Annis here and hope that they will come back and stay for awhile in the Fall. I hope Rhonda knows that I love her...and that our boys love her too! Happy birthday, Rhonda!!!!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Happy Birthday to Pop!
Today is Pop's (my step dad) birthday. The boys have all called him Pop since they could talk. Very seldom do I actually refer to Jay as my step father when I talk about him, but almost always refer to him as simply, my dad. Because, in all reality, he is as much my dad as my biological father is. He has always treated me like his own, from the very beginning. He has loved me, supported me, and always cared for me. He loves each of my children without hesitation or condition and I am confident that he would do anything for any one of them. Jay loves my mom so much! He has been a part of our family for so long now that it is hard to imagine life without him...though I wouldn't want to! My grandfather loved Jay as much as he loved his own sons and I know that the feeling was mutual. I hope that Jay knows just how much I love and appreciate him. Happy birthday, Jay! We love you forever!!!!!
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