#24 - Photobooth

It's September and I still have a lot of work left to do to complete my list, but I can mark this one off. When we were roaming around Pike Place Market we wandered into a magic shop and praise the heavens, they had a photobooth! The guys were pretty much forced into it kicking and screaming but I was not about to take no for an answer. It was a beautiful day outside in Seattle, but this little magic shop was at least 120 degrees. Trying to fit 5 people inside a booth the size of a shower stall and still get everyone in the shot is impossible. It was crowded and we were all pouring sweat, but I was laughing the whole time.

After we got back home from our little roadtrip, me, mom and Abbey went to a movie then to the mall for some more photobooth fun.

Please take some extra time to check out my mom in the third picture down on the far left strip. We said we would all cross our eyes, but then Abbey and I didn't which is why we're laughing so hard. Sorry mom!!

My favorites....

I Want To Be Like Her

This beautiful lady is my Grandmother.

She is the most gracious person I know. She truly believes she is the most blessed person that ever lived and exudes the kind of unconditional love for her family that most people never, ever have a chance to feel. I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by this kind of love from her and so many others in my family my entire life.

For all her love and faith and compassion, life hasn't been easy for her. Or, at least I didn't think so. The thing I love her most for is that she looks beyond the bad and sees the good in things.



Before I moved to Washington I wanted to spend an entire day with her. I remember everything about it. Grandma's house has a warm, homey smell that I can't describe, but I know that scent by heart. She was making us beef stew for lunch and we were going through boxes and boxes of old photographs in the pink room.

We found this picture of my Grandfather.




I never thought much about him. I knew he was an alcoholic and that he left my Grandma with three young boys when my Dad was just three years old. My other Grandpa once said that when Grandpa Phillip was sober, he was the nicest guy you could ever meet, but when he was drunk, he was a mean 'ol cuss.

Grandma and I kept looking through those old pictures and when she came across this one she told me she wished I could have known my Grandpa.





I asked her what he was like. How did they meet? Where did he live? We talked about him for hours. She obviously loved him very much. I thought it was strange that she still had so much love for him when, in my mind, he wasn't that great of a person.


Then Grandma said something that changed my entire perspective. She told me that Grandpa knew he could never be the kind of husband and father that he felt she and his boys deserved so he gave up everything he loved so that they could have a better life. While I had always judged him harshly for leaving them, she loved him for his sacrifice. We cried together over the loss we each shared.

My Grandpa Phillip came back to visit my family when I was very little. I don't remember it at all, but I wish I did. I wish I had been able to know him and love him.

I treasure my relationship with my Grandma and have so much love and respect for her. I will always keep this memory close to my heart and hope it helps me remember to look for the good in people.

A Family Tradition

These three pictures hang in the entry of my childhood home. They are painted portraits of me and my brothers, each wearing the same pair of denim overalls.

Each child in our family has a portrait taken in the same pair of overalls when they turn one year old.



These pictures are my nieces and nephews and they surround my mom's living room.



It's been a while since I've seen the overalls, but I know they are well worn and faded from years and years of usage. These overalls that symbolize so much unity in our family are now 38 years old.

I remember hearing my mom say a long time ago that if our home was threatened by fire, she would first make sure we were all safe, but the one material possession she would try to rescue would be these pictures of me and my brothers.



I wish everyone could feel the love our family feels for each other. These pictures are cute, and the tradition is sweet, but it's so much more than that. For me, these pictures represent the consistancy and unfailing bond we share. They represent the unshakable love my parents have for their children and grandchildren. They represent a closeness that can't be seperated by 1755 miles.

This One Is For Me

One of my 2010 list items was to record both of my Grandmas on video. Since I was back home last week, I visited each of them and pestered them with my camera.

These short clips capture each of their personalities perfectly.

The first one is my Grandma Norie. She is soft spoken, gentle, loving and sentimental.

The second is my Grandma Lillie. She is also loving, but she's silly and giggly.

And they both have iconic fashion sense.

Two More Birthday Shout Outs

Last week was Jeremy's and Jacob's Birthday. This week is Brandilyn's. What's up with you guys growing up? Do you realize that if you keep getting older than so do we? We must stop this! You're supposed to be little forever!!

Like this...

OK, I guess I have to let you guys do your thing.

I wish we could be around you more as you grow up, but even though we don't get to see you very often, you are in our hearts always.

Happy Birthday Kiddos. We Love You.

Happy Birthday Jeremy!!!

Jeremy Dale,

What happened to this little boy?

Where is this little guy who played with us in the park and got insanely dirty?

Today you are 16 years old. It seems amazing to us that you aren't this little boy anymore.

Nope, you're on your way to adulthood. Big responsibilities lie ahead but we hope you'll remember to have fun too.

You are such a wonderful person Jeremy. Our prayer is that you enjoy life to its fullest. That you stay true to who you are. That you live a life full of faith. That you lead other people by your example. That you find true love and happiness.

We love you buddy and miss you tons. We hope you know how much you mean to us. We are here for you always.

Love, Jim and G

Happy Birthday Baby!

In honor of Jim's birthday today, here are 5o reasons I love him...

1. I love that we have sayings that only we understand.
2. I love that you make up silly words to songs.
3. I love that you say "I Love You" before we go to bed and during every phone conversation.
4. I love that you make me take vitamins.
5. I love that you make friends everywhere you go.
6. I love that you are smart, but not pretentious.
7. I love your laugh.
8. I love that you aren't embarrassed to show affection in public.
9. I love that you are friends with Jeremy.

10. I love that you won't eat leftovers or generic food.
11. I love that you scratch your head when you're sleepy.
12. I love that you still find me attractive.
13. I love your kissable lips.
14. I love listening to you reminisce.
15. I love that you can fix absolutely anything.
16. I love that kids gravitate toward you even though they make you uncomfortable.
17. I love that you call me Turdela.
18. I love that you wake up happy every single morning.
19. I love that you take me to the airport at 4:30 in the morning so I don't have to park in the scary parking garage.
20. I love that you strive to be a good christian.
21. I love that your face is scratchy when you kiss me.

22. I love that we bake cookies together every week in the winter.
23. I love that you are conscientious about your appearance (no ear or nose hairs!).
24. I love that you love for me to rub you.
25. I love that you talk to my Mom on the phone.
26. I love that you yell at me when I don't floss.
27. I love that you're humble.
28. I love that you remember where you were when you first heard a song.
29. I love that you watch the same old movies and TV shows over and over.
30. I love that you are contemplative.
31. I love that you want a puppy.
32. I love that you are always writing or drawing things on me.
33. I love that you wanted to take care of your Dad.
34. I love that you eat icy pops with me every night.
35. I love that you tell me you miss me when I'm away.
36. I love this sweet rear end and the body that goes with it.

37. I love that you roll yourself up in the covers.
38. I love that you still think farts are funny.
39. I love that you make me coffee in the morning to help wake me up.
40. I love that your hair is a crazy mess in the morning and you look 10 yrs old.
41. I love that you make me feel comfortable and safe.
42. I love that you are the most fun person to be around.

43. I love that we write each other love notes.
44. I love your handsome face.
45. I love that you laugh out loud when you watch something funny.
46. I love that you don't get mad that I keep losing cameras.
47. I love that our legs are always touching when we go to sleep.
48. I love that we hold hands in the car.
49. I love that you are my best friend.
50. I love that you love me back.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart. I love you in a million ways.

A Week of Birthdays

Wednesday was my 31st Birthday. Jim made me a wonderful Birthday Cake (complete with tons of sprinkles) and I finally got a new camera to replace the one I lost. I researched cameras for several weeks before I finally decided which one to get. It's a Sony DSC H50 and I LOVE IT!

Yesterday was Big Jim's 76th Birthday. So, we had MORE cake (yum). He just had some blood work done and he's healthy as a horse, not even high cholesterol which is pretty amazing because he eats bacon or sausage almost daily.

And finally, today is my Mom's Birthday. I'm pretty sure I'd get in trouble if I revealed her age on this site, so let's just say she's a year older than she was, but as beautiful as ever. I wish I could give her a big hug and kiss, but we're in Washington and she's in Missouri. A phone conversation and long distance love will have to do for now. Love you Mom.