Happy Thanksgiving 2010!

Let It Be

Riley,

Listen to this song when you are sad or happy. It’s a great song.

When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.
And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree,
there will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is still a chance that they will see,
there will be an answer. let it be.
Let it be, let it be, .....
And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light, that shines on me,
shine until tomorrow, let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music, mother Mary comes to me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, .....

By: The Beatles

Mama

Look at what my Grandad made!

My Grandad, there isn’t anything he can’t build or fix! I really believe that! He restored an old trunk that looks so amazing (and I want it by the way!), and he also restored a cedar chest that was a wedding present to my Mother from my Dad. They weren’t married all that long, but I’m grateful to have that cedar chest. Really, I love that thing. Henry hates it, but it’s not going anywhere!

Anyway, Henry and I have been in the need for more storage space for our clothes. Henry has so many plain white t-shirts and I have a lot of what my family calls “everyday clothes”. One day this summer, I spotted a garage sale on the side of the road. Right in the middle of the sale was a good size chest of drawers. I coaxed my thrifty Aunt into going to check the garage sale out and find out exactly how much the chest was…. $20, I’ll take it.

The chest wasn’t in bad shape, but I knew no matter what shape it was in, my Grandad could fix it for me! And did he ever!

Even Riley approves!

I can’t tell you how nice it is not to have to cram all of our clothes into a tiny, Wal-Mart chest. However, that tiny, Wal-Mart chest found a new home in Riley’s room!

Riley Claire - 2 years, 2 months Newsletter

Dear Riley,

How are you? I pray as you read my letters that you are well, that you are loving, being loved, and laughing. I pray you are happy and enjoying life the way it was meant to be enjoyed.

This month you have started to assert your ever-evolving preferences: from flavor of drink, food, or writing utensil, to who you want to go see.  You know what you want and you ask for it, sometimes more like demand, depending on how necessary the object is at the moment. Your favorite drink is milk, your favorite food is French fries (no matter how many healthy alternatives I offer), and your preferred writing utensils are colored pencils. Colored pencils also make for exceptional drum sticks. You even clap them overhead and chant, "1, 2, 3, 4" before you begin your drum solo. Riley, you usually want your Grandad when you ask for someone. A lot of the time you want Aunt Ma, and you love your PawPaw. I am forever thankful that you get to grow up knowing Grandmom and Grandad, and even more grateful that you get to spend whole days with them nestled around the fireplace.

I love coming home from work to see you every day. You usually greet me with a big hug and "I miss you!" Nothing could warm my heart more than you missing me throughout your day. I am already looking forward to summertime.

I love you so much! I constantly question myself if I am a good mother or not. As you know, I didn't have a good mother, or much of any mother for that matter. My birthday was this past weekend and I never heard from her the entire weekend. I still am unable to 100% sort my feeling out regarding her. While I want a mom to be there for me, to listen to my problems, and to enjoy and desire my company, I have had to realize that will never happen for me.

In the depths of my heart I never want you to experience that feeling. The only thing that comforts me is knowing I am able to do everything in my power to prevent you from ever feeling like that. We may not always have the resources (like this year, no time!) to do extravagant parties and gifts, but you'll always be loved beyond any possible doubt. I am determined to give you the mother I never had or will ever have. I am so excited what our lives have in store for us, together.

I love you,

Love, Mama

Snow White

Riley,

I posted a few weeks ago about a Saturday night where you and I ate popcorn and watched Snow White, one of my favorite movies ever.

Well, little did I know I created a monster that night. Somehow, you have become addicted to Snow White. Seriously. Two days ago, you begged to watch Snow White 3 different times, all before 1:00. I turned the movie on for you 3 different times. For the most part, Snow White keeps you entertained for a solid 30 minutes, sometimes longer. On some days this is a welcome relief, it’s also a pain to have to watch Snow White over and over and over again. Not to mention, you are CONSTANTLY harassing your Daddy and me to “Watch Snow White!” Literally, you would only watch Snow White if we would let you.

When the movie comes on, you like to point out the castle, the mean queen (“She mean".”), Snow White and the Prince. You sometimes get upset when Snow White cries, and in the video below you will see just how upset you get when the bunny rabbits try to comfort her. Every time you watch this scene, you scream like this. Every.time. Instead of singing “High ho, high ho!” you sing “Bye ho, bye ho!” It’s really pretty cute.

Riley, I truly wouldn’t want to watch any other movie with you. Maybe one day I will love Snow White as much as you do. Pocahontas (another childhood favorite of mine) comes out on DVD at the end of November. Move over Snow White, we WILL be watching Pocahontas at least once a week! I really love that movie!

Love, Mama

Happy Halloween 2010

Dear Riley,

Don’t get mad, you were a bumble bee last year and we made you wear the same costume again this year. Bad parents of the year award, right here.

This was Halloween 2009:

Again, we just went to Broadway Square Mall and walked around letting you trick-or-treat. You actually said “Trick-or-treat”, well at least WE knew what you were saying.

How dare we wake you up from a nap to go TRICK-OR-TREATING! World’s worst parents, for sure!

  You were such a big girl! You didn’t need much help with your bucket, and only a few reminders to say “Thank you!”

Oh, you see that black dot on your face? There were many face-painting booths set up. After watching a few little girls get their face painted you decided you were ready. We stood in line to let a really nice lady paint your face. We decided on a spider to kinda go along with your costume.

You were doing pretty well up until this point. You then decided the paint brush hurt and you hopped down and came running.

So this was your spider. Scary!

One end of The Mall had a Sky Jump apparatus. The guys tether you to two poles, strap you in, and you bounce on a small trampoline. You cried when at first we weren’t going to let you do this. Your Daddy made a special trip to the ATM to get $7 for you to Sky Jump. I was convinced you wouldn’t do it; boy was I wrong! See, you are normally a big scaredy cat (I mean that in the sweetest way possible). Anyway, you loved the Sky Jump, and you went REALLY high! It was awesome to see you being so independent; I am still astonished you did this!

Happy Halloween! I can’t wait to share many, many more with you! My little bumble bee!

 

Love, Momma