Wish we could be there to help you celebrate your birthday today! Hope you enjoy your day. And you know me, your gift is going in the mail today!
Love you!
7/20/09
7/19/09
Philip's Spongebob's Birthday Party
Saturday we did Philip's kid birthday party at my in-laws pool. He had a few friends and his cousins over for some Krabby Patties, Squidward dogs and Spongebob cake. They played pin the jellyfish on Spongebob's net, dove for gold coins and got their chance at wacking a Spongebop pinata. The day couldn't have been more perfect. It was actually only 88 degrees, which was almost a cold front this time of year in Arkansas. The kids stayed swam all day and got a long great. They didn't get out of the pool until after 9pm. It was such a nice night. Philip got a lot of nice presents and had a great time. All of the kids went home with Pineapple cups with straws for favors (who lives in a pineapple, under the sea? Spongebob Squarepants). Funny thing about having his party that day, is it was Spongebob's 10th birthday and they had a Spongebob marthon on tv. Oh--if you noticed Philip's close hair cut-- he started to give himself a haircut at Grammy's the other day, so Phil had to shave it.
This picture is Nico, after eating a sour candy from the pinata.
Fishing Derby
Phil took the kids cane pole fishing on Thursday (7/16) MacArthur Park. Game and Fish stocked it with 2,000 catfish. They caught a bunch of fish and Philip caught one that was tagged. We have to send it in to see if he gets a prize.
Happy 6th Birthday Philip!
Philip turned six on Wednesday.Phil took him fishing early in the morning, just the two of them. His biggest catch of the day was this catfish that was about 22" and almost ten pounds. The funny thing about Philip catching a fish this size is that he was 22" long when he was born and weighed 9lbs 5oz.
Later Phil took Oksana and Philip to the Little Rock Nature Center for a Cane Pole demonstration. They received a free cane pole at the end of the class. While they were at the class, Nico stayed with me in my office for an hour. He colored and played with playdough and entertained everyone.
After work, Nico and I met the rest of the family at Vino's for dinner. Phil had to leave from there to finish umpiring a State Championship game. I took the kids to my in-laws house to open presents and eat cake. He got a lot of nice presents and had a good time.
Later Phil took Oksana and Philip to the Little Rock Nature Center for a Cane Pole demonstration. They received a free cane pole at the end of the class. While they were at the class, Nico stayed with me in my office for an hour. He colored and played with playdough and entertained everyone.
After work, Nico and I met the rest of the family at Vino's for dinner. Phil had to leave from there to finish umpiring a State Championship game. I took the kids to my in-laws house to open presents and eat cake. He got a lot of nice presents and had a good time.
7/9/09
Remembering Jadelyn Marie
My daughter Jadelyn Marie would have been seven years old today. Her name comes from Jade + Lynn. Jade, a precious jewel and my favorite color green. Lynn means "waterfall"--which I absolutely love. I had the name Jaden picked out to name my first daughter since I was in eigth grade. I added the "lyn" part when so many people were naming boys Jaden.
She was mine and Phil's first baby together. I went to the hospital five days after her due date, believing I was in labor. When the ulrasound tech found no heartbeat, the world dropped from underneath us. The doctor induced labor and I waited until it was time to deliver my daughter naturally, who had already gone to heaven to be with God and Uncle Vinnie. She was 7 pounds, 7 ounces, 21" long with dark hair and she looked just like my baby picture. Instead of going home with our baby girl, we went home with a keepsake box with her footprints, blanket and lock of hair. Instead of sending out birth announcements we planned a funeral.
How do I make it through this day? I know I will probably stop at the cemetary on the way home from work to bring flowers and maybe a balloon. Cards from family and friends, phone calls and emails to say they are thinking of us. Knowing I am making a small difference in the care children receive at AR Children's Hospital through the donation I make each month as a partner in hope, so that another parent doesn't have to go through this. Receiving a card in the mail telling me my inlaws have made a donation on her birthday each year. Finding dimes, sometimes in pairs, so I know she is safe with her Uncle Vinnie. I hope he helps her blow all seven candles out on her heavenly birthday cake.
Tonight I am taking Oksana and the boys to Hannah's birthday party for a swim party at the rec. center. Oksana met Hannah on her softball team this year and they became fast friends. Phil and I love her parents Lisa and Bob and they have a little boy, Colby, that is Nico's age and his new buddy. I've never had to deal with celebrating someone else's birthday on this day. Part of me would do anything to avoid it, but Hannah and her family are very specail people, so I know I'll be there. I like to think Jadelyn sent them to us.
I still can't believe it has been seven years. It seems so long ago, yet she is always on my mind and in my heart.
We love you Jadelyn. Happy Birthday baby girl.
7/8/09
4th of July
I took the kids over to my in-laws to swim while Phil umpired a tournament. Everyone made their own kabobs to put on the grill. I decided to do Shrimp on the Barbie, Outback-style. I found the recipe for the spices to sprinkle on the shrimp and the remoulade sauce Outback serves it with, online. They also had the recipe for the bread, but it was too hot to bake. It turned out delicious--Philip--my picky one even tried a couple of shrimp. Oksana ate five skewers of shrimp--so I know she liked them! It was hard, but I managed to save some for Phil when he got done umpiring. We finished the day off with a volleyball game in the pool, with guys vs. the girls. Most games, the girls beat the guys! The kids did some poppers while Phil let off a few small fireworks. At 8:30pm we drove over to watch the fireworks display at Sherwood Forrest.
A Day of Discovery
I was off from work on Friday (7/3) for the 4th of July Holiday. My sister-in-law Christine had off too, so we took all five kids to the LR Nature Center. Christine and the kids had never been there before. I even did some work while I was there-- discusiing a display the center wants me to do in their lobby.
After the Nature Center we headed to the Museum of Discovery. Nicholas had fun rolling Philip in the big wheel.
We went to the Flying Fish across the street for lunch, much to our husbands' dismay. The Flying Fish is one of Phil and David's favorite places to eat. AFter we were all fat and full we walked over to the Riverfront Park. The kids had lots of fun, eve though it was 95 degrees. They asked if the could go in the water sprinklers, or spray pad as they call it. Christine drove, and she was ok with them getting back in the car a bit wet, so off they went. They got soaked and had a blast, while we watched from the sidelines, sweating!
After the Nature Center we headed to the Museum of Discovery. Nicholas had fun rolling Philip in the big wheel.
We went to the Flying Fish across the street for lunch, much to our husbands' dismay. The Flying Fish is one of Phil and David's favorite places to eat. AFter we were all fat and full we walked over to the Riverfront Park. The kids had lots of fun, eve though it was 95 degrees. They asked if the could go in the water sprinklers, or spray pad as they call it. Christine drove, and she was ok with them getting back in the car a bit wet, so off they went. They got soaked and had a blast, while we watched from the sidelines, sweating!
