Sisters

There is something about sisters...something special...something unique...something only girls understand. "Sister" can mean an actual blood-related sister, a sister-in-law, or even just a friend who is so close you consider her a sister. Whatever definition you choose, there is nothing in the world like a sister.

I am lucky enough to have all three of the above definitions apply to my life, but this post is really about only one of those. Kim.

I'll be honest, when we were young we were not friends. But then, what 16 year old is really friends with her bratty 9 year old little sister? That's what a seven year difference will do when you're young. But then we grew up a little, and those seven years didn't seem like such a big deal. (In fact, at one point someone actually guessed that I was older than her, and I think our ages were 13 and 20.) And then we grew up even more, (you know, became adults!) and it was like that age difference just disappeared. It was awesome!

As adults, we both went through different life changing events at different times, so that pulled us apart again at times (which I think is probably pretty normal). But regardless of that, we have always been there for each other for the big things (weddings, children, etc.). I won't lie when I say that I wish we were together and could share the little day-to-day things as well, but maybe someday! Regardless, I have always known that I could count on her for anything.

There are two specific times when my sister was, let's be honest, a life-saver to me. The first was my wedding day. Without being asked, she just took charge that day making sure everyone was where they were supposed to be when they were supposed to be there, without me worrying about anything. She helped me get ready (not sure when she got ready!), and was the last one to give me a hug before I walked down the aisle. She made sure everything was taken care of even after the wedding and after we left. And she did all that without being asked.

The second time was after Hadley was born. Unfortunately I had some health complications a few days after we came home, and luckily she was there visiting. I was admitted into the hospital and she, without hesitating, stayed and took care of my less than a week old baby at home. She gave him his first bottle, changed his yucky diapers, got up multiple times during the nights with him, and most importantly loved him. During those few days, I never worried about him being taken care of because I knew he was in very capable hands. And again, she did all that without being asked.

My sister is a rock. Sometimes she has been a rock that I just stepped over and kept going. Sometimes she has been a rock that I have leaned on. But, the older I get, and the more I learn about her and about life, the more I appreciate her and hope I can be like her. She is my big sister...someone I look up to...someone I respect...my friend. I'm lucky that I get to go through life with her.

Family

This past weekend Griffin and I took a little road trip. We traveled to Topeka, Kansas to help celebrate the promotion of my brother-in-law, Chris Turner, to Colonel. I don't know much about the Air Force, but I know that this is a big deal!

Griffin and I spent a lot of time in the car, traveling almost 1000 miles in three days, but it was totally worth it! It is not very often that all of my siblings get together (four times in the last ten years), but it happened this weekend at Kim's house in Topeka. Sam and Stacy drove in from Levelland Friday, and drove back Saturday night. Tim and my dad flew in Saturday morning from Abilene, and flew back Sunday morning. And Griffin and I drove up Friday from Sherman, and drove home Sunday. We had a great time together, as always!

My sweet girl was such a trooper throughout the entire weekend, despite the time in her car seat, the lack of naps, and the many many new people oohing and aahing over her. We had such a great weekend, and I am so glad we were able to make the trip.

Running

My sister is a runner. She has been a runner pretty much as long as I can remember. She does not jog. She runs. And she runs long distances. (We're talking miles and miles.)

On the other hand, I hate running. I'm not really a big fan of walking either, but I know it's a good exercise. But I do not run. Ever. Like, ever.

For the past several months, my sister has been training and planning on doing an ultra run (just the sound of which is intimidating). This past Saturday night was the big (50 mile) run. I thought about her all day Saturday, and especially that evening / night, wondering how it was going for her. The truth is, I only wish I had the dedication she has when it comes to fitness, exercise, health, etc. So, no matter what the outcome of her race that night, I did and always will, see her as a successful person. Although she didn't end up with the results she had hoped for, in my mind it doesn't really matter because she did more than most any of us would have even attempted.

My sister is a motivation and an example to me in a lot of areas. And just like when I was little, I still look up to her and want to be like her (when I grow up!).

Old School Blog Questions

My sister tagged me in this little survey, so just for fun here goes...

A. Attached or Single?

Married...about to celebrate 7 years.

B. Best Friend?

Eric

C. Cake or pie?

Probably cake, but really not a sweets eater.

D. Day of choice?

Monday (Just kidding!!)

Friday - especially in the summer when I get off work at noon.

E. Essential Item?

Lately, the same a Kim - giant insulated mug (full of water!)

F. Favorite color?

Pink or turquoise

G. Gummy bears or worms?

Gummy bears...not as big a fan of these as I used to be

H. Hometown?

Abilene

I. Favorite Indulgence?

Chips & queso

J. January or July?

Definitely July

K. Kids?

Hadley

L. Life isn’t complete without?

My boys - Eric & Hadley

M. Marriage date?

July 8, 2006

N. Number of brothers/sisters?

2 brothers – Tim & Sam

1 sister – Kim

O. Oranges or Apples

Both

P. Phobias?

Failing

Q. Quotes?

Don't walk before me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend.

R. Reasons to smile?

My family, long time friends, a day off work, birthday parties, pedicures, accomplishing a goal...

(Throwing in some old pictures that make me smile.)

S. Season of choice?

Fall (love the colors)

T. Tag 5 People.

Never really know who to tag on these things...

U. Unknown fact about me?

I can't ride a bike. (Stop laughing!)

V. Vegetable?

Bell peppers

W. Worst habit?

Not really a habit but, I have a terrible temper and get irritated at stupid little things.

X. Xray or Ultrasound?

Xray - chest (several), foot

Ultrasound - pregnancy (the best!), thyroid, boob

MRI - foot

Echo - chest/heart

Y. Your favorite food?

Chips and dip

Z. Zodiac sign?

Capricorn (but I don't really care)

June Daily Challenge

So I've decided to do a little challenge during the month of June. I got this idea from my sister who did a day of the month exercise/activity challenge back in February.

The idea is to do the exercise / activity the number of times (or minutes) to correspond to the day of the month. So by the end of June I would be doing 30 of whatever exercise I chose. Now I am just trying to decide what move to do. My thought so far include push-ups, burpees, minute(s) of situps or planks. Any suggestions?

Updates via Facebook

Starting back around the beginning of October sometime...


Mandi is home with Hadley again today. Ear infection #4 for him. Thank goodness for Amoxicillin (sp?).

Mandi is back at work today while Eric stays at home with Hadley. I'm ready for my sweet boy to be all better!


It is definitely Hadley's bedtime!!

Dear Hadley- As much as mommy loves rocking and cuddling you, it would be great if we could avoid doing that in the middle of the night tonight. If you do wake up during the night and don't feel good, mommy will come get you, but she would really prefer if that doesn't happen. So, sweet boy, just remember how good it feels to sleep all night long and wake up rested and happy in the morning. Night, night baby.


Well hello, Friday! It's so nice to see you again.

The flu has infiltrated our house.


Mandi just spent over $200 on Tamaflu for the three of us (and it's only preventative for the two big people). This stuff better work or I'm not gonna' be happy!

Hadley appears to have a very mild case of the flu...to watch him play today you wouldn't even know he is sick...and his fever is gone tonight (hopefully for good!).


No more fever...happy/laughing baby...maybe we can get back to normal around here!

Pedi's tonight - yay!!


Oh beautiful sunshine - where are you hiding??

Mandi is in Dallas for a meeting tomorrow - missing my boys.


Mandi is, once again, playing with Hadley while Eric fixes supper...homemade pizzas - yum!

Mandi is exhausted


Mandi is super glad it's Friday!

Mandi is at a pig sale in Vernon.


Happy 11 month birthday, sweet boy...can't believe how quickly you're approaching a year!

Mandi needs diet coke...stat...an IV of it would be great.


seriously?? more rain??

Dear Landlord - Our roof is once again leaking, which means it wasn't actually fixed the last time we told you about it. I would appreciate very much if you would get this taken care of immediately as I don't like when it rains INSIDE my house. In addition, I don't plan on paying my next months rent if this matter is not resolved. Sincerely, Aggrivated (Wet) Tenant


One good thing about my drive home every day is the fall colors on the trees. I love fall.

Well, hello autumn! Thanks for bringing such pretty leaves with you this year. I hope you can stick around for a while.


Mandi is wondering what kind of crazy people run the air conditioner in an office when it's 50 degrees outside. Are you kidding me???

Mandi does not understand why some people are so totally 'in love' with (DOS based) software that is 20 years old, and think it is the best product ever! First of all, it's 2009 people! And second, do you know what a mouse is???


Are you kidding me??? Air conditioner is on AGAIN at work. Seriously? I still have my heavy coat on, little heater is running, and I'm considering covering up with a blanket. This is absolutely ridiculous.

Mandi could not be more tired of this rainy weather.


Mandi is excited to put Hadley in his halloween costume tomorrow - just wish we knew more people we could go see and trick-or-treat (aka show off how cute he looks!).

Mandi and Hadley are still hanging out in our jammies. I love lazy Saturday mornings!


Lazy morning over - now we're on our way to the Pumpkin Patch!

Why is it that my house is never clean and the laundry is never done??


It's so much easier to leave the house at 6:45 when it's light and sunny outside!

3 am??? Really Hadley??


Mandi is feeling a bit irritated right now

I would like a Route 44 diet coke, please.


Today's agenda: meetings all day in Plano. Good times!

Mandi is sitting in a freezing cold room listening to a guy talk about software that I don't even have access to yet. Nice.


Loooong day! So glad I'm taking tomorrow off!

Mandi dropped Hadley off earlier tonight with his Gigi and Papa to spend the weekend (first time to stay at their house w/out mommy & daddy) and I miss him already. But hopefully we can get a lot done around the house tomorrow.


Mandi and Eric spent the day scrubbing, straightening, dusting, sweeping, and mopping, and now we have a spic-and-span house. So as a reward we are going out on a date!

On our way to pick up Hadley!


Mandi had a good weekend and got a lot done, but is happy to be back to our little family of three!

I think I'll skip washing bottles tonight...we have enough to last a couple days w/out washing. I'm feeling lazy and ready for bed when Hadley goes to bed.


Thank goodness for iPods.

Today I am thankful for sweet smiles and slobbery kisses!


Today I am thankful for my Poppa, who turns 95 today. I am thankful for his wisdom, his bear hugs, and the amazing example and influence he has been on my life. I love you, Poppa.

This morning I am thankful for my job and even more thankful I can take days (paid) days off when I want.


I am thankful for Mickey Mouse Clubhouse because it keeps my little munchkin happy while I get ready in the mornings.

I am thankful for birthday parties!! Can't wait until the big party tomorrow for my (soon to be) 1-YEAR OLD!!!


Today I am thankful for yummy and messy birthday cake and icing.

Today I am thankful for naps.


I am thankful for fun, noisey toys that make Hadley laugh out loud. (Ask me tomorrow and I might be more thankful for removeable batteries from those same toys!)

This morning I am thankful for a warm coat to wear in the cold wind.


I am thankful for pictures so I can always remember special days.

I am thankful for memories. I am remembering one year ago today (Nov. 17) when I had my last doctors appointment before Hadley was born. I remember how disgustingly swolen my legs were & how I could barely climb up on the exam table. I was excited and nervous when he said we were going to induce that Wednesday (Nov.19). Little did we know that Hadley had other plans!!


I could not be more thankful today for the gift we were given on this day one year ago. Happy 1st Birthday, my sweet Hadley!! I love you to the moon and back.

Although they were not enjoyable for any of us this morning, I am thankful for immunizations so my baby can keep growing healthy and strong.


Today I am thankful for: Fridays; Diet Coke; hot showers; bottle brushes; boots; pickup trucks; tiny socks; Chick-fil-A; applesauce; red lights....(to be continued)

More thanks for today: adding machines; YoBaby yogurt; napkins; skunk traps (that catch other critters too!); screen savers; crushed ice; Christmas music; sticky notes...


I am also thankful for Target; shopping baskets; not driving in traffic where we live; text messages; Fuddruckers; cruise control; toy trucks; sliced cheese; and toilet paper.

Mandi is thankful that, so far, Hadley seems to really like REAL milk!! My goal: buy NO MORE formula (until Hadley has a little brother or sister).


Mandi is thankful for family.

Today I am thankful for a healthy heart, regulated blood pressure, and the ability to breathe normally - three things I did not have a year ago today, and three things I have learned not to take for granted.


I am thankful for my sister who, a year ago, was staying with my tiny 5-day-old Hadley while I was in the hospital, and taking such good care of him; I knew he was in good hands and I had nothing to worry about. Thanks, Kim.

I am so thankful for the ability to buy gifts for other people - one of my favorite things to do!


Mandi is thankful for days off work...which means more fun time with my boys!!

Today I am so very thankful for my amazing husband who is my best friend and my precious son who fills my heart with love and joy. We have been so blessed this year and I am thankful for every moment I have with them. Happy Thanksgiving.


Mandi is excited to decorate the house for Christmas this weekend!!

Christmas tree is up & decorated; (some) presents are wrapped and under the tree; and today we are all going Christmas shopping. I love this time of year!!


Eric is putting Christmas lights up outside; Hadley is napping (totally off schedule thanks to a terribly rough night last night!); and I am making Chex mix, doing laundry, and enjoying my beautiful Christmas tree inside the warm house.

Dear Hadley - Do you have another ear infection? Is that why you have been so fussy all weekend, and why you had such a rough night last night? Does mommy need to call the doctor tomorrow?


Yep - another ear infection! One more and we will see an ENT and talk about the next step.

Dear Baby Lew...

Dear Baby Lew,

There is so much to tell you, I don't even know where to start. For tonight I will start with my family...

I come from a pretty big immediate family (I'm the youngest of four kids), so you will have lots of names and faces to learn eventually. But you will also have lots of people to love on you and kiss you, and play games with you, and ooh and aah over you, and even babysit you!

First there is Nanny and Papo. Lucky for you they already have experience at being grandparents. They will probably be some of the first people you meet. Papo will definitely sing songs to you, play the guitar for you, read books to you, and he might even give you candy if you ask real nice (don't tell Nanny!). And Nanny...she is an expert rocker (she has the best lap!), she will read books to you, play games with you (maybe even teach you some new ones), make you grilled cheese sandwiches (with or without a lid), and just do all the things a "Nanny" is supposed to do. (I even think she might be an expert diaper changer - so be sure and remember that whenever she is around!)

Uncle Chris, Aunt Kim (my sister), and cousins Jordan and Hunter (who by the way has a birthday tomorrow...Happy Birthday Hunter!!) - Even though they live a long way away (in Kansas), and Daddy might say it's too far away, we will still make the trip whenever we can because it will be totally worth it. Uncle Chris can teach you how to play golf if you want, or maybe teach you about airplanes. Aunt Kim will be our go-to-girl for advice and for shopping. She can teach you how to find the best sales. And if you are ever up for a run, she's your girl! And Jordan and Hunter will be the best playmates ever. They can teach you about some of the most fun toys and games around. They will love playing with you as you grow up.

Uncle Tim (my brother), Aunt Dina, and cousins Bailey and Emma - Uncle Tim will be a good advice giver and teacher of sports. He kind of watched out for me before I met your Daddy, so I know he's good at that. Aunt Dina will help teach you about all sorts of stuff and will let you come play at her house anytime you want. Cousins Bailey and Emma will just dote over you like crazy. They will teach you all the girl things you need to know from older cousins! Maybe they will even babysit you some. (Mommy used to babysit them, so it's kinda fun to see the tides change.)

Uncle Sam (my brother), Aunt Stacy, and cousin Isabel - Uncle Sam is just a year older than me so we have always been pretty close. He will always be up for taking you to a Rangers game, or any Texas Tech sporting events. Aunt Stacy can teach you to sing pretty, or can join us on our shopping trips (with Aunt Kim!). Isabel will just be three when you are born, so hopefully y'all with be great friends. She will be a fun playmate when you are together.

So, as you can see, there are lots of people who are going to be ready to meet you when you arrive, and lots of people who love you already. I am already super excited to meet you (and you are only the size of a tiny little peanut). Until then...

Love,
Mommy