Happy Birthday Jodie!

It hardly seems possible that you are 30 years old! Oh how the time has passed by. Life is usually so rocky for the two of us. I wish it weren't so but life is what it is. I love you, Jodie and wish you all the happiness that may come your way as you celebrate your special day and begin your journey into Thirty Something. :)

Homecoming

Jodie and Mia reaturned from their travels. It was a cold and sometimes perilous trip over to Holbrook...pounding rain at times and at one point near blizzard conditions with blowing snow and limited visibility. We waited for the bus and I could see Jodie holding Mia waiting to disembark the vehicle. As they started down the stairs, Mia spotted Mike waiting near the bus and called out to him, "Poppa. Dares (there's) Poppa. Hi Poppa" as she reached out to him. And then it was, "Momma. My Momma!" as she reached for me.


She was full of smiles all the ride home...and hanging on to TJei even after T went sound asleep next to her in the back seat of the truck. She missed her sister. She missed Grandma and Grandap...and we missed her. We're so glad they've made it home.

Today's the Day

Today's the day to celebrate Jodie's birthday. :) This year she is celebrating in North Carolina but wherever she may be, she'd be in my thoughts and prayers. Happy Birthday Jodie! Hoping your special day is all you'd want it to be.

Today's also the day to celebrate Aunt Eleanor's birthday. A special lady indeed. Happy birthday, Aunt. :)

Thanksgiving

Aren't these three of the cutest little ragamuffins ever? :)


All three girls were fascinated by the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. It was so cute how they stood in front of the TV to watch...that way they could sing and dance along with the performances!







Mia would make a "crown" out of these baby links and put it on her head declaring, "I'm Cinderella Princess!"


Jodie cooked her first turkey - not bad :) - and we ate on it over the next couple days. We actually had dinner with John and Kelly at their home but had "leftovers" to munch on this way. :)


I was thrilled to have all three girls together!


Everyone who has seen this picture says this is "it" ...Mia's personality captured perfectly. She is a little tease, with an infectious smile and a glimmer in her eyes. She keeps her "distance" just a bit and has a playful demeanor. I agree, this pictures captures the essence of Mia. I love her! ♥ ♥ ♥



What're you going to do about a girl like TJei? Nothing...just love her and hug her! ♥ ♥ ♥



~ Anthony is in my thoughts this day. It has been 21 years since he passed away. ~

Long Ago T-ball

Here are a couple of those old day t-ball pictures that I found the other day. Jodie was playing t-ball on a backyard plastic game set. John was playing an actual game. Check out the footwork on that boy!

Free Fallin'

Tom Petty doesn't have anything on Jodie these days.

And Im free, free fallin
Yeah Im free, free fallin

Jodie was riding a free fallin' elevator, uh-huh.

She has been working as an elevator operator for Zachary out at the power plant. Yesterday, the cable for the elevator snapped and she was free fallin' for a good distance. At about 77 foot elevation the platform caused the elevator to slow for a bit, enough for the emergency brake to engage. Jodie said, "I was just about to pull the emergency brake."

If that elevator emergency brake hadn't engaged when the elevator slowed at the 77' elevation, I'm not sure how, when, or why Jodie would have thought there'd be enough time for her to respond and then the elevator slow and stop. It just wouldn't have happened.

I am so grateful for small wonders - for those little interventions that help us make it through the day safely.

Daisies

Daisies are my favorite flower. Kelly got me to take a closer look at Gerbera Daisies when she had those for her wedding. The colors can be so pastel or so intense, like these. These flowers are Jodie's - a pick me up from Mike & I. I think she like them. I did.

We Found Nemo!

Oh gosh, we had such a good time!
-- Click on TJei's picture and check out her eyes. She wanted to have the picture and share her smile and enthusiams but she was captivated by the characters on the rink. It was great! --

I was somewhat worried, our tickets from Ticketmaster hadn't arrived. I suspect Mike may have tossed them thinking it was junk mail. Fortunately, I did think of the tickets before leaving out from home and contacted Ticketmaster. They were the best - exceptional customer service. We picked up replacement tickets at Will-Call on the night of the show.


TJei was ecstatic! She didn't sit the entire evening. She stood and danced to the music and sang along with the songs. She had a wonderful time!

Even little Mia enjoyed the color and movement. Anytime Jodie tried to turn her around, Mia would fuss to turn back so she could see all the activity. She, too, was having a good time ... as were Jodie and I.

I am so glad we could all go together to see Finding Nemo. It was a lot of fun.

Wednesday Visitors

Wednesday brought many visitors to SJ. Robert Lewis and his friend Morning Star stopped by to visit and see how Philip is doing. Robert has been in touch regularly and has tried to be supportive of Philip. Robert was in SJ for a hearing on his young kids, he has been working hard to increase visitation and time with his youngsters and be reunited with his young daughter who is now living in Texas. He's making progress and we're wishing him well!


Our precious little 3 month old Mia came up for a visit along with her Mommy. They arrived late Wednesday afternoon and stayed until Friday afternoon. It was great to see her and spend some time cuddling and playing with her ... good to see Jodie, too. :) TJei went home with her mom and sister when they left. :(


Quentin came up late Wednesday evening. He stayed in SJ just overnight and returned to Pima after a long day of snowboarding fun at Sunrise with Tom Tanner all day Thursday. It does look like they had a lot of fun playing in the snow!

Out of the Blue

Jodie called a bit ago. She had called and talked with Grandpa, just out of the blue. She said she's going to try visiting him sometime over the next few weeks. She didn't know anything about my sentimental observation a few days ago. I haven't mentioned this blog to anyone.

Big Little Mia

Jodie's little baby girl was born on Tuesday evening.

Jodie was in labor most of the day but it wasn't hard labor until just the last couple minutes. She was in *much* better state of mind from what she had been when TJei was born. She didn't chew me out or scowl at me even one time!

Mia was a whopping 10lbs 1.7oz (rounded to 2oz) and fit as a fiddle.

There had been just a bit of concern about her little hand and arm because it had been up alongside the side of her head during the delivery. All seemed to be well with the limb and her ability to move her little arm so it wasn't a concern for too long.

Welcome to our world little Mia.