Back to being a mommy

The Katy and Gabe come back Saturday. Yeah ! It has been a nice break but I am ready to be a full-time Mom again. I always miss them when they are at their Dad's but this summer has been harder than usually. I guess with Emily's death it just has made me a little more on edge about having them so far away.

They will start day camp on Monday and I promised them we are going to check out every pool in Reston during the rest of the summer. :) Katy is going to be taking a month of swim lesson so she can get ready to be on the winter swim team at the Y. Adam starts college August 22nd !! Seems hard to believe that he is starting that journey of his life.

And now that they will be back I will finally have an excuse to see the Harry Potter movie. And I have crazily agreed to get them hamsters -- we are taking one off a friends litter.

This is the one of the many reasons I love having kids -- I get to do all the fun kid stuff and just say I am tagging along -- but secretly it is fun being a little bit of a kid again. I love the silliness and the laughter of them and being able to be as silly as they are.

So many adults are pissed off all the time over the stupidest stuff -- and yes I do get mad at times -- do we all -- but it is such a waste of time and energy to spend the precious moments of life being angry.

If anything Emily's death has brought home to me once again is that there is only one life to live - I choose to live mine the happiest I can. I am going to try not to worry or be angry. I am going to look at the my husband and children and tell them each day that I love them. I am going to let my parents know once again how much I appreciate the life and love they gave me. I am going to teach my children not to be afraid to live -- to try new things and be glad that God has given us so many, many blessings.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. " - Mark Twain

Or as 85-year Nadine Stair old says:

If I Had My Life to Live Over

I'd dare to make more mistakes next time.
I'd relax. I would limber up.
I would be sillier than I have been this trip.
I would take fewer things seriously.
I would take more chances.
I would take more trips.
I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers.
I would eat more ice cream and less beans.

I would perhaps have more actual troubles but I'd
have fewer imaginary ones.

You see, I'm one of those people who live sensibly
and sanely hour after hour, day after day.

Oh, I've had my moments and if I had it to do over
again, I'd have more of them. In fact,
I'd try to have nothing else. Just moments.

One after another, instead of living so many
years ahead of each day.

I've been one of those people who never go anywhere
without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat
and a parachute.

If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot
earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall.

If I had it to do again, I would travel lighter next time.
I would go to more dances.
I would ride more merry-go-rounds.
I would pick more daisies.

For once I can say --- I was RIGHT !!!

Way back in the cold of winter I kept saying to my beloved over and over again that we wanted to hurry up and sell his condo so we could buy ahead of the spring market. And IF we could find that perfect house and bid on it while it was still very brrrrr outside the better we would be. And IF we could get those sellers to then close in the Spring...well life would be even better.

Well folks...that is what we did. I knew the market was very close to being at the lowest point at that time. I had read and read and read about Northern Virginia real estate until I was blue in the face. As Mike put it once..." we might want to think about getting another realtor when you know more than he does." So, we got Bonnie, our wonderful realtor, and the rest is history.

With all that being said, today there came out the charts on Fairfax real estate over the past couple of years and look what month everything was the lowest in every category. -- February 2007 -- and when did we put in a contract on out place -- February 2007. :)

Now... let's just hope our wonderful home continues on the upward tread of gaining equity.

Amazing people, amazing world

I have been amazed how many people have hit my blog through Google and read about Emily. Many were friends of hers I didn't even know. Today, one of her friends, Kelley, who I have never met send me a comment through the blog. It is great to read about how many people loved and cared for my little sister. (And Kelly -- if you read this look at your comment - I sent a reply).

Out of the blue, I got a card in the mail Tuesday from one of my and Emily's closest friends and neighbor growing up -- Kim Cockern. I have not seen or heard from Kim in 20 years but it was so nice getting that from her.

I came across 3 text messages on my phone that Emily sent me the end of May. They all sounds so positive and upbeat...and in everyone she ended them with ...I Love You. I can't bear to part with any of them and I forwarded them to my email address so I will always have them.

This time a month ago we were talking on the phone -- she asked me about Mike and the kids, told me the latest saga in her life...nothing major. Just Em being Em.

Emily would be surprised and thrilled to know that so many people loved and cared about her. And miss her..... I know I miss her. :)

You know, so many people have asked me how I am doing. Most days I am fine. There are times when I see something that reminds me of Emily and I get sad but mostly I try to remind myself that she is at peace and in a better place. I know she is watching over Ashleigh and Noah ...and I am sure also keeping an eye out for Gabe, Katy, Adam and Bri. (Photo in the blog is of her and Adam -- she loved being an aunt) When I think of that... it makes me feel better. Thanks Em ! And we all love you !

Yes...we are back

Yes..back from a wonderful honeymoon. Here is one picture to tide you over.This was taken in Jenner, Calf. In the background is where the Russian River flows into the Pacific. Magnificent views from here. We also had a great time visiting wineries all over Napa, Sonoma, Russian River and everywhere in between. I'll post more pictures soon.

We are also getting the wedding pictures this week and should post a link to view them by the weekend.

Don't except many posts this week from me -- I am trying to catch up at work after being gone away forever and when I am not there I am working on unpacking boxes and boxes and boxes at the house. :)

One the way to honeymoon...finally

Well....we are sitting here in the wacky Denver airport (the terminal looks like many circus tents) on are way to be in the wine country of California soon.

This is a much, much needed break for both Mike and I -- after weeks of very happy events, very sad events and seeing many family members and friends we are looking very forward to some alone time soon. :)

We might be updating the blog while gone...of course we brought the camera. :) But we will see.....

Have a happy 4th to all !!

We are back......

After a very, very long week in Mississippi and several flight delays we are back. Emily's funeral was unbelievably moving and sad. My good friend Kelly Green did the music and every time I would hear his voice sing it would make me feel better. Emily played and loved the guitar so he played his during the mass.

During a time like this you realize how fragile life is and how incredible your parents are. I saw amazing strength and love in my Mom and Dad. I loved my children with my while heart and soul so I can't even imagine how hard this is for them. Yet, they both seem to find much comfort knowing my sister was finally at peace. Even though Emily and I had are differences at times and I didn't agree with the way she sometimes lived her life I am going to miss her terribly. She is my only sister.

She was zany, beautiful, smart and very outgoing. I will miss hearing her voice and seeing her do kooky faces. I will also miss the silly nicknames she gave everyone she knew and loved. It is funny -- we both ended up giving some part of each other to our daughters -- Ashliegh, my niece, is named for my middle name Leigh and Katy is named Kathleen -- which is the Irish form for Catherine, for Emily's middle name. I know my neice, Ashleigh, 7, and my nephew, Noah, 9, will grow up now without their mom. Please continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

With that being said I really good not have made it through the week without the support of my husband (as of two weeks now) Mike. He was a source of stabily and strength for me.And helped me laugh when I needed it most. My friends and family love him even more than they did. My children were also a wonderful comfort for both me, their grandparents and cousins.

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”