Counting Down

I just got off the phone with my daughter.  She came back from seeing her doctor.  If Donna Marie doesn't go naturally by next Monday, she will be induced on June 7. 


Is she ready?  yes and no

Donna Marie wants to not be pregnant anymore. It is hot and the baby is very big.  These last two months have been very uncomfortable.  But on the flip side, she is not looking forward to bearing down, the pain, and the needles.

Goodness sakes, who does?!?  I know I don't.  The pain is the first thing I thought each time I had my sons.  You don't know what you are in for on the first child.  It is like trial by fire. My daughter being the first trial.

I have been there for each of her babies. We are on her fourth.  I would have loved to have been there for my son's daughter's birth.  I don't know if I would have been allowed in the room, but I most definitely would have been outside the doors waiting to burst through as soon as I was allowed.

This Tuesday may be the last time I get to see a grandchild of mine born.  Donna Marie has stated that this is the last one.  But she also stated that with the others kids.  Who knows?

My son is expecting to have a son in  late July but I wont be there.  He lives in Colorado.  I can't just be on standby  and fly out on a moment's notice.  I wish I could but the old purse strings do not allow for that kind of spontaneity.  I will be visiting him and his family in August.

My youngest has decided not to have children and even if  he changes his mind, the girl will probably  rather have her mom in the room with her instead of me. 

I am still in awe that a child of mine is going to give birth to another one of my angels.  What an early birthday present for me.  My birthday being the next day.

I told my daughter that Joaquin (that will be the baby's name) and I will be having week long birthday extravaganzas every second week of June.  A week of being worshipped and adored by the family.

That's when she said "Really, Ma"  rolled her eyes and said "goodbye, mother!"   Now I didn't see her roll her eyes but I have that ability to know how she react to things.  I made her after all.

Each child is a blessing!  I am so looking forward to hold and meet my newest grandchild.

Now about the week long birthday extravaganzas.  Is that too much to ask for??


 Party girl Abbie

Seems like Old Times

It has been a little while since I had a little one to look after for a whole day.  A little tired, but I discovered that I still got it. 

My daughter wanted to take her two oldest kids to the movies and asked if I could watch Jackson.  I agreed. I have looked forward to spending some one on one time with him.  I have had my time with my other grandchildren.  It was Jackson's turn.

My daughter tells me that she will be having a surprise birthday party for her brother-in- law later on the afternoon,.  She is nuts.  I don't remember having that kind of energy to host a party at that stage of pregnancy. She is a week away from being a mom for the 4th time!!! Maybe it is in the water.


I told her I would love to keep Jackson until after the party or better yet I would love it if he spent the night.  I have a room with a crib, since the first grandchild was born.  She thought that was a good idea. It ended up being better than she thought.  There was so much chaos in the house during the party that it would have been too much for her had Jackson been there.


My first outing with Jackson. I was all giddy.  I needed to go to Michael's (craft store). I was looking for stamping ideas and a needlepoint project. I loved the company but  I had to keep moving because I remember that kids have little timers that can go off if I take to long in one area. 


I took him to another store to get more diapers because I ran out.  Could it be because his mother decided to give him two servings of mulitgrain cheerios this morning??  Boy, would she have paid for that if Jackson was with her at the party.




We came home and we had some dinner.  We had a little story time and before I knew it, it was time for bed.   Jackson fussed the tiniest bit and fell asleep. While he slept, I had to clean my kitchen and straighten up my house that a little dynamo  managed to dismantle.  I forgot how tiring it was to look after someone so young.  I couldn't wait to get to bed and just go to sleep.
 
I woke up at 6am in the morning!  On a Sunday!!!  I couldn't have slept longer even if I longed to stay in that big and comfy bed.   I wanted to be bright eyed and bushy tailed for my angel.  I didn't want him to wait a second longer than he needed to when he woke up.  I


Jackson woke up in the best of moods.  I was right on top of all his needs.  I had his cup ready when he got thirsty and fed him toast and eggs.


We went into the yard a little later and watered the garden.  He likes to hold the hose and touch the water.   Jackson played with Lando and then it was time for his mom to come get him. 


Donna Marie came with my other two grandchildren and I served them lunch.     After we finished eating, I played Lego's with all three on the floor.  After we built the biggest house, we went outside to look at the garden then I helped get them in the car.  Of course, I had to give them a handful of cookies for the trip.  With Jackson, one cookie in each hand.

Everyone left with a smile on their face. I think Jackson enjoyed himself.  I know I did. I am happy that I spent some quality my little angel and happy to have the rest of the afternoon to take a nap!


 Sleepy Abbie

Making a Mark

It is the day after the so called Judgement day, Apocalypse, end of the world.  Jokes were made throughout facebook.  It was all over the news. A man spent his life retirement money to advertise the coming of the end to save the people in New York.  People stopped paying their bills and ran up their credit cards.  This was all caused by what one man said.  The world was coming to an end on May 21, 2011.  A man most people have not met.


Which brings me to this post,  I have always believed that people we meet during our lifetime forms the person we become.  They may add or take away a piece of us. They may be in our lives for as little as one day or be our forever friends. 


Some people strive to make a mark in the world, whether it is to be the richest, prettiest, or the most famous in the world.  I choose to leave my mark or a footprint on my children's and grandchildren's hearts.


I want them to remember to laugh.  I can laugh at the silliest of jokes. I can find joy in almost anything.  I have found life to short to dwell on the bad things. I can laugh at myself. The laugh I have is  very loud and very robust.   Babies are startle at my noise.   For a short round girl, I may not be seen but I can be heard.


I want them to love to read.  I read everything I can get my hands on. I read instruction manuals that come with appliances, bikes, and remote controls.  I love to read the signs that are posted everywhere.   I especially love to read to my grandchildren. I want them to get all the knowledge that the world can provide.


I love to hug and kiss the people in my life.  I am a very affectionate person.  I love to kiss and/or hug my angels whenever I see them. I sometimes feel compelled to go into the room just to see them and if they are close enough, to give them a peck on the cheek or a touch on the arm.  I just want them to know they are loved.


I want them to love themselves.  I want them to feel worthy of themselves. I want them to know they are amazing. I want them to know they have the fortitude to withstand all that life can throw at them.  I want them to find joy and happiness in all things. 


I want them to know that in their life a woman named, Abbie, loved them unconditionally.
If I can leave any of these things, than I have surely left my footprint in the world.

Abbie

Trip to the Park



This is Sean, S., and Zoe.  It was a nice day.  Bill had taken them to the park.  I was working, so he took all of these pictures.  

Bill played tour guide for them.  He explained the history of the park and the surrounding areas. He is very proud of his state.  Bill informed them about the swinging bridge.

It is a walking bridge.  It is not a very wide or tall bridge.You can get a few people on it and jump up and down and you can really make it shake. 

In his youth,  Bill and his friends went to the swinging bridge and jump and then jump off and go swimming.  Not a lot of security back then or now come to think about it. 

I had done the same thing on one particular summer I was visiting my cousin. I would spend most summers visiting her in my childhood. She would take me to the same park and she showed me this bridge. She would tell me the cool thing about jumping up and down and making the bridge move.

I came from the city and the bridges I went on did not do this with the sheer force of two 80 pound 12 year old girls.   She taught me how to get over the rail and coaxed me into jumping off.  What an exhilaration that turned into sheer terror. I think I screamed all the way down. But when all was said and done, I love my cousin for introducing me to this wild adventure and being a risk taker.

Who knows? Bill and I may have been there at the same time in our adolescence.  In the many areas, that he took the kids on this particular day. 

I wish I could go back in time and see if I could spot him out. I know I would recognize him.  Gorgeous blue eyes, sandy blond hair, and a smile that would make a girl weak in the knees.

Okay. Back now.

Bill took them to the rose garden.  I love roses.

Zoe wanted to take a little walk. She walks so daintily.

Zoe was hamming it up for pappy.   She loves her Pappy.

I thought this was a good picture.  Bill took it himself and got a shot of two of our angels.

Missed a great day but knowing Bill,  I was always there through the stories he told.



Thrill Seeking Abbie

Tomb Raider

My men in their natural habitat.

They are playing a video game and just relaxing.

They are in total concentration mode.

My oldest boy is so serious when it comes to his video games.

I stealthily move about them.  So I can get these candid shots.  I didn't want to disturb them in their  environment.

My man loves being in their company.

He watches, eats, and chit chats with them.

It had been a long time, since they were together.  I just had to capture this moment. It will be awhile before it happens again.  My son has to go back to Colorado in a few days.

Before I went upstairs, I turned to look and reminisce of a time long ago.  A time when my angels were itty bitty and watching their father play Tomb Raider. 

It is funny. I remember when Bill would play Tomb Raider on a 13 inch screen.  We would all huddle around him on a love seat. This family time would take place in the tiniest room in the house.  It didn't matter what the situation was, we would always have a way to be in a cluster.  As they grew older and bigger, we would have pillows or foot stools so everyone can have a seat.

Tomb Raider can be very stressful. It can be more so, when you have four other people telling and screaming at you to watch out for things. Watch out for the boulders! Jump right now!  Ohh, you fell on the spikes or better hurry up or you are going to drown! Fun stuff like that. I laugh about it and Bill can laugh about it now.

The kids always looked forward to Dad playing the video game.  It was our version of game night. Great times. Sigh.

I quietly left the room and headed upstairs, knowing I hadn't interrupted their time.

Ninja Abbie

A Moment in Time

It has been a whirlwind these past few weeks.  My son Sean and his family came for a visit.  

He got in early Sunday morning.  Absolutely loved waking up at 2am for this reason alone :)  It had been so long since Sean was home.

It was S and Zoe's first visit to DE.   Bill and I had been looking forward to this visit for so long.  We have missed our boy.  He was in the military and was stationed in Colorado for these past few years.  We had visited a few times.  It just wasn't enough for me.  I know he is a grown man but I still miss my angel. 

Sean has made an angel himself, well he had help from S. The angel's name is Zoe. They are having another angel in July.  We will be visiting them in August.  As much as it kills me, I have to let mama and Liam rest a bit before I come charging over there with kisses and hugs. Is three weeks enough time?? It will be a short visit.

As you can see, I have already planned a trip and they have barely walked through the door. 

I have been taking pictures throughout this time waiting for an opportunity. A wanted a time when the grandkids were used to one another and that way they would be at ease with a group picture. I was rewarded for my patience. 

I got the shot!

I was able to get a photograph to treasure. Look at the older kids.  They already know how to pose with a baby on their laps. 

I have teased Bill with the fact about where are we going to put the other two grandkids.  He seems to have run out of room on his lap.  He assures me that they will fit.  When that happens, that picture will be my favorite!  lol

So for a moment in time, all was right with the world. I had all of my angels together at the same time in my home.

Timeless Abbie

stickers please

Just received a phone call from DM.  She was telling me about her ordeal with Josiah.  They had just come back from the dentist.  Josiah had gone to the dentist before and was open to all that comes with a visit.


Unfortunately for them, he decided on this visit that he didn't want to open his mouth.  lol  My angel can not be bribed.  Once he sets his mind to something  no one can change his mind. Has been that way since I can remember in his life  Have no idea where he gets that from.  I personally blame his mom.

After much appealing, the assistant goes to DM and says time is up you will need to reschedule.  DM is upset that not only they didn't get to look inside his mouth but now she has to shell out another co-pay for another visit.

As they walk out of the dentist office,  Josiah sees the container with treats for the kids and asks his mom "May I have stickers, please". 

Well, let me tell you that did not go over well. lol  Love that first angel of mine :)

Angels of all sizes

I have three children.  They don't live at home but they are still my angels.
I have a daughter - Donna Marie . I have a two sons - Sean and Denis .


They have brought much joy and much heartache to my life.    If I could have put them in a plastic bubble, I would have done it in a heartbeat. lol


There is a movie called Bubble boy.  When at the end it was discovered that he was in the bubble as mom's way of protecting her son,  I applauded.  My kids were shocked and appalled.  Love that movie only saw it once.  It was enough for me.


Love them and always want the best for them.  Protect them for the cold cruel world out there.  They know I love them and have there backs in any situation.  I may have pushed hard sometimes unrelenting but was always with the intention of getting them prepared for what was out there if they were not ready.


It sucks to be a parent of an adult child. Hard to let go that I can't control the situation and solve their problems for them.   I have been there in many of the circumstances.  I don't know if they learned to do things the hard way from me. It sure looks like it.  They had to make their own way and forge their own road.

I guess they wanted to be forged in baptism by fire, blood, sweat, and tears.  I was their role model after all.  Though it has made them very strong and capable of standing harsh conditions. They can also appreciated and treasure things in life other people would take for granted.


I have not been in this journey alone.  I have an amazing partner, best friend and awesome man anyone can imagine.   I could have done it alone.  But Lord knows what that would have turned me into. 

One of those women, who have faces that look the world kicked the living shit out of with deep lines across forehead, permanent frowning mouth and eyes sunken. 


Was always taught to be strong.  Independent. Persistent or as my better half says stubborn :) He is my sounding board, my rock, and always by my side.   In another cliche, he was the tether to my kite.  No matter what direction I took, he came along for the ride.

He supported all my decisions whether he agreed or not.   Never thought that type of dedication was real or that I deserved that.   A true partner, which I am so honored to have, share my life.  Strong, silent, and loving.  On top of all his wonderful qualities, he is also extremely handsome :) That is a bonus.  Jackpot. Bingo. Winner!!


I see that my son is becoming a father like his dad.  That pleases me to no end.  His dad is a dad that everyone should have.  Sean says he did get something from me and that is the amount of love he gives his daughter Zoe.  He calls it overbearing  but whats wrong with giving oodles and oodles of kisses and hugs.


While I have my little angels, I think God sent me a Guardian Angel.  And his name is Bill.

What is a name

I went to pick Josiah up at the preschool.  He didnt see me right away but when I came into view he smiled really wide and ran to me.

Best moment of my day!  We held each other for a minute while all the kids yelled "Hi, Abbie".  So funny considering that is not my "real" name. It is the name my angels call me.

One of the teachers corrected them and said "Miss Abbie".  Which made me smile even more, I wasn't going to correct her. The children said "hello, Miss Abbie". I responded to them with a huge smile "Hello".  Why should I confuse the children?The name will stick because I am after Abbie. :) 

Always Abbie