The Beach

I love the beach and I especially love a warm, windy, and overcast day at the beach.  The girls loved dancing in the waves...

The Blue Room

Brian painted the Little girls room last weekend after Olivia's was finished.  These photos are they finished result.  I'm going to add some photos and decor when I get time, ha.  Love the color though so I guess bare walls aren't too bad.  I did put up a collage of the girls as babies.  Too cute!

Alaina's Last Day of School

Alaina finishes her first year of preschool today.  It's bittersweet to think back on this year and how much she has grown.  She has loved school from the beginning and developed close relationships with her teachers and classmates.  Her favorite classmate, Rujuta, is graduating and going on to kindergarten.  I'm sure Alaina will miss her.  Thankfully, when Alaina heads back to school in August she will be with her same teacher and I'm sure there will be a few familiar faces in her class.

I'm posting from my phone so the pictures posted randomly.  They are from Alaina and Corinne waiting for Alaina's morning transportation.  Corinne always walks both her and Olivia out to see them off.  I think we will have a fun summer😊

Olivia's Artwork

We are finally getting around to painting our house which has been contractor white on the inside since we moved in over 2 years ago.  First up is Olivia's room.  She chose a light purple and Brian did the job himself yesterday.  No big reveals yet as Olivia is changing rooms so we have furniture to move first.  

I decided to frame some of Olivia's artwork for her new room.  Most of these frames were just $5 at AC Moore and it makes the art look so much nicer than just taping it too the wall!

Swimming in her floaty

On My Birthday: My Mother

 

 



I choose today to finally write about my mom who passed last month.  She was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in October.  Her prognosis was great and treatment was to consist of hormonal therapy followed by lumpectomy and radiation.  Unfortunately, that is not what happened.  After systems of abdominal pain and shortness of breath started in February she was diagnosed with metastasis to her liver at the end of March.  By the time she found an excellent doctor who was ready to aggressively treat the cancer it was too late.  She passed on April 13, 2013.  I have missed her every day since.

 

Somehow I have made it through these tough weeks without my mom and I really felt ok.  Today is the first day since she died that I'm overcome with the feelings of grief and loss.  My birthday was special because of my mom most of all.  It was the day we became forever connected as mother and daughter.  It's hard to believe that she will not call me today. 

 

I want to write what I admired about my mother in memory of her.  I was born when she was 27.  She raised me by herself as a single parent.  It was just her and I my whole life and I appreciate the experiences we had together just the two of us.  Soon after I was born my mom started college, first obtaining a Bachelor's in English, then going on to pursue her Master's in Library Science.  After graduating she worked for the Libraries of the Airforce and then Marine Corp for 20 years.  She was very committed to her career and was always striving to make the library of better service to her patrons. 

 

A way a friend put it to me is that your mom is your number one cheerleader.  There is just nothing quite the same as the way your mother supports you in life.  I miss calling her and telling her about school, family, pretty much everything.  I am grateful that we have a wonderful family such as my grandfather and her siblings that are still here.  They called today and sang "Happy Birthday" to me, which was quite special. 

 

I want to thank everyone who has offered their love and support in this difficult time.  The kindnesses of family, friends, and neighbors will not be forgotten. 

 

Lastly, I want to include the poem we put in my mom's memorial folder.  She particularily liked Charlotte Bronte.

 

Life

 

LIFE, believe, is not a dream

So dark as sages say;

Oft a little morning rain

Foretells a pleasant day.

Sometimes there are clouds of gloom,

But these are transient all;

If the shower will make the roses bloom,

O why lament its fall?

 

Rapidly, merrily,

Life's sunny hours flit by,

Gratefully, cheerily,

Enjoy them as they fly!

 

What though Death at times steps in

And calls our Best away?

What though sorrow seems to win,

O'er hope, a heavy sway?

Yet hope again elastic springs,

Unconquered, though she fell;

Still buoyant are her golden wings,

Still strong to bear us well.

Manfully, fearlessly,

The day of trial bear,

For gloriously, victoriously,

Can courage quell despair!