Remembering...

Today has been 10 years since I lost my mom and I wanted to post something in rememberance and in celebration of her life. Here's a picture from when she was younger; I have loved looking through old pictures during the last week. I still hear her voice in my head and can still feel the warmth of her smile. It's hard to think of my life 10 years ago when she was so sick. I am so grateful to the people who supported me then and support me now. Each of you has taken on a little piece of her and I am so lucky to have those pieces in my life.

At my cousin's wedding this summer, my aunt and uncle and cousins and I laughed at the unmistakable resemblance between my mom and I, especially as I get older (eesh!). What's even more amazing is when I look at pictures of her when she was a baby and young child and how much my kids look like her! Wow! Today Tate asked me if I miss my mom and I said I do and he told me that he will love me since my mom is not here to love me. Then he told me somthing that Derek and I have told him before - that she is an angel who smiles down on us everyday. It's so sweet but he always looks up when he is going to ask about her or talk about her.

So, tonight, we will raise a glass in celebration of BBS!

More September

I knew as I was writing those entries that something was missing. After Amy left, my Aunt Penny and Uncle Jack came to visit for a few days. They live in Florida and were up north for their class reunions and some other visits and came to Richmond to see us for a few days. They have 10 grandkids and my kids were thrilled to have someone to play with again! I haven't seen them in a couple years and it was great to have them here. My aunt sews and smocks the most beautiful dresses and there is a fabric store here that she likes. So, we went there one day while Tate was at preschool. It was kind of a rainy week so we were limited in what we could do, but it really was great to have them visit. We are hoping to get down to Florida to visit them sometime soon!

September ~ gone in a flash! (2)

Tate started preschool the week after Labor Day and is thrilled to be in Four Year Old School this year. He goes Monday through Thursday for a couple hours and loves his teachers Ms. Tina, Ms. Brooke and Mr. Anthony. Avarie had a tough time adjusting to waking up before 8 AM everyday and spending time without "my tot" as she calls Tate. Of course, Tate is up at 6:30 every morning and barely even turns around to say Goodbye when we drop him off.
Amy was still visiting so I was lucky to be able to be in the picture with Tate. And below is Tate M. and Tate C. Many of you have heard my story about choosing an original name and then meeting another Tate in our neighborhood who goes to the same preschool. They are both great kids and we couldn't have chosen a better name for either of them! I am so AMAZED at how much Tate is learning and can't believe the things he shows me, tells me and wants to try. (More on that in another post.)
Another big event in September was Derek and Tate's triumph over Bowser in Super Mario Galaxy on the Wii. This has been part of their weekend time together since we got the Wii last Christmas and they have battled their way through countless galaxies together. It is a blast to listen to them and watch Tate jump around with excitement. Well, they finally beat Bowser which is the Battle Royale if you will. I didn't have video games growing up (maybe that went with Barbies) and I have yet to beat any game; I just try to play long enough to compete. But the Wii has been fun for all of us and I love watching Tate learn about winning and losing when we play. He hates to lose on the Wii just as much as he hates to lose at Chutes and Ladders, Uno, or Memory. But, he has to learn; don't we all?
Congratulations, boys, and I'm sure there will be many more games to come!