Thursday, June 29, 2006

A Real Live Yankee Doodle Dandy


The 4th of July.

A day we celebrate the "birth" of our nation! We take time out of our lives to throw down some hotdogs, shoot some fireworks (oops! no I didn't reveal illegal practices - nope I didn't), and get goosebumps hearing a band play "The Star Spangled Banner". But the Fourth of July marks another, and I believe, far more important event in our house. Celebrating the birth of my own little firecracker - who will be TEN! What? Huh? When?




Evan was born Thursday July 4, 1996, in San Antonio, TX. He was born in room #4, at 4:58pm and weighed in at 8lbs. 8oz. He was actually due on the 9th, but because my doctor was going on vacation, I chose to have him induced on the 4th. I just didn't want to be with a doctor I didn't know, seeing as this was my first baby. Anyway, he was born on the 4th, room #4, at 4:58pm, and he was a boy! Which is absolutely wonderful. Really! It's just that we were expecting a girl! And her name was going to be Sasha, Isabella, Paloma? The truth is we hadn't decided on a name. And when the doctor told us he was a boy, we all laughed - myself, Bubba (my ex - yup, that's what we called him), and my mom. And when mom picked up the phone and called my dad - who had spent the day cleaning out the refrigerator - to let him know the news, he laughed too.

My dad didn't make the trip with my mom because he was in the middle of a show and couldn't leave town. The show, you wonder? "George M." Which, if you don't know anything about the theatre means nothing to you, but George M. Cohen was a pioneer of theatre in this grand ol' USA, and wrote the song we all know and love - "Yankee Doodle Dandy". So, the irony just oozes, doesn't it?

Anyway, back to San Antonio.

I will never forget holding Evan for the first time. He had such substance. I guess I thought he was going to be light, and airy. But he was solid, and warm. His little red face looked worried (oh, if I knew then what I know now...), and his pointed little head was covered in light red hair. He looked like my grandma. My first words to him were, "Hey there Sneakerdoodle." He was my first baby. I was so happy.

So, began the search for boy names. We hadn't considered any. Although I do remember, the whole time I was pregnant, a little voice saying, "What if it's a boy? We need to have a name picked out." I think I knew he was going to be boy all along.

Anyway, after much searching, we settled on a name - Evan.
I love that name. I will always love that name. To me, it's a name that exudes gentle strength. It's a smart name. Refined, but not arrogant. Evan. My Evan. My baby boy, Evan.

Now it's ten years later, and my baby is heading into double digits. DOUBLE DIGITS! He's going to be TEN! And where did all the time go? When I turn around in ten more years, he'll be 20! Whatever.

I know how cliche it is to say the time goes fast. But damn! There's no other way to say it! And the cliche is true! It goes fast!

So, the first real love of my life turns ten this coming Tuesday. And if you happen to remember us while you're eating, shooting fireworks, or getting chills from the spirit of it all, know that I'll be giving him his tenth Fourth of July kiss at exactly 4:58pm.













And just in case you're wondering, Evan has made another post to his blog - letting everyone know what he wants for his birthday. Go check it out! The toys just get more expensive the older he gets. Rest assured, he's not getting item #1.

Monday, June 12, 2006

Hi-Ho! Hi-Ho! Off To See My Kids (and the hubby) I Go!

Okay, I have something to tell you.

It's summer. The kids are out of school. And my work schedule is more intense than it is September - May. What that does is make for a shift in priorities.
Unlike winter, when we're trapped inside - summer offers many fun things to do outside! And because time spent with my kids is limited, I'm going to pause this blogging thing for awhile.
I'll post things here and there - and I'll still check out what's going on in your worlds. But, I'm going to get my ass out of this chair for the coming months and be with my growing babies - hell, my growing husband for that matter! (just kidding, honey!)
Cameo is getting out of her 'blog fog', as Chris so affectionately calls it.

So, here's hoping you all have a great summer. And don't think I'm bailing out all together. Just shifting for a bit.

Good Ju-ju to you!

Cameo

Oh yeah! I'll be letting you know if/when Evan makes any new posts. Thanks to all of you who left him comments. 'It takes a village' - thanks for helping me!!!

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

I Don't Mean To Brag, But...

Sunday May 28th was our first anniversary! In true Chris and Cameo form we didn't do anything big. Hell, when we got married, we packed the kids in the car, told them we were going to see Judge Judy, and headed to the courthouse!

So, we didn't do anything 'special' for our anniversary - No fancy dinner. No stay at a suave hotel. No pageantry.

But I did get these.




No I didn't.





But I did get this.






Nope, lied again.





Wanna see what I did get? (this time it's for real - promise)



Drumroll................................................




















Pretty cool, huh?


So, what you don't know is I've been washing bottles in the bathroom sink. And we've been eating out every meal. And we've been living with a refrigerator in our living room. FOR TWO WEEKS!

But we have been dealing with this tiny, ill-planned, cramped, worn-out, and dated kitchen for 5 years! Doing dishes in a compact sized dishwasher that never got anything clean. Cooking on a stove-top that was wobbly and crusted and rusted. Walking on floors that were CONSTANTLY disgusting. And trying to prepare meals on 2 feet of counter space! That's not an over-exaggeration! Two feet!


So, here's a little journey into the transformation my amazing husband created for us. It's not totally finished yet, but you get the idea.










these pictures taken from the same spot























during the remodel






















I don't know about you, but in my book this sure beats dinner, flowers, or jewelry any day!


Incidentally, behind the new cabinets reads: 'Chris remodeled this kitchen May 2006. And his wife loves him for it!'


And I do!
And I'm proud of him too!

Monday, June 05, 2006

6/6/6 It's A Good Day!!!

In honor of Marcies last post - I got one for you for today!



"It was the dark of the moon on the sixth of June
In a Kenworth pullin logs
Cab over Pete with a reefer on
And a Jimmy haulin hogs...


Coz we got a little old convoy rockin' thru the night
Yeah we got a little old convoy aint she a beautiful sight
Come on and join our convoy aint nothin' gonna get in our way
We gonna roll this truckin' convoy 'cross the USA

Convoy"




Happy 6/6/6 y'all!





Okay, now to totally switch gears....... wanna see something really cool?
















Wanna see something else really cool?












Life is good! Have a great day!

Sunday, June 04, 2006

Help A Sister Out

The other day I told you how Evan now has his own blog. He got a couple of comments and it made his whole week!
I'm actually glad he's doing this because it gives me a chance to help him with his writing skills and he doesn't even know it!
So, my brilliant son has made another post. And if you could drop by and leave him a comment that would be great!
My hope is the interaction will boost his desire to write more, and well..... that can only be a good thing!

Thanks! And when he posts anything new I will link it at the bottom of mine! Thanks again!

www.evanwashere.blogspot.com

Saturday, June 03, 2006

First Day At The Pool! Yeah!











Today was Roxy's first day at the pool! EVER! And she had a blast! Here are pictures of the magic moment!

Thursday, June 01, 2006

Growing Up And Doing New Things! (where did my baby go?)

I got nothing today.

So here's a picture of Evan talking on the phone with 'the girl' - who incidentally called again today!





Oh yeah! Evan has joined the blogging world now too! If you would like to go visit him, you can do so here!