Happy Birthdays!

I wanted to wish Happy Birthday to my brother Chris who turned 28 years old today! We miss you since you are up in New York. Sarah and I finished an awesome package to send your way, so hopefully you will get it soon!

I also want to wish a Happy Birthday to a special friend ~ Miss Eleanor Hebert! Eleanor is turning 4 years old and is the most precious daughter of my dear friends Melanie and Alan. I hope your Paris themed birthday party goes off without a hitch! I have a special gift for both you and Thomas that will hopefully be coming soon! Things have been a little hectic lately!

Follow up to my Lake Trip

I know my posts seem a little out of order, but I was trying to cover everything that has been going on in such a short period of time!! Two weeks ago, Monica and I took a 3 day weekend up to the lake house (Lake Toledo Bend in East Texas). It was WONDERFUL!! We spent the time talking, playing games, floating in the lake, and basically just connecting. I hope we will be able to do it more often because it was just what I needed. Here are a few pictures from our trip.

Almost time to say goodbye

As most people know, at 30 years old I am still very fortunate to have one complete remaining set of grandparents. My mother's parents are 86 (Grandma Mary) and 85 (Grandpa Sam) years old. However, for the past few years, Grandpa's health hasn't been that great. It started about 6 years ago with a series of strokes which put him in a wheelchair. Anyone who has ever met my Pawpaw knows that he is a larger-than-life, Paul Bunyon kind of character with the most amazing stories and work ethic. My father can tell some stories of him not knowing his own strength and dropping things on my dad. But, in all, Grandpa is just an amazing man with a capacity to love like no other.

I got a call Saturday from my mother telling me that it was time to go say my goodbyes, if I wanted to. So, wiping the tears away from what I knew would be a blessing, I went to the nursing home to see what had become of my grandpa. He actually looks amazingly good. He was alert and lit up when I came into the room. He was trying intently to talk to me, but I wasn't able to understand much of what he said. I told him that I loved him very much and that it was ok for him to let go if he was ready. People have been begging him to get well, but I don't think that is the best think for him. He smiled at me and squeezed my hand and puckered up for a kiss.

He has not passed yet, but I feel the time drawing near. I will miss my pawpaw in a way that no one will ever know. He is a truly wonderful man, and I feel like the luckiest little girl in the world to have been his granddaughter. Here is one last picture to remember him by. I love you, Grandpa.

Maddy Cakes

Poor Sarah had to go back to work and school starting this weekend. This is the first time that she has been apart from my beautiful niece, Madison, since she was born just over two months ago. But, her suffering is my gain! Hehe. I get the pleasure of taking care of Maddy on the weekends (splitting time with my mom) while Sarah is at work. Here are some pictures from our adventures. She is so adorable and has already developed the coolest personality. The world had better watchout for those dimples!

Maddy after her bath

Maddy with her Pawpaw

Maddy intently watching the Science Channel (she also loves Shark Week just like her Aunt Liz!)

Flowers for the soul

Since I was sick the last week, some very caring people decided that I needed some flowers to brighten my day. It's amazing the healing power of a pretty flower. Steve, who felt just terrible seeing me in the Emergency Room on three separate occassions bought me this beautiful boquet. It was also our 9 year anniversary, which we both sort of forgot being in the ER at the time. These are also the first flowers he has EVER gotten me in those 9 years. They were the perfect flowers for me.

Monica and Trinity (my 4 year old god daughter) came by to see me Tuesday evening and they also brought me some floral cheer. Trinity picked out the 4 purple carnations herself. They were just wonderful.

I also received a very thoughtful "Get Well Soon" card from the staff at Bayou Realtors, where Steve works. I must admit that I am behind on my Thank You cards, but will get one to them shortly.

Time for a new do

Well, I have been holding out for a new hair cut and color as long as I possibly could, going about 10 second shy of homeless chic. So, I finally got it done after a week of being sick. Here it is... let me know what you think. I personally LOVE it.

Rememberance of a Fallen Hero

My cousin's (Michelle Gardner) friend "like a son", Matt Meddlicott, was killed in Iraq Sunday. Michelle's sons (Charles and Matt) and Big Matt have been like brothers since kindergarten. He was a wonderful, bigger than life person. Everyone is devastated.
Charles Gardner (Michelle's eldest son) joined the marines because of Big Matt. Big Matt was a believer in the marines and was doing what he wanted most to do - fight for our country. He and eight other marines were killed in a tank. Apparently they were killed instantly. He will be truly missed. I guess we will be reading about this in the newspaper soon.

Say a prayer for Big Matt, his girlfriend, his family, Michelle's family, and all his friends at Memorial High School who say they will join the Marines as soon as they graduate this year.

This is an email I received from Michelle yesterday.

Subject: Fallen Hero URGENT!!!!!
Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2007 15:38:51 -0500
From: "Michelle Gardner" MGardner@UGHospital.com
To: CC: gardnermm@sbcglobal.net

Dear Mayor,

As you may have seen on TV, one of Houston’s heroes has fallen in Iraq protecting our freedom.
I just saw an announcement from California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger that he is requesting all flags be flown at half mast.
See below….
This would be a wonderful tribute to Lance Corporal Matthew Medlicott if his home town could do the same! He was a brother to many. He was a true force for good….all who knew him looked up to him. A true hero and warrior!

Thank you for your time,
Michelle Gardner (best friend of Matt’s mom)
713-816-4559


California Governor Schwarzenegger Issues Statement on Death of Camp Pendleton Marine: Lance Cpl. Matthew S. Medlicott
Tue, 08/28/2007 - 08:21 — admin
08/27/2007 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Lance Cpl. Matthew S. Medlicott, of Houston, TX:
“The men and women of our armed forces epitomize courage and bravery, putting their lives on the line everyday to defend our country. The citizens of this great nation owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Lance Corporal Matthew Medlicott for selflessly undertaking this duty and making the ultimate sacrifice to protect his fellow Americans. Maria and I send our thoughts and prayers to Matthew’s family and friends as they mourn the loss of a valiant hero.”
Medlicott, 21, died Aug. 25 as a result of wounds suffered while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Medlicott was assigned to 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, United States Marine Corps, Camp Pendleton, CA.
In honor of Lance Cpl. Medlicott, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.
Source: California Governor