A "Get Better" Present

Growing up whenever my sister or I were sick my mom would buy us a "get better" present. It would be a little thing, nothing major but it always made us feel special. I remember getting books, a Barbie doll or some other little toy I was into at the time.

My little JK has been sick since Sunday evening. 103* fever, horrid headaches and his neck was super sore. Of course I began thinking the worse and had my son in his grave due to meningitis. Fortunately I have the most amazing pediatrician in the world (who is conveniently less than 2 miles down the road) and he squeezed JK into his busy schedule and assured me he was not dying but had a nasty virus.

And he was right. This morning JK woke up feeling so much better. He dressed himself, told me to brush his teeth and wash his face. He was ready to hit the town and procure his "get better" present. The problem is he wanted a $50 wii game. $50? For a "get better" present? Yikes! Talk about inflation!! After much negotiating my convincing son won and he has been happily playing his new game in between taking naps and drinking his "energy" juice (aka orange juice)!

{entertaining my sick little guy. he's pretty good at the spoon-hanging-on-your-nose thing}

I pray JK doesn't get sick again...I can't afford another "get better" present this year!

Photos of Christmas Past

After reading Andy's post and looking at her "ancient" pictures of Christmas past I just had to pull out a few of my own!

Age 3

I don't remember this picture being taken but I want to say I was in Kindergarten?

This was taken in 1st grade. My sister was in preschool...I love her little dimple!

Fast forward about 30 years and I am preparing for today's festivities. My whole family will be here for Christmas Eve dinner. The day will be filled with cooking and baking as well as helping other volunteers in my town distribute and light 1,500 luminaries in our Historic District (in which we live). It should be beautiful and I am so excited my family will be here to see it!

Merry Christmas!!

Looking Back

August 2004

My darling girls when they still enjoyed dressing up in pink and being mommy's little princesses. So much changes in six years!

Today both girls will not touch the color pink...but fortunately they're still my princesses.

They're just more of the tomboy/goth/punk rocker/skull lovin' princess type!

Planting Roots

Growing up I moved every two years or so. My dad was career Navy. I really enjoyed moving and making new friends and I wouldn't trade all that I experienced for the world. But.....the one thing I never had were roots. I was never in a place long enough to establish lasting relationships and long term friendships. I didn't have a best friend growing up (that changed in high school and praise be I still have her in my life!!) and I didn't know what it was like growing up with the same classmates and seeing each other move on in life and succeed.

Fast forward to 2010. I have lived in my current town for 8 1/2 years. This is the longest I've EVER lived in one place!! And I must admit something. I LOVE it and I have become quite ROOTED!! I didn't realize this had happened until I visited Rand's new middle school (in a neighboring town) a few months back and looked across the sea of new parents and realized I did not know a soul! It felt like a knife in my heart. It brought back feelings of being out of my comfort zone and putting myself out there so I could meet people and hopefully make friends. I then started thinking about my life today.

~When I run to the grocery store here in town I run into at least one person I know. Yesterday at the store I got to visit with 4 different ladies and I tell you it really makes grocery shopping a lot more enjoyable!

~When I go to the library the librarians know me by name. Do you know how nice that is? Well, I'll tell you, it's a joy!

~Every Memorial Day we go to our town's parade and camp out in front of my dentist's office (MY dentist office...when you're a Navy brat you don't HAVE a dentist...they change as often as you move!!!) and it is so nice to see so many people that I know.

~We have the world's best pediatrician and his office is a mile from our home. The thought of moving away from him makes me crumble!!

~I have an amazing hair guru who I just adore. I never knew how important it was to have a history with a great hair person! I still have vivid memories of my mom and I trying to speak in broken Italian at a hair salon...needless to say things did not go very well!

~Having my kids grow up living near their grandparents, auntie and cousins. I never knew what that was like.

This is certainly not a complete list and these things might sound simply silly to you but to me they are huge! I have actually stopped bugging my hubby to move...though I am still thinking Cork, Ireland sounds like a great place to live!! But for now I am so very content to stay here in our nest on the East Coast!

Growing Up is Hard to Do

Two weeks ago during Spring break I took Rand bra shopping....I have nightmares to this day about my first bra* and wanted to make sure Rand had as wonderful an experience as possible. We chose a sports bra style so it was less bra-ish and more sport-ish. Make sense?

This afternoon Rand came home from school a tad bit upset. During computer lab a girl from her class announced "Rand wears a SPORTS BRA!!!" Of course a couple of the boys snickered and she was completely mortified. Right after the lab Rand went to get her jacket and wore it for the rest of the day.

Poor girl.

I asked Rand if this mouthy classmate of hers wore a bra. She said yes and you can actually see the bra strap stick out from her shirt, etc. I told her that more likely than not this other girl has been teased and now she feels it's her turn to tease others. I also explained that by this time next year 98% of the girls in her grade level will be wearing bras and those that are NOT wearing bras will be the girls being made fun of.

Ahhhhh, life......how crazy thou art!!!

*We lived in Italy when I blossomed and needed to start wearing a bra. They were a bit hard to come by (we lived on an 8-mile round island) so my mother ordered a training bra from JC Penney. By the time it shipped to us I had blossomed past the training bra stage. Unfortunately with nothing else to wear my mother made me cram into the too small bra. I remember being bound by that thing and not able to breathe too well. To this day I blame my mother for my less than voluptuous breast size and dream about what my figure could have been.....

I completely understand if my male readers decide never to read my blog again. No hard feelings; I swear!!!

Feel the Love

Tara @ Family Traditions asked me to join in this fun photo tag. The rules are simple: Go to your 6th folder in your pictures and pick the 6th photo in that folder and post it.

This picture was taken at a Valentine's party last year.

Looks like I'm tryin' to give JK a little lovin' but he's resisting.

Such a tease!

Kacey @ Chronicles of a Mommy has a photo tag going on as well. 

1- Choose the 4th file on my computer with the 4th picture.

2-Explain the 4th picture that is in that folder

3-Tag 4 people to do the same 4-no cheating (cropping, editing, etc)

Playing on the floor with two of my kiddos!

Remember, no cropping or editing was done to this photo!

I want to thank Duchess @ The Daily Adventures of Four Eds for this super fun award. Thank you so much Duchess for thinking of me!!

I just love having such fun and amazing blogging friends!

You all really make my day shine more brightly!

Taking the Plunge

There have been several tags floating around on Facebook lately. Last night DK and I got to talking about the "48 Facts" tag (see below for my answers) and how funny it is that most people have not and will not consider bungee jumping (see #9). While I never made it a life goal to bungee jump I have to say when I was presented with the opportunity I snatched it up and had a blast!

10 years ago this summer DK and I went bungee jumping while we were vacationing out West. This was DK's second time (his first jump was from a crane over asphalt!!!). As you can see we went to an actual bungee jumping tower and though you can't see it in the pictures there was netting below in case your cord snapped. It took me a minute or two to make the initial jump and the guy (in the picture) kept saying I was going to chicken out. That did the trick and I took the plunge. 

Getting harnessed for my big jump

Bungee-ing back up!

So...have you jumped? Will you jump? Why or why not?!

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
No.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Christmas Day
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
No.
4. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Turkey breast with sun dried tomato
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Yes...two girls and one boy
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Yes.
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
All the time.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yes.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Been there, done that!
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Frosted Flakes.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
The only shoes I untie are my running shoes. Any other tie shoe I just slip off.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Anything with lots of chocolate, peanut butter and nuts!
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Their teeth.
15. RED OR PINK?
Red
16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
Being so judgmental of others.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO COMPLETE THIS LIST?
Of course.
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
No shoes, grey yoga pants.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
A movie Jamison is watching.
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Citron.
23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
Clean, crisp smell of laundered clothes.
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Kristen Anderson
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
Absolutely!
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Gymnastics
27. HAIR COLOR?
Brown
28. EYE COLOR
Hazel.
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
No longer thanks to lasik surgery!
30. FAVORITE FOOD?
Italian.
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Happy endings!
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Bride Wars.
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Grey.
34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Neither!
35. HUGS OR KISSES?
Hugs.
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Pass
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Pass
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Tomato Girl
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
No mouse pad.
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
No TV last night (though I did DVR True Beauty)
42. FAVORITE SOUND(S).
Waves crashing on the seashore and thunderstorms.
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Pass.
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Germany
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
I am a multi-tasker, mega organizer.
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Newport News, VA
47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?
Everyone's!
48. WHERE DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER?
Ice skating at CONN College.

Music to My Ears

I am sitting in DK's office going through our iTunes music library and putting songs on my new iPod (from my Christmas wish list). Over the years I have had the opportunity to play the piano and sing solos for many, many occasions: Weddings, funerals (lots of funerals!), concerts, choral groups, church choirs, etc. Whenever DK is in the audience he makes a recording and then adds it to our iTunes library. I was just listening to one particular song when JK walked in and said, "Nice song, Mom!"

So sweet. Such a good little boy!

Christmas 1995

Our first Christmas together

Oh how young we look!

And my hair...it's so big!

Once There Was a Snowman

Since the weather has started turning chilly I have collected all the throws and quilts from around the house and put them in a basket within easy reach 0f the couches. This is the quilt I grab when I sit down to read, blog or watch tv. 

I've had this quilt for 11 years this coming Christmas. My mother bought this snowman quilt for me after I showed her the "most amazing quilt I've ever seen" in a catalog. That Christmas I was shocked and surprised beyond words when I opened up my gift and saw the snowmen peeking out at me. I was over the moon. I was collecting snowmen (at that time!!) and thought the quilt was the perfect crowning jewel to my collection. I proudly displayed it on my couch yet was afraid to use it in case anything might happen to it!

Fast forward 11 years and how things have changed! First, my taste in decorating has changed...A LOT! When I was first married and decorating my nest I gravitated to a lot of the primitive Country stylings and had TONS of accessories EVERYWHERE. Now, I'm not sure how I would describe my taste. An eclectic mix of side of the road finds, modern clean lines, pops of color and a minimalistic approach when it comes to chachkies?  Yeah, that sounds about right! Needless to say, my snowman quilt is no longer prominently displayed but it is still well loved and in demand on a chilly day!

JK curled up with the snowmen!

It will be interesting to see how my decorating tastes change in the years to come!

Praise Adonai

Yesterday while visiting with my parents my Dad and I started working on a song. He is very involved with the music team at his church and is putting together music for a special service they are having a few weeks from now. Dad and I enjoy being able to "jam" together when given the opportunity. We've been singing and playing together since I was in first grade! I'd like to share with you the song we worked on yesterday.



Paul Balcohe~Praise Adonai

Who is like Him
The Lion and the Lamb
Seated on the throne
Mountains bow down
Every ocean roars
To the Lord of hosts

CHORUS:
Praise Adonai
From the rising of the sun
'Til the end of every day
Praise Adonai
All the nations of the earth
All the angels and the saints
Sing praise

Going on a Bike Ride

Last night when the girls came home from VBS (yes, Susan they most definitely ARE going this year!) they wanted to go on a bike ride with dad. Though it was 8:15 and DK had just gotten home from work and had not yet eaten dinner, he took off with them for a spin around the neighborhood. He's such a good dad!

While they were gone I got to thinking about this picture and went down to DK's office and dug it out. It was taken many moons ago, long before we had the chick-a-dee's. Yikes, doesn't my guy look YOUNG here? I'm so glad he chose to grow old with me...but not too old to take the girls out for a quick spin!

My Daddy Is My Favorite Pal

Happy Father's Day to the Man I Love...

You are never too embarrassed to make silly faces

You are always up for a fun time

You have the perfect shoulder for an afternoon nap

Thank you for being such a perfect daddy to our amazing children!

All Our Love!

The Miracle of Blogs

Once upon a time there were four teenage girls. Two of these girls were sisters. The other two girls went to school together. All four girls went to church together. They were also part of their youth group's drama team, Hearts on Fire.

Years and years and years pass. Three of the girls stayed in touch. One of the girls did not.

At the beginning of this past year, Girl #1 started blogging. Though she had not kept in touch with the other girls she would occasionally bump into Girl #2's mother.  When Girl #2 had her first baby she too started a blog and her mother shared the blog link with Girl #1. Of course Girl #1 wasted no time in checking it out and that is how Rae (that's me) was reunited with Girl #2, Shelva.

While I was visiting Shelva's blog and oohing and ahhing over her handsome new baby I started clicking on the links in her sidebar. You see, I am a curious person...I just can't help but to give a little click here and a little click there... Can you guess what happened? One of the blogs listed was Girl #3, Amy. Amazing! It took me about a week to work up enough courage to leave a comment on Amy's blog. I finally did and after all of these years (roughly 15) we will be getting together next week! Girl #4, Lisa, is Amy's sister...and so the circle is complete.

In the past 15 years we have finished school, grown up, moved to and from different states and most importantly, are all happily married with little bambinis of our own.

The internet is so amazing. This whole blog phenomenon is mind boggling. You just never know who you may bump into...

The 4 Girls ~ 1990-something!

Can you figure out which girl is me?

Here's a hint: look for permed hair...

Oh wait! We ALL have permed hair!

Thirteen Years of Marital Bliss

I hear wedding bells! I cannot believe how many people have celebrated anniversaries in the past week! Happy anniversary to you all and I am delighted to say that today is my wedding anniversary!

June 3, 1995

DK and I tied the knot

He dressed in his Choker Whites...

...I dressed in my princess gown.

Complete with sword ceremony..."Welcome to the Navy, Mrs. Evans!"

Surrounded by dear friends and loved ones

DK and his best friend, Anthony

Even though Anthony planted a wet one on my new hubby, he and his sweet and amazingly talented wife are our children's guardians.

Me and my girls, Shottsie (on the left) & Merand (on the right)

To this day they are two of my dearest and bestest friends!

This picture cracks me up!

DK's Mom, as always, has the patience of a saint.

DK, "Zee plane, zee plane!"

I look like I'm searching for something that fell down my dress.

Merand is trying valiantly to keep my dress looking perfect.

My Dad? I guess it runs in the family. He's looking for something too!

No one told me beforehand what a jokester

my future father-in-law would be.

Look at the Mickey Mouse vest he is wearing.

Me and DK ~ Then

Me and DK ~ Now

We haven't aged a bit!!

Notice the Republican sign on the left...

I had no idea THEN politics would play

such a big part in my life NOW!

CONFESSION TIME:

Yesterday I went looking for our wedding album and COULDN'T FIND IT! I looked high and I looked low. I looked in every spot imaginable! What kind of wife LOSES her wedding pictures? I know where it used to be ~ in the dining room china hutch. I cleared it out many months ago to make room for the girl's craft supplies. I know I put it in a very safe place. Too safe, I suppose. I now have until next year to find my album! In the meantime I'm grateful for a hubby who NEVER throws anything away and was able to find the mini-album his mom had put together.

UPDATE:

I found my wedding album this morning!! Where did I put it? In my HOPE CHEST! Now wasn't that smart of me? :)

DK, looking back over the past 13 years I marvel at how we have grown together. We complement each other and bring out the best in one another. My life is complete with you by my side. Thank you for being my True Companion.

All my love for now and for always,

My Dancer

When JK was a few months old I took him to our wonderful friend, Deon, for some pictures. Kenners brought her recital outfit and before I knew it SHE was the one in front of the camera lens! One of the pictures Deon took was chosen for the cover of Baystate Parent. When the magazine called and told us they were selecting Kenners picture, she was beside herself with glee.

Stay tuned for THIS year's dance recital pictures. I know for a fact they will not be chosen for a magazine cover...I'm the photographer! I definitely do not have Deon's talent or panache!

I'll give you a hint for this year's theme: Think Big Pink Cat...Meow!

Patriotism

In Need of a Bath

Who Says Girls are Cleaner Than Boys?

Rand, age 3

Public Restrooms

There has been a lot of potty training talk lately among myself and some of my friends. We all have almost 2 year olds and our thoughts are turned toward boycotting diapers. I've been thinking about my past potty training experiences and how smoothly they went. Right after Kenners potty trained we had to find every single bathroom every single place we went. It didn't matter if she had gone potty right before we left the house and we were at a store 5 minutes later. She would still have to go into the bathroom. You might be thinking she has a small bladder. Not quite. She liked to rate the different bathrooms. In her cute LOUD voice she would say things like, "This one is stinky, Mommy!" or "Ewwwwww, look how DIRTY!" and once in awhile, "Wow! This bathroom smells good!" It got to the point that I knew every bathroom at almost any establishment. It didn't matter how much I threatened her beforehand...we ALWAYS had to go into the restroom. I am skanked out by public bathrooms and this was quite a trial time in my life! But, on the upside, we had lots of practice on how to use the potty in a public place. The correct way to put toilet paper or a sanitary cover on the toilet, how to flush the toilet with your foot, how to wash your hands and turn off the faucet with the paper towel and not your bare hands and of course the same for the door handle when you leave the icky place. Ahhhh, good memories! This time round will be a bit different with a boy. No sitting on toilet paper but maybe, just maybe, he'll be one of the few boys who properly know how to wash their hands! Here's to hoping!!!!