Grampy

Today marks five years since my Great Grampy went to be with the Lord.

I miss him every day.  He was such a great man and he loved me to the moon.  I was his first great grand baby and he was so proud to take me everywhere with him.  I will always cherish the memories and the special moments I had with him.

This is my favorite photo of my Grampy and I because it completly describes our relationship my entire life.  That man would do anything for him.

I miss you Grampy and I love you but I'll see you again!


"Long after we are gone, love remains, burned into our memories."  11/23/2009

Domestic Violence is Everyone's Problem

I know, usually I post something witty, or silly, but October is the month to a few great causes, one of which seems to get over shadowed or forgotten altogether: Domestic Violence.

Domestic Violence Awareness is a cause near and dear to my heart. As a child who witnessed it growing up, a child who saw, first hand, the pain it causes not only to the woman, but also to the entire family.

Here are a few facts, courtesy of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence:

• Most cases of DV are never reported to the police, in fact it is one of the most chronically underreported crimes. 
• 1 in 4 women will be a victim of DV in her lifetime. 
• Domestic Violence is not strictly physical abuse, but also ranges into emotional abuse, isolation, using children, and blaming of the victim.  
• Over 3 million children witness violence in their home each year. 
• 80-90 precent of children living in homes where there is DV are aware of the violence. 

92 Years of Gram

Yesterday a Beautiful and life changing woman turned 92.  My Gram.  

Gram is one of the most inspirational people that has every graced my life.  She was born in a very poor family on a farm in Normandie, France.  She helped raise her siblings and had to drop out of school at 13 years old to work to help her family survive.   She never complains about how she grew up.  

When she was about 20 she was working in a cafe during the war.  She says she remembers D-Day, and hearing the German soldiers running on the cobble stones, asking anyone for water...   She met my Grandfather, an American soldier, during that war.  They were married and she moved to America.  When she moved she brought one of my uncles with her, and was meeting my Grandfather here.  She came, young and scared, knowing NO english, with a small child, across the ocean, and across the country.  She taught herself english, got her citizenship, and raised a family that included a slew of foster kids and anyone who needed some love.   She worked hard and never stopped.

At 92 this woman can run circles around me.   She never stops.  She is always working, and hates having to sit down.   She kicks my butt, literally and figuratively.   She is my inspiration and my best friend.  I am so blessed to have her in my life, and to have had the honor of being able to live with her for the 5 years that I did.   She really is something special.

She switched the candles so they said "29"  

Still as goofy as ever. 

Conversations with my Cousin.

After licking an envelope: ew eweweweweww. You would think after years and years they would make the glue taste better... *shudders*

G: Why don't you get one of those little wet licker things... you're supposed to use that..

Me: 'cuz ain't nobody got time for that!

G: you know how they make that glue?  They use hooves... Lots of hooves.  Horses, cows... HOOVES.  It's not good for you.

Me: I will spit this glue taste at you.  Do NOT make me camel spit my glue spit at you.  Because I will!

G: Why would you spit at me?! I'm just the messenger. I'm just trying  to help you!  Don't shoot the messenger.

Me: Seriously.  Don't make me go all Camel on you!

Count your blessings...

On days/weeks/months when times are hard, and things are getting me down,  I can't help but remember what my best friend said one day in passing. ... Sit down and name 10 things you are thankful for.

While I have a million things that I am thankful for,
Today I will start with five (in no particular order):

1. My Gram. This woman raised me essentially.  She is my emotional and mental support.  I still crawl into her lap and cry hysterically when things get too tough.  She is my push and my "kick in the butt" (yes, she actually can still kick me in the butt).  This woman came to American in her early 20's with a small child, knowing NO english, and taught herself the language, raised a slew of kids and foster kids and put up with my stubborn grandfather.  She is the strongest woman I know.

2. My sisters.  These three are my life.  I feel like I am their mother.  I essentially raised them and I have the fiercest love for them. I literally would die to keep them safe.  They are my babies and my loves.

3. My best friends.  I have some amazing friends who keep me in check and I can go to with my stupid thoughts, my stupid problems and my silly shenanigans.  They are the friends that have seen me at my best and worst.

4. My boyfriend.  This man is a huge blessing. He has come into my life at such a perfect time and for such a perfect reason.  He is an amazing shoulder to cry on, and knows what to say and what I need when things get tough.  And he still cares for me, even when I make a mess with the tooth paste or leave my clothes all over the floor.

5. Law School.  My God has blessed me with this school.  I always said "no trinity, I want a bigger school, a secular school, etc" but then God opened my eyes and showed me this was EXACTLY where He wanted me.  This is the place that I will fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming a lawyer.  This is the place that will lay the foundation, one of hope, and helping and knowing that I am nothing without God guiding me.  Even when school is hard, and I am having my meltdowns, I have to remember that this is my dream and my passion and I have all of these amazing people holding me up.

Obligatory Reflection of 2013

On the eve of a new year means obviously one thing... obligatory reflection post.  Buckle up kiddos!

2013... it's been fun but I'm about done with you.  This past year has been one filled with a few mile stones but nothing compared to what 2014 holds.

A year in review:

March:
Sister Trip with Grace

Fun with the girls from work... This year I made a new best friend.  I'm so happy to have had the opportunity to get to know you Erin!

April:
My amazing cousin moved back in! (Let the party start) 
Calle's First Prom

 St. Louis Cardinal's Game with Erin. 

 May: 

Trip to Atlanta and Brave's Stadium. 

June: 

Sharing in the Marriage of two of my best friends, Cianna and Darren Edge.

Bridal Shower Photos 

Camille started her first job... she hates me taking photos. 

July:
Gram turned 91!  She is my inspiration.

Mom got her doctorate


August:
Gina stopped dressing WACK! (Shoutout to my cousin Gina who is CRAZY)

Got first apartment. 



 

September: 

Grace Erin starts high school! 
Calle Jane starts her senior year! 

My cousin Ali Graduates and gets accepted to a prestigious science program for college! 



October: 
Conquered the LSAT

November: 
Got accepted to Law School!
Calle gets first college acceptance letters. 

December:
We found out my Cousin TINA's PREGO!


Overall there are a million more things that happened that I am so very thankful for, but I am getting bored writing this because I take too many photos and have so many stories and so many good things in life that I cannot continue to post more.  As great at 2013 was, 2014 will be better yet.

Happy New Year.

If my Mother and I were drug dealers...

In preparation for Christmas, Hurricane Mom rolled through my house this weekend full of energy and crazy... This is one of the ensuing conversations:


Mom: I got you something you'll love for Christmas... I searched high and low for it...

Me: Is it drugs?

Mom (and mind you she doesn't skip a beat): Its a sample pack, a little of everything...

Me: Oh, like those Whitman's Chocolate Samplers?

Mom: Yeah, I mean you never know, each person is different so a sample pack makes sense... so you can adequately figure out what works best for your own body.

Me: Dude, that makes sense... Why don't drug dealers do that?  It would bring in SO MUCH MORE business!

Mom: Exactly!  I think we found our next career path!


So there you have it... And people wonder why I'm nuts... I got it from my mama.

Yep, totally got it from her.. 

Crazy Conversations with the Fam... Part 343243

I've said this before... my family is a special kind of crazy... the kind in which outsiders look at us and go "WOW those people need some help!"  And you know what.... it works for us.

A conversation with my sister via texts:

C: Hey for Christmas taking me to see Britney
Me: Huh?
C: YOU are taking me to see Britney Spears
Me: Oh Say What?
C: Either Britney or tattoo (Does anyone remember when all your little sister wanted for christmas was Pool Fun Kelly?  What ever happened to those days?)
Me: I'm broke hun.  Going back to school means I'm dead broke...
C: Chump, Welcome to my life.
Me: Sorry boo
C: Sell your body for tickets (Because DUH I should have thought of that!)
Me: Wow okay.  Didn't think of that one....
C: Glad you're in

A conversation with my cousin while reading the advertisements in the Sunday Paper (because Yes, Gram does still get the physical, gets ink all over your hands, paper... Crazy right?!)

Cousin: Oh! A cross bow for 50 bucks!!!
Me: Don't be that person.
Cousin: A cool person who has a cross bow??
Me: I'm going to start writing this down for the blog...
Cousin: Just don't use my name... In case something goes down...
Me: What like a cross bow accident?
Cousin: No.... but accidents happen.....

Typical... 

Thanksgiving Photos

My Thanksgiving, in photos: 

This is my beautiful great grandmother.  She is my best friend and my rock.  I would be so lost without the unconditional love and support she gives me.  

Sisters feeding the mass of ducks.  

Beautiful Calle. 

This is the point when the ducks attacked me like tiny bread loving ninjas.  One of them bit me. 

Special, special children.  They'll probably yell at me for this photo... 

My "nephew" Timothy George.

My baby Cousin, the the 21st great grand baby... Love Aiden. 

Stuff my family says.... Hookah

My sister and her BF love hookah.  I have never come to understand the draw of this.  Funky flavored tobacco out of what looks like a spaceship/bong?  Not so much.

So the other day my sister and her bf were doing their hookah thing, and my mom and I were sitting there chatting with them... The following is the conversation that ensued:

Mom:  "How do you do this?!"

Sister: "You have to make it bubble..."

Mom- "ooooh.... like farts in water...?"

At which point my sister's BF does whatever you call it... smoking? taking a hit?  Yeah I clearly don't know anything about Hookah...

Mom: "WOW Tom, that's like a hot tub!  That's a lot of fart!"

My sisters, My beauties

My sisters are Beautiful.  Plain and simple.  Yesterday Calle went to her first prom (I'm feeling old) and Gracie showing me her 8th grade promotion dress.   All of this made me take a look at my sisters and realize they are not babies any more.   My babies sisters are young women now, when that happened I couldn't tell you.   They grow up so fast and I'm left looking at them now as they were and as they are.  They are growing up so well and I'm so proud of them.

My Sister Grace, my little model. 

Typical.  Camille and Calle. 

Such a Beauty!

My entire world.  My family.