Happy Birthday Sweet Baby Girl!

Sweet baby girl-you were TWO yesterday-two already!!! I can't believe it's been two whole years since we brought you into the family. I wasn't quite sure what I'd do with a girl, but I cannot tell you how much I love you and all your girliness. I have been told that one day you will be my very best forever friend-and I can't wait! Your sweet little smile makes every day a little sweeter! We love you angel baby!

Brother Brother

Thank God for brothers. Thank God for a big brother that you can call when calling Mom or Dad would be a little scary. And I usually thank God for kids that tell me most things. Last night I got a call from Danny, our oldest son. He's wondering if I've talked to Devin (#2 son). I hadn't since he left to go climbing then out to eat a couple hours earlier. I asked why, I'm nosy like that, he said Dev had texted and called a couple times. I asked if he thought everything was OK. He said yes as Dev had texted and called over the last 2 hours, not like 10 times in a row or anything. Danny said he had to get back to work, but to let him know Dev got home OK. I wondered if maybe this was "the call". You know - the one where teen calls big brother for a ride because he's been drinking or otherwise in trouble.
So, I am feeling thankful, thankful that Devin has his big brother to call, and that said big brother made the decision to call me, after not making contact with Devin. Sort of like a fire drill of what may happen if a little brother needs to call big brother. Danny didn't tattle, overreact, nor alarm me, but found it important to check in with me after some time had passed. He didn't tell me he was worried, but clearly found it odd that he had not eventually spoken to Devin.
I am thankful that the system worked-my boys trust and depend on eachother (and I'm sure have covered for eachother!), yet know when to call Mom or Dad - what more could a momma want? My heart is warm.
Oh, and what was the "fire drill" really about you ask??? Um yeah, when Devin got home I told him Danny had called, "Oh", he said. "I needed to see if he knew where a cheap strip club was!" Apparently its on his to-do list of things he's been waiting to do until he turned 18.
Oh Brother! This is why I said I am usually thankful to have kids that tell me most things!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My original "baby" Dustin is 17 today!

Dear Dustin,

I say you are my "original" baby because you were our last, my baby, well for the first twelve years of your life that is! Until we started with the second batch! It was quite a surprise when we expanded the family, but as you well know, the littles have brought joy beyond belief to each of us, including you. Especially you. You gave up your spot as the official baby with grace, as you witnessed Donovan's birth, and held him close when he was only minutes old. You jumped right into caretaking like a little Momma Hen. Each of you older boys has a special relationship with the littles, but you have a way with them, and I love watching your special relationship with Donovan! You are the lover, the snuggler, the protector, the safety ranger. Good thing you plan to be a firefighter, as you have the carseat installation down to a science (and occasionally scold me for an improper placement of a child in the seat!) Maybe you'll be the super-cute guy at the firehouse that concerned parents bring their car to for a carseat safety check. Well Dustin, we love you bunches, and what you bring to our family, what more can a momma say? Except for this (I know YOU know where I'm headed with this!), to quote Robert Munsch, " I love you forever, I like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be"!

Love,

Momma

XXOO

Not Me Monday - Take 7!

I did not skip Not Me Monday for THREE weeks! Nope, not me!

I did not eat Thanksgiving dinner, and then sit around picking at the serving bowls while visiting for three hours afterwards-who would do that?? (most of you I presume!!!)

I absolutely did not chat with Delaney about things I KNEW would provoke conversation in her just so the family could hear the few though very clear and adorable words she could say at Thanksgiving! Well, I didn't want to be the one saying "say this, say that......."!!!

OK, I did not keep track of my naughties, so I have NMM block today, I will be better next week, I promise. But what did you NOT do?

Check out MckMama's blog (orange button on right) to see what her readers did not do too!!!!!

The Elusive Lopez Family Christmas Photo

There was one year I was determined to get Christmas cards out, procrastinated and ended up sending Valentines instead! We did a photo card everyone enjoyed. That was fifteen years ago. Last year I fretted for WEEKS to get everyone together looking decent and it was not happening. So, on the 20th of December, Danny and Emily were over. I was lucky enough to have all my kids under one roof. I threw everyone under the tree, snapped a few-no posing, no changing clothes, no primping, no nothing-photos. The Lopez clan in the raw, well, not naked, but you know, as my kids REALLY are at any given moment! I chose my favorite, ran to Kinkos, printed them off, threw them into my cards, and it was done! I cringe at that thought, but for a person like me (I have issues!) who can't seem to get things done unless they are my way-the way I envision- it was a BIG step!!! I was so excited and proud of myself I almost called my therapist, but I don't have one. hmmmm. I am gonna get out that old memory card and post that photo, you will know what I mean!
And about my recently neglected little blog. Waiting. Waiting for the perfect story to happen- the perfect thing to say. I can't just write about my boring old regular days can I? Well, maybe I should. Maybe I will. Tomorrow. But tomorrow is Thanksgiving. There will surely be nothing boring about that.

For Judy

Donovan and I visited the Belmar Library today in honor of your Mom.

The Envelope Please........

And my guy did not win! "I will support Barack Obama with prayer and respect" (quote snatched from Lisa) But I am disappointed, and fearful about a some things.
Nevertheless, this election has been extra special for our family for a few reasons.
"Rock the Bama" - this is what Donovan our newly four year old calls our new President. Now, he only came up with it a few days ago, or I swear I would have called him myself and suggested it as the awesomest campaign slogan ever! At his young age he managed to grasp the two primary candidates names, and knew who Mommy and Daddy preferred to win. He wanted to watch last night and kept asking who was winning. He said "Next time we're voting for 'Rock the Bama', cuz I want to win!" He also asked me what a "black president" is. We've come a loooong way baby!
Which brings me to my next point of "specialness". I am proud to be an American today. History has been made with the election of Barack Obama as our President as he is an African- American man. I am thrilled to have been able witness this with each of my children.
Moving on......Devin just turned 18 in September, making this his first election! He was so excited! He wanted no part of early voting, choosing instead to brave the polls on election day to get the full experience. His guy did win and he was as thrilled as I was disappointed - and we have continued our debate to this moment!
This quote courtesy of Winston Churchill-via Nancy- struck a chord with me: "A man who is not liberal at 20 has no heart. A man who is not conservative at 30 has no mind."
Dustin spent election night at the Metallica concert, what is more American than Rock 'N Roll music? If he were old enough to vote he would have "Rock'd the Bama" too!
Danny voted but not for Obama or McCain! Clearly, at 25.5 he is somewhere along Winston Churchill's path to being just like his mother right?
So, that was election night at "Chez Lopez" (as always, pronounced "Lopay" for extra added fanciness!).