It's been awhile, but I'd like you to join me in a challenge!

I'm trying to re-commit to my blog, but alas, I fear commitment because I know myself. I may not stick with it. But that's no reason not to try so here we go!

The Inspiration Behind the Challenge: There are 2 friends that I told I'd keep in close touch, even after the inital shock of their losses. I promised I would not be the one who hung around during the drama and then drifts away. I told them that even though we hadn't been in close touch until tragedy struck, I would be responsible to maintain our friendship going forward. And, I didn't, and Facebook isn't cutting it, it's a copout in this case. With all the technology of the day, its easy to see a Facebook update from someone and feel like you're in touch. You think about someone, but they don't know it, and its so easy to click the "like" button so they know you were "there". That's whats been keeping my guilt at bay, but either way I am responsible to maintain relationships that are important to me. I am sorry for dropping the ball and I am picking it up!
The Challenge:
When I committed to make it a priority to nurture these friendships (among others), I decided to ask everyone I know to join me, thus the "challenge" thing comes in to play. So, please think of a person or two you have let fall by the wayside, maybe someone who experienced a difficult loss, maybe someone you felt was trying to reach out and you didn't reach back, an old friend you bumped into a promised to call for lunch to catch up, whatever is eating at you in the friendship department, maybe even a friendship that needs a little patching up. Pick a "Due Date" to get in touch, even if you are swamped with life, a quick call just to say "I really want to catch up, I want to get lunch, or plan a time for a nice long phone chat, when can we do this?". Don't avoid the call because you don't have time to catch up right then, even if you have to say you had a quick break and wanted to call and plan to get together. Mark the date as "high priority" in your calendar, and make the call!
My Commitment:
I will be getting in touch with the two friends that were my inspiration for this post. A dear old friend who tragically lost her son a couple years ago, and another who is quickly approaching 1 year since her 12 year old daughter passed away, also suddenly and tragically. Laura and Babs, I will be calling you both by Sunday because I love you and you are important to me! If you are so inclined, post a comment committing to your call(s) and share this post with your friends!

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!).

Not Me Monday - TAKE 6!

I did not do a "safety check" on my kids candy, which included removing all Almond Joy, Snickers and Kit Kats. I mean its for the children right?

I did not forget to feed the littles anything (but a few snacks) between breakfast and dinner one day because we were too busy messing around (them included). I mean, they didn't act hungry, crabby or ask for anything!

I absolutely DID NOT obsess about MckMama a TON while I should have been working early last week! Wait, thats not a confession, that was OK right? I mean how often does one witness a story like that? And I KNOW I wasn't alone!

OK peeps - spill it!! What did you NOT do last week? Check out MckMamas blog to see what her followers did not do. Though, I am not sure she did "NMM" this week since she just gave birth!