A Thousand Words: November 2008

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Veteren's Day

It was a pleasantly surprising day, in many ways.

I woke up expecting the normal ~ cleaning house, entertaining Charlie, making dinner.... but just as I was gearing up to mop the floors my husband walks in after leaving for work only 20 minutes earlier. My heart leaped as high as Charlie's squeal when he said that he had simply forgotten that he had the day off!

We headed to the city thinking Central Park? The Forbes Toy Museum? The toy train store? (We were thinking what can we do for free, in 4 hours, with child). We knew there would likely be a parade, and traffic, and tried to avoid both ~ unsuccessfully. But that was pleasant surprise number two. Charlie wasn't the only one that enjoyed the parade. I found myself with a tear in my eye watching the firefighters and police officers of NYC pass, as well as Veteran's my grandfathers age. I thought of him. I thought of friends whose husbands are overseas. I waved my flag.

Pleasant surprise number three......

I have been wanting to sit in Madison Square and eat at the infamous Shake Shack, and behold, there it was! As well as it's forever long line.

But it was well worth it. One of the best burgers and fries I've ever had. Bryan was watching Charlie while I was getting the food and I overheard a guy say to another "do you think all of that is for her?". Hmm....I wonder if he was looking at the food, or my belly.

And you see that cute little milkshake on the left?

Don't let it fool you. The Shack Attack was a monster. We could only finish a third of it between all of us. Though I think Charlie would have finished it off if we had let him.

But his burger and fries? For the birds.

Surprise number 5 (#4 was that the food was as good as the hype) ~ even after falling asleep in the car, Charlie took a 2 hour nap. I love suprises.

Oh, and we were interviewed by a local news station. I don't know why they picked us out of the masses (the cute kid?) but they did. We are recording it to see if we made it to air, and to see just how Southern we are. Yikes.

missing him today

* this picture was taken the last time i saw him, and i'm so thankful for it.

beloved grandfather.

husband.

uncle, son, and brother.

dear friend to many~

including his fellow veterans.

artist.

optimist.

jokester.

collector.

a man of many talents and interests.

rainbow suspenders.

a curled mustache.

he was the most unique and lovable man i'll ever know.

lover of art and all things beautiful.

a country boy in the most literal sense~

and yet a man who saw the world.

filled with memories always ready to share,

especially with the ones he loved most ~ his family.

a heart devout to the Lord.

I am grateful to know where his soul rests today.

I thought of him much today as we just happened upon a Veteran's Day Parade. He would have loved seeing the city, its veterans, and waving the flag with us.

It made me also think about how he was supposed to be at the Invasion of Normandy, but traded assignments with a friend at the last minute. Thankfully his friend made it through (though he says as soon as he saw the horizon, heard the gunfire, saw the bodies in the water, he knew he had made the wrong decision), but what if Grandaddy had not? What if I never knew him? I can't imagine! I wouldn't know from whom my love for creativity comes from, my ability to cry at the drop of a hat, my tendency to live in a dream world....

I am thankful for every minute spent with him. Thankful that I knew him, thankful I always will. I miss him, but I wouldn't wish him back. Though he could see beauty in the everyday - a crack in the sidewalk, water glistening on a leaf, a streak of gold in my hair.....I can't fathom the awe in his eyes now.

Saturday, November 08, 2008

18 months

Seriously, I can't believe my baby is a year and a half.

Growing taller, speaking more ~ I love his pronunciation of 'car' and 'girl' and laugh every time he says 'uh-oh' and 'oooooh eddy!' (all ready).

He's growing more affectionate ~ occasionally giving me a kiss out of the blue, or asking to be held, which rarely has he ever, even as a baby, seemed to care about. This of course melts me, though my growing belly is making this harder each week.

He knows where the baby is and eagerly kisses, pats or tickles 'him', though obviously clueless about what this really means for his near future. I can't wait to see him interact with his brother.

Still a snaggle-tooth he is with barely 3 on top and 2 on bottom. Finicky, finicky eater. sigh. I was the queen of getting kids to eat healthfully ~ until I had my own.

We seem to be going through separation anxiety as he now screams when we leave him in the nursery or with anyone else. Not fun. For him, or for me. And fits (as in "pitching a fit"......I said that to a lady today and realized how Southern I was) ~ they were cute for a while. not anymore.

But to say I love him isn't enough. There are no words. My heart seems to be full to the brim. And yet I seem to have room for another? I do, I do.

Thursday, November 06, 2008

and finally.....

the true highlight of our beach trip~

aren't they cute?

GG and Pop, thank you for a wonderful, memorable trip!

* For anyone looking for a future beach spot, I highly recommend my parents place at Emerald Beach Resort in PCB, FL. It is brand new with 3 pools - one is a huge kid's pool complete with waterfalls, dumping buckets and water spouts, and the best part - a gradual entrance (like the beach) so that even a toddler can run around in the shallow end while you lounge. You can order food from Carabba's or lounge at the bar, and a Starbucks is in the lobby! We also had a great time at the new shopping and dining outdoor mall just built across the street (my former SBP friends, it is not at all the PCB that we have plagued in our memories!). Just let me know if you are interested in a future trip.