I lost my grandfathers when I was 15 and 20. At the time, it was sad but expected and the young, self-absorbed me didn't take too much time to grieve. That's not to say that I wasn't sad, I was. Watching my parents lose their parents was devastating and I was close with my grandpas. I was sad to think that I'd never hug them again and that they wouldn't see me graduate (one from high school, the other from college).
I've found that I haven't gotten less sad, but more sad as the years have gone on. It literally takes my breath away to think that neither of them know my kids. Bear reminds me so much of my dad's dad. They would LOVE each other. To think that they'll never play chase through the house breaks my heart. I wish I knew what nickname my mom's dad would have given the kids. All of his grand kids had ridiculous/embarrassing nicknames.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Happy birthday Brady Bear!
Brayden,
Six years ago tonight, at 11:54 pm, you came into the world and changed my life forever. You were a 6 1/2 pound miracle. From the very beginning, you snubbed your nose at "their" timeline and eagerly made your arrival more than a month early. After those first few scary weeks, you never looked back. You were the healthiest, happiest baby.
You made me a mommy and changed my perspective on everything. Everything I do, now I do only after thinking of how it will benefit you.
Six years ago tonight, at 11:54 pm, you came into the world and changed my life forever. You were a 6 1/2 pound miracle. From the very beginning, you snubbed your nose at "their" timeline and eagerly made your arrival more than a month early. After those first few scary weeks, you never looked back. You were the healthiest, happiest baby.
You made me a mommy and changed my perspective on everything. Everything I do, now I do only after thinking of how it will benefit you.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Changes for the New Year
I'm generally anti-New Year's resolutions. If a change needs made, make it. Don't wait for January. Just do it!
However, lately, I've had a few changes on my heart, and figured that putting them here would be a good way to keep myself accountable. So here they are:
1. I have a Pritchard * gene that makes me like the sound of my own voice. If I get going, oh my, there's no telling where the rant will go! I have some family members who, I'm sure, can relate. :) Often, words will come out that I look back at and think, "Really Amanda? Was it that serious?" This goes for the good and the bad. If I'm excited about something, I will talk the subject to death. If I'm mad, the rant goes on for WAY too long. And, lately, I've found that when I'm lecturing/disciplining the kids, that I overdo it. I beat the proverbial horse to death when a shorter statement would have been more than adequate. So "resolution" number one is to Be deliberate in my words and actions. I want to slow down and THINK before I speak or act.
2. I want to spend more time doing things that nurture my mind and soul and less time consuming garbage. Seriously, as addictive as Farmville is, it's "nutritional value" is zero. I have deleted all of the time-suckers from my Facebook page (except Zuma, because I'm addicted) and am going to make a conscious effort to step away from the computer and spend more time in my bible. I'm going to read more and write more.
3. And on a completely different note, I'm going to get my butt moving! I slacked off in the gym BIG TIME after we moved in April. I'm not listing my goals or numbers, but I definitely plan to make it either to the gym or out the door to run at least 3 days a week!
So, there they are. Wish me luck!
* Pritchard is my maiden name, and some of us are loud, opinionated know-it-alls. But I promise, we're a fun bunch, and are totally lovable once you get past the obnoxious parts.
However, lately, I've had a few changes on my heart, and figured that putting them here would be a good way to keep myself accountable. So here they are:
1. I have a Pritchard * gene that makes me like the sound of my own voice. If I get going, oh my, there's no telling where the rant will go! I have some family members who, I'm sure, can relate. :) Often, words will come out that I look back at and think, "Really Amanda? Was it that serious?" This goes for the good and the bad. If I'm excited about something, I will talk the subject to death. If I'm mad, the rant goes on for WAY too long. And, lately, I've found that when I'm lecturing/disciplining the kids, that I overdo it. I beat the proverbial horse to death when a shorter statement would have been more than adequate. So "resolution" number one is to Be deliberate in my words and actions. I want to slow down and THINK before I speak or act.
2. I want to spend more time doing things that nurture my mind and soul and less time consuming garbage. Seriously, as addictive as Farmville is, it's "nutritional value" is zero. I have deleted all of the time-suckers from my Facebook page (except Zuma, because I'm addicted) and am going to make a conscious effort to step away from the computer and spend more time in my bible. I'm going to read more and write more.
3. And on a completely different note, I'm going to get my butt moving! I slacked off in the gym BIG TIME after we moved in April. I'm not listing my goals or numbers, but I definitely plan to make it either to the gym or out the door to run at least 3 days a week!
So, there they are. Wish me luck!
* Pritchard is my maiden name, and some of us are loud, opinionated know-it-alls. But I promise, we're a fun bunch, and are totally lovable once you get past the obnoxious parts.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Rules for touching other people's babies:
In light of my brand new nephew and the equally brand new baby girl that our friend gave birth to over Thanksgiving, I got to thinking about the etiquette involved in handling babies that you did not contribute to the DNA of:
- If you knocked on my door and I opened it, would I say "Hey, come in!!" or "May I help you?"
- If I would not immediately hug you and invite you in, please don't put your hands on my brand new baby. If I know you well enough that I would let you in, but would be a bit confused as to why you are showing up to my house, at least ask permission before you touch my child. And keep your hands off of his/her face!
- If you would think twice before walking up and planting a kiss on me or my husband's face, please don't kiss our baby on the face. Period. No exceptions.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
What is it about middle school...
...that makes me completely and utterly uncomfortable and awkward feeling. I mean seriously, I graduated a LONG time ago. But whenever I step through the door of K's school, I'm instantly self-conscious and weirded out. :) Don't get me wrong, I love that she wants me there, but my inner nerd cringes.
The book fair has made it's appearance in the library this week. I gave her the option of just taking money and buying herself a book but she chose to take me (and my debit card) along this morning. I'm going to tell myself that she just wanted to spend some quality book-browsing time with me and that it had nothing to do with her being smart enough to realize that she is likely to beg her way into a better haul if she has me there to beg than if I just send her a set amount of cash. :) Where did my princess-loving wookie go, and who is this Twilight-browsing (I'm not cool enough to let her read them yet) tween? *Sigh* So after she made her selection, she deposited me in the line to pay, kissed me good-bye and asked me to pay and take it home so that she could go chat with her friends before school. I stood in line with a bunch of middle school kids and paid for her book and walked out to the car quite contentedly, because she still thinks I'm cool enough to kiss in front of her friends. How the heck did I get such a cool, self-confident kid? Life is good.
The book fair has made it's appearance in the library this week. I gave her the option of just taking money and buying herself a book but she chose to take me (and my debit card) along this morning. I'm going to tell myself that she just wanted to spend some quality book-browsing time with me and that it had nothing to do with her being smart enough to realize that she is likely to beg her way into a better haul if she has me there to beg than if I just send her a set amount of cash. :) Where did my princess-loving wookie go, and who is this Twilight-browsing (I'm not cool enough to let her read them yet) tween? *Sigh* So after she made her selection, she deposited me in the line to pay, kissed me good-bye and asked me to pay and take it home so that she could go chat with her friends before school. I stood in line with a bunch of middle school kids and paid for her book and walked out to the car quite contentedly, because she still thinks I'm cool enough to kiss in front of her friends. How the heck did I get such a cool, self-confident kid? Life is good.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Hey, I'm still here!
I abandoned this thing for a little while (okay, a long while) but I'm back!
To catch up:
K is now 11 and in 6th grade.
B is now 5 1/2 and in kindergarten (yikes, that boy is going to turn me gray)!
Fearless leader (the hubby) has been in the Air Force for 11 1/2 years and became an officer in April of this year. Yay! We're currently in West Texas for Intelligence training before we set off on the next leg of our adventure in the spring.
As for me, I'm just hanging on for dear life, trying to maintain my sanity on this wild ride and, hopefully, do it with some semblance of grace. :)
I'm going to try to post something here at least a couple of times a week. We shall see. :)
To catch up:
K is now 11 and in 6th grade.
B is now 5 1/2 and in kindergarten (yikes, that boy is going to turn me gray)!
Fearless leader (the hubby) has been in the Air Force for 11 1/2 years and became an officer in April of this year. Yay! We're currently in West Texas for Intelligence training before we set off on the next leg of our adventure in the spring.
As for me, I'm just hanging on for dear life, trying to maintain my sanity on this wild ride and, hopefully, do it with some semblance of grace. :)
I'm going to try to post something here at least a couple of times a week. We shall see. :)
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Blah....
It's rainy and ugly and I don't feel like being productive. The weather has been beautiful for two months and we got spoiled. Today it's drizzling and the high is 54 and we're all complaining about how cold it is. :) Gotta love South Texas.
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