In Loving Memory - Repost

We lost Grace four years ago today.  Decided to repost my very first blog post which is in memory of her.  Still love and miss you Grace.

My good friend, Grace Fryer just passed away on June 28, 2008. She had been ill for awhile, the not so funny thing is she had lung cancer and had never smoked a day in her life. She had fought so hard for so long, she is one of the most amazing and brave women I know.

On July 4, my husband Aaron and our son Parker and I went to her wake. I am 36 years old and have never been to a funeral or wake. I have never been so overwhelmingly sad in my life. Her husband Tom, who is a wonderfull man, looked so lost and her daughter Allie, broke my heart. Just weeks from being "Sweet 16" and having just lost her Mom, I just wanted to hold her forever. Luckily they have a strong family on both sides and lots of love and support. I know that Grace will never be replaced but there is so much love and support I know that they will all make it through this.

I first met Grace about 11 years ago. It was the first time I had lived in Connecticut and our husbands worked together for the same command. We became great friends. She was always so outgoing and caring and giving. She would truely give you the shirt off her back if you needed it. She loved children, and was like an aunt not only to my boys, but to all her friends children. But mostly, she was an amazing mom. If she could have given Allie the stars and put her to bed in the clouds she would have. Allie was her everything, her pride and joy.

I will miss her forever and she will always been in my heart.

I love and miss you Grace. Our time together was too short.

Piper's First Professional Hair Cut

We decided Piper needed a real hair cut, her bangs were getting in her eyes.  We had trimmed her bangs ourselves right around her first birthday so it was definitely time.

I held Piper while she got her hair cut.

She did so well.  She never fussed or squirmed.

Lookin' Good!

"Really, you are still taking pictures?"

"Cheese!"

Finally, I Did It!

I recovered our dining room chairs.  They looked like crap!  Worse than crap really.  They were horrid!  I am so happy I finally got it done.  I've had the fabric forever, at least a year or more.  And some how, I lucked out, it goes okay with the colors of our dining room in the new house.  So, here are some before and afters.

See how craptacular the chair of the left is.  NASTY!
The one on the right, LOVELY!
I need some damn scotch guard so they stay nice!

Another view of my lovely chair.

Yes, I made socks for my chair that's on the hard wood.
Works way better than those stupid felt pads!

Monday was our 18th wedding anniversary (and my Mom's Birthday - Happy Birthday Mom).  We went out to dinner and took the kids with up.  My food came out cold and I had to send it back, I hate that, it scares me.  Piper threw rice all over me, and chicken, and submersed her hand in ketchup.  I am pretty sure parts of her dinner are still in the diaper bag.  YUMMY!  I did my hair, put on make up, and wore a dress. It just isn't as fun taking kids out for an anniversary dinner, on a Monday night.  I think we need a redo.

After 18 years of marriage I have to say I love Aaron more today than ever!  He is a wonderful husband and friend and I am so lucky to have him.  Especially when I go bat shit crazy.  He is the calm to my storm and so reasonable when I am not.  He is a wonderful provider and while he may be a terrible gift giver I know that he loves me and it's all the little things he does that mean the most.  He is always there for me, he always tells me he loves me, he supports everything I want to do, he always kisses me good night.  And, he is always there when I go bat shit crazy (did I already say that).  Anyway, enough mush.  I love you Babe!  You are the best!

Let's end with a video of Piper stealing Aaron's ice cream.  Why? Because it's funny!  Okay, no video.  It won't load.  Not sure why, but I just can't get them to load any more.  So here are a few pictures instead.

Piper loves cuddling with Parker.

Sampling Daddy's ice cream.

I Broke My Damn Toe!

Because I am a doctor (not, but I play one on T.V.) I have decided, for sure, that my toe is broken.  It hurts terribly.  I can barely move it (not that you can move your pinky toe much but still).  How can such a small, insignificant, little toe hurt so much?  Who Knows!  But it does.  How did I break it you ask?  I kicked the damn baby gate.  Aaron's advice, "Don't do that, step over the gate".  Wow, you are a damn genius Gus!  (I'm smiling here).

We had a wonderful, fun filled weekend.  Parker wasn't "feeling" well so he didn't join us.  Saturday we had planned on going to a "Cooks" type of store. Unfortunately, there was a HUGE sign at the entrance that read "Not open to the public".  It was more of a restaurant supply store.  Boo! So we drove through Old Town a different way, went by the airport, saw the Iwo Jima Memorial (It is huge and breathtaking), drove by Arlington Cemetery, and drove through Arlington. We ended up at Tyson's Corner.

I love Tyson's Corner.  There are two (yes 2) huge malls right in the same area.  A nice big mall, and a nice big, fancy, valet parking, Ritz Carlton mall.  Plus tons of other shopping.  We had a nice time walking around, bought Piper two new swim suits at Hanna Anderson, who was having a great sale, but we were treated like poop by the sales clerks.  Had an amazing lunch at Gordon Biersch. Aaron bought a coctail shaker at Pottery Barn (yup, you read that right AARON bought something at Pottery Barn).  Got free coffees at Starbucks because the Barista was from Bremeton, WA.  Go Washington!  And, on the way to the car Aaron found a $100 bill.  Not a soul in site.  No one.  Yay him.

Then on Saturday we took the Metro into DC.  We had a lovely day and went to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.  I really enjoyed it.  But, man. People are rude.  I do not care if it is acceptable to shove, push, and have no regard for others personal space in your country.  You are in America, I am a bitch, and I will ram you with my stroller if you pull that shit with me.  Now, that being said, Americans can be total ass holes too (and they were).  I don't get it!

And people, wear deodorant for God's sake.  It's summer, it's hot, you stink!  Enough said!   Also, do not buy a chocolate chip cookie there.  It was nasty, dry, tasteless, waxy mess, and it cost $3.50.  Lunch was passable but it cost the same as Gordon Biersch the day before, so pretty much it sucked.

We did so much walking (aka we are old) that our feet hurt terribly.  Aaron was walking like a hobbled old man and I'm pretty sure the skin was rubbed of the bottoms of my toes (again with my toes!)  But it was another amazing day!

Any way, we saw many amazing things and of course, I have pictures.  Enjoy.

Of course, first up is my sweet Piper.

She really enjoyed her pretzel.

Smithsonian Castle

Museum of Natural History

The three things I was most excited to see.  T-Rex,
Easter Island Figure, and the Hope Diamond.

I love fossils.  I always wanted to find
them as a kid.  Never did.

Neanderthal Mom and Baby.  I over heard the tour guide say
"Now, we are not saying that this ever happened..."

We also went by the Air and Space Museum for a bit.

 IT'S AMAZING!

 (Yeah, this is for you.  You know who you are.)