Ah, the luck 'o the Irish

It was certainly with me when this beautiful baby girl came into my life 15 years ago today. I've been thinking about the first time we met all day. We got up early the morning of the 16th because Dan Lloyd's brother Donnie was going through the LDS Temple to take out his endowments. The whole way over to St. George I was having terrible stomach cramps. I chalked it up to the banana I'd eaten earlier since they always make my stomach hurt. We got to Enterprise and Dan said "You've been complaining about your stomach hurting every X amount of minutes. I bet you're in labor." Of course, I argued, but he was so panicked about it that I consented to go to the hospital just to be checked. Imagine my total shock when they decided to keep me because, yep, I was in labor. I missed the temple session and had the meanest nurse in the world. Michelle was her name. Last name was probably Kavorkian. Anyway, I'd been hooked up to monitors and the whole nine yards for hours before Dan finally came to the hospital. I wasn't making very good progress. Fast forward hours and hours and hours and hours later. Chels made her appearance just a little after midnight. She took my breath away, she was so exquisitely lovely. Her shock of dark auburn colored hair. Her wrinkly little body. The way she felt in my arms. She was by far my most snuggly baby. Still is. I fell deeply, irrevocably in love with this joyous miracle.

This has been a very interesting day. From an impromptu surprise birthday party (I got a text from Chels' gal pals asking if they could decorate her room and throw her a party) to the sweetest text from Aunt Gina ("Top 'o the mornin' to ya! Here's hoping you have a fabulous birthday. I wasn't blessed with a daughter...but a beautiful and talented niece like you is the next best thing."). We had about a dozen or so giggling teenagers, girls AND boys. They showed up, hid in her room, and screamed "surprise!" when she flipped the light on to put her practice stuff in there. Her response? Scream like a lunatic. They stuck around for a while and I enjoyed the cacaphony coming from the downstairs; made me smile.

I even departed from the traditional green birthday cake. We had rainbow cupcakes with green frosting. Funny how I can figure out how to foul up even a cupcake. Oh well, they were ugly but tasted fabulous.

Chelsea, I love you so much. You are everything I hope to be one day. Sweet, kind, compassionate, gentle, loving, forgiving, great freckles, just everything. No mother could be more thankful for such a wonderful daughter.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY, 15 YEAR OLD POPPY TATER! Are your ears pointy yet? (She was convinced she was a leprechaun when she was 4 and checked the mirror every day to see if her ears had come in yet.)

Strolling

In a super mellow mood tonight. Adele does that to a person. Spending time alone, again, and just thought I'd look through some old pictures. I've found things I forgot I even had from 2009. Some aren't focused very well (they're from pre-photog studying days). Some made me laugh. Some made me sad. However, I've enjoyed every single one. I'm so grateful for photos and music. Funny how they can take us right back to the moment. Sadly, there are very few pictures of Ry and Chels from this year. 2009 was the year they spent running away from Senora Nikon.

Girl's Best Friend

I think the picture says it all...but I'll add that Cam adores this pooch.

Things you see at Spring Sporting Events

Good, bad, and...just plain gross!

Ry pulled his best friend Nathan's jersey out of retirement and sported it for the games this weekend. Nate has been playing college ball for the last four years and he considers Ry his little bro.

Ry was spotted holding hands with a girl. Doesn't he know they have cooties? Ick! Actually this kid has a really great girlfriend. Holy crap! My baby boy has a girlfriend.

This weekend marked the beginning of widowhood. I happily embarked on my lone journey south to watch my beautiful family take it to the opponents. Both teams made it to the championship games. We didn't win, but it sure looks like we may be onto something...stay tuned. It's going to be a great season!!

And, if you've ever wondered what amazing pitchers do during their break in the dugout...wonder no more!

Chels was stunning on the mound. She was smiling and working so hard the entire time. And having fun. She's definitely a site to behold. She was throwing smoke. Oh yeah, Chels also got to play catcher for the first time ever. She loved it.

Adjustment caught on film. That's the gross part...and Ry holding hands with a girl.

Oh yeah, Les, you remember Coach Essex? Well, he "ain't got nothin'" on Dan Lloyd. Grouchy old fart.

Double OH YEAH, the close up of Dan Lloyd...wowee! He's still so frickin' cute it makes my eyes hurt. I get to spend every day of the rest of my life waking up with that. AND, may I remind everyone, one of the things I'm most grateful for is that my husband doesn't look like an All Star Wrestler in his baseball uniform. That sounds bad, but, c'mon ladies. You know we're thankful when our men keep taking care of themselves.

Junior Prom 2011

My baby boy is a Junior. It's a terrible fact, but it was so fun to see him get dressed up with such darling arm candy. What an incredibly sweet, funny girl his date was! Alyssa Higbee from Alamo. Quite the scandal to invite someone from a rival high school to your Junior Prom.

Lincoln County is weird; parents escort Juniors for the promenade and then they dance with their babies. So, you guessed it, we get to spy on our kids and take lots of pictures. Really? I don't recall parents being invited to prom anywhere else that I know of. It was so fun but I won't lie, as Ry and I stood in line waiting for our turn to step out, I looked at my baby boy and almost lost it. I was so choked up. It seems like only yesterday that this beautiful baby came into my life and forever changed me. And here he is, looking more like a man than that handsome, sweet, chubby, cuddly little baby. I pasted a smile on my face and did my best to soak up every bit of this sweet moment. I am so proud of who my son is. As we were shuffling around the floor for our dance I couldn't help but think that only one more time will I dance with my son at a special occasion in his life; the day he gets married. I wanted to put my arms around him so tightly and never let go. Loving your children so much is both an incredible blessing and curse. But how very, very blessed I am.

After we got home (Ry and Allyssa beat us) we had to take the obligatory shots of the special shoes I bought just for this event. The picture is blurry, but you can still see how gorgeous and cool they are. Cam and Chels hammed it up for the camera; they both looked so pretty all dressed up in what my Gram always referred to as your "glad rags".

What a fantastic night. What a fantastic person. What a lucky, lucky mom that this boy chose me for such an earthly honor.

I love you, Ryan...to the moon and back...infinity. Thank you for choosing me.