This blog is dusty and I realize check-ins are near impossible, but it won't stop me from thinking the best and hoping I can still pop in occassionally and post an update on our lives.
So in the 6 months since I last posted, let's see if I can recap our lives! We made it through the holidays -- two special little boys' birthdays, Halloween, Thanksgiving, D's birthday, Christmas, New Years, my 40th birthday, Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day!
Declan and Connor have grown up so much and I'm sitting here in awe at how well adjusted they are, how smart they are and how much I enjoy being their mama in spite of all of the craziness life brings us each day. They make me smile each day and really are the brightness of my days.
Connor started walking shortly after his first birthday in October and at nearly 18 months, runs everywhere. He doesn't slow down and is my dare devil. He'll look at you with the sweetest smile on his face and do exactly what he is not supposed to. He's my charmer and my love bug too. He loves giving hugs, blowing kisses and will cuddle on his terms. His vocabulary is growing by the day and I know very soon he's going to be talking just as much as Declan does. Right now, I think we're up to about 12-15 words. His favorite being "hi Papa", "ball" and "Dec" and "dada".
Declan is my intellectual that loves facts and research and learning in general. He's excelling in Preschool and when we took him to the school district for his 4 year old assessment, they told us he's ready for Kindergarten....he's got a full year plus to go before we even get to that point (darn October birthday!). His interests include learning more about shipwrecks (documentaries about Titanic and Edmund Fitzgerald are his favorites), building, learning about every type of car and truck imaginable (he's going to be my motorhead) and hot-tubbing at Nana's. I'm amazed every day by his vocabulary and problem solving skills and think that he's going to be smarter than me in no time at all.
In January, I celebrated my 40th birthday. I was a bit anxious about turning 40. It felt like a good portion of my life and youth was long gone. I reminisced about my 20s and 30s and wondered how those years passed so fast and worried that the next 10 years of my life would pass in an absolute blur. I didn't want to do much for my birthday but D suprised me by having my immediate family over for a small party. And honestly, it was exactly what I needed on my 40th birthday. My team at work also threw me a small party with catered lunch and memories of my younger days, which was appreciated.
A few weeks back, at the beginning of March, we suffered our first loss in a long time in the Roberts' family and while I don't like dwelling on the sad stuff, I want to mention it as he was one of the most influential and special people I've had the pleasure of knowing for 10 years. Grandpa Roberts, the pillar of our Roberts' family passed away from post-polio syndrome. He was 87 years old and had been on a decline since Christmas but it was definitely hard for our family. D and I made the trip to Michigan to be there for the family and attend his funeral and I can say, we were both emotional wrecks. Grandpa was one of the first people that truly accepted me and welcomed me into the family. I could and would sit and talk to him for hours when we visited. His stories of the Upper Pennisula, his time at Oldsmobile and GM, snowmobiling and life in general were interesting and inspiring. He loved hearing my stories about trucking and accounting life. For D, growing up, Grandpa was the one to take him to his hockey games and practice and help him with his homework. We both know he's in a better place with his declining health, but it hit us hard and still does at times.
And finally, I guess for the last of the updates for today, our family is gearing up for a mini Spring Break to Branson with my brother and his family and my dad and step-mom. We're taking 4 days at Easter and are renting a cabin close to Silver Dollar City for a few days of family fun. The trip includes a visit to the Titantic Museum (at Declan's request), Silver Dollar City and other family friendly attractions for our crew. Declan asks week after week if it's time for our vacation yet. He's beyond excited to spend time with his cousins, uncle Ryan, aunt Kahla, maw-maw Debbie and papa Tank.
I think that's about all for now. I'll (again!) continue to try to better myself by checking in more often. I love looking back on these posts and reminiscing about everything what I had going on at certain times in my life. If I just had a few extra hours in my days and weeks....
