Thanksgiving

Roasting marshmallows with Daddy and Granny

Playing with Daddy

Roasting marshmallows with Cousin Gage and Uncle Ralph

Butter those rolls mom!

Taylor, Kelly, Marcie and Michelle

Aunt Susan, Uncle Donny, Uncle Ray preparing the feast!

My Grandma, Aida, Jeff, Kelly and Marcie

This Thanksgiving I decided to write down what I am thankful for, well there are so many people, experiences and "things" that I certainly can't write them all but....

I am thankful for the smile on Sam's face, for the feel of his arms strangling my neck, for the trust I see in his eyes, for the peace I see in his face when he sleeps, for the joy in his face when he is playing with Daddy, for the simple fact that they are mine and they are happy and healthy. I am thankful for my husband who came into my life 20 years ago and saved me. I don't know where I would be now if it was not for him. I am thankful for how much he loves me and the life we have created together. I am thankful that we still have a ball together and act like teenagers some times.
I am thankful for my mom. For everything about her. The way she loved and loves me, the way she put me first in everything in her life. For the way she loves Sam. She is my best friend, she was the best mom and still is. I am so thankful that she is MY mom.
I am very thankful for my in-laws. It is weird to say that word in-laws because it seems they are so much more than that to me. They welcomed me into their family 20 years ago and I am so thankful for their love. I really do feel like their daughter, and I am thankful to have so many "parents" who truly love me.
I am thankful for my best friend Marcie. I am thankful we have been best friends since 5th grade. We have grown with each other and been through so much together. She is the best friend that everyone wants. I am thankful we still get to "play" and thankful that we have never fought and thankful for the many more years we will play.
I am thankful for the love our family shares and the love we share with friends. I am thankful that I can stop and take a deep breath now and then and savour the beauty that surrounds me and keeps me sane!!

I am thankful that I live in America, and and for the many men and women who risk their lives everday so that we may have our freedom and live the life we chose.

Oh, and I am thankful for Van Halen, what a great concert and great time!

A Traumatic Day..

So today Sam and I ventured to Kohl's. Sam has had an ear infection, and we all have been sick for about 2 weeks. But today we went out to do some shopping - getting ready for the Van Halen concert this week!! As we were checking out at Kohl's I realized we did not have O'Bear. I asked Sam where he was and immediately he panicked. So we went to the lost and found and the whole way back there Sam is so very worried, almost crying, We had to wait in line for what seemed forever to ask. AND he was not there! So now I am almost in tears myself. And I say to Sam it is okay, Mommy will find him, don't worry. He then brakes down, sobbing. My heart breaks. We back track through the whole store. Me carrying him, him sobbing O'Bear's name, me teary eyed, Thank God, I see him sitting next to a mannequin. I point and smile, look there he is!! Sam sees him and just starts crying even more, So we grab him, hug him and on our way we go. Sam is still crying and very upset. Now he is worried about all the rest of his animals and where they are. But I explained they were all at home and okay and safe. Anyway, it was such a traumatic feeling thinking we had lost Sam's most prized possession and seeing him so upset hurt me to my core. Thank God we found him. I seriously don't know what we would have done if we hadn't. Sam absolutely loves O'Bear and he is part of our family, I know sounds silly, but it is very true.

Reflecting

Sammy right around Thanksgiving 2004 - 5 months

I am constantly looking back at Sam's pictures, and today I was checking out November 2004. Sam was 5 months old. I remember we always said he sounded like a billy goat because he was constantly making this silly noise, trying to talk I am sure. You will hear it on the video. He was such a happy, bright eyed, silly, adorable, constantly moving little guy! I just can't believe how much i love this little person. I could sit here all day and look over every picture and video I have of him which is thousands, and then want to look at them all over again with a big smile on my face and misty eyed. I find myself just staring at him many times through out the day in just amazement. He has brought so much of everything into our lives, I can't imagine how I lived soooo long without him.

Sargent Sam Smith and his Prisoner "Bad Guy Mommy"

Sam has been so excited for Halloween to come this year! Ever since he first started seeing the decorations in the stores he would ask, "Is Halloween here?" So it finally came! And the first words out of his mouth the morning of Halloween were, "Mommy, it is Halloween!" And the first words out of his mouth the day after Halloween were, "Mommy, I want Halloween to be here again!" So Sam was a police man, and I was his prisoner, as he called me, Bad Guy Mommy. We were handcuffed together and I had bought an Orange jumpsuit and ironed on - Psych Ward on the front, and put on lots of tattoos. He was so darn cute in his with his little hat and he had a little mustache, but it didn't stay on long! I swear he is the cutest, most handsome boy I have ever seen! Jeff had a costume that was scary that he wore for his Kung Fu, but decided not to wear it in font of Sam. I dress up every year with Sam except for last year, I was sick. As tradition, we had the family over for Halloween and we all go trick-or-treating with Sam and everyone watches with huge smiles as he goes to each door! We went around the block and then he wanted to go home. We also celebrated my 39th birthday that evening as well. We then had some yummy chili that Jeff made. Grandpa and Nana even dressed up this year! I tell you Sam is so loved and is the center of the universe to so many people, he is truly a special guy. I couldn't ask for better Grandparents for him! We are so lucky that our families just get a long and love each other and love to hang out with each other, ALL the time! We had a lot of fun this year and are looking forward to next year!

Daddy and Sam

Nana, Grandpa, Sam and Daddy cruising along...

Grandma, Granny, Daddy and Sammy checking out houses.

Grandpa, Nana and Granny arrive, Daisy a bit worried...

The back

Sargent Sam Smith!

Viva Mexico!

First site of the water, wow!

House is last one on left...

One of our favorites, JJ's

Driving with grandpa

Flying kites

We had a really great time on our trip to Mexico! We were there for 4 nights and 5 days! The weather was perfect, probably the best we have had in a long time. We had fun, but we missed Jeff so much! At the last minute he wasn't able to go due to restaurant difficulties, ugh! So it was Me, Sam, Grandpa, Nana and Auntie Marcie. Sam had the best time ever! He just loves water and could be out there all day! And sand, does Sam love sand! He was in heaven! So that is pretty much what we did. We did go into town one day and went to JJ's and did some shopping. A very relaxing time that I so needed! Can't wait to get back! Our house is right there on the beach in a pretty secluded spot, so we have the beach pretty much to ourselves. The day we tried to go home there was a at least 4 hour wait at the border so we decided to stay until the next morning and leave, crazy! My camera died on me the 2nd day we were there so I don't have as many pics as I wish, but we did get some good ones!