Happy Birthday Jimmy!

I have made it my goal to blog about each one of my family members on their birthdays. I hope you enjoy reading my trips down Memory Lane as much as I enjoy writing them.

My firstborn, James Robert King. Born at UCSD Medical Center in San Diego, CA. on March 24, 1975, at 5:38pm. 6lbs. 15oz. 18.5in. Named for Daddy, and Uncle John. My baby. 18.5 LONG hours of labor...LOL...every mom has a 'labor' story. I'll spare you the details.

Jimmy was a happy baby, for the most part. By the time he was 2, I figured I'd pretty much marred him for life. He was my 'trial and error' baby. The first one always is. He's the one whose piece of fingertip I cut off while trimming his nails with the baby 'safety' clippers. From then on I BIT my babies' nails....no more clippers for THIS mama!

I wanted to be a good mommy, so I decided to use cloth diapers. That's what we did WAY back then. It's a NASTY way to go, let me tell ya! But, nevertheless, I rinsed, soaked, scrubbed and bleached those little nappies so my baby would have sparkling white diapers. No one told me that poop STAINS! Ah well...I gave it a go anyway. Until I pinned him to his diaper. He was screaming, and I'm thinking, 'what is wrong with you child??! I just fed you, burped you, bathed you, and gave you a clean diaper, and you're screaming???' So, I decided to check his diaper, one more time, and discovered, to my utter horror, that I had pinned the poor little guy to his diaper! I don't know who cried harder, him or ME! We switched to Pampers. That's all we had back then, but it sure beat risking the chance of 'pinning' him again!

Jimmy was a typical little boy, always running, jumping, climbing, and falling. In most of his professional portraits, he looks like a classic child abuse case...a black & blue bump, right in the middle of his forehead. Broken bones, sprains, lots of 'owies'...typical boy, all the way around.

I could go on about the teenage years, and even his 20's, but I prefer to talk about now. I am so incredibly proud of the man he has become. I love that I have such a special bond with him (as I do with my other 2 kids, but their turn is coming in later blogs), and I can call him with a need, and he's right there. He's always been there for his dad and me. He made the wisest choice ever in his choice for a bride. He's a dad who loves his kids passionately, and will stop at nothing to ensure their well being. He's a brother who's best friends are his brother and sister. He's a friend who is there in good times and bad. He's a man who takes his job seriously, never afraid to go that 'extra mile' if need be. He's had some hard knocks in life, and has learned from each of them, and he is a better man because of those 'knocks'. He appreciates what he's been given, and teaches his kids to appreciate too. He strives to be a good role model for his kids, holding himself accountable, and telling his kids to hold him accountable too. He's a wonderful daddy.

Husband, daddy, brother, cousin, friend, uncle....and son. Awesome man, and one that I am proud to call MY son.

Happy Birthday Jimmy. I love you.
Mom

Spring Is In The Air

Ahhh Spring.... How I love the new life 'springing' up all around me!

I know that technically, Spring doesn't arrive until March 20th. But convince the flowers, trees, bushes, and lawns that are already springing forth with new life that Spring hasn't quite 'arrived' yet. My mulberry trees have got buds on them, that will soon to turn into huge, beautiful leaves, and producing sweet, tasty berries with which to feed the little birdies that have gone elsewhere in search of food for the winter.
My Texas Umbrella trees are blooming too. During the winter, I affectionately refer to them as 'my 20ft. twigs'. Soon they will provide shade to my living room, blocking out the hot summer sun. Adorned with delicate white flowers, they really are a beautiful tree.
My lawn, which has lain dormant for months, is now growing. It's fescue, and is green year-round, but I know that Spring is definitely in the air when the lawn needs a 'haircut', fertilizing, and bug spray, so that it'll be lush, cushy, and bug-free for grandchildren to play on during the warm summer months.
I just got my propane tank filled for our gas BBQ grill-another sign that Spring is, indeed, in the air. Soon, the grill will come alive with chicken, carne asada, spareribs and other yummy summer BBQ-type meats, as the family once again gathers at mom & dad's for a meal together. Sweet times they are! Daylight Saving Time-another indication that Spring is here. I love DST....ok so it's still dark in the early morning hours, but hey, it's still LIGHT at 8pm! I love it when we decide to take a stroll after a hot day, and it's still light out enough to feel safe. Yep, a nice walk, then a quick stop at Mickey D's for a soft-serve cone to enjoy on the stroll home....gotta love it!

Driving around town, I see so much new life, and it gives me hope. Welcome Spring, I've missed you!

Happy Birthday Katie!

Today is a VERY special lady's birthday! 'Our' Katie!

Ok, so, I should have posted this blog a couple of weeks ago, but time got away from me, and....well, you know how it goes.

Rewind almost 4 years. Brian is leaving for Ione, off to the Fire Academy for Engineers. He's at an all-time low, and is definitely 'down on women' in his words. Of course my thoughts and prayers are with him. When your kid is hurting, you're hurting too.

Fast forward 6 weeks or so. Brian is home for memorial Day weekend. He & I are chatting in the kitchen, and I ask him if the rumors I'm hearing through the family grapevine are true. That he's met someone. My first thought is to take that guy and shake him till his teeth rattle! What IS he....CRAZY??? THIS soon? After what he's been through??? He 'confesses'. Now, my kids can attest to this next statement. My boys especially. I'm point blank with them. 'Brian, is this woman someone you can see yourself spending the rest of your life with? Someone to have a family with, and grow old with?' Without one iota of hesitation, he says, 'Yes Mom, she is. She's the one'. Good enough for me, but I still want to meet the young woman who has unequivocally captured my son's heart.

Katie came down a short while later to visit Brian, and Brian had cautioned us that Katie was on the shy side, and not to be too upset if she wasn't real social. Are we talking about the same girl here Brian? He brought her in, and she was like a missing puzzle piece to our family! She came in, sat down, and talked to us like she'd known us all her life. And that was just the beginning.

Katie has been a source of joy in our lives. She's the definition of what I, as a mom, wanted in a wife for my son. She is the definition of what I wanted in a mommy for my grandchildren. We look forward to many happy years with her....happy birthday honey. We love you so....