Nostalgia

I've been here at the grandparents for over 60 days. We've settled into something of a groove, and notwithstanding the fact I miss my own bed, things are going very well here.

The part that is fun for me is watching my daughter, and occasionally one of her buddies, run around doing things I have stored away in my memory box from childhood.

Running circles through the living room and hallway, running back and forth through the sheets on the line, playing in front of the mirror in the hallway, picking rhubarb out of the backyard, "helping" grandpa with the garden, walking to the nearby park, etc.

There are some things she has yet to do. I remember going under the branches of the big pine out front to the trunk and then climbing as high as I dared. We have yet to clean off the ping pong table downstairs ( when did that mess happen? ) Sitting at the piano playing nonsense songs for hours. Also, going out on the canoe would help complete the experience.

My kiddo is making her own memories. She plays pool ( sort of ) and bocce ball and plays in the big cardboard house that grandpa made. She plays in the tire swing and the the "bear cave" behind the couch.

Today we're going to go jump on the mini trampoline. And maybe later, we'll help grandma make cookies.

Pictures in words

Today was one of those days that I wished I had a camera imbedded in my eyes. Not for the gigantic fits my daughter threw when she found out she couldn't have the window seat, or the couple that got up and changed seats so they wouldn't be behind us. Those need a delete button.
But running around with her in my grandparents backyard, with real grass, trying to teach her to do a cartwheel for the first time. Laying down on a blanket in the grass with my little boy, great grandpa lying in the grass next to us. Little man smiling his big smile at everyone.
They were perfect , beautiful moments of life thrown into a very messy day. Pictures in my mind I don't want to forget.

Siblings

In the last couple weeks/ few days Liam is making little leaps and bounds. It's funny the things you notice all of a sudden. 

The other night Miriam and I were playing, running around the living room and up and down the hallway.  He used to just watch us (he's quite the watcher) happily.  But he started to get a bit fussy.  I picked him up and faced him toward the world and kept playing with Miriam.  And he was SO happy.  He laughed and waved his arms and had a wonderful time "playing" with his big sister.   I have a feeling that as soon as he can crawl, he is going to follow her EVERYWHERE.  I wonder how she's going to take that!

Tonight, I was feeding Liam in our rocking chair in his room and she came in to say goodnight.  She brought him a blanket, and put his sheep pillow in his bed for him  (I moved it before he went in there, but it was so cute).  She was so sweet taking care of her "baby"  She usually insists on giving him a kiss on the head too. 

They are so incredibly cute!

A Joyful Remembrance

In the last couple of months I've had the opportunity to share with you some little details about my great-grandfather and my grandfather on their birthdays. 

This time I am writing to share with you a little bit about the life of my great grandmother, who passed away at 96 this last weekend.  She is my last great grandparent to leave the earth, I was very blessed to have her in my life for so long.  She was one of the great grandmothers that I was closer to.

I've mentioned her before in this post.  And I think it really sums things up (from a great-grandchild perspective).  She was very pleasant and kind, but also very realistic and straightforward.  She and my great grandfather were married fairly young, they had five children, one of which they lost when he was very young (5, I believe).  They spent their young adulthood taking care of their family.  I think my great grandpa worked a job during the day and the theater at night. 

I know my great grandma loved great grandpa very much.  We were talking once about a man that had died young (50's) and she said to me, "I know I felt robbed when your grandpa died (of prostate cancer, about a month after I was born) in his 70's!"  My grandmother says her mom always felt like great grandpa was a gift from God to her.  It makes me think she must be very happy to be with him now!

I went to her home in North Dakota as a girl, but I don't remember much about it except that it took so long to drive across Montana.  I do remember her coming to visit my grandparents once a year until about 9 years ago.  In fact, her last visit to the pacific northwest was the year Bill and I got married.  She was visiting when we announced our engagement I believe.  I think she was very happy about that.  I remember having good chats with her during these visits.  She and my grandmother taught me to knit when I was a young girl.  I could get out some needles and do a knit stitch quite easily at 21, even though I hadn't done it since....well, since they had taught me probably. (Interestingly, I started knitting again in 2010 and am finally starting to get somewhere with it. All those things I could have learned so much earlier!)  I believe she also taught me to embroider, and gave me a pillow case set to do.  I finished them but honestly don't know where they went!

 For our wedding she sent a set of dishtowels she had embroidered herself.  I love them!  I've had a hard time over the last 8 years using them - although I'm sure she would want me to! But I want them to last FOREVER.

About 18 months ago, I took my daughter (then almost 3) on a train ride to North Dakota and met up with my grandparents and a couple of Uncles for great grandmothers 95th birthday.  My great aunt Edie fed us (and fed and fed us. Yum.) and sheltered us for the week.  We all got together on her birthday for cake.  Luckily she shared a balloon with Miriam.

I'll admit I was really rooting for one more train trip and one more birthday party, but it's okay.  I'm glad I took the time when I did, and I'm glad for the many ways she blessed our lives.

Star Wars episode 1 party

So Star Wars episode 1 was released in 3D a couple weekends ago.  We did not actually go to the movie (our experience with 3D movies so far = not worth it!) but we did go meet up with the 501st Legion who were dressed up and putting on events at a local theatre.  Miriam was obsessed with Darth Maul - otherwise known as "Spikey" and looked for him everywhere.  Still, I thought she was going to run for it, rather than take this picture.

 Um what, you want me to stand with these people?

 They had face painting and Miriam wanted a droid.  a.k.a. blue guy on her face

Bill wanted this picture so he could say a Jawa tried to run off with his Droid.  :)

And here is our little Jedi fighting the evil forces.  It was a lot of fun!  They had pod racing on Kinect for people could try and a giant Lego puzzle of the movie poster for people to help put together. 

Arizona Heat

From the 14th to the 21st we were in Arizona - it was HOT - 90's - for those of us used to 50 degree weather.
We had a really good time. We went to the Arizona State fair and had lemonade and a corn dog as big as my forearm. We went to the petting zoo and other acitivies Miriam was mostly still to young for, but still fun.
We visited with one of Bill's former compainions, Jerry, and his wife Marva and their almost 5 children.
We went swimming (the pool was COLD for it being so warm outside) and took walks downtown, played with grandma's dog and made big messes on her floor. It was a kicking good time.

This is the "where are we?" face

Playing peek-a-boo

Meeting Trooper

A night on the town

Coming up next: our move to Georgia

Everyone thought we would spell Miriam with a "y"

But take a look: Myriam . . . just looks funny to me.
If anyone was paying attention, I changed the last post. Apparently the hospital had it WRONG and Lena and Rick spelled Lyla with a "y" and not an "i"
So I changed it. That is really all I have time to do at the moment. But more to come on the last couple weeks . . . but here's our tiny niece

Thank goodness for hospital websites!

Lyla Rilen Garza

October 14th, 2008

9:56pm

5 lbs 2.5 oz

17.5 inches long

Picture here

Congratulations Lena and Rick

She's here!

Is it not the saddest thing ever that that is all I can tell you? Some of my in-laws in the Tri-Cities are in BIG TROUBLE (Bill and Sue this means YOU). I sent a text to Lena around 10 last night because I was finally settled in and getting anxious. She sent me one back letting me know their little girl is here! I'm guessing things are going well. I'm using all of my self control not to hound them.
Hopefully soon I'll have a name and a weight and a time of birth and all those things I couldn't be there for.
But - whoo hoo I'm an auntie!

Family Update

I am happy to report that Bill started working for Pacific Northwest Medical Supply this week. He's driving/delivering supplies (I think) and it is full-time! After so long of only having money going out out out regularly, it will be nice to be able to pay bills without seeing our "extra" money always depleting. The Forensic Science job search continues. He will be taking an exam for the Washington State Patrol on June 13th. And we have a couple of places to apply for still that all that is really left is to order his official transcripts. No sightings of a nice fat package from EWU yet (the one with a DIPLOMA and two FREE transcripts) although I am thinking this should arrive anytime. Whether or not it comes here or to the Tri-Cities remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, I've been home for two days realizing this is what life will be with a Daddy at work and a Mommy at home (if that continues to be possible). I still have help around here so I can work at Weight Watchers if I want, although both calls this week I was unable to take the work - darn! I made a new *tentative* budget, paid bills, went grocery shopping, did chores, cooked meals, and tried to keep Miriam on a regular schedule.

Miriam and I went into the Doctor on Wednesday and found out that she's gained 6oz in the last week! I took her in because she's been spitting up more since I starting supplementing (a decision made at her 6 month appointment because she wasn't gaining weight very quickly, although keeping up on the height front). But Dr. Balek thinks she is fine. We are going in at the beginning on July to check on her progress, but the formula seems to be helping. She's just as happy as ever. Continues to roll and scoot around the livingroom and ever more tolerant on being on her tummy. I think she gets frustrated without going anywhere though. She has a great love for her fingers, talking, and the TV remote (it must taste good).

I hope you have a nice memorial day weekend - we sure will. What a time to start a job right? With a three day weekend to start off.

Family Resemblances

Great Grandpa George = Miriam Anne?

Do you see it?