What's That You Say, Mrs. Robinson?

super duper

Superbowl Sunday is always a big day at our house one way or the other. This year it has some special meaning because it is also Payton's 16th birthday. My baby. My first born. My sweet cheeked little button nosed bundle of joy. 16. Be still, my heart.

Pictured here, I am 24 and he is about 10 months. This kid had me at hello. He taught me that my life was secondary to his. He taught me how to get up at 4:30am and somehow still make it through the day. He taught me that my heart will forever, now, be walking around outside of my body.

Until I had Payton, I don't think that I had ever really FELT my soul. I knew it was there and that it might be unleashed someday. That someday was February 4th, 1991.

And so, now on this Superbowl Sunday, when "the other Payton," Peyton Manning takes the field to play for his first ever NFL Championship, I will be cheering for him. Ever since he started playing in the NFL, we have been Colts fans. First because of the name, but now really because how can you NOT love this guy? His commercials are friggin' hysterical and he just seems like such a great guy. AND he has a little brother, just like our Payton does. Only his bro is named Eli (he plays for the NY Giants, if you don't know), not Darren.

We didn't name Payton after Peyton. Really his name just came from a baby book, but we liked the reference to Walter Payton (I was born in Chicago) and, maybe ironically, Peyton is playing against the Bears in the Superbowl! Go figure. I know, many of you are saying "Big freakin' deal." I happen to think it's kind of funny.

On this day, I will also be remembering my Uncle Bob. UBob passed away during the 2 minute warning of the Superbowl between the Rams and the New England Patriots. It was February 3rd, 2002, but it will always be the Superbowl, regardless of what the actual date is, that will remind me of his passing. I was there along with my Mom, my Aunt and my cousins to guide him into peace as he passed. We had the game on in his room in the ICU which may seem strange to some, but if you knew UBob, you know he absolutely wouldn't have had it any other way. No better way to go than while the Rams were about to lose the Superbowl. My Mom and I were SOOO glad that he didn't pass away one day later, on Feb. 4th, Payton's birthday.

But this year, those two dates merge in my mind. On this day I will remember the very first time I ever witnessed the beginning of a life and the very first time I ever witnessed the passing of one. Both incredibly precious moments that will be in my heart for eternity.   

Bragging

Can I just say how proud I am of my banners? Each one of them is part of a photo that I have taken. One of my fantasy occupations is to be a photographer, so I just love being able to share some of the photos I've taken here. My current banner is part of a photo taken at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. They have a courtyard that has this incredible pond with the most amazing lily pads. This is one of my favorites.

Thank you, in advance. **she blushes**

My new Fave BLOG

I'd like to introduce you all to my new favorite blog. It is very personal in nature. Not the funniest, most creative or hippest. It is however, technology at its best.

Let me introduce you to my dear friend Katie and her husband Aaron. They became parents on March 15th after YEARS of trying. You know the deal, IVF, $$$$$, several miscarrages etc. On the 15th, Katie gave birth to Trent and Sophie after only 25 weeks of gestation. Katie had been in bed for about a month before that.

Trent weighed in at about 1 lb 10 oz and Sophie at 1 lb 5 oz. Every day is an absolute miracle for Trent, Sophie and their proud parents. Anyway some of their friends got together and started a blog so that folks could update each other with information on the well being of the babies and the parents.

Please visit Keeping a Keene Watch and send your love to these miracle children.

For those of you who are interested, here is a little bit more of a background on my connection with this beautiful family. Katie and I went to 8th grade and high school together. The two of us, along with 3 others, Becky, Kelly, and Deidra (we all went to high school together), have been steadfast friends ever since. We have been through births, deaths, graduations, highs, lows, and everything in between together. We have vacationed together, gotten in some trouble together, and brought 5 amazing men into the mix via marriage together! Together we now have 8 children, 6 boys and 2 girls. We now live all across the country: Philly, Orlando, San Diego, Willow Glenn and San Carlos. We are a doctor, a web designer, a marketing wiz, an HR pro, and a teacher. We have been told by a psychic that we have all been together throughout time. Apparently we were all in some major trouble together a few hundred years ago and it is my belief that we were all tried as witches at the Salem Witch Trials together.

When we get together something really amazing happens to the energy around us. Especially when all 5 of us are together (which doesn't happen very much any more, but when it does, look out). It feels like electricity. The guys kind of laugh about it because, well, that's all they really can do. When I am with them, I feel like I breath better, I think better, my soul is complete.

I'm sure many of you read "The Ya Ya Sisterhood" and if you did, well, it's kind of like that with us. When that book came out we all had a good laugh. It was like someone had finally been able to articulate many of the things that we had done, been through and felt together.  I'll find some photos to scan in and share with you, although I'll warn you now. Some of the photos will be from the early 80's and we all know that it wasn't a pretty time.

Becka, D, Kel, and especially Katie: I love you guys so much right now and always. You complete me. Seriously, don't laugh. I'm being vulnerable right now. Be nice.