My Gold Friends....

"Make new friends, keep the old. One is silver and the other is Gold."

These are a few of my gold friends, Kelley, Susan and Lara. We all met at Bowling Green State University (Go Falcon's!).   Who knew over the next four years we would all become such close and forever friends.

Let's take a trip down memory lane....

Freshman year...  Kelley and I were initially roommates our freshman year.  Susan was also a gymnast, who we met at open gym/tryouts.   Lara was our next door neighbor. Our first inter-squad of the season,  Kelley blew out her knee.  While she was rehabing, she and Lara got to know each other very well.  Sus and I were traveling and competing, so we got pretty close.  We all still hung out together and got along, but by the end of the year, we did a little roommate swapping.

Nice 1994 Fashion, huh?

Roomies

Sophomore year, Kelley and Lara roomed together, as did Susan and I.  Kelley, Susan and I competed gymnastics together this year, it was a fun year...

Susan and Me

By our Junior year, we all became roommates at Haven House.  Sus, Kel and I competed gymnastics together, while Lars was our choreographer/biggest cheerleader.  Unfortunately, Kelley had a horrible fall and was out the rest of the season and ultimately had to retire from our sport.  She was missed by our team- she was a heck of a bar and beam worker.  Even though Kelley retired, she and Lara still came to meet to cheer us on.

1995

Look, even Jeff was at BG!

Teammates

Senior year we lived at 220 Troop; across from the TV station. We had made it to the big time (aka- we all had our own room).



220 Troop

Lara's Farm, 1996

The "Pose" 1997 @ Senior Meet

Look gymnastics! Me finishing a front giant

Susan in the middle of her Hand-Front

Preparing for a "gathering" at our house

Our Last Day Together
Graduation 1997

We spent our college days together being idiots, being silly, being supportive, and at times, being catty. Those girls are pretty well the closest thing I have to sisters.  We went through break ups, deaths, divorces, injuries, stressful classes, bar fights with strippers, and lots of other things. But, really, being in a bar fight with strippers - that connects you for life :)

The last time all four of us were together was 8 years ago, September 2003. Lara just got married, Kelley was pregnant, Susan was en route to being engaged, and I was still doing IUI's.

2003

The pose 2003 a little blurry

Seeing everyone this weekend was like no time has passed. We all met up at Lara's shower, then went back to her parents farm to hang out.  Let's see lots of pictures

Kim, Susan, Lara and Kelley

Now (besides Little Miss Baby B who is still in utero), these are our next generation Falcon's.

Lauren, Calista and Allison
PS- Allie does not have Skoal in her smile, it's chocolate.
Geeze, everyone knows you have to be at least 3 to start dipping

We four girls all spent the day together with our little girls.  It was amazing to watch them all play and spend time together.  Of course we all hope to keep meeting up, maybe next time without kids.  I love my girls, it's been to long since we've spent time together. But, it's a comfort knowing they are always there. 
Now for more pictures...

Lauren and Calista

Birthday Buddies

Lara and Baby

Playing at the farm

The only moment CC stopped running, for like 30 seconds

Monster Zucchini

Another Monster Zucchini (isn't this how you hold them?)

4 leaf clover

Friends Forever

The Pose 2011

"Good Friends are like Angels, you don't have to see them to know they are there."

Just Act Natural....

Most of you have seen those delightful awkward family photos circulating around the Internet. But, in case you need a refresher, click HERE to take you to the main site. Yes, I checked the link;  I do not want anyone accidentally going to a weird porn site. It really will take you to the Awkward Family photo link. I'll pause while you refresh your memory.

OK, now that you are refreshed, THOSE are the type of family portraits I was hoping to avoid. In order to avoid those uber posed, uber matchy portraits, I booked my awesome friend Lisa Hezlep, owner and awesome photo-lady behind Hezlep Photography.  Lisa has been capturing our moments since Calista was 6 months old. She has a seriously great eye for the perfect shot and for perfecting the photo that makes you go "wow!"  Anyway, I cannot say enough great things about Miss Lisa. Just to clarify, the events that have taken place before or during the family photo session from hell, were not her fault. It was a total comedy of errors and event that I cannot believe happened in a span of 2.5 hours. 

One event I KNEW that could mess up the family picture was, Mr. Howell had a softball tournament the weekend of the pictures.  I knew it might run over into Sunday.  Weeks leading up to picture day, I was a livid woman.  I admit it, I was mad. I was unreasonable, but dang, what poor timing. I used all my stupid girl tricks of being unfair and mean to Jeff.  But, once we decided to take pictures later in the evening, softball was a non-issues. Unfortunately, Jeff's team did not have a good showing and it REALLY was a non-issue.

Like any good over planner, I attempted to plan our "wardrobes" and "wardrobe changes" for the family picture. It will be Connor's 3rd birthday pictures, Calista's 2nd birthday pictures and an updated family photo. One family photo in "nice" clothing, the other in Reds gear (suggestion by Mr. Howell).  Really long story short and 3 tops for me later, we had our outfits (Yes, it ended up I wore a top I already owned. I have a few returns to make.). As we were all getting ready, the first mis-step was when CC peed in the closet. All I heard was "Uh-Oh" and I immediately realized that naked baby did something of the potty kind.   Ugh. At least it was by Jeff's stuff... I ignored that situation, and I continued getting us all ready to go out the door and......a monstrous summer thunderstorm came ripping though.  Did I mention our pictures were to be outdoors, at Sawyer Point? (Non-Cincinnatians, Sawyer Point is a very nice park by our river bank. It was also the spot where Jeff first told me he loved me, back in 1993. It's a special place for us. I hear you all doing a collective, "Ahh, so sweet" then making gagging noises. It's OK, I know it's cheesy.)

Back to the story--- A Storm- rain, lightening, thunder, wind...the whole 9 yards. (I later found out that storm even up rooted a tree in our yard- JOY!).  I called Lisa, we check the radar and decide to give it a go. Fingers crossed for good weather. I had no idea I needed to cross them for other things, not just the weather....

We loaded up, began down the road. Me, acting like ME, second guessed Jeff's route to the pictures. Jeff, being Jeff, took my suggestion.  While going my route, Mr. Howell was stopped and cited with his first speeding ticket! Oh JOY!!! Score: Universe= 4 (peeing baby, tree, storm, ticket), Howell Family = 0

Well, it can't get worse, right?! WRONG. We traveled in silence to our location. As we approach the Sawyer Point parking lot, we notice a boat load of people and a sign in the lot stating we need a parking pass. Oh no. An event. None of us thought to check if there was an event at Sawyer Point. It was the Black Family Reunion (a yearly event here in town, that I had no idea was the same weekend). Crap, we were not invited, we did not have a pass, and anyway, do you really want hundreds (or thousands) of strangers in the background of your family pictures? Better yet, do you want hundreds of people watching to pose for portraits? Nope, ME EITHER.  I frantically called Lisa for suggestions. We decided to play on the Kentucky side of the river.  Less people, but I dressed us for barefoot in the grass, not concrete and bridges (which is very cool, too!).

Luckily, we had no event at location #2.  Phew.  We found a cute place, and Lisa started snapping away. Connor was a COMPLETE camera hog and quickly jumped in front of CC for his picture to be taken. He is a funny little man; maybe he could be ready for pageants (Connor on Toddlers and Tiaras, hmmm...).  Well, things were all going fine, until.... Connor started throwing rocks. We were near the river, so as long as he aimed that way, things were fine. Until he wacked Jeff in the side of the head with a perfectly thrown rock. Ugh. (Score: Universe=5, Howell Family= a knot in the side of the head).

Things began to spiral quickly after the rock to the head-- which I pointed out was karama to Jeff. Let me share this gem. When Jeff was a little kid, he was upset with his sister. He went to chuck a rock at her head. Jenny, having skills like a cheetah, ducked. Jeff's well placed rock missed Jenny and broke a car window. When his Mom was looking for an explanation on why he threw the rock at the car, little Jeff explain... "I was aiming at her head, not the car. She ducked!"  Alas, karma has gotten Jeff. It was a tough day for Mr. Howell.

About this time in the photoshoot, Calista decided to stop smiling. She went into "cave girl" face, or serious CC face, then she started making her famous Nick Notle strung out on drugs look.  Ugh!!! Where are my PERFECT FAMILY PICTURES?! For about 2 seconds I realized it's about the people in the pictures and not the clothing. But, when the people are not cooperating, Momma is beginning to look for a drink. By 8:30pm, we were all done.

Well, at least her beads look nice...

I have seen Lisa's work, she will have something PERFECT. But, really, all I wanted a was nice picture of CC, a cute one of my little baseball boy Connor, and a great family picture. HOPEFULLY, we got those. As a bonus,  we also got rain, an uprooted tree, pee in the closet, a ticket, a family reunion we were not invited to, and a rock to the head.  It was a full night that ended with pizza, beer and an exhausted family.

Lucky for me, Lisa shared this family picture with me.  Looks like we just might have one... Be surprised if you see this on our Christmas card.

The Happy (yet slightly stressed) Howell Family

* Thanks Lisa for sharing some pictures for me to post!

Not So Sure It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

Back in February of 2011, I thought it would be a good idea to look into pre-school for Connor.  He needs a little socialization, a little "me" time, a little time away from Mom.  We found a great school -- in the same buidling I went to pre-school.  You know,  back when bell-bottoms and disco were all the rage. (Sing with me..."Macho-macho man! I want to be a macho man!" Yes, back in the day when straight ladies thought the Police Officer of the Village People was hot and had no idea he was not into them- whoops-- off topic. And, yes I did actually just google "Were the Village People gay?" And YES, the cop and indian are openly gay, where as the other members are straight - who knew? Not me, I wondered if it was an Urban Myth, but Google knew :) ). BACK to the original point of this blog...

The building felt strangely like home. We looked at 3 different facilities all with a little different focus. But, my old school felt right (and facebook friends, a friend even posted a picture of us when we were 3 at the SAME school).  When we received the information for class tims, we discovered they had a 2 year old class the same time as the 3's! SIGN THE KIDS UP! What a great idea! Both kids get their own time away from Mom and with their peers. Great idea! Pre-school, should be fun! We can learn to share and not hit and not be general little Tazmainian Devils! (colors, shapes and scolastic things I can handle, behvaior is not my thing)

The logistics of drop off and pick up are a little messy. But we should be able to handle that.  The kids do a Christmas Show- seriously, how stinking cute will that be, they do saftey week, they get to do cool things 2 and 3 year olds love! Paints, glitter, using scissors, sharing, woo-hoo Fun- Fun- FUN!!!!

Then came Parent Orientation. I recognized some Mom's that I went to high school with, others from around town, and THEN I met a Mom like me. She has a 3 year old and a 2 year old too.  So, I'm not the only crazy in the bunch with kids close in age.  But, something happened as I was listening to Calista's teacher. Seeing if the class was peanut free or not; how they handle metldowns, poopy diapers, and such. I realized I was not 100% ready for pre-school.  As independent of a Mom as I am, I'm feeling a little hesistant. I did NOT expect that. I figured I'd be like the lady in the Staples commerical singing, "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" while chucking pens and crayons in the shopping cart, dancing down the shopping ailse. Apparently, I'm not. i'm ready to figure out how we can do circle time at home. Where it's safe. Instead, they tell me my kids can't bring their beloved "B's" to school, and CC might want to leave her beads at home.  You might as well stab me in the heart.  No dragging around B and grey-kitty-meow-meow for Connor? No beads or a Peng-peng or 2 for CC?  What the hell was I thinking? These kids don't need school and socialization, they just need their Momma. And we can live happily.ever.after in our secret underground lair, with a moat, and a dragon to keep out the others (think like that movie Encino Man was in with Alicia Silverstone - Blast from the Past maybe? or Maybe I can go all "The Others" and raise the kids to think it's like the 1800's when it's really 2011.)

Alone with my babies - perfect...That is until they drive me nuts. Wait, maybe "they" need this.

I never expected was my knot in the gut feeling of taking my kids to school and leaving them.  I think I might start to have a special place for grey-kitty-meow-meow and a few peng-pengs in my office. If I am a mess at thinking of pre-school, how in the world will I handle college in a short 15 years?!

Sersiously, how can you not miss these cute little faces?

 

Happy 2nd Birthday Calista Chelsa Marie!

Celebrating a wonderful little miracle that no one ever knew was possible! Who knew a couple with an unexplained infertility diagnosis could ever become pregnant on their own? We sure didn't!  Calista, you are a beautiful gift from God! A true miracle in every sense of the word!  Thank you for blessing us every day and helping us realize that "Where there is great love, there are always MIRACLES!!!

Now, here are highlights from Calista's Ni Hao, Kai Lan themed party!!! Ni Hao!
 

I swear she had fun!

"George" and Sool modeling near the food

March of the Penguin Olives

Delicious Penguin Marshmallows

Ni Hao Calista!
Another awesome cake topper creation from Cakes By Jodi
www.etsy.com/shop/pastrychefjodi

The icing and red flowers were by me! Look at me trying to be a cake lady!

Jodi strikes again with PERFECT toppers!

The cake from hell that took about 4 pounds of icing to fix it.
Note to self, do not ice a cake that is still moist on top.

Pa-paw Pope and CC

CC, Pa-Paw and Kara

CC eats a peng-peng..YUM!

Calista and Great-Great Uncle Vince 

Every princess needs her tiara!

Make a WISH!
(Connor actually blew out her candle since she's a little new to this candle blowing concept)

Connor loves icing!

CC making her move on her cake

Smiles

Uncle Scot-tay, Nana, Aunt Kelly and AnnMarie

Blessed with lots of gift

Stephanie, Aunt Judy, Mammy, Godmother Katy, Jen, Willy, Jason, Aunt Jenny



Cousins
Kara and Connor

At one point, I went to find Calista and turns out she was in her room being read to by her old Cousins Samarra and Lanie. It was a very cute "girls" only moment.  :)  But, here are some MORE pictures!!!! The kids played a lot outside, then moved inside for some Rockband. Then all the cousins just ran a muck! It was perfect, that is what cousins are for! I think they all had a great time, it was wonderful for me to see all the cousins together having such a great time!



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It was a hot day!



Silly Little Ones

At the end of the night, sharing a late night snack with Daddy (and Magnum)



Sacked out little Birthday Girl

Happy Birthday you beautiful little miracle!

 
To end the story... The next morning Princess CC woke with a smile. As I went in to greet her a Good Morning singing our "Good Morning Starshine/Twinkle, Twinkle" medley, I realized something was amiss. I know she went to bed with a diaper on, but she sure did not wake up with one on. And that diaper is still at large and has not been found.