Salina Grippe

Heath's Grandmother, Sally Grippe, quietly and peacefully passed away on Monday morning. I will always remember her for the way she opened her home and heart to me when Heath and I first started dating 13 years ago, when I felt a bit like an outsider at family functions. Her home was full of memories and photos of her family and friends. It was the one place that helped me understand where Heath came from and the person he was before I knew him. We will remember her as the spunky grandma she was.

You know it's hot when.....

5. The air conditioners have not turned off in our house (day OR night) for the past 3 weeks
4. The coolest indoor temp downstairs between 4pm and 10 pm with said a/c ruuning : 84
3. You burn your hand opening the lid to the grill BEFORE turning it on
2. The forecast boasts a cooling trend next week; it will finally go below 110
1. You live in Surprise, AZ

Can I survive 4 more months of this???

Big Boys

AJ is already tall enough and strong enough to stand in his exer-saucer. He is growing so quickly; I cannot believe how fast the past 3 months have gone. He is a happy baby and loves to laugh and smile and babble.

Will is such a big boy - he copies everything Ryan says and does. He is such a 'passionate' kid - it's amazing how he can drive us to the brink of insanity and then melt our hearts the next minutes. I love this shot - can't wait to show it to his prom date. They can compare shoes!

My Job

The boys think their dad is the coolest. You can't be anymore awesome than a fighter pilot, in their eyes. Even little Will yells "Rock and Roll" when he sees the jets flying. I was curious to see how they viewed me, since Heath is so defined by his job. Tonight I said to Ryan, "if Daddy's job is to be a pilot - what is Mommy's job?" (same question was asked about a year ago and his answer was 'washing dishes'.) This time, he thought for a moment then said, "well...your job is just to be a princess". I loved the answer but needed a bit more clarification. So I asked him, "what do I do as a princess"? He said, "you just dance and sit on the throne". Hmmmmmm if only he knew me when I had IBS!! Anyway, the throne calls. Princess Out!

The Number 'W', Mama

Will woke up this morning and counted to 13. He couldn't do that yesterday! Tonight he kept skipping 4 and 5, but made up for them by repeating 11 and 12. I was even more suprised, however, when he kept saying 'the number W, mama' while I was making lunch. I wasn't really paying attention until he got louder and louder and finally jabbed me with a "W" fridge magnet. I thought it was a fluke until he came back with X then L, A, B, R, and U. I had no idea that he knew his letters. I'm excited to have lots of one on one time with him while Ryan's in school. He is a very funny little boy and so much fun to be around....when he's not throwing up or scaling walls.

33 is the new ????

Am I really as old as my mom was when I was in first grade. No offense Mom, but you seemed so old, then! (maybe even older then than you do now!!) I am desperately clinging to the remnants of my youthfulness, yet every morning I can spot a new wrinkle or (gasp) gray hair. I've quit counting the pounds lost/gained/transferred. We joined a gym....which to me only justifies eating more, so I don't think it's helping. After having had 3 children and countless ice cream sundaes, I'm resigned to the fact that I will never look like Brooke Burke, no matter how many pilates infomercials I watch.

OK -vanity aside, I've been given a great life and I couldn't be happier. I have a wonderful family, the best husband, and beautiful, healthy children. I guess those birthday wishes really do come true!

The Graduate

Ryan graduated from preschool on Thursday. I prepared myself for a tear-jerking ceremony by charging BOTH the video camera and the regualr camera batteries. Buying and 'prelabeling' new video tapes. I even found the tripod, dusted it off, and figured out how to use it. Most amazingly, however, I got to the ceremony early to get a front row seat and set up the video camera on the tripod. We're talkin' major AV nerd alert. Enter graduates, who are called one by one to walk up on the stage (with cute little graduation hats) and then the program started...the pledge - ahhh the patriotism - great way to start, God Bless America - mmhmmm, leading up to a big emotional production, and then, about 6 seconds of another song. THAT WAS IT!! Pardon my French, but WTF?? No sappy speeches about growing up, no baby to big boy slide show montage, not even an anecdote about the goofy things our kids did and said over the year. As a matter of fact, the only thing that brought me even close to tears was the sad realization that this thing was going to be over before 5 pm, leaving me plenty of time to go home and make dinner instead of 'having' to go out.

Anyway, we're off to kindergarten July 28!! Ryan is so proud of himself but sad to say goodbye to his friends. He kept hugging everyone and saying "goodbye for the last time ever". It was fun to see him interact with his friends. They're a great group and I'm happy that a few of them will be going to his school next year. He is quite a little politician and a ladies man!!