Double Digits

(Disclaimer: I am a little behind on my blogging. Trying to catch up here...)

Double Digits!!! I cannot believe that I have a 10 year old son!! Seems like yesterday I was changing diapers, cleaning up spit, holding onto his hands as his toddling legs were trying to walk.....sniff, sniff. BUT I am so proud of the young man he is becoming. We've seemed to have bonded more in the past year, and am thoroughly enjoying our talks and time together. He is full of life and more boy than I could ask for sometimes, but he is GRANT!!! His birthday has always been special in the fact that his Grandma Holzmeyer's birthday is the day before his. We always celebrate them together. Happy Birthday Grant and Happy Birthday Grandma H. With Grant being the HUGE Notre Dame fan he is....we HAD to have a ND cake!!! Go Irish!!!

My Fan Club

When I started training for the Half Marathon back in July, it was for several reasons: 1) to cross off my Bucket List 2) to get healthy 3) to prove to myself I could do it. I could list a couple others, but you get my drift. Yes, this Half Marathon was something for ME, little ole' me.

But the funny thing is that with all of the walking dates with my Marathon Mommas there ocurred a sacrifice from my family. Whether it was dinner, bedtime routines, napping or just lack of my presence, my family never once complained. For that I am soooo grateful!!! It was no secret that I was disappointed at the last minute because Jason and I felt that taking the kids to the Finish Line would be to much. So their absence was felt because after it was all said and done, I didn't do the Half just because of me....I did it for them, too. To say that I was overjoyed when I got home is an understatement. When I walked in the door, my kiddos and husband were there to greet me with open arms and posters. I know it may sound a little sappy or corny, but I was almost brought to tears.......they love me for ME. Not for what I look like, how much weight I lost or what I have done, but for ME. To me that means EVERYTHING.

"I want some more corn cob, pweeze Mom"

Emily absolutely LOVES corn on the cob. Grandpa Roger brought us some of his last ears of sweet corn from the summer over last week. She could smell it cooking and was getting so excited yelling "I eat some corn cob, Mom?" I do believe she ate more ears than I did that night.

The Products of my Sowing

This purple flower is called "scaveola" or fan flower. I have planted this for about 5 years now, and this is the best it has looked since the first time I planted it. I was beginning to think it was "beginner's luck'.

Some impatiens and fan flower....

I transplanted these Black Eyed Susans back in June, didn't think they would survive, but somehow they did.

Every year I let the boys plant some wildflowers and sunflowers, just to see what will survive and pop up.....thought these were pretty!

And the kids' favorite...the Sunflowers...they love to get the seeds out of them and we always say we will roast them but I never have....will make a point to do that with them this year.

We all are guilty of complaining about the weather, especially when it disrupts our plans for the day with our family and friends. But this summer's abundance of rain has produced some of the most beautiful flowers in my garden and yard. Just goes to show us that God has a plan, even when we don't.....:-)

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Nothing like the seriuos, "gatorade ring around the mouth" look from Grant

Ryan wore us out the day of his first TBall game...."is it time yet, Mom?" "How much longer?"

..."for there's one, two, three strikes your out at the old ballgame!".... We LOVE this time of year! We eat many a concession stand suppers and swat at a bunch of mosquitoes, but it is SO worth it. Between both boys we spend pretty much each week night at the ball park and a lot of weekends. Even though Jason and I have to juggle schedules and find rides for this kid and carpool another, the smiles on their faces are payment enough. I grew up at the ballpark and loved every minute of it. The boys are so excited that we are going to a St. Louis Cards and LA Dodgers game in late July. They are already asking about getting autographs....we'll see!!!

Memorial Day Weekend 2009

We spent Memorial Day Weekend 2009 playing catch up from Emily's unexpected stay in the hospital the weekend before. So on Monday, after Mom and I went to put flowers on the graves, I set out on a first time adventure: an on-location photo shoot with ME the photographer. I got a new camera for Christmas that I love, butI haven't been able to get out and really see what I could do with it. And of course, I wanted to use my 3 favorite subjects! I decided to take them to a place called Azalea Path. It is a gorgeous place about 25 miles from here with hundreds and hundreds of azaleas and other plants. It is absolutely phenomenal. Words cannot describe it. I actually grew up about a mile from the place, so taking my kids there was kind of sentimental for me. Driving down the road brought back a lot of memories....good ones! So here are a few of my favorite pictures of them.....hope you enjoy them!

My Praying Mother

Mother's Day has always been special to me. From the time I was a little girl making my mom something handmade at school or home to when I would go shopping to find the perfect gift for her, I loved Mother's Day! I'm sure everyone can say this about their mother, but I don't know anyone who worked as tirelessly and unselfishly as my mother did to provide and care for her family. It has only been since I became a mother myself that I can comprehend all that my mother did for me, and continues to do for me. She used to tell me that "someday when you are a mother you will understand", and she was RIGHT! Now, my children are making homemade cards and crafts for me. And when they give them to me, they look at me with those puppy dog eyes wanting the same gratitude and accolades that my mother gave me. They are my most precious gifts. Now that I am older and wiser (I hope) I realize that one of the best gifts my parents gave me was a Christian home, and during mass Sunday I was overcome with some unexpected emotions. Father Gary's homily, of course, was about the praying worldly mother and our heavenly mother, Mary. He quoted several famous people who attributed their success and belief in God to their praying mother. One of them was Abraham Lincoln....."I remember my Mothers prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life." Ironically on a recent shopping trip with my girlfriends, I bought a framed picture with that exact same quote. Instantly I was trying to fight off the tears during mass, but couldn't. Grant looked over at me, seeing that I was emotional. I winked at him.....and he winked back. No words were said, but such a very special moment for me. The Lord has blessed me with three beautiful children. I hope I pray for them as lovingly and fervently as my mother did for me!
Proverbs 31:10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.......

Tales of The Tooth Fairy

I just had to share this story! Ryan lost his first front tooth on Saturday. He was so excited! I swear that thing had been loose since the fall. Well we put it in a ziploc baggie and under his pillow. The next morning, as I was making waffles before church, he stumbles into the kitchen with his head down and carrying the baggie with his tooth in it. My heart dropped!!! Jason was in the bathroom brushing his teeth and Ryan wanders in to show him that the Tooth Fairy forgot him.....again. I swear I heard Jason gag on the toothpaste. He felt just as bad for him as I did. So Grant hears the ruckus and yells at Ryan to follow him to the bedroom. There just must be some mistake. In the meantime, Jason and I are looking in our billfolds for a dollar bill. Neither one of us had anything but a $5 or a $20, or coins. Wanted to be sauve about the whole issue so decided on the $5. (Note: The Tooth Fairy has only left $1 in the past) By the time we got to Ryan's bedroom, it looked like a bomb went off....blankets, pillows, sheets were everywhere, and Ryan was looking sadder by the second. Jason got up on the top bunk to see if "he" could find the missing money. He looked under the sheets, etc and then looked inside the pillowcase where he found the missing loot: $5. Ryan's eyes about bugged out of his head...and so did Grant's. Grant spouted out "What??? $5??? All I ever get is $1!!!!!!" There was a second or two of silence, and then Grant said so matter-of-factly...."Maybe it is part of the stimulus package!" (He is so his father's son!)

Testing :)

Out of the Mouths of Babes.....

Since the Easter weekend is upon us, I thought I would share a couple stories about Ryan and his concept of Jesus Christ, our Savior.

I was in the kitchen one day, and Jason had just walked outside. We were disagreeing about something.(As a disclaimer, the disagreement was over something very small) So, I was mumbling, talking, whatever you want to call it, under my breath. Ryan walks in the room with Emily following shortly behind. He asked, "Mommy, who are you talking to?". I answered, "Ahhh, no one." Ryan softly bent down to Emily's ear and said, "Shhh Emily, mommy is talking to Jesus!" My heart instantly smiled!! I then told Jason that he was off the hook at whatever I was upset with him about. Isn't it funny that I forgot in an instant what I was upset about because my son gave me a new perspective.

The second story just happened a couple days ago. It was after supper and Ryan was buck naked using the bathroom waiting to jump into the shower. He yelled "Mom", just like he does 199 times a day, so I went to see what he wanted.

Ryan: "Mom, do you know I love you, and daddy, and Grant, and Emily more than I do my new birthday toys?"

Me: "Well Ryan, thank you, that is so sweet and thoughtful!"

Ryan: "But Mom, Jesus loves you more than I do. He died on the cross for you. Did you know that?"

Me: "Yes, I did know that."

Ryan: "Mom, I bet Jesus' mom cried when he died on the cross and went to heaven."

Me: "Yes, she did, Ryan. And do you know that is what I think of when I want to cheat on what I gave up for Lent?"

Ryan: "Yep, Mom. I gave up my most favorite candy, Reece's cups. All for Jesus, Mom. All for Jesus!

Remember this conversation took place with Ryan in his birthday suit and me sitting on the edge of the bathtub. It is times like these that I just want to freeze frame and remember forever. The moments where my kids "get" what our Saviour did for us. It makes my heart smile! I absolutley love it when my kids humble me to the simplest of details. As adults and parents, we tend to stress over little and big things. When your child can bring it full circle and into perspective for you, "Blessed" is the word that comes to mind! I know there are days when I question if I am a good Christian, wife, mother, daughter, friend. I think God answers me by giving me stories like these.

John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son..."

Ryan's 6th Birthday

The cupcakes we made for Ryan's party......they were a "hit"!

Ryan.....giving me his infectious, lovable, and well known smile!

Ryan showing off one of his birthday gifts from his friends!

Ryan showing off his personalized Dodger Jersey!!

A picture of the birthday cupcakes that he took to school. It's a long story of why these are "red" instead of blue. Basically we are a house divided....I love the St. Louis Cardinals and Jason loves the L.A. Dodgers, which in turn the boys love the Dodgers, too. Since I am the odd man out, Ryan decided he felt sorry for me. He "allowed" me to "airbrush" these cupcakes red because I never get to have anything "red" in the house (We used that color mist spray for these beauties, but Ryan called it "airbrushing") with the premise that we had to "airbrush" the ones for his party at home "blue". It was a deal! The Cardinals were represented at least once in the Holzmeyer household!!

Ryan's First Soccer Game

Ryan's First Soccer Game........just happened to be on his 6th Birthday! He was so excited!!!

I have to admit, we are not "soccer folks". My husband is a die-hard football fan. Soccer usually isn't in our vocabulary. But Ryan wanted to try it for a couple of seasons until he is old enough to play in our youth football league. Of course we gave in and said he could play. He loves it. He played goalie and blocked several shots, AND he scored 2 goals of his own.!! What a great birthday present for him. Ryan also loves that his big brother, Grant, has to sit and watch HIM play something for a change. Ryan has been carted around to enough of Grant's activities over the years.......it's payback! Go Ryan!!!

I'm getting my craft on.....

This is my first craft project in many, many months. We have been under construction in the basement and I just didn't have a feasible place to work. Soooo, am so glad to be back and in business. I copied this idea from my friend's sister. Mandy's sister had painted a similar craft as a gift for Mandy's daughters. I was over at Mandy's house one day, spotted it, and just knew this was something I wanted to try! This is a lid to a storage container. And I have to admit, I would have rather had a white lid, but had to make it work with a clear one instead. This is my first attempt, and please don't laugh. I thought this would work well with all the kid's craft supplies. Each kid will have a designated box to keep their markers, crayons, construction paper, etc in. I am in the process of creating one for my boys, but of course it will not be butterflies and flowers. HAHA. I have to admit....I had a blast doing it!!!

Baby makes 3....Emily Grace

Last but not least, my baby girl, Emily Grace. I honestly didn't think baby #3 would ever be a reality for Jason and I. So when we found out we were expecting her, needless to say, we were ecstatic. Of course we just wanted a healthy baby, but when we went for my ultrasound to find out the sex, I was convinced that God had given us another baby boy. I AM an obstetrical nurse, for goodness sake. (but obviously not an ultrasound tech) Jason looked and instantly knew that Baby Holzmeyer would be Baby Girl Holzmeyer. He told the sonographer that "we got a different flavor". What an appropriate way to say that we were ready for all the "things" that go along with having a girl in the house. Emily lights up a room! To strangers, she is shy at first. But at home with all of us, she is a ball of energy that tugs at your heartstrings and your stamina..My heart melts when she says "Wuv you, mommy" when I put her to bed every night or when she asks me to read her a book for the 34th time that day. She already has a pouty face and crosses her arms when she's mad at you. She adores her brothers, and I can already tell we have 2 built in body guards for when potential boyfriends come a-callin'.

So there is my family.....hopefully all who reads this blog will get a sense of what it is like in my life and the people that make and mold who I am. <3>

My 3 Men

My 3 men: Where do I begin? When I think of 3 men, many things come to mind. One being an infamous line, a popular Christmas hymn, and on a lighter note, a hiliarious sit-com. But all kidding aside, there is only ONE thing that always pops into my head when I look at them: they are MY 3 men!! God has blessed me in so many ways. First, in putting Jason and I together. Many would say we are polar opposites, he is quiet and I am not, he is tall and I am not, and he loves cold spaghetti and I do not. But at the end of the day, we are best friends. When life has thrown us some curve balls, and let me tell you, life has. He has been my rock of strength, courage and love. A wise person once told me that after all the "honeymoon" time is over in a relationship, after all the newness wears off, and the reality of everyday, mundane life takes over that love is a CHOICE. At first, I didn't quite agree. But now that I look at our life, I do choose to love my husband/best friend with all my heart and soul everyday..... but he makes it so easy!

Becoming a mother in one simple word made me "complete". I know everyone has heard the cliches about motherhood "not thinking you could love another human being that much". Believe you me, I was a labor and delivery nurse. I was blessed to have a wonderful job that got to witness the miracle of life on a daily basis. Everyday I would dream and try to imagine how it would be when I was laying in that bed about ready to experience the wonderful gift of new life. I knew watching those precious children being born made me yearn to be a mother even more. But I had NO idea how many overwhelming feelings one experiences when that baby is laid upon your tummy and told he is yours! It's almost indescribable!!! WOW!! Grant James is my first born. He's 9 1/2. He is quiet, but funny at the same time. He has brown dark eyes that are to die for. I used to have people come up to me in the store and tell me how beautiful his eyes were or that he looked like the Gerber baby. His intelligence scares me and Jason at times, and hopes he uses it to his full potential. He is genuinely kindhearted and loving. Sometimes, when the mood hits us, he and I just go lay on the bed and talk for hours. That is probably my most favorite time with him, especially since he is getting older.
Ryan Joseph is my middle child getting ready to turn 6. Jason and I always kid and say, "Ryan was the middle child before he was the middle child". His wittiness and facial expressions can put you on the floor rolling in seconds. Ryan has an inate love for sports. At 3 years old, all he wanted to do was to go outside and throw a ball up against the house and catch it. He is strong-willed, but at the same time, is a big ole teddy bear. His smile is infectious, and he never meets a stranger!! And on any given day, if I am down or stressed about something, he can single-handidly make my frown go away!!

The Beginning

There, I have done it. I have started a blog. I have been nudged and poked by some friends to do so, and now I finally have. I really don't know what I am doing, but I guess like anything else, I will figure it out as I go along.

As you all know, I am Lee Ann: what you see is what you get. I love God, life, my family and friends, and all the things in between. One of the main reasons I am doing this is because I LOVE to scrapbook. But, just can't seem to find the time to do it anymore. So I thought I would start a blog as a compromise for my passion of memory making and my lack to preserve it 3-Dimensionally. I hope this is a fun journey for me. Bare with me, and I might ask questions along the way. Tootles, Lee Ann