Happy 8th Birthday!

Birthdays!!! My littlest bro and my step-dad!

So theres this boy - he was born like super early - and the doctors told us he might not survive and if he did, he would be like weird and stuff... We worked with sleep apnea machines, we worked with tube feedings, we worked with therapists... He lived. He thrived. He is TOTALLY weird!! But thats what big sisters say about their bros, right?? Happy Happy Birthday to the most amazing young man! I can not believe how old we are all getting! My final brother to graduate high school!! Jesse Pierson you are amazingly talented and amazingly loved! Happy Birthday, babycakes!!!!! XOXOOXXOXOXOXOXO Love - Your feeling very old - Big Sister!

So theres this guy - He came into my life when I was ohhh 13 maybe? A built in family pre-made. That was me and my mom. Headstrong teenager full of angst. Hatred for men for other personal reasons. And he jumped in ... with both feet. He accepted me as his own. He loved me and stood up for me - which is saying a lot cuz no one really stands up to Momma bear!! Ha! He has always been calm and patient. He loves me as his very own daughter. He has been a huge influence in my life. And I love him like a father. He has overcome some pretty huge demons on his back and he never fails to make me laugh. He loves my kids and showers them with attention. He is amazing and kind hearted. I could sit here and go on and on about what a rock star my step dad is - but those who know him - already know that. Those who dont - are missing out. 
Jon - THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for just being you. For being a strong father figure and teaching me life lessons. Happy Happy birthday! I hope your day is filled with blessings and love!!! 
Love always, 
Your daughter, 
Melanie ♥

Happy Birthday Eli!!

My sweet baby turned two on the 9th! Where does the time go?? Seems like just yesterday I was in agony from pregnancy! Wow!  We had such an eventful day!

I made pancakes for breakfast as per his request. He ate so many I thought he would explode!

Then after his nap we headed out to a local park to celebrate with a few friends.

After that we went to dinner at Long John Silvers ( I know, not very healthy...)

And then my parents came and picked up the boys and took them to the local fair!

Phew what a busy day!!

Here are some photos to share in our day!!

Happy Birthday. to.. me...?

Yes, so yesterday was the day I was born. The day I came kicking and screaming into this world.
Little did I know that 34 years later this day would still end in tears...

I had an okay day. The older kids were in school and Eli and I just lounged around the house. I did not lift one finger, I played lazy Mom. I stayed in my jammies and we watched cartoons.
My mom sent me a beautiful arrangement of flowers, including my favorite, daisies. They smelled amazing.

My kids came home, gave me big hugs and sang to me...
After work my mom stopped by with a few gifts and a huge cheesecake. We had some and then my hubby got home.

We asked my mom to baby sit for a bit while we went to dinner, so we dropped off the boys and went to Outback.
We had a great waiter, he was very enthusiastic and told us lots of jokes. He even guessed I was 26, even tho I knew he was way under guessing to not hurt my feelings...

My mom texted me and said Eli had a fever so we rushed out of there to grab the boys and head home. When we got home I went in my room to grab a diaper which are located on a shelf next to my bedroom window..

When I got there and put my hand in to grab a diaper I felt a gust of heat. I looked over and noticed the curtain was funky, so I pulled it back...

BROKEN WINDOW, GLASS EVERYWHERE...

*SCREAM* - I ran out to the living room screaming, "We got broken into", L.J. instinctively grabbed his gun and went thru the entire house.

My heart was pounding so fast I couldn't even get my phone to turn on.

L.J. called the police and they arrived quickly, when the police got here they saw the blood. Whoever broke in cut themselves pretty bad...

"Is anything missing?" the policeman asked...

In my panic, I didn't even look.. I didn't notice anything. My jewelry, my laptops, my electronics, everything was still there.  Then L.J. said... "Our change jug"

See we have this OLD wine jug that we put our loose change in, well I had just emptied it for a fundraiser for VBS so there wasn't much in there, maybe $5 or so... That was the only thing missing!

The thief walked past a camera, an xbox, a laptop and stole a jug of change... So weird and it didn't sit well..

Anyways, there was blood all over the window and the sill, which they broke off... So the police officer called in forensics to take samples and finger prints...  I hope we can catch who ever did it. That would make me sleep easier...

The police seem to think that it was a teenage neighborhood kid. They pulled a plastic chair up to our fence to jump it, as its locked from the inside, and used a 5 gallon bucket to climb thru the window, which they threw not one but two pieces of concrete into, to break...

I am thankful we weren't home,
I am thankful they didn't break into the boys room,
I am thankful they didn't hurt my dog,
I am thankful they left my lap top.
And lastly I am thankful we are all safe.

My heart was hurting and I wished bad things upon the person, I even said out loud that I hope they bleed to death. But this morning I prayed that they were okay. And if they needed money that bad, I prayed some would come there way in a better form. I pray the Lord touch their hearts.

But dont think I do NOT have a gun nearby... I kept it in arms reach last night and will for a while. Dont think I wont be ready to use it. Dont think I WONT use it.

I have never felt so violated. And downright scared to death. I didn't sleep a wink.

I know it will get better, but right now, I am on edge and I am packing heat!

Happy Birthday to me, right??

I am going to try to take pics today to upload, cuz it was dark last night...
Can you believe this crime happened in between 7-9PM? Crazy!!

Happy 7th Birthday Dakota!

Dear Dakota,

I wanted you to know that before I had you, I had a different outlook on life. Before you, I didnt really understand life in general.

Sure, I was a mom, a wife, I worked full time, I went through daily living. But I didnt know. I didnt know what I know now. And it isnt something I can explain. Every other mother or father of a child with special needs, understands. But explaining it to someone else is  impossible.

See, as you were growing in my womb, you were growing into something so totally special! And I didnt know. I rubbed my tummy, I sang you to, Skylar and I told jokes to you, and daddy even whispered softly to you. I often wonder if you remember these moments.

And then the day you presented yourself to the world. I was not afraid. I was so strong and stoic. I was so happy! I watched the tears and fears of others and wondered if they saw the same boy as me? I was proud of you already! I knew you were chosen for me, and me for you. I knew at that moment, we were both chosen for greater things. I knew - you were going to change my world.

When I first heard the words Down syndrome enter my life,I wasnt afraid, but I did avoid it. I wasnt sure what to do with it, it sounded weird passing my lips. Today, its as common as any other word for me. And I still dont fear the future. And that is all because of you! My precious son! You have a way of taking my heart out of my chest, hugging it and laughing with that infectious laugh and putting it back whole. My heart that jumps out of my chest when you are trying to be brave, doing something new. My heart that breaks when someone stares or whispers. My heart that skips a beat when you reach for me to hug me or kiss me.

I am not sure if you know this, Dakota, but baby you are amazing. Everyone who meets you and knows you, LOVES you! You sure dont say much, but you dont have too! One look at those beautiful blue eyes, the sparkle that radiates from them... well we are fallen hook, line and sinker for you!

I hope one day, I can be the mom you think I am. I know I am not perfect, but do know I am always trying my best and I will protect you til the very very end! You are my best friend. And I will always be yours.

Today marks the day 7 years ago, when I got one of the most precious gifts in my life. How can I possibly thank God enough for you? I know that I cant. But I will do whatever it takes to make sure you are taken care of and loved more then you could ever fathom.

Happy Birthday, Handsome!

Love Mommy

Double Digits?? OY!

Happy Birthday to my baby girl... who isnt much a baby any more. She turned ten this past week. Ten years ago at 10:43 AM. I pushed her out like a turd. Ahhhhh, memories! It really seems like a life time ago, but yet seems like it was yesterday. Amazing how that works. She was born in the Navy Hospital on Camp Pendleton, in California. And I knew she was destined for greatness! I mean, I AM her mother afer all ;)

So after the "theme" fiasco, we had a great party. Only a few people came, but that was fine by me, because I hate hosting. Skylar had an awesome time, and I am pretty sure everyone else did too. Minus the few bumps LJ and I hit that day, it all went pretty well. My mom bought a slip and slide and that is when the "real" fun began...

Yes, the adults were a slippin and a sliding...

Ahhhh, summer!

So her birthday went well. As you can see...
She was very thankful for all her gifts. And I hope no one took offense when she disappeared for an hour or so to play by herself with her new toys, its just her Aspergers kicking in... I am embracing it instead of fighting it. I actually thought she was outside playing, until I did a head count. Only to find her, in her room with the door shut, playing with her new bakugan. Ah well, Its her birthday, she can do what she wants.

Hope everyone has a great week!

More then meets the eye...

Thankfully this past week has been pretty uneventful...
Skylars Birthday was yesterday, and she only got one phone call. And that was from my mom. What has the Internet done to us these days? She got a million and one messages on facebook ( which she checks MAYBE once a week). She didn't want to stay home from school, but had to cuz she had a Doctors appt. Did you hear that, let me repeat... She DID NOT want to stay home! I love when that happens! I could just take that teacher and raise her to the Lord! Anyways, we ended up birthday shopping for supplies for her, How to Train a Dragon birthday. So off to Party City we went... guess what.... NO DRAGON STUFF... Of course not. So a quick call to iParty and Walmart, and to no avail - NO DRAGON STUFF. SO we had to change the theme at the last minute, Back to Transformers, which was our original idea anyways. ::sigh:: Thank goodness I had not ordered the cake yet, like I had intended to do first!

Anyways, after buying the store out of party supplies in Transformer theme ( Did I have a daughter? Ok just checking...) We went off to the dollar store, to buy matching supplies cheaper... And then off to McDonalds.. cuz no birthday is ever complete without heartburn! Then off to the quickest docs appt ever known to man, I mean seriously we were in and out of there in 15 minutes! I just had to get some Speech and OT scripts... Then we came home and she went off to her Dads.
Back tracking to Monday, we had dinner with LJ's boss and were kinda worried they were gonna give him the axe, but it wasn't bad and the food was pretty good! MMMMMM cheesecake... Anyways, I have been trying to design a logo for them for the past few days and came up with some good and not so good ones. Wouldn't you know they like the not so good ones. ::sigh:: So now I am waiting to hear from the printer to find out costs and what not... wait a sec here.... when did i get put on the payroll? oh wait I'm not. ::sigh::

Well that's about it for now, sorry this week was so boring, well I am not really sorry, lately, I like boring!
Have a great weekend!Stay tuned for Sky's birthday party Saturday!