Never Give Up

So, last night Mark, myself and the kids ventured out to the Hanford Farmer's Market. As long as we have lived here, we have never been. That's so sad to say because it sort of shows what hermits we are. lol. Anyhow, we went along with our good friends, the Villasenors. The first stop was at the carousel which was spinning so fast that I was nauseous just from looking at it! Everyone went on the carousel except for me. I don't do well going in repetitive circles. I can barely turn around 3 times without getting dizzy! So, while everyone was enjoying the ride, I looked over to my right and saw a man sitting on a bench. Nothing unusual . . . right? That's when I noticed his right leg. A prosthetic. And then, I noticed his right arm. Also a prosthetic. I was in the presence of Olympic greatness and my family was spinning at what I considered to be an unsafe speed. I'm not one of those crazed people that freaks out when they see their favorite celebrity. I've met Jerry Rice, been in the presence of Dr. Phil, met the Women's Olympic Softball team, and even attended school while they were literally filming Powder next door. Oh yeah, and I've also met Chuck "the Iceman" Liddell. I never once freaked or broke my usual character. Yes, they are all great and wonderful people, not to mention famous. So? I just don't see the purpose in getting all jazzed up and in their face when they deal with it every day. I like to think that when people ignore them, it makes them feel better. That's my philosophy. Okay, okay, I've gotten quite off track here, but the point I was trying to make is that I don't go out of my way for 'famous' people.
There I was, in the presence of one of the world's most prestigious Paralympiads, and all I could do was glance over every so often and smile. I would have never known who this man was if I hadn't just watched the news the night before. He's from Tulare, a town in the valley. He lost his arm and leg as a teenager in a motorcycle accident. His forte . . . archery. How does someone with just one arm shoot a bow and arrow . . . and with championship accuracy? Amazingly, that's how. The man uses his TEETH to pull back the arrow. His name is Jeff Fabry. He was there with his wife and two young kids. He won the bronze medal this month at the Olympics. He also broke the world record of 111 points as well as the Paralympic record of 107 points. This is what his track record looks like
• 2008: NAA AR Open Indoor National Champion
• 2008: World Archery Festival Freestyle Limited Champion
• 2008: NFAA Pro Freestyle Limited Indoor National Champion
• 2008: NFAA Stan Open Freestyle Limited Champion
• 2007: Gold medal, W1 Compound – IPC Archery World Championships, Cheongju, Korea
• 2005: Gold medal, W1 Recurve – IPC Archery World Championships, Massa-Carrera, Italy
• 2004: Two bronze medals, W1 Recurve & Team Finals – Paralympic Games, Athens, Greece
• 2003: Gold medal, W1 Recurve – IPC Archery World Championships
• 2003: Silver medal, AR Open Division – NAA Outdoor Nationals
• 2003: NFAA Marked 3-D Freestyle Limited Champion
• 2003: World Archery Festival Freestyle Limited Champion
• 2002: First place, AR-1 Division – NAA Outdoor Nationals
• 2001: World Archery Festival Bowhunter Freestyle Limited Champions

Now, if that isn't inspiring enough to any young person, I don't know what is. Actually, he's an inspiration to me as well. Here he is, a man lacking what the majority of the population has, and he is still determined to do what he loves. He hasn't let that get in his way.
When the carousel was finished spinning around, Mark and the kids made their way over to me. I pointed to the guy, whom was now in front of us and told him that he was an Olympic medalist. My thoughts were confirmed when I saw his Olympic tattoo on his calf muscle of his left leg. . . not to mention the Olympic T-shirt he was wearing. lol. Mark said I should have congratulated him. I should have. That would have been nice, but I didn't. Why? Because I'm not one of those crazed people. I like to admire strangers from afar. lol. As the night when on, I started to think that I should have said hello and congratulated the man. Then I thought, wow. I could have introduced Taylor and Austyn to him. They could have learned the valuable lesson and meaning behind, "Never Give Up!" This could have put the meaning to a face. It could have been living proof that dreams do in fact come true. You can do anything so long as you put your mind to it. But I didn't say a thing, because I am more reserved. Anyhow, I just wanted to share my story of personal inspiration with you all, and perhaps this man's story can inspire you to never give up. Your dreams are just that . . . dreams if you don't strive to accomplish them!

Tutu-rific Tutus and Dresses

So, I have this totally awesome, wonderful and pretty creative friend named Cassidy. She is a stay at home mom, and she has three kids. Two boys and one little princess. Her oldest is one of Taylor's good friends and fellow classmate this year. Her middle son is 2 and her daughter will be 1 soon. She makes tutus and dresses along with headbands for girls of all ages. And I mean it when I saw ALL ages. She makes them for newborns, toddlers, school aged girls and even adults. So, in case you need to get your 'fairy fix', she can help you out. lol. Anyway, I've been meaning to get together with her for what seems like forever. We have just both been really busy lately. Anyhow, she custom made this tutu dress for a customer, but the customer never picked it up. So, she gave it to Ryleigh. Ryleigh was a little stinker about putting it on, but once she had it on and she was hamming it up for the camera, she actually liked it! She does like to be the center of attention, and she does love pretty things. ;o) So, these are the pictures I took of her today with Mark's camera. I wish the 'good' camera was in working order because these pictures would have turned out a million times better! Not that Mark's camera isn't good. It is. The other camera just takes phenomenal pictures and is my best friend. lol. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy these super girly pictures of the little miss. I posted Cassidy's link to her page where she sells her tutus at the bottom of this blog for anyone who is interested in buying a custom made tutu or dress for their little princess. . . or themselves for that matter!

I actually like this one a lot.

She looks like a diva in this picture, but really she was chewing gum that I bribed her with.
Mom says this one reminds her of fried green tomatoes. I think its because of the Aunt Jemima-esque look of the headband and hair. lol
She looks like she got caught by surprise here.
I love her big toothy smiles!
This is my ultimate favorite!

http://www.myspace.com/calliesydelletuturific

The Day Not Yet Forgotten

It doesn't seem as though it has been 7 years to the day that the tragedy of September 11th unfolded.
Where were you when you heard the news?
We were living in Virginia Beach at the time, and I was in bed sleeping. Taylor, who was almost 7 months old was sleeping in his crib. Mark was also asleep. The phone rang and it was our roommate's mom. I was groggy and didn't quite understand what she was saying. She was asking where Sam (her son, our roommate) was. And she started rattling off about New York City and terrorist airplanes. I believe I just mumbled, yeah okay and hung up the phone. Mark asked who it was and I told him that Sam's mom was calling and she was freaking out about something and she was crazy, with a capital C! Sorry. I'm not trying to make light of the situation. Its what really happened. So, she called again, and she told me to listen to her and to turn on the TV. I thought, okay, I'll make this crazy lady happy, and I'll turn on the TV. I did, and all I could say was that I was sorry. I hung up the phone and for the rest of the day, all I could do was sit and watch with feelings of horror, disbelief, sorrow, anger and compassion.
I was scared to death that Mark would be deployed to go overseas immediately. He had just gotten back in December of the previous year. I was scared for myself, our roommates and for Taylor. I wondered what the future would be like for us as a family. Would things change dramatically, and would he have the luxury of growing up in a free country like I did? So many questions and thoughts ran through my head that day and the days that followed.
I thought about airline security and how awful they were at checking tickets and identification. Just at the beginning of the month, Mark and I had flown home to Virginia from Washington and Texas where we had visited with family. Mark walked right past airline security and right past airline employees and they never once asked him for his ticket. Not even when we boarded the plane. So, if anyone looked back on records of who was or wasn't on the flight that day, his name would not have been on that list. So, as you can see airport personnel were not exactly what we would consider competent. No offense to anyone who works at an airport, as its just from a personal experience.
I still to this day am annoyed that it takes so long to make it through security checkpoints and such, but in the end I am thankful that they are taking such precautions to ensure my safety. So the next time you complain about security and why you have to take off your shoes, just remember that really, its for your own good!
Taylor, obviously doesn't remember this day, but he knows about it. We were watching a program on TV the other day and it just so happened to be about 9/11. They were showing the live footage from that day, and he watched. He didn't know what to think and he started asking questions. I answered all of his questions in the best way I knew how. It wasn't easy explaining to a 7 year old that there are some people in this world that are so sinister that they want and like to kill people. They think they are doing good. He didn't really get the whole thing in the end, but he got the gist of it. I asked him if he remembered what happened with the buildings and the airplanes and he said he did. So, I told him he should wear red, white and blue to show his pride for his country. There was no hesitance or back talk. He just said that he thought that was a great idea. This morning he wore a red Hawaiian shirt to school with white flowers and blue surfboards on it. I'm sure they will talk about it at school today. He is such a compassionate boy and I'm sure that he will be a little sad about it, but overall I think he will have a better understanding of it all.
So, we should remember all of those innocent men, women and children that lost their lives on this day. Remember those brave men and women that went in to try and help all those in peril. Be thankful for your family and friends; and be thankful that we still live in a free country where we can say, dress and do pretty much what we want. Also be thankful for those men and women who have fought in the past and those that continue to fight for our rights. And when someone says they don't support war, you should remind them that men and women of all ages and all walks of life have lost their lives protecting this country and their right to say things like that. You don't have to support the war, but at the least you should support those that support you and the USA.

First Day, Picture Day, Birthday!

The kids as we were getting ready to go. There's always time for a photo op!

I dropped Austyn off at preschool less than an hour ago, and I already miss the little guy! I was a mess this morning and to tell you the truth, I still am! I'm excited for us, but I'm also sad. Most of all, I am nervous. I know what its like when you are in a new place and you have to meet all of these new people. It can be intimidating for me, even at 26 years old, so I can't even begin to imagine what its like for him. Its just Ryleigh and I here at the house for the next few hours. It is SOOOO quiet. She's playing with her see and say toy and the only thing I hear is "Old MacDonald" playing. lol. This will be great for the two of us to have some one on one time, and I think she will enjoy it. I will volunteer in Austyn's class every other week, and on the off weeks, I'll volunteer in Taylor's class. I can't wait to pick him up and see how wonderful his day went. It stinks that we have no family around to experience such a big day with us. I would love for my mom to be able to see off the kids on their first days of school...with me, of course. But sadly, all we will ever be able to share with any of our family members is just a bunch of pictures and stories. I'll admit that I'm a little envious when someone's grandma shows up with their mom at school, just to see how their day went. Oh well. Enough about what I wish I had, its not about that...its about what I DO have. And what I do have is three totally awesome, wonderful kids that I love more than anything in this entire universe.
Austyn picked out his clothes that he would wear today. I loved it. Taylor also picked out what he would wear today because its picture day for him! I can't wait to see his school pictures in a few weeks. I absolutely loved his picture last year. At school this morning, Austyn seemed a little overwhelmed. I think it was just the big rush, all of the kids and all of the emotions he was feeling. He closed up a little and became a little more reserved which is so not like him. I think he's about warmed up by now though! We found his cubby and hung his bag up, and then he found his name tag necklace which was a huge score for him. He put it on and was just cheesing away. He didn't want to sit at the circle at first, but after telling him that's what his teacher wanted them to do, he settled near the edge. I gave him a final hug and kiss and told him to have a good day and that I would be back to get him in a little bit. He was okay with that, so Ryleigh and I left. I'll admit, I'm not one of those moms who cries over milestones or first days of school. Its not that they aren't important or meaningful, I just never saw the need to cry. Well, 'not seeing the need to cry' doesn't really matter anymore. I didn't cry, but I did get all teary-eyed, and we had to walk away fast before the storm came. Its a little daunting to realize that 2 out of my 3 children are now in school. Time flies.

Austyn was so excited that he had to run ahead! He couldn't wait to get to class!

Name tag heaven!

Sitting at the circle!

Austyn and I this morning! He loves me!

Taylor and I this morning! He loves me too, he just is too cool to REALLY show it! lol

The BIG preschooler, ready to get going!

The BIG 2nd grader, practicing his smile for picture day!

Ryleigh, at home with Mom for a couple more years!
Happy Birthday to Me!

Last, but not least, yesterday, I turned 26! Scary, I know. lol. I want to say thank you to everyone that called, sent emails, left messages and sent cards. I appreciate all of the birthday wishes and thank you for thinking of me on the day that I officially turn a year older. lol.Aside from a pounding headache that refused to go away, I had a wonderful day! Mark cooked up a delicious breakfast of french toast (YUM), eggs, hash browns and bacon (double yum). After breakfast he had Ryleigh bring out my gift. It was tiny little golden package with a bow. I opened it up, and again with the crying. Does it come with age or what? I swear. lol. What I saw, took my breath away, blew me away and made me cry. Gosh Mark, way to go! =0) my gift was a new wedding ring set. The ring I currently have is just a solitaire ring with no band, and we never did get around to buying a band for Mark. So, when I say I was happy to see that he bought HIMSELF a ring for my birthday, it may sound funny, but its what I've wanted for a long time now. I'm not a materialistic person by any means, or name brands for that matter. I'm happy buying clothing at Target and shoes at Payless. I would be okay with a cubic zirconia. Seriously. Things like that are not important to me, so for myself it is 100% true that money does not buy happiness. So, when I get a gift such as my gift yesterday, I was extremely thankful. We now officially have a set of rings that match and are our very own. I was given a solitaire for my birthday and a band for our 5 year anniversary and Mark's band matches the one he bought for me. We took them in to have them sized, so we'll have them back in about a week or so. After we did that, we went out to dinner. We hit the drive-thru at Jack in the Box. Don't laugh. It's not funny. No, Mark wasn't being a jerk. It's actually what I really wanted. Just two monster tacos and a soda. I told you, I'm simple. Is that proof enough? LOL. Oh yeah, and we had ice cream cake for dessert....the night before my birthday! lol. It was yummy and we will be having lots more because there's still a whole cake to eat. We completely forgot to eat cake last night! OOPS! Anyway, here is a picture of our rings.