Missing My Aunt Linda

My Aunt Linda passed away a few months ago, but she will never be far from our hearts.

Fun in the sun

 Gabriel has almost learned how to swim - he can doggy paddle across the pool more easily in the deep end than the shallow end - go figure.

What's up with the Petts?

What's up with the 2 year old?
My darling daughter has made me so happy and proud two nights in a row. Last night, allow me to mark the date July 13, 2011 (28 months old) she decided it was time. Time to go potty like a big girl that is. I tried potty training her before and gave up thinking she wasn't ready so we backed way off and prayed that God would have her train herself since she was already introduced to the idea. What a special treat when God answers prayer. We heard some noise in the bathroom so I went to check on her. She moved the stool in front of the toilet and placed the seat ring and sat down. We all heard the tinkle and I got to see how her face changed from one of curiosity to delight when we all praised her. The night before, after reading some bedtime stories and snuggling while putting her to bed. I laid down with her and she said, "Mama, me happy." I'm still melting over how sweet that is. We don't get many affirmations as parents, but that certainly was one, if any, that we must be doing something right. She's turned a corner with talking as well – speaks more phrases and more clearly. It's so cute how she calls Gabriel "brother". She'll say, "Mama, what is brother doing?" She probably wants to know so she can be doing it, too...whatever it is. She copies everything he does. She's getting a little more hair, but still won't allow me to put a bow or make a ponytail just yet. She loves to dance, in fact, we all have been enjoying watching the T.V. show, "So You Think You Can Dance?" I wonder if a preschool ballet class is in our future or if I will teach her? She is one tough cookie, just like her dad. She can crash and instead of crying (or screaming like "brother") she just kind of whines and says "Mama, boo boo." I still need to get her left earring fixed. She's pulled it out and I've been waiting for it to completely heal and will just get it pierced again. For now, we'll just call her "Pirate Zellie".

Here she is wearing daddy's flip-flops, using his cell phone while cheesing it up for the camera.

What's up with the 6 year old?
Gabriel just finished golf camp for the summer. We're trying to decide which activity he'll be doing come fall. Whether it be tennis, soccer, swimming or more golf. We can only afford one right now. Decided to take it to prayer since I can't decide. I'm sure it will be fine whatever we choose. I'm realizing I worry way too much about things. And, we still need to find a piano teacher. Gabriel is a happy kid who likes to be active so he'll be happy no matter what. He's still cracking me up. The other day at Chick-fil-A, we saw a person dressed as a cow and he remarks, "Holy Cow!" And, he understands the pun. My dad passed away ten years ago on July 11th so I stated "Today is the anniversary of my dad's death." Gabriel exclaims, "Can we have a party?" That kid is so social - anything to get together with friends and celebrate. He had been begging to come to work with me. He says so he can be with me but also so he can visit my work friends. I see more and more of me in him and am seeing more of Jimmy in Giselle.

Here's Gabriel with his friend Lydia for "Cow Appreciation Day"

The Daddy?
Jimmy still seems to be in constant pain due to his intestines. Because of it, he can be short and generally grumpier than I'd prefer, but we all make the best of it. I feel really sorry for him making all these wonderful meals for the kids and me and he can't partake most of the time. He's just finished working on the porch, building new hand rails and it looks marvelous! I'm worried about his dad and aunt who are both 93 years old and nearing the end of their life here on earth. We're trying to plan a trip to Detroit to see them in the very near future.

Working on our new porch railings

And the Mommy?
I'm making unsuccessful attempts at working out and losing weight, but at least I'm trying. I got to catch up with an old high school girlfriend over lunch which was incredibly fun. For splinters of a moment, I felt like a teenager again. Other than that, I work full-time, homeschool Gabriel at night along with my every other Friday's off from work. As long as I'm planning the next big thing, I'm happy. Right now, it's a trip to Detroit followed by Gabriel's 7 year old birthday party. Somewhere in there, I want to get the house organized. Otherwise, I may as well sign us up for one of these ever so popular reality T.V. shows about home makeovers or hoarders.

My high school friend Janice and me

Memorial Day Weekend Detroit Trip

We took a whirlwind trip to Detroit to see our family. They hadn't yet met baby Giselle and we were way overdue for a visit. We left on a Friday evening with every intention of driving straight through the night. It was 2 am when Jim and I could no longer tackle the wheel so we got a motel room. Seems ridiculous to pay full price to use the room for only five hours, but that was what we did...and it was the right decision. We were all well rested come morning so we hit the road. We got into Detroit around 2 pm and we went straight to Jim's parents new place at the Henry Ford Home. They were so happy to see them. Here are some great photos of their initial meeting:






The next day we enjoyed spending time with Aunt Zosh, Marisha, Aunt Kathlyn, Cousin Andrew and Dave. Andrew was a big hit with Gabriel and he loves all the attention from his Aunts. Giselle was in good form and didn't cry at all on the trip. Yay! We left Monday morning to head back home. It was a long way to go for a short visit, but it was so very worth it.

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far

We miss our family very much and have more than 500 miles on either side of us keeping us apart (down South to Tampa or up North to Detroit). Fortunately I get to see them every day in my children. It's amazing how many people tell me that Gabriel looks like me and Giselle looks like Jimmy. It's true, but it doesn't stop there.

Giselle looks like a spitting image of her Grandpa Pett when she smiles. The crescent shape of her eyes match Ed Pett to a T. The long thin face must come from the Lachs....as it's certainly Jimmy's trait too. Her height I attribute to the Bullington's as all my aunts and cousins are tall, including my brother. I think my mom and me are the only stubby ones. Her pediatrician says she is off the charts in terms of length so I do hope she keeps the Bullington genes in this area. As for the Rodriguez side, she does use her hands a lot. She can't crawl around unless she has something in each hand. Usually something hard like a cup or a toy which makes noise on our knarly pink tile floors so she sounds like something out of a cheesy horror film, "click, clack, click, clack" around the house.

Gabriel's shape of his face is reminiscent of my mother's head. I know they have 60 years apart and are a different gender, but sometimes Jim and I look at him and say, "That's Grandma." He is hyperactive and sports-minded which we think he gets from the Rodriguez's. He's really into cooking so maybe he's another Helcia Pett. And this is too early to tell, but I've heard that baldness skips a generation. With Ed Pett looking like Alfred Hitchcock and Jim having a full head of brown curly hair, it's safe to say that he has inherited the Pett hair genes.

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree! And sometimes I wish the orchard was a little closer.

My mom came to visit. She helped me clean out the basement of 100 boxes and had a garage sale. She and Giselle finally meet.

We Miss You Grampa!

My dad passed away July 11, 2001 and I can honestly say not a day goes by where I don't think of him or miss him. Whether I'm reminded of him by a funny country song, his signature pancakes, how genius he was with numbers or just what a down to earth, honest, hard-working, caring, self-less, lovable man he was. I don't know whether it's the hormones, but lately I've cried myself to sleep missing him thinking of how much he would absolutely love to hold, kiss and love on his grand kids.

I miss him so much these days. I look around at restaurants and see Aunts, Uncles, and Grandparents with their families and wish that Jim's folks were a little younger or my mom lived closer. And since I'm wishing, I wish my dad were here to see his granddaughter. I know he would love her so much. I know he must be looking down from heaven, but it's just not the same without one of his hugs. So back to reality -- He will forever live on in my memory. He may have thought his prized pancakes with his secret bacon grease recipe were special, but it was his hugs and his infectious personality that should have been award-winning. He always knew how to make everyone smile and feel a little better. I love you Dad!

Here we are together when I was alittle older than Gabriel's age.