April is gone in a flash...

The entire month of April, gone, just like that. I slept in my bed 2 nights in April. There was a week in Tulsa, a week in Boston and 2 and a half weeks in Cincy. In a flash... So much happened this month, Eli had his first birthday, Alissa and Brek celebrated 10 years of marriage with a trip to Mexico and Oliver is now 21 months old. He will be 2 before we know it. Have I mentioned I am exhausted? I loved every minute of April, time with my girls, time with my sweet baby boys, but now it is time for me. Time to catch up, time to relax and time to miss my babies. Time to start planning the next trip!

And then...

We went to Tulsa 2 weeks ago today to begin the closing process of Lightner Heat and Air.
And then we found out Donald had burned his hand with freon on Thursday.
And then we found out Donald had fallen on Thursday.
And then we found out Donald was at the emergency room and his leg might be broken.
And then we were told it was broken.
And that his hand had 2nd degree burns.
And then we met with Attorneys and sold the business.
And then 5 hours after she and Eli were supposed to arrive, Kari finally made it to Tulsa.
And then the work began.
We were supposed to be there 2-3 days.
And then it was a week.
And then I went home for one night to pack and prepare the house, because when I left the next morning, I wouldn't be back for almost a month.
And then Kari and I drove to Ohio.
It was a long drive.
I will be here until the 18th.
And then I will fly to Boston...for 8 days...to watch Oliver while his Mommy and Daddy go on their 10 year anniversary trip. His Gram Poynor and I will be tag teaming him...Pray for us please...
And then I will fly back to Cincy for Eli's first birthday and baby dedication.
And then...I will go home, exhausted but thankful for the time with my girls and sweet baby boys.

And then I weighed and saw I have lost 28 pounds! Yay me!

Moma

Thirty-three years ago today, that became my name. I stopped being Connie and became Alissa's Moma.

It was a day much like today,raining and everything bursting with the newness of Spring.

I had been in labor 27 1/2 hours waiting on this child to make her appearance and I was exhausted. But so very happy to finally hold her in my arms and tell her how much I loved her

Instantly

Intensely

Infinitely

And now she is a Moma

And she is 33 years old.

And I love her more than words can tell.

Happy Birthday Alissa Michelle!!

Another milestone

Thirty-five years ago today

We said I do

Did then

And still do today.

Happy Anniversary Ed!

Are you up for thirty-five more?

From 13 to 53

This is how long I have known Ed. Actually he was 12 when we met, but the first birthday he had after we met was his 13th.

And today he is 53....

Wow, we are getting old...

Happy Birthday Ed Lightner and remember, for the next 6 months you can't call me "old lady"!!

Thirty wonderful years

Thirty years ago right now, I was having contractions.

Kari was finally on her way!

I had just about given up, since she was more than 2 weeks overdue. In fact, I was scheduled to be induced on the 10th.

But Kari had other plans. So off to the Dr. we went. I was perfectly content to adopt a wait and see attitude, but Ed and Dr. Wilsey were a bit impatient. So, off to the hospital we went even tho I didn't have my bag and had not made long term plans for Alissa. Ed went back home to get our things and make sure his Grandmother could watch Alissa. I went to get checked in and start that wonderful drug, Pitocin.

I was assured it would probably be a long process, based on my first labor, but decided to call my Mom anyway so she could get to the hospital. She was in Nursing school at the time, but decided she would come on just in case. Thankfully she did, because it seemed Kari had a mind of her own and wanted to make her presence known.

And at 4:59pm Central time, Kari Denise Lightner came into my life. From the moment she was born, she has been a ray of sunshine. I have never seen a baby as happy as she was until a precious little boy by the name of Eli was born 10 months ago. He is his mother's child for sure!

So, today, I celebrate my middle child. It seems impossible that she is 30 years old today. And yet she is.

I love you Kari Denise, more than words can say. You have blessed my life in so many ways and I can hardly wait for all the adventures yet to come.

Antibiotics, Aruba and more

Two weeks ago today, I was supposed to be getting a mani/pedi and packing for our trip to Aruba.

Instead, I cancelled that appointment and made one with my Dr. instead. Not as much fun, but necessary.

Now normally I don't run to the Dr. for every little sniffle (once went 11 years without seeing Dr. Pickens), but I knew I was going to be flying and the way my head and ears were feeling, knew that flight could be intensely painful. So off to the Dr. I went.

Didn't take long to diagnose a bad sinus infection, prescribe antibiotics and decongestant and send me on my way. I like my visits short, sweet and to the point. I spent the next 24 hours sleeping and trying to breathe. I really didn't think I was going to make the trip, but being the trooper I am (hey, it was Aruba after all) I took one for the team, packed up and headed out.

The flight was not fun, but not as bad as it would have been without the meds. And the reward was amazing.


The view from our room

While I didn't get to do any of the fun things I had planned, no snorkeling or other fun things. Guess I will just have to go back there one day and do all the things I didn't feel like doing on this trip.

A week at home alone has been good for me. I still have an annoying cough and some congestion, but feel so much better. Good enough, that we will leave tomorrow for Las Vegas and Kari's 30th Birthday trip. I am so excited to see all three of my girls together. It has been so long since we have all been together. I am sure there will be lots of things to talk about after this trip!! But remember, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

Unless I blog about it!