All we have is today

That's how I'm feeling today.  What's past is past and we are not guaranteed tomorrow so we should make the most of today since it is the only thing we truly have. Over the past few days my family has been blindsighted by the death of Jeff's brother Curt.  Don't ask me what happened, or where we all went wrong, it's still just a ball of confusion that's all knotted up.

Curt was an easy going guy, very easy to like.  He could eat so much food you wouldn't begin to believe how much unless you saw it for yourself.  Yes he was like all the Atkinson boys/men when it came to food.  He was polite, especially to my mom and always trying to be helpful.  His life hadn't been easy and wasn't getting any easier, but he was trying and I think that's all you can ask of any man.

My cousin, CJ, is in the middle of all the mess surrounding his Dad's death and I'm not sure any of us will ever know the real truth.  What is it they say... "There's your side, my side, and the real truth".  All I know is CJ is hurting, and we are hurting with and for him.

Our family is sad and our hearts ache for Jeff and Crystal's loss, and for CJ's trouble, and that Curt was robbed of his future whatever that may have been.  I can only hope that some good will come out of this loss and that my families hearts will heal, if not today then tomorrow or the day after.

Curt wherever you are I hope you are finally at peace, having a great meal with people that you love and who love you right back.

Firsts

We've had quite a few firsts today.  Started trying to potty train Joey today, so far two accidents and one success. He ran out and told me, "I peed in the toilet - YIPPEE I get to go to school". I'm probably the only mom in the universe who bribes her kid with getting to go to school as soon as he's toilet trained (lol).  I've tried a couple of times in the past but in all honesty it was a half hearted effort.  Today I decided this is just it and am having him be naked until he gets the concept down even if it takes the next few days.  I'm bribing him with organic lollipops when he's successful and the goal of going to school when he gets to be a big boy and can go potty all by himself.

He also made his own sandwich for lunch today.  I put some turkey, a slice of cheese, two pieces of bread on a cutting board and together we spread the Miracle Whip, then he took over putting on the turkey and cheese and then putting a lid on it (the 2nd piece of bread).  I cut it in half for him and he is now chowing down.  Maybe this is the secret to getting him to eat... let him make his own meals.

I can't believe how fast he's growing up, becoming so independent.  Dressing takes a lot longer now because he wants to do it himself, and can't really figure it out, and so what should take a minute or two at most takes more like 15 until he finally asks for some help.  I don't know how the mom's who have several children ever get anything done... I bow down to their mastery.

4th of July Fun

Wow did we ever have a great 4th of July this year.  We started our day off with a pancake breakfast put on by the Kiwannis Club.  They had a nice band playing background music, a yummy breakfast of pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, coffee and orange juice and good conversation.

Then Crystal and Jeff came over later in the afternoon and we spent several hours soaking up some sun in the pool.  Larry cooked up a bunch of pork ribs, corn on the cob, store bought potato salad, and watermelon.  Joey our little chef in the making took it upon himself to shuck all the corn and did a darn good job of it.  I only had to pull of the silk threads that he left behind.

Then later that evening we headed back over to the north side so that Joey could play in the park while we listened to the DJ.  Thought it was going to be a live band again, but it was still nice if a little loud.  Aunty Crystal and Joey took a spin under the gazebo and Daddy taught Joey how to moon walk.  It was too cute.

After a while we headed on over to our blankets and settled in with chips, soda and a beer or two to await the fireworks.  Larry always manages to snag just the perfect spot for viewing and this year was no different.  We were located directly underneath where they were going off, and were all wowed.  Joey was a little scared at first, but once I got his earplugs in and he settled in my lap, he really got into it, calling out the colors for everyone's enjoyment.  Of course almost everything to him was either orange, red or purple, regardless of the actual color, so he got quite a few chuckles from those sitting around us.  At the end of the night he'd crawled out of my lap and layed flat out on top of Daddy, to enjoy the finale.

Crystal and Jeff hadn't taken in a firework display like this in over ten years so they really enjoyed it and already told me they were planning on coming out again next year.  Who knows, we might have just started another family tradition.

Mom didn't join in the firworks with us as depending how crowded it is, and how far away we'd have to park, it can be quite a trek to our blanket.  She did however take a chair out to the end of the walk in front of our house and was able to not only see the majority of the RM fireworks, but also the displays that our many neighbors put on.

All in all, we had a lot fun.