Happy Birthday/Happy Anniversary

Popi, doing what he does best!

Last Sunday we celebrated Otto's 55th birthday and Monday we will celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary.  Such major milestones in life, and here we are in Pennsylvania away from family and friends!  But, we are so thankful despite the lack of familiar faces and know that God has sight of us and our futures.

I love the picture of Otto with Kenz, it just reflects who he is and what is important to him.  He carries that on in our relationship too, and after 35 years I still love that guy!

Celebrating a Life - Thomas L. Stuck

This past weekend, Otto traveled to L.A. to celebrate the life of his brother, Tom who succumbed to congestive heart failure this past weekend.  Tom didn't live his life silently, with ease or how others would suggest he live. He lived out loud and big and he sometime struggled.  He was Otto's older brother and sometimes bullied him and chased him all over, but when Otto relives the events and tells the stories about their childhood, I can see the love that they had for each other and the memories they shared shine.  I'm sure the family has great memories and enjoyed the time Sunday reliving them, celebrating his life and doing a few shots of Jack or Wild Turkey.  May God welcome you Tom into His Kingdom today!

At Jason's college graduation party, Chino - 2006
J, Tom, Justin, Shawn, Charlene and Buck

San Clemente - 2007
FR - Jamie, Nathan, Chris, Jess, Buck, Shawn
BR - Jennifer, Tom, Charlene, Tim, Chuck, Otto, CJ, Missy, Josh

A Labor of Love

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Four siblings, two hubbies and two grandchildren headed to Kingman for a weekend makeover of mom's yard.  Weed-pulling, rototilling, drip line repair and rock spreading were the tasks at hand.  We left Phoenix, rakes in hand to meet Robin, Joe, Tree and Tony in what turned out to be an extremely tough job of turning mom's weed ridden, plain backyard into a weedless paradise!

THE CREW

BEFORE AND IN-PROCESS PICS

Otto and Tony concentrated on putting a 4" border around the bottom of the entire fence, while Tree and I picked up all the weeds that they managed to shovel out the night before.  Otto then started the rototilling, we all started leveling and pulling out more weeds and rock while we waited for older sister Robin and Joe to make an appearance!  After several trips to Home Depot, two rock deliveries, gatorade, water, lunch service provided by Eden and Kaya, and a 30 pack of Coors Light, here's the fruit of our labor.

It truly was a labor of love and we are all so happy and blessed to be able to do this for our mom, who has done so much for all of us!  Happy Mother's Day mom, hope you enjoy the yard!

TREE FIXING THE TOILET PAPER HOLDER

We also replaced a toilet paper roll holder, fixed a leaky faucet, planted two new Bird of Paradise plants, and repaired and re-programmed the drip system!

P.S. the saga continues.... stay tuned for the next episode of 'mom's makeover' and final reveal!

Happy Birthday Nana!

Remembering Nana today and celebrating a life that wasn't always easy - From Italy, to the hills of West Virginia, the metropolis in Michigan and  finally settling, putting down roots in California.  She was a pioneering woman.  Raising siblings, then her own kids, grandkids and great-grandkids.  Surviving in the world with only a sixth grade education, faithful, caring and loving.  She had a love for nature and the Lord - I remember her praying the rosary and reading the bible in her room, sitting in her rocking chair.  I remember her playing with the kids on the floor in her house dress and ankle nylons!  I remember her making me re-do and scrub the bathroom counter 3x because I didn't do it 'right'.  I remember her teaching me how to sweep the leaves of the tree in the backyard and how to cut rose bushes so they'd bloom.  Letting me help her in the kitchen and trying to get the recipes for spaghetti sauce, Easter cookies and fretas; oh how I cherish the times with her and oh how I miss her every day!  Thank you Nana for all the wonderful things you taught me, how to persevere, to pray and to tend to a garden and the loved ones in my life.  You were a great example of a servant of Christ, giving and teaching others - I miss you -

love, Nana

A boy named Jason

As I wrote my last post, it dawned on me that I didn't blog about a boy named Jason.  So, here it is......

This little boy came into the world very quietly, unlike his sister who made a big deal about her appearance, after refusing to show up on time!  This tiny boy made his debut back in 1981, January 9th at about 1pm in the afternoon, only a few days off the guesstimated due date of January 5th.  Not a lot of fanfare, not a lot of drama.  Jason just isn't about drama.

Anyway, this boy was very talented, he followed his dad around with a baseball bat, ball and glove, then appeared on the sidelines of every tourny game to play catch and hit with him.  He was definitely an athlete.  And, now he is sharing his skills by coaching.  This boy also has a softer side;  he often crawled into my lap just to cuddle and even well into his teens he would sit on my lap and snuggle; he even kissed me in front of his friends!

 

I just want to recognize that this little boy who turns 29 this year has turned into a heck of a young man.   I love that you are sharing your love of baseball, your talent for connecting with others and teaching our youth.  We love you!

Happy Birthday Leanna

Four Generations

Yesterday, Leanna had a birthday, her 32nd.  It was 32 years ago Otto and I were newleyweds and soon to be parents.  It seems so long ago but as a parent I can tell you, I remember almost every moment of my  delivery, especailly when they laid her on my belly and said, 'meet your little girl'!

Otto looked on and our eyes met for a brief moment, his were filled with pride and mine tears.  I wonder if he noticed the apprehension, confusion and fear.  Although I was excited I had thoughts of 'can we be good parents to this tiny baby?'  Well, I barely had time to think these things before she was taken to do 'whatever babies do while they wait for their mommies to recover' and  I was wheeled out of the delivery room to recovery.  I slept for the next 6 hours and it wasn't until then that I was able to hold her again and get the confirmation that I'm reallly a mom now!

  

Me and Leanna out for my 50th

Well, as I said 32 years has past and so much has happened throughout our lives that I couldn't possibly write it all down, but one thing I do know, it has been a wonderful journey! Oh, don't get me wrong there were hard times along with all the great times, but overall I want to remember the joy!  I also have to thank God for the daughter he gave us and for the woman she has become.  So, Leanna, happy birthday and thank you for the joy and love that you have brought to our lives, and others!