Monday, February 25, 2013

NOLA continued...

So on Saturday night of our trip we went to a fabulous dinner at Galatoire's- YUM!  We decorated with old pictures and all the mardi gras garb I could get my hands on....Lovey of course had some of her own already!
We all gave toasts to the birthday girl-it was such a special time and so much fun to think about all the fun stories and great things my mom has taught us.  Here is part of my toast...oh and dont think I forgot the top 60 things we LOVE about Ceec I just printed them off for her to have :)

Things I learned from Having you as My mom
Today is a very special day for me because we are in such a special place to celebrate such a special lady!  I know there are jokes about growing up to be like your mother but to he honest, I always wanted to be like my mother and its no coincidence  she is just like her mother, my mimi An incredibly strong, funny, happy person.
  1. An Irish proverb says, “ A good laugh and a long sleep cure anything.”  I think my mom laughs more than any one I know.  She laughs at herself at me, at anything and everything...and she makes people laugh whenever she’s around.  I am far more serious, and I wish her laughter and light hearted approach to things.  The part about a good sleep if you are under 12 and crying, you are probably “tired and hungry” past 12...without a doubt “you are tired, lay down and you will feel so much better when you get up.”  She still says this to me.  She’s right but at the same time no matter what the problem is...when someone tells you, if you nap you will feel better, it makes it seem like things will be ok.
  2. Don’t feel bad about taking care of yourself.  It will help you take better care of everyone else.  You cant be your best if you let yourself go.  You cant watch after anyone if there is nothing left of you.  
  3. No only means no if you are ready to quit.  As long as you are willing to keep working, to keep trying anything is possible.  I was thinking back over some of the challenges we have had over the past few years and I thought about how even when things didnt seem like they would ever work out, or we had exhausted every option...it wasnt the end.  It just meant there was something or someone we hadn’t thought of yet. That ‘not taking no for an answer” that Clay has had to face head on so many times, was instilled in me from the get go.  I had the support behind me and if you are part of this family you are a part of a team, no one is alone in anything we may face.
  4. Animal Print.  It’s always “in” in some form or fashion.  Wear Black.  You cant go wrong, but there’s always somewhere for some animal print as an accent, even if it is your dining room chairs.
  5. Hard Work can be fun.  This summer we took on a huge 8 week project.  She came over to trim a few bushes and in no time we had sledge hammers, crow bars, saws and before we knew it fences were gone, a fountain was no more....we were soaking wet, and stinky every single day but everyday I looked so forward to what we were going to do that day, how much we were going to laugh and just knowing we were going to spend the next day the same way.
  6. Dont hold a grudge.  Deal with something and move on.  She said this to me about being a mom not long ago.  When I look at my kids now I know its okay to make my point, but then let it go, offer grace.  They are still “my boy and my girl.”  And in 33 years I hope we are as close as I am with my mom.
  7. Shower at least twice a day, going to bed with the filth you have been in all day is just gross.  
  8. Your pets only have you, they love you unconditionally and the joy they bring you outweighs anything bad they could ever do.
  9. No one ever knows what you do all day, how hard you work or what you really get done, don’t expect them to, it won’t happen.
  10. Sometimes rather than going on and on about how you would do something differently or how a situation is completely unbelievable to you, just be glad its NOT you.  Let it go and thank God for your circumstance.
  11. Make traditions...it will keep your babies engaged, keep them going and they will want to spend those special days with you.
  12. Its okay to start with dessert, eventually you will get to your real food, no everyone does things in the same order, its part of what makes the world go around...
  13. Cliches, que sera que sera, Hill of beans, it is what it is, and if you want someone’s attention start the sentence with , “well, hey.....”, screw it, it is what it is..."tump", "stoop", "Ham Store" 
  14. I have to say that one of the most important things she has ever said to me or ever showed me.  Is people look to you to see how you treat people, if you love someone show it, if you think they are the best thing on the planet, tell them...people will react the way you do.





I have to say I have such a long way to go, I asked Madden what she had learned from me and she said, “uhm to be kind and try to be nice, lots of spinning and some fun jumping things.”  
I am learning how much courage it takes to be a mom, there is so much risk involved.  There will be times you feel like you have failed but in the mind and heart of your child you are a super mom. 

Happy Birthday to my very own super mom....
I love you more than you know.

Proverbs 31
The Wife of Noble Character
17
She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 
She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 
In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 
She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.
21 
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 
She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 
She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
26 
She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 
She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 
Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
29 
“Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
30 
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Laissez les Bon temps roule!


Well it was a BIG weekend around here...not only was last week Valentine's day, but it was one of our very favorite Valentine's very special birthday!  We suprised my mom with a weekend in NOLA to celebrate!  It was so much fun to get away and to celebrate my mom.  We are truly blessed to have her in our lives and it was such a gift to be able to spend last weekend with her.  We were able to go in her old house and see her old school, we ate like it was our last meal (all weekend) and we got to just walk around and take in everything NOLA, hand grenades and hurricanes included...(it wouldnt be a trip to NOLA if we didn't!)
Anyway, Saturday night we had a party at Galatoires with cake and toasts, and Sunday brunch at Court of Two Sisters before we all packed up and came home!  Here is the clue about her big birthday and some pictures from our BIG weekend!  Happy Birthday Ceec! You are the BEST!


In 1953, Peter Pan was #1 on the big screen...
and traffic lights became 3 colors, red, yellow and green.

In 1953 Elvis recorded for the very first time,
And Dwight D. Eisenhower was the president in line.

The first color tv was for sale-so people headed to the bank,
Milk was .94 cents a gallon and they put .29 cent gas in car tanks!~

A mere .75 cents was minimum wage,
and that year on Valentine’s day history turned yet another page.

In the Big Easy our CC made her debut
Now 60 years later we are so blessed because God gave us YOU!

By now you have voted in 10 elections, which is quite a few I must say-
You have been driving for 44 years,
and if its north or south you can find your way.

You’ve been married for over 3 decades and had 2 kiddos of your own
And to your grandbabies, well, you are the best thing they know.

You’ve meant so much to so many folks...
We think you are so very special you deserve a Mardi Gras float

There’s no better reason to celebrate than your birthday...
And our float plan fell through, so out with plan A.

Instead let’s go back to where it all began...

We’ll see you in NOLA, 
back in the Big Easy...

Happy 60th Birthday 
to the world’s greatest 
CC!!!




This is a picture of 3 generations in my mom's room she had when she was little!








































Lots of special pictures and memories from this trip!  I will have to share the toasts on my next post-such fun celebrating my sweet Mom!!!