Meet : My Mothers

As anyone who comes by here regularly might know, we've been trying to become pregnant and to maintain those pregnancies for the past two years. While you might think that I should be more adjusted to the idea of being a mother- since we've been trying so hard to get there. I get the feeling that you will never be ready until you are handed your first child and told to leave the hospital... and probably not even then.

I was raised by one mother, but I have 4 in my life who continually teach me how this is something that I can do and who are currently teaching me what it means to be a mother.

My Mother has taught me about selfless love.

My mother has been the best role model for me in my later years. I grew up never really understanding why she did so many selfless things, but now I see that it is just in her nature to care for others.

When my brother and sister from my father's previous marriage wanted to move in with us, they did. She has always put the needs of her children above her own, and now that I have some perspective on what that means I appreciate her unconditional love that much more.

My Sister has taught me that children take 
a lot of work and dedication.

My sister has always shown just how devoted a mother can be to the success and happiness of her children. Her oldest was diagnosed with Leukemia at the age of 3, and her youngest had open heart surgery to repair a hole in her heart.

Watching her devotion to their growth in health, knowledge and personality, I have never in my life met such well-rounded, respectful, and fun kids and hope she will share her wisdom with me in the upcoming years.

My Best Friend has taught me about maturity.

My best friend got pregnant while I was still in college, While at the time I couldn't wrap my mind around it, I grew up watching her do everything possible to raise this little girl up despite some rough times.

She really mirrors my own mother in a way, with how life has maybe not given her the easiest road, but it provided her with a lot of perspective and maturity that I really respect. And while her daughter doesn't understand it now, she will when she gets older.

My Mother-in-law has taught the importance of family

I haven't really gone into detail on this blog about my family history and the issues I have opening up to others, but my mother-in-law has shown me an immense amount of grace and taught me a lot about the importance of having a close family. 

It took a lot of time (and I still forget to greet them sometimes with the cheek-kiss) but I hope that they know that this idea of a warm home with deep family involvement is still a very foreign idea. One which I am fascinated by and pray will be a part of our growing family.

So tell me...
How many mothers do (or did once) influence you? For any mothers reading this, Happy Mother's Day!

                 
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2nd Annual Apple-Picking Weekend

This weekend we packed up the whole family and made our way to Fishkill Farms, in search of all things autumn. Objectives: drink hot cider, obtain warm apple donuts, purchase decorative gourds, and find the perfect apple.

Secondary objectives: quality time with the family, reenact Bible scenes such as Adam and Eve, find leafy moose antlers and make goofy faces to get that one good candid shot.

Unblogged Bloggables... The stuff I Missed in July

Here's a snapshot of what miscellaneous awesomeness happened in July.

Amazing Fireworks in Cincinnati on the 4th

  Tom mastered looking at the camera, and I apparently forgot where it was

 

 My mom and dad came to visit! They got to experience the wind in their hair on the SI Ferry...

...and witnessed their first U.S. Coast Guard zipping around the East River while manning a machine gun.

High-Five for Friday

It's been a long week. Sick, migraines and what seems to be general desire to feel better. But here's my 5 things on Friday worthy of mentioning.


1. My sister-in-law turns 21 today!

And, of course that requires some sort of celebration. One that doesn't involve any alcohol, so how else would you celebrate? Dorney Park of course. A literal slap-in-the-face to reaching adulthood.

2. My garden grows!

Merging Two Families

Memorial Day (weekend) 2014 was awesome for many reasons.

Not just because Tom and I went to Niagara Falls (with the in-laws).

And attempted a few group photos.

Tour de Tom

This post is dedicated to Tom, and his renewed love affair with biking. When we met, he was biking regularly (having done so since he was in highschool). He biked every year in the Century Tour, Tour de Cure, and the Five Boro Bike Tour. When we started dating, things started slipping by the wayside, and he biked less and less. 

But that's all changed. He has been biking to work and home for 2 months, instead of buying his monthly Metrocard. He joined a 'Biggest Loser' type of challenge with his company, and last night he hit his personal goal of shedding 30 lbs. He's hoping he can win the challenge, but even if he doesn't it has been well worth entering since the incentive has reawakened his love of biking. He has so much energy and sleeps better, and he keeps saying how he feels healthier. 

Today marks his 50th ride in to work, and I couldn't be more proud of him.

Since February 25th....  

   Ridden 556 miles (roughly NYC to Cleveland)

   Been on his bike for 50 hours.

   He's burned 51,000 calories

Farina

When Tom and I were dating for about 2 months, he asked his parents if his girlfriend from Pennsylvania could come for a visit and stay over the New Years 2010 weekend.

Up to that point heard about a girl who their son met online. But never caught her name every-time it was mentioned. So they asked, "what's her name?" and Tom said "Farin". And then they said this gem "Oh, like Farina?"

Yup, just like the cereal. And they said I could visit for New Years.

April Fools

Growing up, I was basically an only child. My parents were both married before each other, and had kids with their first spouses. When they got married and had me, I was the only kid I knew for a large chunk of my childhood.

My brothers and sisters came to visit and all lived with us at one point it another, but they were at least 8 years older. I was the annoying little kid. I was the kid who played Mario and Duck Hunt with you but only for 10 seconds. Then I ran into a turtle or flying hammer and got to watch my sister or brothers play forever. They were just so cool and awesome. And never died while playing Mario.

As a result, especially when I didn't have an cool older sibling to follow around, I learned how to entertain myself. And that sometime involved pranks.

Image courtesy of Pixomar / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Snowtubing at Camelback

Good Morning!

This past weekend, Tom and I took the in-laws to have their first snow tubing experience at Camelback Mountain Resort, in Tannersville, PA. Good times were has by all, despite there being little documentation of it.

Highlights: