Something I've been thinking about lately

Lately, I've been feeling like I'm a lousy friend. I'm awful at nurturing relationships. I'm capable and willing, but time and ignorance prevent me. I never feel I lack for friends, which causes me to have a terrible habit of taking friendships for granted. What's the best way to show those you care about that you still value them?

Always check

Tonight, I spent time with some mighty good friends. We partied hearty and hit all the hot spots of Mesa: Red Robin, Starbucks, AMC Theatres, the parking lot..... adventurers we were.

I also had the pleasure of trying a Salty Caramel Hot Chocolate from Starbucks. It was delish. My friends and I sat outside and enjoyed our beverages. After the first few sips, I commented that it had a slight coffee flavor. A friend remarked that Starbucks uses dark chocolate, which explained the bitterness I was tasting. I was surprised that none of the ladies I was with was having an aversion to the drink. Most of them have never tasted coffee, and they should have found it to be too strong a flavor. I, on the other hand, have had coffee in the distant past, and I enjoy(ed) it's taste. I remarked several more times that it had a strong coffee flavor. A friend grabbed my drink, took a whiff, and said "It's because you're drinking coffee". Other's whiffed my drink and concurred. I tried a friend's Salty Caramal Hot Chocolate, and was dismayed that it did indeed taste sweet and salty, the flavor combination I was missing in my own. I had mistakenly grabbed another's drink order, and drank half of a Grande sized White Chocolate Mocha coffee. Remember how I joked about Emma not knowing the difference between a lobster and a scorpion? I'm 31 and I mistook a cup of coffee for a cup of hot chocolate. Karma paid a visit tonight.

Salutations

Helena -

You run a close 2nd to salt.
Yours is a friendship more pleasurable than snapping a crayon in half.
For you, I would sacrifice a hair coloring appointment.
You're first in line as my VP.
And if you needed the space, I'd delete 4.72 hours of tivo.
Now if that ain't love, baby..........

Happy 26th Birthday.

-Jaylee

Emersen Paris Draney

My oldest is seven (and four days). I told her it's her lucky year. Not sure how so, but it seemed fitting.

TIME FLIES! is also very fitting to say. Cliche, but true.

Come hold my virtual hand as I take you on a trip down memory lane. Or, for those that had not the pleasure of my company during these times in Emma's life, it'll be a trip down the scroll bar for some pictures of a maturing Emma with interspersed anecdotes and tidbits.

On Emma's infancy - I've never been one of those moms who declares their children to be the cutest of all in existence. When your friend down the row says the exact same thing about their own children, it seems to be a moot point, right? In the spirit of keepin it real, I can honestly tell you I did not think Emma was an attractive newborn.




Is it just me, or did Emma look like a frog? Granted, it may not be a flattering picture, but she didn't grow into her looks for another 2-3 months.





This is how I remember Emma's earlier days. She only fell asleep if swaddled and in our arms. She was not not an easy baby. She was never a champion nurser or sleeper. I remember many times having to nurse her while standing and swaying from side to side, and the minute I would sit down, she would declare treason and all was lost.








The following pictures are Emma at around 6 months old. Now, I will as a dutiful mother, claim that at this age, and henceforth, she was/is beautiful.






















Aren't all little girls deserving of a picture of themselves dressed in some outlandish fashion, surrounded by tulle and feathers?








After Emma's first year, she began to grow into her personality and finally let up a bit and became easier to care for.








Emma at 2. This is one of my favorite pictures of her. I love how her foot is out in front of her, kicking the air.















Emma at 3.








Emma at 4.








Emma at 5.








Emma at 6.








Emma at 7.








A few interesting tidbits about Emma -

She is, by far, the most agreeable child I've every known.

She is always thinking about me and ways to make my life easier. There's not much she can do, so she does small things - she'll open all the car doors before she gets into the car, or she'll frequently say "I'll do anything you tell me to do". The guilt I feel is overwhelming sometimes. It's tough to give her a hard time about doing her homework in a timely fashion after she's just offered herself up to do my bidding. Here is her love note to me after being told she had to wait to eat a piece of bread until she had eaten more dinner.







Emma has never watched (at least on my watch) Hannah Montana or any other tweeny show of the like. I'm not saying she never will, but I'm not ready for her to be grown-up enough to start watching a show with a laugh track. And, to her detriment, the 2 year old in our house rules the tv at this point, so Emma doesn't have much choice but to sit back and watch Muno from Yo Gabba Gabba sing about being nice to worm babies. I wouldn't think it was such a big deal that a six year old would prefer cartoons over real life actors, but it seems that Emma's entire 2nd grade class of girls knows all the characters in High School Musical. I just don't understand what draw that show has to 7 year old girls who have no clue what the subject is about. Then again, I've never watched an episode of Hannah Montana, so maybe the show is about how you should brush your teeth for 2 minutes and make sure you flush the toilet after you're done going potty.

Along those lines, Emma doesn't listen to music on the radio. Right now, it's because I'm usually listening to NPR, but when she's older, I know her and I will have many arguments about our listening choices. Sometimes we'll listen to The Beatles or The Doors, and Clint has her hooked on the latest Coldplay cd, but will a time come when she's made fun of because she doesn't know every word or appropriate gyration to the hit song at the moment? I could very well be preventing her possible Student Body President win.

She reads when she goes to the bathroom.

If asked, she will prefer to wear a dress above all else, but when I tell her to throw some clothes on, she will put together some very interesting, yet slightly embarrassing ensembles.

She's taken for granted. By me, that is.

She's going to be the easiest teenager. Shut up, I'm not in denial. I'm trying to put out good vibes.

I don't think I compliment her enough because whenever I do, she hugs me and tells me she loves me.

She sings all the time, and very loudly, except for when she's supposed to sing (like at church).

Asher is her best friend and she is a wonderful older sister to him.

She's sensitive to other's feelings. We watched Monsters inc recently, and towards the end of the movie, when Boo and the big blue monster (I forgot his name) were saying goodbye to each other, Emma started to wail. I chuckled, and then she yelled at me for laughing at her.

Emma has been such a joy to parent. I've always been firm yet loving towards her, and I used to think that it was me that shaped her into the obedient child that she is. Then I had Asher. He stomped and spit all over that theory.

Do you every purposely put your chair on two uneven surfaces so that you can shift the weight of the legs back and forth for fun? I've been enjoying the click clunk sound the entire time it took to write this post.

I Love Veteran's Day

I Love Tempe.

I Love That Every Year Tempe Hosts A Veteran's Day Parade.

I Love Going Every Year.

I Love Supporting Our Proud Veteran's.





I Love Watching The Parade With Emma's Friends.







I Love Watching The Parade With My Friends.







I Love Marcia's Mop Brigade. I Look Forward To Marching With Marcia's Mop Brigade In 30 Years.







I Love Shriners.







I Love Shriners In Funky Cars.







I Love Shriners In Little Cars.







I Love Shriners In Minuscule Cars.







I Love Seeing My Alma Mater. I, However, Do Not Love Seeing Their Size Diminish With Each Year.







I Love Ladies Who Grow Older With Pride.







I Love Ladies Who Strive To Stay Youthful.







I Love My Boys.







I Love Boy Scouts. I Love That Emma Will Probably Marry A Boy Scout. He May Be In This Picture.







I Love That Police Officers Get A Break And Can Ride In Our Parade.







I Love Emma's Little Bum.







I Extra Special Double Dog Heart Adore Swoon Love Firemen.







I Love Living In Tempe.


(missed you Tricia)

"The Art of Friendship: A Woman's Tale of Love Lost and Found"

Dedicated to Monica and Janica.

Prologue:
This account is based on an actual fictitious event. Names have not been changed.

Chapter 1:
"Jaylee, both my good friends have moved. Will you be my new best friend?" asked Jeanette.
"Yes," replied Jaylee.

Chapter 2:
The two new best friends take a picture to commemorate that special moment in their lives.







Chapter 3:
Monica and Janica fume in Colorado and Utah, respectively.

Chapter 4:
It's their fault they moved.

Epilogue:
And so ends the sordid tale of how Monica and Janica lost their friend.

A Good Day

Emma learned to ride a bike

Asher peed in the potty

Ate some yummy chili

Bart is no longer a houseguest

There once was a man from Nantucket....

We have a mouse in our house (sounds like the start of a children's poem).

It's a teeny tiny little mouse,
Who probably has a little spouse.
This teeny mouse is a louse,
For it's eating up my drywall.

This teeny mouse is very smart,
It deserves a name; how about Bart?
"Bart!" I yell, and as quick as a dart,
Bart scampers back into my drywall.

Now, I'm assuming Bart, you have large brood,
You're probably out scavenging for food.
You better be careful because I'm not in the mood,
To see and hear you chewing up my drywall.

Hey little Bart, you're in for a treat!
Peanut Butter! Oh my! It can't be beat!
Now hurry up your little feet!
And please ignore the apparatus underneath the peanut butter, next to the drywall.

I tried to warn you; I tried to be humane,
But Bart, your droppings are such a pain!
I clean them up, but it's all in vain,
Because you just keep pooping next to my drywall!

Bart, I'm sorry, the time has come,
You must die die die and something else that rhymes with come!
And then another great sentence that rhymes with come,
Geez Bart! Come on! What do you expect? You're living in my drywall!

You're gross! You're yucky! You probably have rabies!
Okay, maybe not rabies, but maybe...... scabies?
And you're popping out a horde of little pinkie babies,
and I can't have you and your filthy family living in my drywall!

So Bart, please eat the food; it will all be over soon,
And while you're dying, I'll sing you a tune.
As we sit together underneath the moon,
I'll serenade you this sweet song:

Die mouse, die die die!
Poor little mouse, where's PETA to save you now?
You think you can come into my house and set up shop?
Time to meet your maker!
I hope you burn!

Did you like that song, Bart? Hey, I think I see a light!
Go to it Bart! Give up the fight!
Oh, it's pretty Bart! So nice and bright!
What a tender moment we're sharing next to my drywall.

I promise Bart, I'll take care of your litter,
Stop yelling at me Bart! Now's not the time to be bitter!
Oh Bart! You're not breathing!
psst, hey Clint, can you fix this drywall so none of Bart's rat babies can get out?

Have I missed the grace period to post pictures of my kids in their Halloween costumes?