A night at Grandma Sandy's!

Jake spent the night again this weekend. Bill, or shall I say, Grandpa, and I, love having him here, we just love that little booger so much!! He is adorable, and fun, and sweet, and....a lot of work. Here is the typical 24 hours with our little love.

We start off with playing. Grandpa Bill likes to play "Where's jake...he holds him up, then brings him back down. Next we do a little reading. Jake at only 4 months, LOVES to be read to! It's the cutest thing ever! He loves looking at the pictures, and gets excited at certain parts, and really takes it all in. So, so cute! We read to him when he gets bored, and before he goes to bed.


Of course, there's lots of feedings! Diaper changes! Soothing! Walking! Burping! Changing clothes!


Max is ever the protector of the little guy, and really get's upset when Jake cries. He sits by him as he accusingly looks at me as if to say, Um, don't you hear him?? LOL.
This morning he sat watching TV....and he didn't even care that it is STILL not a flat screen, or that it isn't 73 inches! He happily watched "Happy Feet", a cute little movie about penguins.

Although Jake is still a bit of work, and is teething...and today suffered from constipation (sorry Jake), we enjoy every single minute with him. We have our moments...like when he breaks free of the swaddler! Or there's issues in the diaper changing...or I forget to take the thingie off the nipple and nothing comes out! But all in all, Jake loves it here, and we love having him, and well, we can't get enough! He definitely is our little prince!

Ready, GO!

I am going to see Paul McCartney! Yes, one of the remaining Beatles, pretty much THE Beatle....a very powerful, talented, KNIGHTED man. I'm excited! I haven't seen him ever, and even though I am not a rock 'em, sock 'em Beatle fan....I learned after going to see Ringo and his All Star Band, that a Beatle is always a Beatle, and well, a legacy.

This blog today is a total self indulgent one. I want to write down all my concerts in all my life. Music is a big thing for me, and going to concerts and seeing people I love is....euphoria. There's nothing like it, and I know this is something that will never change for me. When I went to see Neil Diamond, there were so many little blue haired old ladies there, and even though I kind of laughed, I thought to myself, that will be me! I will be rocking it until there 's no rock left in this body! WoooT!

So, here's my list for those who are interested, and for those who are not, log off now!

It started at age 14 when I went to see 1)The Carpenters with Patience, her mom, and her mom's boyfriend, Bogey. It was pretty mellow, and we wore our little baby doll dresses (that' was when they were "in" the first time), and it was exciting. I mean, these were people I listened to on the radio, singing some of my favorite songs, and I remember being very impressed. Next, Patience and I went to see 2)Bread , loved it and I was hooked on concerts!

Patience and I saw many a concert together. Reaching back through the cobwebs of my minds, I can come up with 3)The Osmonds, along with the Heywoods, 4) Grand Funk Railroad and 5) Three Dog Night. All very good. All memorable, and all rocking! I won tickets to 6) Rare Earth from the radio station, and my sister and I went to see that. Then I met Ron and Richard, and we were very into going to see concerts, and my 'Rocker Babe' stage began!

With Ron and Rich, I saw 7) Fleetwood Mac, 8-18) Santana, 19) ZZ-top, 20) Los Lobos at least twice, 22) War 23) Tower of Power, also twice, They were awesome!

I can also think of 25) Heart, where i was in like a mosh pit and drinking blackberry brandy. This is the night I realized I was claustrophobic and blackberry brandy made me puke. I couldn't get out. It was gross. But the girls rocked it! My fav concert memory was the one with ZZ top...i was about 7 months pregnant, and it was the last festival style seating ever at the Tucson Community Center. They lit a bonfire on the floor. I was like, YEAH!! Whooping it up. Ron and Rich were like, "Let's get Sandy outta here!" LOL. I wasn't going nowhere...what were they going to do, throw me over their shoulders and carry me down the stairs? Hahaha,. No. So we stayed. It was a great concert.

But I digress.

As you saw, I saw Santana ten times...spanning quite awhile, the last one being about 5 years ago with Bill. After Supernatural. But i have to say that i will always love seeing them best at the Fairgrounds for about ten bucks. Sitting on the ground...drinking and mingling. Awesome. One with nature and the stars. Well, that's how I felt then, anyway. Me and Carlos....and the universe.

The kids came into our lives and the concerts pretty much slowed to a minimum. I took Andrea to her first concert when she was nine. 26) Bobby Brown, Bell Biv Divoe, and Al B. Sure. Andrea has the same love for concerts that I do, and always have. We saw 27) Debbie Gibson 28) Tiffany 29) NKOTB. In this same era I saw 30) Cher (twice).

Then...my country period started. It started with the one and only, love of my life, better than anyone...31) Garth Brooks. Martina McBride was with him, and I got to meet her and get her autograph. Pretty cool. Then there was 32)Alan Jackson and Diamond Rio. That was pretty much it for awhile. No one compared to Garth.

Next, i went....old school In the 90's, I started liking the oldies. Soooo, I saw 33) Kool and the Gang, 34) Jefferson Starship, 35) KC and the Sunshine Band. Very cool. 36) Earth, Wind and Fire.

Then came...the Bill era. We love the music! We started slow, with 37) Huey Lewis and the News. We've seen 38) Elton John and Billy joel together in concert, which was awesome, and then we saw 39) Elton by himself. 40) Fleetwood Mac again, and 41) Ringo Starr. This also included, Sheila E, Edgar Winter, Billy Squier, Richard Marx again, Ron Argent. This was SUCH a good concert. 42) Neil Diamond. 43) Clay Aikan 44) Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. 45) Garth, again in CA 46) Richard Marx 47) George Clinton and his funkadelics 48) Brad Paisley.

I forgot!!! When I was sixteen I saw 49) Diana Ross with my cousins and sister. Fun times!! MJ was a guest, and she introduced them, but he didn't sing. He was also 16.

I've really had to rattle the cobwebs, and with a little help of the internet, have remembered more from the 70's. 50) Marshall Tucker Band was a big one back then. 51) Boston 52) Commodores 53) Cat Stevens 54) BTO 55) The Guess Who. In Washinton, we sat outside the concert hall as 56) Aretha Franklin sang. You don't have to SEE Aretha, you just have to hear her, and hear her we did. 56) Billy Ocean.

Oh, and 57-59) Tom Jones.

Some I've forgotten 60) Ted Nugent. Cat Scratch Fever. LOL. 61) Lynard Skynard. Free Bird. The anthem of the 70's. I wonder why I forgot that one??? LOL.

I know there's more. I just can't think of them, and right now, my brain hurts. My goal is to make it to 100! I get to see one of the greats this month, so I'm looking forward to putting it on my list. I need a few more county ones, and Bon Jovi and Aerosmith! I have to see Rascal Flatts!

I'll let you know how Paul McCartney goes. Rock on!

The far-away Grandmother

I feel that I've been remiss in not writing a blog about our new little granddaughter. Her name is Jessica Jinghree and she is a total cutie.

I've seen pictures of her, of course, that Meghann, Tony, and Nancy post on facebook. I hear tales of how fast she is growing through Bill (Grandpa), that Meghann tells him. I know she's there, and I know she's cute and I know I love her already...but I do't know her.

I am so glad that Grandpa got to go and bond with his little munchkin. He got to hold her at two weeks old, and feed her, and love on her. Even as grandparents, we need that bonding time, the time to fall in love, and kiss their heads (my favorite part) and smell them and laugh at their babiness...and be in awe at the new parents as they learn their new roles.

I am so excited to meet Jess next month. I love looking at pics, and looking at little girl clothes, and hearing the stories....but I want to see her for myself...and create that bond. I love her mommy and am so excited to hear what a wonderful job she's doing, and happy that she is a wonderful mother...and can't wait to see it for myself!!

I guess this blog is for Jesscia. I may not know you, but I love you and can't wait to hold your cuteness in my arms!! See you in April!

My daughter is 30.

As it turns out, when your kids turn a milestone age...it's kind of a milestone for the parents too.

Andrea turned 30 on Thursday. She asked me which made me feel older....being a Grandma, or my daughter turning 30. With about a 2 second pause, I said, her turning 30. Seriously, I feel like it was only yesterday that I was 30. Andrea was 8 years old, Tony was 6. We were bombarded by soccer, and girls softball...karate and pizza parties. LIfe was so busy, fun and full! My main role in life was MOM, even though I worked and was a wife. Married to Ron. My good friends at the time were Pam, Ann Higgins, and I worked at Thomas Davis. Man, that seems so long ago now that I'm writing it down. But life was good. I was happy....

As i looked at Andrea's 30 pictures, I was happy to see her....happy. With her new husband, and her new baby....she finally does have everything she never knew she always wanted. It's a work in progress though, as life always continues to be. As I watched her little video, I realized that my daughter has been through so much! Her journey has been fast and furious, with many mountains, molehills, and dips. But i raised her to be independent, self-efficient, focused and smart, and I am proud to say, she is. Okay, she's a bit out-spoken and opinionated, but what's a little diarrhea of the mouth between friends? Most people who know her either love her for it, or despite it, and that's the way it should be. Andrea is thoughtful and loving, and I really couldn't ask for a better daughter/friend. I know she has my back, and really, isn't that why we have kids? So that we get old and senile (which might be any minute for me) we have someone who will keep our best interests at heart (as opposed to theirs?)? I think so.


So today, i want to thank her for being a great daughter, one that I can be proud of, one that I can look at, look at her life and know, that I've done a good job. I also know....she's not done yet! Your thirties will be filled with new accomplishments and goals, and a whole new world of ...kid's stuff! I look forward to watching you being a team mom, cheerleader and cupcake maker....plus president of the PTA. I look forward to watching Jake flourish and continue to watch your journey through this next decade. Life is definitely a Roller Coaster ....and I embrace it!!

2010!

Here it is....the first blog of the new year. Many things on my mind. First and foremost, Jessica....why won't she come out?
Jessica, is another new grandbaby in our lives! Bill's daughter, Meghann just won't have her! LOL. Looks like they'll let her go until Wednesday, then dag-nabbit, they are making her come out. All us Az's are really anxious and excited for the newest member of our family to join us.

Then, there's the Christmas tree. It must come down. We bought a live one, and well, it's kind of a pain! I could leave my artificial one up as long as I wanted, and it made me happy! This one is dead...and making a mess, and looks like crap! I'm taking it down so that it goes on collection day this Tues...you know, the 12th day of Christmas? I'm kind of bummed.

Last, but not least....my new year's resolutions. I hate making them, but feel I must!

Of course, I must eat better, exercise and lose some freaking weight. It wouldn't be a new year without me thinking that. But, I think I need to FEEL better, and well, that's the way to do it I guess. hahha. I'm not a spring chick, so I have to work a little at it so I can stay, healthy, wealthy, and wise. Okay, not wealthy...

Again, my stupid novel, which has now become obsolete. At the time I wrote that book, there were no cell phones, or match.coms. I may have waited too long....but maybe I can just re-edit it. Or just TRY and get someone to read it before I die to see if it's worth anything...sheesh.

I think my main resolution this year is just to love my family. They are just so important to me, and I just love that new grandbaby of mine. Plus, I want so much for Meg and her fam to move here, because it just will enrich our family life so much! It would mean so much to both Bill and I, but especially to Bill. He misses her so much, and it is just killing him that she is having a baby, and he's so far away. i wish....I mean, I hope, that things work out so that it can happen, and I hope she knows that we will help in any way that we can.

That's what life is all about, right? Family? Love? Being happy with what you have and not what you don't have? I feel that life is all about new things and learning, seeing exciting new places, and meeting new people. My resolution this year is to have a little of all of that this year...not to be stagnate, but to experience LIFE! That's why God gave it to us.

I also feel that sharing what i have with people is also important. Whether it be my time, my food, my love for life....there are so many people out there with so little, or nothing....I want to make sure I do whatever I can to make at least one other person smile for no reason, or have hope again, when hope was lost.

I want to thank all of you who read my blog....I love that you visit! I wish you all the happiest of New Years, filled with God's blessings, and your dreams coming true. Wishing you health, prosperity and love....

2009....the highs and lows...

It's 12:20 a.m., and all is quiet so far this year! 2010! Unfortunately, Bill is starting if off with a cold, but other than that, we have high hopes for a wonderful year!!

During dinner we reflected on our past year. I talked about how many highs we had, and how many lows. Bill being laid off, Ron dying and the horrible job I had for awhile. Andrea's rough pregnancy. Kinda sucked, and I thought of how my old boss said I had a "black cloud" hanging over my head. But in retrospect, I got through it, and even though it was hard, and some parts were scary, and I spent a good 7 months holding my breath through my daughter's pregnancy, we made it. We pulled together as a family, and with God's help and guidance, we made it through! Yay God! Yay, Us.

As life will often give us, we had some ultimate highs this year as well. #1 on our list is....Baby Jacob. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. He is a remarkable baby, and when he looks into my eyes, my heart melts every time. I thank my daughter for letting me be such a big part of her pregnancy....it was an amazing time for me, and I won't ever forget it. It made my love for this baby so intense, a love I can't even explain, and it started way before he was born.



We also had a wedding in our family this year, the amazing parents of little Jacob. It was a beautiful wedding, filled with love! Not only does Andrea have a wonderful family, we have a great new member to our family. Chad. Koehnke. Koehnke party of 3. It's an amazing feeling to watch one's family grow! I am LOVING it!

Speaking of which, Meghann is having a baby too!
Any minute now! Jessica will be born and we will have a granddaughter to love and cherish and we only have one complaint....they are too far! We pray every day that Jessica, Meg and Tony move here to the Phoenix area and just add to our family fun! It would be amazing. I know Jacob would LOVE having a cousin his age to play with on holidays and be close to....Auntie Andrea wants to spoil her rotten, as do her grandparents! This is the number 1 event we hope happens in this new year...we're keeping our fingers crossed!

Bill is so happy in his new job, and he says the only thing that would make it better is to be hired on permanently to Wells Fargo. This is one thing he hopes for, coming only second to the aforementioned move. I am more than happy to be back at AZ Wo! There's a lot of things that we can hope for, but really, we can just take life one day at a time and do the best with it that we can! After 2009, I totally believe that God does not give us more than we can handle, and really...we can handle a lot more than we think we can.

Happy New Year everyone...and I hope that God showers you with as many blessings as He has given us, and that you look to Him to carry you through those inevitable lows that are a part of life. I wish you a year of health, prosperity, happiness and good surprises. Here's to 2010!!!


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A very Merry Christmas

Christmas has come and gone. Wow, it was so busy! You read my Thanksgiving weekend blog, and from that moment on, it didn't let up a minute!

The very next weekend, my cousins and Aunt from Cali came down for a funeral. It was a weekend filled with so many different events and emotions, and we all stuck together as we went through the roller coaster of that weekend. Even Amy, Vince and the boys made a cameo appearance, and it was great to see them. It was a crazy and busy weekend.

So of course, there was shopping, and parties, and wrapping, and decorating and just all the normal stuff that the holidays bring our way. I don't know why it was so busy this year, but it was! I always felt behind. Always. Til Christmas Eve.

Christmas Eve consisted of Laurie, juan and the boys....Andrea, Chad and Jake. I had to work that day, so decided to have that night's dinner catered, so we had some yummy Mexican food, and I made the beans and lauire made the rice. (I burnt it, but we still blamed Laurie...lol) Everyone seemed to be relaxed and content...and we even played a rousing game of Taboo! It was a very nice night, and I can only hope that everyone enjoyed it as much as I did.

Christmas was a blast! We had a nice bkfst and I played with Jake and we waited for Chad to get off work so we could open gifts! We finally did and we had such a good time! Jake was up and alert as he sat in his little bouncer and watched as we all acted like kids unwrapping our gifts and stockings! I think he had his crazy moments of wonder himself!



The kids loved their presents, and were so appreciative of everything. Bill and i, after a rough year, were happy and grateful to have a nice Christmas, and were very aware of the fact that it could have been totally different. We prayed for those who weren't as fortunate, and we careful not to take anything for granted. But, we heard weird comments this year like, "more presents? I think I have enough now..." HUH?



Or hearing how happy they are with their gifts this year....even when I felt I really ddin't go all out...



...or hoping I made the newest member of our family happy. Sometimes I felt he was overwhelmed by it all!



I know Bill was!


But the best part of Christmas...was Jake. With his gloworm and his rocking horse, he may not have known what was going on...but Granpa Bill and Gramma Sandy did....and it made us feel very content...very happy....very fulfilled. It's wonderful to have a child back in our Christmas's....because that's what Christmas is all about. The magic of Santa, of believing...I can't wait to see the twinkle in my little grandson's eye when he realized it is something that can't be explained, but just is!



As great as our Christmas was, I would mention that a big part of our lives is missing...and girls, you know who you are!
Happy Holidays!