A perfect celebration

Saturday was Mom's 60th Surprise Bash.  I have been working on this party since October.  Planning, devising guest lists, creating unique invitations, aquiring responses, composing a memory book and on and on.  Julie and I have spent many daunting hours making sure that this celebration was absolutely perfect.  Julie and Mikey worked their tails off on a slideshow that was the perfect tribute of Mom and her 60 years on this earth.  It was eloquent and beautiful.  Rob and Amanda worked on ordering a cake that was the perfect token of all the things Mom has always loved.  I spent countless hours creating a memory book complete of the attendee's favorite memories.  There were centerpieces consisting of chocolate covered delights my mother in law and I dipped along with just the right pictures of Mom displayed on each table.  There were no "i's" not dotted and no "t" not crossed.  I could barely breath on Saturday I was such a bundle of anixiety and nerves but when Mom walked through that door with a smile as bright as the sun, I finally realized that all of our hard work had paid off.  We did it!  The evening went off without a hitch and it was such an honor to have so many wonderful family members and close friends there to share in it all.  It was the perfect, perfect evening and I will always remember the way my mother looked that night.  Full of delight and smiles.  I love you all for helping to create this memory for my family.  You have no idea how much this night meant to us!  Shannon, my darling friend.  You being their to capture the night in photographs is a gift that we could never repay.  To have these memories, smiles and laughter instilled in your pictures is a gift beyond words.  THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!  Mom, I love you more than you will ever know.  Happy 60 Years!  May you always remember how much you are loved.  Here is the page I wrote for the Memory Book:

Mom,

How is it possible for me to choose just one memory of you to write about? There are sooooo many memories that I can’t even begin to choose! From as early as I can remember you have always been the one woman who could do it all. As a child, there was nothing that you did not do for us. We always had the best meals on the dinner table. We were always adorned in the most beautiful clothes usually sewn and created by you. We were raised with respect, dignity and love. ALL of our holidays were undeniably the best ever and there were so many traditions that you and Dad kept in place, year after year. When I look back upon my childhood, I can honestly say that I could not have wished for a better one. I am so blessed to have had the childhood that I had and I owe it all to you and Dad. You made sure to make each moment count. Each moment mean something. They truly did.

Now that’s not to say that EVERY second was all rainbows and lollipops and there were certainly plenty of times when you wanted to kill me. Like when I use to have the habit of yanking my closet door off the track or when Robbie and I would fight like cats and dogs. Do you remember the time in the camper that you got so sick of us fighting that you banged our heads together? Yes, that one is imbedded in my memory. How many times we would fight in the mornings about what I was wearing or how my hair was done. (Yes… Hannah has taken care of getting me back for this one) How about the time Robbie and I walked down to Debbie Aceto’s (who was sick in bed) and thought we were doing something nice by washing her car with Jennifer and Alyson, but instead, we used Fantastic all over her car widows? Yup, you were pretty ticked off at that one. Or how about the time I jumped off the swing at school and lied about it? Yep, you and Dad marched me right in to apologize to Mrs. Kenyon. My brain is a little foggy but I also remember Julie being an itch one time while we were at KFC. You were behind the counter taking orders and I was washing the front doors with Windex and you happened to catch me spraying it right in her eyes. You proceeded to hop over the front counter to smack me upside the head. I won’t even get into all the health issues I had and all the ambulance rides and scares I gave you and Dad. Time after time, you were there to take care of me. (As you know, God got me back tenfold on that one too!) Yes, there were certainly some time when I got on your nerves but there were also some really special times between us as well. Remember the time you and I went to see Beaches together? We were sharing a pack of M&M’s and when Whitney died, the two of us began blubbering so hard that before we realized it, all the M&M’s had spilled on the floor! One by one we heard them spilling and rolling down the movie theater floor. There were also the countless mornings when I would be getting ready in the bathroom and you would serve me my morning coffee. (Sure do miss that!) Remember when you, Joanie, Melissa and I headed up to Boston and had a grand ol’ time stomping around? Where there was a guy doing a gravestone rubbing and another man was so mad… “Blayton Disrespect!” How about the time you messed up your hair dye and ended up with orange roots? I had to soak your head in Tide with Bleach! There were also countless Thelma & Louise moments and times where we would secretly hide our shenanigans from Dad! (We’ll keep those memories to ourselves!) These are just a few of my many, MANY memories of you.

As I have grown older and wiser (I think), there is one thing that has unquestionably come to the surface of my mind and that is my respect for you as a mother. All those years you made it seem so effortless. All of it! The working, the raising us, the putting on these fabulous holidays, the taking care of us while we were sick, I have no idea how you did it and how you did it so darn well! You made it look so easy! You were hardly ever frazzled by it. (Except for the time Julie ripped your contacts up and hid them behind the toilet) You were definitely frazzled then! However, now as a mother of three young children myself, I have an undeniable respect for you. You are the woman, wife and mother I aspire to be. You are the truest model of the Super Woman. You are the woman who can do it all. You have done it all Mom and I have not a single clue how you did it! HA!

However, this assignment was supposed to be to pick ONE memory. So I am going to narrow it down to one of my favorite memories that just so happens to be from my adult life. It was just you and I at my Maplecrest home and one teeny bitty little baby who was only 4lbs 12 ounces, named Hannah. She was a mere three days old and we found ourselves on a hot July morning staring at her in awe. I knew I had to bath her for the first time and I was scared to death. I had barely gotten use to holding her without thinking I was going to break her. How the heck was I going to give her a bath without getting her umbilical cord wet? You came right to my rescue. Upstairs we went into her bedroom. You had me fill up the rectangular puke bowl that they sent me home from the hospital with. We placed it on the rug in her beach themed bedroom and step by step you showed me what to do. You showed me how to keep parts of her covered while we washed her so she wouldn’t get cold. I can still hear your voice telling me that “This is what Memere had taught me to do with you kids.” For a moment, I could have sworn I felt Memere’s presence with us that day. It was such a beautiful moment for me. The three generations of daughters together. Actually 4 generations if you count Memere’s presence. It’s a moment that I will always keep close in my heart. A hot summer’s day, having my Mother show me how to bath my daughter for the first time. That right there, is what this life is all about.

Together, as a family, we have been through it all. We have celebrated many happy times and we have also picked each other up from many trying times as well. It’s during those trying times when we have all banded together as only a family like ours can do, that I have realized that I am the luckiest girl on the planet to have been placed in such a beautiful family with you as the Matriarch. We are a one of a kind family and we owe it all to you and Dad for making it that way.

So today, on your 60th Birthday, I wish you nothing short of rainbows and lollipops, many more days of beautiful sunshine and a lifetime of warm, loving hugs from the family that loves you most! Happy Birthday Mom!

I LOVE YOU!

Love Kerri

These are only a few of the pictures from the evening! 

Happy 4th Birthday sweet Layla-Grayce!

My baby girl turned FOUR yesterday!  Can you believe it?  I can't.  I certainly can't.  I remember the day she was born like it was just yesterday.  I was so excited when I found out I was pregnant for her.  Even more excited when I found out that she was a girl.  The fact that Hannah has a sister to walk through this life with is so important to me.  From the day Layla was born, I knew she was special.  The easiest baby (with the exception of her sleeping habits) The happiest baby.  The moment she was put in my arms, I never wanted to let go.  I remember being wheeled up to my room, with her in my arms.  I remember cuddling her in my arms her first night on this earth.  From day one, I always had this connection with her.  I swear part of my mama is present in her.  Like she was reincarnated through Layla.  There is just something about her and that is the only way I can explain it. 


Layla exudes preciousness.  She is full of ruffles and thrills and purple lavishness.  She turns heads wherever she goes.  People are always commenting on her or smiling when they see her.  She is as funny as they come and always keeps us entertained for hours.  When she is not making us keel over in laughter, she is sitting on our laps giving us an array of kisses and hugs.  When she is tired, all she wants is snuggles.  At four years old she still says, "Hold You" when she wants to be held.  (Thank God!)  She is the truest and purest blessing, inside and out and I am one lucky Mommy to have had the Lord send her to me.  I can't imagine a single day without her.  She keeps the smiles on our faces and the skip in our step.  A miracle at it's best.


Yesterday we had the family over for a turkey dinner that I somehow managed to pull off after working and picking up 4 kids at school.  My nieces spent the afternoon with us as it is what Layla wanted and they are all so close.  Once we were home and the car was unpacked I went to work and somehow pulled it off!  My turkey dinner for 12 adults and 6 kids went off without a hitch and my Layla baby was happy.  I love having the family all together for these occasions.  I love having them all together for any occasion actually.  Moreover, I love being the one to host it.  As hard as it can sometimes be, when everyone is under our roof, I am content.  The more the merrier in my book.  (Billy would say different LOL) 


When it came time for Layla to open presents she was so excited.  She began to open some adorable outfits.  Most children at this age tend to throw the clothes aside and look for the toys.  Not my Layla.  She gave a whopping scream of delight for each and every article of clothing she pulled out of a bag.  Tights and underwear included.  She would go on to say, "Oh Mommy look how beautiful!"  If she had just one present to open, I don't think it would have even mattered.  She is just so appreciative for anything she may get.  All she wanted this birthday was a magic wand and some pixie dust so she could fly.  It's the simple things in life that amuse her.  As long as her family is around her, she is satisfied.  (One of them takes after me!)  So many beautiful clothes, we are so lucky!  She loved everything, especially her new Minnie Mouse pillow, Rapunzel blanket and Tangled Tower.  I suspect we will be playing for hours with that! 


My dear Layla, there is so much I want to say about you, but there would never be enough time.  You are such a delight and have made me (along with your sister and brother) the most happiest Mommy on this planet.  You are the glue that keeps our family together.  You are the good in this life.  My little, purple, sweet, adoring Layla Grayce face.  I wish you all the love in the world on this 4th birthday.  May you continue to stay healthy and happy.  May you continue to be the free spirited, adorable little princess that I cherish with every bone in my body.  I love you baby cakes.  From the moon, to the stars and to infinity and beyond!  I love you!

Baby girl getting ready to enter school!

Daddy playing dress up for his baby girl. 

The cupcakes i made for Layla's preschool class!

My Fairy Princesses!

Rapunzel's Tower with two happy little girls!