Irish Tribute

Oh, the great memories of Ireland. For our anniversary in 2005 we decided to take a trip to Ireland. Of course, at this time we were living in Belgium and airfare was maybe $50/person round trip...if only we had Ryan Air here in the US! There was so much about Ireland that I just loved. I was going to get out my journal and read up on all our excursions, but we had my family over for dinner last night, and it was so much fun I was worn out by the time everyone left. So, I'll just go by memory here.

One thing that I'll always remember is the natural beauty. The deep blue waters, and the green everywhere! I have never seen so many rolling green hills, and after 3 days of seeing green, I still couldn't get enough. We also heard "You're Beautiful" by James Blunt for the first time. And we heard it over and over and over but I really liked the song. Still, every time I hear that song I think of Ireland. Oh, and driving on the "wrong" side of the road. Now, that was a crack up. Luckily I was just the passenger and Kevin drove the entire time. But sheesh, it was crazy! That was the first (and only) time we've driven on that side of the road. I think it may be scarier for the passenger, having oncoming traffic whizzing by you. That takes some getting used to. Okay, the people...they were the nicest people ever. Seriously. They loved to talk and talk and talk, and they didn't care if you were from the US, Ireland, or China. They just loved people and loved to share stories. We stayed at some fantastic B&Bs. One (which was recommended by my lil sis Kacy--thanks!) was a castle and it was amazing. (Kacy, what was that called? I have all this info in my journal which I can't get to right now. I need to pull it out and reminisce!). We went to Blarney castle and kissed the Blarney Stone for the gift of gab, although I'm not sure it really worked! But just knowing I put my lips on a stone that millions of other people have kissed, made me feel flattered myself :) The rocks, the cemeteries, the castles, the tours, the food (oh the food!) and the adventure of it all was truly amazing. Ireland is definitely a place I'd visit again.

My Ireland Tribute

Oh, the great memories of Ireland. For our anniversary in 2005 we decided to take a trip to Ireland. Of course, at this time we were living in Belgium and airfare was maybe $50/person roundtrip...if only we had Ryan Air here in the US! There was so much about Ireland that I just loved. One thing that I'll always remember is the natural beauty. The deep blue waters, and the green everywhere! I have never seen so many rolling green hills, and after 3 days of seeing green, I still couldn't get enough. We also heard "You're Beautiful" by James Blunt for the first time. And we heard it over and over and over but I really liked the song. Still, every time I hear that song I think of Ireland. Oh, and driving on the "wrong" side of the road. Now, that was a crack up. Luckily I was just the passenger and Kevin drove the entire time. But sheesh, it was crazy! That was the first (and only) time we've driven on that side of the road. I think it may be scarier for the passenger, having oncoming traffic whizzing by you. That takes some getting used to. Okay, the people...they were the nicest people ever. Seriously. They loved to talk and talk and talk, and they didn't care if you were from the US, Ireland, or China. They just loved people and loved to share stories. We stayed at some fantastic B&Bs. One (which was recommended by my lil sis Kacy--thanks!) was a castle and it was amazing. (Kacy, what was that called? I have all this info in my journal which I can't get to right now. I need to pull it out and reminisce!). We went to Blarney castle and kissed the Blarney Stone for the gift of gab, although I'm not sure it really worked! But just knowing I put my lips on a stone that millions of other people have kissed, made me feel flattered myself :) The rocks, the cemeteries, the castles, the tours, and the adventure of it all was truly amazing. Ireland is definately a place I'd visit again.

Rylan Turns 2

My little boy turned 2 yesterday. We really didn't do much to celebrate the day. I decided against the party I was going to have because we just couldn't find the perfect time to do it. I was okay with the small celebration we had. I made cupcakes to take over to my parent's house. My dad was over at my sister's house helping her because she and her whole family are sick. But my mom and my bro and his family were there so we all sang "Happy Birthday" to Rylan and let him try to blow out the candles. He didn't quite make it because he mostly blows out the sides of his mouth. My parent's gave him a "Cars" car that he just loves and woke up this morning asking for it.

Some of my favorite things about this sweet two year old:

• When I'm holding him and he's resting his head on my shoulder he will pat my back. And he also does it when he's crying...as if I'm the one who needs the comforting. If I rub his back, he'll rub mine, and if I pat his back, he'll pat mine...too sweet.


• When he wakes up in the morning and after his nap, he whispers. I'll ask him if he's hungry and he'll say "yes", so quietly right in my ear.


• He does this funky thing that we can't figure out where he got it from or why he even does it. But he closes his eyes and walks around, or avoids his food, or just sits there sometimes with his eyes closed. And they are not squeezed tight, just lightly, like he's resting his eyes. It's a crack up to see, especially when he's walking around! When he's avoiding his food, I think he's thinking that since he can't see the food, the food can't see him...you know how silly kids can be!


• He's a momma's boy. Kevin may not like this as much as I do, but I love the big smile he gets when he sees me, or I love that when he's sad or hurt he looks for momma. It's just good to know that even though he's growing up and not so dependant on me, he still wants me...it's always good to feel wanted :)


• He likes to copy his daddy. In the evening after Kevin gets home from work, Kevin will sometimes play a copy game with Rylan. Kevin will sit on the stairs, Ry will sit on the stairs. Kevin folds him arms, Ry folds his arms. Kev will lay on the floor, Ry will lay on the floor...etc. It's just too cute!


• You know the parental tactics of getting our kids to eat food? The airplane spoon, etc. Rylan has taken over and will often do this while feeding himself. He'll hold up his spoon and say "beep beep beep" while bringing the spoon closer to his mouth and then he'll take a bite. He's funny!


• He sleeps with his bum in the air, he wears my shoes around the house, he has the saddest sad face and the happiest happy face, he doesn't like me to wear a hat or have a towel on my head, I leave and he asks "where mommy go?"...the list goes on and on.

I just feel so blessed to have such a sweet spirited little boy. How did I get so lucky to be Rylan's mommy? I didn't know motherhood could be so rewarding, but everyday Rylan brings so much joy into our home. Life doesn't get any better than this!

A Good Read

I just spent the last couple days reading "The Goose Girl" by Shannon Hale and I really really liked it. I thought it was fun and cute and well written. I heard from several people that it was a great book, but I didn't know anything about it. I've been on the waiting list at the library but recently I was at a neighbor's house and she mentioned she had the book. So of course, I borrowed it from her and I haven't been able to put it down. For those of you who have not read it, I recommend it! I was kinda glad I didn't know anything about it because the end was already slightly predictable and now that I've read synopsis of it, I think it gives it away. So, don't read about it, just READ it :) I've put my name on the list for the next book. There are 4 other people ahead of me waiting for it...guess I better get a different book to read in the mean time!

"All Done"

Rylan's birthday is on Thursday...he will be 2!! Really? I can hardly believe it. He is such a good two year old and is so much fun. It seems like everyday I have new stories of cute things he's done. So I have to share one with you.

The other day Kev was changing Rylan’s diaper and he had a little rash. Ry was crying “ouchie, ouchie” and when Kevin finished Kev said “all done”. Well, ever since then Ry has been saying “all done” a lot. I was putting Rylan to bed and he was holding Kevin’s work badge. As I laid him in his bed I took the badge away and Ry started crying. After a few cries, he took a breath, said “all done”, rolled over, and went to sleep! I just thought it was so cute I laughed out loud. I'll have to remember that next time I'm crying...just take a deep breath and declare the fit "all done"! I love it :)