How can ONE person effect so many lives?

 OH MY... WE HAD FUN!

Dear Mom and Dad,

Today was a full day.   Uncle Nick took his last final… and the holiday season now in full swing for all the campers.  NO SCHOOL.   It was also our annual memorial skate, in honor of Great Grandma Betty, sadly our third… and yet, this is the “good” thing or part…

Uncle Nick and Aunt Arri

Nana says growing up Great Grandma Sally always had all the family over… it was tradition.   Relatives gathered at their home year after year… and it was where everyone wanted to be.  Sitting  – talking, visiting with friends and family.   MEMORIES… THAT WILL NOT EVER BE FORGOTTEN.   Traditional foods each year, and laughter …. then Nana married, and while Nana likes to blame it on being young,  she failed her marriage…..luckily, despite what usually can happen,  her exhusband’s  family… her mother in law, and father in law, and the rest of his family, as well as her ex himself,  kept Nana around… they always included all the campers, and have always had that same kind of tradition where everyone wanted to hang out at Great Grandma Betty’s and Great Grandpa Ray’s home, nibbling, laughing, playing, and spending time together.  

Cousin Heather...

When Nana was young, I am not sure she knew how important that time was.   I don’t think she ever told her mom, or Great Grandma Betty what it all meant to her.   Then after being divorced… was given yet another opportunity to have a mother in law… and a father in law… from which she learns more and more everyday and still Nana doesn’t ever say what is really in her heart!   THE CRAZY THING IS, that all of these people are now a much bigger and connected family. 

Aunt Arri hopes you and Daddy will be here for next years skate!

Nana always thought she would have kids, and they would grow up saying… they had an awesome childhood, with awesome memories!  Nana would go to the zoo and if it rained jump in the puddles with the kids, or she would make holiday cookies with the kids and her mom would join in.   They would spend time each summer up north and have memories to last them a lifetime…. she thought she could erase some of the traumas of the past that her kids all experienced in some way or another… like her being divorced once… or the pain and loss of her daughters mother may somehow be eased… with enough love, and enough effort…   alas, it is and will always be a past full of pain and heartache that no one can ERASE…   hopes of ‘perfect childhoods’ may have diminished, but the hope that they will somehow know we wanted to erase their pain – and or ease it a bit still exists.

Grandpa Ray... 80 and still skating?

Then Nana said to herself, and now to me, that she hoped she would be the kind of MOTHER or mother in law, like hers have been,  one who listens to her kids, and who loves her children’s  spouse like thier own, who knows how to make the girl or guy who holds the heart of one of her children – feel just like one of her own kids… just the way Nana has been treated.   Instead, Nana is as overbearing as she was overprotective of her kids, and yes… she knows she will never be “a Great Grandma Sally” or “a Great Grandma Betty”   She will not be “a Great Grandma Sharyn”  –   they are out of her league.  

Aunt Allyssa and Cousin Britany

Tonight at this skate, this memorial, Nana looked out and she saw Grandfathers skating with grandsons and granddaughters… she saw her sister in law, with her mom, watching as Grandpa Larry skated with all the kids… with YOU AND DAD IN KUWAIT on your way to the Land of Sand,  Great Grandma Sally and Grumpy in Washington and Great Grandma Sharyn and Papa Alan in Florida, it was far from being perfect, but I know that both sets of grandparents, as well as both of you, and Great Grandma Betty, would be MORE THAN HAPPY JUST KNOWING WE WERE ALL TOGETHER and I was happy.  

Grandpa Larry...traveled all the way from Arizona to skate with his grandchildren!

 

Aunt Mikayla... and more skaters... having fun!

Uncle Nick missed last year, as he was on an island in the South Pacific, without electricty let alone ice!   This year he was back and got to share something very special to him with someone very special… making the day even more exciting.   Aunt Arri also had a friend from her elementary days at school and who also once lived in Romania join us… an added bonus!  Uncle Brian who usually has to work, was able to make it to dinner, and next year, we are having it when the LIONS HAVE AN AWAY GAME!  Uncle Rick was there too, even though he could not skate, but it just made for a special time for all of us.  Aunt Karen skated… and Aunt Allyssa was a goalie!  Uncle Jim too… !   Heather came with Trevor all the way from the Carolina’s to be here for it, and brought Loni and her husband and son!   Kurt and Eric were there, and brought a friend… Uncle Dave kept score and the clock.   You can see, it was chock full of family and friends.   Aunt Kris says she may skate next year, with her dad Grandpa Larry while her mom and Nana look on.   We hope that we can do this when Great Grandma Sharyn is here, and Papa Alan too.  

Cousin Eric, and Great Uncle Brian!

Next year, we hope that cousin Noah who adores hockey with be there to skate… and we hope that Aunt Ida, will relay to cousin Adam and his sisters, and Cousin Micheal… THAT WE HOPE THEY TOO WILL SKATE.   The date is made nearly a year in advance so we will let everyone know when it is … and we will hope that our skate/or spectator ship in some cases  (Nana is a definate spectator…) , will be even better with each passing year.   Nana says, that she hopes Great Grandpa Ray went home tonight feeling what an impact his wife and he has made… and sees all the lives effected by the way Great Grandma Betty made people feel.  

Aunt Karen! Wow is she good!

A photo was taken as is each year of the group, and this year, I AM IN IT.  Which will clearly qualify it as the best photo they have taken yet.    I was very good, and loved watching them skate.   I was fascinated.   Even though I have been still ‘irritated’ by my “shot’s” I laughed, and played, and entertained everyone… the whole time.   Nana took me back to camp a little early so I would not get too tired.  I had fun though.   You and Dad were missed and were thought of by Nana, as she wishes for you, daddy and I the kind of happiness she and Poppy have had  – or a the kind of things that the two of you want for us, things that make you both happy, and it may not be huge family, or the demands that come with it.  All she hopes is that we live happily ever after.  Nana also hopes Great Grandma Sally knows, how much Nana appreciates all she has done to give her this life, and always listens, and has been the kind of mom in law, that Nana needs to learn how to be!

Aunt Alyx!

Hoping your travels are going well, and that you enjoy my photo shoot… I am as always YOUR LITTLE MISS ADORABLE, YOUR DAUGHTER,

 We missed you, but hope you enjoyed seeing the photos of the annual skate.  Daddy would have had a blast and was missed out there on the ice....

Guillianna! 

2009 Group photo Annual Memorial Skate!

Sorry all the skaters are not shown in these photos, because so many others were there, and spectators too that Nana and the beast did not capture, SINCE POPPY HAD THE BEAST AND NANA HAD ME!   But in the next few days, Aunt Karen and Aunt Pam will get more photos to Nana I am sure!

One Year Immunizations… Yuk!

 My shaking things up!

Dear Mom and Dad,

Today I went to the doctor for my one year examination.   I weigh 19lbs and 6oz.   I am 24.75 inches long.  My ears look great, my heart and lungs sound fabulous and I am, right where I am supposed to be for a baby my age.   I was examined head to toe, and he thinks I am doing great.   He has decided to keep me on the medicine for my tummy, at the same dosage so based on the fact that I am growing, I am weaning myself down off of it slowly.   Good news, I get to keep my ‘bob’ and he is not suggesting it be stopped yet.   Bad news, I got Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccine today in my left arm.  I also got Hepatitis vaccine in one leg and Pneumococcal vaccine in the other.   NOT FUN, and yes,  I cried… and have been a little irritatated since… but all in all the visit was great because I am doing absolutley great! 

 

Nana promised herself mommy and dad would get to see me, everyday.   The intention of the love letters has been to help you through this.   She isn’t sure it if helps or makes it harder.  Nana says, she has been trying to recover from surgery, so is a little under the weather, and that other Nana stuff has had her a little busy… there have been Holiday cards to address and send, and Princess birthday thank you notes to write… 

Nana can you mail this to one of my mini princess friends....   But for now she will continue to update you and daddy with my love letters, and thanks to Ms. Beverly’s advice,  Nana got some extra “help”/courage and was able to get today’s love letter done.   All of us at camp hope you travel safe;  and I as always am your Little Miss Adorable your daughter,

Me smiling even after all the shots... and doctor stuff!

Guillianna!

P.S. 

To all those reading my love letters thank you for the much needed support, Nana is feeling better…

A SABBATICAL?

 Saying Good Bye to The Sweetest Face....

Dear Mom and Dad, 

Maybe today is a good day to start a  LOVE LETTER/PHOTO sabbatical?  

Can't get enough of those cheeks!

Nana just doesn’t know what will make this easier, and is hoping only to do the right things for the three of us.    She doesn’t want you to miss me more, or feel sad.  Daddy says he doesn’t get to see it much anyway, and it is hard for Mom too, to write.  We will see … what ever Momma wants, and what ever makes everyone happy says Nana.   A  very hard day at camp….Travel Safe.   As Always, Your Little Miss Adorable, your daughter,

Me Laughing... and smiling... a good photo for you to keep in your heart and mind!

Guillianna!

Missed Mini Class, but you can see why!

Hello Mini's!  I miss you!

Dear Mom and Dad,

OUR LAST FULL DAY OF PLAY….tomorrow you’ll pack, and prepare for the Land of Sand, but TODAY…. IT WAS PLAY!

I had so much fun with you today.   Here is mom and me… just hanging out in out sweatshirts… on a very cold and snowy day.  

We are having a blast... Mom and I walking about... I don’t know if I could be any more adorable… but this cupcake…. well I have learned all about cake…

 

Remember my princess birthday cake…

 

I am thinking I am going to like cupcakes…

 

Here we are walking together… I will make sure Nana and the beast capture it should I start doing this while you are gone… but who knows…. maybe I will wait until I see you again… it is after all, ALL ABOUT ME, SO WHEN I SAY … THAT IS WHEN I WILL START WALKING…. AND chances are, I will RUN!

For now though I am perfecting the "crawl", and doing a fine job of it!

My silly grin!Here I am posing for the beast… having a little fun …

 

Playing with some toys… Mom and Aunt Arrianna is taking this picture…

She always makes me laugh..

and she brings out the “sillies” in me!

Can you tell?

I hope the goldfish mini’s will forgive me for not coming tonight, mom and dad are leaving, and today was fun just to be with them before they go.   See you next week I hope you haven’t forgotten me.   I am the cute Little Miss Adorable, who thinks she is a princess!  Ha, who am I kidding… you couldn’t possibly forget a fellow mini.   Hoping Miss Etta is feeling better too by they and back in the pool.  I heard Miss Simone is going to another class time… I will miss you and your family. 

Mom and Dad, I hope you remember to bring something in your Army bag that will make you feel better while I am at camp, a photo, one of my ‘little spitties”  that are so soft or a passy, anything that makes your heart super happy and keeps you smiling when you see it, a sort of HUG from me.   I am sure the other soldiers won’t even notice..,,, I can let you borrow my Passy Purse.   They will al be jealous… daddy and you  could hook it on his ACU’s as an accessory.    Meanwhile, while you guys are gone, I will keep everyone at camp in line… including Mr. Nutcracker… I’m a take charge kind of girl.

Had a bit of trouble with Mr. Nutcracker, but I got him back in line!

Well, mom and dad, I hope you know that over the next weeks, I will prepare to ship all the wonderful toys you got me to daddy when he gets back to our home base…where ever that may be.  We will organize and pack it and have it all shipped so that you and mom can unpack and prepare for my royal arrival!   You know No Fun Nana, she will need these upcoming months to orchestrate that everything is packed and sent safely.  Have no fear though, I will keep her in line too.   Once you and daddy get orders, I say let the packing begin!   She will keep enough stuff for me to stay busy in the last weeks… but it will be like opening presents again when we are all together in our next home.   Something to look forward to is all…. so when you feel lonely… just think about the fact that I am getting ready… and with the help of all my camper buddies… we will be riding my horse… and packing my back pack in no time!   Until tomorrow Mom and Dad, I am as always, your Little Miss Adorable, your daughter,

AREN'T THESE THE BLUEST CUTEST EYES EVER.... LOVE YOU MOM AND DAD

Guillianna!