Saying Goodbye….

Lisa April 14, 2009 0Comments

Dear Mom and Dad,

It is Monday, April 13th, and today was surely the hardest day for you both…

I miss you already, and I will always be with you two.   Camp will be fine for me, and every person you saw at my princess party and many more that you didn’t see –  will be here, helping me in anything I could ever need – until you return to me.  I love you both very much, and thought I would put more pretty pictures up for you to see and remember when ever you feel lonely or sad, they will be right here waiting for you…

and, friends and family who could not be with us were surely missed, but send their love to you both too….

Uncle Nick sent his love and best wishes all the way from the South Pacific…

He is preparing to come home, and is preparing to teach me all about playing hockey…

Daddy said it was okay mommy…. don’t worry, I will still be a princess….

He missed the party physically, but was there in spirit, and in all of our hearts. 

I bet he would have loved to enjoy the food, too. 

We have been sending him care packages, and now Nana and I will be sending you and daddy care packages…do you think we can send this kind of stuff…. nah, but if I put it in my journal of love letters, you can pull it up anytime and enjoy it all over again…. right?

Saying good bye, or being apart is truly the hardest thing, but we are strong and we will make it through this time, as you have done once before in Iraq, and as this family has done in with Uncle Nick in the Marshalls, but one day… we will all be together agian…. and more than likely, we will celebrate….

Here are more faces to keep you company, preserved on my pages of love to be pulled up when ever your heart needs a lift…. to remind yourselves of happy days, and a return to me…

Uncle Jim, Aunt Karen,  Kurt, the Willetts and Gollings, and Cuz Eric, was there in our hearts too.  He had to work too, and knows about how hard it is to be where you want to be, when you have to be somewhere else.    I know that today was full of tears for everyone… but Nana hopes that the memories of our days together this past week will make a smile appear on your faces and that your hearts will be so full of the love that all your family has for you, that you will get through the months ahead. 

Aunt Alyx sends smiles your way….

She can make anyone smile when she is smiling…

and there is no doubt about how she feels about me,

I have stolen her heart….

in addition to everyone elses..

and then there are more faces to remember…

Aunt Allyssa and Aunt Arri, they too, have smiles that will bring you right back to us, just pull up this picture, close your eyes, and remember our day together… and no matter how many times you look at these, they will always fill your heart with happiness and joy… because that is what sisters do…. they can make each other feel better, and lift each other up…they are always with you no matter where you are… or what you are doing…

Aunt Mikayla, was not feeling so well but nothing would have kept her from being there…

She is always helping with all the needs of a princess, and has been a good sister to mommy, she and all of your sisters and soon your brother too are making Camp Nana, as good as you would have ever dreamed it to be for me, while you are away.  And then there is Poppy….

Believe it or not this is one of two photos taken of Poppy that day…. but you know his smile… you know his heart… and what a heart he has… he is thinking of you and wanting his daughter, to be smiling… to be safe, and to be back home soon, holding on to her daughter…. Poppy, well everyone knows he is all about – being Happy….

My Mimi and Poppa, traveled accross the country to be with me on this day, and to sing to me!  

I am so happy they were there, and Iknow they too want you to be happy, to be strong, to be safe…

and to be home with me in your arms as soon as possible.

I am hoping you take all of these memories with you, and hold them tight.

I know that I will be right here, in the love of all these people and many more, until you are back here picking me up to come home.   I love you both so very much, Little Miss Adorable, your daughter,

Guillianna!

A Blessing for Guillianna!

Lisa April 13, 2009 1Comments

Dear Mom and Dad,

What a crazy day we had.   I spent the day with family and friends, and had hugs and kisses from so many people, it was a blast.  I am so “tuckered” out from all of this princess stuff, that I will just say, Good Night to my mom and dad and thank you  for loving me.   My special day was full of smiles, and hugs, everyone proud of my mom and dad for the job they will do in Iraq.  Most of all, everyone made me feel like a princess… THANK YOU FAMILY AND FRIENDS…here is a few shots of my special day….

Like this is a photo of my special cake….

The top layer is cherry chip with white chocolate mousse, the middle was vanilla with strawberry marmalade and strawberry mousse, and the bottom was chocolate with chocolate mousse.   It was so beautiful, as you can see, and it tasted even better than it looked from what I am told.   I have a strict diet of NUTRAMGEN and it is pretty yummy too.

But an aquired taste I think, as most folks who smell it on me, are not usually head over heels in love with it. 

And these are more photos of me before, during and after my blessing.

These are special treats they had for my party… aren’t they cute?

Biscotti dipped in white chocolate, and sprinkled in shades of pink!

They even spelled my name right!

The whole family hopes that every person had a nice day… and enjoyed the sun, and the food.   Here are more photos of how special they made the day for me…

Yes it is me again, in yet another photo…

Nana keeps that flash going like a true paparazzi, and yes this is a slightly different pose…

I love posing for her, and I really don’t fuss,

I find it easier to give her what she wants… she is a bit persuasive and since she is good about giving me what I want, I find it best to give her pictures for mom and dad…

So… here is where we met for my special day. .. it could not have been more beautiful..

 look at you guys…. WOW!

Pretty impressive…. but daddy…. a man in uniform still cannot hold a candle to a PRINCESS AT A PRINCESS PARTY…

You be the judge, yes Daddy is looking like a handsome soldier, and Mommy pretty sharp too, but really everyone… really?   The way I see it, the princess takes the cake …. hands down…

Here are a few more for you!

I hope you remember today forever… and that while you are gone to Iraq, you keep the warm feeling of our special day together in your heart.   I hope that your memories keep your spirit high, and your heart uplifted.   I love you mom and dad, Little Miss Adorable, yourdaughter,

Guillianna!

No excuse, just LATE…Nana missed the deadline!

Lisa April 11, 2009 1Comments

Dear Mom and Dad,

Today was a very BIG DAY, because Daddy got his special present!  It was bigger than me, and he really had no idea, but his Mom and Dad flew all the way from California to see him off, and visit for Guillianna’s blessing…. Here they are… and Nana hopes they will love being a part of My Journal of Love Letters…. she and every one here  is even happier to meet them! I am loving that!   But sadly, Nana who was considerably behind in her estimation of how much there was to do in such a small time,  missed her MIDNIGHT deadline, to have my letter sent EVERY DAY… tear… I didn’t want to miss a single day.. Mr. Positive  – Poppy… he says it’s okay, today you get a double whammy, Friday and Saturday in one LONG LETTER.   I think daddy was happy to see them because, he didn’t stop smiling and he had been feeling sad before you came that he wouldn’t see her before he deploys to Iraq, since he took all his leave  to come see me, well this was just the best thing ever.  We went to dinner, and then came home where all the pets, lived up to their reputation… slimy, shedding, attention getting  200 pound lap dog, and did I mention SLIMY.  Poor Justice and Liberty, they get grouped in with this but we all know IT IS YOU MR. GRIFF that I speak of …

We tradionally have an Easter egg hunt at home, YES, I am serious, Nana still just can’t let it go… even if all her kids are grown.  She means well.. and yes, baking a special holiday treat at midnite rather than getting her work done transcribing my love letters… well, there is just no excuse…she is a slippin’ 

Great Aunt Pam was here again, she hid all the eggs (150 or so) while Poppy and Nana picked up Pappa and Mimi.   THANKS SOOOOO MUCK…She even brought Brittany my cousin here too… and get this, they dyed eggs… and got candy and stuff… ALL I GOT… was this stinkin’ cold…. but then, I being influenced by the Poppy half full attliitude, realized I have the best gift, I got to see Mim’s and Papa, Very Lucky for that to have worked out.   They will be tired when they fly back in a day… they came so far… and have work on Monday so it will be brief and exhuasting I am sure, but  it will be memorable for a lifetime.

GG-ma and Papa Alan were in on the secret too, and helped Nana by telling the kids we were meeting them for dinner out… but they stayed at a different table and held menus up over their faces… they were imposters.. but DAD saw his mom, and the smiling didn’t stop.  Oh by the way, we let them come back to our table, Nana didn’t just leave them hanging there at separate table… but could have since she is so pre occupied with things lately. 

Proof of just how crazy busy it’s been, well go figure…. Nana always made Mom say thank you to people when they are given something or someone does something special she says you girls and Uncle Nick were forced to hand write thank you notes, or call and show your appreciation… WELL   LETS JUST SAY NANA DIDN’T GO BY HER OWN RULE… Daddy has an associate at his office, Dr Randy took time from his busy schedule and knew about the fractures in Nana’s feet that have not yet healed… first he helped get a Bone Growth Stimulator, for her, and then just the other day he gave Poppy a present for Nana… special Latex free Crocks (shoes) to help her feet hurt less.  DID SHE CALL HIM AND SAY THANKS…NO.  DID SHE WRITE HIM YET, NO!   Is she planning on writing him as soon as she finishes transcription of my love letters… YOU CAN COUNT ON IT… Sorry Dr. Randy… I will get her on the stick.   Great Grandma Sally and Grumpy out in Washington state… sent me a card in the mail today, and I in one day got to see or hear from them all.   Nana even spoke with Great Grandpa Ray… Crazy Lucky… to have so many “adoring” fans of the GuGu meister.  Yeah, I said it Gugu Meister… it’s late, I am tired, don’t have your expectations to high … Nana is slipping, after all, SHE DID GET SLAMMED AGAIN TONIGHT while exiting from DINNER. That’s when IT happened…. fourth time since I have been at camp….  a perfect stranger that  Poppy was trying to let pass by as our big group was leaving said IT…

As our group of 14 big people and 1 little person in a car seat were trying to exit, Poppy being so kind and courteous was letting the man get by in the middle of our little train,   Momma and I walking/riding in my seat directly  in front of Poppy, and Nana pulling up the rear…. As Poppy offered him to exit in front of him, the man SAID OH NO, YOU CAN FOLLOW YOUR BABY AND WIFE… what, what….. c’mon… so not nice… who did he think Nana too old for Poppy obviously… Poor Nana, (if I do say so myself) so sad though, she IS getting a complex…   I said in an earlier post I am still saving up to by a shirt for poppy that says he’s with the old lady… or I am not her son…geez.

I am ready for my weekend with Mimi and Poppy… and I will let you know if all these grandparent types sing like Nana ABOUT EVERYTHING FROM ITSY BITSY SPIDERS, to DIRTY DIPES…really Nana? Spiders, dipes… cradles rocking then baby’s falling out… just plain scary…  Rumor has it Papa Rick will sing to me this weekend …. but somehow, THAT SEEMS LIKE IT WILL BE A VERY NICE THING… he’s got talent.  Nana however, NOT SO MUCH… Maybe Papa Richard should give her lessons on “singing”. Nah, she is tone deaf and hopeless in the singing (and dancing) departments.    But if you ever really need a good laugh … ask Nana to dance… insulin pump flappin in the breeze… NOT PRETTY… funny yes, but NOT PRETTY… I on the other hand…. simply GORGEOUS… JUST GORGEOUS!  HINT:  May need to tell Nana prior to song beginning… IT IS  not  A DUET, no joining in… just have her LISTENING EARS ON, AND SEAL THE LIPS…

Even sick, I was still adorable… honest…AND JUST  like a postal worker who works through rain, sleet, snow and hail… (which we have had some of each these past days… )I was able to rise above how truly  lousy I felt to be, Little Miss Adorable, Love always, your daughter

Guillianna!

Freedom…

Lisa April 9, 2009 0Comments

Dear Mom and Dad,

Today is Thursday, and let me be the first to tell you,  I was so good this morning, even with my first cold.   I cannot eat very easily because I cannot breathe well through my little nose, but even if it took me a while, I was so good and got my nutritious and delicious breakfast , lunch and dinner in today.

We drove to Great Grandma Sharyn and Papa Alan’s for a special Passover dinner.  She has been preparing and planning it for weeks and I will meet my Aunt Kris, cousins Steven and Bryan and also get to see Uncle David whom I met once before. 

I know you will be amazed at this tidbit, but I was adorable today.  I also was able to share a very special holiday with my great grandparents.   They have raised all of their children, and now one of their children has a grandchild.   It was important that I was there…. because 1.   I make everything special, and 2. I am the living proof of what freedom brings to life.   Whether you are Jewish, Christian, Buddist or any other religion, in the United States we are free to choose, and live without fear of imprisionment, or fear of harm, for our religious beliefs.    I  was born and live in a free country and I am proud that both of my parents help protect my freedom as soldiers.  

 Note to Uncle Nick, Nana has indeed tapped me – like you and all the other kids, with the “patriotic stick” you dubbed hers.  I guess it’s true that some things don’t change….  in this particular case though, Nana says she is only helping to lay the ground work, a foundation of respect and appreciation for what we have…. and the rest is up to the individual to decide…. that’s her definition of FREEDOM…. having the opportunity to gain all the ‘tools’, the education, as well as the life experiences that develop a person, along with a family and good friends to model our developing individuality, this freedom makes the world a nicer, richer place, and our lives that much better for having had the freedom to choose our faith among many other freedoms we share as Americans of varied decent.    Whew..   heavy, heavy stuff…maybe a little too heavy… my brain certainly hurts from it all….moral of the story… give Nana a flag, and she’s good, not a real high maintenence kind of Nana… just a splash of RED WHITE & BLUE… and she is set.   I must admit, I am a little scared about the impending Fourth of July holiday, hope Nana doesn’t have me in an Uncle Sam suit, walking on stilts  in a neighborhood parade or something…

So, did I mention how adorable I was today?

Nana feels so much better after some delicious homemade chicken soup made by GG-ma… and everyone there was so happy to spend more time with mommy and daddy.   It was very nice.    I am sleeping now, and my cough is still here, but Poppy is turning on the mist humidifier, and it will help.   Good night Mommy and Daddy, get some rest, because I am thinking I will give you my suprise present tomorrow… if you are good, and if I feel like it… princess’ are known for changing their minds.

Love, Little Miss Adorable, your daughter,

Guillianna!