Jason Leaves For Seattle

WARNING: MUSHY MOM POST

This is a hard day for me. No, several months ago while at a restaurant when Jas, my Bud, said that he had something to tell me - THAT was a hard day. He put in for a work transfer to Portland as there was better schooling opportunity for him there to become a Fire Fighter. I'm extremely proud of him, as I am in both of my boys, but THAT was a hard day.

Scratch that.

Portland wasn't going to happen, so he changed the transfer to Seattle - another good opportunity for him to reach his goal. Figured it would be a few months or so. Well, this past Thursday Jason was notified that the transfer was approved - but that he needs to be there sooner than later - in other words leave on Monday - as in today. Another hard day.

I'm very close to both my boys, they are my sons and my friends. Jeremy, my oldest, lives in Portland, Oregon - he moved there about 8 years ago (yes, THAT was a hard day too - or was it when he left for NAU prior to that - I'm a mom, what can I say). I'm happy that they will be closer so that they can see each other more often. I guess now we have a new place to visit. I've never been to Seattle before.

Jason is my comedian, my buddy, my body guard. He's friendly, outgoing, courteous and helpful - for starters. He has always been there to help me. When I was very sick for a long time, he would take me to doctors and practically carry me in without giving it a second thought. He makes me laugh too. Especially when I think about the pickle & the ketchup incident at CoCo's. Oh and he always hated cleaning his room. I think he still does ;)

This is me and my guys at Disneyland many moons ago. Jason, on the right, was a tad grumpy as it had been a very long day and he was ready to leave. Definitely nap time. Jas has always been a happy guy with a big smile on his face, so this picture makes me giggle.

Sorry, this is nothing more than just a mushy mom needing to brag about her awesome son - future Fire Fighter - who she is going to miss very, very much! This past week has been rough - so much in such a short amount of time. Between being sick and then dealing with his sudden move, it's just plain hard. I've gone through more tissue boxes than you could imagine. Yes. I admit I cry. I'm human. I'm a mom. Who happens to love her boys more than life.

Well, I could go on writing, but I'll end this mushy mom post because I have a TON of work to do. Guess that will keep my mind occupied while he's traveling.

Enjoy your day,

Rocki

(a.k.a. Mom - I love you Bud!)

p.s. The picture at the top... Jas wrote that on there and gave it to me. He's also terribly shy, as you can tell ;)

Happy Birthday to my baby boy!

Jason, my youngest son turned 29 yesterday. Wow. Where on EARTH does time go?! It truly does feel like yesterday when he was just a little bundle wrapped in my arms. Now he's a big bundle, still wrapped in my arms.

The picture above is on Jason's MySpace with the caption "Hello Ladies" - he's so shy. He's actually a very good guy. Very helpful, opens doors for others and most who meet or know him say he's like the guy next door. He's always been there for me. When I was very sick years ago, he would take me to my doctor appointments and practically carry me - literally. The night my mom died at the mere age of 53, we were at Jason's Band Banquet where he won an award. It was such a special night for him. When we arrived home to many messages left by my dad and heard the unexpected news, Jason, at 17 years of age, was right there for me, picked me up off the floor, carried me to my room and comforted me right along side with Mark.

He's also my little comedian. Well, not so little, he works out and has been given several nick-name at work, such as "Buff, "Hulk", "Superman" and so on. But let me tell you, he can make you laugh in a heartbeat! He's in the process of becoming a Fire Fighter. He'll be taking an EMT course soon and will go from there. No matter what he does in life, I'm proud of him and always will be.

Jas works at Trader Joe's and has ever since he graduated from high school. He has a great deal of customers that know him well and many ask for him. In high school he and Jeremy worked at Dairy Queen, so he's pretty much worked ever since school. Like mother like son.

We celebrated his birthday yesterday at his choice of restaurants: Mimi's Cafe. He even got a special birthday pie and special birthday wishes. No singing though, bet he would have loved that.

There's is so much I would like to say about my baby boy, but I don't want to embarrass him with all the mushy stuff. He knows already because I tell him all the time. We're very close, he's my buddy and protector. My nick-name for him is "Bud." However, I will mention that every single school picture, he sports bumps, bruises, cuts, scrapes or a broken arm. He makes jokes about it of course and it is funny to look at them, but in every picture, he has that adorable smile.

I know most of you know this already, but I've been very blessed with my boys as both Jason & Jeremy make it easy to be their mom. I never had any problems with raising them, they were model students and... well, I just couldn't be more proud of them and who they are. I love them to pieces.

Happy Birthday Bud, I love you!

Mom

Jeremy's home!

My favorite pic of me & Jeremy!

Obviously I haven't blogged all week, for a couple reasons actually. I'm back in the studio and my oldest son is home - Jeremy!

Mark & I picked Jeremy up at the airport Thursday evening and we are enjoying his visit. He's home for about 1 1/2 weeks :) Yesterday, Jason took us to lunch at PF Chang's (YUM!), then we strolled through the mall and then hit Starbucks - Jeremy's treat. What more could a mom ask for? Lunch AND Starbucks! We accidentally (or WAS it?) left the Starbucks evidence in the garage. Mark discovered it when he got home and was a bit jealous. In fact, I do believe there were tears welling up in his eyes. Sing it with me now: "poor Mark" :(

Next week we'll be going to Corbin's high school graduation - one of my nephews, Laura's oldest son. I do believe our entire family will be there so hopefully we can get some pictures of the clan in action.

I'm just so happy Jeremy is home as he wasn't able to come home for the holidays due to work & school. I'm looking forward to spending time with him as it has been 1 year since he was home last. Way too long!

Well, that's it for now. Just wanted to do a quick post to say hello, have a great weekend and see you soon :)

Peace,
Rocki

p.s. For those who have asked about my wrists, I'm healing every day and have made adjustments in many areas - from how I work with my hands to how I schedule, etc. I'm not sure if I want to return to the docs as I'm sick of them right now, so I'm healing them on my own. Thank you all!

Happy 30th Birthday Jeremy!

Bitburg, Germany - 2 1/2 years old

Thirty years ago today, my first born son came into this world and forever changed my life. The moment the nurse placed Jeremy in my arms, a feeling came over me that touched my heart forever. I felt like a mom - complete in every way.

Both of my sons mean the world to me and I'm so very proud of them. I find it hard sometimes to talk about one without the other as we are all very close, but today is Jeremy's special day, so it is about him.

Visiting in-laws in Clarksville, Tennessee - 10 months old

Jeremy has always been a great son and has accomplished many things in his life so far. I can honestly say that raising my boys (okay, this is about Jeremy...) was a piece of cake as they never gave me any problems. Honestly. He was an honor student throughout school, was busy with school activities such as the Marching Band, loved to help me around the house, got a scholarship to NAU and wanted to be a Veterinarian ever since he was in grade school. However, he has found his true calling and has been going to school to become an A.S.L. Interpreter (American Sign Language).

Jeremy & Jason, Nov. 83, back from Germany traveling to next station.

Jeremy & Jason are 17 months apart and are very close brothers. Always have been and I'm sure will always be. Some people used to tell me that it was strange that they didn't fight like "normal" brothers, but to us this was very normal.

You never seen one without the other. In fact, I'll never forget the day we moved Jeremy to the NAU dorms (only 2+ hours north of us). It was hard on all of us and there were tears. After leaving the dorm and walking to the Blazer Jason broke down and cried. We got seated and Jason just curled up like a baby. Crying myself, I asked if he wanted to go see him once more before we left and he mustered up a "yes". We knocked on the door and as soon as Jeremy opened it, Jason bear hugged him. I was crushed.

Bigburg, Germany, 4 years old. Found the cookies.

Jeremy learned to read when he was about 2 1/2 years old. His first book that he read to me was "Are you my mother?". He also became very interested on how babies were born and was persistent on finding out - he was 4 years old. I always wanted to have an honest and open relationship whenever I had kids as I did not have that with my mom. So, I gave him the best answer I could, which he bought for a while. I mean come on, he was only 4. It wasn't until he asked his Kindergarten teacher that we had another talk about it.

Visiting Jeremy in Portland, Oregon couple years ago

Jeremy now lives in Portland, which I think has been about 7+ years now. THAT was another hard day, but he's very happy there and we love visiting him there. I especially love when he comes home for visits! We text and talk as much as we can, but there's nothing like seeing him in person :)

I could go on and on and on about Jeremy - my boys - as I love them so very much & so very proud to be their mom. However, this post will go on forever if I do!

Happy Birthday Jeremy! You are loved beyond words and I wish you peace, love and much happiness!

Love,
Mom

a.k.a. Rocki

Vacation is over :(

Maeyln, Sasha & Yogi were all so happy to have Jeremy home again. Even though they have their own bed that they sleep in (their own couch that is), while Jeremy was home they slept with him in his bed.

It goes without saying of course, but I love having Jeremy home and am looking forward to his next visit! I'm not going to go into all the mushy details because my eyes will water more than they are and then I won't be able to see to type. I'm his proud mom, so you can only guess how I feel. Oh and while he was home I made him two Sterling Silver band rings and forgot to take pictures of them! Ugh!

Jeremy went back to Portland on Sunday (sniff sniff, boo hoo) and I'm not the only one who misses him. Maelyn continues to sleep in Jeremy's bed on his pillow (I still need to put the futon up, but not yet). Each night at bedtime we always tell our 'kids' good-night and every night so far we find Maelyn all curled up on his pillow. It's the cutest and saddest thing ever!
I finally got the pictures from the lake downloaded and need to send them to Jeremy. They aren't the best quality as I used a disposable camera, but it works. Oh and I love that we can get CD's made when you get your pictures developed!

The lake was a blast, we all took turns in the big water tube and race car tube that Chris has - so much fun!

The family knows that no matter what the occasion, I ALWAYS bring my camera and sometimes I take too many pics, but heck, I love keeping memories on film as well as in my heart. My boys know that my "just one more picture" quote is like saying "in just a minute" and I know it gets old for them, but what can I say - that's just me :)

Above, Laura is showing my boys, Jeremy & Jason, a picture she took of the both of us prior to their arrival at Jeremy's surprise birthday party. She had put tin foil (shivers!) on her teeth to make it look like she had braces (since I now wear them) and we both smiled real big - it was pretty funny. My sister. I think I'll keep her.

Happy Monday, er, I mean Tuesday!

Rocki

Oh and if you're interested in seeing me kick Mark's but in boxing, check out Laura's blog :)

Welcome Home & Happy Birthday Jeremy!

My oldest son, Jeremy, is home from Portland for a 2+ week long deserved vacation from school and work. We surprised him with a 30th birthday party... 5 months early!

Jeremy is going into his last year in the A.S.L. Interpretership program (American Sign Language) and works at Starbucks (thanks for our gifts Jeremy!) Due to the intensity of the program, he is now working very part-time (I think just enough to keep us supplied ;) and has very little free time for himself right now, but says that it is all worth it as he is doing what he loves.

Jason, my youngest son, has worked at Trader Joe's for years, school part-time and is working on becoming a fire fighter. We all feel that this is his true calling - plus he fits the look!

Both of my boys are my pride & joy, my buddies, pranksters, comedians, bodyguards, etc. They both work very hard for what they want in life and I'm immensely proud of all their accomplishments.

My boys & I have an open and honest relationship and are very close. Jason & Jeremy are very close as well (like twins actually), and always have been. I can honestly say that they made parenting very easy for me - despite all the jumping out of closets & grabbing my feet from under the bed scare tactics.

Mark & I are so happy to have Jeremy home (or is it the coffee he brought us? KIDDING!)

Oh! Back to why we celebrated Jeremy's 30th so early. sniff sniff... because due to school, etc., he won't be able to come home for the holidays or in January. I couldn't let his 30th go by without a bash! Yes, he'll still get birthday gifts from us in January :) I'm happy to say that we were able to pull of the surprise with help from Jason & Lauren by getting Jeremy home at the right time and everyone keeping their mouths zipped about it.

The day was perfect in every way and to top it all off, Mark surprised me with a bouquet of my favorite flower - the Sunflower!

Happiness to all,

Rocki

p.s. Check out my sister's new blog to see the photo of us both with bling-bling mouths. Oh, and there will be more party photos posted in my MySpace later this week.