Hangin’ with his Pappy (my dad)

http://www.tumblr.com/audio_file/babylately/6023696844/tumblr_lm1fhzBnu01qdlw20?plead=please-dont-download-this-or-our-lawyers-wont-let-us-host-audio

Tribute to my Granny. Mary Marie Koglin 6/9/1920-5/30/2009

In high school we had the option of taking regular English & History classes, or taking American Civ. the latter option was still two courses, but they were related by topic and included a 4 day trip to Harper’s Ferry, WV. I chose to do this option (solely because my sister recommended it, and my bff Becca was taking it too, so that never hurt). At the time, I didn’t realize just how much that decision would benefit me in only 7 years. The English portion of the class had a unit on family history.  We were tasked with interviewing two of our grandparents. I chose my maternal grandmother and maternal great-grandmother, “granny.” Throughout all of the moves I have made in my life, I have kept the tapes of these interviews. Every fiber in my being told me that one day I would come to cherish them – even if I sound ridiculous on them. Now, here I sit, two years to the day after Granny has passed away, and I can hear her voice, feel the love she had for her family, and share it with you.

Mary Marie Koglin was a wonderful woman. She was,  hands down, the matriarch to our family. She was perpetually honest, down-to-earth, and always full of so much life and love.  No other person could bring the comfort to a child that she always could bring out.  For as long and far back as I can remember, she lived with my grandmother. She also never had a driver’s license (amazing!).  I remember going to visit for weeks at a time as a little girl (they always lived nearby). She had the same daily routine for years. Wake up EARLY., make breakfast. clean. watch the price is right. clean. eat lunch. watch her “stories” (all four CBS soaps). We adored her. We were happy to repeat her routine with her daily. She made me spam sandwiches (gross, i know. but i loved them then. they were from granny). She would burp audibly and us girls would crack up when she asked if there was a bull frog in the room. I have nothing but the happiest of happy memories of her. Saying goodbye to her was the hardest thing I have done in my life. (I am not sure that I really have, yet).

My sister’s oldest two children, Carson & Bailey, had the pleasure of spending time with Granny. When they were infants Granny babysat them each day while Angie and Jason worked.  They adored her, and she loved them with her whole heart.  She had a special bond with Carson, and he still remembers her.  I remember when she passed, Carson asked what tree Granny would be buried under.  My Aunt Louise’s face turned white and she whispered to us that her casket had trees surrounding the perimeter. She also happens to be buried under a big beautiful, deciduous tree in the cemetery.  We all shook our heads and said ‘that’s granny’s boy.’ He talks about her from time to time, and keeps a photo of the two of them framed in his room.  When we went to the Spring Festival last weekend we passed the cemetery.  He has never been there, but somehow he knew it was the one. He pointed and said “my granny is buried there. i love her.” Ang and I looked at each other and I asked ‘how does he know its here?’ she responded and said she had no idea.  Again, he is granny’s boy.

If I have one regret it would be not having children sooner.  I would give anything to see her with Jackson. She would  be so in love, and I know, deep down, that he was 11 days overdue because he was hanging with her spirit, getting a lesson on how to deal with his crazy, difficult mother.

Last weekend, I borrowed a few photos from my grandmother for this post:

This was taken in 1959! Beautiful woman.

This is how she looked when I was a little one.

Left to Right: Granny, Me, & Grandma (Joyce) on my sister’s wedding day, 2005

Granny and her boy. Carson’s 1st birthday.

Her beautiful resting place, next to her first love.

Oh, how we miss her. Life just isn’t ever the same, is it?

Girls day is too much for sweet Bailey!

Reflection

Rewind to 6 years ago this weekend. Memorial Day weekend 2005. A big group of our friends made the 3 hour journey to VA Beach for the memorial day festivities & beachfront concert. That year it was Rascal Flatts & Blake Shelton. That’s were this little love train got started:

Oh, we’ve come so far.

And we made this:

I feel pretty old (and beyond blessed) ❤

Easiest babysitting job ever. That’s jax snoozin on the left and miss Peyton snoozin in the monitor

He is definitely happiest during his morning poop. Also, he slept for 6.5 hours straight last night (!!!) and then ate for maybe 10 minutes and slept for another 2.5 hours! Tired baby.

He really wants that bird

Why hello old friend…

Jackson’s Big Weekend!

We had a busy, busy weekend around here! On Saturday, we headed to Old Town for the Spring Festival. It is a street festival with live music, great food, crafts, and fun activities for the little ones. It didn’t hurt that it was gorgeous outside either.  We went with my sister & brother-in-law, Angie & Jason and their little ones.

It was a great place for Abby to enjoy an ice cream cone too 😉

On Sunday, we went to my grandmother’s house for a cookout. It was her birthday on Saturday so we all wanted to celebrate the big 6-4. (She’s a young grandma — and GREAT grandmother to our kids!)

I took about a gazillion photos. Here are a few of the best:

This face…

Jackson got to spend some time with his little gut hanging out with his Grammy (my mom).

The big kids played with water balloons. They were stoked.

Abby was gentle with the ‘bebe’…

And stupidly cute herself!

We love family time.

Sweet Helen

Friday afternoon, one of my dearest friends in the entire world was finally able to meet Jackson.  Helen and I have been close since high school, but now she lives allllll the way across the country in LA, being fabulous and doing makeup for the stars. You can see some of her work here. I love this girl. We have made so so many great memories together. In high school, she, Becca & I thought we were too cool for anyone else, and would sit by ourselves at lunch.  We also thought we were too cool to go to Myrtle Beach, SC for beach week, and flew out to California instead (one of my favorite vacations ever). We were always hanging out at Helen’s house with her awesome family, and she was always hosting an annual ‘enchilada margarita night.’ We went to proms together, had a graduation party, and shared many new years eve’s. Here are a few of the many photos I have on Helen & myself:

At one of the MANY concerts our group of friends attended over the years

Becca’s 21st birthday. We are on the field at a Redskin’s game!

After having a few too many at a friend’s wedding

Helen brought a sweet gift for Jackson, and posed for a few photos with him. She is still cute as ever.

We love her.