It finally happened.

It was a very important day today, and several things that I have been waiting a long time for finally happened.

Today marks the 7th anniversary of my mom's death. July 9, 2004. A day I will never forget and, honestly, don't want to forget because it was an important day in my life. I loved my mom, and for the past seven years I haven't enjoyed this particular day. It typically is a very hard day to get through because usually I think about all that she is missing, and all that has changed in my life that she didn't get to be part of. It makes me sad. And, it makes me sad that right now no matter how I try to explain to my boys about my mom, they just don't get it....yet. One day they will, but at their young ages they just can't comprehend that my mommy is gone. And, since they have never met her, they can't even make a connection to her. I hope that will change over the years as I tell them stories about her or explain to them how much she would have loved them. She would have truly been amazed at how much Ollie looks like my oldest brother. She would have been able to solve all of Drew's biggest frustrations with her unending patience. And, she would have been available for babysitting on a moment's notice. Life is definitely different without her here.

But, today was a good day, and here's why. We woke up and played in the living room. We painted with watercolors in the dining room. Ollie is quite artistic. He loves to color and paint. We had a nice breakfast together as a family at home. Drew ran around in his Buzz underwear. This made me laugh. 

 

However, here is the biggie. Ollie took some really good steps yesterday afternoon, but today, he has really begun to walk! He's walking. Finally. I have been ready for this moment for months now. Do you know how heavy 28lbs feels in your arms when you have groceries to bring in the house? Do you know how heavy 28lbs feels when your almost 3 year old has a meltdown and needs to be carried, too, in addition to Ollie? Well, I for one have been ready for the walking to begin. He's been crawling since 8 months old. He will be 14 months old next week....come on....bring on the walking! Today was the day. Do you think perhaps my mom manufactured this one for me??? She must be my angel.

We went to the Fernbank Natural History Museum today. Hold on, let me go back. On Thursday, the 7th, I took the boys (by myself!) to the zoo. We had a great time but Drew left a bit disappointed. First, he did not get to see the lions. For whatever reason, they thought it was too hot and probably were hiding somewhere and could not be viewed. Secondly, he was a tad bit sad that there were no dinosaurs at the zoo. I know, right? Who knew. He left saying how he really wanted to have seen some dinosaurs. I tried to explain to him that if he wants to see dinosaurs we need to go to Fernbank which is where all the dinosaurs are kept. So we ventured to Fernbank to see dinosaurs today.

  

  

When we did finally arrive after all the dilly-dallying trying to get there, it was extremely busy. Why? Because, apparently, it was Pirate Day at Fernbank. Ha. Again, who knew? We had a great time. Both boys exhausted themselves all over that place. Ollie walked some on his own. Drew ran across the all new "Nature Quest" kid zone a million times. Back and forth across the large bridge, then down the stairs and across the make believe water puddles in the floor, and under the dry ice water fall. Then, over to the very cool microscope with spiders, then into the fossil section and then back to look at the baby alligators. It went on and on. It was fabulous. We had a really good time.

 

We finally decided to leave around 4pm. Hopped in the car and on the way to get dinner, we had to stop, not once, but twice on 75/85 in downtown to let Drew go potty. We literally got into the car after the first

potty and not 10 minutes later he was telling us he had to go again. At this point, I just had to laugh because trying to get across 4 lanes of interstate traffic at 5pm was not ideal. However, we did make it and he did have to go, twice.

We arrived at Carrabbas for dinner. We had a delicious meal. Both boys were well behaved, in fact, a little bit silly all through dinner. And, I was really happy to have enjoyed a good meal with my family.

On the way home, I got my final "it finally happened" moment. Drew told me he loved me. He also told Daddy and Ollie and Murphy (our cat) that he loved them too.

Today marks 7 years that my mom has been gone from my life, but this is the first July 9th I have enjoyed. It is also a day that Ollie began walking. And, the day that I got my first "I love you" from Drew. Life is sweet, isn't it.