RIP John Alan Clark

I received one of the most unexpected and worst phone calls from my mom today.  We lost John Clark.  I could barely understand my mom because she was crying so hard.  I'm still crying.  I can't stop.

I remember the day I met John...16 years ago.  I was raking the yard (a chore given to me by my parents) and it was way easier to rake them into our neighbor's yard rather than bag them.  He busted me of course!  We bonded immediately and he met my parents shortly after that.  They became the best of friends.

I had a key to John's house.  I kept his beloved Mischa and Cuervo while he was traveling.  It was my second home.  He was my second Dad.  He let me use his Hummer, his Jeep, he took me jet skiing, he bailed me out of more than one legal situation, we went to festivals together, lots of breakfasts, lunches and dinners, a trip to Vegas for a wedding gift for me and Jason, never forgot a Christmas or birthday.  Lots of parties: The annual Xmas party (the reindeer with blue balls) Labor Day Picnics, and Suites at the Braves games, Superbowl.  He was always the one who called for a last minute dinner to get you out of the house, or would stop by for a tequilas shot or a Coors light  (my mom always had an ice cold one waiting for him) and would chat the night away (without sitting down of course).  He was there for my graduations, my destination wedding and the birth of Declan... and loved him so much.  He was pretty much the person I would call and knew I could count on if my parents weren't around.  He lectured me, gave me great advice, and was always so proud of me (even if I didn't go to Florida State).  I miss him so much already.  I can picture him now in a floral or Hawaiian type shirt (unbuttoned half way down of course) with his Colombia shorts on and a garnet and gold FSU jacket.
John was a part of our family.  He was my parents' best friend.  He was the MOST generous and selfless man on the planet.  He always did for others and wanted everyone else to be happy.  This made him happy.  I loved him so incredibly much.  My heart hurts.  I'm sick to my stomach and grief stricken.  I have lost 3 grandparents, two that I loved dearly, the other one I barely shed a tear.  As I sit here and think about it...this is probably the first time I have lost someone who I was extremely close to and loved so much. 
I think John would tell his Stefanagle as he called me, to be happy and celebrate his life and all of the wonderful memories that we shared together.    Here's to you John!  I'm toasting you with the finest shot of tequila!  I love you and will miss you! Feel free to check in on us time to time...I know you are looking over us:-)

Kelly and Corey-
Thanks for sharing your dad with me!  I hurt so much, I can only imagine how you all feel.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.  I love you both!!!

Deborah-
Love you!  I'm thinking about you and saying a ton of prayers!

Some of my FAVORITE kids!!!

These were taken from Rylan's 2nd bday party! What cute kids! We missed you little, LB!!!

Location:Deering Rd NW,Atlanta,United States

Rylan Turns Two!

Rylan turned two yesterday!  She is the sweetest and prettiest two year old ever!  We were so happy to celebrate her big day with her.  Kendra threw a wonderful party for her.  It was so great to see all of our friends and their kids too.  I love our friends so much!  They all came bearing gifts for Declan too.  I told Kendra that it was perfect for us.  She could keep throwing great parties for Rylan and we could just get gifts on the side.  Just kidding! It was extremely thoughtful of our friends!  It was so fun to watch all of the kiddos play together.  I'm thinking we need a night out with all of the adults soon.  It is hard to catch up with kids running in every different direction.  Happy Bday, Rylan!  We love you so much!!!

Hans!

I'm pretty sure we have a new member of our family!  His name is Hans.  I was really ready for another dog.  I don't think Jason was quite there, but I figured I could talk him into it:-)  My friend Sara mentioned something about finding a home for their dog.  I immediately jumped on the opportunity.  They are looking for the right fit for Hans.  So, Declan and I picked him up on Friday after school.  We took their dog and left them the horrible stomach bug we had...doesn't seem very fair.  Declan had butt soup all over their floor and we even had to give him a bath there.  Thankfully they are the nicest family ever and were so sweet about it.  Sorry Bashor Family!!!

We love Hans already!  He is a great dog and I think it is going to be a great fit!  Here are some pictures I took today.

Sidebar...the stomach bug got Jason Saturday and me last night.  Could not make it into work today.  Never had a stomach bug before.  It is hard to be sick and be a Mom, that is for sure!  We made it though.  Declan was an angel.  I finally got up the strength to take these two out to run off some of their energy!

Declan's Bday Part ll

Sunday we celebrated Declan's bday at Chris and Lauren's house.  It was the first time the whole family had been together in a long time!  It went really well!  It was hard to snap a lot of pictures.  Declan only had a 30 minute nap and was not in the best mood, but he perked up:-)  His favorite gift this year would have to be the Lightning Mcqueen power wheel from Uncle Chris and Aunt Lauren.  He is riding that thing all over the place!  He was given so many great gifts!  This little boy is spoiled rotten and loved by so many people!

Declan's Bday Part l

We went to my parent's house on Saturday to celebrate Declan's birthday with pizza and ice cream.  I barely saw Declan, because he was playing all over the house with his cousins!  He had the BEST time playing with them.  They are so great with him!  He was showered with gifts and clothes and was one happy camper.  Great night with the fam as usual!  Love our close family!!!

The DEW is TWO!!!

Declan turned two on Thursday!  Poor kid threw up all over me on Wednesday evening, twice, and then again in his sleep.  I assumed it was something he ate, because he was acting totally fine and no fever.  He woke up in a great mood on Thursday (even though he slept in some more puke...throws up and sleeps through it???) and was ready to celebrate his birthday!  He had a great day on Thursday and I surprised him with CARS cupcakes at his school.  Yesterday he had diarrhea starting at 2 and it hasn't stopped.  He hasn't eaten anything since yesterday, but again is in the BEST mood.  Poor kid!  So, he finally got his first stomach bug, but why on his birthday?  Not the best way to celebrate!  We are headed to my parents today to celebrate with my family and we will celebrate with Jason's tomorrow.  I will post pictures later.

I can't believe our little boy is two.  This has been by far the best and fastest 2 years of our lives.  I never thought I could love this little boy so much. 

 I love our rides to school in the morning and on the way home.  He likes to chat the whole way there on some days, other days he requests music and wants to relax.  It just depends on his mood.  I love it when he points to everything he sees and tells me what it is..."look mommy, I see a T-Rex," as we are driving down Peachtree Industrial Blvd.  Hilarious.  I love how he gets mad when I change a song that he likes. 

I love our trips to the store where he talks to everyone, tells the babies they are cute and tells everyone thank you for absolutely no reason.

I love watching CARS over and over again if that means he will lay with me and snuggle. 

I love reading to him at night and saying our prayers together and when he grabs my cheeks and pulls my face to his and kisses me and says "I love you, mommy."

I love waking him up in the morning and he is always smiling and says "Morning mommy."

I love when he is sad/angry and I'm explaining something to him, he says with his bottom lip puckered out, "Okay mommy."

I love when he runs to the door when Jason gets home and jumps in his arms with the biggest smile.

I love how he talks to people on the phone and can actually have a mini conversation with them.

I love how he says "no thank you" in a precious little voice.

I love how he asks questions and is so inquisitive.

I love how he likes to help with everything like cleaning, cooking, feeding the dog (that will be another post)

I love how he cleans up his toys while singing the "clean up" song in the sweetest voice.

I love it when I pick him up from school and he runs to me yelling  "mommy!" with the biggest smile and hugs my legs.

I LOVE this little boy so much my heart hurts.  I love being his Mom. It is the hardest and best job I have ever had.  We have good days and more challenging days, but they always end happy with a kiss and hug goodnight. 

What I don't love

I don't love it when he throws himself on the floor at the store.

I don't love it when he hits me and tells me "no."

I don't love it when I drop him off at school and he cries for me.  In fact, I HATE it.

I don't love it when he whines.

 This picture makes me so happy and sad at the same time.  He looks so grown up!

We have learned so much in the past two years from Declan.  Probably more than he has learned from us.  We've learned what unconditional love is, patience, a stronger marriage, and that we would do ANYTHING in the world for our little boy.  I'm looking forward to the years to come and watching our little boy grow.  I love our little family more than anything in this world!!!

Fort Fun and Back to School

It is a rainy day in the A today, so what else is there to do, but build a fort?!  Jason had to work this weekend, so I have been trying to keep Declan entertained, clean, laundry, and errands, all before the school year begins.  I used to love making forts when I was little and it was just as fun with Declan today!  He is so much fun!

So, school starts tomorrow!  Wow!  This will be my 10th year teaching special ed and specifically children with Autism.  I get just as anxious and nervous every school year.  I'm thinking that feeling will never go away.  I'm also hoping that the passion that I have for teaching and children with special needs never goes away either.  I'm so excited to see my kiddos tomorrow!  I have a big class this year, but I'm up for the challenge and know that we will have a successful year! 

My amazing parapro (friend and second Mom) will be out for the beginning of the year:-(  She had rotator cuff surgery and the doctors will not release her to come back to work...yet.  I'm going to miss her so incredibly much.  She is amazing and knows me so well.  I will still have Nancy (who is also incredible) and a long-term sub in my classroom, Misty, who is wonderful too.  We will have a great team!

Declan conquered his first week of school last week!  He is such a trooper.  We had tears everyday until Thursday.  I explained to him that I go to work, he goes to school and then I will ALWAYS be back to pick him up.  So, on Thursday, he repeated what I told him as I dropped him off.  As I said goodbye to him, and I told him to have a great day at school, he puckered out that bottom lip, and said "Okay, Mommy," but he held back his tears.  He didn't cry after that and is actually excited to go in the morning.  Let's hope that continues tomorrow!  I'm still absolutely thrilled with his school and he has already made friends!   They do so many fun activities with him, and he is WORN out when I pick him up.  He is in a better mood and sleeping like a champ.  Precious!

He will be 2 on Thursday!  We are only doing family bday parties this year.  I just couldn't get it together, and he won't remember it (well that's what makes me feel less guilty anyway).  We will have a big one next year!   I will post more later.  Best two years of my life!