Happy Fathers Day

Happy Father's Day Daddy

I miss you a lot lately. You have been on my mind day and night. Maybe it's the upcoming move. Maybe it's the kids getting so big. Maybe it's just missing my dad.

We officially move in two weeks! We bought a beautiful house in Jackson and it's perfect for our family. I am over the moon excited. We need help moving though. You would have been a great help. You were always the go to guy for that kind of stuff. "You need a fridge, I'll get you one!" "Do you need couches?" "What are you going to do with your old dryer? I'll take it and I won't even charge you. Harharhar." Then I would watch you smoke a cigarette and drink out of a two liter bottle of RC which is sitting in the passenger seat of the truck. 

I can hear you now.

The kids are getting so big. Marlee is so smart. And so funny. And so sassy. You would just be in love. Nicky is my little bruiser. He is rough and sweet and nonstop. All boy! You would be so smitten by the both of them. And they would love you so much. Marlee would think you are hilarious and Nicky would be shy but you would win him over with a pack of Sno Balls. 

I have replayed this over in my mind a million times.

By the way, the Cavs won. Although I am sure you already know that. You had the best seat in the house. We won! We are champions! 

Next is the Browns. 

We might need a little extra luck from above for that one though. 

The sisters are doing great. You would be so proud. They get smarter and more beautiful everyday. Please continue to watch over them. They need it more than I do. 

I have Nick. He is the best dad to the kids. You would be happy. Happy to know how much he cares for them and how much he cares for me. Everything you could have wished for in a husband for your daughter. He misses you too. I think he wanted a call today telling him how bad the Celtics suck. 

We all miss you. We all think about you. We all love you. 

I wish we would have said it more. 

Crib Removal

Fifteen days till the big move! 

Fifteen days!

I took a little stay-cation this week so I could finish up some moving details like switching utilities, changing our address, packing unnecessary items, and really getting things organized for the big day. 

So far we have done nothing but have a whole lot of fun as you can see. 

Do not get me wrong, I would not change these moments for anything. I mean look at those faces! Pure joy.

Butttt with Nicky becoming a ninja gymnastic overnight and not only jumping out of his crib but also climbing into his sisters crib in the morning, I decided the cribs had to go. I was hoping they would last until we moved but the kids had other plans. Marlee was super excited for a big girl bed and I figured maybe this would be a good transition. We decided on mattresses on the ground would have to do for two weeks because setting up two beds just to tear them down and resetting them up at the new house was overkill in the lifting and moving and building department. 

So while the kids were quietly occupied in the living room, I took it upon myself to break down the cribs. Or at least start. Marlee was going to be so excited! 

I was about half way through Marlee's crib and Marlee came in to find me.

"Mom, wat you doin' to my crib?"

The tears forming in her eyes. 

"Marlee I am getting you a big girl bed!"

"Mommy, I don't want to be a big girl! I want to be a baby in my crib!"

Bawling. Bawling. Bawling. 

She cried and cried. It broke my heart. I really thought that she was going to be so excited and boy was I wrong. She wanted to stay a baby. I wanted her to stay a baby.

So I cried too.

We laid on her mattress and cried together until we both calmed down. She sang me a song and I played with her hair. Then we talked about her new pink room and her new princess sheets and her how wonderful the new house will be. 

She ended up helping me take down the crib and Nicky's crib too. She made sure the blankets were placed properly on the mattresses and that the pillow sat perfectly at the top. And don't forget all the stuffed animals. 

"They are my favorite part mom."

I prayed for a good night. I was hoping that she would not be scared. And that I would actually be able to get some sleep. I checked on them around midnight and both had rolled to the floor. Marlee had her legs under the dresser and Nicky was in a ball in the corner. I picked them both up and placed them back in bed. 

I gave them kisses and quietly tip toed out of the room. 

They will always be my babies. 

Crib or no crib.