Feast on your life

Love after Love

The time will come
when, with elation,
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror,
and each will smile at the other’s welcome

and say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you

all your life, whom you ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,

the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.

~ Derek Walcott ~

Jack

A few days ago I got to go see Kody out in Temecula and take him to lunch and the park. I could not have gone ONE more day without seeing his sweet little face. While we were eating lunch he told me he learned how to scuba dive. (WHAT?!?) I was asking all sorts of questions about it and he said his Papa (Dave's dad) showed him what to do and by the end, he was doing it by himself. I'm the kind of girl who can't even go under water without plugging her nose so you can imagine the thoughts running through my head. He was super excited about it and told me Nama (Dave's mom) took some really cool pictures of it. I said how excited I was to see the pictures andthen he got this weird look on his face as he explained that they are NAMA's pictures and I wouldn't get to see them because they are HERS and not MINE. We changed the subject and continued talking about what he's been up to but in the back of my mind I kept reminding myself to send an email to Nama right when I got home and ask for the photos.

We drove home (in record speed I might add *thank you very much FX Los Angeles Traffic station*) and I logged into my email so I could get it out of the way before I forgot. Inbox had a message. I check it and see it's from Nama. With an attachment! I opened it up and saw the pictures of him learning to scuba with his Papa. I felt so blessed to have such an amazing extended family that would send such small tokens of memories so quickly to me. I know some people may think what David and myself have created for Kody (as far as our family goes) may seem weird or unnatural. I will tell you this- I still see Davids family like my own and I am thankful for what we have created everyday! I am thankful for a Nama who is always so thoughtful and great at maintaining contact with me even though our lives are so hectic and busy. I am thankful for the love they show to Kody everytime they are with him and for the great example they are to him. I couldn't pick a better family to be "ex-in laws" with! :)

I saw some old friends of ours yesterday at the funeral that knew me as Shannon Black. (flashback!) While we were talking, they asked about David. How grateful I was to be able to share with them how great he is doing and tell them about his cute family. I am thankful that we have been able to put whatever hard feelings we have had about each other or the situation aside and make a beautiful life for Kody together!

And what amazing son we have! No joke. I remember one family dinner we went around the table and had to come up with one word to describe everyone. Sharalyn- thorough. Shannon- loyal. Jared- nice. Steve Luke- fun. You get the point. I remember getting to Uncle Kent and his word was- Jack of all trades. (we made an exception to the 1 word rule for him) As I sit here and look at these pictures and listen to Kody talk about how much he loved learning to scuba and how he wasn't scared, "Jack of all trades" comes to my mind. I am so thankful for the things everyone in my family has helped him learn so far. He has such an amazing ability to quickly learn whatever talent is in front of him and does it so well! He is smart and funny. Sweet and loving. Sensitive and in my opinion the best little man in the world. (I might be a little bias though!) He is our Jack.

You've got your wings, go fly

My heart is broken. My faith has been tested. My life has been changed forever. I will miss her more than you know.

ABC's all about ME

A- Attached or Single? Attatched- Attatched and then attatched again.
B- Best Friend? Jareds up there but so is Sharalyn and Shalayna
C- Cake or Pie? Aunt Ruths Ice cream pie cake. (Best of both worlds.)
D- Day of Choice? Sunday- cant beat our dinners
E- Essential Item? cell phone. and lip gloss. can I pick two?
F- Favorite Color? I'm really into brown right now
G- Gummy Bears or Worms? bears with chocolate covering them
H- Hometown? S to the I to the M. I.
I- Favorite Indulgence? Siesta with Jared.
J- January or July? July
K- Kids? love them. I've got 2
L- Life isn't complete without? See my above answer
M- Marriage date? October 25th, 2003
N- Number of brothers and sisters? 2 brothers, 1 sister and a fabulous sis in law!
O- Oranges or Apples? Apples- again covered in chocolate
P- Phobias and Fears? Phobia- Dying. I fear just about everything
R- Reason to smile? My life is one big reason to smile
S- Season of choice? Late spring almost Summer
T- Ticklish? Totally. Dont even try- it makes me MAD!
U- Unknown fact about me? I have a birthmark in my eye ball.
V- Vegetable? asparagas
W- Worst Habit? Spending too much
X-ray or Ultrasound? had both. It's only fun when your preggo.
Y- Your favorite food? Mexican. Italian. America. Asian. I love it all!
Z- Zodiac Sign? Go CRABS!

I'll show you mine if you show me yours...

Where has the time gone? As I sit here looking at a blank computer screen- I wonder why time has to fly by so fast. As many of you (faithful blog readers) know- I made a hasty decision last Thursday to fly out to Texas and spend a week with the Edmunds. I booked a flight for Lennix and I (thank you for the gift card Pam) and we were on our way. I had to juggle her, the back pack, and a carry on as we headed to wait for our plane. I decided to sit her ON the carry on and roll it along. She sat there with one hand tightly gripping the handle and the other one waving to everyone that passed by. This girl was in her element!!

We made it to Texas without a hitch and were quickly thrown into Sharalyns whirl wind she calls "just another day." There was soccer practice, basketball camp, cheer, tumbling, swim lessons, guitar lessons, drum lessons, indoor soccer games, basketball games, doctors appointments, hair cuts and art. (and this was all before Wednesday!!) These kids do it all- and do it all- VERY WELL I might add. Sharalyn has this down to a flippin science. Lennix and I were just happy to be along for the ride! Poor baby hasn't got more than an hour long nap since we got here!

This morning Sharaly and I scheduled her surgery for an elective procedure she is having which means....I get to stay another week in Texas! The only (yes ONLY) downside to this is that I will miss both my boys back home for another week. But I am needed and I like that feeling. I have already made a calendar of events that I cannot mess up or else things could get a little crazy around here. Hopefully between Ben and I- we can do the work of one very busy Mom.

Lennix has been having a blast out here. She walks around this house looking at things just like I do. I could look at Shar's hard wood floor for hours they are that beautiful. She is fascinated by Fletcher too. Who isn't though? They hug and cuddle and he takes the best care of her. Even when she pinches him, he tells her in his cute little voice- "No bay-e Wennx, soft and sweet. wemember?" To which she runs to him and flashes that crooked tooth (maybe it IS from the pacifier after all Ginger!) smile at him and they stop to hug it out one more time. I was talking to Jared about their special relationship and he brought up the fact that maybe they were in Heaven together and their friendship started long before they came to this earth. You see, Shar and I tried to get pregnant at the same time. Needless to say, Lennix's trip was slightly postponed. I can just picture them about to come down to Earth being best buddies and then boom- Fletch gets called and Lennix has to wait. The bond these two have is unique and special and I'm grateful that I get to be a witness to these special moments in her life.

Tonight we have plans to go out with Dr. C. Kieth Grisham. (yes, it really is C. Kieth) Other wise knows as: Sharalyns gynecologist. Kind of strange that we are "friends" with him, but he's always up for a good time and well- we are a good time. He asked if we like French food. I looked at Shar who sat there looking right back at me and I answered, "we like french fries, and french bread, and french dressing." Straight out of Better off Dead but I dont think he got it.

Other than what I have mentioned- things have been pretty low key around here. I miss Kody more and more everyday but he sounds great when I talk to him so I'm staying strong. Only a few more weeks! We are going on another cruise at the end of this month for Kodys birthday and we are looking forward to that a lot. Swimming with the dolphins, buffet breakfasts and lunches- what else could we ask for? Then it's onto the Hambly Family Fun Filled Weekend starting August 7th. The Blixer II will be held at Seqouia park so we can all bring our kids and meet all these little humans we always read about. Maybe a BBQ and some games or something. If you have any suggestions- let them be heard because we're up for anything. Invite who ever you want (as long as they Blog). The more the merrier- that's what the Hamblys always say!!! We dont really say that. If you are a blurker- here's your chance to be known. Invite that person you secretly lurk and who knows- maybe you'll be friends afterwards. Maybe.

Why did the banana go to the doctors?

Random post- but I had a lot of pics I have been meaning to get up and never got around to doing it because I have been so busy these days. You know, traveling the world and all...We have settled back into a steady routine now that we're home but I'm sad to say- our routine is without Kody. We're giving this "summer vacation at Dad's house" our best shot and he's doing good so far. I try my best to put on a brave face and not let him catch my tears falling but I miss the kid! Our house just isn't the same without him and it makes us all a little sad. He's the jokster, the heart, the warmth, the funny, the sweetness that makes my home my favorite place to be and I ache for him to come home. I look at the calendar and count the days till "normal" is once again part of my life. Onto brighter things...


This pics was taken the last day of school and even though he is making the most ridiculous face- I LOVE it! His teacher called each child to the front of the classroom and shared her favorite things about each child. For Kody she said:
Meet Kind hearted Kody, who's always a friend
To anyone who gets in a bind
Even when his thoughts wonder off into space
His heart's always close behind.

Where did my little baby girl go? She is 100% go go go 100% of the time. Any one who has been around her can attest to that!! My heart is torn between being happy and sad that she is growing up. I miss the snuggles, the falling asleep in my arms, the baths in a chair, the "feeding" her...all those things. But with each thing she "stopped" doing- she is learning something new! She no longer snuggles- just a quick hug between stops from here to there. Now it's just "Ready for bed?" and we march into the room and she falls asleep by herself. Prefers a shower over a bath and uses a fork for EVERYTHING! Almost makes me want to walk down that horrible road called IVF again. Almost.

This is a picture of Robbie the Rabbit's namesake. I had to add it.

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Out with the old- in with the new! Time for a visit with Jena. (Who is so fabulous and talented.) I told her to take me as blonde as I could go without my hair falling into the sink and I think she did a fantastic job! No breakage- and no orange color. Back view. Still growing the A line out a little but it works! If you need a great hairstylist- she is HIGHLY recommended. She works at this fantastic salon named P!ay Hair Lounge in Simi Valley. (Those are Scott's paintings in the background too in case you were wondering. Long explanation that I think most of you have already heard.)

Onto cruise pics. This is me and Casanova the Camel in Cairo, Egypt. You can see how close the city is in the background to the desert.

Jared and his "jockey". I don't know who's ass that is in the background.

What you don't see in this picture is that they made the camels kiss too. Would have made for a cute pic but hey- they weren't Nikon experts. They only charged us 2 Euro ($3.12 American dollars) for taking the pic! That was a bargain that day!

How often am I ever going to take a picture with that kind of background. Just goes to show how close together everything was. And yes, that is a fedora I am wearing!

Let me apologize in advance for the mascara running down my face but this was an absolute must to add! This is Stephanie and I after the infamous Turkish bath house. Notice the way they put the towels on our head and the picnic type cover ups we are wearing.

Jared and I in Mykonos, Greece. On the other side of this hill is where "Super Paradise Beach" is located. Looking back through my pictures I see how beautiful Greece really is. It is mandatory for the houses to be painted white as long as you can see them from the water. (It's an island- so basically-this means every house!)The only thing that separated the houses was the blue trim. Some had deep hues, and others were almost a baby blue. Personally- I would pick an aqua but that's just me!

Last but not least is a group pic of the family at the Acropolis. Notice- Pam is missing. ?? I have no clue who took this pic or where she is. I am almost certain she is standing next to April but no where to be seen. From left to right: Jesse, Kent, Jared, me, Josh (behind), Lauren, Stephanie, Jason, Eric (behind), and April. And then Pam. I think.