Aha! Moment

I don't like eating.

This isn't my confession that I'm anorexic or bulimic or anything, I have just recently realized that I am not at all a food person.  I eat because I have to, not because I enjoy it.  During meals I find myself getting bored of going through the motion of putting the food into my mouth.  Now you may be thinking that I'm just a bad cook, but I'm really not. Ryan loves my food.  And I enjoy it. For about five bites and then I'm just bored and I don't want to eat anymore.  It is also a money saver because I don't require Ryan to take me to all sorts of fancy restaurants.  I can't tell the difference between Applebee's and... See, I don't even know a fancy restaurant.

But if it is anything gummy, salt and vinegar potato chips or Tostito's with a hint of lime, I am ALL OVER IT.  Who needs to be healthy, right? I think I should just start eating only what I want when I want it! 

Meet Christine

This is Christine Sweeney - Ryan's mother.

I came across this picture in my email and I just felt like I should share a little bit about her.  Many of you know that this is not the woman who raised Ryan. I know she would have been such a wonderful Mom but she never got the opportunity.  Like most of Ryan's family, she worked for Union Pacific Railroad.  Unfortunately, her life was cut short when she was killed in an accident leaving 6-month-old Ryan, her 3-year-old Down's Syndrome daughter, Stacy; and a husband.  In my head, this is where her story ends.  It wasn't until I was collecting letters to Ryan for his 30th birthday did it really click that she was a real person. (Sounds silly, I know).  But Ryan hardly knew her so as much as it did, her death didn't really affect him that much.  I hope that makes sense instead of making me feel like a jerk!  It's interesting because he has been told how much he is like Christine - not just looks, but even mannerisms.

Back to the letters.  I contacted what little of Ryan's family I could to include them in his birthday surprise. I found an email address for his Aunt Dee.  Not quite remembering their actual relationship, I proceeded to ask her for a letter.  That was when I realized she was his REAL Aunt - Christine's sister. It finally hit me that Christine was a real person and she didn't leave just Ryan's little family behind.  She had siblings and parents and friends and more family.  Christine was only my age.  What a shock it must have been to everyone! 

Dee and I corresponded quite a bit and it was so wonderful to feel of the love she had for Christine and has for Ryan.  Here are some of the sweet things that she said in her letter and bring tears to my eyes almost every time I read them:

"I can recall vividly the happiness your birth brought to your mother – my sister – Chris, and our whole  family!  I can still picture in my mind looking at the little birth announcement that said “Ryan Scott Sweeney” -- that made you REAL! --  and the subsequent pictures and letters where Chris proudly described your latest accomplishment (i.e., rolling over, happily being in your walker/jumpy seat), always saying how much she loved you and Stacy.   I can still see you in her arms for that memorable family picture, joined by Stacy, Amy, Wendy and me.  How I wish we could go back to those days.  We all grow up, things change, and life goes on. 

 Though we got to see you only sporadically during your early years, what we did see was a happy, self-confident little guy who was given every opportunity in life that could possibly have been given by Joe and Dorothy.  I’m sure the circumstances of your upbringing made you the mature, compassionate, and understanding man you are today – though I credit some of that to genetics, as I can still picture a very young Chris walking around the neighborhood, stopping to talk to all the neighbors young and old, rubbing her dad’s shoulders when she sensed he needed it,  and in later years taking in and caring for any stray animal that came her way. 

I’ve felt honored that you chose, in more recent years, to include me in your life, and I always enjoyed getting the unexpected phone call as you’d let me know you were in town for a couple days, were leaving for the other side of the world, heading to Utah, taking off on your new motorcycle, or whatever was the case at that moment!  The best news was of your approaching marriage to Caitlin; we were so happy that you had found your life mate.  Again, we were honored to have had the opportunity to attend your reception and to meet your wonderful new wife.  I couldn’t help but wish that Chris could have been there with us on that, the happiest day of your life.  I know she’d have been beaming with happiness, wrapping her arms around you and Caitlin and welcoming her into the family."

Whew, yep.  Just got some tears.  I am so grateful to know that I will be able to someday meet Christine and the rest of Ryan's family that passed before I got the opportunity.  I am excited to meet the wonderful people that made him the very special man he is today.  What a moment that will be. :)

More of Whitney and Dave's Visit!

It was SO nice having Whitney and Dave visit. As much as we wanted to show them around town, it was wonderful to just have them in our home and relax.  I bet they enjoyed it too, because they got our bed while we slept on the couch. :) The one thing we did have planned was to take the pictures of P as you saw and to go to Bennett Place.  Bennett Place is a Civil War site just down the road from us.  Even after going I'm still not exactly sure what it is.  I know some sort of treaty was signed on Bennett's farm but that's about it.  We didn't really take the time to learn while we were there, we just observed the "re-enactments."   These people take it so seriously, how can you not just watch and enjoy?

 Penelope was glad to get some attention. Ryno was taking most of it!

 Happy Confederate Family

Our first family photo

 Whit made Dave some VERY delicious red velvet cupcakes.

 All smiles now...

I'm excited to play with Whit and Dave again! It's amazing how close but so far four hours away is.  

Baby Penelope

I don't have my own children so what do I take pictures of? Puppies and Penelope.  Whitney and Dave came down from DC to visit this weekend and we had so much fun. Whit wanted some six month pictures of P so I practiced my amateur photography skills and she was the perfect smiling subject.  Everyone at the gardens loved her!

 

  

 

I miss pinching those chubby cheeks of hers!

Puppy Love

Two weeks ago Ryan and I decided that maybe it was a good time to get a puppy.  Within 24-hours we'd fallen in love with a blonde Labradoodle named Bear and he was paid for and ours.

One week ago Bear - renamed Ryno - arrived at the Raleigh Airport from Indianapolis.  He was one scared little puppy.  Within a week he's gone from this:

To this:

I know everyone thinks they have the cutest dog, but really - we have the cutest dog in the world and he gets cuter and cuter every day.  He loves following us around the house, playing with his toys and sleeping.  He's not quite ready to pay attention to us yet - so the training is slow going.  He only goes to the bathroom outside now, but only because we keep an eye on him and take him out when he needs to go.  He sits when he wants to which is maybe about a third of the time but we'll get there.  Being a mix between a labrador and a poodle he is one of the smartest dogs out there and you can see his little brain working as he explores the apartment.  We just love him!!

However, a week into this whole puppy thing we've both had our "What are we doing??" moments.  We are responsible for this living creature and he's never going away.  Our lives have now completely changed due to a hasty 24-hour decision.  We definitely don't regret it, I just wasn't quite ready.  But we now have to be!  And we will be even more ready by the time babies come around!  Ryan used to be scared of poop and vomit but after picking up after a puppy, all that is quickly slipping away.  Ryno is here to stay and we are so excited to watch him grow.

Yep, Ryan ran a marathon.

Are you amazed? I sure am.  I didn't want to doubt my hubby, but I maybe kinda did...  See, he didn't really start training until a few months ago.  And running 26.2 miles is often the worst day of some people's lives.  Toenails fall off, nipples bleed, people vomit, joints are sore (if not worse), there can be stress fractures, etc, etc, etc.  Do you see why I was scared?  All of this is much more likely if your body hasn't prepared for all this!

But he was definitely blessed from up above and he did it!  He found a race buddy, Ben, who pushed him for 22 miles before he finally cramped up and had to run/walk for the last 4 miles. It was a goal of Ryan's to complete a full marathon before he turned 31 and thankfully he can check that off the list and never do one again.

All smiles even at 6:00 a.m.

 

Way too many people up WAY too early.

What a champ!

DONE!!!

They received their medals from Marines.  I thought it was really neat.

I'm so proud of you, babe!!