Friday, August 29, 2008

Tiffanie Wyke 1982-2008

This post is dedicated to my beautiful friend, Tiffanie, who passed away early this afternoon in Phoenix, AZ. We grew up together from Preschool through the 5th grade.  At the time, she was my very best friend, and I will always cherish the special memories I have of her and I together.  

I've had/having a difficult time with her passing for a number of reasons.  For starters, Tiffanie was only 25 years old.  It's one thing for an elderly person to pass, but a young woman just beginning to live her life as an adult, I just can't fathom it.  I also only have early childhood memories of us together, so I still view Tiffanie as this young, innocent, 5th grader who I feel has been robbed of a wonderful life.  

Now, this just kills me inside and I put myself in the shoes of all the people in her family affected by this.  Tiffanie was a single mother of 2 young boys who will now grow up without their mommy.  My heart breaks and I can barely find the strength in me to type such a terrible thing. This just isn't fair and I've been waking myself up every night out of a dead sleep just pleading for this day not to come.  

Well, the day did come today and I'm incredibly sorrowful.  I can't even imagine the little ones mourning the loss of their mommy, and her parents doing the same.  I would never want my loved ones to feel such pain.  

Tiffanie was diagnosed with cancer just a few short months ago (less than 2).  Such terrible tragedy's can make you realize how precious life is and to not take a single day for granted. Tucking Salem into sleep tonight was different than before.  I just cried over her and showered her with a million kisses (I have done that, but tonight was special).  I know deep down in my heart that Tiffanie would have given anything just to spend one last waking minute with her two boys, and now, she can't.  

I'm not sure if the photos above came through of her or not.  They were shot just 2 short weekends ago with her entire family on vacation in California.  

"As I grow to understand life less and less, I learn to love it more and more."  

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

The 2nd Bash!









Her second birthday was a hit! We had a "collegiate themed" party where everyone dressed themselves, husbands, and little ones, in their school of choice! Everyone participated and had a wonderful time! The festivities went from 9AM-12, so we decided to serve breakfast items which included: breakfast tacos, muffins, donuts, fruit salad, bagels, juices, and a keg...keg and eggs! I will host her parties from this day on during that time frame. All the kids were happy and it didn't interrupt any daily schedules of naps, meals, etc. I made her cake (shocker....I've never made a decorated cake before), the kids played "pin the medal on the olympian boy", knocked down a pinata (with a broomstick, I might add), and got tattoos from artist, Noel! It was fun, fun, fun, and I can't wait to see what Salem decides to do next year; she is already stirring things up and mentioning Barbie!






We don't have a single tree in our backyard, so we had to get creative!






The line at the tattoo shop!



My masterpiece!


She had to have mommy take of photo of her heels with painted toes!


Nothing can top jumping on the new bed!

Thursday, August 21, 2008

I'm here, not there!


Uh, blogger can be so frustrating! I've been locked out of my blog for over a week now,( and I have tons to share with you) so I decided to start ALL over again!


Jumping on her new big girl bed!


Trying to feed Barbie icecream from her Cabbage Patch doll!
Loving her new dress-up clothes from Grammy and Papa
She also loves her birthday robe; however, it is too big (that is what she's telling me in the photo). No worries, Grammy and Papa took care of it and ordered her a new zebra one!






I'll start by sharing Salem's big girl 2nd birthday with you! I know, I can't believe she's already 2 too! We had a busy day that started off by her and I playing around the house together all morning, followed by her 2 year checkup, then Andrew met us for lunch at Chuck E. Cheese, then a shake at Cold Stone that was inhaled in under 15 minutes! From there, mommy took her to the toy store so she could use gift cards she received, and then we spent the evening running around and playing with all her cool new stuff! Busy.









The next day gets even more hectic. Stay tuned for the post on the big birthday bash!









So, for now, I'll be blogging here until (or if ever) my old one gets let out of lock-down!