Goodbye John...

Last week my world was shaken when I learned of the tragic death of Andy's cousin John. I have been going back and forth about whether or not I was going to write a post discussing it, but in the end I decided it would help me to put some feelings out there in the Universe, like it helped me when my friend Kelly passed away in June. Just like Kelly, I didn't get to say goodbye face to face. But I think John knew I loved him, all the same.

John was what, in the language of teachers, you would refer to as a "good kid." I know his mother, a teacher as well, would agree. So would his father, his older brother, and the scores of aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and in-laws that got to love him while he was here. I was one of the last group, the "in-laws." I married into John's clan-like family, and was quickly swept away by the deep love that they all share. I was also blown away by the amazing warmth and hospitality of Andy's Aunt Laurie and Uncle Tom, and the sweetness and fun-loving spirit of their boys, Adam and John.

The first time I met John, it was on my first trip to see the "Cincinnati Family" and Andy and I had been together less than a year. I have a lot of memories from that trip, including one of mine and Andy's first real fights (so silly now!) and being quizzed on everyone's name (and not doing so hot). But "little John Carney"--as I called him for the next 7 years--was a highlight of that trip. He was just a kid then, but a lovable, funny, precocious kid who loved to make me laugh. He was never shy around me, and I felt a little bond with him from the beginning. I remember bribing him with a dollar--a whole dollar!--to eat an olive at LaRosa's Pizza. He did, but regretted it. I have wondered 1000 times since then, "Did he ever decide to try olives again?" I know it's crazy, but I was really concerned I had scared him away from them forever! That trip to Cincinnati was special for a lot of reasons, but my memories of John then, as that cute and funny kid, will last forever.

As time went by, I saw John at weddings, and for Christmas when we could make it. I remember teaching him "The Lotion Dance" at Liz's wedding (maybe not appropriate, but oh well) and cracking jokes downstairs in his basement with all the cousins. Then we moved, and the time started to slip by. The last time I saw John was two years ago at Christmas. I was struck by how much he had changed. "Little John Carney" was a tall, handsome, confident young man. His bright eyes were the same, even though he wore snazzy wire-rimmed glasses then, and his blonde hair was darkening as he got older. I remember marveling at his self-assuredness. He seemed so comfortable in his own skin, even though he was at an age when most boys are either awkward and reserved, or loud and obnoxious. He still loved to laugh, and to make others smile. If I had known it would be the last time I saw him face to face, I would have hugged him so much longer, and memorized his sweet smile. Now I have to wait until the next life to see it again...but I know I WILL see it again!

John's death was so devastating to me. It was harder than others I've faced recently, even my own family members. But it was also completely unexpected and shocking, whearas others weren't. Maybe that's why I took it so hard. I told Andy I didn't feel it was right for me to be so sad...others in John's life had to be hurting much much worse. But even though John wasn't "my" family, and I was only an in-law, I loved him so much. He stands out in my mind like Christmas lights on a tree or candles at a wedding...a bright, shining symbol of some of the happiest times of my life. And that's how I will always remember him, as someone fragile and beautiful that is gone much too soon.

I love you, Little John Carney. The next time I see you, you better have saved me a dance!

*****************

John T. Carney
(May 20, 1989 - October 19, 2009)

Carney, John T., beloved son of Thomas and Laurie Carney (nee Beck), dear brother of Adam Carney, loving grandson of Betty Beck, nephew to many aunts and uncles, and many, many cousins. He is also survived by his many SAE fraternity brothers. Graduate of Madeira High School, 2008. October 19, 2009. Friends may call on Friday, October 23rd from 9AM until the time of Mass of Christian Burial at 10AM at St. Gertrude Catholic Church, 7630 Shawnee Run Rd. (45243). The family asks that memorials be made to the Madeira Resident Homes for the Mentally Retarded, 6667 Euclid Ave. (45243). Thomas-Justin Memorial has been entrusted with the arrangements. You may express your condolences at www.thomasjustinmemorial.com

Back to Life...Back to Reality...

Attention, I have re-entered the blogosphere! Sorry it has been so long since my last post, but up until a couple of weeks ago, nothing really interesting had happened! And then, since what happened was Andy and I getting deathly ill, I didn't really feel up to posting! According to the friendly neighborhood "Doc-in-a-box" Andy had H1N1, and I had an upper respiratory infection. I was a little confused as to how Andy and I could be sick at the same time, with the same symptoms, and he had swine flu and I didn't. Regardless, the most important thing was Maddie never got sick, and Andy and I are both better now (although I am JUST NOW better, over 2 weeks later!).

Also since my last post, we made a quick trip to Tennessee. It was extremely complicated (due to me). I didn't want to fly, because I didn't want to pay American Airlines a thousand dollars in airfare and checked bag fees, and because they wouldn't let me take my carseat on the plane. They said the plane was too small, and I could either hold Maddie for 2 and half hours, or buy her her own seat. When I asked how I was supposed to get a 1 year old to sit still with only a lap belt to restrain her, the lovely help desk employee told me, and I am not making this up: "Umm, I don't know. Like, can you like, just hold her down?" Click. Airline Fail. I hate American Airlines, and they hate me.

So we drove. I told Andy I was perfectly capable of driving me and Maddie myself. Luckily, he knows better and flat out refused. So he drove me, flew back, then few back the next weekend so he could pick me up. Husband of the Year? Absolutely!

The drive down was HORRIBLE. I convinced Andy it would be a great idea for us to make the 14 hour drive OVERNIGHT. The baby could sleep, we could take turns sleeping vs. driving, etc. Yeah, I was completely wrong. Thanks to an unfortunate encounter with a Mucinex-D, I didn't sleep one minute the night before we left. So during the drive I was going on two nights without sleep and couldn't drive at all without my eyes crossing. I also couldn't rest because of Maddie waking up and screaming for 4 hours. Then Andy was so tired he needed me to stay awake to keep him awake. Then we gave up and pulled over at a rest stop to sleep for an hour or so. We finally made it home alive, thank God. Needless to say, we drove during the day on the way home, and it was 1000 times better. Everyone was happy and rested, and the addition of a DVD player made Maddie handle the drive like a champ.

I didn't take alot of pictures, but in summation we had a great time! Andy got to go to the Georgia game on the first weekend, and we had so much fun at the monthly Greiner Family Day. Maddie had a ball with all her aunts, uncles, cousins, and of course her Grandpa and Mimi! We also got to spend some time with my family and my fave lil' buddy, Rylan. Just for the record, Gigi was there, she was just hiding from the camera!

Maddie and PeePaw

Having a snack with Granny


Cutie Pie Rylan


Cousins!


With Uncle Al

He really does love me...can't you tell by his face? ;)

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...

I decided to copy my BFF Audra (check out her blog here) by posting how my fall decorating is going. Now, I'm never going to be as crafty as she is, but I do my best. In fact, today I dedicated a couple hours to pure, undiluted CRAFT TIME! with my friend Madeline H. She brought over her little one, and while the girls played, the mommies crafted and enjoyed some "coffee talk." Loved it! We decided to make some Rag Wreaths to celebrate Halloween. If you are interested in how to make these super-cute wreaths, check out this excellent how-to guide--written by the aforementioned Queen of Crafts herself, Mrs. Audra Lynn. I made only a few modifications to make it more "Halloween-y."

Here's the finished product:


And a close up of the cute fabrics I found at--drumroll, please--Hobby Lobby, the happiest place on Earth!

In another tribute to dear Dra, I'm including a picture of my Fall Mantle Makeover. I didn't think to take a before picture...but here is the after!

Happy Fall, everyone!

Adventures in Aggie-Land

We spent last weekend enjoying the hospitality of our good friends the Spences. Brian, Dawn, and Nathan live about 3 hours away from here, right next to Texas A&M University. Since they are A&M alums ("Aggies" if you will), along with neighbor-pal Scott, all the guys decided to take in the football game on Saturday while the girls hung out at the house. Andy had a great time at the game--A&M is rich in tradition, and Brian and Scott really enjoyed showing Andy their Alma Mater. And of course I had a fabulous time hanging with the girls. Maddie and her "boyfriend" Nathan definitely had their ups and downs, however. While they did share their first kiss while watching Baby Einstein, there were a lot of issues sharing toys. Soon enough they'll learn what their parents have...love is all about compromise!

Playing with "George" and "Duck"--the most fought after toys of the weekend!

The lone Vol fans!

She'd rather read than watch the game...

Maddie is looking irritated, like I interrupted a private moment or something!

She would not get out of the dog's bed...poor Allie!

First Haircut (for Maddie and Mommy!)

When your baby is born bald as a cueball, and stays looking like Bruce Willis for a looooong time, you kinda forget about haircuts. I never thought I'd see the day when needing to give her hair even the teeniest little trim would be necessary. However, over the last 13 months or so, slowly but surely...her hair has been growing. Maddie has what I deemned the "Reverse Mullet." Long on top, short on the sides. Party in the front, business in the back. Not very comfortable for her, I'm sure. We tried rocking the "blowhole" ponytail (you know, the one that sticks straight up), we tried little pigtails, but today I had to admit it...she needed her haircut. She looked like a sheepdog. I was scared to death of making her look goofy, or worse, like a boy. I contemplated taking her to one of those little kid hairsalons...but I finally found enough courage to tackle it myself!

Here's the before....

during.... (at this point I was really freaking out, not to mention the fact that I was having to CHASE HER around the room holding scissors!)

and after! I was convinced I had made a huge mistake. All I could think of was being approached by a million well-meaning old ladies saying "Oh, how cute! How old is HE?"

So, to make myself feel better, I grabbed the closest hairbow and voila! Instant baby girl!

The evil glares are because I was getting in the way of her Baby Einstein video. So no damage done, no eyes poked out, and she can actually see now! About an inch and a half of baby bangs are taped in the baby book, and we can move on to the next milestone!

One Year Portraits are Here!

Many of you have already seen these, or will see them when I email them out here in a few, and upload them onto Facebook, blah blah blah. But without further adieu, here are Maddie's amazing One Year Portraits from Erica Joyce Photography. Jake even blogged about how great the shoot went (see the link on the right). They are just fabulous and I think that the family photos turned out awesome, even though Andy and I joked about how we look like the Pasty Family from Whitetown, Canada. Not much chance to get a tan when you are chasing Maddie around!

Anyway, hope you enjoy. Family, I am emailing these out right now. Thanks EJP, you rock!

Click Here to See Maddie's Slideshow!

Delayed Birthday Post!

As you know, Maddie celebrated her first birthday on August 11! We were all so excited for this big milestone. The day was a little bittersweet, I have to admit. As much as I am proud and excited of how much she has grown and learned in the last year, I can't help but be sad that she isn't a "baby" anymore! She is eating grown up food, walking (sometimes), talking (sort of) and just turning into a big girl before my eyes!

I was also a little sad that we had to celebrate her big day so far away from family. We were really conflicted about whether to have a big party or not. We could have very easily filled up the house with all our friends and their kids...but in the end we decided that having to host a party would distract us from really enjoying Maddie's day, and making sure she enjoyed it. I think if we had been at home, it would have been a different story. But we still had a great time with our little party of Mommy, Daddy, Gigi, and Maddie!

Maddie got some really cool presents from family and friends including pretty clothes and shoes, new toys, books, and two very special baby dolls. Thank you to everyone who sent gifts, cards, and called to wish Maddie a happy birthday! We all appreciate it so much.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the day!

Maddie and Daddy sharing a birthday smooch...

Maddie and Gigi...

A new red wagon from Mommy and Daddy....

Her very own chair, from Gigi...

Cruisin'...


All smiles!

Keep an eye out for my next post (I'm sure the excitment is killing you)...I'm including a link to Maddie's awesome One Year Portraits!