My funny nephews

My sister and her husband have taken the kids to Disney World for the week to celebrate their birthdays.

She has been calling me everyday with the perfect quips from the kids:

#1- After riding "The Tower Of Doom" aka that ride that takes you high in the sky, and than lets you fall straight down, a white faced 5yr old Cooper yelled, "Thanks a lot Daddy for trying to kill me!!!" Jack had nothing to say because he was crying!

#2- After late nights, early mornings, lots of walking and heat, nik said she noticed Cooper was beginning to look a little fatigued around lunchtime. She than described what she called a "major meltdown", and the end of which, Coop yelled at her " I can't take this anymore!".

Taken on his way to take a nap

They gave in, and took Coop back to the hotel for a nap. They are headed back out, so I can only imagine what these kiddos will come up with next. I so, so wish I was with them!

Happy Birthday, Jack

Jackey Boy

You are 8 years old today- I can hardly believe it.

You are in Disney World right now with your Mommy, Daddy and Coop- I am sure you are having the time of your life.

I want you to know how proud I am of you and everything you've accomplished this past year. I think your true personality really glowed this year- I really saw you as a boy, not my baby Jackey Boy. You are so kind, thoughtful and considerate. I am really amazed at how perceptive and intuitive you are to other people's thoughts and feelings too.

Grandma told me a wonderful story about how you were driving with her a few months ago and out of the blue said, ' You know what Grandma, I think Auntie B needs a Sugar Pie of her own to love!". It makes me want to cry again just thinking about it.

Earlier this year I spent the night at your house, and you must have forgotten because when you walked upstairs and saw me, a huge smile lit your face and you ran and jumped into my arms for a big hug. Your mommy said, " Hey! Why don't you do that to me anymore???" and you said, " Cause she's my Auntie B". Jack, those are the sort of memories that fill heart and stay with me for years to come.

You are so smart, so handsome and such a wonderful big brother. Uncle Brian and I are so proud that we belong to you.

I love you so much it hurts.

Happy Birthday, Buddy

Love,

Auntie B

Memorial Day

Our long weekend got off to a rocky start with a migraine of all migraines on Friday night- I got two hours of sleep so I am still not sure how I got through Saturday. We had a great bbq Saturday with these people:

This guy was not afraid to strap on an apron, even after he became the butt of a few jokes ( lead mostly my non other than yours truly!):

We woke up on Sunday and drove to the mountains. It's one of our favorite things to do: Bri gets to drive listening to his music of choice and I get to take a nap. Win-Win for the BDews! We stopped by my parents condo for lunch and took a quick trip to the lake to watch Uncle Woody try to fish with his remote controlled boat.

We came back down the mountain, rushed off to see 'Angels and Demons", and now Brian is off to get sushi for us for dinner.

As I was sitting here, I looked out my window and saw a car driving down our street with American Flags attached to both windows. It made me stop and think about what this weekend is really about, while the bbq's and naps in the car are fun, it is really about the Soldiers who gave their lives so I could enjoy such trivial things.

The Military, Soldiers and Patriotism are all very important backbones of the Munger family. Nothing makes the Munger girls burst into tears quicker than stories related to the military personnel and their families.

I know we are thankful that "our" loved ones came home safe- Brian, Julie, Danny, Matt, Mike, Rob and all the other AFA peeps that have graced our lives. And while I pray for soldiers safety each night, I will say an extra prayers for those who didn't come home.

Gracie Dew

We've done it again. Hospice Dew has reopened.

Gracie is a 7 yr old Great Dane who spent her entire live at a puppy mill. Three months ago, she found her way to a vet clinic in KS, and eventually to our rescue.

When she arrived on Monday, there was a significant leg injury on her hind leg, and she was quickly taken to a vet. By Wednesday we received the news she has terminal cancer.

I had been keeping my eye on Gracie because she reminds me so much of my first Dane, and when I learned she needed a home to live out her days, Hospice Dew opened it's door. We already adore her!

She may have days, maybe weeks. We just aren't sure, but we will closely monitor her quality of life. She still has a lot of spunk in her and is quite the character!

I would be remiss if I didn't thank my WONDERFUL husband, Babycakes. Thanks agreeing to let us come out of foster retirement for a bit. Thank you for understanding how much it means to me to help dogs like Gracie (and Dutch, and Blue and Oz). Thank you knowingly walking into a heartbreak of a situation because you love me so.

Making babies 2009 style

7pm: Brian supplied the flowers, I supplied the needle. Wish us luck

I met a new love this weekend

I met a new love this weekend..he comes in the form of a 21lbs 7.5 month old. He goes by the name of Mr Carter Phillips. If he likes ya, you can call him Cartie. He belongs to my crazy friend, Lindsey aka Trix and her hubby Chris, aka Chrisey (a name for which I am sure he is so pleased)

I've been very anxious to meet him in person and he did not disappoint. I am pretty sure I didn't even hear him cry once. Full of laughs and give his smiles away with ease. He loved my hair and yanked it every chance he got.

I still cannot get over that this beautiful boy belongs to my wild and crazy college friend. But I must admit, she is a wonderful mommy!

We had a great weekend playing with the babe, drinking wine, watching Twlight (yummmmm, Edward.....)

I am a lucky girl to have such another little boy to love!

If you're a prayerful person....

If you're a prayerful person, I have a personal favor to ask...if you are so inclined, will you add us to yours?

IVF shots start tonight, and the entire journey will continue through the month of June.

I am excited and really anxious to get this process started. I will be doing everything humanly possible to be get my body ready for this- no alcohol (boo!), no Diet Coke ( double boo!), no caffeine, lots of protein, lots of calcium, twice weekly acupuncture sessions, no exercise (finally a legitimate excuse!), and rest.

That said, Nik and I were raised with the notion that God has a plan for us, but I certainly don't think a few extra prayers thrown our way will hurt.

Let the fun begin!

Weekend Get Away

Carter,

I am coming to see you tomorrow. I cannot wait to me you! You better be ready...I am going to pinch your cheeks and fat thighs and probably smother you in kisses!

Tell your mom to stock up on wine and CL. Chiggity Biggity might be a nice treat too.

I hear it's hot there, so tell your Dad the pool better be floatable too.

If I think of anything else, I will text you.

Can't wait to meet you Gordito!

Love,

Auntie B

My new drug problem

The baby drugs are here! Loud, proud and plentiful. Starting Monday, this is what Brian and I will be doing everynight at 7pm

ps- The "Big Hunk" candy bars are thrown in for good measure. These tasty treats are a favorite of the Munger girls, and are very hard to find these days. I figured it was a good sign this tiny pharmacy carried my favorite childhood candy!

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is always special in our family. We pick the perfect card, we pick the perfect gift, we celebrate with a big dinner. I realized I had a lot of extra cards to buy this year...for my mother-n-law, for my sister-n-law in honor of her 1st Mother's Day, and for Trix too.

I looked at this year's celebration a bit differently- maybe it's because I looked at the day in terms of hoping that next year I will be celebrating it, or maybe it's because so many of my friends have new babies, or maybe because of the lingering worry this could be Granny's last Mother's day.

I was definitely more sentimental this year.

The day started with Brian and I going to church. Before walking into church I ran into my good friend Kori, who lost her mom a number of years ago. I couldn't help but wonder what this day means to her.

As we sat down in the church, the pastor said a prayer that made mention of those struggeling to have children of their own (tears popped into my eyes), than a sweet lady told the story of losing her Mother to Alzheimer (tears in the eyes again). I thought I would get by without any tears actually falling, but I happened to look over to Colin, my friend Lindsay's husband, who lost his mother a while back, and saw tears rolling down his face. That was all she wrote! Full blown tears in church.

We ended the day with dinner at Nik's. We had a great time catching up, playing with Baby Kolt, and eating yummy enchiladas.

I am incredibly thankful for the wonderful mother that I have. I am incredibly proud of the mother Nik has become. I am incredibly hopeful that next year we will have a new mommy in the group!

New Kids on The Block

I am working from home today, and have The Today Show on in the background.

NKOTB just came on, and are performing "Hangin' Tough". Without even realizing it, I stopped working and found myself smiling at the TV...than, realizing what I was doing made me laugh out loud.

Back in the day, the Munger girls were obsessed with these boys, and it turns out I might still have a soft spot for them.