17

17 years ago today I was blessed to see the birth of my niece Megan Lea Marlar.  I even got to cut the cord.  It was so cool to be able to experience that. The love and the pride that you feel when a child is born is so overwhelming, it's no wonder people cry when babies are born.  Today that pride and love is even stronger and more overwhelming than it was on that cold, snowy night.  If you would have asked me 17 or even 15 years ago if Megan would have turned out to be so perfect, I would have told you hell no, she is Tessie's child.  But she's nothing like Tessie was as a teenager.  She is perfect.  We are truly blessed to have such a good girl with a good head on her shoulders.  Her parents have sure done well raising her up.  Even if she did know how to throw a temper tantrum like her mom. You'll always be my Oscar no matter how old you get!
Happy 17th Birthday Megan Lea!! 

Love,
Nana

16

16 years ago today I gave birth to my first born, a boy we named Erik Michel Trump.  It's hard to believe that this time has passed and this day is finally here.  I've tried to mold and shape you, learn and teach you and prepare you for this day.  You'll get your driver's license and I'll have to let you take the car for the first time.  I'll hope and pray that I've taught you well to know right from wrong and to be safe while you are out there driving on these roads with all these crazy people.  My dad said to me on more than one occassion, it's not you I worry about, it's the other drivers.  Watch out for the other drivers...always Son.

So today at 16:

You still love your John Deere tractors and tinkering with them.
You love to build things with any tools you can get your hands on.
You love to dream up concoctions to cook up in the kitchen.
You still haven't done dishes since you were about 4, but you'll do laundry.
Your chore is to take out the garbage.
You can drive a vehicle.
You get B's and C's in the 10th grade...with a GPA of 2.97.
Math is easy for you, but English is a little tougher.
You love football and will be the starting Center in the fall of 2011.
You love to pick on your sisters and get them riled up.
You are shy to tell your momma that you love her, although she knows you do.
You love your momma's lasagna.

I love you Erik.  Thank you for being such a great son. 
You make me so proud to be your mother!
Love,
Mom

February 2, 2011

Happy Groundhog Day.
It's been awhile since I've last blogged for you.  Sorry for the delay folks.  So much has been going on, I feel as if my life is in a whirlwind.  I'm sure I'm not alone either.

As most of you know, Tom and I took on a position as Resident Managers of 3 apartment buildings.  It's been an interesting and fun time here at Spring Court.  Lots of repairs are being made and we are seeing progress finally.  The residents love us and the Somali residents have been so patient and gracious in teaching us their customs and culture.  They've even cooked for us!  YUM!

Tom and I are on our way to weight loss surgery success.  Our tentative goal for surgery is June sometime, probably the middle to end.  I'm down from 254 to 248.2.  Love that! :)

I start my new job at MSOCS on Monday...SO excited to be working for the State of MN.  My longterm goal is to retire from there in 25 years.  I'll put my time in and get 'er done.

Erik turns 16 on Tuesday.  Seriously, where did THAT time go?  I remember the night he was born so vividly still.  I'll blog more on that next week. :)
Natalea is 14 and full of school girl drama.  I love my teen girls. :)  She hates me one minute, loves me the next.  What's a momma to do. *sigh*
Gabryelle (13) is not quite as bad and enjoying her 7th grade season of basketball.  She's improving. :)
And Monique is 11 and trying to not be like either of her sisters.  She wants to play football.  Have at it kiddo! :)

More changes in our lives will be happening this year.  This is the year of change for me.   I'll blog more when I know more.  Until then my friends, live your life to the fulllest of each day!
Love,
TT