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

11 Years Ago

11 years ago today at 11:58AM, I gave birth for the last time to my last child, Monique Louise.  In honor of Susan Weinroth's upcoming birthday, I am going to list Monique's accomplishments thus far.

At 11 you:
~Are in 5th Grade
~Get A's & B's and maybe a C or two
~Are still baby fat cute
~Love monkeys
~Share a room with your sisters
~Still snuggle with your momma and daddy
~Likes boys and has had a few crushes
~LOVES macaroni & cheese
~Helps momma anytime she asks without whining about it
~Adore your brother and can still win his heart
~Can beat up said brother (because he lets you win)
~Is still the baby of the family even though you're not a baby anymore
~Is into all kinds of music and crafts like your momma

It has been an interesting 11 years and I can't wait to see what the next 11 bring for you, my baby MoMo.  Happy Birthday Monique-E.

Love Always,
Your Momma

The Big 4-0!

Today I have lived for 40 years.  At 3:31PM I will be EXACTLY 40 years old.  It seems like yesterday that I was just a little girl living in north Minneapolis and starting Kindergarten at Hamilton Elementary School with Mr. Olson as the Principal.  My childhood is filled with TONS of memories and I'm fortunate to still remember most of them as my long term memory is awesome, but that short term stuff gets lost in minutes.  All of my childhood birthdays were made special...even the teenage ones.  After all, it is MY day and it's the ONLY one I get to celebrate just being ME.  I try to instill this upon my children as they grow up and we try to do something special for each of them on THEIR day.  Today though, we have no special plans and I'm still trying to decide how I want to spend my day after I get done with work.  I do get to go to lunch with my mom, brother, and niece today.  After work I am headed to the high school to catch up with my favorite English teacher Bil (with one L) Hoff.  His birthday is tomorrow. 

So at 40 I embrace my age as I always have, and I look forward to the next 40 years and the suprises of life and living.  Life truly is too short not to embrace and live it.  I've always loved my special day and I always will. 

So at 40 here are my some of my current favorites:

Favorite Color:  Blue, any shade

Favorite Number:  2, because it's my birth day

Favorite Hobby:  Scrapbooking and Photography, you can't scrap what you don't shoot!

Favorite Musician:  My dad still, and George Michael second ONLY to my dad. :)

Favorite Actor:  Tyler Perry,  Madea is near and dear to my heart after living in Georgiarrrrr.

Favorite Food:  Lasagna still.  It's the only thing that rhymes with my name.

Favorite Drink:  Water for non-alcoholic and Sex On The Beach for alcoholic.

Favorite Sport:  Football, then Surfing.  LOVE to watch both.

Favorite Scrapbooking Manufacturer:  Currently, Little Yellow Bicycle (Thanks to Kim Kesti and Tania Willis!)

Favorite Local News Anchor:  Don Shelby, WCCO.  He is retiring in November after 30+ years.  He's been with me almost my whole life.  I will miss you Don!

Favorite Team:  Minnesota Vikings.  Then the Twins.  Timberwolves.  Wild.  Lynx.  In that order.

So that's all for now.  It's raining outside this morning, but in my world the sun is shining today. 

A BIG THANK YOU to my parents for giving me life. :)

Love,
TT