This could never happen

I bought some new plants for the house and potted them last week. After I put the red bromeliad out in the family room it hit me.....I could NEVER have this plant out in the past 14 years. Why do you ask......





because of this one. Lisa was a huge fan of ANYTHING RED!!!!!! Red flowers, red tomatoes, red apples, red, red, red. If it was red it went in her mouth. Seeing the red bromeliad made me smile thinking of my sweet baby girl. Still missing her everyday.

My Lisa Gal

I have been having nightly dreams of my Liser. I think she may be trying to tell me something...like finish up her montage. I have gone thru some of my photos and finally put together a little something.....it was hard selecting the pictures.....I have close to 13-14 years of photos to choose from. But, here are some of my favorites. Oh, and the song, it is just too perfect. Light-hearted, sweet, full of pep, just like my Liser. I am sure there will be a few more montages to follow. Until then, enjoy this one. I sure do.

Free MySpace slideshows, photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Kevin's birthday, visit to Troy, and time with Grandma and Grandpa

We travelled up to Troy, AL to visit with Grandma and Grandpa Capozzoli, and to celebrate Kevin's 33rd birthday. Kevin and I got away for a mini-date and went to see Forgetting Sarah Marshall. It was a really funny movie. Check it out if you can. We then went to Troy Fest and walked around the arts and crafts. I got some really cute picture frames of the boys names. William found a blow-up slide and was in heaven sliding down the slide 12 times. I took Paulie down with me once. He did great until we hit the middle of the slide, picked up speed, and felt the rush in his tummy....and well, then he really let it rip. The cry could be heard from around the Troy square. Guess he did not like it. But, all was redeemed when he got to have his first funnel cake. Aaaahhhh, fair food, it's the greatest.

The Easter Bunny also visited in Troy and the boys had a good time picking up eggs. We talked alot about Lisa and how last year she was with us walking the trails and having fun. We sure do miss her and think of her everyday. Here are some pictures from our visit in Troy.

William and his play-doo buddies he made with Grandma.

Flying down the slide at lighting speed.

Daddy's birthday....a Carmel cake and his boys.....what else could he ask for?!

William with his basket getting ready for the big egg hunt.

Paulie and his golden egg.

A sweet smile surrounded by his pretty eggs.

Eating mulberries....Paulie really did love them.

William chowin' down too.

Almost done

For those faithful friends and family members.....I know, that is everyone out there, I am almost done with the montage of Liser. Oh, again with the nickname....I can't help myself. She was too darn cute to just call Lisa. Anyway, back to the update, I have picked my photos and am uploading the old ones to the computer. Kevin has even gone and scoured his computer to look for some good ones of her. I have chosen my songs....or at least I have selected the ones I like for now. I am hoping to have it completed really soon. Keep checking back because THIS IS a priority for us!

Nicknames

The past two days have been VERY difficult for our family. Lisa, our beloved Dalmatian, gently passed on. It has been very difficult on everyone. I am in the midst of creating a video montage of times and loves with Lisa. Please check back.

Anyway, what started this post are my crazy, random thoughts during this time of sadness, crying, reminiscing, and pure love for Lisa. These thoughts all started with my MANY nicknames for her and it got me wondering about nicknames. My name really does not translate into a nickname other than Trace....and at times, that is boring. I never thought I was one that used nicknames, but as time has moved on and I have become a mother....three times (Lisa is my FIRST baby), I noticed I use only nicknames when calling my babies. So here is a listing of Lisa's nicknames......very rarely did I just say "Lisa". That ONLY occurred when I was annoyed, angry, pissed, and a variety of other feelings associated with destruction and messes. At those times she was then called "LEESSA!" If I had to choose the sweetest, most loved nickname for my gal, (at the moment) I would have to go with "Lisa Marie". Anyway, enough of my babbling, here is my list.

Lisee
Lisee Bear
Liser
Lisa Marie
Bear
Bearser
Lis
Lisapooh
Lisagal
Old gal
Baby girl

Oh, and she answered to every single one of these names....especially if food was involved.

Not only has Lisa been given several nicknames, but so have my children....and they, like Lisa, answer to all of them. I mean why not, they probably don't know their given names.....rarely do I say those names!

William's many nicknames:
Wee
Wee-man
Wee-Yum
The Wee
The W

Paul's many nicknames:
P
The P
P-lay
The P-lay
Paulie Wallie
I forgot that Paul's real name is Paul. I mainly call him P-lay or Paulie Wallie. It is so bad, that if you ask William what his brother's name is he replies: "Paulie Wallie". I need to stop, I just don't know how to. It is even funnier when you hear me talking to others saying:

"Blah blah blah and the Wee, the P, and the Liser were there too".

How strange and funny are those names.....good things they are just nicknames, but really in my world they are more likely the name that you will be called. Oh, and if you are wondering No, I don't have ANY nicknames for Kevin. But he has plenty for me. I am sure you have even heard them. If not, I will refresh your memory:
Devil Woman
T-Rex
The Tracenator

Back home and back to reality......aaaahhhh

We made it back to Camp Rudderville in about 9 hours! I can not believe the drive went that fast or that the boys were soooooo good. We even stopped for breakfast and lunch along the way so that we could stretch and get some energy out. William and Paul were so good. They slept the first few hours and then William watched his shows while Paul drifted between sleep and play. It was a good drive. I am glad that my mother was able to help me. I still don't feel comfortable driving for 10 hours with the two of them myself. Maybe when Paul is older and not so bottle dependant!

When we arrived home my FABULOUS husband had cleaned the entire house, washed our bedsheets, was doing laundry, AND had cooked us dinner! I am so surprised and so happy! I am wondering though.....who are you....this person masquerading as Kevin.......? Who ever you are, I need to leave more often! It is wonderful being missed so AND coming home to a warm, clean and loving home! I truly am blessed.

A big milestone happened for Paul while visiting my parents......he is off COMPLETELY of his nighttime bottles! YAY!!!!!!!!!! It was the smoothest transition. I said...well, tonight is the night that the bottles stop. We'll see how it goes. And he slept through the night! Amazing! Occasionally he will awaken for a binkie and cry out....but then it is right back to sleep. He goes to sleep at 8PM and awakens at 6AM for a bottle. This is so doable! I tried to work hard to get this pattern for the grandparents. They are coming to visit/sit with the kids while Kevin and I travel to Italy. I know that constant awakening at night is tiresome.....so they will no longer have to worry about Paulie. Just Lisa....making sure the old gal gets out during the night so she doesn't pee in the house.

Well, enough rambling from me. I will put some new photos up soon. They are of the garden while I was away......I have to upload them first.....and I no longer have two willing babysitters. So it may take some time. Check back.

Aahhh, it is Monday morning

So, last night was a typical night. Kevin put William down and read him some books, William came out of his, oh, 3 times and then Mommy put William down.....and he stayed! Until of course 11:00PM when he came into our room. How fun, sleeping with William while he kicks you in the back and occasionally on the head. I feel very rested today. Meanwhile, Paul went to sleep at 8:00PM. I fed him his last bottle at 9:30-10:00PM, which of course he takes while sleeping. He sleeps till around 1:30AM and when he awakes for his bottle....so off I go to feed Paul. Then, I go to let Lisa out. Of course I have to wake her and she DOES NOT like it. So, I listen to her growl and bark out of protest...at 2:00 in the morning. But, if she does not go out she leaves me a morning present of fresh, wonderful smelling pee-pee. Sometimes she makes to the tile....most times she doesn't. You can understand why I don't want to clean up pee-pee as part of my morning routine, can't you. I am sure this is how you would like to spend your mornings...right?! So, I brave the waters and force her to get up and go outside. Now mind you, we had salmon last week. Kevin cooked it on a cedar plank. He has this brilliant idea that we need to burn the plank in the chimena....so he keeps the plank! Placing it (rather throwing it) in the wood pile. Do you think that Lisa thinks it is necessary to burn the wooden plank? NO, OF COURSE NOT.....She is a dog! She thinks it is necessary to EAT the wooden plank at 2 in the morning!!!! So out into the cold night I go to chase Lisa into the house so that I can return to my comfy bed...where William is sleeping sideways, of course on my side of the bed! Finally Lisa comes inside, much to her dismay and I get back to bed. Paul awakens at 5:00AM, thankfully the binkie works and he goes back to sleep...of course in the swing. I LOVE THE SWING! And then 7:00AM rolls around and it is time to wake up. Kevin slept in today...the First Sergeant did the 6:00AM meeting....so he is happy and well rested. William awakens and tells me he slept all night in his bed....yeah right. And, Paul, well he is happy to be smiling at Mommy. Lisa, of course, she just wants breakfast. So, off we go to start our day. I doubt I will be getting a nap in...but remember, I am well rested from my night's sleep.

Welcome to Monday.........Are you sure it is not Friday yet?

This morning started off with a bang. Both Kevin and I thought William was asleep when he left for work....so he did not say goodbye. Well, he wasn't...and I got to listen to William have a tantrum for close to an hour...how fun! William screaming "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy". Nothing seemed to calm him and when I tired to take him out of his bedroom, he ran right back in, got in position and started screaming again. Thank goodness for little ones because Paulie was the only thing that distracted the Wee. Once Wee knew that I was focusing on Paulie...well, the tantrum started and he was fine. Me, well, I was shot and ready for bed. So, are you sure it is not Friday?

The rest of the day sort of followed the morning. William peed in his pants...AGAIN! Potty training seems to have been forgotten since Paulie has started being more interactive. The normal battles occurred....William put on your underwear...No, I don't like underwear. William, put on your underwear. It seems that he is part Von Gunten.....my brother never wears underwear. These got us thru to lunch, which seemed to go ok.



William then spent the rest of the day playing and then painting with Daddy. Dinner and the rest of the night were great. Makes me wonder why the morning was so trying.

Good thing little babies sleep and take long naps. Paulie slept the afternoon away....Thank God!

Here are some photos from the day. I am off to bed!

William eating lunch! He likes the BIG fork.

Painting with Daddy.