Dear Mom, The terrible twos are no joke.

Hello again Mommy. It of course has been a while. I was never good at keeping current. Your awesome grandson Parker is growing up more and more every day and it makes me so happy. Also scares me to death. haha. I would like to think that I was never this ornery but I'm sure if you were here you would inform me otherwise. Between dumping every powdery substance he can get his hands on into the floor (flour, parm cheese, chicken base, lots of herbs and spices, etc.) and annoying our pets, I just don't know what to do most days. Oh, and let's not even talk about the attitude and screaming fits and tantrums. However, I have learned you really just have to roll with it. What else can you do, except maybe screaming and pulling your hair out? I know if you were here that's what you would do. Seriously though, you could have given me a little heads up. haha. All is good in the land of Kirkpatrick right now. Michael is working hard. I am staying home with the little dude again after 4 months of working. We are trying to keep occupied while the weather is still nice. Winter in Nebraska is no joke either. We were able to spend a week in Atlanta while Mike was working. Even got to see Dot, Tabby and Marissa. Marissa is growing up so big. You wouldn't even believe it. Well, off to do some volunteer work in town. Here's some pictures. Love you mom. Miss you. xoxoxox

Dot and Marissa

 World of Coke - Atlanta

 Parker at the Aquarium

Tabby and Parker at the Aquarium

 My little road warrior!

 Parker at Hooters in Nashville

 Riding the MARTA in Atlanta

 Parker at the Atlanta Zoo

 Good Morning!

 Is I  Cweem!

 Our new kitties - Catniss and Rue

Dear Mom, I'm just like you.

Dear Mom,

I know it's been quite a while since I've written, and I'm sorry. Guess the world just catches up with you sometime. I just wanted to say I am starting to realize that I am becoming more and more like you by the day. Some people would say they don't want to turn into their parents but I couldn't be happier. Around Christmas, I made some homemade gifts for (not so) little Marissa and Mady. I showed them via Skype and Dot and Tabby said "you are so talented, just like your momma!" I beamed with joy. I guess I never really realized how much you crocheted, but I'm glad I got your talent. It is something that I enjoy doing and have begun an online store to sell my items 

(mostly hats. Once I learned how to make a magic circle, it was all over.)

 

Above is some of my items for sale in my shop - MamaHooksCrochet. 

Below are 2 of the things I made for Marissa.

  I asked for a sewing machine for Christmas, and was so happy to find one at the thrift store that was very similar to the one we had when I was growing up. It's a Kenmore from the 1950's, with a custom cabinet from Sears for that model. Mike bought the missing cords for it, and I am so excited to find a spot in my house and get going. I want to start quilting, like you, grandma and Dot. There are so many patterns and ideas on the internet I can't wait to get started. I am also getting "grown up" tastebuds and enjoy cooking and eating things I used to see you eat. Everytime I think about it, I grin. I think "that's my momma" and laugh. 

Oh, and one more thing. Thanks for turning me into a super sci-fi nerd. I am OBSESSED with Doctor Who (yeah, they brought it back and it's awesome!) and from the time I heard the TARDIS, I thought, That's my mom. right there. I grew up with this. They brought back Battlestar Galactica too but I haven't tried to get into yet. Too into the Doctor. Even Crocheted a TARDIS for my phone. 

I also find myself playing with Parker the way you used to with me. Doing ordinary things at random times, just because. Telling him funny stories of my life, well, because they are more random and hilarious than anything out of a story book. I know now how precious childhood really is and how hard you worked to ensure MY childhood was extraordinary. I hope Parker thinks as fondly of me as I do with you. I mean, come on mom, I totally used you in a job interview question I was asked yesterday. What's that say? haha.

Ok, enough sentimental crap. Now, it's time for gratuitous grandchild pictures. 

Love you Mom.

 

Above : Look at this face. Never seen this ornery adorable face before, right? haha

Below: He's so pretty I want to put him in the pictures.

 Mom and Parker in the racecar bed. Good thing I'm short, huh?

 Just a couple pictures of "The Great Flour Incident". No, I didn't punish him. I didn't even get mad. Just laughed and rolled with it. Same thing you would have done.

 

Well, I guess that's all for now mom. I love you forever and I'll miss you for always but I know that anytime I need you, You'll be right here. 

xoxoxoxo Lisa

Dear Mom - Happy Birthday!

Dear Mom,

I just wanted to wish you a very Happy Birthday. I can't believe you would have been 68 years young today. I must admit, I was a little bit sad today, but it turned out pretty good after all. I know that you are probably missing me just as much as I miss you. I want you to know that I'm in good hands. My husband is one of the good ones. He seems to always know what to say or do to make me feel better. Your grandson is pretty darn amazing too. Sometimes I swear it's like you're playing with him. All of a sudden, he will start running around shouting "memaw memaw!" It makes me giggle. I know now what unconditional love is all about. In less than 2 weeks I'm going to have a 2 year old little boy. Oh my. What was I thinking? Ha. I love you so much, mom. I know that one day we will see each other again. Until then, enjoy these semi-recent pictures of us. :)

Love you forever -

Lisa xoxo

Dear Mom - I don't know how you did it.

Dear Mom -
Today has been an emotionally trying day. The closer Parker gets to 2, the worse his behavior becomes. Seriously, how did you do it? I am so happy that I am able to stay at home with him. I just don't understand how someone so little can be so angry! Everything is a fight - I feel like a tape recorder. Parker close the fridge door. Parker, get out of the garbage. Parker, you can't drink soda. Parker, that doesn't go there. Parker don't kick me in the back, it hurts mommy. Parker stop head butting me just because you don't get your way. Parker, don't pull the dog by the tail. She's old and doesn't like it. Ugh. Really - how did you do it? I think that parents of toddlers should not be held responsible for going completely crazy on the general public because they can't take it anymore. I did get to talk to Dot today. She seems happier in her new place. Marissa is growing up to be quite a wonderful young lady. She loves talking to Parker. She calls him Park-man and Parker-bear. Sometimes I wish I were closer to them so they could spend more time with Parker. However, I am so happy to be here in the Midwest. I feel like I always kinda belonged here. Oh well, I should probably go. You know, grumpy toddler chasing a pug when he should really be in bed. Love you forever - Your baby girl.

Dear Mom - Let's start at the beginning.

Dear Mom -

I am starting this as a way to connect to you some way, since you've been an Angel for almost 20 years now. There are days that all I want to do is pick up the phone and call you. Tell you Parker's new phrase. Ask you tips on potty training. And then, I realize that I can't call you. I can't say hello. I feel like I never even really got to say goodbye. Never did I think you wouldn't walk out of that hospital, skipping and laughing. I was so naive about the world in general. I didn't think losing your mom was even possible - not until you were 80 or something. Not 48. I have had moments screaming about how unfair things were. Why would God take a poor little girl's mother away? I was just an 11 year old girl, getting ready for teenage years, puberty, prom, driving, graduation. I had the whole world ahead of me. I needed you. For the longest time, I thought that it was some sort of joke. You were going to pop your head around the corner of my room at night and say "Gotcha!". Maybe it was because it was too hard to understand that you were gone forever. For a while I actually "lost" my faith. I felt completely abandoned by my church family and everyone that used to be around me. I felt alone. Thankfully I had friends that got me back to the happy I used to be.  In college, I met a very special person named Mike and 7 years after we met, we became husband and wife. Almost 3 years later, we were blessed with our own special miracle. We named him Parker Ellis, after Grandpa Alton and Grandpa Barney. He is very head strong, affectionate, and intelligent. He is also a trouble maker and very dramatic. (Sound familiar?) I wish you could spend just one day with him. He is so beautiful, with blonde curly hair and green grey eyes. Some nights I don't even sleep, I just lay next to him or sit next to his crib and watch him sleep, snore, dream. It is the most wonderful thing I have ever had in this world. And it's all because of you. You loved me so deeply, unconditionally. You showed me, even in the short time we were together, that love is the most important thing in this world. As long as you have love, you can accomplish anything you set out to do.  I was just a girl from an unconventional blue collar household, with a mom and a grandma - and a cousin and aunt next door. I was raised in hand me downs and anything pink. I didn't have dance lessons, I danced to my own music. I sang to anyone who listened. I was the best mommy a doll could have. I grew up the black sheep of my family, the one with multicolored hair and "boy" clothes. In my adulthood, I have found that one true love that many search their whole lives for. I have a little boy that is my absolute everything. I have a beautiful 108 year old house that is just big enough for the 3 of us. I am awesome in the kitchen and love helping in my church community. I live in a town just like Mayberry. Everyone knows everyone. Everyone helps everyone. I am really in love with Nebraska, mom. Honest. However, I will ALWAYS be a Carolina girl. I love you mommy. Love, Your little girl, LAPD.