When Boys Become Men

*- I wrote a post about a week ago about Bryce's friend, Matt losing his baby girl. She died at eleven months old. She had muscular dystrophy. The funeral was yesterday, and I think for the first time in my life, I saw two boys, my son and Matt, become men. I can't even begin to tell you the hell those two boys put me through. I remember going to pick them up from jr high school and they would be pushing each other in the street or some other dumbass thing! But yesterday, I saw two boys in a very unbelievable situation as young men. It was a beautiful service. There were pink balloons everywhere, blown up pictures of the baby. It began with a slide show of little Hannah as the song by Roberta Flack played, "The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face". The family's faith gave them the strength to each speak to everyone about what Hannah meant to them. Little Hannah's grandmother got up towards the end and walked over to a Christmas tree. Under the tree were presents that were for Hannah, she died only days before Christmas. The grandmother called up little kids that were there, or their parents, and handed out gifts. As we left, and the Pastor told us which way to leave and we could "pay our respects to Hannah", me being "me", had no idea that little Hannah was there in an open coffin. She looked beautiful, and peaceful but I don't think I will ever forget her little face.

Last night after I got home from work (I had to go back to the store after the service) I was sitting in the kitchen holding Morgan and talking to Justine. I heard Bryce's truck and as I glanced out the window I saw my young men dressed in black, Bryce and Matt, coming into the house. I wasn't sure how Matt would feel, coming home from burying his little baby that was only a few months older than Morgan. He walked up to Morgan and I and extended his arms and said, "come hug Uncle Matt" and he picked her up and did just that, hugged her. Before he left, he sat Morgan back down in my lap telling her that she would be seeing a lot more of her Uncle Matt and kissed her. He told us that he was bringing over some Christmas gifts he had for Hannah, he wanted Morgan to have them. And with that, I watched those two knuckle headed boys I use to know, walk out my front door as young men! As the Pastor told us yesterday, "God reached out His hand for Hannah, and Hannah took it and is no longer in pain". I will always remember that and the day my boys became men.

Christmas Leftovers

Well,all the packages are open, all the food (and way to much of it) has been eaten, and it's time to move ahead. I look at the picture of Riley above. . . and I look at her last year in this picture that was taken last Christmas. Time, it goes by in "the wink of an eye"! I hope you are all enjoying your family and friends this holiday season. Life keeps us so busy, and passes so quickly. As I get ready to go to work at Country Roads this morning, I will be spending part of the morning away from the store. I'm going with Bryce to the funeral of his friend, Matt's, baby girl that died a week ago today. It makes me appreciate life, family and friends even more this morning. If you have little ones in your life, give them an extra hug or kiss for me today and cherish those wonderful Christmas memories we just celebrated with them! I know I carry those pictures of Riley & Morgan smiling in my heart daily and so appreciate having them be a part of my life!

Merry Christmas!

Presents have been open, tree is bare beneath, and breakfast has been cooked and eaten. Time to relax? Yes, just for a bit before we head over to Katie's this afternoon for our Italian Christmas dinner, courtesy of Vinnie! Brande sent me the photo above from "Christmas Past". My ex-mother-in-law went through a crafting and sewing period in her life, and we had our little hearts blessed with the rewards of her craft! Katie had one of these dandy gifts as well, but wouldn't pose for the picture. And now to this morning, "Christmas Present"! Remember your first bike? Or how about your first ride on toy? Riley and Morgan loved theirs! Bryce assisting "the girls" with unwrapping their gifts! Can't tell who is having more fun, Bryce or "the girls"! Morgan's first Christmas is turning out just perfect, with a bow on top! Now it's my time to rest up before I head over to Katie's house. Today is a special day and I hope you all enjoy your day with your family and friends, or at least pretend to! Merry Christmas!!

"Home for the Holidays"

Every Christmas season, without fail, I watch Faith Hill's, "Home for the Holidays"! It is a great heartwarming special about not only the need that so many kids have to be adopted, but stories of those that were adopted. All of these stories just fill your heart with "hope" and remind me of all the good that is still left in the world. Faith herself was adopted. What I also enjoy about this special is that not only does Faith sing, but others do as well. I love Mary J, looking good as always. And this "nice" looking man, performed as well, although he had more clothes on at the time. I've always been into Michael Franti's music and I also knew he does his part in "giving back". What I never knew though that he was adopted as a child. As he told his story through words, and song, they would show his mom in the audience. You could see how very much she loves him and was so proud as tears streamed down her face as her son spoke about her! Each year this show is a reminder to us all that there are great kids out there waiting for homes. If you get a chance, try and catch a re-run of this special! And speaking of little kids, such as my "artist" Riley, I was reading a blog this morning that Beth writes. She is a teacher, and it just so happens that this year she has two little kids in her class that both are struggling with leukemia. One is doing well, and is home for Christmas. The other is not doing so well. This little girl's wish is to get as many cards as she can from all over the world! If you would like to send her a card, you can contact Beth on the link above (assuming the link works) or email me or leave a comment with your email and I would be happy to provide you with her address! It just takes a "little" to make a difference a big difference in a little kid's life! As I head out to "the store" this morning to work, I just want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! And as one of the old country Christmas songs goes, "Thank God For Kids"! Just keep the markers away from them this holiday season!

White Wednesday

For this special "White Wednesday", since Christmas is only a couple of days away, I took some pictures of my favorite store, Country Roads! As I always say, it is great to go to work and not "feel" like you are actually working because you are surrounded by so many wonderful things! Being that's my store, I'm also blessed in having so many great family and friends to work with. I couldn't ask for more. Here are a few of the photos I recently took at Country Roads, hope you enjoy them!






Be sure to go visit Kathleen, she is the one that put together our wonderful "White Wednesday"! Happy holidays to each and everyone of you!

It's Almost Time!

There is nothing more magical this time of year than the sparkle in the eyes of little kids as they eagerly await Christmas day! Actually, that little sparkle in Riley's eyes above is why I didn't get this post up this morning. At three years old, her eyes truly tell the story of this magical time of year. It's Morgan's first Christmas, and at six months she is all about looking at the lights and anything else that is sparkly! Also, Morgan is into anything she can put into her mouth as well! These are my kids Christmas cards this year with their babies pictures on them. Thought I would share them with you as a way of saying "Merry Christmas from MY Family to Yours".

"Christmas, Children, is not a date, it's a state of mind"!
Mary Ellen Chas

Last Minute Gift Ideas!

So you are down to the last few gifts you need to buy and you haven't a clue as to what to get for someone? Country Roads may have just the answer for you! Vintage signs are such great gifts? Why, because they are unique, and different, and they are vintage! I thought you might like to see a few of the one of a kind advertising signs that are currently at Country Road right now for you!








I love giving gifts at Christmas that are different and unique! I enjoy putting "thought" into my gifts. And if these signs above don't tempt you stop by Country Roads to finish up your holiday shopping, you have to know we have about 10,000 square feet more of wonderful gifts just waiting for you to purchase! Happy Holidays!

The Smallest of Christmas Angels

I had a different post planned for this morning. As I was getting dressed for work, Bryce texted me and told me that his friend Matt's little girl died last night. Bryce and Matt have been bestfriends since junior high school. They have both gotten into trouble together many times. Bryce has always kind of stood up for Matt as there were times Matt wouldn't do the smartest of things. Like the time he picked a fight with three guys twice his size. Bryce went to Matt's rescue that time as he has done many times in the past. It's been wonderful these past few years to see both Bryce and Matt finally grow up!

Matt and his wife's baby was just a few months older than Bryce's little baby, Morgan. Funny how they both had girls so close in age. Sadly, Matt's daughter was born with muscular dystrophy and she wasn't expected to live past the age of two. That is a huge thing to handle for parents so young. The baby has been in the hospital the past few weeks and not doing well. And sadly, this little angel lost her life here last night.

I'm never quite sure of the "whys" when I hear these things. I know for my son it has to be very difficult especially since Morgan and Matt's little girls were so close in age. Two knuckleheaded boys, my son and Matt, grow up to be dad's and it's such wonderful thing to see.I think of Frank, Matt's own dad. As our boys grew up together Frank and I always talked and worked our way through the headaches that both Matt and Bryce had caused. And to watch our boys grow up to be dad's has been the best thing anyone could ask for.

This holiday season, please remember it isn't about the gifts, the malls, and all the other crazy things we put ourselves through. It is about the people in our lives, not the things. When Friday finally arrives, Christmas, please be grateful for those that you spend that time with. And as I get ready to go to work this morning, it will be with a heavy heart. I know there must have been a shortage of Christmas angels this year, and a very special little girl just became one!

Baby Jesus Is Missing!!

"The statues of Mary and Joseph hover over the empty space where the baby Jesus once rested in the Nativity scene in Plaza Park inside the Orange traffic circle" E.W. Fields, OC Register
Old Towne Orange is this awesome little Old Towne area. I've been down here almost years now at Country Roads! And even though we've got Chapman University here we still get a lot of "Andy of Mayberry" stuff that happens. So, as I write this blog post, please know I don't mean to offend anyone, but how can you not see the humor in the disappearance of the cement Baby Jesus? Brande and I laugh because it seems Baby Jesus gets stolen every so often. I remember one year when a drunk driver drove right through the middle of the nativity seen and wiped it out. I think the time has come for someone to donate a GPS tracking system for Baby Jesus! I really don't think stealing baby Jesus is exactly good karma for anyone! If you've seen Baby Jesus, please let the Orange PD know! Below is the article that the OC Register wrote about the disappearance of Baby Jesus.

Old Towne: Jesus is missing
December 18th, 2009, 3:52 pm · 45 Comments · posted by EUGENE W. FIELDS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A statue of baby Jesus was stolen from the Nativity scene in Plaza Park.

Mayor Carolyn Cavecche, who for more than 10 years has been part of the community group that sets up and takes down the scene depicting Christ’s birth, noticed the baby was missing.

“I was driving through the Plaza and out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a bare spot,” Cavecche said Friday. “We checked and, sure enough, there was a missing baby Jesus.”


The Nativity scene, in the park inside the traffic circle, consisted of a manger with statues of Mary and Joseph near the baby. Outside the manger are three wise men and two sheep. The mayor noticed Jesus was missing Wednesday afternoon.

The statue is approximately 30 inches long and 18 inches wide, weighing 10 pounds. It is valued at $400.

Sgt. Dan Adams said that wires securing baby Jesus were cut.

“You wonder what kind of person does this either as a prank or as a statement the week before Christmas,” the mayor said. “If this was just a prank, they can return it no-questions-asked to Orange Realty. We’d really like to get this one back.”

Realtor Dan Slater was one of the original volunteers to set up and take down the Nativity scene in 1999. Volunteers hope someone has a baby Jesus that can be used this year in the scene.

“It won’t be the same, but something is better than nothing,” Slater said.

Cavecche said all of the figures were special ordered from a company in Minnesota, and a replacement would not arrive in time this year.

This is the third time the statue of the infant Christ had to be replaced; it is the second time one was stolen.

“It was stolen in 2000,” the mayor said. “Our security system wasn’t as advanced and someone stole baby Jesus and we found him smashed in the downtown Plaza area.”

Three years ago, the entire Nativity scene was smashed by a drunken driver during a police pursuit. “The car hit it and just completely blew up the Nativity scene,” Cavecche said. “We were picking pieces up all over the streets and the Plaza. …

“We’ll have to try to make due this year,” Cavecche said. “If we don’t get this one back, we’ll have to try to order another piece.”

Last year, a menorah placed inside the traffic circle was stolen before the beginning of Hanukkah. The one there now was to be secured to a foundation to thwart thieves.

Slater said the fund for maintenance of the Nativity scene has $33 left in it. Anyone wishing to donate to the fund can send a check payable to Orange Nativity to the Orange Realty office, at 1537 E. Chapman Ave., Orange, Ca. 92866.

Police are asking anyone with information about the theft to call Detective Simone Mueller at 714-744-7578.
An update to the "Baby Jesus is Missing" theft. Riley came to work with us today and Brande and Riley walked down to the crime scene to check it out. And to Riley's disappointment, Baby Jesus was still missing. Hopefully someone just "borrowed" him and will return him soon!!

Why Did I Listen to Her?

I would do ANYTHING for this little girl. Look at that face, how could I not? And for my other little girl, Katie, I would probably do just about anything for her as well, as I did last night. Yesterday was Katie's birthday and she wanted to go to Disneyland because SoCal pass holders get "Disney Dollars" which I think is like $72. When we ended up parking on the top of the four story parking structure, I should have known better, why did I listen to her? After all, it's a week before Christmas and the last day for SoCal pass holders. Katie wanted to have her birthday dinner at the Blue Bayou and then we were off to "It's A Small World". You know, crowds don't bother me and I'm pretty patient, but it was totally crazy over there! Just to get in line, people walking in every direction was enough for me. If it wasn't for Riley, I would have left, but I'm glad I didn't. It was a long wait, and poor Riley was so tired. Look at her little eyes, they tell the story, as my eyes must have looked the same way. But once it was our turn to climb in the boat and celebrate "It's a Small World" decorated for the holidays, everything turns to magic. And there is nothing better than seeing and feeling that magic through the eyes of a child! I had to laugh as we neared the end of the ride. All that "Small World" singing even got to Riley a little bit as she covered her ears. Sometimes, even when you shouldn't listen to "her", the memories you take home with you make it all worthwhile!