Father's Day

Fathers...

I've thought a lot about father's day this year... My birth father has been in my life for almost a year and I'm so grateful. Getting to know my father, stepmother, sisters, and the rest of the pack has been a growing experience for everyone involved. I give many thanks for this and look forward to much more of it as life continues. I'd always hoped that Oscar would get to know his other grandfather, and my hope came true. It's been better than I could have imagined. I love you so much Dad.

Dad and me, Felix's birthday dinner

Dad and Oscar

Oscar and G-Diddy=<3

Thankfully, I've always had my Godfather, Paul Lewis, for a father figure and positive male role model. He's been there my entire life. He's seen me through marriage, the birth and death of my first son, the birth and life of my second son, the dissolve of my marriage, and the rebirth of my existence. On my last birthday, he told me not once, but twice how proud he is of me.Possibly one of the best gifts I could have ever received... I can't think of my Godfather without beaming with pride. I will always admire and respect him as well as be eternally grateful for his presence in my life. Oscar and I wouldn't be complete without G-Diddy. When I was little, I would stay with Uncle Paul a lot  when he lived in Fort Worth-he would let me watch Grease until I was tired of it, and then watch it some more. When I turned 20, he told me to meet him for lunch, we had reservations and couldn't be late! I drove out to Dallas to meet with Uncle Paul, Kenneth, John Paul, and Billie-quite a fun group to lunch with! We started driving toward the airport... I had no clue what was in store-but off on a plane to San Antonio we all went! It was a surprise trip that I will never forget. We've been through many up's and down's together, and having him as a constant in my life has made all the difference in the world. Uncle Paul, I appreciate and love you from the bottom of my heart. You are so important to us.

Oscar and G-Diddy, AKA Uncle Paul-my 35th Birthday

G-Diddy, Mimi, and NuNana-Oscar's 7th birthday

Thank you to all of the awesome papa's in the world... You make such a difference. To all of you mother's out there (like mine) who've acted as mother and father for your children-thank you too. Your strength and capacity to take on the world of raising children while wearing many hats is awe-inspiring. Happy Father's Day!

San-Fran-Sister-Tastic

On June 8, 2011, Oscar and I got the greatest gift in the world... We went on our first vacation together-to sweeten the pot, we visited my sister Sarah. This woman is a force of nature. She's smart, beautiful, empathetic, drama free, and just a phenomena in general. I'm lucky to be related to her. She's my best friend, kindred spirit and soul mate. 

As soon as we arrived, I knew that we were in for quite a treat. The airport alone was fantastic... Oscar, Sarah, and I went all over San Francisco! We toured Alcatraz, rode an antique fire engine all over the city, went to the beach, saw the nations biggest dog park, saw the lovely Jennifer Marerro and the dashing Brent Green-and lived, truly lived to the hilt! There were many good parts of the trip-the late night talks with my sister where we laughed until some type of fluid leaked coupled with seeing the look on Oscar's face as he went to the ocean for the first time. It was literally the best time of my life. Hey, anytime vegan soul-food, Oscar, Sarah, Maggie, Geoff, and Kevin Bacon's nostrils are involved... What could go wrong?

I've got so much more to write about, and will... But I'm tired-so I'll leave some pictures of the bliss!
Much Love!

Summer  (Ps. The picture thumbnails weren't too easy to pick out-sorry about the blurry chess photo :)!

Sometimes it takes the terrible to see the wonderful, right?

Let's be honest... My life, in general, is quite enchanted really. I have the most amazing child in the world, a phenomenal family, and am kicking serious bootay in school. I've turned my life around in ways that I couldn't have imagined were possible and have been lucky enough to have outstanding help in the process. That being said, I also have to thank myself. How often do we do that, really?

Today I officially thank myself for changing my life and moving it in the right direction. 

This blog is inspired by the assholes in life who have forced me to realize that life is so much greater than the shite they fling my way. I also must recognize how I have far more amazing people in my life than I do assholes. Therefore-the times, they are a'changing. Dearest Bob Dylan, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for reminding me that I'd better start swimming, or I'll sink like a stone. I love you.