Mama! Mama! Mama! AUTUMN!!!

So lately Annessa has been calling me "Autumn" instead of "Mama."  The first time she did it - I didn't even notice, Rich did.  "Did she just call you Autumn?"

"I don't know, did she?"

"AUTUMN!!!  Come here!"

Yep.  She did.

After further analisis of my new title, I figured out that she realized when we're out-and-about, people call me "Autumn" and I answer right away.  When she says "Mama," it's about a 50/50 shot.  Thus, her new strategy is simply calling me "Autumn" like the rest of 'em.

"But you're the only one in the world that can call me 'Mama'," I explained, "I love that."

"I know, but I'm gonna call you "Autumn" now.  Okay?"

Not okay - today we went to the pool with friends and this is how it went:

"Autumn!" No answer. 

"Autumn!"

"Just a minute!" I said.

"MRS. STEIF!!!"

Oh boy....wonder how long this will last?

Happy Birthday Rich!

 Dear Rich,

So I could be all sappy and lovey-dovey, but I'll save that for later.  For now, here is an "Ode to Rich" in honor of your 33rd birthday: 

 Ode to Rich

You are the man who shops more than any woman I know.

The guy who has racked up enough Cabela's points for them to send us one of those hard-covered books.

You are the man who insists that a Jack-on-the-Rocks only counts as one drink.  

(There is no second line to that one because, well, what else can I say about that rationale?)

You are the man that remembers EVERYTHING - especially the stuff I wish you would forget.

Yet, the guy who can't seem to remember that when a cereal box is EMPTY, it goes in the GARBAGE!

The guy who has designed a million pretend boats on the Ranger website - "it all depends on the the color of the truck.  If I got a black truck, this is what my boat would look like. If I stay with white, then the boat would have to be...."

You are the man who is now having a love affair with James Patterson's Alex Cross.

The guy that insists on renting an ENTIRE season (or TWO) of a show and watching in all in one sitting.   

The man who never leaves home without his calculator (thank GOD there's an ap for that!)

The guy who can find the best car deal, cell-phone plan, mortgage loan, or fishing pole for any family member or friend.  

You are the man that when you get on a roll, people shake their heads and say, "Where does he come up with this sh*#?!"

 The guy who's not afraid to say what he thinks and do what he wants.  

You are the man that every one wants at their parties.

The guy that everyone wants to be around.

 You are the man that I was lucky enough to marry.

The guy that is the perfect daddy in every way.  

You are you - and that is what I love. 

Last Fourth of July

This has been a tough weekend for me.  Last 4th of July (and the ones before that), we spend the weekend on my mom and dad's boat.  Swimming.  Jet-skiing.  That isn't happening this fourth of July. 

So....I've been keeping busy - the farmer's market, trips to the pool with Ness, gardening.  Stuff like that. 

I don't mean to be all "gloom and doom" - I do know that eventually, things will get easier for Rich to do.  Maybe someday he will get a spare set of legs that he can get wet.  Maybe someday he will feel confident in a crowd.  I'm sure these things will happen.  It's just until then.....