Site Dedication

You know, if you have been here before, you will see how this site has changed. This website has always been dedicated to my children. It seemed a logical conclusion. You know, website about children, dedicate it to them, makes sense, right?

But, then one day recently, my husband says, "What about me? How come I'm not on there?" I could tell he genuinely felt bad. I thought long and hard about what he said. I have been meaning forever to put up a thank you to him here, but I never seemed to be able to come up with the right words.

I mean, how do you thank someone for everything? How do you thank someone for turning your entire life around? How do you thank someone that makes your life so complete, so worthwhile, so perfect? How do you thank someone for loving you more than you love yourself, especially when you didn't deserve it? How can you even come close?

I thought about it for days. Lost sleep over it. Still couldn't put it into words in a way that seemed "enough". So, this will have to suffice...

My Dearest Rick,

There are not enough words in the world to tell you how much I love you, how much I appreciate you, or how much I want to thank you. For all the times you have watched me sitting here for hour on end working on this site, for all the ridiculous amounts of overtime you have worked so that I could stay home with our children, for all the piles of laundry that you have watched in our living room for days on end, for all the dirty dishes you have put up with, for all the times you told me that you loved me, and not just with words, but with your actions as well....

Thank you, my darling.

I love you.

Jen

My Firstborn - Hunter James

I've always loved you best because you were the first miracle.  You were the genesis... The fullfillment of young love, The promise of my infinity.  You sustained me through the hamburger years... The first apartment furnished in early poverty... The first tv paid for in thirty-six months.  You were new, had unused grandparents.  You were the original model for an unused parent, trying to get the bugs out.  You got the home-prepared foods, diaper pins and three-hour naps.  I've always loved you best.

My Middle Child - Conor Andrew

I've always loved you best because you drew the worst spot in the family and it made you stronger for it.  You cried less... had more patience... wore faded clothes... and never in your life did anything first, but it only made you more special.  You are the one I relaxed with, and realized a dog could kiss you and you wouldn't get sick.  You could cross the street by yourself long before you were old enough to get married... and the world wouldn't come to an end if you went to bed with dirty feet. You were the love of my busy ambitious years.  Without you, I would have never survived the job changes, higher rent and the tedium and routine that is life.  I've always loved you best.

My Baby - Cassidy Leigh

I've always loved you best because endings are generally sad and you are such a joy.  You accepted the milk-stained bibs... the old bed, the cracked, second-hand toys,  The baby book... barren but for a recipe someone jammed between the pages.  You are the one I held onto so tightly, for you see, you are the link with a past that gives a reason for tomorrow.  You darken my hair, quicken my steps, square my shoulders, restore my vision, and give me humor...  That security, maturity and endurity can't give.  When your hair turns the color of new fallen snow - you will still be my "baby".  I've always loved you best.

I love all of you more than anything or anyone in the whole world. You truly make my life complete and wonderful....
Mama