Melissa's Blog

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Happy Birthday Will...

Happy 5th Birthday Will!

Happy Birthday to you...

Happy Birthday to you..

Happy Birthday Dear Will...

Happy Birthday to you!

You continue to keep us laughing everyday. We love you so much.

Will celebrated his birthday by waking up to his room being decorated, opening his presents which included a DS which he really wanted and going out to breakfast with mom and Lexi. Dad is spending the second half of the day with him while mom goes to work and I am sure they will have tons of fun. He will end his night with t-ball practice. :)

Will over the years...

Age 1...

Age 2

Age 3

Age 4

Love you tons buddy!

Mom, Dad and Lexi

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Happy Birthday Lexi...

Happy Birthday to you...

Happy Birthday Dear Lexi...

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy 9th Birthday Lexi Jean Radies. We love you so much and are proud of the young lady you are becoming.

Lexi woke up to her room being decorated while she was sleeping. She then got to open her presents which included tickets to see Taylor Swift on Wednesday night! She is pretty excited. I warned her that our seats aren't that great, but we are still going to see TAYLOR SWIFT! We also got her a party dress and shoes to wear to the concert. She has one more surprise present, but she doesn't get it until Wednesday.

Today she has decided that she wants McDonalds for breakfast and then wants to go to Daddy's baseball game and stay for the picnic afterwards.

Lexi over the years....

Age 1

Age 2

Age 3

Age 4

Age 5

Age 6

Age 7

Age 8

Friday night at the Roller Rink at her "friend" party.

Love - Mom, Dad and Will

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Happy Birthday Mom...

Happy Birthday to my mom who would have been 60 today. She is celebrating her first birthday in heaven. I hope that God has planned a big celebration since she isn't able to spend it with us. Lexi and Mom always celebrated their birthdays together because they are only one day apart.

Mom on the 4th and Lexi on the 5th.

Last year on her birthday she was in remission, although only for 3 short weeks. I thought she was going to be O.K. and went on a business trip to Massachusetts. Of course now you can imagine the regrets I have for not spending her last birthday with her, but there was just no way to know what was to happen. I remember calling her and wishing her a Happy Birthday and she said that she had taken the day off from work and went to a few garage sales...a perfect day in her eyes.

Mom you are still loved and missed so much. Your absence is felt everyday and I know now truly what a broken heart feels like. The tears are ever present, especially on special days like these. With the arrival of spring it was so hard to watch your beloved flowers come up, the grass turn green and your humming birds come back all without you.

The kids and I will remember you today by eating all of your favorite foods. Lexi and I are going to eat a hot ham'n cheese from Hardees and Lexi is also going to have a vanilla cone and popcorn. Will is going to drink a can of Sun Drop, or as he calls it "A Sun" and also eat the popcorn. You know I won't have to twist his arm to do that. :)

Happy Birthday Mom.

All My Love...

Melissa

Thursday, May 26, 2011

1st Brewer Game...

Last weekend we took the kids to see their first Brewer game in Milwaukee. The game started at 7:05 and lasted until midnight having gone into overtime for 14 innings. The kids were troopers until the 13th inning and then they were ready for bed, but still lasted (not without complaint..lol) until the end.

Will picked this foam finger as one of his souvenirs. He thought I said "phony finger" though and called it that for the rest of the night.

No explanation necessary..gotta love Braun.

Since the game went 14 innings, we had two 7th inning stretches and two sausage races.

Will, me and my niece Leighten

Lexi and her cousin Leighten

Rick's mom and dad..Joanne and Ron

Lexi (whose favorite food is hot dogs) with her first major league baseball game hot dog.

The kids playing in the "Kid Zone" before the game.

Looking forward to our next trip already.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Rest in Peace Chris...

Chris Stezenski

October 30, 1943 - April 30, 2011

I first met Chris about 1 1/2 years ago when my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer and I had started the Caring Bridge journal. Chris was a friend of moms that sent messages on a regular basis. She was so candid and laugh out loud funny. She got me and our family through a lot of tough days through laughter. She would say things like, "I am too old to get on my knees and pray so I am on my back praying." She was looking forward to her class reunion this summer and told mom, "I am happy to report that my earrings still fit from high school."

On one of my entries I had written that I was having the Caring Bridge Journal printed with my updates and every one's messages. Chris replied, "You better wait until the kiddos are a little older to read my messages." LOL I met Chris in person about a year after we had started corresponding via Caring Bridge and Facebook. Her genuine smile and laughter were contagious and the minute I hugged her I felt like I was meeting an old friend I had known my whole life. She had a way about her that just drew you in. She was straight forward and didn't seem afraid to say what was on her mind..which I loved.

As you can see by the picture below and may remember from a previous post, Chris came to the Relay for Life and walked the survivor lap. She wasn't feeling well that day, but came anyway for support. A short time ago, Chris found out that her cancer was incurable. Her and her daughter Lori decided to plan a trip to Alaska in May to spend some quality time together. I was so excited for them that they were going to do something so great with the time they had left together. Sadly, Chris passed away Saturday night before they were able to go on their trip. I hope that God finds a way to let her get a back stage pass of that Alaskan vacation in heaven.

In such a short period of time, I grew to value our messages back and forth and am so sad that our friendship was so short, but soon realized that I feel blessed to have met her. I am proud to call you friend Chris. You fought a hell of a fight and kept your sense of humor the entire time.

Until we meet again...You will be missed by many. Please give my mom a hug. I bet you two have found each other already and had a nice visit.

Love - Melissa