26 Years and Counting...

This is a day late, but yesterday my parents celebrated their

26th wedding anniversary!

I am beyond proud of them and everything they have done together. Building a business. Working hard everyday. And putting up with all Mike, Laur, and my shenanigans. I seriously couldn't ask for better role models or better parents. And to show my appreciation I included two pages from a book that my 8th grade self had to make in art class at Holy Name. And while I'd like to think my vocabulary and grammatical skills have improved in 7 years, the overall message still holds very true.

(Images via my 8th grade graduation project for art/Miss Mahoney. 2003-04)

Mamma Mia...

Mom,

I'd like to say I know you pretty well. 

After all it has been over 19 years. 

So I know that you are at work while I'm typing this, even though I always ask you your schedule at work. 

I know you secretly miss Trey and not so secretly miss Mike and I. 

I know that you are relieved you don't have to wake me up in the morning, but still wonder how I manage to do it myself. 

I love how your cheeks suck in when your angry, 

or how you use to point to our rooms when you were on the phone.

And when I go to take a picture of my artwork, you are always the first person I send it to. 

You are the one I look to for advice. 

The one that calms me down and makes me think levelheadedly. 

The one who convinced me I got my red hair from a strawberry overdose.

and to stop wearing turtlenecks in the summer.

Your smile.

Your laugh.

The way you never once forgot to ask me how my day was...

And 9 times out of 10 you had some sort of baked good waiting for us when we got home from school.

You taught me how to cook...

I miss dancing with you in the kitchen... just because we can.

And no one can even come close to your twice baked potato.

You are filled with so many talents, I'm slightly envious.

And as much as I hate weeding... I know that the garden is beautiful because of how much time and effort you've put into it.

And I secretly love when all my friends tell me how pretty you are and jealous that you aren't their mother.

No--You are my mother. And today is your birthday. And even though I can't be there with you to celebrate, know that I am always thinking of you! I love you and I hope your whole week goes amazingly!!! And when I come home... we are going to dance in the kitchen.

Happy Birthday Mom!!!! 

"Now I know How Noah Felt..."

That's what my mother said in response to the torrential downpour that plagued Philly today. Gotta love her. 

Tonight was a good night, despite managing to somehow get absolutely no homework accomplished.  Mom, Dad, and Mike came down to visit. Mom and Dad dropped off my bike and some much appreciated goodies. We then headed over to Manyunk where we had dinner at this really nice restaraunt that I can't seem to remember the name to. Mike and mom had the salmon stuffed with crab meat. Dad had steak. And I had seafood verdi. Soooo good. But even better was just being with my family. I missed them a lot. 

I even got to see Mike's new house and play with TREY!!!!! He is getting soooooo big!

Now off to bed so I can hopefully get up early tomorrow.

Mikado...

My mom decided to take me out for sushi tonight at Mikado. I had never really gotten sushi with my mom before so it was nice being able to explain some things to her. The food was delicious and we got to catch up and plan her trip to Temple. 

Photo courtesy my mom's lovely camera phone.

Oh I Just Can't Wait to be King...

So my mom woke me up this morning by calling my cell phone and asking me to come down stairs and give her a hand with something. I groggily made it from my bed to the kitchen table within a few minutes to discover she had planned for us to make these Lion themes cupcakes for a party my sister was attending.

I actually had a lot of fun with the icing nose, mouth, and whiskers. But the lo-mein noodle manes were a little tedious.  We were pretty happy with how they turned out! 

Yetis Romp on Moonbounces...

Yesterday I went to Saturday's Market in Middletown. My mom wanted to check it out so I had the pleasure of accompanying her... I got really hot and started to burn so I had to wait in the car while she finished looking at the vendors outside. Once inside though we saw one of our old neighbors selling things and got to catch up a little.  We then had lunch at the new St. Thomas Restaurant located in Lingelstown square. Mom had a greek wrap w/ Gazebo room dressing. And I had a Hamburger sub. I told her that Caitlin carries Gazebo Room in her purse at school... she really  liked that idea. 

I then took a 2 hour nap... that turned into a 3 hour nap. Picked Kim up and went to Liz and Molly's graduation party. It was nice seeing Mamma Smith. AND! best part: MOONBOUNCE! Well... that and Kim wore a romper... (a dress that wasn't actually a dress, but shorts--with pockets!) We had fun making fun of her. Liz read us her fourth grade story about a Yeti being raided. We had fried chicken and chocolate cake. Kim and I had some sushi at Okini... deep conversation ensued. We drove around still filled with deep stories and reflection. Tyler called... we hung out at his house and watched Practical Magic and 27 Dresses... I LOVE HIS CATS! and I am NOT a cat person. I went to bed... 

Today I went to church. Laur bought me a $5 Footlong. Mike just came home... he's picking up Trey today for the trial run dog ownership. He goes back to Philly tonight... now I'm off to ArtsFest with Kim and Tyler!

These were the gifts I made for Liz and Molly. I made cut out books from some old manuals I found at a flea market and then drew two pictures, both of Liz and Molly and placed on in each book.  This way even though they always have each other.

Mother May I...

Today my parents came down to Philly to help me pack up my room before the semester ends.  My brother joined us and we had dinner at the Nashery. It is this really nice deli/restaurant located on Broad street. We all had paninis, something my family enjoys very very much. Laur stayed at home and kept Trey company. They were missed.

This is my mother and her siblings. She is absolutely beautiful in every way imaginable. They say a picture is worth a thousand words... and I feel as though that holds true here. So to the strongest woman I know. To the woman who knows just what to say to calm me down. To the woman who's up for anything and everything.  Here's a toast: Thank you for helping me become the person I am today. Happy Mother's Day.

Love you Mom.

Photos courtesy PostSecret and my Grandma.

Giant Flightless Birds...

Another e-mail to my mother:

Hello Beautiful. You are probably the most beautiful woman I have ever met in my entire 18 and a half years of existence. Scratch that probably... definetely the most beautiful woman I've ever met. Not even a month and I'll be 19... weird I know.  Anyways, I've been looking up cassowary photos for my drawing final.  Along with pictures of ostriches and emus. Clarification: Cassowaries are these huge flightless birds from Australia with Black feathers and a head with bright neon blue skin and a fire engine red gobbler.  They are pretty cool if I do say so myself.  Google image search them, you won't be let down.  Anyways... my drawing final. I have to do a life sice (or bigger) self portrait of myself and some animal(s).  Naturally, because I have a death wish and a sweet tooth for stress I have decided to do mine bigger. And add not one species of animal... but three.  Granted they are all relatively similar in species/build, but still.  My idea is to have these three different types of birds charging right at the viewer.  I'll connect the brown craft paper I've been so stealthfully collecting over the past couple weeks by tape and sewing.  Sarah Dixon's going to help me sew parts of it.  There is going to be a large amount of dust being kicked about due to the birds' large talons.  These dust clouds shall be partially outlined in more sewing.  Oh and I forgot to mention... I will most likely be riding one of these said beasts.  Why you may ask, because I have decided that if I could have any type of super power it would be to fly. Why these birds in particular? Well, because as a matter of fact, they can't fly, their size prevents them from making it off the ground and I find that incredibly ironic.  Males in all three species also play a main role in raising the young, which I think is also relatively fitting. Seeing as how I would like to have children some day, hopefully, and be as involved as dad was/is for Mike, Laur, and me.  So what do you think? Stupid? Genius? Your my mom, I know I know, you have to like it, comes with the job.  Honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. Oh--Side note! Talk to Laur about coming out to visit the weekend of the 24th-26th.  Caitlin's brother is coming out too, and Mrs. Weigel said it would be nice if they could ride the train together... and I quite agree! LoveLoveLove. Tell everyone I said hello and I miss them. Your forever Son -James Aaron 

Picture of my mother, sister, and I at a park. Yes--Yes that would be moss on my mother's head.

(I'll upload a better picture when I get home, and can scan it...)

E-mail To my mother...

For Christmas I got my mom and dad a glass cutting board made from one of the glass blowing majors here at Tyler. She loved it, as did my dad.  But she asked for one more thing... that I e-mail her every so often about what's going on in my life while I'm away.  She and I talk a lot. Almost to the point where it is scary.  And she's really gotten into texting in recent months... Anyways, she likes to wake up and check her e-mail.  Tomorrow morning she'll wake up to find this:

To the most beautiful-est mother in the whole entire world- 

Here you are my dear. An e-mail as you requested.  I'll be home in two days. Well... 1 1/2 now.  As usual I'm awake. I don't sleep anymore. That's a lie. You and I both know that.  I sleep a lot... just not at night. I like the quiet.  My roommate and his girlfriend are asleep across the room.  All 5 feet away. Walked in on... well, I don't really know what it is I walked in on today. My guess is as good as yours... It smells gross in my room. I had to open the window. I like listening to Broad Street. And all the sounds.... I miss you guys. I'm overflowing with work... but surprisingly I think college is starting to change my personality.  I still get stressed out, but now it's in short bursts. Sometimes not even at all.  And when I do get stressed out, once I get it out of my system-- It's gone. I don't dwell on it like I used to. I have my occasional slip now and again, but baby steps right? I can't believe I only have a month left of school.  Freshman year seems like a blur.  It's ridiculous how fast time goes by sometimes.  Only three more years and hypothetically I'm suppose to be out there. Out into the real world. Out doing what I do. Out doing what I will most likely be doing for a greater portion of my life.  That to me is a lot of things. Scary for one. Exciting. Nerve racking. Inspiring.  I'm scared out of my mind... but it's weird. I already feel like I'm ready.  College has taught me a lot of things.  Yeah academically, but I think the main thing college teaches you is basic life skills. Well, college and you.  I find myself turning into you and dad a lot recently.  Whether it be in giving advice like you... hearing both sides of the story... or just going with the flow like dad.  Taking everything in stride and only letting a select few know when somethings really bothering me.  Classwork is beginning to pile on.  All my professors are cramming everything they can into the last few weeks... In a way I think people become college professors because they've never really grasped the concept of time management and as such need an occupation in which they set the time limits and make the rules.  What better job than being in charge of a group of young adults who typically have a more liberal worldview and have no other choice than listening to their teacher because, let's face it... they control our grades. And as such, our future.  College is an interesting place... I have met a lot of interesting people. And been a lot of interesting places.  And it's only the first year.  Just think-- what's gonna happen in the three or four years to come...  Love you more than a fat kid loves cake: Jimbo