A trip down memory lane….

August is a month of memories for me – some good and some bad. Today marks the 3 year anniversary of one of my favorite memories! Let’s take a trip down memory lane, shall we?

I met Cameron in January of 2008 but it wasn’t until a fishing trip with my father that I really started to notice him as something serious! My dad was always very involved in a fishing tournament in Port O’Connor called POCIFT. I had gone many times in the past – once with just my dad, once with my entire family, and my first time was just me, mom, and dad. It was ALWAYS a good time. 2008 POCIFT - My mom had decided to not attend this particular year but I knew I wanted to still go, i just needed to find someone else to accompany me and be the buffer between me & pops. My dad is my dad – I love him dearly, but to say we are the closest of fathers and daughters would not be accurate. POCIFT was always so much fun, so I knew that anyone I invited would have a good time, assuming they liked to fish and were fairly low maintenance. Cameron immediately came to mind. He was fun (we had only hung out two times prior to this event), liked to fish, and I knew he was about as laid back as they come.

So randomly I emailed him and asked if he had plans that particular weekend. Surprisingly enough, he was available and interested in going! I was so excited to have someone accompany me on this trip but had no idea how life-changing it would be, literally. Cam picked me up that Friday (three years ago TODAY) and we hit the road towards PoC. And from the minute I got in his car, I had butterflies in my stomach. I enjoyed his company so much more than I had anticipated. We talked and laughed and had so much fun the entire weekend. I will never forget calling my mom to just say hello and her hearing it in my voice that something was different. And my sister, too! I called my sister to ask her something and she remembers (and will comment to this day) that something was special about that phone call – she could just tell that her little sister was smitten. By the end of the weekend, I knew I didn’t want to be away from Cameron. I was sad when he dropped me off at home that Sunday and I couldn’t wait to see him again.

I remember describing the weekend to family and friends as effortless, genuine, relaxing, fun. looking back now, I still get butterflies. It amazes me how the universe shifts and stars align and there you are – face to face with the person you know, deep in your soul, you are supposed to be with. There was never a doubt after that. I just knew. And that was the only way I could explain it to anyone.

I am so happy my dad was around that weekend – to see the beginning of us. I am not sure if he saw it as much as we were feeling it, but he definitely got to know Cameron and respect him. Cam never got to meet my mom. She died three weeks later. But it gives me so much joy to know that she knew I had met him and that he made me happy. I think she just knew, too. We call it mom’s intuition.

**a little more history for those interested… Cam and I met on a blind date in January of 2008. My aunt set us up – she is another one that just knew. Two weeks before she died, my mom sent my aunt a note saying THANK YOU for introducing Katy and Cameron. Crazy, right? we were only a few weeks in the relationship and even though I knew in my heart & soul that I wanted to marry him – I wasn’t about to admit that anyone else (or even myself, for that matter). My mom just knew there was something special about him.

I consider myself the luckiest woman in the world. I really do. I still find myself thinking about how things unfolded – the series of events that led me to him. Magic. I can’t get enough of him.

Some Pics

This is at Gates' school - for his luau. I know it isn't a great picture but how cute is he? and he was one of the only kids that wore his lei and his grass skirt (made out of a paper bag at school). He is such a sweet boy!




Gates enjoying the circus!


Gates and Harrison at the circus. so bummed i don't have a pic of Maddie, too.



Trying to get a pic of our pregnant bellies and the boys. not easy! Gates and Harrison are 6 months apart and baby Kate Crossley and baby boy Franz part deaux will be approx 2 months apart. Many fun years ahead with our families.

A little bit of bragging!

My mom loved telling my sister & I “GOOD JOB!” and she loved bragging about us. She would talk to anyone that would listen. The delivery man, the checker at the grocery store, etc. She just wanted the world to know how amazing she thought we were. I think I inherited that from her – I enjoy celebrating other people. Maybe it is just one more way I can carry my mom’s legacy with me, by celebrating other people. So this blog is dedicated to my momma but will celebrate my sister!

She comes so easy for me to brag about. She is truly genius. There is so much I could say but I will try to sum it all up into her latest accomplishment. (Who am I kidding, I won’t be able to do that.)

I am a disaster in the kitchen. The spice aisle at the grocery store gives me anxiety. It is a true talent and a science to be able to put a bunch of flavors together and make something that tastes good. But she does it, every single day. With passion. And it amazes me. I stayed with her recently when I was in town for my nana’s funeral and to just see her way of life was so impressive to me. and I know it drives her crazy that I am impressed by the silly things she considers normal, but I can’t help it. anyway – she made me the most delicious breakfast and I don’t even really like breakfast. And the way she did it was so chef-like (this sounds like a joke, but I am being serious when I say it. Melissa, she is like Adam Sandler’s sandwich in Spanglish – are you with me on this?). Like this is in her blood, y’all. I may change careers 30 times in my life but she will ALWAYS be a chef at heart. How are we so different in that aspect? And while I was in Austin, she was in the process of finishing up the final touches on her new menu at work. WHAT?! I mean, that alone is a daunting task. She had to come up with an entire new menu (do you know how many spices that involves?) – and crunch numbers for it to make sure it was in their budget. And then how on earth do you know how much food to buy for that new menu. It is seriously all way too overwhelming to me. But, she is a master of her trade. So after I returned back to Houston, her menu launched. And the Austin Chronicle came out to photograph some of her menu items and sample them. well, this is the result of that visit with the Chronicle. Click here.

I mean, what? The best fried chicken in Austin? That’s huge, right? and it’s not like all the reviews were nice and they were just being polite. The writer straight up called Mrs. P’s Electric Cook’s chicken bloody. This is the same publication (but different writer) that claimed Trish served the best diner food in all the universe. read that review here.

She is a local celebrity. And if I were to win even half a lottery, my first investment would be on her. She makes me proud every single day of my life. I get excited for Gates to be around her because I can already tell he senses her coolness. She will be able to teach him so much. She is way cooler than I could ever be. And I will tell you that she is the NUMBER 1 reason I wanted to have another baby. I wanted Gates to feel that bond that siblings share. I wanted him to know that he would NEVER be alone. There is something to be said about my relationship with my sister. We may be very different in obvious ways but we are SO much alike in most ways. I see so much of my mom and dad in her – she is like the best mixture of both of them. she has my dad’s smarts with my mom’s heart. And everyone loves being around her, everyone. How lucky am I that I get to have a sister that is THIS cool? I just can’t seem to get enough of her, my little pistachio.

Groundhog’s Day

Last week – ALL week – I thought I was in my 26th week of this pregnancy. Then, I looked at my calendar and realized I was only on my 25th week. Man o man – do you know what a blow that is? it is like a week lost. And this week is like Groundhog’s Day. The baby is (just now) still an eggplant. The baby is (just now) still getting eyelids. I mean, I know I should be grateful to make it to 26 weeks at all, but TWO weeks in a row. Geez.

But I will say that time has started to speed up. Especially as I realize the number of things I still want to do before this baby comes. Top on that list – name the baby. My husband doesn’t seem to find that as important as I do. I want him to have a name NOW. I think our problem is that Gates is such a great name. There is nothing we would change about it. It is a family name. It is unique. It is strong. And it suites him. We don’t have anything like that for baby #2. Sure, there are other great family names but they aren’t as unique. And, I know you will agree, that we can’t have a Gates and then have a John. It just doesn’t work that way. So who knows what we will end up naming him.

That’s all I got for now. I promise to write more this week. Oh, and post pictures from the circus. and the luau Gates had at school last week. and his hair cut. gosh, i better get to work posting some pictures!

Again, I am sorry for the lack of blogging but things have been busy! Cam got back from Costa Rica and that following Monday, his sweet Grandmom had a severe stroke that ended up taking her life 6 days later. He was by her bedside for the better part of those 6 days. We all got the opportunity to say our goodbyes, even Gates in his own way. It has been a sad couple of weeks for our family. Losing someone is never easy, expected or unexpected. And to see my hubby and his family go through this made me even more sad. But I rejoice in the fact that she is heaven with her parents and brother, whom she lost a couple of years ago. And I must say that I like the way the family comes together in time of need. We will get through it all together.

And as if losing our grandmothers were not enough – our family fish (yes, I had a fish) kicked the bucket last week. Helen (the nanny and practically a part of our family, for better or worse) gave Gates this fish many months ago…poor little fella.

So that’s where we have been – mentally. Dealing with loss and spending time with family.

The rest of this blog will kinda be all over the place.

This past weekend we really made progress on Gates’s big boy room – we are ALMOST there. We still need to hang stuff on the walls, find him a cute headboard, and then move all his stuff in there. But it will happen in plenty of time for him to get used to that room before baby comes and takes over his other room. I also insisted Cam pull out all of Gates’ newborn clothes from storage so I could either feel comfortable in the amount of stuff we have for baby #2 or panic and start shopping like crazy to prepare. I am pleased to report that we have a lot of great things that will work for the baby. I got a little teary eyed pulling out these tiny preemie outfits that Cam had to rush out and buy when our little nugget, Gates, was brought home from the hospital at 5.5 lbs. Holding the little clothes up, I would never believe that anything could fit into them. Crazy how time flies. And everyone warned me of it, but it still surprises me. you can never really prepare for it, but I think this blog will help with baby #2 – so I can go back and read all the milestones, etc. wish I had started this sooner. Oh well.

Gates has been the sweetest little boy in all of Texas. I swear, the kid has the purest heart and what more can a parent ask for? I told Cameron I am so happy he will be the big brother because I think he will be so sweet to his little brother (after he adjusts to the total life change). Gates hugs ALL the time. and when he does something he knows he shouldn’t do – he immediately feels bad about it, like he knows I am disappointed in him. I could not love him anymore. We are so blessed.

Let’s see…what else? Oh, I took Gates to the circus last weekend with two of my very best friends and their children. It was so much fun to see Gates so mesmerized by everything that was going on (for the first 30 minutes, anyway). He loved the elephants, the clowns, the cotton candy, the lemonade, the fun day, and especially the crazy circus toy (that was 22 dollars!!!!) that we got him on the way out the door. It was a sweet afternoon, that I will remember for a long time. Pictures to follow. As if the circus wasn’t enough excitement for the day, after a nap we headed out to Katy to visit another best friend and her kiddos. Gates LOVES hanging with Peyton & Beau. I really think he has formed a little crush on Peyton – he totally listens to her and lets her help him with all kinds of stuff. It is sweet to watch. The circus fun combined with time with Kim and her kids made for a perfect day.

That’s about it…oh, except I had a special visit in my dream last night. My mom came to tell me hello. I don’t think I saw her, but she was there – cheering me up (from what, I don’t really know – it was a strange dream). I wish she was in my dreams every night but then I guess they wouldn’t be as special, right? We are coming up on the 3 year anniversary of her death – I REALLY can’t believe that. But more on that later.

Have a great day!

No Rest for the Weary

As soon as Cam got home, I was ready to GO. To go where, I wasn’t sure but I was ready for it. I had been going a little crazy without him so I wanted to make up for lost time. This makes total sense, right? Well, from his perspective, he was exhausted. He was worn out from surfing every day (I know, it’s difficult to find sympathy) and actually got a bit of food poisoning on the last night of his trip – so he wasn’t in peak condition. But that didn’t stop him – bless his heart. For whatever silly reason, my taste buds were craving Bennihana. I mean, some of you are probably thinking “that place is still open?”. Yes, it is.

**side story here. we went to bennihana every. single. year on our birthdays. Nana (same nana from previous post) and Pop would take us and it was such a treat. We loved the food, the company, the ice cream, the singing, the entertainment, the star treatment, etc. It was always a night to remember. Well, one year my mom told me there would be a special guest joining us for our birthday dinner at bennihana. And y’all, I was totally convinced it was Patrick Swayze (rip). I am laughing as I type this. But I was a huge fan (this was around the time of dirty dancing) and my mom knew this. I thought Nana and Pop had pulled some serious strings (see what I mean about them making us feel special, I believed they got me a celebrity to join us for dinner) and ole Patrick would be there to help me celebrate. To my disappointment, it was my aunt (my mom’s sister who I mentioned in previous post, as well) and uncle and four cousins. I love them dearly, too – and still get really excited to see them but when I am expecting Patrick Swayze – really only Patrick Swayze will do. 

Anyway- so back to Franz Family night at Bennihana. It was good but not like I remember. Gates was a little cranky and so keeping him in his seat was a challenge (even with our Japanese chef, Juan, entertaining us with his volcano made out of onion and choo-choo train made out of zucchini). But all in all, I was just so pleased to have a family dinner at an old family favorite restaurant. I was so happy that even though Cam was exhausted and not feeling 100%, he agreed to take us.

Sunday we spent most of the day pulling together Gates’ big boy room. We aren’t done yet but we got his bed put together (still need headboard), curtains hung, rug laid down, etc. It is really starting to come together and it looks like a big boy’s room. tear.

We made time for a little fun for Gates, too. Cam’s cousin, Bobby, dropped off some hand-me-down toys for Gates and in that was an electronic Power Wheels Harley. So we replaced the battery, gave it a little cleaning, and she was good as new. Check out Gates on his new ride. He is clearly too young for something so cool, but he loved riding it and I know it will be hours of entertainment in the years to come.

Where I've Been....

This blog has been seriously neglected – I apologize for that. but for my two faithful readers, you know I have had a busy couple of weeks.

I had been dreading July 1 for a long time. Cam was leaving for his annual surfing trip, leaving Gates & I to really spend some quality time together (!!!). for those of you with multiple kids, I know you don’t feel much sympathy, but for me – it was a lot to swallow to think of 8 days with a 2 year old without Cam’s help.
But I had no idea that July 1 would be so difficult for me for an entirely different reason – my sweet Nana went to be with the Lord that morning. This is my mom’s mom – my biggest cheerleader and Gates’s biggest fan. She had been ill for so many years – dating back to before my mom died. She always bounced back. She was like a cat with nine lives – so she almost became invincible in my eyes. But this time, it was different. She was so sick and in a lot of pain. Diagnosing her was a challenge; once diagnosed – ‘fixing’ her was a bigger challenge. One problem was fixed and another would surface. This was no way to live. My aunt, my mom’s sister, is truly an amazing woman. She has the biggest heart of nearly anyone I have met. She has loved my sister & I as her own since my mom’s passing (thank God for that) and is a nurturer, no doubt. Her and her husband moved from California to Austin to take care of nana 11 years ago and they have been by her side since. My aunt was by Nana’s side when she took her last breaths on July 1, too. What a painful and precious moment.

So when I heard the news, I was devastated. Cam had not yet left for the airport and was wanting to cancel his trip – I told him to please go and to have fun. I knew there was nothing he could do for me, if he stayed. And although I am so glad he went, I realized shortly after he left what a source of strength and comfort that man is to me. I was lost without him during this time. I was grieving alone (all my mom’s family was in Austin & my dad was in Italy) and it was rough. My in-laws proved to be family, in every sense of the word. They helped with Gates, Cam’s mom was there for me to talk to, and I just knew they were the support I needed during this time.

So – without going into further detail – I drove to Austin for the viewing and funeral on July 4 -5. I stayed with my sister and enjoyed every second of that – she always makes me feel comfortable. Which is the exact reason I wanted a sibling for Gates. There is something SO magical about my sister & I’s relationship. We just get each other. I don’t know how else to explain it. The viewing was difficult, nana didn’t look like herself at all and it really hit me she was gone when I saw her laying there. Death is never easy. The funeral was beautiful. I had a chance to say a few things that I wanted to say – and although it might not have been as eloquent as I would have liked – it summed up how I feel about my nana. One of the hardest parts for me was knowing that the sweet precious peanut in my belly will never get to meet nana. The same nana who insisted I wait to make sure she get to Houston in time, when I was in labor with Gates.

Cam came home on July 9 and I have never been so excited in all my life. Gates and I met him inside the airport – at the international terminal arrivals gate. Seeing all the families reunite after being apart was enough to make me all weepy – I am telling you, I am way too emotional right now. but as soon as I saw Cam and grabbed Gates’ hand to run and greet him – my eyes filled with tears. And I will never, ever – for as long as I live, forget Gates’ sweet voice yelling “dada!!!” and running up to him and hugging him. it still makes me weepy now.

So basically – this week reminded me the importance of family and the strength we find in the places we sometimes we forget about (or take for granted). It made it so painfully obvious that Cameron is so deeply engrained in who I am, that I feel lost without him. and it was so evident to me that our growing little family is solid as a rock.