Lake Travis Adventure Pt1

What a great start to the weekend. On our way down to Lake Travis we stopped at Whitney to see Doug's parents. We had a nice lunch and it was good to see them. We hadn't seen them since Christmas. Downtown Whitney had great character. Found a great wall to take the boys picture. William posed like a little model. Cracked me up. Once we finally got through Round Rock traffic we arrived at the rent house. Rustic is the first thing that came to mind. Not exactly what I was expecting. It is clean and has all the amenities but kind of jungle. This area reminds me a lot of LA up in the hills. Nice houses squeezed onto a small lot on winding roads with smaller more rustic homes in between. But the boys like it so that is the important thing. They slept well last night but I can't say the same for Doug. He should be fine the rest of the time. Doug & i sat on one of the decks last night. We read, watched the lights on the lake and had tasty beverages. It was great. Will continue with Pt 2 tomorrow. The only thing we have planned today is a trip to the park and Iguana Grill.
Take care!
Raye

Mother's Day 2010

What a great day. Actually a great weekend. Saturday was a little stressful but fun. Got to eat at Central Market with my boys and then off to Jake's Loft. Love me some Jake's Loft. Got to see Courtney and Lil Teri and their crew at Jake's. I so wish William's soccer game hadn't got moved. We would have had a blast at CM drinking some wine. After William's game we headed on over to Mary's for a cookout with my Mom and Oma. Boy was Mom surprised when Mike opened the door. He came in from Cali to surprise her. Sunday was all mine. I got to sleep in until 8. Woot! Yes 8 is sleeping in for the Harrison's. I have no idea why my boys can't sleep in. Even if they go to bed really late their happy butts are still up by 8 at the latest. I am sure they will grow out of that at some point. Hopefully. My amazing boys got me an iPad for a gift. It was completely unexpected. I was thinking a spa day was in my future. It has been so much fun playing with it. It is like crack. Rachel please step away from the pipe. It was off to Don Taco for lunch where we completely pigged out and off to soccer, again. The season that never ends. The best part was that I got to spend time with my boys doing what I wanted, well almost. The greatest gift Doug ever gave me was those three amazing boys. I stand amazed when I look into William and Jake's face and remember Ryan. I did that. Well with some help. I have wanted since I was a little girl to be a Mommy. Not just to have a living doll but someone that was a part of me. I couldn't wait to teach them their ABC's or colors or about the stars. It is just wonderful. And that poem is so true. To be a Mom is to accept that your heart will walk around outside of your body for the rest of your life. I just pray they will always have room in theirs for me.
Much Love to all the Moms!
Raye

Crazy boys

Kisses for Mom

March for Babies - Honoring My Preemies!

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Members In A Club We Never Wanted To Join

Today was Jake's birthday party but it was also an anniversary for a fellow Angel Mommy. Today was Carleigh's 1st Angelversary. Carliegh was born sleeping one year ago today. My heart goes out to Holly especially since we are coming up on our 5th on Friday. I am blessed I know these women but I hate that I met these woman being a member of this club. Never in a million years did I think I would be in this club. It stinks and sometimes I just want to scream. But then I stop take a deep breath and realize how blessed I truly am in this world. Unlike Holly who had to say goodbye while she was saying hello I got these amazing 9 weeks and 6 days with Ryan. That is a blessing that I will always remember. Here is to Holly and all the Angel Parents out there. We are members of this club we never wanted to join but we have each other. Either online or down the street we are always here for each other.
((hugs)),
Raye

Getting ready to release

Off it goes

Happy Birthday "Baby" Jake!

What a great day yesterday. My little guy turned 4. I know I talk about this all the time but it is hard and amazing watching them grow up. My baby is four. He will be in Kindergarten not his fall but next. We started the day with Birthday Breakfast. His choice was French Toast Sticks. He got to open his cards and his present from Mom & Dad while he waited for his breakfast. In the midst of eating his breakfast he told Doug it was the best breakfast. He is such a nut. He wanted to wear his Link costume top to Shayla's so he got to wear that and his hat. Thank you Shayla for sparing it from the cupcakes. That icing was very messy. He was very excited. Since he is now 4 he got to play on the top of the small play structure at Shayla's. Boy does he think that is cool. William had skills class so once they finally called it because of weather we went to dinner. Jake chose Pizza Hut. Thank the Lord we were not stuck at McDonald's or Burger King. When we got home Jake started to turn the light off over the table and getting a chair ready. I asked him what he was doing and he said getting ready to blow the candles out. I guess he has learned the routine in the Harrison household. We finished the night with Jake requesting another birthday breakfast. Guess he wants his day to just go on and on. But who doesn't?

Birthday Breakfast. Nice bed head

Jake showing off one of his presents. William gives the thumbs up.

Blowing out the candles. Yes he still has the costume on.

William reading one of Jake's books to him and Pepper.

T and A

Ok everyone take your mind out of the gutter. Friday little Jakie had his tonsils out. After waiting for 50 mins in the waiting room we were finally called back to pre op. I think the nurses got the vibe that I was hacked. Their lame excuses were not good excuses. Anyway... Once we got back into pre op things went pretty fast. He was not real sure about what was about to happen as these strangers were wheeling him away without Mom & Dad. They did let him take his deedee and his Julius back with him. The OR suite was just on the other side of the doors so I could see him going in and Dr Bryan came out to ask any last minute questions. I was hanging in there until Dr Bryan walked away and they shut the doors. Wham. It hit me. The flood of emotions from April 2nd came rushing back. The rational side of me absolutely knew this was routine but the Mom side of me had that band aid ripped right off. I know nothing was going to happen but the fear was still there. When Ryan was having all his surgeries they just wheeled him from the NICU into surgery. On top of that he was a newborn that was sedated so he had no clue. Not so much with a three year old. Once we got in the waiting room within about 10 mins they were calling us back to talk to the Dr. That was way fast. We had to wait just about another 10 mins and they called us back to see Jake. We walked with him from the recovery room to his little post op bed. Poor baby. He was trying hard to cry but it hurt. It was sad and humorous all at the same time. And I cried again. The flood gates opened for the memory bank and the last time I held a child after surgery came to my mind. For all of the heartache I went through I know this was the right decision. Last night Doug went to check on the boys before bed and he had to walk over and put his hand on Jake's back to make sure he was breathing. Yeah! No more snoring!! Now on to his birthday. I can't believe my baby is going to be 4 next week. Man how time flies!
Take care,
Raye

Getting ready

Only Mom can make it better

Jake stylin' ride out of the surgery center

Chhhh Changes

Wow what a week. We started with the sad news that Doug's Gram passed unexpectedly. When Doug was a kid he spent summers in El Paso with his Gram and Gramp. He told me he always enjoyed going to see them. Especially Gram's Poppy Seed bread she would make for breakfast. I got the opportunity to meet her last year when she came and visited Doug's cousin who lives, or lived, in the area. I actually got to meet the whole gang. It was great to meet another part of Doug's family. We made it work for Doug to go to El Paso for the service and was a pall bearer. I wish the boys and I could have gone but that was just not workable. Well Gram had a dog named Pepper and they weren't sure who was going to be able to take her. We have been thinking of getting a dog and two attempts in the past failed so we must have been destined to take Pepper. So far so good. She is very sweet and the boys love her. Now she just needs some bling for her collar. It was great to welcome her this weekend. Especially since today would have been my Dad's 82nd birthday. Wow. 82. I miss him so much but he has a very important job right now. I hope everyone has a great week. Jake is having his tonsils out on Friday so I will let everyone know how he does.
Take care,
Raye

Running around

Sweet girl

Look at that face