The MO and Mr. Milo

This is The Mo-Mo talking on her phone! That phone rings non stop. This is Riley getting EXTRA attention this week from the MO and Grandpa Gary, especially while they are in limbo waiting for their NEW PUPPY! The MO is making us homemade Carmel rolls TODAY! She made this SUPER delicious Mexican dip last night before she raved about my ham balls, of which she claimed she NEVER had in her 62 years of life. The Heath Bars were also I hit, so she is stealing a few recipes to take back to the camp, where she cooks.

Only 68 hours and counting til Mr. Milo and I are whisked AWAY! The Mo claims that the Mexico economy is tanking therefore they are kidnapping American tourist. I said, 'A week alone with THIS man, I will take the RISK.' Stay tuned, Sunday may be my last blog entry! She has already claimed my washer and dryer and living room sectional. Anyone else want to stake claim on a few items before we leave?

DARN, he is good lookin!

I especially like it when he wears the hat backwards! AND when he is in his business suit, after a long day at work with the tie loosened at the neck mixed with the smell of his cologne! YUM!

Meet Molly

5 week old liver and white English Springer Spaniel and the newest Springer to be added to the Japenga clan next Tuesday!

Isn't she too CUTE? Mo-Mo and Grandpa Gary arrived yesterday from Idaho. We thought we were road tripping to Pella today to pick her up, however she will not be ready until next Tuesday due a vet visit. DARN!

So we got treated last night to Applebees, good food and good conversation.

I am hanging out today at home in between a few appointments at the studio. Milo took the day off. Madison is to headed to the dentist this morning to get a cavity filled (we think). Guess she shouldn't have been 'talking smack' in December to her sister.

Kennedy had her last two BB games on Monday and Tuesday. She showed major improvement and we had to do some coaching that she was playing basketball NOT football. She has the fouls and bruises to prove it! We have a month off from school activities until TRACK starts in late March.

Checked the weather forecast for Monday in CR. 40 degrees and rain. Should have NO travel problems! So my checklist is unfolding as planned! My few new pieces of clothing are awaiting anxiously to join the others to fit nice and snug in my suitcase! I LOVE shopping and this time is was an EXTRA SPECIAL TREAT because I had not been for a long while and it was already worked into our vacation budget! I took EXTRA time having fun trying on ALL sorts of new creations! All next week is 80 degrees during the day in Cabo and 60 at night!

Concert Band Tape to come later! It is taking FOREVER to upload!

Gotta run, shower for a 10:00 dentist appointment date!

A Tribute To Ms. Annie

Little did I know 18 years ago that when one marries into the Japenga family, one MUST be prepared to live INTIMATELY with a dog. I grew up with a dog living on a farm under the strictest notion that DOGS belonged OUTSIDE! Milo on the other hand grew up with a dog sleeping on the pillow next to him in BED. Needless to say through the first 13 years of marriage we were unable to find any sort of middle ground on the subject. We did have our fair share of trials in the form of a dog called Molly and another CRAZY one called Abbey. When both of those dogs were gone, I FIRMLY stated that NEVER AGAIN could or would I do this DOG thing. Then of course came along 2 persistent little girls and Riley not far behind.

The Japengas without a doubt believe that the GREATEST dog made for man kind is an English Springer Spaniel. In my lifetime with this family I have know Freckles, heard stories of Jane, still have Josie come for visits, of course there is Riley and today we heard the sad news that Ms. Annie was laid to rest, Grandpa Gary and MoMo's baby of 14 years.

Ms. Annie came into this world in 1995. We only saw snap shots from Idaho of her first few years of her life, until we visited in 1998. She was kind and gentle with Kennedy and very well-mannered. She loved hunting and fishing with Grandpa Gary and most recently was able to spend sun up to sun down with him, as he retired from teaching. Annie was a loyal and faithful companion and always traveled in tow. One 'fond' memory would be Annie's, FIRST visit to Cedar Rapids to meet Riley. Well on in years and apparently well trained, she proceeded to walk into my home, greet Riley with a growl, run down to the guest bedroom, and PEE right smack dab in the middle of my dry clean ONLY comforter, all within minutes of her arrival! I guess that was her way of saying, 'Merry Christmas'. Future visits proved better bladder control and some ridiculous habits of teaching Riley to howl whenever we returned from being gone for a few hours. She desperately missed her master when they were apart and eagerly awaited his return.

Ms. Annie peacefully slept away this afternoon, Wednesday, January 21st, 2009, without a doubt knowing she served her master well.

We have 'A Dog's Prayer' that we keep in our home that I would like to share with you today in honor of her. I think it sums up the TRUE feelings a dog has for her master.

To My Beloved Master,

For no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than this loving heart of mine.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for I should lick your hand between the blows.

Your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps fall upon my waiting ears.

When it is cold and wet, please do take me inside, for I am a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements, and I ask no greater glory that the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.

Though you had no home, I would prefer to follow you through ice and snow, rather than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in the land.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I can not tell you when I suffer thirst.

Feed me clean food that I may stay well to romp, play, and do your bidding to walk by your side. To stand ready, willing, and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.

And master, when I am very old, if the Great Master sees fit to deprive me of my health, do not turn me away from you. Rather, take my trusting life gently and I shall leave you, knowing with the last breath I draw, my fate was always safest in your hands.

Your Faithful Companion and Servant

As her master sits in sadness tonight grieving the loss of his faithful companion, may he know she rests peacefully having completed her tasks hear on earth. And that one more person in this world now sleeps with a DOG on the pillow next to her and she would NEVER want it any other way!

Hugs to Grandpa Gary and Mo-Mo from Cedar Rapids!

P.S. Ms. Annie can rest EXTRA peacefully knowing that I forgive her for the 'bed wetting' episode.

THE MO

Milo's mom's birthday was yesterday and oops, I thought it was TODAY. Sorry Mo. I wanted to pay tribute to her today and share a few things about this awesome woman. Mary, AKA THE MO as her family coins her, entered my life 21 years ago when I started dating her son. If I had to describe our relationship at that time, I would have to be honest and say we were polar opposites. I loved weddings and girly stuff. She raised 3 boys and was focused on what made three boys happy. She said exactly what she thought, I never wanted to hurt any ones feelings. To be quite honest, my first encounter with THE MO was scary.

Over the last 21 years I have come to love this lady enormously. Just after Milo and I got married, she and Gary moved to Idaho to be closer to her ailing sister. We are fortunate to see them at least once a year and sometimes more. She works as a camp cook and EVERYTHING is homemade! EVERYTHING! People come from miles away JUST to taste some of THE MO's home cookin. I remember last time we visited, she would get up at 3:00 AM every day to get to camp to do ALL of the cooking for the day, so she could be home by noon to spend the rest of the day with us. One day she got delayed, because she was making HOMEMADE hamburger buns to bring home for our lunch. Guys who graduated from high school with Milo, wives' still call her because their husband was requesting something that THE MO made back in the day.

She raised three sons and NEVER missed one of their activities. She literally walks into my kitchen when I have deemed it 'empty of any possible food creations' and takes a little of this and that and whips up something delicious. Just yesterday when I was making stuffed mushrooms and had some of the stuffing left over, I called to ask, what should I do with this extra stuffing. Without hesitation, she rambled off a bunch of options so that NOTHING would go to waste. My newest request is that she start writing some of these recipes down, so that she can leave us a legacy. She adamantly disagrees. I will keep working on that one.

She has been there for me whenever I desperately needed her and I know to this day, one phone call and she would be on the first plane back to Iowa with no hesitation. She has a way of building confidence in kids that is remarkable. When she says she likes something you did or said, you just KNOW that she is sincere in her praise.

Over the last 21 years, I have grown in confidence she has soften more to the girly side. When she comes for a visit we have found a balance between her cooking and me cooking. I was tickled in November on a Sunday at noon, she would call me while whoopin it up in Las Vegas so I could share in her fun, as I have done the same with her.

I couldn't interview her, as she would consider that ridiculous, why would anyone give a 'crap'. And unfortunately because of the miles that separate us, pictures are sparse and I won't post the few out dated ones that I have. Your Welcome, MO. I need to get better at more pics when we are together. I do have a message into my brother-in-law, who she is visiting in AZ today to have him snap one and email it. Check in later for a possible pic of this GREAT lady!

So to THE MO today, thanks for being a grounding force in my life. Thank you for giving me an incredible man who is loving and builds confidence in those around him, as you laid the ground work years ago in him. Thank you for loving me unconditionally and for giving me the unwavering confidence that no matter what turn life takes, you would jump through whatever obstacles to come to my aid. Thank you for teaching me the importance of family and for being a role model in my life.

Happy Be-Lated Birthday!

I love you.

Jill