Happy Thanksgiving...again

Last Thanksgiving I posted 10 things i was thankful for. When i decided to do it again, I went back to look at last year's post I realized I wouldn't change a thing...
1. Clean water to drink and bathe in every day. i know in much of the world that is a luxury.
2. An amazing husband who loves me as much as i love him
3. Three healthy, beautiful, smart, delightful, mischievous daughters who show me the wonder in God's creation every day.
4. Living in a country where my daughters can grow up to be anything they want to be.
5. Good friends I can count on for anything.
6. Knowing both my brothers (sis-in-law, niece, and nephews) are coming to visit soon.
7. Parents that aren't perfect, but they're mine.
8. A good job (that i really enjoy) in a bad economy
9. Gymboree online sales (that i am trying to resist this year!)
10. Still having my Grandmother to visit on Thanksgiving!

HI

Just a note to say hi, and I'm sorry I've been such a bad blogger. Follow me on Facebook and you'll have all the updates you need. I'll get back into blogging soon- I promise!
Take care,
Dawn

The Pity Party is Over

Ok, I admit it. Since Mai’s diagnosis I’ve been wallowing is self pity. It made me think about everything I want in life and everything I don’t have. Party’s Over! I’m changing my course, and contemplating everything I do have and should be thankful for.

I have a great family. My parents have been married 39 years, and did their best to set a good example for us. They instilled values in each if us: education, hard work, family, faith, kindness, compassion and respect for others. I have two brothers I love and admire, even though I haven’t always liked them;) I know they have my back forever.

I have a husband I have been with almost 15 years who still thinks I am the most beautiful woman he knows. He knows everything there is to know about me and loves me anyway. He shows me he loves me by cleaning the litter box and having the house vacuumed and the girls fed before I wake up on Saturday. That’s real love.

I have three angels I’m watching “swim” in the tub as I write. I asked God for three children and these are the three He chose- I am so lucky. They are beautiful, smart, kind, and opinionated (and stubborn just like Mommy). They love and defend each other fiercely (when they aren’t arguing) and I pray that never changes.

I have friends that would do anything for me, and I would do anything for them- from kindergarten, junior high, high school, college, church, work, and mommy friends I met because of my kids. We’ve laughed and cried and relied on each other and I wouldn’t trade them for anything. They are there when I need a hand, a shoulder, or an ear.

I have a job I really enjoy that God gift wrapped with a red bow and handed me on a silver platter (thanks to a good friend from college talking to a random stranger on the HOV lane). I take pride in my work and get to leave at 3:30 every day to come home to my family.

Most of all I have a very deep faith instilled in me by my grandmother at a very young age- the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. I believe God has a plan for my life, and when I get off track He will always bring me back. It seems I almost forgot that.
Is life perfect? Never.
Do I have everything I want? No.
Will I always want more? I hope so.

Some things will come with time, and some things I will never have because the price or sacrifice is too high. I can sleep well knowing I am already blessed and always will be. If you’ve gotten this far, thank you. Thank you for listening, thank you for caring, thank you for being a part of my life.

With love,Dawn

I'm back!!

I admit it; I’ve been a bad blogger. Almost 2 months? Wow! If you follow me on facebook you know wheat’s going on.

August 28 I was in my first car accident in 15 years. I was rear-ended and pushed into the car in front of me in a 5-car pile-up at a red light. All the girls were in the car and they are all fine. The BMW that was totally at fault had plenty of insurance. After a lot of red tape, my van was repaired, the girls got new car seats, State Farm paid for everything and all is well.

I though I blew my first BOMA exam (certification for work). That caused me a lot of anxiety for a few weeks. To my disbelief I got an 80- whew!

I got a crazy suggestive phone call at 12:30 am on one trip to Ft Worth. The caller asked for me by first and last name, so the hotel put him through- SCARY! Luckily I had 2 male co-workers staying in the hotel and they escorted me to and from the building the rest of my trip. Since then I have been playing musical hotels. Don’t mess with a federal employee on official travel- homeland security got involved.

Speaking of Ft Worth, only THREE trips to go. I can’t believe this year is almost over!!!

The biggest think going on right now is that Mai was diagnosed with severe hearing loss. She will be getting two hearing aids. We are currently in a sea of doctors visits and insurance paperwork. First of all, we are changing insurance so that at lease half of the hearing aid cost will be covered. Today we saw the ENT to try to determine the cause of the hearing loss. He ordered genetic testing (a blood test) to see if Mai carries a defective gene. Mai ordered pink hearing aids with purple sparkles—what a surprise J

Hang in there- I’ll be around!!

Live from Ft Worth

I'm thinking of renaming my blog "live from Ft Worth" because that's the only time I have time to blog, when I'm in Ft Worth. Last week I was here for my monthly intern training, with Tai and the girls. They hung out at the pool and the zoo while I was at work. This week I'm back for a special training class.

I discovered today that I'm officially one of THEM. I'm a snooty business traveler. My car know the way to the airport parking garage, I don't even have to think about it. I get easily annoyed and frustrated with unseasoned travelers who hold up the security live. Today I piled my three totes (one for shoes and lip gloss, one for my purse, and one for my laptop) and walked around a guy fumbling to get is laptop out of his LV messenger bag and untie his shoes. I know where the good, and BAD, airport food can be found. I know exactly how to get to DFW's baggage claim when I get off the plane. I know what dress, sweater, and accessories to wear so I'm comfortable and never set off the metal detector.

Here's the good news: 8 flingts to Ft Worth down, 5 to go!!

Saying Goodbye

This past weekend was very surreal to me. We laid my grandfather to rest on Saturday. The day was crazy, sad, reverent, joyous and fun…yes, I said fun. My grandfather was a great man and had a great life, and we honored him accordingly.

Our day started at 5:30 am, so we could get dressed and pick Lily and Mai up from my in-laws’ house by 7:00. (They stayed there overnight so we wouldn’t have to take them to the Rosary.)

Quote of the day: we asked Lien if she wanted to go to the graveside service with me or go with Tai to take a nap at Honey’s house with her little sisters. Her response was, “I want to go to the graaaaaave yarrrrrrd.” (You must think in a spooky Halloween voice- remember, she’s 7.)

The funeral began at 10:00 am. My girls were remarkably behaved for a 1 ½ hour mass. I had to take Lily in the back for a little while because she was getting restless, not loud, and tried to crawl under all the pews. After Mai was scared by the Knights of Columbus during the processional, she sat on the floor most of the time playing with Otto’s prayer card.

After mass we had lunch. The bereavement group at the church did an amazing job preparing lunch for everyone. Since mass went long, we had about 30 minutes to feed over 100 people.

Then we went to the cemetery. It was truly the most beautiful service I’ve ever seen. The playing of taps and folding of the flag is chilling. My grandfather and his four brothers all served in WWII, and all came home. Otto was the first of the five brothers to pass away.

One of Otto’s instructions has always been that a keg would be placed on his casket so that family and friends could toast him. Well, we didn’t grant that request, but instead threw him a keg party. After the ceremony at the cemetery we returned to Otto and Honey’s house for a fish fry. Dozens of family and friends gathered to tell Otto stories, play horseshoes and raise their glasses in his memory… and eat some yummy fried fish and shrimp, and venison sausage.

We love you Otto. I hope we did you proud. Rest in Peace.

Goodbye to my Grandfather

Otto Hrncir

April 19, 1919- August 5, 2009

Sr. Kt. Otto Hrncir was born in Hallettsville, Texas on April 27, 1919. Otto was a star athlete at Sugar Land High School, lettering four years in five sports. He played softball for Imperial Sugar Co. Otto also played Army and semi-pro baseball, winning MVP honors.

Otto served as an artillery sergeant in the Second Infantry Division during WWII, landing at Normandy, through the Battle of the Bulge, to Pilsn, Czechoslovakia, where he served during the Occupation. He served in the VFW and American Legion.

After the war, Otto became a foreman for Tyler Fixtures in Waxahachie. In 1951, he took a position as sales manager for Joe Polichino’s beer company in Fort Bend and Brazoria Counties. Ten years later, he assumed the distributorship along with two partners. He was known as a formidable competitor in business. He taught his children what he had learned in war, business, and sports: that their ultimate adversaries, whom they must constantly strive to overcome, were themselves. Otto lived for his family. He worked long hours for many years, but always found time for his children’s baseball and football games, plays, and musical performances. He also treasured family trips to the beach and fishing holes.

Next to his family, Otto loved his Catholic Faith. His service to the Church included seventy years in the Knights of Columbus, with almost fifty of those at the fourth degree level. He served as past faithful navigator, and captain of the state champion drill team.

Family was the world to Otto. He is preceded in death by his parents John Paul and Millie (Sciba) Hrncir, sisters; Anita and Janie Jakubik, and several brothers and sisters in-law. He is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years; Gena Frances “Honey” Hrncir, brothers and sisters; Edwin Hrncir, Helmer Hrncir, Margaret Humpola, and Mickey Sebesta of Rosenberg, Leo Hrncir of Weimer, Guss Hrncir and wife Vinita of Amarillo, sons; Robert Hrncir and wife Loretta of Houston, Hal Hrncir and wife Debbie of West Columbia, daughter; Sharon Dennis of Nashville, Tenn., nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and many step-grand, great and great-great grandchildren. He will be missed by all who knew him.