Where Did The Title Come From?

Many years ago (actually almost 32), Mike and I heard or read something about if you sentence someone to prison for "Life and a Day", they could never get out, never get paroled.  This was many years before he was in law enforcement.

Well, we thought we would do a twist on that - Love, Forever and a Day.  Same basic meaning but with a good twist - love would win out.  We would love each other forever and never forsake each other.  We say this to each other daily, we let the boys know that we will love them forever and a day.  Now we are seeing this passed down to the next generation of Cross' - as the boys tell the girls this.

It is a small thing to do - to let the one you are with know you love them.  It is a big thing to do to let the one you are with know that you are in this no matter what happens.  Does this mean life has been all rosie and smooth sailing?  Not one bit.  Does this mean that we work with each other and try to figure it out?  Absolutely.

I have learned a lot over the years - that no matter what people tell you, love is not easy.  It is something you have to work at everyday of your life.  I have learned that you can love and not like - someone or something.  I have learned as a wife that having a husband you love is one of the best feelings in the world.  I have learned that as a mom you can love abundantly no matter what and you never run out of room - your heart just keeps opening up for more and more love - to give and share.

I want my boys and their future wives to know that love can be forever and a day.  You just have to take it a day at a time and figure out what works for you.

Love, 4-ever and a day

And I know there is nothing

That I would not do for you, forever will be true

And I know although times can be hard

We will see it through, I’m forever in love with you.

Where Do I Start

I've never blogged before - not even sure that this is being done the right way, but wanted to give it a shot as I'm entering a new phase in my life.

Where do I begin? It's been 30 years since I married the love of my life (corny I know, but it is true). In the beginning years, there were the normal ups and downs, but the ups prevailed. We had decided when we were discussing marriage that we didn't want to have children until we had been married for 5 years - and we waited.

We were almost there - 4 years and 10 months - give or take a few days and we had our oldest son - Michael Aaron. All 9lbs, 10oz and 23 1/2 inches of him, with a full head of hair arrived 13 days before Christmas. Talk about a Christmas present! We learned, we laughed, we oood and awed over him. He was a peaceful baby - very laid back.

Speed forward to when he is 5 months old and we found out we were pregnant again. Suprise? Shock? Awe? Yes to all of these emotions and more. Brian Adam was born 4 days before Valentines day - just a meer 2 months after his brother turned 1. Talk about your busy household! Brian was and is to this day very different than his brother. A small baby compared to Aaron - just 6lbs 12oz and only 21 1/2 inches. He had little hair - and it was very blonde - you could hardly see it.

This began the next chapter in our lives - CHILDREN and FAMILY! We received the requisite "help" from family and friends - "you should do this, you should do that, babies don't like this, don't feed him that" - all given in love. And so life went on.

Until April 4, 1986 that is. Aaron came down with haemopholis influenza type B - now known by it's given name of HIB. We didn't know if he would live or die - and off he went to Texas Children's Hospital. His physician told us that he did not know if Aaron would make the trip down there.

Mike went with Aaron and I went to notify the people who needed to be notified - grandparents and family, neighbors (since their kids had been exposed), the daycare and friends. Aaron did make the trip and spent 3 days in Pedi ICU and an additional 10 days at Texas Childrens. All I can say is that he survived the ordeal in true Aaron fashion - beating the odds and showing everyone who he was.

Brian was small enough that he didn't know what was happening - but it was a lot for an 8 week old. His grandparents took care of him - along with some good friends - so I could send time at Texas Childrens. Talk about a mother's heart - it was truly torn. I needed to be with my oldest and I wanted to be with my youngest. How do you do it? You don't ask, you just do what you can and make it work.

Life progresses - the boys lead normal lives - making friends, playing sports, attending church and doing what boys do.

The people they meet and that influence their lives have been amazing. From "other mothers" (you know who you are and I want to thank you for the love you gave your "other sons"), to Godly influences in the guise of teachers, parents, coaches and more, to friends who have meant so much to them. "The Boys" as I collectively call them have grown up - where has the time gone! I just hope that their father and I have done the right things and have put life in perspective for them.

School, school and more school has gone by. They have chosen their life plan. Aaron has decided to become a deputy with the Sherriffs Department, Brian has decided to become an inspector/investigator with the Fire Marshalls office. While mom has worried about what they have chosen to do - they have chosen what is best for them.

They work, they play (yes, even big boys play) and they plan - for their future. Where will they go? What will they do? Will they marry? Will they have children?

All I can say is that I love them more than love itself and that their life will be amazing. They have recently entered into a new phase of life as well and I am in it with them. Both boys are engaged - and as with their birth, so the engagement - just a few months apart. What are their fiance's like - just like them, full of life, energy, love and potential.

Where am I in this? Learning to sit back - sometimes not so patiently - and let them discover all that is out there for all of them. Now that they are engaged adults, does this stop me from caring for them? Not for a lickety split second - in fact, I have found that I care even more, love even more because of the two wonderful women they have found.

For my boys - and now my girls
Love forever and a day