Tony's Birthday and More

 Dear Mom,

I have some more life updates for you! Nothing too big or exciting but a lot of little things that you would have enjoyed. Diggs rediscovered the orange ball you bought him a few months ago and he hasn’t left its side. I think it might be his new favorite thing but it’s hard to say because you know how much he adores his monkey. Sparky has also been loving the snow a little too much. We have about a foot of snow and she could not be happier. I will include some pictures for you to see her crazy eyes. I’ve noticed that Dad has been spending a lot more time with the dogs since you’ve been gone. I think it’s keeping his mind off of everything. Weirdly, I think it’s the best gift you could have given him despite him “never wanting dogs.”

I was scrolling through my Facebook photos the other day and I found a photo of you and me together. You never liked being in photos so it’s rare to have one of us together. I forgot about that photo. We were having a picnic at the lake house for what I believe to be your birthday. I look to be about seven or eight in the photo so I don’t entirely remember all the details. I do remember the painting that you are holding because it is one that Laurie painted for you to look like our old bird Phoenix. You loved that painting so much and I wish I knew where in storage it was. I think finding it will bring a lot of comfort. It was nice finding that photo though and I look forward to finding more. Each photo brings back memories and I want to hold onto as many as I can.

Tony’s birthday is today and I made homemade Italian beef using your crockpot. I think the Italian beef would have been a little too spicy for you though. I’ve made it a goal to continue cooking and helping out the family. I think it will help keep me busy and keep my mind off of your passing. A few days ago Tony and I sat down and wrote down all of your recipes that we could remember. It felt like a nice way to honor you and make it feel like you’re around. We also went through Tony’s baby book so he could remember the time he was born. We thought it was 10:30 am but it was 10:37 am so I’m glad we checked. It made me laugh because for the first 20 years of my life you told me I was born at 8:36 pm and once I got a new job I had to order a new birth certificate to be delivered to school because mine was packed away for moving. Once I received my new birth certificate I found out I was really born at 8:52 pm. I cried so hard because every year at 8:36 pm I took a picture but you thought it was the funniest thing. 

Another exciting thing happened recently that would have made you really happy. Liv bought her wedding dress and to everyone’s surprise, it was the first dress she tried on. She looks absolutely stunning in her dress and I can’t wait to see Piotr’s reaction on their big day. It got me thinking about when I will get married one day and it makes me sad to think that you won’t be there. Within the first two weeks of you knowing my boyfriend Joey you told me I was going to marry him. We just celebrated two and a half years together on Monday so maybe your wish will come true one day. I’m only 22 though so you’ve still got some time for that one. I’m just glad you were able to get to know him regardless. He was really there for me after your passing. The night it happened he brought over flowers, ice cream, and held my hand through every panic attack. His family even dropped off some amazing food for the family. You would have loved his mom’s lasagna. I am really lucky to have them all in my life and I want you to know that everyone is taking care of us so you don’t need to worry. 

Missing you extra,

Lacey

Here is the Italian beef recipe I used: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2ldXjl6Btk

Here is our dog Sparky in the snow:

Here is the photo I found of us: