~ Rocky ~
I haven't eaten biscuts and gravy in almost 8 years. I know this because Rocky is almost 8 years old.
It used to be one of my favorite breakfast meals, my Dad always liked to make it for us growing up. I used to be able to smell it from across the house. Now I smell it and want to throw up.
I guess that's what happens when a Doctor tells you your 3 day old baby has a 50% chance of survival and if he did survive, he would likely sustain serious brain damage...and then in the next breath, order you to the cafeteria to eat something.
My husband and I hadn't eaten a thing in about 2 days. The head neurologist had just sat down and had a very "real" talk with my husband and I on the outcome of Rocky's situation when a very sweet nurse at Cardinal Glennon reminded me 10 minutes later that even though my baby was sick, I was still a breast-feeding mom. In order to keep up milk production -and pumping and storing my milk- I absolutely, positively had to go eat something. Anything.
The downstairs cafeteria was serving biscuits and gravy. My husband and I sat in stunned silence as we ate. I don't remember what he had. But forcing down food when you are so wracked with grief was simply awful. I now completely understand the pavlov's dog theory. Basically, the very smell of biscuits and gravy makes me sick to my stomach…it takes me back to that dark, dark time.
But the opposite of dark is light.
So if biscuits and gravy are my dark, this song is my light.
It's a cover, recorded by the Goo Goo Dolls, that can instantly put a smile on my face on even the worst days.
When Rocky was officially released from Cardinal Glennon and sent home a healed, healthy baby, I couldn't hide the smile from my face. I don't think I walked out of the hospital, I skipped. I was wearing my favorite hot pink sweatsuit with a black tank top underneath that proudly read "Mama" in hot pink letters. I had my hair in my favorite style- pigtail buns -and I hauled his little Graco pumpkin seat out to the car and fastened him in the backseat of my Saturn. It was a gorgeous October day, the sun was shining and as I pulled out of the hospital parking lot that song happened to be on the radio.
Oh the happy tears were pouring. I called my husband who was stuck at work… I was barely making words through my tears. "Do you hear this song?" I yelled as I held the old Nokia phone up to the speakers. "This song will always remind me of driving home with our baby! This is the happiest day of my life," I squealed.
So if biscuts and gravy make me wince with pain like the wounds were made yesterday, the Goo Goo Dolls make me want to dance with happiness and drive down the highway with the windows down- arm stretched out, feeling the wind on my hand and thanking God for whatever beauitful day he has created- everytime I hear that song.
Rocky had an awesome summer filled with a lot of baseball.
The Derby was a blast! He got to spend the morning with Matt Holiday and David Freese.
We are always proud of Rocky.
He's also making us proud off the baseball field, as he's starting 2nd grade.
We went to "Meet the Teacher" day at his school. Rocky kept making this dumb face for all the pictures and Luci kept photo bombing all the pictures. We were a mess.
On one hand I was mad because I have a photo of him every year with his teacher, and this year Luci is in it. But on the other hand, it's truly hysterical.
Literally, the only one who cooperated was Libby Lu, and that's because she was strapped to a stroller and we shoved a sucker in her mouth.
But his teacher seems lovely and we adore his school, so we are looking forward to an awesome year in 2nd grade.
Look for updates on the other 2 Manno kids later this week.
http://kellymanno.blogspot.com/2012/04/lets-go-rocky-lets-go.html
~Emily and Joel - MARRIED ~
You may remember Emily and Joel from their gorgeous engagement session. I'll give you the cliff-notes version if you don't want to go back and read - she's from my hometown and I love her :) We went to grade school together. I've been looking forward to shooting this wedding all year…I just knew it would be fabulous. Emily comes from an awesome family and she is the perfect mix of beauty, poise, and crazy-silliness. I adore her and Joel as a couple, and their wedding day was beautiful.
Dad getting his first glace of Emily, with a portrait of his older daughter on her wedding day just above his shoulder. One of my favorites from the whole day.
I love when a bride gets ready in the home she grew up in. The walls speak. She's walked these halls a thousand times, but never in a wedding dress.
Look at all of these kids! Kids everywhere! They were adorable, and had tons of energy. I got my workout in for the day just chasing them around for photos.
The bridal party was a hoot. I know most of the girls from home and when we weren't sweating to death, we were laughing all day. The flowers were a show-stopper, just breathtaking. Great job Jeffreys by design.
The reception was spectacular. It had such a welcoming vibe. The bridal party didn't dance in to music, they were already there to greet and mingle with their guests. The toasts were hilarious, the food was delicious, and the band was rocking. I love seeing people I care about do great things in life. Not only did Emily get the wedding of her dreams, but the husband of her dreams to go with it. She brings so much happiness to other people, and it was wonderful to see it rewarded to her ten-fold.
~ Part Irish, Part Hillbilly ~
Everyone assumes I'm Italian. Because of my last name, and my childrens names.
(Full names : Rocco Agostino, Luciana Elizabeth, Elisabetta Leola)
BUT the truth is, I don't have one drop of Italian blood in me. But my husband is, so my kids are, and by marriage I proudly claim the Italian heritage.
But the real answer is; I'm part Irish and part Hillbilly
Yes, you see, my Moms family is Irish, and my Dad's… well, they are Hillbillys.
For real, all the way from the Bootheel of Missouri. It stems mostly from my Grandmas family. And not necessarily her, but the folks who came before her. Front porch sitting, overall wearing, straw chewing Hillbillies! Trust me, I've seen the family reunion photos :)
My Grandma had the cutest little Hillbilly accent and had brothers with names like ; "Short", "Cotton" and "Boots". I can hear her in the kitchen like it was yesterday "Dad-gummit Kelly Marie can you grab that rollin' pin for me" - when she got out the rollin' pin it meant she was making Chicken and Dumplings from scratch. My favorite.
My Grandpas name was Lester Sylvester. Yes, first name "Lester" middle name "Sylvester" I swear on my life. But we all called him "Buck".
I remember my Grandma saying she knew her family was Hillbillies when her Dad hit a possum in the road with his car, got out, threw it in the trunk and took it home and cooked it for dinner.
So while on vacation last week in Branson Missouri (Hillbilly Heaven) I drug my family kicking and screaming into one of those old "saloon" type photo places. But when we saw they had Hillbilly Gear we were so excited!
We had soooo much fun doing this shoot. We laughed and laughed. In the photos are: my husband and kids, my Mom and Dad, and my Brother and his kids. And yes, that is Luci in front wearing a pink dress and holding flowers like a damn homecoming queen. She would NOT put on the Hillbilly clothes because they were "ugly and weird" and if you know Luci and how important clothes are to her, it wasn't worth the fight.
My Grandparents both passed away in just the last few years and they would think these photos were hysterical. I know they would be framed on her walls with pride. I'm trying to talk my husband into a 16x20 above our fireplace. But so far, he's not going for it ;)
