10 Things I Want to Remember, Things I Want You to Remember

I wanted to do a post for you Sage of ten things I want to always remember, and the things I want you to remember as you grow up (which has been so fast lately). I am sure this will be the first of many posts like this:

The Things I Remember:
1. When your Daddy said "we have a daughter" and the look on his face after I asked who you looked like and he said "Me" with such a look of pride on his face, at that moment you were your Daddy's girl!
2. What an amazingly good baby you were, you slept through the night, never fussed, and even at 3 pounds 11 ounces didn't get your first cold until you were 2 and a half. Except you were an extremely picky eater, and like your mom liked fast food. I would secretly blend in vegitables into your pancakes just so you could eat them, and you never noticed because you loved your "Pan Pan's"
3. How whenever I was in the bathroom you would lay by the door and stick your fingers underneath and say "Are you ok Mommy"
4. How every morning, you would be in my face and say "Hi Mama" and I would say "Hi Sissy Bug"
5. How you remembered every movement of the movie Madagascar and would copy it.
6. How you would say Baggoooon everytime you saw a balloon.
7. How you would talk on the phone and say Hi to whoever you were talking to and then walk around with the phone making hand gestures whenever you would talk. You would somehow dial people without me knowing, I would walk around the corner and you had dialed Daddy and Ma..I still don't know how you did it...but you loved talking on the phone to Auntie A and Uncle Nick especially.
8. How everytime I would pull out of the driveway in the opposite direction of Pa and Ma's you would moan and cry and say...ahhhh Pa.
9. When I had the stomach flu you would come in and rub my back and say..okay Mama
10. When you were in time out you would babble and argue your case with your hands to why you should not be put in time out (Just like your Mommy). You have the makings of a good lawyer I think.
11. Your Pee Wee Herman laugh whenever you got so excited. Everyone would always chuckle at your laugh, it was so sweet.
12. When you would inhale the dandilion instead of blowing it out to make a wish.
13. How I would always ask if you wanted Milk or Juice and I think you thought it was one word because you would say I want "Milkajuice."
14. How Ma made you special water out of beans and you would always call it Bean Wa.
15. When ever anyone would toot, you'd say.."Pa go Boom" or whoever did it, "Sage go Boom" and you would cover your nose and laugh.
16. How you LOVED looking at yourself in the mirror or reflection, and would Belly laugh so hard when we would do the airplane with you.
17. How because you were the only neice, grandbaby, baby of friends you were so spoiled by everyone! All of Daddy's friends, your Uncles always say how sorry they feel for the boys you try and bring home someday, because they will not get past all of your Uncles!

Things I Want You to Remember:
1. Always take pride in who you are and where you came from and above all else in life, cherish your family and never lose sight of how important family is.
2. Never do things because you expect things in return, do them because it makes you feel good to help others. When you look for the reward of doing something, you lose sight of why you are doing them.
3. Never fight with your fists, always with your mouth and your brain. But never feel like you can't stand up for yourself, your family or anyone else who needs help. However, talk and act like a lady. Never use foul language or point out the flaws in others, honor their diversity.
4. It is absolutely not an option for you to NOT go to College. You can study whatever you choose but you WILL go to college, even if I have to drag you to class myself. And always proof read! And have someone else proof read. Ask questions because there is no such thing as a dumb question only if you chose not to ask it.
5. Like your mother, you will NOT get your ears pierced until you are 21 and get your first pair of diamond earrings from me or your Grandma. My Grandma gave me my first diamond earrings and they are the only ones I wear. You may think this is unfair and silly but I still value this fact and the holes in my ears to prove it. Also, I wish I would have listened to my mother and not died my hair...I had beautiful hair before I died it, now I wish i would have listened to my mother.
6. If you are debating which sport to play, my vote is Volleyball and Basketball, and if you are considering playing an instrument, I would be ok with the violin and piano.
7. Think for yourself and never let anyone ever tell you what you think is wrong. If you don't know the answer, ask or look it up. Argue your point with facts, be precise even if it is to me or a teacher etc. But be prepared also to be told you are wrong, and handle it with grace. And always respect that someone will have the opposite opinion as you, and sometimes, that doesn't make them wrong.
8. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS respect, listen, and value your elders. Learn from them. Value their opinions, beliefs etc, just as you would want them to value yours.
9. Never sit by while other people are doing the work, offer to help. Be polite and always be the bigger person. You may lose some battles but handle them with grace and learn a lesson from it.
10. You are going to get your heartbroken (or at least you think it is) and that it is the end of the world, but be strong in who you are, never settle, and the right person will be there when you least expect it, but I am not going to lie, there are going to be plenty of tears and bumps in the road, it is how you pick yourself up from them that matters. Never let anyone else define you, you define yourself...know what makes you happy first and foremost.
11. I know at times it will seem like we are being unfair, or that we don't know what we are talking about (I think every kid thinks that about their parents until they become one) but always remember that our only concern is for your health and happiness and as your parents our job is to take care of you and love you for the rest of our lives. I call you my "Golden Egg" because I can't have anymore kids, so if I am too fragile with you that is why. I will admit right now that we are helicopter parents, always hovering above you, but it is because you are our one shot, and we want all the best for you. Even if that means you disagree with us or get mad at us, we can get you therapy later...lol.
12. Trust is something that you earn! Once someone loses trust in you, they will always think the worst is going to happen. Make sure you live your life to be a truthful, honest, and honorable person. Love is a choice you have to make, you chose to love someone, and chose to do things to show that person that you love them. Love is a choice and not an emotion. Choose Love.
13. Be grateful and gracious to any gift you ever receive. Even if you already have one, it wasn't what you wanted, or you hate it, you always show appreciation in the fact that someone thought of you. There are people that don't have basic necessities, so do your part, no matter what in showing that you appreciate the gesture...hey you can always take it back later.
14. Don't be shocked when you go to date or go to dances etc. if your Daddy and Uncles are a little over protective of you, it is only because they love you!
15. Live everyday to the fullest, never limit yourself. If you don't succeed that is ok, because you can always try again...learn from your mistakes and fix them, don't look to others to tell you how to be happy, you need to decide that for yourself.
16. Don't just go through the motions of life and what is expected of you, carve out your own path, be your own person and always strive to be the best at everything you do.
17. Do not lie, unless it is necissary to protect someone else...however instead of lying, manipulate your words so they are not lies, but rather alternate truths for the better good. But never lie to us. If you feel like you can't come to us for anything please go to your grandparents, or Aunt Andrea or someone for help...and never be ashamed to ask for help.

I will do these posts often as I want you to have these in your book so we can look back on them one day.

Love,
Mama

Long Beach 2010

A couple of weekends ago we stayed in one of Mom and Dad's 3 bedroom condos. Katy and Mike and Gracie and Cole joined us and we had so much fun. The first day was pretty windy, but considering it was POURING down rain here, we got pretty lucky because it didn't rain on us too much. I walked about 300 yards from the rest of the group and noticed them all heading in. When I walked to the cars I said "I only have 9" and the rest of the group only had 1 or maybe 2, so I did pretty good that day. The next day, Mike got 4 limits in about 45 minutes. Dad, Jeramy and I drove up the beach and after we heard how well Mike did, we went out in front of the hotel. It took us a little it longer, and I was the last one to get my limit. We generally like digging near Ocean Shores, and don't ever really dig Long Beach. There is another tide with a big big minus (-1.8) so while Jeramy and his friends are shed hunting, I might go clamming. Jeramy bought me a cute pink gun, so I bought him a blue one. Sunday was beautiful and we actually dug in our t-shirts. The new Long Beach condos are beautiful (except for the part where Sage peed on the carpet.. lol ) and we had an ocean view, so thank you mom and dad!

Sage had a great time with Gracie and Cole, and always asks "where is Cole". I bought some high heeled rubber boots so Cole made me a purse pancake to go with them it was very cute! Can't wait to go again and to see everyone in July, We should make this an annual clamming trip!!

FootLoose and other Fun Stuff

So we have been busy since our trip back from Long Beach where we went with myy parents and met up with Mike, Katy, Gracie and Cole. The first day we didn't do too well as the weatherh was pretty windy. I think me and my Uncle Dan got the most, while everyone else got 1 maybe 2. The next day Mike got 4 limits in under 45 minutes on a beautiful day! Since Jeramy bought me a pink gun, I got him a blue gun so now we have a his and her set. While we were down there Jeramy bought me a pair of high heels rubber boots, so my 6 year old nephew made me a pancake purse to go with my shoes. It turned out really good! He is a great little cook and helper.

Jeramy didn't have to work today so we went down to the farmers market and bought some green peppers, jalepenos and other peppers, cabbage, lettuce, broccoli, and we will get some more later. So while Jeramy tilled the garden, I was inside putting our new bedset together. I was so excited about this. For a king set, this is normally $250 but I got it for $39 and beause the bag was open I got them to give it to me for $30. It is so soft and looks really cute! While I was making the bed, our little girl put on her Obama shirt..way to go girl, she is a chip off the old block! After all of the shirts she could have picked she wanted that one..I was so proud! I got that shirt in Hawaii and he is giving the hang loose sign.

Finally, now that we are in for the evening, we decided to watch Foot Loose, so in honor of the movie, I busted out my old leg warmers. Wouldn't be an 80's movie without leg warmers!

Happy Friday Everyone!

How Sage Got Her Name

We knew when we first got pregnant that we wanted to name our baby after important and influential people in our lives. I always use to say that I would have to know before hand if it was a boy or girl during the ultrasound, but when I was pregnant we saw the value of waiting until Sage was born. After all, it is the one true surprise you get in life and the only thing the Daddy gets to do, like when Jeramy went out into a packed waiting room to announce for the very first time that we have a daughter. In fact the doctor's let him announce the sex of the baby in the OR, and when he said we had a daughter, I said, "Are you sure" because for some reason both of us were convinced we were having a boy. In fact Dr Ali Lewis (who knew we were having a girl, but heard us calling the baby him) really wanted to deliver the baby so she could say "I told you so" but she had worked too many hours, so the Seahawks head coach, Mike Holmgren's daughter delivered us on a Seahawk Sunday near Husky Stadium. Dr Lewis did come find us in the NICU to rub it in a little bit. I can't imagine finding the sex out before hand, Jeramy was a little hesitant at first, but now tries to talk everyone into it because it was so special, so thank you to my cousin's who pioneered this road before me, because I would never trade it for the world. I have seen too many people who want a boy so bad that when the ultrasound says it is a girl they are disapointed. There is no way you are disapointed when you lay eyes on your baby for the first time. I always laugh when people say, "How do you plan and buy stuff" and I always say it is easy, just buy neutral colors, and that you'd be surprised how much pink floods in after you have the baby. Again, I wouldn't trade that moment for anything and will remember Jeramy's voice and face when he told us that we now had a daughter and that she looked like him, and the pictures of all the people in the waiting room on their toes waiting to hear, because unlike most hospitals that put pink or blue hats on the babies, Sage had a khaki colored one on with Green and Red ribbon for Christmas.
For some reason, and we had no real reason why, we thought we were going to have a boy, and because we wanted our names to be family related we came up with Jackson Lee Jernigan. Jack follows the J pattern on Jeramy's Side (Jim, Jimmy, Jeramy, Josh) and Lee is Jeramy's middle name as well as his dads. It also is the middle name of Andrea and last name of my nephews Marcus and Lucas so it served many purposes.

Here are the reasons and pictures of how we came up with Sage Donna Patricia Jernigan. For such a little girl, she really has a long name..lol



This little girl's name was Sage. About a month after we met we drove down to California with Jeramy's family to get on a Mexican Rivera cruise. This is where we met 4 year old Sage from California. One day she was sitting bellied up at the bar, so Jeramy went up and bought her a shirley temple with a cherry on top, and sattled up next to her at the bar. So for the rest of the trip whenever we would bump up to her she would scream..Jeramy, Jeramy and go run up to him and give him a giant hug. Her parents told us that she couldn't stop talking about him. It was very sweet. Since this trip was the moment when we realized that we were going to spend the rest of our lives together and that we loved each other so much, we said if we ever had a daughter we would name her Sage after this little girl, as a way to remember where we fell in love.



Donna, Sage's first middle name is after Jeramy's Dad's Mom, Donna Jernigan. She died of altztimers and diabetes when Jeramy was about 15 years old. Jeramy was very close to his grandma and would spend memorable 4th of July's, Christmas and Birthday's together with his Grandma Donna and Grandpa Jim who lived over on Century Ct in Olympia. Since Jeramy was their first grandkid, he was spoiled rotten. He still to this day loves Taffy Cookies and Ginger Snaps that she got him hooked on. She made such an impact on his life and she was so incredibly special to him that he had to have her name be apart of our daughter as a way to always remember her and honor her.



Patricia, is her second middle name after my Grandma, who died of cancer when I was about 22 years old. There are no words to explain what an impact she had on my life, even to this day. She taught me everything I know and instilled an important sense of family in me. I idolized and looked up to her for so much. There isn't anything she wouldn't do for her family. She was proud and supportive of us no matter what. I know she is always with me because when I was graduating from college and was crying because she wasn't there, I looked up at all of my family and the only light in the whole building was shining on them which told me she was there. 2 weeks after she died and my Aunt died and we had the funeral at the same place, I had a hard time going into the building, I attempted a few times and failed, and on my final attempt I walked in and her favorite song was playing telling me she was there with me ane it was going to be alright. When I was trying on my wedding dress and kept crying that I wished my Grandma was here, right when I found "the dress" the wedding march went on the radio when no music was playing before and Andrea told me, "see Grandma is telling you this is the dress" I cried so much I couldn't breathe. And when I walked out of the room when Jeramy's Grandpa died, there were Christmas stockings that were hung outside his room and one of them read Pat H, another sign telling me she was there with me and everything would be ok and that she was watching out for me and always with me. Finally, the birth of my daughter. With everything that could have gone wrong with my hard pregnancy...it didn't. Since neither one of us was willing to give up the names of the women who had made such an impact on us, our little 3 pound 11 ounce baby who was 16 inches long had a name that was bigger than she was. But even though her name is long, it is strong and filled with love from people who we miss grately, but are now with us everytime we look into our little girls eyes.
With love to our Grandma's, thank you for giving us such a beautiful little girl who reminds us everyday of the love and memories we have with you!

Great-Grandpa Holman

I remember that when Sage was born some people said that she looked like Grandpa Jack. Infact, if Sage were born a boy, since we wanted to be surprised on the sex of the baby, her name was going to be Jack, middle name was going to be Lee (Dad and Grandpa Jernigan's, and Andrea's middle name, and Marcus and Lucas last name). For some reason we were certain we were having a boy, that one of our Doctor's who peeked on one of the ultrasounds and knew we were going to have a girl, would always chuckle when we would call Sage, Jack...now we know why.

This picture, Dad says was taken at Aunt Minnie's on the Hamersly Inlet. For as long as I can remember Aunt Minnie lived downstairs from my Grandma at her Carpenter Road house. Uncle Dave is on Grandpa's lap, Uncle Dan is in the middle, and my Dad is on my Grandma's lap.

He died when I was pretty young, so I don't have too many memories of him, but got to know alot about him when I went to go visit Aunt Marlene last (see story below).

Anyways, thought I would share this picture because I was looking at it today and thought that Sage does resemble my Grandpa a lot.

Who....Lil Ol Me?

Last night we were just getting ready for bed when we got a knock at the door. That is strange because usually people come through the garage. When Jeramy answered there was a plain clothed guy around 23 asking for a Jerry (which is weird that the Sheriff sent a plain clothed guy in first with a weird name, when obviously they knew my name since it is on the phone bill) Then the Thurston County Sheriff walked up and said that they got a 911 call from our address and tried calling back but the line was busy. As I was standing there in my robe, Sage came bombing around the corner and the Sheriff laughed and said "That must be the culrpit...I should have guessed with all these toys" (we had just moved a couple of her big outside climbing toys into the living room)

Sage had apparently dialed 911, hung up, and then left the phone off the hook. Since she has lost every cordless phone we have, we only had 1 landline phone, until yesterday when I put one in our bedroom. I looked at the phone she disconnected and noticed it took 25 minutes before someone responded...hopefully if there is a real emergency they will get there faster than that, I guess I am thankful we didn't get fined etc. She has reprogramed my phone, bought ringtones, rebooted my computer. But last night was definatly a first! LOL

Today she has been running around the house SCREAMING "Aloha" which means she wants to watch the video that Uncle Saggagi put together of our Hawaii trip...guess I picked a good theme when I decorated her room in Hawaiian. Whenever she sees my Dad on the video she says..Thatsa my Pa..then runs to the door saying..I wanna see my Pa. I wonder if her name for my Dad isn't PA but MyPa.

She got her first cut yesterday when she fell on the concrete. It is the tiniest little thing you have ever seen, like a papercut, but both Jeramy and I FREAKED out. We immediatly got the neosporan cleaner out and foamed up her hand..then tried in vain to find a bandaid that would fit in that spot on her hand that she wouldn't take off...no such luck..

Finally, I think I have deemed Tuesdays.."Terrible Toddler Day", Sage decided to empty our silverware drawer yet again and when I told her No..she chucked 3 big spoons at my head and they hit me pretty hard from a pretty close distance since I was squatted down. She got in big trouble for that.
Oh the fun never ends!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter Everyone! Here is a picture of Sage and the Easter Bunny. That was a pretty interesting event. First she had the death grip on Jeramy before we put her on his lap. Then when she was on his lap she would go limp and slide down the bunny. The first few pictures were pretty funny because she was sliding down his lap. This one she is still trying to get away but it turned out pretty cute! She is wearing a cute little dress my mom got her, and we have a white pea coat from my Chicago Emo Katherine, so she looked like a little Jackie O.

She wasn't really too impressed with egg hunting yet. Until I put M&M's inside the eggs. This was the first time she has had chocolate or candy of any kind so she was pretty impressed! I will have to not give them to her and use them as rewards for potty training, which we need to get going on. She did ok at first but then she got scared of sitting on the big toilet and just screams, so I may have to find one of the portable ones, even though, I really don't want to clean them. She really likes sitting in front of a mirror and watching herself dance and do other things, so maybe I will get a mirror so she can watch herself...lol...Any other potty training ideas, if you have already tried the little seat on the adult potty and now she hates it? We would do it first thing in the morning or anytime she woke up and give her something to drink while we ran water and give her a sticker etc., and she was doing really good, now she won't even sit on it...so I guess I will try a portable one and see how that goes. I am kind of waiting for the weather to get nice so she can run around without a dipaer outside etc. I am not a big advocate of pull ups since they are like diapers, but I may try the ones that get cold if they get wet. We will see...she is still so little (20 pounds) that it is hard for her to get up on things even with a stool. Wish us luck, hopefully the M&M's will help!