A Glittering Smile.....

Today we made another step into pre-pubescence, adolescence, also known as THE TEENAGE YEARS.  How is this possible (I know you are all asking) since Miss Julia just turned 10 and Mr. Colin is a mere 8 years of age...

Well.... see.... our kids have always been rather advanced.  Julia especially.  I mean really...  she arrived on the planet 3 weeks ahead of schedule.  And even if you ignore that rush to arrive, there are her teeth. Julia got teeth early, got teeth fast, and lost them just as quickly.

I will NEVER forget when she lost her first tooth (when she was still in preschool folks...)  She was so excited to take her tooth to school and show it off that she would not (seriously, crying fit, blubbering hysterically would not) leave the tooth for the Tooth Fairy.  Instead she wrote him a note explaining that she would leave the tooth the next night (she was really curious about how much cash she would receive), but she HAD to take her tooth to school.  All well and good, but apparently NO other child in her class had lost a tooth, and some of the parents hadn't exactly explained to their kiddos that they were GOING to lose their teeth.  Preschool teacher was LESS than thrilled when several of her students burst out crying over this little gem of information.(Leave it to my kids to ruin it for everybody else...)

I will also ALWAYS remember Julia's dentist telling me that the teeth that needed crowns (yep, my dear child got silver crowns at the age of five under general anesthesia) would (without a doubt) be in her mouth until she was at least ten.  So... those puppies fell out at age 8.  That was (a lot) of money for teeth that didn't really hang around for very long.

We've known since Julia's adult teeth started to erupt (seriously, that's the only way to describe what happened) that she would most likely need braces.  One of her front teeth came in SIDEWAYS for goodness sake!  The dentist would look at her at each appointment and tell me 'Well Mom, her mouth grew a little, so we'll wait another six months and see what happens.'  Actually, he TOLD me that, until Julia's last appointment when he smiled at me and told me that she only had four baby teeth left and that none of those teeth had any roots anymore, so... IT WAS TIME.  Julia was... shall we say, less than thrilled (I can only guess that the fact that  she threw herself on her bed and cried about how life is unfair meant that she wasn't too happy).

A few months, a visit to the very cool orthodontist office, and some good coaching from her Nana, and she was ready to go.... her only request was to have it happen AFTER Christmas.  So... Colin gave her bubblegum for her birthday (cause she should get to chew as much as she would like until she got her braces on), several pre-appointments were scheduled, and we were ready to go!  Here she is, the final shot of her (pre-braces) mouth.

After a look of disgust (and a panicked question to mom about whether or not they had clear rubber bands) six weeks ago when they showed her all of the different colored rubber bands that they had, she was quick to select blue and teal rubberbands this morning.  We had a bit of an adventure as not one, but two of her brackets popped today (one before we even left the office), but overall she seems happy.  Here's Julia sporting her NEW glittering look....

She reports that her mouth and tongue are sore.  She did however, just eat an entire can of spagehettios, edamame, an apple chopped into little pieces and some cheese balls (I know, I'm a STELLAR mom) so I think she is going to live.

In about six months, they will expand to the rest of the top teeth, and in a year or so we will enter the adventure of the bottom braces.... 
(Oh, and yeah, before you ask, of course Joe and I are now broke.  Like the Christmas bills weren't enough.... and this will be a lovely new addition to the monthly bills as well...)

As for 'being present' (remember my non-resolution resolution?) this was an awesome day of memories for Julia and I.  I don't think either one of us will ever forget this day... the nerves, the stress, the pain (and that was just how I felt!!)

Night all...
C

Last Two Days....

Friday night, I asked the kids if they had done everything that they wanted to do during Winter Break.  We made a 'list' of things that they had wanted to do, but that we hadn't done yet.  Thankfully, the list wasn't TOO long... so we were able to accomplish most of it. (Note that we did not accomplish what Momma wanted to do, which was to get the house cleaned and all the Christmas decorations put away.  But... remember the resolution, remember the resolution, remember the resolution.)  Turns out our last two days were pretty awesome....

Colin spent his last two days:  eating Krispy Kreme donuts for breakfast, playing xBox, building Legos, playing games with Mommy and Daddy, getting comfortable riding his bike without training wheels (this took a WHOLE year to accomplish... but he's finally there), going out to dinner at Golden Corral with Nana and Papa (cause Julia was having a sleepover) and building the Propeller Racer that Andy, Amy and Kelvin sent him for Christmas.  Here are a few photos... it was SO much fun watching him build the racer because he could read the directions on his own... it's a pretty cool little toy too!

Julia spent her last two days:  eating Krispy Kreme donuts for breakfast, playing Nintendo, reading, drawing, playing Poptropica on my laptop, spending the night at her dear friend Alyssa's house (remember the pneumonia at the beginning of the break?  She had a sleepover planned that Friday night that didn't get to happen, so she was quite relieved that we managed to work it out before the break was over), and sleeping on the chair (this is what happens when you spend the night at a friend's house and choose giggling over sleeping).

Joe spent the last two days: sleeping in, playing xBox with Colin, playing xBox after Colin went to bed, taking down the (200 lbs.- he swears) Christmas tree, taking out the trash, doing laundry, and trying to convince Momma that she should just rest (and that she is still pretty, even though she doesn't feel that way right now).

I spent the last two days: eating Krispy Kreme donuts for breakfast (the diet has got to start soon...), getting comfortable with driving again, looking at blogs, reading blogs, talking to some good friends about redesigning my blog, playing games with Colin, cooking with Julia, dreaming about a laundry room makeover (more about that soon), Twittering, Facebooking, taking the Christmas tree down, cleaning out the refrigerator, going to bed early, not sleeping well, trying to get us organized because school starts again (TOMORROW!) and trying to follow Daddy's directions to rest more (and feel pretty more- hopefully soon).

School and work start again tomorrow for everybody but Momma- who has about 3 more weeks before she is fully healed and ready to return to the rat race.  I think being home alone will be VERY strange... I'll let you know how it's going soon....

Have a wonderful night all-
C

Welcoming 2010....

We welcomed the year 2010 today with some good old fashioned family fun. Here are a few pics of the highlights. If today was any indication... 2010 is going to be a GOOD year. Enjoy!

P.S. This is my first attempt at using Picassa to create a collage of photos. I think it's too small (and can't figure out how to adjust it). What do you think? Do you like it? Like the individual photos more? Fill me in.....

Nana and Papa Time....

For those of you who don't know- my mom quit her job after Julia was born so that she could take care of her when I went back to work. In the weeks prior to Julia's birth, I think she thought this was only for a short period of time and that when Julia arrived my view of working would completely change. She was the first to point out however, after spending a lot of time with me during my maternity leave, that I *really* needed to go back to work.

And so Nana's daycare began... and then before too long, Papa was laid off from Honeywell and what was originally Nana's daycare became Nana and Papa's daycare. And then I was pregnant again (Nana pointed out quickly that we should have consulted the daycare providers before that happened, and I quickly pointed out that maybe we should have thought about it ourselves...) and the daycare expanded to include adults who were on bedrest. :) Once Colin arrived safely, Nana (by this point Papa had returned to work) was in charge of two little ones three days a week while the Momma went to work. And then I became a principal, and Nana was the primary caregiver 5 days a week... and this continued until two years ago.. when Julia was in first grade and Colin was in his final year of preschool and I brought the kids to Kyrene with me. Needless to say, this 'daycare' situation created a HUGE bond between my parents and my kids. Nana and Papa's house is truly my kiddos' second home- they are as comfortable there as they are anywhere (plus, the food is always better!)

During the past two years, Nana has graciously provided 'sick' care, and is always willing to help out on no school days and during summer vacation. My kiddos spent the last two weeks since school got out hanging out with their Nana (and their Papa when he wasn't at work) just enjoying the beginning of their summer vacation. They will spend the last two weeks of their vacation there as well- seems to be the perfect way to start and end their summer.

Nana and Papa ended their two weeks with the kids with a trip to Woods Canyon Lake in the RV. They all took off on Friday morning to head up to the cooler weather- then Daddy and I joined them on Saturday. The kids had a FABULOUS time... there were tons of crayfish (crawdads, crawfish) in the lake- and Julia took quite a liking to fishing for the darn things. Papa taught her all about how to catch them, and even created a jug to keep them in. Nana kept everybody going with good food and fun times. We all got to spend a nice couple of days hanging out, playing games, eating good food and relaxing. It is so great to watch my kids around my mom and dad. To see the relationships they are building- to see the love and affection that they all have for each other. To see how all of those things are growing and changing as my kids get older and more mature.

Julia fishing for crawdads with Papa fishing in the background.

Putting the crawdad into the 'crawdad' jug.

And everybody camps in an RV where you can watch a movie at the end of the night- right?

Sometimes I feel really guilty about being a working mom- I feel like I failed my kids by not being there every day with them. And then I look at the relationship that my kids have with their Nana and Papa and I wonder if that relationship would be the same, be as deep, be as connected as it is if they hadn't been such an integral part of their daily lives from the very beginning. Maybe it would be. (I know my kids are also very close to Joe's mom- and she wasn't their daily caregiver) Maybe it wouldn't. All I know is that whoever said it takes a village to raise a child was so right on the money. And my kids' village definately begins with their Nana and Papa.....

'Till next time..
C

Home Stretch

We are in the home stretch of the school year with only 6 days of school left to go.

My days are filled to the brim at work, without a moment to breathe (I've gotta get all communication out, all decisions made that impact teachers by next Thursday before their contracts end), followed by evenings filled with making blue jello oceans for Colin's Kindergarten class and trying to find nice end of the year gifts for everyone.

How is it that I always forget what this time of year is like... and then it creeps up on me and smacks me in the face?

I SWORE this year I would be more organized. I SWORE that I would have things together and be more focused. I SWORE....

And now I'm really swearing. I've got a LOT to do and only a few days to do it in. Damn. Oh well, it will all be over soon....

Blessed...

I am so blessed.

I think that I often lose sight of that in the day to day chaos that we lovingly refer to as life... but I am truly blessed.

I am blessed with a wonderful husband who LOVES me- just me- for who I am- with all my faults and flaws.

I am blessed with two wonderful children, who are healthy and happy, and who are growing and changing and maturing every single day.

I am blessed with a relationship with my parents that continues to develop and change even now that I am an adult.

All of these blessings came together on Sunday in a really wonderful way- in a way that so clearly reminded me just how blessed I really am....

My Mother's Day was phenomenal. Simply wonderful. Leaving me with no other words. Here are some photos....Wood's Canyon Lake- It was gorgeous... perfect weather!

Nana and Papa with their kids....

Night all....
Carrie

Forever?

So... I have two kids. Two sweet, good natured kids (for the most part....).

We live in a clean house (again- for the most part). I am a pretty organized person- hold down a full time job, keep my house kept up, etc. etc.

In addition, Joe and I both have expectations for the kids to keep their rooms somewhat clean and we spend time every day cleaning up.

Knowing all of that.... can YOU tell me why the backseat of my car ALWAYS looks like this?? (note these shots are mostly on Colin's side of the car... Julia does a slightly better job.)

And, is it going to be this way FOREVER??

When we had the minivan, my backseat was always chaotic- but I figured that was because I had two *little* kids and because of the open nature of the backseat. I swore that my new car would be cleaner and neater. I nag the children daily to get their stuff out of the car. But still.... if anything my car is WORSE now than before.

Please... we need an intervention... we need your help!

Diving Lessons

Julia was diving into the pool this afternoon and Colin suddenly noticed that this was a skill that he doesn't have just yet...

And you know how it is between siblings- he needed to know how, and he needed to know now!

He really picked up a lot tonight... my guess is he'll be diving like a pro before the summer is over. I think it is just amazing how quickly kids can pick up a new skill- wish I could learn new things like that!

Here's Miss Julia diving in- I swear she can dive way better than her momma!We also enjoyed our first summer dinner outside by the pool. Gotta LOVE this weather!!
Have a wonderful week everyone- C

Three Weeks...

There are three weeks left until the end of the school year.

Colin has three weeks left of Kindergarten (as I am typing, he is reading the words over my shoulder... so I'm *thinking* that he's probably ready for first grade....) and Julia is almost done with second grade as well.

As happy as I am about that (our family is in SERIOUS need of some down time) it is really hard to believe that the school year is over already. Where did this year go? Seems like time just flew by... to take us from this....

To this....
Lots of fun things planned at school during these last three weeks- so I am sure the kids will enjoy themselves. And Momma will just appreciate the last few weeks of having a Kindergartner and a second grader....

Hope you are all enjoying your last few weeks of the school year!
C

May Day Celebration

Just have to post and brag a bit about my little girl.

Julia performed in the season finale for the Chandler Children's Choir last night- and they were amazing! This was the inaugural season for the CCC- and it has been so much fun to watch them grow and develop. Julia knew so little about reading music, about singing, about pitch, about harmony and melody when she started... I can't believe how much she learned in just one year.

The capstone for their season was last night when they performed at the very beautiful Trinity Episcopal Church on Roosevelt. The acoustics in this church are just amazing- and they only served to highlight how wonderful the kids sounded.

Nana and Papa, Poohbah and Grandma Sherry, Grandma and GG (and of course Momma, Daddy and Colin) were all there to cheer Julia on- even though the pews were REALLY hard!

Congrats Julia. Momma and Daddy are SO proud of you!

A Taste of Summer

Had a taste of summer this weekend, and I must admit... it tasted amazing...

See, I love summer. I know, sick right? I live in Arizona. It's like a million degrees outside here in the summer. You live in air conditioning- and have to go from your air conditioned house to your air conditioned car into the air conditioned school or mall or whatever other public place you are headed to on that particular day. When you go outside, even if it is just for a minute, you sweat like a pig. On those hottest days, you often defeat the point of taking a shower within minutes of getting out of the water. But, despite all of those downsides... I still love summer.

As many of you know, I work for a school district. Now, contrary to popular belief, opinion or whatever, in my position I do work twelve months a year. So, you can all stop your commentary about 'of course she loves summer because she doesn't work in the summer...' I do work in the summer. But, I will admit the pace and nature of my work in the summer changes drastically. See- us folks who work at the district office are driven by the needs of the folks at the school sites. This means that our phones ring frequently, our e-mail boxes are full and we head all over the place to attend meetings, provide support, and just generally serve the schools in anyway that we can. (I know there are some principal folks out there who will debate this sentence- arguing instead that we are simply creating hoops for the schools to jump through- but REALLY- we do serve the folks at the schools.) Once the kids go home, and summer officially arrives, everything about our work changes (this happens if you are a 12 month employee at a school site as well). My e-mail inbox goes from getting 200-300 e-mails a day to about 25. And often 5 or 6 of those are just me trying to arrange where we are eating lunch on that day. Principals still e-mail me, but they don't need an answer TODAY, they need an answer sometime this week. Teachers e-mail me with a question and then often forget what the question was by the time they get back to reading their e-mail. Teachers stop coming to the district office. Principals (after about the middle of June) stop coming to the district office. It gets very quiet, very slow, verrrryyyy relaxed. And I love it! For about 7 weeks, I can think at work. I can get ALL my work done at work without bringing anything home. I can simply breathe. Amazing.

Combine this relaxing work environment with the other joys of summer... and you have my favorite season.

Think about all the FOOD that we have in the summertime that just isn't available at other times of the year. My family LIVES on fruit and vegetables during this time. It's nothing for our entire dinner table to be covered with melon and grapes and asparagus and corn on the cob and all those other wonderful fresh fruits and vegetables that are SO yummy and SO good for our bodies. We grill all the time during the summer- lots of chicken breasts and flat iron steaks and other delightful taste sensations. Cap all of that wonderful food with an ice cold Corona or a Mike's Hard Berry (which for some reason I drink more of in the summertime)... and mmmm....

And then there are my kids. Arizona kids. Seriously. They get in the pool as soon as it isn't freezing and stay in it until the last of the warmth has faded away. They will do ANYTHING to be allowed to swim, so it's so easy to get them to clean up their toys or finish eating lunch. And I love to swim too (although I like to wait until the water is at least warm!) They love having time off of school. Although I'm still working most of the summer, they get to do fun and unusual things- Zoo Camp, Kids Club, and they get to spend a good chunk of time at Nana and Papa's house- which is pretty much the best place to be in the summertime. Here they are in their new swimsuits (and yes, I let Julia pick out JUST what she wanted...)


So, put all of that together and what do you get? A momma who is really relaxed. A momma who is really happy. A momma who can breathe more during this season than at any other time of the year.

So yeah. I love summer. Despite the Arizona heat.

And we got our first taste of summer this weekend. Kids got new swimsuits and went to bed smelling sweetly of sunscreen and chlorine. Momma swam and enjoyed one of those lovely beverages. We didn't quite get to the table filled with fresh fruits and veggies, but it's coming. And no, school isn't over just yet. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. And I can't wait......
C

ER

I watched the finale of ER last week with a heavy heart and with tears in my eyes. That really just isn't like me, so I started thinking about why...

Over the years I've watched a lot of TV shows from start to finish- never missed an episode of 21 Jump Street in my teen years, saw EVERY episode of Beverly Hills 90210 ever created (at least twice), I haven't missed an episode of Lost yet, and I've seen every episode of Big Bang Theory too....

ER though, ER was special. Most people stopped watching it a few years ago, but I've continued to watch it, and I am sad to see it end. I had a real connection to that show for some reason- and I have a lot of memories tied around it.... maybe that's why I like it so much. Here's just a few of my life memories tied to ER....

ER premiered on September 19, 1994. Joe and I had gotten engaged about a month before that... and I remember sitting on my bed at my parent's house, flipping through bridal magazines and watching the first episode. I actually didn't watch most of that first season (this was pre-DVR and I was never really good at working the VCR to record shows...) because I was going to school, student teaching, working, and planning my wedding. The few episodes I did watch were following a car accident that November that totaled my car and put me out of commission for a few weeks. I spent most of that time in bed... and that's probably when I really started watching the show.

I watched ER through the first year of my marriage by myself. Joe was working and going to school- and he was pretty much never home when I was home. I was in my first year of teaching, and very lonely in my little apartment, so I spent every Thursday night with ER and a bowl of ice cream (and I wonder why I gained 15 pounds during my first year of marriage!).

From 1997-1999, I saw at least part of every episode of ER. I know this because these were the years that I spent EVERY Thursday night at school getting my Master's Degree. I would rush home from class, land in front of the TV, and watch ER with Joe. It was tradition- he would be waiting for me- usually with a bowl of ice cream (are we noticing a trend?)

My next ER memory was of an episode of ER that I DIDN'T get to watch. I had Julia on Thanksgiving Day of 2000- and ER always had great Thanksgiving episodes. I had been looking forward to seeing that one, but Julia had other ideas. And there just isn't TV watching when you are having a baby with no drugs! Anyway, I remember my mom coming into the room and telling me that Karen Schwartz and my dad were sitting in the waiting room watching ER together.

Starting in 2000, following Julia's birth, Thursday nights were really special. During these years I only worked part time (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)- so Thursday night was my 'Friday night.' I remember celebrating the beginning of many a weekend with, what else? a bowl of ice cream and ER.

The next memory is when I was pregnant with Colin and in the hospital. I was only 26 weeks along, in labor, and scared. We'd had a long meeting with the neonatologist earlier that day who had told us that if they couldn't stop the labor, Colin had about a 50% chance of survival- and that I needed to stay as still as possible, relax as much as possible, and hopefully let the drugs do their work. They had given Colin steroids to help speed the development of his lungs- and all we could do was wait and hope. Joe went home at some point to pick Julia up from my mom and dad's house and take her home to have some sense of normalcy to her routine. I laid in the bed, watched ER and prayed. It was one of the longest nights of my life. No ice cream that night, but I probably REALLY needed it!

Fast forward through the next few years... I remember sitting in the emergency room with Julia who had pneumonia, watching an ER rerun (I always thought it was ironic that they were showing ER reruns in the ER...). I remember sitting on the couch with Colin after he was stung by a scorpion watching ER and keeping him awake to make sure he was okay....

In the last few years, I've run MANY a mile on the treadmill while watching ER. Not as good as eating a bowl of ice cream while watching... but still good!

Needless to say, ER for some reason, is tied to a lot of very emotional moments in my life- some good- some bad. I think it's crazy that I have such a connection to a TV show- to be so upset about it ending... I mean it's just a show, with characters who aren't real... but for some reason my adult life has really been connected to this show. I went from being a kid to an adult to a parent while watching this TV show- and as the characters grew and changed, so did I.

Who knows what the next show will be and how it will connect to my life... but I can't wait to find out!

Have any of you had a connection like this to a TV show? I'd love to hear about it....

A Preview of What 12 Will Be Like....

I decided to take Julia dress shopping this weekend. You see, we've been invited as a family to a wedding (congratulations Russ!) at the beginning of May, and I decided that we should go dress shopping for Julia while the Easter dresses are on sale. I thought this would be a fun shopping trip... hit Kohl's, try on a few dresses, pick one out... you know the drill.

We were going to go Sunday afternoon- just her and I- but the afternoon got away from us- simply got eaten by a variety of chores. We ended up going as a whole family on Sunday in the early evening. This was good- the store wasn't too busy and we had plenty of time to wander and look. Julia saw lots of dresses that she liked. Unfortunately, a LOT of the dresses that she liked, Mommy and Daddy DID NOT LIKE. Since we've moved in to the 7-14 size clothes (Julia needs a size 8 now for the length alone...) it seems that we've also moved into very 'adult' like clothes. Here's one of the dresses that Julia felt that she just HAD TO HAVE.I don't know if this picture really does the dress justice. Let's just say it was made from super clingy, stretchy fabric and clung to my 8 year old daughter in a way that a dress just shouldn't cling to my 8 year old daughter. We finally settled on trying on several dresses... including the one above (with a VERY clear caveat that we would NOT be purchasing that dress, but that I understood that sometimes it is fun to try on things that you wouldn't normally buy.)

So... in the dressing room we go. She tries on each dress, then goes out to show it to Colin and Daddy who give their opinions. After about 6 dresses, we narrow it down to two. One that Mommy and Daddy both like, feel is appropriate for the occasion and looked adorable on her.
This dress also got bonus points because it was very complimentary to the dress that Mommy had picked up on the way into the store, tried on and fell in love with (can't find a photo of my dress, but it is ivory with green and brown flowers and a green sash at the waist, with a flowy skirt). I could just envision our entire family in green, white and brown... just a coordinated dream!

Julia liked several others... including one that was VERY fancy... too fancy unless she was going to be the flower girl or some such thing in the wedding (which she wasn't going to be!). Her taste in ALL the dresses was simply way TOO old, TOO mature, TOO revealing.

As we are having this conversation with her, she starts to cry. Not just a little bit cry, but a big 'ol huge sobbing cry. I walk away and leave her with Daddy, but he is not able to fix it either... so we end up leaving Kohl's with only a dress for Mommy... and no dress for Julia.

We come home and the tears continue. Tears for the dress that was never going to be. We talk for awhile before she goes to bed, and I offer to take her to some more stores on Monday- with the hopes that we can find a dress that we BOTH agree upon. She was still emotional when we talked about it on Monday morning... as soon as I brought up the dress- the tears started to flow.

Monday afternoon, we hit the mall. Went to the usual suspects- The Children's Place, JCPenny, Sears. She saw several she liked, but none were 'the one'. I was even bending my rules a little and letting her look at fancier dresses- just in the hope that we could agree on a dress that didn't make her look like she was 18. We had decided to go to one more store- The Burlington Coat Factory. When we walked in the store, we saw this dress hanging on a rack right by the front of the store.... and she feel in love with it! The one on the rack wasn't her size, so we walked to the back of the store (momma praying the entire way...). She found several dresses she liked (at very reasonable prices I must say...) and she tried them all on. She finally selected this dress. So, it's a little fancier than I wanted. And not quite what she had in mind. But in the end Momma and Julia (and Daddy when we got home) are all happy.... But, here's the question... if it is this hard to dress my little girl at 8... what will it be like at 12? 16? How can I handle this better next time? How do I convince her that dressing like a 'hoochie-mama' really isn't the way to go? Boy... this mom thing just gets harder and harder.

(BTW, my mom is probably laughing hysterically about right now and saying "You deserve it after what you put me through!"

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.


Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! :)

Rites of Passage

My little girl isn't a little girl any more. At least that's how it feels to me.

Funny how birthdays and such really don't bother me- I love the fact that my kids are getting older. They are developing so much more of a sense of themselves and how they fit in this world. So, for me, the days that seem to make most moms sad- the first day of Kindergarten, certain birthdays, and other firsts- don't usually bother me. In fact, I meet a lot of those days with joy- knowing that they are bringing about a new adventure in life for both my kids and myself.

But, every now and then, something small will happen, and for some unknown reason it rocks my world, and just shows me how quickly time is passing and that my kids are growing up before my eyes.

Julia is having a sleep-over tonight. Not a 'spend the night at Nana and Papa's house' or 'have the cousins at our house evening' but a real, true, sleep over with a friend from school. A friend whose parents I don't know all that well.... all I really know is that the little girl is sweet. She and Julia have been friends for several years and they get along very well. We've done several 'playdates' which have always been fun.

Needless to say, this event is happening at our house. Momma just wasn't ready for Julia to spend the night at their house. But, my heart knows that that's the next step.... and probably is very close in the future. And then my mind is filled with all of the other things that are coming before I know it... and as much as I want her to have all those experiences. and as happy as I am that she is having them... I know that as she does, she'll grow and change. And not be my little girl any more....

And for today, at this moment in time, that's making her momma just a little sad.

New Appreciation

Okay, you know how sometimes God puts a few challenges in your path- just as a way to wake you up and make you a better person? Well....
Lately, I've been feeling a little full of myself. (I know... just lately?) Seems to have gotten a little easier to balance my job, motherhood, keeping the house, running, etc. My kids are getting older- are a little more independent, and have both discovered the joy of earning allowance by doing a few household chores. Anyway, since the holidays, I've felt pretty successful in keeping everything balanced. I think I've also had a few judgmental thoughts (again.. not me?) about folks who seem to struggle more with the whole parenting thing. How hard can it be to keep your kids fed, clothed, homework done, etc.?
Welp- I've gotten knocked down off of that high horse in the past few days. See, Joe got sick. Now, for those of you who know Joe, you know that he's been sick like 5 times in the entire time that we've been together. He just NEVER gets sick. He's a healthy guy, takes good care of himself, and I swear his metabolism just kills the germs off before they have a chance to take hold. Anyway, he woke up Saturday morning and he was SICK. I've never seen something come on so strong or so fast. We went to the 'Minute Clinic' and they told him he had bronchitis. Gave him some antibiotics, cough syrup, etc and sent him home. Kids and I had a good Saturday. Did some chores, played a little, had pizza for dinner. Joe slept. Sunday came, and the bulk of the weekly responsibilities hit. Laundry, cleaning of rooms, and the identified chore of the weekend- which for this week was to try on last year's shorts, etc and determine clothing needs. I also rotated the closets and pulled out items for donation to Goodwill. On top of this, I did more house cleaning than normal since Joe and I are scheduled to head out of town this weekend and his mom will be staying at our house.
Anyway, by the time I got all of that done, kids' homework done, and lunches packed for Monday, I was exhausted. Decided to check on Joe- who hadn't made more than a peep all day. After talking to him for about 5 minutes, I decided he needed to go to the ER because something just wasn't right. He wasn't making a lot of sense, was in a lot of pain, and felt nauseous. Called Joe's sister Bic and her boyfriend Eric (thank goodness they were available.. thanks again guys!) to come over and hang out with my kiddos, who were just getting ready for bed, while I took Joe to the ER.
I have never had an ER experience quite like this one. Joe looked like hell, felt like hell, and wasn't coping too well with being in public. Let's just say that I've never seen people in the ER (who have been waiting for hours to be seen by a doctor) actually say to the nurse- I really think that guy needs to go first. Anyway, we got back to a room fairly quickly, got Joe some drugs and some IV fluids, and hung out for more hours than I want to think of. I've never been the one in the hospital just waiting. Joe was pretty drugged up most of the time we were there, and I was stuck watching horrible tv, trying to read with the light out so Joe could sleep and freezing to death. I found out that waiting in the hospital can be pretty tiring- even when you aren't the sick one.
Then, it was home from the hospital in the morning, quick shower, take the kids to school, etc. Came home from doing that, took care of Joe, ran into work for a bit, picked up the kids, took Colin to karate, picked up some groceries, came home, put groceries away, cooked dinner for Joe and the kids (different things of course) and then packed lunches and dealt with the backpacks. Not to mention finished putting away the laundry from last night, and got Julia's stuff ready for her music performance tomorrow night.
So, here's the awareness. I am TOTALLY lucky to have a partner in my life who is helping me raise my kiddos. I have no idea how I could do what I do if he wasn't there pitching in, lending a hand, and encouraging me. After just 3 days without him, I'm ready to call UNCLE. Also, I don't know how folks who have spouses with prolonged illnesses do it... I just don't know how they care for an ill spouse (or parent, or friend) and at the same time care for their families and their homes.
Needless to say, I will now appreciate my friends who are single moms/dads SO MUCH MORE. I will reach out more with offers of help and friendship. I will listen more and be more appreciative of the fact that they are doing really hard work and they are doing it by themselves. I will also reach out more to anyone that I know who is taking care of a spouse or parent or other ill person. Basically, I will BE a better person. :)
Carrie

PS Joe is feeling better. He actually got out of bed for a little while tonight, and has eaten a few small things today. He is able to talk and is actually watching tv with the kiddos while I write this.

Lion King!

In October, I got a flier advertising that the Broadway show Lion King was coming to Grady Gammage at ASU. I was VERY excited! I have always wanted to see that show, and I thought it would be the perfect time to expose Colin to the theatre. Julia has gone several times before, but Colin never seemed quite ready to sit still for that long. (I think I got scarred with Colin in several movie experiences when he spent the entire 2 hours of a movie bouncing up and down in the seat. And I spent 2 hours apologizing to everyone around me...) Anyway, I really wanted to go and take Colin and I had a pretty good feeling that my mom would want to go as well (she LOVES the Lion King soundtrack). So, after several calls and conversations with my mom and like a 2 hour internet session with Ticketmaster, we secured tickets for Feb. 7th- the 7:30 p.m. show. Why 2 hours on the internet you may ask? I wanted very specific seats- 1st balcony (cheaper, and I think your view of the entire stage is actually better than on the floor), in the center, in the first or second row. Needless to say it took putting in almost EVERY date for the show to get these exact seats, but I did get them eventually! In all of this searching, Joe decided that it probably wasn't worth the cost for him to go with us. The tickets were very expensive- especially when you added on the surcharges and fees. So, we just got 5 tickets for Nana, Papa, Julia, Colin and myself.
So, then several months passed. Julia and Colin's birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, 2nd Christmas, etc. etc. And I had basically forgotten about going. :) But then the week arrived... and I realized that Colin needed a new pair of dress shoes- I swear that kids feet grow faster than weeds! So, we hit Savers to look and see what they had. I just couldn't see paying $20-25 dollars for a pair of dress shoes knowing how little he would wear them. We were in luck- found a great pair (looked like they had been worn once) of brown tie loafers. Julia also found a 'fancy' dress that she fell in love with- and still had the tags- for $6. So, now both of my kids had some new finery to wear- we were ready for the day to arrive.
We had great fun getting ready to go. I ironed Colin's pants and his dress shirt (I can't believe how big his clothes are getting- ironing his dress shirt was close to ironing one of Joe's!) Daddy was off canyoneering, so the kids and I had a good day together just hanging out and getting ready. Julia wanted 'fancy' hair to go with her 'fancy' dress- gotta love her- she just doesn't realize that hair is NOT momma's forte. Anyway, eventually we were all ready and dressed and headed over to Nana and Papa's house.
Nana and Papa are my kids whole lives. I don't know how else to describe it. So my kids were very excited to go see Lion King with Nana and Papa. Here are some photos of Nana and Papa with their kids.....

*Nana and Papa and their kids*

*Papa and his girl.... *

*He really was happier about going than he looks in this photo. :) *

We had dinner at Serranos and then headed to the theatre. We had to walk a little bit to get there and being the bad momma that I am, I forgot Julia's jacket, so she was pretty cold. The show was AWESOME- especially the music. Colin did enjoy his first trip to the theatre- except for the fact that he dozed off during the second act and slept through the end of the show. How anyone could have slept in that theatre- as loud as it was- is totally beyond me, but my little guy did it. I so wish I had taken my camera to the theatre so I could have taken a picture of my little man, all dressed up, sound asleep in his chair. We didn't get home until almost 11 p.m. and my kids were exhausted! (note to self: next time go to the matinee, not the evening performance!) Anyway, I will be on iTunes later today getting the music from this show. ;)

Father's Day

Had a wonderful weekend... got to celebrate with all of the 'fathers' in our lives.

Spent Friday night at Jason and Paige's house with Randi, Joel and Mason as well as Suze (Joe's aunt), and the guest of honor, Poohbah (Joe's dad). Celebrated Poohbah's birthday as well as Father's Day with Carolina's Mexican food and cherry chip cake (his favorite). Good times were had by all... got a great photo of Poohbah with the grandkids... will post that later. Overall, the evening was pleasant... and it was great to see Asher, Gundry and Paige ONE MORE TIME before they left for the Vineyard. They scooted out on Saturday early morning and have safely arrived to enjoy their 8 weeks away! Also great to see Great Auntie Suze... she definitely is not enough of a presence in our lives nowadays, and we would love to see more of her.

Saturday brought the Woodard side of the family. Mom (Joe's mom), Grandpa Steve (Joe's step-dad), Uncle Mike (Joe's half brother), Aunt Vanessa (Mike's wife), Aunt Bic (Joe's half sister Vicky), Uncle Eric (Bic's significant other), Uncle Jason (odd to have just Uncle Jason) and GG (Joe's grandmother Miriam). Everyone came to our house for burgers and dogs and a little swimming. Colin had a FANTASTIC time playing with Uncle Mike (read roughhousing..) until Uncle Mike's glasses were broken (sorry about that Uncle Mike!). Both kids had great fun in the pool with Uncle Mike and Daddy as well. Wrapped up the evening with a yummy, yummy chocolate cake baked by Aunt Vanessa as well as the chocolate martini ice cream that Paige made for me before she left. It was a chocolate-palooza and I FULLY enjoyed myself. That chocolate martini ice cream is OUT OF THIS WORLD!! Got some nice birthday loot (we celebrated birthdays- Steve, Mom and myself...) - lots of Harlen Coben books as well as some other desired items. Again.. have pic will post later! Everyone stayed until after midnight... just hanging and talking. We went the whole range of topics from parenting to the Grand Canyon hike to politics. Talked with Bic and Eric about engagement.. (think this might be coming really soon!) as well as tattoos (I'm seriously considering one of my own!)

Wrapped up the weekend on Sunday. Kids and I made breakfast in bed for Daddy, then headed over to Nana and Papa's house for a swim and to celebrate Aunt Stacy's birthday. Hanging with Uncle Andrew (my brother) and Aunt Stacy was fun, and kids had a great time in the pool with Papa and Daddy. Again, the topper of the day was dessert... apple and lemon meringue pies created by Nana as well as some homemade ice cream! So good.... (what is it with me and the desserts??) Again, excellent day!

The weekend was truthfully exhausting... but it was so great to connect with all of the families. We are so lucky to have such love surrounding us. Each one of the dads- Poohbah, Grandpa Steve, Papa and Daddy mean something different to us- and we are so blessed to have them all so close. The entire weekend was a good chance for me to back up and reflect on just how lucky I am to have the fathers I have... and how lucky my kids are to be growing up with such strong men surrounding them. Especially Joe- my kids are so lucky to have such an involved, loving, intelligent dad. He is such a part of their lives... of shaping who they are becoming... and for that I am forever grateful. We are so lucky and blessed. I am so lucky and blessed.

Friday...

So, as you can see in my previous post... I had all day Friday to myself, and wasn't sure how to use such a gift. Turns out, didn't really need a plan...

Kids and I got up a little late (I had wanted them to sleep in and catch up a bit with their sleep). They had breakfast, worked on Father's Day presents for Joe, and around 10 a.m. I decided it was time to take them to Kids Club. Colin was less than happy about going, but needless to say we got there and I dropped them off.

I hit a couple of stores. Been on the quest for the perfect summer purse... finally found one (it is orange... may not look like it, but it is orange- I have an 'orange' thing here lately. Bought Joe some vacation clothes as well...
Met Joe for a wonderful lunch- YC's- so yummy. It was nice to eat out and really have a chance to talk without dealing with what Colin was going to eat, whether or not Colin was going to eat, what Julia was doing, etc. etc. We talked for a long time about a variety of topics (including how to add a counter to this blog) and then I headed off to the grocery store. There is a big Trader Joe's on that side of town, so I decided to go there. I was about half way through when my phone rang. It was Kids Club. They 'suspected' that Julia had pink eye and I had to pick her up. Look at Julia.. does it look to you like she has pink eye?? (note the wonderful expression on her face...)
Needless to say, my day was quickly absorbed into Julia and Colin... which actually turned about to be a fair amount of fun. However, not the day 'alone' I had been thinking about. I guess that's what I get for not KNOWING what to do with my day. :)

Tomorrow...

It has dawned on me that tomorrow I will be off work, and my kids will be at their Summer Program. And I will be all alone. For the first time in seven years. Okay, maybe that is an exaggeration, but seriously, my time ALONE has been seriously limited since children. I do have a few moments alone at times- I have *mostly* convinced my children to leave me alone while I go to the bathroom, and occasionally I am alone in my cube at work (if you could see my cube you would understand why I get to be alone... there really isn't room in there for ME, let alone another human being).

But seriously, this is the first time in a long time that I will be ALONE and I don't have anything I HAVE to do. Don't get me wrong, there is a list of things a mile long that I should do.... cook food for the party we are having on Saturday, bake a cake for Joe's dad for his birthday/ Father's Day, organize Julia and Colin's closets, run (see earlier post).... but nothing I HAVE to do.

How sad that this is actually a quandary for me... that I pretty much am frozen with indecision regarding what I will do with this day.... anybody got suggestions? :)