Making the Most of It

Superfan meets Superfest

2009-02-01T20:24:00.004-06:00

Life is Good

2009-01-21T22:06:00.002-06:00

Her reaction... Priceless

2008-12-25T22:03:00.003-06:00

Excuse the dark footage- call it mood lighting...

The Dog House

2008-12-20T19:55:00.001-06:00

Ironically, my husband forwarded this to me. Worth a viewing for some humor this season!

Good Question

2008-12-15T22:26:00.003-06:00

With inspiration from a friend of mine, here's a question the Girl asked me today:

"Why are the words abbreviation and acronym so long?"

Good ones, kiddo...

Santa(?) Making Deliveries

2008-12-12T21:31:00.001-06:00

Happy Boo Day!

2008-10-31T00:01:00.002-05:00

Freedom

2008-10-29T00:12:00.000-05:00

From a loving brother...

2008-10-27T20:57:00.003-05:00

Intriguing what you over-hear when you lurk a little....

The Girl started her new instrument- the TRUMPET- soon after school started this year. I'm thrilled, especially since I played the flute. No one ever seemed to hear my instrument, so it's exciting to think the Girl will be heard... whereEVER. she. decides.to.practice. Did I say exciting? We're getting used to it.

Though some of us are faring better than others.

Tonight, as the Girl practiced her required 30 minutes playing Three Blind Mice, her dear brother came up with new words, which he serenaded her with through her door as she practiced.

His charming words were:

"Sii-iick Duck, Sii-iick Duck,
You sound like a
Really Really
Sii-iick Duck."

Love the creativity in my household...

Soccer's over...

2008-10-22T19:39:00.005-05:00

Suddenly Sumac

2008-10-15T00:03:00.000-05:00

Shock

2008-10-10T20:51:00.003-05:00

I just received an extremely sad email from the Girl's school district superintendent. It shared the news of a boy who was at Run Club today after school who started to cough, then collapsed. He was transported to the hospital. He passed away.

Then I read it again. The school was my daughter's school. The grade was my daughter's grade. The activity was my daughter's activity today after school too.

I hesitated for a minute, then decided to ask her if anything happened at Run Club today. She asked me how I knew. I explained the source of my information, and shared with her what happened in the gentlest way possible.

Then she told me something more-

"I was with him, Mom. I was there when he started to cough. Other kids thought he was faking, but then one of my friends ran and got the coach while I stayed with him."

She didn't know what happened after that, which I'll credit the coaches for.

He was in her class this year. He was in her class last year. My heart aches for his parents- for his little brother. Their shock must be 10,000 x the shock that we felt.

"I didn't think that kids could die like that," she said.

"Kids shouldn't die like that." I said.

Suddenly not understanding why she didn't finish her math homework afterwards seems enormously petty (she hadn't said a word). They will have folks in her classroom to talk to her on Monday. I'm glad of that.

If anyone has suggestions for dealing with a young death for kids, I'd appreciate hearing about it.

Hug your children-

S(He)'s growing up

2008-10-07T10:30:00.003-05:00

Back when the Girl was a little girl, Mr. Man said, "Daddy doesn't DO ponies"- referring to the fine art of coiffing the girl's hair into neat bundles of rubber-banded bliss. I applied no pressure- thinking that it was one area where I could claim 'specialty.'

It didn't last.

One day I picked up the Girl from school, and lo and behold- there were mighty fine ponies.

"Did your teacher do them for you?"

"No, Mommy. DADDY did them!"

I was astonished, and quite proud of him. I think he wanted to keep his little-known talent to myself... (oops).

Well, yesterday, Mr. Man topped himself.

The Girl is now a BIG 5th grader- in a new school with only Big 5th & 6th graders. Big stuff. New stuff.

She had a bad cold over the weekend, and her nose was evidence- big, red and puffy.

Mr. Man still does mornings like he did when they were little, and apparently, he added a new skill to his repertoire...

The Girl says "Yah Mom- my nose looked awful this morning, but Dad fixed it."

"How exactly did he fix it?"

"He went in your drawer and put that cream colored stuff on it, then patted it on. It covered up ALL the redness- no one could tell I had a cold at all!"

"Reeeeaaallly?"

******

So- he has also be come a make-up artist (her first application, I believe, short of Halloween). I confirmed the story with him last night.

"You know how to do concealer?"

"It's not that hard."

Good to know.

S(He)'s growing up.

My Favorite Season

2008-10-05T20:54:00.012-05:00

The sights, the sounds, the smells... I love every minute of Fall. And nothing kicks it off better than an afternoon at the apple orchard.

Got Your Back, Sister

2008-09-24T20:40:00.001-05:00

Stop and Look at the Raindrops

2008-09-13T16:59:00.007-05:00

Between running kids this way and that today, I took 2 minutes and stopped to look at the flowers & the rain. This is what I saw:

2 minutes can do you a world of good sometimes!

Carolyn Merritt- we'll miss you

2008-08-30T16:52:00.006-05:00

This is the face of a Woman who made a Difference. An ENORMOUS Difference.

She is Carolyn Merritt, former Chief of the U.S. Chemical Safety Board. The CSB is the organization who comes in after significant chemical/process incidents (usually involving fatalities), investigates, determines the cause(s), and makes recommendations for action. A parallel organization in the US is the NTSB for airplane incidents.

During Carolyn's tenure as Chief, the worst disaster to hit modern industrial facilities happened when an explosion occurred at BP's Texas City Refinery, killing 15 contract workers in March of 2005. The investigation pursued by the CSB under Carolyn's direction brought attention to glaring failures in both industry and OSHA on process safety. Better yet, she demanded (and got) action. Major changes are underway in response to that investigation both by OSHA and industry. Carolyn pioneered the use of well-animated videos to re-enact the disasters from start to finish so workers, managers, and regulators throughout the world could better understand what happened. Those videos are amazing and hit home every time.

I had the privilege to meet with her twice in the past 5 years. While still Chief, she returned my emails consistently within 15 minutes (even though I didn't know her at the time). I wish I could say that about emails from people I know.

Carolyn elected not to seek another term on the Board. Though, even after leaving the Board, she kept up her mission to protect workers from process safety disasters. She was on 60 minutes as recently as June. She even volunteered to write me and my company a recommendation letter for a national safety award. She said she could only talk on Tuesdays. Later I found out why.

Carolyn was fighting Stage 4 breast cancer, and was receiving weekly blood transfusions. This was why she didn't seek another term. Tuesdays were her only good days, yet she was willing to spend part of 2 of those days talking to me and dictating a letter to her husband to send to me. Yet she didn't tell me any of that. She just wanted to do anything possible to push her cause and communicate good things that were happening.

On Saturday, I received word that she had lost her battle with metastatic breast cancer. On Sunday, I checked her Caring Bridge webpage, and she literally had remembrances sent from all over the world. It was amazing to see how many lives she had touched- from Bhopal, India, to Australia, to small Texas towns...

Thank you Carolyn for showing me that one person can make a huge, important difference. You will never be forgotten.

Summer Camp Buddy

2008-08-13T17:50:00.001-05:00

Mr. Sports is in love

with

Ozzie

A little drive around the Lake

2008-08-06T00:01:00.000-05:00

It was a great trip!

Bad Day for the Girl

2008-07-23T05:22:00.003-05:00

Almost wordless... happened last week, but no surgery! She's now the proud owner of a purple Gore-tex cast & even swam yesterday. I'm a fan of modern medicine!

Genuine Smile

2008-07-22T19:35:00.003-05:00

Try #2 of Mr. Sports' birthday party...with reptiles this time!

Putting her parents to shame

2008-07-02T20:36:00.015-05:00

My neighbor- an avid triathloner- heard through the grapevine that the Girl likes to swim...and can run...and had seen her on her bike. So- Ms. Neighbor came over with a brochure for a Kids Triathlon, suggesting she should try it.

Had she done one before? No.
Did she know how they work? No.
Did she know anyone else who was doing it? No.
Did any of that matter? No.

Did she decide to do it? Yes.

Were her parents busting buttons w/ pride (as triathloner wanna-be's..Ha!!)? Yes.

She did it. She wasn't first, but she wasn't last. Best of all, we overheard her tell a friend on the phone that she wants to do it again next year. Very cool.

She was a *bit* nervous before the swim but things all came together...

You also need to understand that part of the reason I'm proud is that she had no good genes in this area... Mom failed "Guppy 2" swimming lessons... twice.

So- what do your kids do that you never would have dreamed of doing yourself?

Tribute to LuLu

2008-06-28T20:33:00.005-05:00

A very special dog, member of a very special family, passed on to heaven today. Her name is LuLu, nickname for Hallelujah. You'll see the love present in this family in the slide show below- all the pictures were taken yesterday...

I'm sure your thoughts and prayers would be appreciated, friends.

Grrrreat Fun!

2008-06-17T21:55:00.005-05:00

(can you tell there was a sleepover the night before?)

8 is a Magic Number

2008-06-13T22:15:00.014-05:00

Magic 8 Ball...

8:00 am...

The time of the morning on June 13, 2000 that Mr. Sports was born.

And now...

8 years old!

Happy Birthday, my sunny funny boy who loves any kind of athletic activity, anywhere, anytime. My boy who is tough and daring one second, but happy to give me a hug and a big kiss in front of his friends the next. My boy who does seem to appreciate what I do for him- and tells me.

We've had fun celebrating- going to a Star Wars exhibit premier last night, out for a special family dinner tonight, and off to an amusement park tomorrow (only AFTER baseball and soccer of course...).

My how you've changed, my little man.

Happiest of Birthdays... and yes, just for you, the Twins WON on your Birthday.

It doesn't get much better than this.

Finally- COLOR!

2008-06-11T18:02:00.003-05:00

Happy Boy

2008-06-05T20:57:00.006-05:00

World's greatest 2nd Grade Teacher made my boy's year last Sunday.

She calls the Boy her walking sports page (with good reason). She is also into sports and her family (including one son in the Girl's class) frequently goes to games.

Sunday morning, she called to tell us she had 4 tickets to the Twins game (thanks to her husband's employer) in. the. TENTH. ROW...... STRAIGHT. BEHIND. HOME. PLATE. And- she wanted to give them to US.

The Boy started shaking- literally.

Did I mention they were playing the YANKEES?

We went. We sat amongst 7 scouts w/ radar guns, trying not to look too out of place w/ our jaws on the floor being so close.

And- to complete the fairy tale, they continued the Boy's streak. Every one of the 9 games he's attended- they've WON.

It was a good day.

Now when do I break it to him that he'll likely never sit that close again... ever? Maybe when he's 30 or so...

Summer...

2008-05-28T05:43:00.003-05:00

Loud & Proud- another 5K

2008-05-21T19:40:00.003-05:00

Tears in Her Ears

2008-05-13T21:47:00.005-05:00

Ol' Murphy had my (and the Girl's) number tonight...

On the schedule after school: Dinner, Girl's soccer, Boy's fishing adventure, Overdue hair appt. & Babysitter all lined up to cover for the hair appt. since Hubby is out of town.

Actual events: None of the above.

As I picked the kids up after school, Girlie proudly ran up to me to show off her bandaged finger. No biggie I thought (after hearing there was a little run- in w/ a metal door after school). She wasn't in pain (any more) and begged to still go to soccer.

Gut Says: Check the finger in school parking lot before heading home to be sure.
Gut: Correct. Big gash in knuckle of her thumb. Stitches for sure.

Quick thing, I thought. Who else needs Urgent Care at 5:30 on a Tuesday? Apparently our entire city, that's who. Quick and Urgent don't seem to fit together as well as they should.

FIVE HOURS, 2 bags of popcorn from the pharmacy, 2 x-rays and 4 stitches later, we were finally leaving, and Girlie had reconsidered her 'no big deal' attitude. It was a rough night for her.

Comic Relief for the Clinic: Mom of said patient. Surgeon apparently didn't notice Mom holding Girl's hand while getting closer and closer to the floor (feeling like a schmuk of a mom- good thing it was after Mother's Day). Surgeon suddenly notices her strange style of head-between-the-knees-while-holding-hand form of support and drops girl's hand and yells for the nurse. Yes folks- Mom had become Patient #2, soon to have her own room while Boy entertained(?) all Nurses in Clinic with Twins baseball trivia.

Memorable Moment: Girl's plea for relief after getting the Novocaine shots in her finger (not popular at ALL)~ "Mom, I'm ok, but I have *tears* in my *ears*. Can you do something about that?"

Mr. Murphy, How about if you knock on someone else's door tomorrow... Hubby is still out of town!

Six Words

2008-04-30T19:56:00.004-05:00

I'm not good at these memes, but I'll try since blog-newbie Catherine tagged me. Name of the Game: Describe your life in 6 words. After she did so well, it's the least I can do. Well- that was until I saw Jen's try- another great set of words!

Alas, no more procrastinating (hmm- maybe that should have been one)... I'll throw mine out there:

Do. Create. Care. Live. Help. Enjoy.

Let's hear YOURS! C'mon- everybody's doing it!

What a Wonderful World

2008-04-22T21:21:00.003-05:00

"Mommy- Look! I'm all grown up!"

2008-04-16T05:20:00.000-05:00

Tact vs. Pre-Teen

2008-04-07T22:07:00.003-05:00

Scene: Group of 10 year olds leaving our house, as their moms picked them up after a gathering

Action: One mom hugs her daughter as she greets her at the door

Killer One-Liner (heard by all): "Geez, Mom- you *need* to pluck your chin hairs!!!"

Audience: Silence (out of respect to said Mom) then all-out hilarious laughter...

Note to Self: You are *not* ready to be the parent of a teenager!

Madness

2008-04-01T20:12:00.003-05:00

"It was good while it lasted," said the Boy.

1998- 6am

2008-03-28T08:04:00.008-05:00

Can it really be 10 years ago today? 10 years ago that my life changed forever?

From the first inkling as I watched figure skating on T.V. that something seemed to be happening every 15 minutes...

to the wonderful point where I held her for the first time...

to the amazing realization that she looked like my baby pictures...

and to most careful drive I think I've ever taken on a highway, as we drove home from the hospital...

Time as I knew it had ended. My complete life had begun.

Thanks to my dear girl for bringing so much fun, excitement, challenge (she's like me, you see), and love to my life.

Happy 10th Birthday!

She'll make a great Mom

2008-03-23T21:40:00.010-05:00

In addition to the fun of Easter Bunny's deliveries, we had an EXTRA Easter Egg Hunt to enjoy, thanks exclusively to the Girl (she even shopped for the candy). She's been working up to bedtime preparing for this all week....

She made a plan:

Then made the clues:

And hid them all (complete with family-member-themed stickers taped to each egg for easy family member identification).

We all found our eggs (and our 'Jackpots'). You couldn't wipe the smile off of her face (or ours).

Thanks Easter Bunny! :)

Let It Snow... after the first day of Spring?

2008-03-21T22:59:00.007-05:00

There's nothing like a good March snow (as long as I don't need to go to work, which was the case today):

This *may* complicate the outdoor Easter Egg Hunt, however...

Big Day

2008-03-07T15:56:00.005-06:00

1 day off of school + Mom off of work + parental promises + 2 Appointments =

CONTACT LENSES *plus* BRACES... all in one day!

This is one girl who can't WAIT for school on Monday : )

1 hour

2008-02-20T19:03:00.002-06:00

My buddy Amy requested help spreading the word about a GREAT effort that we all can (and should) participate in. Earth Hour 2008: Turning off the lights for one hour at 8pm your time on March 29, 2008. How hard is that? Not hard. How cool to contribute in a world-wide effort? Very cool.

Tell your friends. Warn your spouse. Just Do It!

Where I wish I was....aaahruba

2008-02-13T14:46:00.002-06:00

Romance is not dead- just wounded

2008-02-11T17:50:00.000-06:00

Short Version-

Thought 1: "Must remember to buy gift while at Target"
Thought 2: "Must remember to remove gift from Target bag prior to going inside the house"
Score at the end of the day: 1 out of 2.

Long Version-

Found desired Jack Johnson CD at Target for Hubby's 'big exciting gift'
Ran a bunch of errands after Target trip (forgetting goals of the day by the time I was done)
Arrived home & Hubby dutifully helped unload & unbag while I cleaned out the car
Came into the house to find said 'big exciting gift' on counter next to deodorant and new $8.99 shirt for me that I didn't need but couldn't pass up... damn Target.
Winced at the discovery that 'big exciting gift' was found. The gig was up.
Trudged into the laundry room to unceremoniously hand over 'big exiciting gift' and inform Hubby that he had discovered *his* very fancy Valentine's gift.
"Oh- I thought you bought it for yourself"
"Nope."

See- after 17 years, romance is not dead, just really really sore...

I think it might be dead... maybe

2008-02-06T07:54:00.000-06:00

Interview with a 7 Year-old Boy

2008-02-01T17:25:00.001-06:00

Q: What is your favorite thing to do?
A: Play football

Q: What makes you feel good?
A: When I cuddle with my dad or my mom.

Q: Do you want to be a dad someday?
A: Yeah... I guess.

Q: What makes you mad?
A: When my basketball team loses a game

Q: What's your favorite book? Why?
A: The Trumpet of the Swan. It's a cool story.

Q: What's your favorite class in school? Why?
A: Math. Because I'm good at it.

Q: What's your dream day like?
A: Be with my mom & dad and watch sports at a real stadium.

Q: What would a terrible day be like?
A: Having to play with dolls- all day long

Q: What do you want to be when you're older? Why?
A: A baseball player or an engineer; Because they are both cool jobs

Q: What are you really good at?
A: I'm pretty good at football when we play during recess; projects that I build; Oh- and playing piano when I try

Q: Who's your favorite adult you'd like to spend time with (other than M&D of course):
A: Brett Favre

Q: What makes you unique?
A: I wear a contact lens and a patch and I'm only 7. Oh- and I like to vacuum.

"Mom- here's my cow, after a fight"

2008-01-30T08:23:00.000-06:00

I loved the Boy's 'messed up spots'... and the udder.

Happiness Is

2008-01-23T05:00:00.000-06:00

The Parent Laugh

2008-01-21T18:51:00.000-06:00

Someone, somewhere in the Southern U.S. was laughing at me Saturday morning. Someone who sets start dates for Girl Scout cookie sales in the Northern U.S., in the middle of winter.

The Girl, who last year, was out-paced by another neighborhood Girl Scout, was determined to be the first to hit the neighborhood in hopes of avoiding the "I've already bought cookies from 2 other girls" response to her sales pitch. At 8:30 am, she was already donning all of her winter gear. Why all, you ask? Why because it was -11 degrees outside. Yes, 11 b-e-l-o-w, before windchill. And my dear daughter looked at me like I was CRAZY when I suggested that maybe that cookie goal she set should be adjusted up a few degrees... ahem- I mean down a few boxes due to the weather... I'll admit I did ponder suggesting that she go out to our direct neighbors- and I'd watch from the front door. But, as tempting as it was, off we went- out to schlep overpriced cookies door to door, all in the name of a VERY cheezy prize if the literature was right.

Best part? Under all those clothes & cold weather gear, I was unrecognizable as neighbors wondered WHO would ring their door bell at 9:35am on a Saturday morning- worse yet, SELLING something. Girl was in her glory, however. She did it all- Sales Pitch, details, cookie suggestions, and recordkeeping. I just stood there, at the end of the driveway, wondering when the Girl would get her fill.

All was going great- until our pen froze. And then the other pen (in my down-lined pocket) froze. Note to self- pencils next year- PENCILs.

After 56 minutes enjoying the great outdoors and wondering if I'd ever feel my legs again, we came to what the Girl proclaimed to the "last house we needed to try." (My- I think she was finally getting cold). I let her do her thing again. On our walk back home, she turned to me and described her last transaction. There was a nice older man in a robe and slippers who had answered the door. Wonderful wifts of pancakes & syrup snuck out of their house as the Girl ducked in to let him write his order down [yes- she was in my full view the whole time].

E: "I think he felt sorry for me. When I walked in, he did the parent laugh."
Me: "What's the parent laugh?"
E: "You know- the laugh that's not about a funny joke, but when they think you did something dumb or cute."
Me: "Oh. I get it. So-were you doing something dumb or cute?"
E: "Moooooooomm......."

She counted her sales at the end of our venture- 42 boxes! I was numb, but she was glowing.

Can't WAIT until next year...

Snowshoe Views

2008-01-16T17:21:00.000-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

Moments in Time

2008-01-02T21:38:00.001-06:00

Happy Wordless Wednesday of the New Year!

My Favorite Tree

2008-01-01T19:27:00.000-06:00

Just outside my neighborhood, in the middle of a natural pond in the woods, lies my favorite tree. Only deer and rabbit tracks run near it. It's the one thing I'll be most sad to see go away in a few days as the holiday season comes to an end.

Thank you Mystery Tree Lighter. I'll look forward to your handiwork again next year...

O Tannenbaum

2007-12-19T01:04:00.000-06:00

Wordless Wednesday & Happy Holidays to you!

Phases...

2007-12-10T10:01:00.000-06:00

My nine-going-on-nineteen year-old had the distinct pleasure of overhearing a somewhat heated discussion between Husband and me regarding (my) spending habits last week. It was a (blush)needed talk, and (a day or too later) I agreed with the points that were made. :)

Back to the Girl... We were running errands on Saturday, walking through a store that she likes. She spotted some must-have shirts that "all her friends are wearing." I reminded her of the discussion, saying that we wouldn't be buying any clothes that day unless she was funding the purchase.

Her comeback: "So- is this just a phase that Daddy's going through? Or will he always be this way?"

I thought it best not to laugh outwardly about the subject... or her question... or my answer. Some chuckles are better left 'unchuckled'!

Snow + Kids = Fun

2007-12-05T06:21:00.001-06:00

Mr. Sports Goes to College

2007-11-19T19:19:00.000-06:00

Football... that is.

Episode 2: Grandpa (yes, Grandpa Packer Fan) calls mid-week with the enviable offer of 3 tickets to the famed Gopher-Badger football game. Mr. Sports is banned from TV for the week (punishment from issues that will be another post another day). This is the answer to Mr. Sports' prayers, since otherwise he would have missed the game.

Who is Mr. Sports cheering for, you ask?

At least he got this one right~

C'mon Alums, sing along: "When you Say Wis-Con-Sin, You Said it All!" (click the link for a flashback) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVRbqptf63g

Great time was had by all- and Mr. Sports watched every minute of the game which was actually a game!

After the glow of the win had passed, I did decide to reveal Mr. Sports' pro-football team preference to Grandpa Packer Fan.

He *said* he understood...

The Independent Thinker

2007-11-15T06:05:00.000-06:00

As we drove home from an early Thanksgiving celebration with my entire family on Saturday, Mr. Sports (read the Boy) was commenting in the big border battle football game that was coming up the next day...

vs.

Background: I grew up in a PACKER household. True- they were often not much to cheer about, but the spunk and non-flashy image were very endearing & we loved them despite what ever their current record was. Mr. Sports' grandpa is the biggest fan- the man carves "Go Pack Go" in his pumpkin at Halloween...

So back to Mr. Sports. He- who became the world's biggest baseball fan over the summer, has now set his sights on football. He's been watching the sports channels (I'm waiting for the questions about what ED and Cialis are -grumble, grumble). He is learning, though, about the players and what they are actually supposed to be doing; which ones are 'good' and which ones are 'not'.

We have seen him cheer wildly for the Packers along with the rest of the family when they were playing a number of different teams so far this season.

On this car trip, he dropped the bomb:

"I sure hope Adrian Peterson does some serious damage to the Packers tomorrow."

Silence.

Husband and I looked at each other in shock, as our excited son looked up at us in wonderment- trying to figure out what the big deal was.

Then Husband and I said at the same time, "Our son is a Vikings fan!?!"

I was a bit sad, but then I was also a bit proud.

He made up his own mind in the first of hopefully many cases... my independent thinker.

Unfortunately for Mr. Sports, the game that ensued resulted in a first EVER shut-out of the Vikings by the Packers. Literal tears were shed by passionate Mr. Sports.

Don't tell Grandpa. Please.

Eric the Photographer's view of South Dakota

2007-11-14T06:30:00.000-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

Clinique Bonus Time gone bad

2007-11-07T05:29:00.000-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

The Car

2007-11-04T10:48:00.000-06:00

I was running errands Friday (by MYSELF!), driving happily through a neighborhood close to mine, and I came to a 4-way stop. There was another car at that 4-way stop- to the right of me (clearly stopped before me). I waited a while, but she didn't go. I got frustrated for a moment, then slowly decided to go anyway.

As I passed closer to her car, I noticed she was crying- wiping tears from her eyes. She looked very distraught.

Of course she didn't go. Of course she didn't care. Of course it didn't matter.

Passing by her haunted me the rest of the day. What had happened? Did she just lose someone? something? I could have stopped. I could have asked her if she needed something. I didn't.

Imagine how much better off we'd be if more people stopped, since we may not get a 'next time' to 'do better.'

Just a thought.

Ya-ba-da-ba-DOO!

2007-11-01T17:49:00.001-05:00

It all started when Emily's 4th grade teacher gave her an 'up-do' one day... Soon, she was recognized as having 'Pebble's hair'... The rest is Halloween History...

A little Pebbles (and RockStar friend)~

and A little BamBam (he had to SWEAR not to use the club in unpleasant ways)~

A fun time was had by all- with some fun leopard print to spare. Too bad I can't actually sew *clothes*!

Halloween... Emily & Eric-style

2007-10-31T15:07:00.000-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

Run, Baby, Run!

2007-10-27T12:14:00.000-05:00

Life is good.

Today, my favorite girl in the whole wide world DID something she didn't think she could do. She did something *I* wasn't sure she could do. And in doing so, I'm hoping she jammed a foot into that "I can't" door to create a path to all those things in life that she WILL do.

My heart overflowed as I looked down to our shadow by the lake, running hand in hand. Soon, she won't want me there. But right then, right there, she saw me as her head cheerleader and I couldn't be happier.

Girlie has been training for her 5K for the past 2 months, 2 days a week after school. Part of a great program called Girls on the Run (if your school doesn't have one yet, start one!). The car temp said it was 39 degrees as we drove to the park, and I'm confident it wasn't kidding....

She finished with gusto, I got a big hug, and pride was oozing from my pores as she gushed, "I really did it Mommy! I really did it! Will you run with me next year?"

Life is very, very good.

Healthy Heads

2007-10-24T14:37:00.000-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

At least she's direct...

2007-10-14T21:03:00.000-05:00

Many chuckles by Mom & Dad over this note discretely left on the kitchen table...taped on securely to subject snack bag by school snack connoisseur.

Playing Favorites

2007-10-14T20:45:00.000-05:00

I. love. fall.

Summer...

2007-08-29T20:57:00.001-05:00

We're basking in one final week of summer before school starts... allowing me to take a quick look at how beautiful a few months can be.

Hiking a dry stream bed in the Smoky Mountains-

The 'gotta do it' pilgrimage to Mt. Rushmore-

And 2 kids that didn't manage to kill each other (or be killed) in the process-

Ahhh.... Summer.

Mother's Day?

2007-05-13T21:48:00.000-05:00

Overheard conversation (read Fight) between Emily & Eric this morning:

Emily: "You can't do that!"

Eric: "Emily, you are ruining my Mother's Day!"

"It's ME- and it's 6:39 am!"

2007-04-06T21:11:00.000-05:00

These are the words I heard as I picked up the phone on March 28th at work, 6:39am. On the other end of the line was my newly-minted NINE-YEAR-OLD. She called to say that she needed to talk to me since I was the only member of the family who wasn't at home, and that she loved me so much she had to call.

The night before, Emily set her alarm so she didn't let the exact minute of her birthday pass her by- and she was successful.

Her brother was busy while we were on the phone (story told to me later)... He was placing this sign- original idea and artwork all his own- over the fireplace so Emily would be sure not to miss it...

She celebrated with the cake of her choice- this year a LION (March had come in like a lamb, and was going out with a boom, so she picked a lion)...

I look at Emily and I am in awe-

that 9 years ago, she made me a mom
that I'm the parent of a talented, funny, smart, stubborn, tall, perceptive, thoughtful, pretty, sentimental, loving, creative, free-spirited girl
that I still get the priviledge to guide her and have her guide me as we both grow up

I'm so darn proud of everything she is and isn't. Can't wait for the rest of the journey- the last 9 years have been amazing!

Happy Birthday, my dear Emily!

Love, Mommy

Our Biggest Sports Fan

2007-02-06T11:35:00.000-06:00

Emily: Dad- you better watch out for those people in Chicago when you're on your business trip tomorrow

Dad: Why, Emily?

Emily: Well, they'll be really mad that the Cubs lost the Super Bowl!

Thy Chocolate, Thy Self

2007-01-15T19:00:00.000-06:00

Dad: "Emily, do you like your chocolate truffle?"

Emily: "Yes Daddy- it's yuuuuuuummy!"

Emily to Eric: "ERIC! Are you CHEWING your CHOCOLATE??"

Eric: "Yep."

Emily: "Don't you remember what Daddy said? You must RESPECT the chocolate! No chewing allowed!"

And I thought *I* was bad...

The Mom Badge

2007-01-14T14:21:00.000-06:00

10:20 AM Doorbell rings. Smiling, cold Girl Scout at my door to sell us some cookies. Note that said Girl Scout is not from our neighborhood, and her mom has the fire of a post-Thanksgiving-Day-shopper-looking-for-a-deal in her eyes.

10:21 AM Politely turn down Girl Scout, explaining that MY Girl Scout is getting ready to go selling herself. Note van running in our driveway. Comment to husband- "Can you believe they are driving from house to house?" Husband responds- "Yes, and they are getting our whole neighborhood as we speak."

10:24 AM Realize that if my Girl Scout is going to meet her cookie goal, we'd better get out and defend our territory or find a new battleground. Blood pressure rises.

10:29 AM Husband: Did you look which way they went?
Me: No. Lost 'em. How dare they...

10:30 AM Look in the kitchen at *my* Girl Scout happily slurping up her Cheerios in her pajamas.

10:31 AM Girl Scout figures out the program, and madly rushes upstairs to get dressed. Ready in 2 minutes flat. Mother and Father's jaws hang open- this is 28 minutes faster than normal.

10:40 AM Girl Scout and her reluctant mother head out into the 7 degree morning to peddle cookies... to strangers... in another neighborhood (after scouting early bird and her mother finishing out our turf).

12:00 PM Extremely proud (though entirely numb) Girl Scout rushes into the kitchen to boast of her sales- 17 boxes of cookies.

12:15 PM Teeth chattering mother checks the price list to see what 17 boxes of cookies would have cost... but then decides it was MAYBE the right thing to do anyway.

12:20 PM Big hug from Girl Scout for still-freezing mother. Yep, it was the right thing to do. Mission accomplished.

Snow is a Magical Thing

2007-01-02T18:47:00.000-06:00

Combine the last day of Christmas vacation with about 3 wet inches of sparkling white snow....

Add 2 kids with about 9 months of pent-up sledding urges...

Allow to freely circulate for oh, 6.5 hours or so...

Then top with hot cocoa- Chocolate after all is the perfect end to ANY day.

Note the unopened tube of caulk in the foreground... some projects DIDN'T happen as planned due to high priority sledding recipe. Who needs a sealed kitchen sink anyway??

Where's that time capsule??

2006-12-29T18:30:00.000-06:00

One of my son's favorite Christmas gifts was ....drum roll please....

a new CLOCK RADIO, with emphasis on the RADIO. It didn't occur to us, but this was his first chance to pick HIS music to play in HIS room.

Last night, before he had quiet time with a book, he called me upstairs and asked in a very calm and serious manner,

"Mommy? Is this radio station appropriate?"

: )

Where's the video camera when you need it?

Thanks doesn't say enough

2006-12-23T17:55:00.000-06:00

I look around me today- NEARLY ready for the big holiday... and I'm awestruck by how lucky I am. We bought a new house this year, moved after 10 years in the same house, and have the kids established in a school they appear to love (with DESKS! they remind me). We went through many highs and lows. We recovered from both. So many friends were there when I needed them- in so many ways. Thanks really isn't enough.

So as I saw the sun set today, I turned from being sad that the Christmas season was nearly ending to realizing how exciting it will be to see the next year come. No resolutions- just excitement and some reflection on changes I need to make--- gradually... and none of them involving less chocolate...

Thank you to all, and to all a good night!

One Smart Sun

2006-10-29T18:20:00.000-06:00

Today on the way back from a beautiful hike at a local nature preserve, my 6 year old son piped up after an earlier conversation about day light savings time with the following proclamation:

"The sun SURE IS SMART!"

Why? We asked.

"Because, the SUN doesn't have a clock to look at to know when to change when it goes down, but WE DO. It has to know all by itself."

8 year old daughter launched into an explanation of the solar system and spinning tops- attempting to dissolve the pedistal my boy had put the sun on. He didn't fall for it though- just kept on giving the sun a big thumbs up out the window.

Gotta love it.

Idol Worship

2006-10-18T21:56:00.000-05:00

Ever have one of those days when you're feeling good about yourself, when suddenly something/someone happens and makes you want to hide your pride under a dark rock? You guessed it- one of THOSE days for me today.

As I proudly checked something seemingly significant off of my to-do list, someone stopped by my office and noticed my screen saver- which happened at the time to be featuring my adorable niece & 3 nephews.

You know what's cool? The twins have a heart-wrenching story behind them, yet my sister urges everyone to just think about the present, look to the future, and help everyone possible in between. She has 4 children 5 and under, but still teaches piano lessons, assists in leading a 100+ member mom's group through her church, and has a side business creating children's religious music CDs. And I thought I was busy... and useful...

I think God sprinkles in some truly good people every once and while so the rest of us have a reality check to bounce up against. He's a pretty smart dude.

2006-10-10T19:40:00.000-05:00

Fine!

Ok- I have relented... pulled by the magnetic attraction of communication, geekdom, and fun- all in the comfort of my own little world. I must keep up w/ my friends the Joneses and blog. I have been assimilated... and I'm darn happy to be here!