Accomplishment

This weekend was a double whammy for me in the running world. I beat my time in a 5K race by 10 minutes, and ran 9.01 miles on Sunday (that means I ran for 2 hours...straight!). With the Phoenix half-marathon around the corner in January, it's looking more and more like I really can do this! When we started talking about this, I wasn't truly sure it was possible....but it is! Go me!!

Thanksgiving pictures

We had an awesome Thanksgiving day with Dave's side of the family. Everyone was there, coming from Denver and college. Jackson and Addison have such a good time playing with their cousins, and just love that the "older" ones will play with them too. Addison was belle of the ball, as the only girl. Jackson was in heaven because Aunt Dianna still has old toys from the boys, so between the legos and star wars toys, he was set. 

We had fabulous food, great company and good conversation. There is no better way to spend Thanksgiving, than surrounded by family!!!

 Addison and Grandpa "doing."

 Need I say more?

 The chef's and their turkeys!!

 Uncle Nat concentrating on cutting the turkey the "Bobby Flay" way.

 Dave and his dad. 

 Addison entertaining Wesley with her monkey.

 Addison took this picture of Grandma's sad face.

 Picture ala Addison...of her aunties!

 Grandma and her grown kiddos!

 The girls (I was taking pictures)

 The boys.

Our family.

I can hardly believe Thanksgiving is over, and Christmas is just around the corner. We will be getting decorations out this afternoon and hunting down our elf, Clause. Oh how it helps behavior in our house to have Santa's elf around. I should contemplate keeping him out all year round, although he would probably loose his "magic" then. We'll see!!

Giving Thanks

Every year, it hits how much I have to be thankful for!! Most definitely Dave, my kids and our extended family are on top of the list. They are my rock and the light I come home to. Of course, my faith in Jesus is at the top of the list. And my list couldn't get started without the great friends I have in my life.

But second to all of those things, I am thankful for support, which comes in so many forms. From Jackson's teacher and principal, who are helping us navigate the kindergarten system. From strangers willing to push an approval through for a medication (I was told I was too old...can you believe?, and it's taken a month to get it approved) on the day before Thanksgiving when people were leaving for the holidays. From family and friends who are there to listen when I just need to get it out. Also nurses at doctor's offices who are willing to call you back and not make you feel silly for your questions.

I'm thankful for resources and commitment. There are many options out there, sometimes you just have to ask. And the commitment comes from within me and also within others who refuse to let things just happen. I'm so very thankful to be working with people, some at school, many more in the community, who are just as passionate as I am about making a difference.

I'm thankful for my students. I don't know why this year has been so different at school, but it has. That's not true, there are many different reasons, but the students remain the reason I go back. For so many of them, I wish I could pluck them out of their circumstances. But I can't, and I look at them, and truly, they are the strongest and most resilient individuals I know.

I am thankful for the opportunity to affect change, even if it is in super small steps. I am thankful for the frustrations it has brought because it makes me that much more convinced that there is a reason for what we are doing.

As I said in the beginning, I'm thankful for my family. It's always an interesting day at our house, and though I can't always stay one step ahead, I love it and wouldn't change any of it for the world!

The Story of the Fish...part 2

The little girl and her fish had a brother who had a fish. Since the little girl's fish died, the little girl and her brother have been watching the other fish. The little boy was excited when the fish was moved into a bigger bowl. The fish liked his new bowl, but was lonely and missed his fish friend. The little boy and his sister came home from school and found the fish floating in his new bowl.

The brother wanted to bury the fish all by himself, so after dinner, he went out and dug a hole. He brought the fish out and shared some kind words with his sister about the fish and then placed him in the ground.

The brother making a sad face.

 Sharing their words about the fish.

Covering it with dirt

The mom of these two cute kids has decided that we are just not fish people. Their next pet will be something big, perhaps a great dane.

Grandpa's Thanksgiving card.

It was time for dinner, but we couldn't find Miss Addison. Dave checked the guest room, nope. He was in another room, and she came out of the guest room. Come to find out, she had been in the closet doing this.

She moved the time out chair in their on her own. Those are small acrylic paints (I know why we have them, but for the life of me, can't come up with where she found them). And she told us that "Grandpa needed a thanksgiving card, so she was painting one." Totally sweet and innocent intentions, but totally guilty execution!

Comfortable??

This what Addison chose to wear tonight as her pj's. Comfortable?? To each her own!

The Story of a Fish

Once upon a time, there was a fish who was won at a birthday party. She came home with a three year old who wanted to take her everywhere in her little tupperware bowl. The little girls parents convinced her that the best idea for the fish was to leave her on the counter, where the whole world could see her. The little girl agreed.

Two days passed, and the little girl check in on the fish often. She liked to beg her parents to bring the fish to the table where she could look the fish in the eye and sing to it. The fish liked her singing and swam all around her little bowl.

Monday afternoon came, and the little girl came home from school and a visit to her grandma's. She immediately did what she had done the past two days, and look at her fish. She was upset to find that her fish had died.

Her mom offered her two choices, flush the fish down the toilet or have a burial (because what else is a mom to do when her child's fish dies)? She chose a burial, so we all proceeded to the front yard, where the little girl's dad dug a small hole. The little girl dumped her fish in, covered it with dirt and then stood on the dirt to make sure the fish was covered. Her mom asked her what the best thing about her fish was, and she said, "That it was from Hudson's birthday." And then with a big sigh, the little girl burst into tears. That little girl's mom felt terrible because although it was just a fish to her, it was a pet, a member of the family to the little girl. They talked for a few more minutes and then the little girl's mom, who was a master of distraction, offered the little girl a candle-lit bath. How quickly the moods change!!! But when the bath was over, and the little girl was getting dressed, she started to get sullen again. So her mom asked her what was wrong (having forgotten about the fish), and the little girl proceeds to cry again that her fish died. The little girl's mom feels like they are going to be talking about the fish for a long time...maybe she should remind the little girl about the time she fed the fish!!

 Taking the fish to the front yard.

 Digging the hole.

 Pausing to remember the fish.

 Covering the fish.

Tears...big tears!!!

Truth be told, little miss Addison is very sensitive when it comes to her animals. Our dog Callie is getting up there in years, lots of years, and I am dreading the conversation that will have to happen there. We will be reading, "The Tenth Best Thing About Barney," but in the meantime, we are just remembering the fun songs she sang to her fish!

Addison's busy day.

Every so often, Addison has a day. On these days, Dave and I can not get ahead. We might as well change her middle name to mischief-maker. Yesterday was one of those days. It started when I came out from taking my shower, and she had gotten a stamp activity down. Taken it to the carpet and proceeded to stamp herself. Jackson got in on the action as well, though not as bad. Stamps on people, I can handle...ink on the carpet, not a happy momma! Not long after that, Jackson was playing on the computer and she was in her bathroom with an entire bottle of shampoo dumped into a sink full of water. Her little dolls were dirty. Duh, mom! I should know they need a bath too.

Notice the pink stripe on her nose??? That's the ink from the stamps.

All dolls need to be washed with a sponge.

Failed to get all the shampoo out of her hair...means had to get back in the water.

The afternoon went fairly well after that. At one point I went in her room, and her little table (think IKEA side table) was on top of her bed. Not sure what that was all about, and frankly, I don't want to know. We went to a birthday party, where she played and had a blast until it was time to come home. She didn't want to put her shoes on, so I carried her out in tears. In the car, she figured out how to open the car door, and we had a small battle of wills. Not the battle this mom wants to have on the side of the road. But, I won; the car door stayed shut and to her room she went when we got home. She was supposed to be cleaning when I went in there, and I found her asleep in her bean bag chair. Dave also found a bowl under her window with toothpaste in it and dolls that were being "cleaned" as well. I guess making mischief is exhausting! Here's to hoping that today is quieter!!!! This momma needs a break!

The Accident of 2011

Wednesday night, Addison was putting on a show for me. She was all dressed up in her blue sequin leotard, tutu and ballet slippers. Her favorite song "Hey, Soul Sister" was playing in the background and she was dancing. She found a microphone, a ceramic ball, and was singing and dancing. She was working it for sure, and at one point spun around. It was out of a movie. She spun, the ball flew out of her hand and hit something. OMG!!! After a quick inspection, I didn't see anything so I assumed it had hit the base that the TV sits on. And the show continued...with a new microphone :)

All was forgotten until the following morning when both kids and Kelly come running into the bathroom and ask me what happened to the TV. Dread hit, and my stomach dropped. I came out, and this was what I found.

Holy cow. Dave was already gone for the morning. But I knew this wasn't going to go well at all. This was THE TV, if you know what I mean. It was about 3 months old at the max. Our last TV kept blowing light bulbs, and Dave finally got tired of it. Let's just say, I'm glad I wasn't home when he found out. Thank goodness for home owner's insurance....we need to have a "we are surviving Addison" policy! But I have to say, not having a TV in the family room is quite nice! I could definitely get used to this. 

Made for Kindness

Today, when I picked Jackson up from school, his teacher mentioned that she wanted to share something with me. She proceeded to tell me that today they got a new student in their classroom. She was having a rough time when they were all at their seats in class. At one point, Jackson said, "I have the touch. I know what to do." He went over to her, and put his hands on her shoulder and kind of patted her to make her feel better. She stopped crying (momentarily at least!). Mrs. Breton said the whole class clapped. Talk about sweet!!! I was telling Jackson how proud of him I was, and how kind of him to help her. He told me matter of factly, "That's me mom. I'm made for kindness! I know all kinds of things to help!"

Another afternoon, Jackson was telling me about how he was helping another student in his class learn to speak. He has some learning difficulties, and Jackson was telling me how he was helping teach him their cheers for the words, "LIKE" and "MY." It was very sweet to hear Jackson talk about how the other little boy just needed some extra help to learn.

You know, as a mom, and especially as a working mom, I am always afraid I'm not getting it right. I have my moments, more than I like, where I know I could have handled it differently. Even in spite of all my shortcomings as a parent, we are still hitting the mark! Jackson, you are growing into such a caring and sensitive young man who is so in tune to others. I love that your emotional vocab is more than mad and sad. I hope that you can hang on to your sensitivity! I know the world can be rough, especially for boys who "get it," and you do. I love you, and I have to say that your dad and I are super proud of you!!! Keep it up bug!

The Recption

We survived the ceremony, Jackson and I in the front row (tension for the mom!), and Dave and Addison in the truck. We were all glad to head down to the Barrel Room for the reception. It wasn't without it's bumps (Jackson took the decoration off a napkin, and in the process knocked over a glass of wine...red wine). But all that said, they were having a blast. It must be noted that Jackson was quick to shed his shoes because they hurt, and Addison was not far behind. We had to go on a shoe hunt for Addison's shoes at one point. Jackson and Addison danced and played with Noah and Adah. I was very surprised at how long they made it before dinner...without a meltdown! Huge in our world! The food was amazing, the company fantastic and the setting beautiful. During the toasts, when people were crying, Jackson started to sniff and say he needed a kleenex. I asked him if he was ok, and he said, "Yes. I'm just crying happy tears for Kaylee-bug." About 8pm, Addison had danced enough! She was sitting in our laps, not moving much. Jackson would go from awake to asleep...so we decided to call it a night at 8:30pm. Both kiddos were out like lights by 8:35. It was a great nights sleep!!!! Guess we should dance the night away more often!

 Making funny faces!

Having fun. 

 Time out...not so fun!

 Celebrating Kaylee and Chris.

 Clap louder!

 Daddy and his girl!

 Mommy and my boy!

 Shake it!

Grooving!

 Nama and Popa!

Jackson and his Kaylee-bug!

Saturday proved to be a rough day. Jackson was tired and hungry when we met Trevor and Laura for breakfast. It was a fantastic place, which is only fitting because Jackson had a fantastic meltdown which required us to move to the truck while he calmed down. About 15 minutes later, we were able to return to the group and finish our breakfast. Amazing what calories do for a kid! We made it home and were oh so glad to be here! We had an amazing time, but it sure is nice to be home!!!!

The Wedding...

Dave spent the early morning driving to pick up a column for a customer...the work never ends! Thankfully, he hit Starbucks first! When he got back, he took a nap and we headed down to the Bride's room for a quick visit. Kaylee was getting her hair started and Jackson was just oohing and ahhing over everything "beautiful." At one point, he was having a talk with Kaylee and asked her, "Is your baby going to come tomorrow?" She chuckled and said , "No." To which he asked, "Is your baby going to come soon?" At least we've got the order right in his mind...wedding, then baby!

Our original plan was to take the kids to the park, but due to the rain we had to switch to plan B. We ended up heading to "Build a Bear," and then being "those parents" who take their kids to Chick Filet just to play...although we did eat also! After lunch, we all had a rest time at the hotel (because both our kids told us they don't nap anymore). Everyone got dolled up and off we went. It was cold, rainy, but most of all, it was beautiful! We had to wait for pictures, and I found myself very thankful for the technology of the I-phone! 

 Waiting for pictures.

 Showing off his moves before the wedding.

I was afraid Jackson wouldn't walk down the aisle; he has a thing right now with people looking at him...it freaks him out! When it was time, he went!!!! As he was walking down the aisle, he was turning on the charm and some people started to giggle. This caused Jackson to ask, "what is everyone laughing at?" He continued down the aisle and noticed that his "ring box" was empty and exclaimed loudly, "Why is this box empty?" He was concerned during the whole ceremony that he was supposed to be the one to give the ring. He took his job very serious! 

 Saying hi to someone during the ceremony.

 Exchanging vows.

 Stefany and Jackson smelling the flowers.

 The wedding party!

 Kiss the bride!

All smiles, ready to get his dance on!

What makes a family

  “You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.” - Bishop Desmond Tutu

When Dave and I first moved, I was a little lost. We knew Dave's parents, and that was it. Well, that was it for me. Dave knew everyone, or at least it seemed that everyone knew Dave. To say it was a challenge was an understatement. I didn't realize how much I relied on my support network. I had one in high school, another one that added to the one from high school when I was in college. That college group continued until we moved (we are all still close friends now, but definitely don't see one another as much as we used to!). I think this was really the first time I had to "make friends" if you will in a situation where everyone else already has them. 

I remember the first time we were invited to Mark and Carrie's house for a birthday party. I don't remember who's birthday it was, but I remember standing with everyone as we said grace for dinner. I felt completely surrounded by people who welcomed us into their lives and family, and have continued to play a vital role in ours. In fact, I don't know what I would do without all of them! 

I worked with Mark, Carrie and Carrie's mom, Virginia (still with Mark and Virginia). The girls were all (except Andi) students at the high school, and then went on to be our nannies! I had to call Mark and Carrie to help me with my car the first time Dave was out of town for a buying show, and they let me tag along to my first bunch of FFA activities. 

They are our friends, they are our family. Our kids have a special relationship with them, and that makes me smile.

 Kaylee, the bride!

 

 Kaylee and Chris

 Mark and Carrie

 

Andi 

 Carrie, Mark, Chris and Kaylee

 Virginia (aka Nama), Carrie and Jen

Mary Ann and Dana

Stefany and Addison