Getting Excited Here!

tomorrow's the night (have I mentioned it here, yet?) the jewelry, crafts, art, and children's clothing party I am having for my mom. she is the featured artist, and she is so ready with SO much stuff!

dude .... i mean endless treats, and treasures. the stuff is fantastic, and all personally made. she is so dang talented! and i am so proud of her! we are currently investigating a website for her, and once up and running, you can bet i'll be listing it here .....

i have 45 people coming, and a caterer. (oooo the decadence!) and my dh is planning on hanging with the kiddies until they head to bed, and he may sneak out after they are sleeping to "escape all those women" haha

so, i will post some photos, and show the goods. she will be taking orders for anyone interested, too.

report cards

so, first i'll do the school report:

yep, first quarter is finished. the kids have completed their beginning steps to the new school year.

i am so proud. :O) so, so very proud.

C received an excellent report, and K's is just wonderful, too!

clearly, they love what they are doing (save for the music class that C received a little less in effort than other areas, when asked about it "well, mom, it's kinda boring ... we sing and clap, and play instruments. I'd rather do P.E." hmmmmm i can see that, no question) and they BOTH got outstanding social and behavioral comments. both teachers feel strongly that they are happy to be in school, and love helping other kids, and possess a strong desire to learn, their reading and comprehension skills are well above level. math is a strong component in their days, and they are tracking very well with this, science is a strength and C has a special affinity towards it, with the teacher really highlighting that! :o) and lastly, and probably the one item that really makes my heart swell with pride (and daddy's too) are the comments about their pleasantness, their magnetic personalities, and their terrific sense of humor. i for one, find it especially gratifying that they include this info in the report card.

see, shouldn't i be so proud?

second - thanksgiving dinner report card:

a resounding A! My sil and brother did a fabu job at their first go of it, and the kids all had a blast! 7 grandchildren and 8 adults, 3 dogs (ours stayed home, otherwise there'd have been 5 dogs) .... :o\ and we all made it, ate it, and enjoyed it. yum. favorite holiday BY FAR.

thirdly - the extra long weekend report card:

definitely an A as well ... right now winding down from the beautiful sunny Sunday here, i was alone with the squirts, dh attended the Patriot's Game, and deservedly so - his birthday today - and the kids and i had a very mellow day. they were playing outside most of the day, i popped in an out, played a little, and chatted a little, and then tonight we 3 snuggled for a movie - The Wild. good one ... liked it. they were snoozing since 7:30 (did i mention the busy part of the long weekend???) and they are so happy to be in their nice clean sheets. :o) i'm about t-15 minutes to do the same .....

so, about a year ago this time, i mentioned on my first time blog entries how thankful i am for the utter lucky status i have .... here i am again, utterly lucky. :o)

i am thankful for:

my beautiful healthy family
my wonderful supportive husband
my terrific, and comfortable home
my lovely friends, on so many levels
the flexible career we both have
the opportunity to share the lives of my kids
the honor to be part of this family
the ability to express my thoughts, and opinions
love, freedom, and peace of mind

and one last thing -

as we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. J.F.K.

what are you thankful for?

have a great Monday!

"The book you want to write, what's going to be in it?"

that's what the *imagination prompter* said to me last night.

i haven't clicked on that in months. several months.

and that, that simple statement was sitting there, staring at me from the screen.

i sat back in my chair. swallowed hard, and cleared my eyes. how on earth did that prompter know what was on my mind. what's been on my mind for months ..... all i can think of is my book. i even thought of a title. i've got the frame, and the theme.

now i need to just go.

doing it isn't even a scary thing. i am not afraid. 5 years ago i was. i am not any more.

i believe that there are ways of reading "signs", and ways of perceiving "signs". this spoke to me.

this prompt has me.

i even wrote it on a paper next to my monitor here.

it is time.

i need to do this.

this is the face of a girl

that lives right behind my house. she moos, and she watches the people stroll by, and meanders through the roomy farm she lives on. we watch her from our house, able to see her walking around, enjoying her life. we walk over to visit her, and moo to her and her farm-mates. and most of all, we hear her talking to her family, and filling the air with her voice. she recently had a baby, and she tenderly cares for her. there are three babies that were born, and the mommies are amazing with them. it is so neat to see it, and talk to my kids about the circle of life.

i love that we live in the fourth (or maybe the third?) largest city in our state, and there is a girl that looks like this behind my house.

she has a few sisters with her, and some two legged animals with wings, too. right in front of her house is a pond with *tons* of Canadian Geese. there are bunnies, and chipmunks, and skunks, and hedgehogs too.

yep, the country is everything that it's cracked up to be. there are three other farms right next to us (and about 10 within 2 square miles!) the largest right near us is that aforementioned girl's, but the next largest is about 3 or 4 minutes walking distance away. there they have horses, lots of them, and my little gal here *loves* to visit her girls at that one. it is wonderful to go outside at night, with all the little house lights on, and just listen to the breeze. the quiet is delicious, and the clean air is spectacular.

i feel so lucky to be here in the place. so very lucky......

a terrific weekend here. fun with some friends friday night at our house, two hockey games (a win and a loss - but very well played, nonetheless) piano lesson (with an awesome report from the teacher that she is doing so, so well!) gymnastics practice, the beginning of some car shopping with a great test drive, some holiday shopping, and now, snuggling with clean kids under a blanket for a good family movie night.

good stuff. 'tis good, I say.

have a great night!

10 things that make me happy today

* a layer of stress has been removed from this house, peace is restored, smiles abound
* my kids laughed ALL day today - with each other
* my son had an absolute blast with hockey practice tonight
* my daughter thought that her 4 hour playdate with her friend today was a slice of heaven sent JUST to her
* my dad came over for dinner and loved the chicken soup I made
* Thanksgiving is NOT at our house this year
* my parents house sold, after 15 months
* I am chipping away at holiday shopping
* my husband cleaned the basement today, getting ready for finishing
* I *MAY* be able to have a scrapping area all to myself down there

what makes you happy?

I have so much to write ....

and so little brain power to do it tonight! ;)

It has been a long week, one full of too little sleep (even for ME!) and full of lots of organizational things - as well as work. (sheesh, you'd think people would understand that I have lots of life to be gettin' on with for work to be in the way. ;)

ahem.

but it was a good week, all the same.

holiday cards are done - even printed! and some holiday shopping is even done - i am chip, chip, chippin' away at that list for Old St. Nick! (just stumped on hubby .... any suggestions?)

got my first-evah mom's (as in MY mom) party invites all set for the handing out. (having her art wares showcased here at my house for a holiday shopping extravaganza ...) very excited about that! she is UBER talented, and finally - FINALLY - has her stock up for selling. have 45 people on the invite list, and all can bring a friend - I secretly hope she sells out of stuff so she can have people pining for her art. :O) it'll be arts, jewelry, crafts, children's clothes, and trinkets she has been making. oh, she is so talented. i am so excited for it! anyone wanna come?

getting closer to the solid plans for Disney after xmas for the baseball tourney.

beginning the pre-holiday purge of kids "things" going - clothes, toys, stuff - so that in the receiving, we are also giving. in addition, getting the adopt a family plans solidly in place as well.

just general good things going on. hair cut tomorrow. out with my cousin in the evening, and then hockey and piano for the weekend. good stuff.

just lots of it.

:o)

I love this

..... and the entire roll of film I shot for our holiday cards!


this is one from the roll, and it's not even the "chosen one" for the cards .... but i love,love,love it!




I have to explain that the photo shoot was such a blast with giggling, and silly faces, and just an overall feel of glee from them. it was a roll of 24, and i am needing to choose only one. ;)

jeez, they are getting SO BIG!

boys ...

here are my two fellas..... well, K's *and* my two fellas.

she and I are the luckiest gals on the face of the earth. aren't we??? look at these two faces, just two peas in a pod ... we were on a trip to the pumpkin patch here afew weeks ago



and this ... this is the smile that melts my heart. and hers, I am telling you. man, she loves her brother, and that is an absolute treasure! :O)





and really, what would a post-Halloween post be without a silly candy haul photo of the cheesy-grin fella? he was mid sentence / song when I snapped, but the glee in his smile kills me. He was Manny Ramirez for the ToT'ing, so that explains the eye black.

good stuff this age they are at. :O)

Be

just like that.


be.

i look out into my world, into the faces of my children, and my husband. They are so content. So pleased with the here - with the now. They are just be-ing.

it is joyful to see it. It warms my heart, and tickles my soul.

i love them.

so very much.

my son had a playdate this week that made him so happy, and so giggly. it wasn't anything out of the oridnary for this kid. he plays everyday. he has friends over all the time. he is over someone's house the rest of the time.

why does this make you so happy? i ask .... because mom, J is so fun, and his house is so cool, and we laugh. A LOT - my belly wiggles when we see each other. :)

i see mom at the store today, and she confirms the giggles that occurred. she tells me that J fell off his chair at dinner he laughed so hard, and she enjoyed having my son with her for the afternoon. you know, she says, his face, i just love his little face .... i think he is the cutest kid in the world. (this coming from a mom of two beautiful, and scrumptious boys, by the way)

yeah, i echo, the giggles are what get me every time, too.

my daughter announced she wants to help people with all her heart someday, and be a doctor. or a veterinarian, you know, i've always wanted to do that when i grow up, mom. but this day i want to help people. maybe i'll help animals tomorrow.

yeah. anything is possible, kid. anything.

unique.
genuine.
gentle.
funny.
open.

be.

I believe ....

I believe-
That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I believe-
That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I believe-
That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I believe-
That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I believe-
That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I believe-
That you should always leave others with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I believe-
That you can keep going long after you can't.

I believe-
That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I believe-
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I believe-
That regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.

I believe-
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I believe-
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I believe-
That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I believe-
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I believe-
That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I believe-
That just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

I believe-
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I believe-
That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I believe-
That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I believe-
That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I believe-
That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

I believe-
That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

I believe-
That two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I believe-
That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

I believe-
That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.

I believe-
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I believe-
That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

isn't that just so true? all of it?

My cousing sent this to me, and I really loved it. I am making a layout with it.

wanted to pass on here .....

A Rainy Saturday

hockey game (at a rink 1.5 hours away). check.

lunch with the family. check.

warm heat eminating from the stove whilst tea is brewing. check.

brother and sister gleefully playing pirates and maiden-in-distress. check.

dogs hovering at my feet awaiting yet the 356786645th ear rub from me. today. check.

pool about to overflow from heavy rains. check.

husband off to purchase pump to evacuate the water from said pool. check.

friends en route from Maine (two couples, one very, very pregnant with twins) for the night. check.

excitement brewing for triple date with said couples arriving for adult conversation and fun. check.

sitters for aforementioned pirate and maiden planned for evening. check.

and it's 1:00PM on Saturday.

Hope your day is as fun, and as filled with things you love!

and here is a little thing I received via email today ... thought it was neat.

The task is what it is. Your attitude is what you decide it is going to be.
Treasure the effort and you'll move effectively through it. Treasure the effort, and you'll joyfully create solid, lasting value.

-- Ralph Marston

yeah, I like that.

a day in the life .....

of us.

I have been feeling especially happy the last few weeks. It feels so good, and so pleasant to be around me - I mean, I am happy to be around me, hopefully OTHERS feel the same way! :O)
I am generally in a good mood, lots of energy, and happy to be *here* in this life. The past few weeks have been especially terrific, and that mood is even more pleasant.

The kids are really enjoying their school, their classes, their teachers, and their relationship building with friends has been going well ( a few snags here and there, but in general typical 7 and 6 year old things ...) I have been asked to be one of the room moms for K's class. :O) Love that stuff. I went to dinner with the Kindergarten teacher and two of the room moms from last year earlier this week. I have no doubt that Mrs. G will be a friend for many many years to come ... I hope so anyway!

The kids are both deeply involved in their activities and really finding pleasure with the fun of it all - a little update on that part of their lives:

Hockey is just amazing this year - this kid is just exploding in his effort, energy, understanding of the game, and his extreme pleasure in just being there. He is the leading goal scorer on his team right now, and they have been some really great shots he's made. The team is really beginning to blend together, and I can see that the remainder of the year will be equally as enjoyable! He's already talking about baseball for the spring, too!

Gymnastics is going so well - she has been doing backhandsprings and back hip circles on her own now for a bit, and she just BEAMS with excitement that she is doing that! She is finding the grace, and beauty in thje movement now, and that adds a whole new facet. Piano is just a treat! She is clearly, and without question a sponge for new things .... she picks it up without much difficulty, and she is happy to learn new things.

My job is keeping me "just right" busy. I am having terrific success with the sales aspect, and the product has been wonderful to work with. We launched a new product and that is just beginning to take off!

Sean is enjoying his job, and the learning curve has been a good ride so far. He is anxious to really dig in deep, and the initial strategy is to meet and greet, and then dig in. He's enjoying it, though.

Unfortunately, no more offers on my parents house. Looks like it will end in a way that we all didn't expect, but they will bounce back without question. I am putting together a "book of memories" of each person's account of the memories that house has brought to them. We are a family of 14 in the immediate family so there will be 14 stories for them to read. We are compiling the book to give to them on Thanksgiving. I think they will really love it. I am also planning a nice Christmas Present for them, related to the house, of course.

So, in all, that's what's been happening. Nothing really crazy, just life - keeping me busy and keeping the family busy.

Good stuff.

I will try and blog a bit more. That's what I'm hoping anyway .....

Number 9 ... Number 9 ...

We celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary Thursday this week, and it still feels so amazing that we are *already* there. It has been an amazing ride, and a wonderful adventure.

Complete with challenges, and bumps, and of course frustration at times, but the majority of time has been wonderful, and fun, and loving, and exciting.

And, the reality of marrying your best friend, and living with your true soul mate, and building your future with him, is just phenominal.

I so often ask why I am so lucky, and why I get to walk in these shoes, in this life with this great guy....

So, thank you, S, for the 9 years filled with everything and more that marriage is supposed to be, for the love, for the adventure, and most of all for the friendship.

143 always,

:O)

* ________________* {insert inappropriate word here}

dagnabbit.

the people backed out of the sale of my parents home.

it's like a bad dream.

so sad.

so frustrated, and so overwhelmingly roller-coastered OUT!

if you have some peaceful, calming, good luck vibes sittin' around doin' nothing, would you mind sparing a few?

:O(

12 months .... and 35 years later

the house I grew up in will be inhabited by another family.

my parents got an offer Friday, and accepted it today. 12 months after placing it on the market.

and 35 years after moving in with their 7,4, and 2 year old children.

their house, my childhood home, is now in someone else's capable (I hope!) hands.

I am choked up with this. it is bittersweet for sure. it is time for it to happen, and it is necessary. but that doesn't make it any easier.

and it will be a very emotional day.

I learned to swim in the very first built in pool in the city there (my dad built it)
I kissed my first boy on the porch there.
I had long-into-the-night chats with my sister, and my friends, and boyfriends there.
I got dressed for my proms there.
I had one of the biggest confirmation parties ever there as my parents were at a fundraiser gala.
my bridal and baby showers were there.
I got dressed for my wedding there, and had all of my family pictures there.
I brought my first baby, at 12 weeks old, home there where we lived for 4 months while we renovated our first home we purchased.

my grandfather passed away there.

so many memories. so many beautiful times there.

35 years have passed, and my family has the memories to prove it.

time ....

I can't seem to find enough of it the last few weeks .... as a result, the computer has suffered with my absence. Thankfully, there has been little complaints from the 'ole fella.

Busy with daily life, and a few extras ...

S was away for a boys annual weekend golfing in the lovely weather of Myrtle Beach, then I was away for work (literally 5 hours after he landed, I was off on a plane ....) for a few days, and, AND the kids never slowed down in consideration of single parenthood for us (the nerve, right?). So, without question, spending time apart has solidified the fact that S and I will be sticking together. At least for another 9 years. (marriage anniversary #9 this week, it's true ....)

the kiddies are doing well. C seems to be transisitioning with some school stuff, and struggling with a facet or two of relationship building. Not enough for us to worry (well, that's not true, we ALWAYS worry, right?) but enough struggle to warrant discussions with him. He seemingly is weepier at odd times for him, so that has our attention, and of course, gives us the platform to open the discussion. He is processing well, and we are feeling that he is handling it. He is responding to the discussions well, and has some good insight into the situations, and that leads us to independently handling it. I will say, all of it just allows us the connection to the little man he is. 'tis a work in progress with growing up thing, isn't it?

K is just blossoming. She is just so connected to the environment of school, and friends, and development. we are just so enjoying her journey. she added skating to her repetoire of skills recently, and seems to really thrive in the adventure. she assures us that "she will not be playing hockey, she is only learning to skate". yeah, we'll see. she is still deeply entrenched in gymnastics, and piano, so this is an additional. thankfully, gym is two times a week, and piano once, so the once a week skating isn't putting her over the edge, so to speak.

other than all of that (good gravy, that IS enough, yes???) life is ticking ....

I'll try and not ignore the computer too much, and get here a wee bit more.

Truthfully, my life is exactly where I have wanted it for, well, for EVER. :O)

have a good night, folks.

And yet, another weekend ....

...is upon us.

This has been a busy week. And the busy continues onward through the weekend ......

I had some work organization to get done, and some accounts that needed to be seen. Then on Wednesday, my dear hubby flew off to Myrtle Beach through this Sunday for golf, golf, beer, golf, and more golf. ;) So I have been a "single mom" for a few days already, and it's going, well, it's going. It isn't easy, but it isn't impossible, either. We have tons of things happening here this week and weekend from a social/activity (as in a wine tasting, a hockey game, hockey practice, a wedding, and a surprise party - yes, I am serious ALL of that!) stand point, so that's been a drag without a *mate*, but other than that, the kids are doing fine - and so am I. The kids had a melt down (I reallllly miss daddy ..... kind of melt down) initially, but it's been better since then.

Went to dinner tonight with the kids to a very kid-friendly, fun little ice-cream-shop-type of local place here. Had a good time, and of course, topped it with ice cream for dessert, them - not me :)

Heading to Chicago for a few days next week for a product launch with my company. Looking forward to seeing the new product, as I hear it is AWESOME, but not being out of home turf, you know? As my friend, Fransie indicated, when the mommy leaves, it's a full time job just to get out the door to go where you're going. So .... during this busy weekend, I will be readying the kids, and the homestead for the departure of "mommy". Thank goodness my hubby is a capable dude, I think I'd just die if I didn't have that .... :O)

SO, with that, off to enjoy the quiet, resting house before the busy begins tomorrow.

before I go, though, I had promised some toothless grin shots of the little K-gal. The really up close one cracks me up, she looks like the Blairwitch project with a silly grin, doesnt she?? Maybe a Saturday Night Live future in parodies? :)

anyway, here they are ... and no, the "picture" hasn't changed yet - not a single sign of a new tooth replacing the ones that left. I'm getting a wee bit nervous. Ever heard of that? It's been two + months. eek, huh?





have a good night, all! and a wonderful long weekend!

Saturday .....

it has SUCH a nice feel to it ...

C and S went to early hockey practice, and a friend of his had a game after him so they stayed and watched. K and I had breaky together, watched a little cartoons (girly ones, SOOOO different from the boylie ones!) and then the doorbell rang ....

the neighbor. i love this kid, C.

the kid that feels so comfy here that even without his buddy C around, he can come in, hang with the lil' sis of his "brodder from anodder modder" and kick up the bowling in the basement, and then play putt putt in the living room with her. They are giggling, and having a blast together.

I have been busy changing beds, doing luandry, cleaning up the little things that accumulate over the week - you know, dolls, and toys, and cars, and books, papers - and just general Saturday morning things. music on, laughter resounding ... good stuff. friends arriving later for some good times too.

good day.

in other news .... the pool is getting closed today :O( summer is really over, I guess. actually, I am not all that sad, as the fall is the BEST time to live where we live. changing of seasons always feels so, I don't know, *right*.

so, happy Saturday, and even Sunday while I am at it.

off to listen to some laughter.

:O)

spelling words

so, each week, the kids get their homework asigned on Monday, for the week. I kind of like it, to be honest. gives us a routine to go with.

C's has been like this: Mondays, write the spelling words 2 times each, math "game" with family member, read and log in your reading. Tuesday, write 5 sentences using the spelling words, math work ... read, log it. Wednesday sentences, math, read ... Thursday, spelling game for test on Fri, math work, read...

so, the last two weeks C's words have been review, he's loving the 'ease' of the duties, and being the comedian that he is, has made the sentences as interesting, and left-of-center as he can. I love the creative juices, no doubt, and he is enjoying the freedom it brings.

so, last week he is finishing up the sentences and tells me to come and read them.

the first four were fine, typical for his thinking out of the box phase he's in.

the last one struck me. initially, I was questioning him on it, but then I stepped back.

"I am the opposite of still"

;o)

how true. how stinkin' true. on so many levels.

love that thought process.

angels

few people know my attachment and belief in angels. I have always felt strongly that they are part of my life, watch over me, guide me, protect me ... you know, angel duties. I have a few personal angels that are special.

driving home tonight, K gal and I are chatting. Loads of puffy clouds in the sky (clearly prompting her to think of angels as we have discussed their innate ability to jump from cloud to cloud with ease ...) and the conversation went like this:

"mom, when angels fly, can they fly anywhere?"

"yep, pretty much anywhere they want to .. wide open up there"

"so, from city to city and state to state?"

"yep, all over, even country to country - France, Italy, China, Spain"

"even to Texas?!" :)

"yep, even that enormous place, Texas"

"do they go really fast, like faster than a plane?"

"I am sure they can go as fast or slow as they want, but sure, fast would be fun, wouldn't it?"

"yeah ..." pause ....pause .... pause ..... "so, mom, once you're an angel, you get to stay there forever, right?"

"well, as far as I know you do, K"

"will I get to fly with all the angels?"

{choke up} "yes, when you are really old, like 110, you can be an angel and fly with all of them"

:O)

Man, I love this kid.