I'm not ready

Yesterday at football practice the kids were working in smaller groups with the coaches. David was with the head coach running drills when his daughter and 3 of her friends walked up to the group. The coach stopped what he was doing with the kids and introduced all 4 girls to David. Just David. Um.

David shook all their hands and said “Hey” in his deepest man voice.

Later the girls sat behind us and I could hear their conversation. They had no idea I was David’s mom. I wont repeat everything they talked about – but let’s just say I am also not ready for 6th grade health class.

The coaches wife came up and asked the girls if they were behaving (the answer is no) and one of the girls very excitedly says “We met David!!”

I’m not OK. I’m not ready.

Life comes at you fast.....

So much to update!

Life has taken some exciting, terrifying and gut wrenching turns in the past few weeks.

MIDDLE SCHOOL: David starts middle school this fall (sob). He is attending a transitions program this week and next for incoming 6th graders at the middle school. He’s learning what to expect in middle school, meeting teachers and hopefully making some friends. He seems to be enjoying it. Certainly more than I am. Turns out – dropping him off for summer school at the middle school made my stomach turn into knots and my hands shake. I’m fairly certain I’ll need a sick day on Sept 1st when he actually goes to school. I feel sick just typing it.

FOOTBALL: He also started football this week. I didn’t realize how much of a commitment football was going to be….for both of us. They practice 4 days a week with games on Saturday – And until games start they’ll practice Saturdays as well. And the other moms told me the coach does dinners at his house once a week. 6 days a week. 6??! I’m thinking about petitioning the universe for a 10 day week. I’m gonna need it. Football is going to be so good for him, I can see it already. They run a mile a day and spend a lot of time doing conditioning. There are drills that will help build his gross motor skills and his coordination. Which will hopefully give him a little more confidence in general.
So far they haven’t played much actual ball, but he’s working hard and I’m very proud of him. He’s trying his hardest, I can tell. Not sure if he’s trying to impress the coaches or the kids or what, but I find myself smiling a lot watching him. Now…. If somebody could just teach me the rules of football I can try to keep up at the games. Or maybe I’ll just cheer for no broken bones….

HEALTH: David & I are fine. But life just isn’t fair sometimes. My oldest and best friend had some heartbreaking news recently. Her mom has been diagnosed with stage IV cancer. It hurts. It hurts a lot, actually. I’m surprised by how much this has affected me…. I’m devastated…it makes me cry for my friend and her family. It’s not my mom – and if I feel like this I can’t imagine what she and her family are going through. Cancer Sucks. Futility Sucks. All I can do is be there for her, hug her as often as I can and tell her I love her and I’m here to listen and help in anyway I can. Even if the only help I can offer is a few minutes of distraction or acting like an idiot to make her smile. Please, please keep her and her mom and the rest of the family in your thoughts. It’s going to be a rough rough road.

Seeing yet another family devastated by cancer only renews my commitment to do something about it. I will work my ass off every year until we have a cure. We WILL find a cure in my lifetime.

TRAVEL: I had the Best. Weekend. Ever. In July. We had a girls trip to Vancouver and it seriously, couldn’t have been any better. I am so lucky to have the friendships I have and the people who have been brought into my life in the past few years. I honestly cannot remember what my life was like without them and prefer to not even think about it.

We’re going to Roche in 10 days. The cabin has been listed for sale, and this may be our last year up there. It breaks my heart to even think about part of my childhood being sold…. if the lottery would just hurry up- I could buy it and save myself the worry. But as long as we have access to the cabin, I will continue to go up there and spend my “last summer” there. If I had 20 last summer’s I’d be OK with that. Jacqui and Danyal are coming this year and I expect a lot of laughs, silliness, maybe a few drinks and a great time. Darren will be there for most of the week and his sister is planning on coming up with a friend for a couple days. A good time to be had by all….

A few months ago my work presented an opportunity for people to sign up to crew a sailboat for a race that is put together by our parent company. Every company under the SAFRAN umbrella is invited to have employees crew a boat (or boats) for the company. I expressed my interest knowing I have not sailed in years and would surely not be the most experienced employee, and chances were slim. Many weeks went by and I hadn’t heard, so I assumed the crew was selected and I wasn’t on it. Last week I found out SURPRISE I’m on the boat.

Did I mention….the race is in FRANCE??? I’m going to France!!!!!! I’ve never been anywhere but Canada (and one booze fueled trip to Mexico I barely remember) and now I’m going to France?? To SAIL? Things like this just don’t happen to people… This isn’t my life. I am excited and extremely nervous. A 12 hour flight with coworkers I don’t know, staying in another country, not speaking the language. It’s been years since I’ve sailed and I’ve never raced anything bigger than a Laser. But I miss sailing more than anything in the world. Driving by the Marinas makes me feel homesick, and I’m sure once I get back on the water everything will be just great. Hopefully. And hey- it’s an all expense paid trip to France – I’ll volunteer to be the galley wench if I have to!

I’m racing tonight with an amazingly nice couple who has agreed to let me join them on their brand new boat. Hopefully I start remembering things, learn some new skills and don’t get in their way…. Or fall off the boat.

(Longest blog ever. I apologize)

2009 Here I come!

I suck.

How lame is it that it’s now 5 days after Christmas and I got nuthin?

I haven’t even uploaded the Christmas pictures off my camera yet. But you will damn sure know if nkotb post any news- there is something wrong with this picture. AH- well. C’est la vie!

So Christmas went just fine thankyouverymuch.
I was worried. Plans fell through. Things change. Emergencies happen.

We bounce.

That’s what we do.

We ended up having a non-traditional dinner on Christmas Eve. My dad wanted to go to Happy Dragon, the entire thing seemed a little too “A Christmas Story” for me and after about 7 minutes of singing Fa ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra we decided to go to Sakuras instead. Man, I love that place. Grandma & Grandpa came with us. I am sure my brother in law missed our bouillabaisse tradition since he only gets to participate about every 3 years, but nothing says Christmas like onion volcano’s and singed eyebrows.

I have to say, although it was not my first choice, it was rather nice to have the kids home and in bed at a reasonable time. Since we all know kids fight hard NOT to go to sleep Christmas Eve, starting the process a couple of hours earlier doesn’t hurt my feelings.

Santa came and left. The kids had a great time and got WAY too much stuff. Santa doesn’t know when to stop. When to say enough is enough, Santa’s credit cards cant take this abuse for much longer.

We went to a movie, which has become our new Christmas Day tradition since my mom moved to the top of some god forsaken mountain to become a hippy. We saw Bedtime Stories…..What can I say? Not my favorite. We chose it because we thought it would be best for David. It couldn’t keep him entertained; he was out of his seat for half of it. Thankfully David chose seats in the very back row. Right underneath the rotisserie heater. Can you get kicked out of a movie theater for sitting in just your bra?

Here is my thought for the day: 2008 can suck my big toe. (SO GROSS! I can’t believe I even typed that)

2008 was NOT my friend. With the exception of the nkotb reunion and my AMAZING new kids weekend with my friends- 2008 pretty much beat my ass. No joke.

I have decided that the universe is going to hit me with some good karma in 2009. I am buying lotto tickets in preparation.


I have to say 2008 was almost completely salvaged by our mini NK tour. That one weekend almost made up entirely for all the stress, hurt, crying and pain 2008 dumped in my lap. But take nkotb out of the equation and it might just be the worst year ever. If not for the 5 bad brothers from beantown land- Well. I’ll just say THANK YOU for giving me something to be happy about and to look forward to. BRING ON 2009!

I will post Christmas pictures as soon as I figure out if I got any good ones.

Time Marches on....

"Mom, is it true that when a girl hits you for no reason it's because she likes you?"

"Well, yeah sometimes....or sometimes you just made her mad.....Why?"

"Because Carson said if a girl punches you for no reason, it's because she likes you- like a boyfriend"

"Well, why do you ask is some girl punching you?"

"Yeah.....Kaitlin O'Hare punches me for NO REASON AT ALL"

"Well David, it might be because she likes you or because she's mad...either way you aren't allowed to hit her back"

"I know....I can't believe she likes me for a boyfriend...."

Creepy Vampires

When I went to pick up David’s medication refill from the Dr. an order for blood work was attached. It said something about annual blood tests or something…..he’s never had his blood drawn so I am not sure about the reasoning, but I am sure it’s to make sure his meds aren’t doing any damage to his organs or something….no worries…..

Some background:
When David was younger and was getting immunizations all the time, I used to have to bring my dad with me to the Dr. on days I knew he was going to get shots. It’s because my child has been a mutant since birth and is incredibly big and strong. It took both of us to hold him down. As soon as his leg was exposed, he would start flailing and screaming. One time, my dad didn’t come with us. It was just me vs. the mini-man giant and he won. I was trying to hold him down the best as I could. The nurse got that needle out and it was on! Once that nurse got that needle into his leg, he reared up and kicked her. Hard. In the thigh. She refused to give him any more shots. She always got another nurse. Come to think of it, I think she retired. But I am sure it had nothing to do with my lovely, well behaved baby boy.

Present Day:
“David, on Thursday you have a half day at school. After I meet with your teacher, I am going to take you to get a blood test”

“A What?”

“Well, we have to go to the Dr, they are going to take some blood from you and send it off to the scientists so they can make sure you are healthy”

“How?”

“With a needle”

“Is it going to hurt?”

“yes, but just for a second, it feels like a pinch and then it is over and it won’t hurt anymore, you just have to be brave”

“But mom? It’s kinda creepy”

“Creepy?”

“Yeah, it’s like they’re vampires”

“Honey, they are not vampires, they are nurses or doctors”


(under his breath) .................................“yeah, creepy vampire nurses”

It's times like these, I wish I had a man in the house......

About a week ago, I am sitting in the living room and David is in the bathtub. I hear him calling……”mom? Can you come here for a second?”
“What’s the matter David?”
“I don’t know…..there is something weird here”
“what is it?”
“You’re gonna have to come here, there are these bumps……”

Oh shit! My mind immediately goes ‘measles? Mumps? Tumor?’

David comes walking out of the bathroom in a towel and says “these bumps….They feel like eggs”
As he drops the towel and is pulling on his balls.
My son discovered his testicles……..

……Such is my life.


Today I have a teacher conference and David gets to have blood drawn, I will post about it later. I am debating on whether I should be the good, supposrtive mom and hold my baby's hand or if I should take pictures. We shall see.

Cindermama

So tonight is David's theater debut!

He is in a play with his class. They are doing a selection of "twisted Fairy Tales". As I understand it, there are 4 stories in total. David is in 2 of them, but only has one line in one of the plays.
The other is called "Cindermama" and he is the fairy godfather. The play is really cute, his part is really funny and I really, really hope he does well.
He is nervous. Extremely nervous. I don't think the performance is the only issue. But he has ALWAYS been hypersensitive to being laughed at.
This poses a problem for tonight given he is wearing a purple hat, a cape and carrying a magic golf club.
And his first line is "Cool out Cindermama! I'm like, you know.....your fairy godfather"
I am giggling just typing it.
I really hope he doesn't get his feelings hurt when people laugh. I tried and tried to explain to him, they are not laughing at YOU, they are laughing at the play because it's funny!
I will be attempting to record all of this as it happens so I can post it on this blog. It willbe my first attempt to upload and post a video, so hopefully it will work.
My dad is going with me so we should be able to get some still shots, if nothing else.
Cross your fingers for Day-Day!

2007

2007 Is just about gone. In 2008 I plan to be better about documenting our lives a little better. I want to take more pictures, and video and keep track of the things that go on in my life and David's.

2007 was a pretty big year.
in 2007 we.....

David started 2nd grade this year at Lowell. He seems to be doing a lot better, but its still a struggle to balance his meds and his behavior.

Went to Disneyland in March. David's first trip and my first real vacation since before David was born. We went with Carrie, Paul and Brett. Luke (Dopey) was too young to enjoy it, so he stayed with his grandparents.

In May Grandpa was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. He underwent 18 rounds of Chemo and is currently in remission! For Father's Day My dad and David shaved their heads so grandpa wouldn't feel self conscious about his hair loss. They all looked so cute in their matching news boy hats!

In June we participated in our 2nd year or Relay For Life. We raised almost $7000. It was a lot of work with car washes, impossible rummage sales etc. But its always worth it in the end. 2008 is shaping up to be an even better Relay.



In July we moved! Danyal, David & I went from a tiny 2 bedroom apartment to a huge 4 bedroom house with a fully fenced yard in the North End of Tacoma. Although our money is stretched even thinner, the house is great. There is so much room and David can finally play outside. In September Adam moved in with us after leaving Anchorage, so we are a little more cozy, a little more messy, but its a little more affordable too. The addition of a yard means we were finally able to get a dog! Phoebe entered our life in July and we ADORE her! She is a great addition to our family

















In August we went to Roche Lake again. Much different trip than last year, but fun nonetheless. Instead of stifling hot weather it was cloudy and cool. No complaints from me. This was also the first time I saw you-know-who since "the incident"....it was....interesting. Oh, and guess who is getting married! (not me) We got silly and drank. Met some interesting people and some silly Canadian boys were throwing rocks at the cabin most nights.....oh, to be young again and searching for boys throughout the resort. I remember "hunting" with Ashley like it was yesterday. Maybe next year Megan can bring a friend and they can roam free.... But we will have to watch her with the deet, she can't be trusted. We rode a real life steam engine and met Billy Miner. He felt Danyal up. Good times.

In October I had my 10 year reunion.....10 YEARS?!! Our wonderful student council didn't step up to organize it so some of my friends volunteered to do it. I offered to help, because you know....I'm the planning Nazi. So we worked REALLY REALLY hard to pull it all together and I think we did a damn fine job. Even if our classmates don't appreciate it. The event broke even, and most importantly everyone had a good time. We even had some of our teachers show up.

Christmas is over (mostly) and thank god for that! I am exhausted. I attempted to paint wine glasses for gifts this year, apparently that project was a little too big of an undertaking for my non-crafty self. It took over my house, my wallet and my life and they arent even done....maybe they will be New Year's presents. David got WAY too much stuff. But I felt like he deserved it this year, my Christmas bonus made many more things possible this year then in years past.....he got a trampoline from me, a WRFF from my dad (google it) and a skateboard from Santa. Not to mention presents from his dad, grandparents friends and aunts and uncles. That is one spoiled boy!

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So thats our 2007 in a nutshell. There will be no nutshell for 2008, hopefully I will be keeping current on the blog and I will have 2008 documented.
I plan on buying a video camera and fixing my camera, so hopefully this blog will be filled with both!

Goodbye 2007 bring it on 2008!!