Day by Day

I want to dedicate this one to friends...where would we be without them? One of my dearest friends because I can especially count on her at work, when the chips are down, is Megumi. Her name alone, whether you know her or not, demonstrates the depth and sincere nature that she shares with others. I don't know what I would do without her. She always knows the right things to say, even if it isn't exactly what I wanted to hear. Here's to friends!

Katie and Nicky had another softball game last night. Can you really call it a game? One team scores five runs and that's all they can in an inning, so then they switch. The next team scores five runs and they switch. And so it goes on. The male coaches (why do we have mostly male coaches for girls' sports?)talk serious and expect higher level thinking of game plan and strategies, while in the dug out the 12-14 year old girls do chants, cheers and laugh and giggle with each other. Girls want and know how to have fun. They like to do well and win, but I think at the heart of it all is just being together and having fun! (By the way....this week a game every day from Saturday to Friday, with 2 days of 2 games each (baseball and softball). And the weather has ranged from 85 degrees to 40 degrees on various nights....what will I do when I don't have this anymore?

Here's to Marriage........Brendan's latest theme when Bob or I say no to him doing something is, "you guys can't even make decisions on your own...you have to check with each other". (In his moment of anger.) He actually gave me the revelation...."Yes, you're right Bren...that's what marriage is about...helping each other and making decisions together." Wow-it took a 15 year old to show me that our marriage is working the way it should. Another thought...I was telling someone how Bob is so easy going and takes his time with things and I am like the complete opposite...but I found myself saying, "and it works well that way. We are a good pair". I was recently emailing a relative and talking about young love and how I met Bob... I wrote, "yeah, marrying your uncle was by far the best decision I've made in my life." Ok, so next time I am angry with Bob about something little that seems huge, I will revert to this entry to re...

How is it that one minute you feel this incredible sense of joy and pride over your children and their successes, and then the next minute you find yourself in a heated argument with them over not allowing them to do something or have something? Parenting by far is the hardest and most intricate and challenging job anyone could attempt to do....and who knows if you ever make the right decisions......

I just received an email from our nephew, Travis, updating us on what was going on in his life. I just have to say that he is one cool kid-or rather man now. What a good outlook on life and he has so much success that he made happen himself. I have to credit his parents, Dan and Eric, also for their part. Kudos to you Travis-keep up the great attitude, it is really getting you somewhere!

Katie planted pumpkin and watermelon seeds with Keera today. What a good sister...it must be hard at times to have so many years between each other, but Keera looks up to Katie, even though she doesn't always show it, she does appreciate her. Katie is a great big sister! (Picture is Katie and Keera after Katie's basketball game.)

When you think you've had enough of the adult stress a sure cure is spending time with some teenagers. I had the joy of having my two nieces and nephew stay over this weekend. Things have been pretty intense for a couple of weeks or months with moving and trying to settle in. I found the cure for that....I took all six kids (not Keera ) to the mall. Sounds stressful but actually laughter again is the best medicine. Our experiences included a pet store visit, taking out a lab and a chiaua.....a visit to the toy store to pick something out for Keera, a visit to the dollar store to stock up on candy and various items, a visit to the gift store to buy a lava lamp and a visit to game stop for a video game. Jeff and Brendan bought little laser lights at the dollar store. On the way home, Brendan asked Jeff to hand him his laser light and Jeff said, "I'm telling you the woman gave you a flashlight instead." Brendan said, "No really, hand me my laser." Connor...

It is still cold here, so it is hard to tell it is Spring, but the one thing that I love every year is when out of the blue, when I get up in the morning I can hear the birds singing. The cat really likes to go out early these days, but I don't think it is to listen to the birds, I think it is to "play" with them. Speaking of the cat.....true cat story.....Snowball (our all black cat with one white spot) has developed a new habit in the new house. She uses the toilet. We suspected it for a few days, but Bob and I finally, actually caught her using the toilet. If she learns to flush, maybe we can go in the World Record Book.

I couldn't remember what I was thinking next last night. I stood in the kitchen, talking to myself, saying "what was I going to do next"?, when this little voice said "Are your thoughts scattered Mommy"? It was rather ironic that the next day when I registered Keera for Kindergarten the secretary asked, "are you sure she will be ready (as a four year old with a December birthday)"? I thought of Keera's comment the previous night and almost told the woman that she needed to meet Keera to see for herself.

I was unpacking boxes and came across this picture, so I took the time to figure out how to scan and post to blog....I am learning a lot this week! Watch out Uncle Ken, Liz has a mean hook with oven mitts on!

Remember that feeling when you began to make your new house, apt., condo your own? Today, after the bedroom carpets were put down and the rooms back together....I fell in love with my house all over again! With every change, it becomes even more our own. It's a funny, content feeling, like you wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Cool!

I could not wait for this week...3 out of 4 kids do NOT have vacation, but I do. This has been the first time ever that I had a week home without kids (except Brendan, who at age 15 sleeps until 12 or 1 and requires little from me). So now that I have this time, sitting in my living room with the dog at 10 a.m. on Monday morning....I can't stand the quiet. I am actually afraid that this will be how quiet my life is when all kids are gone. The construction man is here to build Katie's wall and the carpet men are here to put in a carpet and it is still TOO QUIET. How pathetic is that picture? Remind me to read this in two weeks when I come home after work and it is non-stop chaos, non-stop requests for food, rides and "mom, where are my baseball socks?"

How do you describe that look of excitement and exhilaration of a 4 year old child who is sure that an oversized Bunny has left plastic eggs in secret places for everyone to find. I open my eys to Keera's warm brown eyes as big as quarters, her eyebrows touching the tips of her forehead, her mouth a perfectly round circle, saying "Mommy wake up, It's Easter..the bunny left eggs...eggs everywhere". Then try dragging three teenagers out of bed to find their easter baskets that papa Bunny hid (because that was the tradition in his family). Let's top that with dragging papa Bunny out of bed after staying up until 3:00 playing poker, to win 1.00. Just when it seems hopeless, Keera finds a boy's basket and then the excitement breaks and everyone comes to, enjoying the enthusiasm and thrill of the 4 year old. Undeniably one of the sweetest moments as a parent....the thrill of brining joy to your four children. What more could a mother want?

I came home from shopping last night to "Hi mom"...Bren coming down the stairs, then again "Hi Mom", (not my kid) Eric coming down the stairs, then another "Hi Mom", (not my kid), Julie coming down the stairs and then "Hi", Pat coming down the stairs. Connor and Katie were planted in front of the tv and the room above the garage was full of grown men playing poker (Bob and his friends). This is what I call Home! Brendan and his friends were hanging out inside because Bob and his friends had taken over the "cpad" (Chill pad - room above the garage) for the night. Another weekend night of everyone settling down after 10:00.

I took Keera, her friend Ryan, Katie, Nicky and Ryan's sisters to see Monsters vs. Aliens - 3D today. The excitement of all going together, getting popcorn, drinks and candy, wearing 3D glasses...being able to reach out trying to touch the images shooting out from the screen, looking around the theatre at everyone wearing black glasses, seeing the kids enthralled in something so simple...not worrying about the serious problems and crisis in life...taking in the lesson of the film-being independent of your mate, saving good friends, not allowing society to make you feel different, even if you look different.....who would have thought an afternoon could be so fulfilling. Yes, this was one of those simple joys in life.

A parent was upset with the consequence her son received for kicking his shoe off of his foot and almost hitting another kid. The conversation became much lighter when she said that she knows her son is not perfect, so when he told her, she asked him if there was anyone in the shoe when he kicked it. I laughed so hard that the conversation became light and non-confrontational. Laughter is the best medicine.

Keera had her first cavity filled today. In her discussion with the dentist she told him all about her life. She is going to marry Matthew and Ryan. The dentists' assistant told her she wasn't sure that was legal. She also talked about her new house, her room and how her dog eats the cat food. Out of the mouths of babes.

A break through in brothers - Brendan called me today concerned because Connor's backpack was in front of the house, but not Connor. As it turned out Connor had walked to the corner shoppe. Just when you think the sibling rivalry is at its highest point, you find out there is more underneath than meets the eye.