Just Another Day

{15}

2012-02-04T23:49:00.001-09:00

Woo Hoo!
My "7" baby has made it to 15!
We call him our "7" because he was born on 2-5-1997, 7lbs 7oz, at 14:14 military time.

We went out for a birthday dinner tonight at KFC and will have a BBQ with his favorite food tomorrow - RIBS!

My son's birth story?

I got pregnant in May of 1994. We had been trying for a while, then J went to Thailand for a month. When he got back, we got pregnant.

Then we PCSed to Ft. Drum, New York. We drove from Alaska down through Canada down the Cassiar Highway. It was fantastic. We went into the US in Washington and down to Seattle. Then we headed across America to Pennsylvania. We stayed North and viewed the sites along the way and making a pit stop in Minnesota.

We stayed in PA for a few weeks before we headed up to NY to see what would be our home for the next 2-3 years. We got an apt. on post - so lucky! We were very close to Canada, a great little farm, rivers, and Watertown, NY . . . Jason's birthplace.

There was not an OBGYN clinic on post so all appointments and deliveries had to be done in outlying cities. We chose a great little clinic that was 1/2 doctors and 1/2 midwives. I was going all natural baby!

I was sick the entire pregnancy and away from all family. J was in the field much of the time too. I couldn't hold down water most of the time but I gained a ton of weight anyway. I think I gained 60 lbs about. Probably more around 50, but I was still HUGE!

I went into early labor that had to be stopped with one of those great shots. Then I was sent home to let the baby cook a bit more. I had braxton/hicks all of the time and was still uncomfortable. I also had what they called a rejection rash. They said it is common when the child has a different blood type than the mother. As my due date neared everything intensified. 7 days before I was due, my water broke when I went to the fridge one morning for some skim milk. That was at 7 a.m.

The nursery had been ready for over a month and we were ready to go. We headed to Watertown, about 20 min South of where we were living. We were met by our mid-wife and looked forward to one of those great births you see in a movie. I can remember parts of it like it were yesterday. I was up and down and in and out of the shower. The pain was more than I could imagine and I eventually called out for pain meds. I got what I asked for, but it was just too late. All the meds did was give me a fuzzy head and make it impossible to yell out. The pain never let up and eventually the mid-wife stepped aside and allowed a doctor to do an episiotomy. I remember yelling, "cut him out!". I was in active/pushing labor for just over 2.5 hours at this point. I did push him out on my own finally and my first impression:

He's got his daddy's hands!

Boy did he ever! His palms were huge! We didn't know he'd be a boy, but we were pretty sure. Had he been a girl, we had picked out the name Lydia. He was a Jason though. Jason for his dad, Patrick for his grandmothers, Harvey for his grandpa and me, and last name Donald. Little trick about his name, if he amounted to nothing when he grew up, he's still be a doctor. Jason PhD!

That was about when they wheeled him out of there and under some lights. He failed his APGAR and was about as yellow as you could get. We didn't know what any of that meant of course. Our hospital stay was less than a disaster. The doctors couldn't help us out with Jason because we were military. They were available for emergencies only. Anything else would have to wait for a military doc or student to do their rounds. A student came in to perform his circumcision. We should have been scared when they said she was a student, but we didn't know any better. It was done wrong, which we didn't know either. He actively bled for over 24 hours, which we thought was normal. Finally a nurse noticed he was bleeding through a diaper and she called in a doc to fix things.

I was able to nurse on my own and I assumed they were bathing him and all of the other things that needed done because they had him much of the time we were there. WRONG. On the day we were to be released, a nurse came in and taught me how to bathe him. After he was done, I noticed he was not breathing.

No, really. He was not breathing. The nurse yelled at me that he was choking. How the hell can a baby choke was basically my response. J had stepped out a moment but came back in as the nurse was in panic mode because I couldn't clear his airway.

That was when I learned that is what those blue sucky things were for. She pushed his cart out into the hall and started running to the NICU. RUNNING! Like in a movie. J running with her. Me standing in the middle of the hall crying.

I don't know what they did in the Nursery. I couldn't bring myself to move. Eventually a nurse brought me down to look in a window to show me he was ok. Then they sent us home.

I don't know how old he was when I finally laid him down. Really. I rode in the back seat with him every where we went. He sat upright in everything we owned. We even propped his cradle up. He had a bouncy seat that propped him up. His car seat was mostly upright. None of that really mattered though because he slept in my arms, one hand always on the blue sucky thing. He choked one time walking from the car to a store. We had to run in and clear his airways.

I will never forget the stressful, sleepless moments, one hand on him and one on the blue sucky thing.

We were always clearing his airways. When he was two months old, I came back to Alaska with him and my mom was horrified and his coloring. Yep, no one addressed the jaundice. It took couple weeks, but my mom cleared it up by having him sleep in front of the living room window day and night.

Jason is a treasure. He still suffers from reflux and I suppose he always will. After he is 16, he will need to be scoped and probably have to have it fixed. For now it is controlled with meds and trying to keep stress out of his life. So he plays hockey . . . to relieve stress . . . hahaha

Jason has been stressing us out since birth with his ER visits where ever he goes and whatever he does.
He has also been making us proud every step of the way.
Happy Birthday Jase!

I went into early labor with Jason that brought us to the hospital in Watertown a month early.

!FEBRUARY!

2012-02-01T12:11:00.000-09:00

HaPpY BiRtHdAy

Month!

My niece turns *13*

My son turns *15*

My nephew turns *17*

My "sister" turns *shhhhhh*

Presidents Day

Valentines Day

Two trips to Anchorage

Carly's honor roll

b-day pedicures

Hugs

Love

book reports

Prep for college (yay!)

Good Health (we all maintain HOPE for those in need)

good books

reading to my kiddies (they're never too old)

Positive:

temperatures

behavior

thoughts

LOVE AND HUGS AND HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

Ohhh could I sleep . . .

2012-01-28T20:52:00.000-09:00

High School Hockey is officially over for my freshman player. Let's talk about our little misfits from North Pole.

7	Donald, Jason	19	5	5	10	1	1		58	.56

Here is his season at a glance. He played 19 game. He was out for a few because of 1) a concussion 2) a broken foot.

Jason actually played two games on a broken foot. It was stable in his skate and chose to finish out a weekend of games. He went for x-rays right after the last game.

He had 5 goals and 5 assists for a total of 10 points. One was a short handed goal and one was a power play goal. The fantastic thing about this is, even though we lost every league game, is that of all of the 1997 birth years playing high school hockey in the interior, of all of the kids he plays comp hockey with, NO ONE comes close to his points or playing time! The closest was a defenseman friend who has 5 regular season points. There are some freshman, who by birth year have one more year of hockey than Jase, that have more points, but only 2.

I am incredibly proud of my son. INCREDIBLY!

Now, what is that 58 mean? HaHaHaHa!
Those are his penalty minutes! He has all of them beat on those too. He is such a goon . . . NO not really. He plays hard and fast and plays each game to make a statement. Sometimes that is the statement that needs to be made. When you play for a team that is continuously on the defense, its tough not to scramble around a bit and play physical.

Like I said before though, his season is over while his friends on opposing teams continue. North Pole did not win any league games and does not get to play in the regional tournament. As a parent though, hockey is not over until regionals are. We will be driving into Fairbanks in frigid temperatures and hosting the regional tournament. We will run the door, penalty boxes, clock, etc. It makes me cranky, but I'm a Patriot mom! Its what we do.

Next Jason has state comp tournament which we could get second, maybe first if we hustle the puck to the net. After that, its off to The Arctic Winter Games in Canada! He and about 6 of his friends are off to represent Alaska in Whitehorse, Canada.

I'm not sure what we are doing. Of course we don't want to miss these great events in his life, but we do have 2 other kids that need our love and support. We will see.

For now, it is farewell to North Pole hockey until October 2012 and Hello Patriot Baseball! Woo Hoo!

Literally

2012-01-26T13:57:00.000-09:00

I love to be sarcastic with my kids, but even more, I love to be literal and pretend I don't know what they mean.

My daughter text me from school yesterday and asked me to pick her up. I told her I would when she got home.

Or answer "can I" questions with . . . "I don't know, can you?"

And after they say "What if . . . " I like to say "well, then (and I repeat their story)".

Every chance you get, throw something literal at your kids. It frustrates them, amuses them, and makes them really think about what it is they actually wanted to say.

Another Day!

2012-01-26T10:33:00.000-09:00

So, I've built a nice fire . . . dogs are just loving it.
Sofa is piled a mile high with laundry - not so bad if the kids would just put the clothes away after I wash and fold them. And, I'd would also really appreciate it if they would bring the baskets back down full of the dirty, nasty stuff all over their floors for me to wash.
I have finally gotten all of the programs loaded into this computer to finish taxes and close things down. I can't believe I had to download stuff. Stupid program! I feel duped.

Jason is, of course, behind in school again. Seriously kid, take some pride in yourself! FRUSTRATED!

Carly is working her buns off and pulled up one of her grades. She is also having trouble with her "friends" and wanted out of school yesterday. What did I do? Picked her up. I took her with me to do my errands and then we came home and watched On Demand while doing work and homework. It was nice for her and for me to have her around for some one-on-one.

I've got a full day ahead of me with paperwork, workout, shower, laundry and HOCKEY! Jason has been dealing with a sore shoulder and he has two games this week. I've got to tell you, the games can be played without him, but they don't have a chance to win without him. There just isn't enough talent on this team and they are playing a group of comp kids tonight. Jason's team only has 4 comp kids and one is not fantastic. I'm not bragging about my child - we have invested much time and money into his hockey education (that's right, I called it education) - and he knows the game better than those who did not have comp coaching. He has been working this week and last week to be a play-maker during 5 on 5 and scorer during the PP. Lets hope we get some pucks in the net tonight!

I'm off . . . Have yourself a super day blog world!
PS: PARADISE IN 3 1/2 MONTHS!

PSS: I always feel triumphant when I hit the spell check button and there are NO mistakes! woo-hoo

Mid January?

2012-01-25T16:29:00.000-09:00

Already? Geesh. I can't believe how the time has flown. I can't figure out why I haven't accomplished a bajillion and one things by now. I don't even sit on this thing much. I've got a to do list a mile and a half long, but don't I always?

I was tortured into downloading the newest Quickbooks. As I tried to finish up Harvey business, the computer informed me my quickbooks I was using was just too old and it wouldn't open up ANYTHING I needed. OH AWESOME. So I had to purchase the update to close the business down. For Crying Out Loud.

So now I am taking a minute while it all downloads and updates, there is a fire in my stove, dinner plans all laid out, oldest off to hockey, youngest done with his homework, daughter hanging out with me while we watch Lost Girl and she is doing her homework.

Kid Updates:
Caden <3 He is doing great in school after a NOT so great start back after Christmas break. He seems to think being smart is good enough. He didn't think he needed to be driven too. We had a little talk though and I think he is beginning to understand. He also got to attend open gym baseball with the high schoolers yesterday. He didn't love it, because they were all so much older, but I'm sure he'll go back.

Carly <3 She is working hard all of the time in school, after school on homework, and at hockey. She is really REALLY doing great playing defense on her hockey team. It is getting pretty fun to watch her. She has a tough time with her classes, but she never stops trying. She was recently placed into a tutoring class at school instead of a "for fun" homeroom class. It was very disappointing to her. She also had a good friend tell her she was stupid and other tell her she smelled. Both told her this in front of others. Though they were kidding around, I'm sure of it, she is tired of it. She is smart, it just not be the same way someone else is.

Jason <3 He is doing okay at school I think. Sometimes I really just want to take his word for it and not get onto the computer to check up on him. It is frustrating and stressful when I do it. Hockey is going well. His team finally won another game. The news-miner decided it was classy to write a headline stating that they finally won after a 17-game losing streak. How embarrassing in a town that already makes fun of North Pole's team. He also got his pass port for his Canada trip to the Arctic Winter Games! YAY!

Off to get back to work now. Shhhhhh, don't bug me.

The Perfectly Packaged Life

2012-01-05T13:50:00.000-09:00

We all want our lives to fit neatly into one of those boxes we see in store windows at Christmas time. You know the boxes. The ones that are gold and red with big, beautiful bows on the top. The boxes where the lids seem to lift off and no wrapping paper needs to be torn?

Actually, our lives look like they've been wrapped by a 3 year old. There is too much tape because the first piece was too short and didn't connect anything. Other pieces are too long like a run-on sentence. The package is covered in band aids and duct tape because we know they stick, heal, and cover imperfections.

We'd like to see these perfectly packaged lives play out like a movie, where the not-so-great things that happened are resolved in an hour and a half.

Some of us are a drama, others a comedy or a family movie of the week.

I have been fooling my self that I was one of those perfectly unfeeling, movie mom's who bake cookies, attend the kid's events, go on field trips, host sleep overs for tween girls . . .you know, an after school special. The mom that says, "Oh well" when a lamp breaks. The mom that does laundry and cleans bathrooms with an apron and a smile. The one that stays up all night making posters and helping with school projects.

Well, great. I mean GREAT! I can do that. I have done that . . . especially the "unfeeling" part. Was I being fake? Was it all a show for the cameras? No. It isn't. But it isn't everything.

Recently, I had a tantrum. What fueled the tantrum? Gosh, everything and nothing, like a child. I wanted my way and didn't care who I hurt. I broke down and wrote some nasty things on my blog that I've since deleted. I want to talk about it, but I want to put it behind me. I want to scream and cry, but I want to say, "Oh, can't change what has been done." I want to make it all go away and pretend I wasn't that stupid . . . but I was.

My husband says, "It's nice to see your human side."
My sister says I'll figure it out.

Did I mean the things I said? No. Does that matter? No. The written word lasts forever . . .

John Donne's poem The Canonization taught me that when I was 19. I was amazed and taken by that poem. When you write about someone, it is forever, whether it is true or not.

I was frustrated at a ton of things and took it out on one person. And it had nothing to do with her . . . but I didn't take the time to figure out what was really bothering me until it was too late and the damage was done.

My doctor once told me I should stop trying to be what everyone expects of me. Whether or not I realize it, it has made me depressed.
I know that I, like many others, want to be everything to everyone. I want to be wife, mother, daughter, sibling, friend, thin, pretty, organized, smart, blaaahhhhh blahhhh blahhhhh. It is hard to accept that I can't do it all at once, or even in a timely manner.

Then I wonder, what am I teaching my daughter? I have been stressing only the positive side of everything to her for a year now. Broken light bulbs only leave space for new light bulbs. A bad haircut only makes room for a good one. Everything bad can be turned good. I have been teaching her to smile through things and have not express her opinion. Seriously, I have said that to her. What kind of craziness is that? It isn't that I think she should be rude to people, but I have been telling her not to confront her friends when they hurt her feelings. WHAT?!

What does that have to do with what I did? Nothing. Because at my age, you don't go around willy nilly hurting people. And don't say things you don't mean. I have used this blog as an online journal for many years. I have always written things down to work out issues I'm having. Usually, when I write, I write through things. I have a beginning, middle, and end like a movie. I have conclusions and answers. Lately, though, I haven't been working anything out. I have had this jumble of stuff going on and not been able to figure out how to do it all better.

When I wrote that post, I didn't work anything out. I got angry at something that has been bothering me since my mom died 6 years ago. I've said it a million times, I did not want to grow up to work for the family business. When mom died, its exactly what I got. I shed full of old paperwork I didn't understand. A computer full of things I didn't understand. I got a new facet to my personality. I fell into a roll of having to do all of this work that I didn't want, but was afraid to let it go because I didn't want to disappoint anyone. I didn't want to let anyone down. As the years went on, I failed at that job. I hated it so much, it was harder and harder to do it and I would fall farther and farther behind. Once a year, I was forced to play catch up. That is tax time. But for me, I wouldn't catch up. Which made me feel like a failure. Which made me want to get it right . . . and so on. Could I admit I was failing? No. Could I fix it? No. Could I take responsibility? No. Could I let go? No.

Instead of writing this out a week ago, I had a tantrum. As my husband would call it, a human moment.
I can not fix what I've done or take away my tantrum. I can only try and explain myself without excuses, because there is never an excuse for being hurtful.

My tantrum lasted as long as it took to type . . . but I didn't delete it like I should have.
Again, highly disappointed in myself as I'm sure my mom is and my dad. Its devastating and heart wrenching. Maybe I can finally finish up the business and let go. Hopefully I can do it all this month and feel the release - I hope to actually, physically feel lighter and happier and more open for new things in my life.

Please wish me luck . . . I've got a lot of time this weekend to do it with Jay and Jason being gone and the only commitment this weekend is to get my little ones back on a school schedule.

I'm going to feel better, let go of some of the disappointment I have in myself, and do this for me and my family. I have apologized to my dad, but I don't think he knows what I am really sorry for is for not being a great of person as he thought I was.

So, I'm off to dry my tears and put some yoga pants on. I will transform my bedroom into an office for one last time. I will pull myself together and do this. I can.

Picture-A-Day challenge

2012-01-04T09:52:00.000-09:00

I issued my sister a picture-a-day challenge. Take one picture every day of one of her children and send it to me.

I am doing the same for her.

Here is Day 1

A picture of Jason (14) driving me home from his hockey practice 1-3-12.
Edited with BeFunky on my phone.

These picture are from December 2011.
My wonderful family:
Carly (11), Jay, Caden (10), and Jason (14).

RESCIND So, I have a job . . .

2012-01-04T09:43:00.001-09:00

Welcome 2012

2012-01-03T12:03:00.000-09:00

Before I forget, go check out I heart this blog. It is one of my all time favorite feel-good, no complaining blog. It's subtle fun and I look forward to each post.

Jason had a great tournament in Seattle. I have FB, but hate updating things about him on there. So many people are the brag-moms, I just don't want that to be me . . . but this is barely read, so I can brag away.

Jase had a 9 point weekend. This included a hat trick one game getting him the Player of the Game medal and then three assists in the next game getting him play-maker. One player actually told him his mom didn't like him or his line because they were competition. Parents can be so rotten. Think it - fine, but to say it? Jeepers.

He is hard at work back with high school hockey now and he leaves again Thursday morning for Wasilla ($$$$$).

I'm off to shower and hopefully (blah) head into Fairbanks (at -40) to get Jason's passport done (more $).

Came and Went

2011-12-27T21:41:00.001-09:00

Christmas came and went.
My tree is still standing (13'8" high)
It is still drinking water and the pine cones are popping
Music to my ears.
The kids' gifts are no longer all over the living room.
They are secure in boxes by the mammoth tree . . .
On the kitchen table . . .
On the stairs . . .
On the counter . . .
And even the floor of my shower.
The Kinect is played daily
hourly
minutely
(is minutely even a word?)
Most of the gifts have been delivered or picked up . . . most
not all
isn't that true every year?

Our kids were blessed this season with Nook Tablets. They are all filling them up with books, apps, and watching Netflix. They are so pleased and happy that I am so pleased and happy.

You know what else makes me happy? Jason's new luggage from Grandpa. We packed a weeks worth of clothes in it and sent him off to a tournament in Seattle the day after Christmas. They have played 2 games already - one win, one tie. He has a goal and a penalty - not great, but acceptable. Personally, I think he could work harder. But I always think that.

Carly is off to cousin Madison's house to spend the night. We gathered up all of the gifts for them and went over today since we didn't see them on Christmas. We got them a tote of Christmas decor for next year, labels, sharpies, tape, and wrapping paper. Ridiculous I know, but it was all 70% off. LOVE IT! Carly packed up her nook and pillow pet, put on her new middle schooler type clothes, and went out for the night looking totally adorable in her new jacket from Grandpa. Her other jacket went missing at a hockey practice. Grandpa felt pretty bad about that and picked her out a white jacket on HUGE discount. YAY and she loves it. I was sketchy about a white jacket, but not her. She even found a head band to match for 2$. WOW.
She also acquired new bedding - NOT a mommy blanket. She has always wanted bedding from a store, not from mom. Her last quilt was made by me and given to her for her 7th birthday. Her first was made for her for her 4th birthday. She is 11 and has finally got something else.

Caden has been stuck like glue to his nook. He is deeply into parkour and spends much time watching you tube videos and martial arts movies. I introduced him to Jet Li last night and he was already a big Jackie Chan fan. He also loved, loved, loved his legos.

So, I lay here on the huge lounge style sofa sectional and listen to Jay snore at 9:30 pm, to rock music coming from Caden's Nook even though he has earbuds in, and to the history channel (which I am not a huge fan of). The tree and stove, alike, are crackling. Esme is stirring, trying to get comfortable on the sofa as I move the pillows around, and I can hear the clothes spinning in the dryer. It is quiet and peaceful, but sad.

I miss my kids when they aren't home, especially after a holiday when they are off of school.

Christmas Pics 2011

2011-12-22T09:18:00.000-09:00

Caden's Birthday Photo with the Christmas Tree

My Carly . . . before she got sick of posing

Jason giving me a genuine smile- the closest I'll get this season probably

I have the only possible excuse for not blogging . . . busy! Its been insane. And really, I don't have time to do this right now . . I should be cleaning and sewing. Sewing Sewing Sewing - it haunts me that I'm not done. I can see how Jason is exactly like me with his procrastination issues. Jay is my polar opposite. NOW NOW NOW is his mantra.

I've got gift baskets to make and booze to buy. I need to buy food for Christmas day too - but need to wait until Saturday so it doesn't sit in my fridge and get eaten. Luckily, I'm not "making" anything . . . just finger foods to snack healthy all day. YAY! Just how I like it. I don't often get my way because I'm a HUGE pushover about everything. This year though we are concentrating on breakfast; eggs, bacon, sausage, bagels, cheese, and hopefully scones. I absolutely love scones and coffee.

Merry Christmas folks - if you're still out there. Love to All!

Arctic Winter Games 2012

2011-12-15T11:12:00.001-09:00

Just got the news that Jason made Team Alaska hockey team for the Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse! He should get his official invite later this week!

Not sure if there was tough competition or not . . . excited anyway!

Let's Go To Whitehorse!

Tomorrow

2011-11-30T10:12:00.000-09:00

Tomorrow is December 1st! I can hardly believe it. I just started my Christmas shopping. I have only picked up or ordered a couple of things . . . still trying to figure out a way to pay for it all. Luckily Santa picks up the slack. I don't know what I'd do without him.

I have tried very hard to put a lot of thought into gifts this year. I am very interested in making gifts . . .as always. I love the pillows made from old sweaters with unique and outdoorsy appliques. I know I will be making at least one of those. I also really love mason jars with flavored coffee beans. The kids can take part in making these. I may hit the antique store and second hand stores to pick up more jars. I have also been trying to make scarves and hats. Those, well, I'm not so great at.

I am also VERY excited about making my husband's gift. Every year he forbids me from shopping for him beyond the basic pajamas. The same goes for his birthday. One year I framed pictures and ship manifests from the ship his grandfather came from Scotland on. I also framed pictures from his trip home when the Phillies won the World Series and pictures form their World Series parade. This year, I plan on creating a curtain for his work out room out of the banner he held up at the world series. It is a large piece of canvas that is painted on. I found some incredible fabric to line the canvas with and then add a decorative border. I am very excited because it will look great from outside and be fun on the inside.

Caden has also come up with a great idea. He wants to take all of the things out of his Dad's childhood scrapbook and frame them. There are some patches in there and some tickets from attending Phillies games and other Phillies World Series tickets from his childhood. I think it is an incredible idea and can't wait to help him do this.

I am also thrilled about the gift we are giving Jason. I think I wrote about it already. I will post pictures as I work on it. He takes off for Juneau this weekend and I hope to finish it then.

Happy December. I hope it is all you dream of!

Welcome Turkeys!

2011-11-21T10:04:00.003-09:00

Can you believe it is Thanksgiving again? It has jumped out at me this year. It isn't that I'm not in the holiday spirit - and it certainly isn't that I'm not Thankful. I just haven't gotten a big plan together for a meal or have the money to go all out. Money is such an issue this year. Hockey is taking its toll as has not being able to search for sponsors. The out-of-pocket expenses are really adding up this year.

I worry that it is partly because we have taken in these two growing boys that plug in their cars, eat the snacks, and empty the fridge's left overs. I certainly wouldn't want to wish they find their own place soon, but sometimes I wonder if we would be hanging on better financially if they did. I know Jay would be less stressed. He works 10 hours a day, 6 days a week and lately, all in 40+ below weather. Its so hard on him. He wants the best for everyone, but he is definitely overworked.

For Thanksgiving this year I will do a turkey of course, but how big? I will have veggie trays and potatoes with gravy. I want to do a cranberry treat and some pumpkin pies. As I type, I stress and worry that what I want is not what we will be able to afford. I would love for it to all go smoothly and for my family to have a calm, WARM, worry free day.

My brother and his family are staying on their side of town this year. I totally understand. It is tough to haul your family out every holiday. My dad has decided to go out to dinner so his wife doesn't have to cook and clean. I did invite them over, but he said that there were a lot of people going out to dinner. We were invited, but I can't afford it and I DO NOT want him paying, even though I'm sure all of those grown people he will be meeting out will MAKE SURE he foots the bill. I'm just not willing to be a part of that. They could all just come over for a free meal. What ever.

So, what am I thankful for? Everything. I am grateful everyday for the gifts in my life. I don't list them on face book, but that doesn't mean it isn't true. I also look at Thanksgiving to thank Mother Earth. If it weren't for her, there would be no turkey or veggies to fill our bellies. I used to be very vocal about my beliefs on this, but the world tends to disagree with me. I know God is good, but Mother Earth has provided me with the wonderful food to feed my family. Mother Earth is incredible and I must give credit where credit is due. Our Earth provides if we treat her well. I will remind my children of this, like I do all summer long and every time we recycle or pick up our trash. To me, Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate her and thank her.

So, Thank you Mother Earth and to all those who tend to her needs. Thanks to the farmers and those who fix the combines. Thanks to the sanitation workers and recycling plants. Thanks to the parents who teach their kids to be kind to our Mother, for she will pay us back ten-fold.

Hop in the Driver Seat Folks, and Slam on The Breaks!

2011-11-18T11:16:00.001-09:00

Raising healthy children is SUCH a tough thing to do. From the beginning, when they are safe and warm in our bellies, we are given the honor of protecting them, feeding then, and promising them the world.

I was a young first-time-mom at 23. I had been married a year and finishing up my bachelor's degree when my husband got home from a short Thailand deployment with the Army.

Separation + champagne =baby 1

1994, freshly out of college with a degree that does nothing (see previous posts about kids with good grammar ;), an army wife, and a new move across the country from Alaska to New York on the horizon. I was leaving my 7$/hr job and my husband was bringing in less than $900.00 a month. I had student loans and we had small credit cards, but that was it for bills. Have you driven across the country? Though it was 15 years ago, it wasn't cheap on our budget.

Introducing WIC. Women, Infants, and Children. This is a state agency dedicated to the health and development of children from womb to childhood. Eligibility is based on household income and basic cost of living for the state you reside in. Those in need receive assistance to feed themselves while pregnant and their children through age 5.

We qualified for WIC. It was the best thing that happened to me in preparation for becoming a mom. We all think we know what is best, we have great mom's and read all kinds of books. We never truly understand how little we or others know until we've seen it done the right way. I got SO lucky.

Sure, no one wants to be on assistance. So many people refuse it because they think there is a stigma attached to it. Guess what folks, WIC is not aide, it is support! WIC does so much more than provide growing families with much needed money for food. It educates you on raising healthy children!

They provided me with healthy foods while I breast fed. More than provided, they taught me about food to eat while pregnant and what to eat while nursing. If you follow the guidelines provided, and purchase the food on your WIC coupons, you WILL eat right.

Once my son was eating food, WIC taught me what to feed my son so he was eating nutritionally balanced meals. I was provided with cereal, milk or lactose free formula, eggs, cheese, peanut butter, 100% juice, beans or lentils, and fresh vegetables from the store or farmers market. Can you think of anything else I may have needed? NO! Of course not! Think about it . . . what could he have possibly needed besides that? We were beyond grateful to be able to raise our son with healthy eating habits.

I ran with this! He didn't sip soda until he was almost 6 (14 1/2 and still no cavities). He experienced McDonald's, but only on occasion and now it is cut out completely AT 14! How awesome is that not to have to hear about fast food? YES! Candy? For his first 5 years it was special occasion only, like Easter and Halloween. Even at Halloween he gave up ALL chocolate. I told him once he was sensitive to chocolate. He didn't understand "sensitive" so I explained to him it was like an allergy and it made him poop. Know what? He still rarely eats chocolate. Doesn't like chocolate milk, chocolate shakes, or chocolate ice cream. He does like the occasional Reese though.

When my daughter was born three years later, we were still able to enjoy the benefits of WIC. She too went on Lactose Free formula after I explained to the doctor that regular formula doesn't make any sense to me. They don't get it in the womb, they don't get it while being nursed, why would I jump right in and give them formula with it? He agreed and she was allowed special formula. She too was raised on the WIC diet. She is much more of a sweet tooth than my oldest, but I think its hormonal! hehe She has always preferred the healthiest of meals though. She is a big meat and potatoes girl. Throw in salmon and fruit and a huge salad and she's the happiest thing ever! Even as a tiny girl. Her first solid food was Halibut at 3 months. We also fed her smoked salmon under the slightly false title "candied fish". Imagine her surprise when she had her first Sweedish Fish :)

I didn't give her a lot of choices with everyday meals though because I'd seen WIC work! I understood the importance of a good diet and raising my children to eat as they are told.

That was tough for her with something she didn't have a taste for! Boy does that girl have a gag reflex. If something yucky went (and still at 11) into that mouth, it was coming back out! Even if she smelled something she didn't love. I certainly didn't coddle that behavior, even though she couldn't help it. There is no excuse for not eating what is put in front of you as long as its healthy. I'm not saying she would have to eat it even if she spit it out, but I'm not saying she wouldn't either. eeeewwwww

And on those times even I found it too gross to make her eat it anyway, I simply cleaned off the plate and we started over, with the same meal. There is no giving in just to make life easy!

Parents . . . For the Love of God and Health of Your Child . . . STOP GIVING IN! Children were not meant to be in charge! No one intended to give an entire species of children power! It's Enough!

So they may not want to eat something, they'll get over it if they are hungry enough. So chicken nuggets are easy, if they were healthy, WIC would have a coupon for them instead of carrots.

Eventually, we lost the benefits of WIC as we grew older. Did we raise our third child any different than the other two?

Well, a little. We may have been making more money, but we - like the rest of the country - had more bills. Fortunately, at this time in our lives, we had access to rich farming land and started him out on garden vegetables. Did he like them? NOOOOOOO! We were also a lot closer to Gramma Patty with cookies. OOOhhhh boy is my third child, a sweet and stocky little boy with a perfectly round head, a little charmer. He can make the ladies melt, I tell ya. He certainly did that for grandma. He was our picky, stubborn, not-going-to-touch-potatoes boy. But eventually, I found what worked for him - steaming! Yay! But I didn't learn accomplish this until he was 7! The key . . . Never Give Up! It is Never Too Late!

So Cade was quite a bit more spoiled and his stocky build certainly showed it. So did his behavior at the dinner table. He thought he could dictate what we put in front of him. Yeah, not so much. That may work at Granny's but not here buddy!

That, my dear friends, is what is wrong with our children and how they have become so lazy and obese! NO, I don't mean Grandma is the problem, but, well, maybe I do.

We are a working society on the go. We are running from here to there and feeding our tykes out of the car or leaving them to be fed by a trusted adult whether it be daycare, in home care, or Grandma. We are not packing lunches and dinner - we are depending on our pocket books to carry us over from meal to meal. Well, honey, it's not working.

That drive through is easy, so is the pre-bagged chips and cookies. Oh how convenient you are snack pack sized Nutterbutters at the checkout stand! Add convenience to a pushover of a granny and tada! A nicely packaged, chunkier than necessary, sweet faced angel who thinks his opinion matters.

Get tough parents! Hop in the drivers seat and hit the Brakes! Buy an apple or 100%fruit leather at the checkout stand instead of a candy bar or cookies. Don't whip into the drive through, pack a bag before you leave the house of carrots, cheese, and crackers. Trust me, they'll eat it or starve (and no kid is going to starve). Keep a tote in the trunk of Ritz or some kind of filler for between meals to buy you some time to get home and cook.

I am an on-the-run mom. I am picking up a high schooler at 2:15 and running him home to eat, leaving with him again at 3:15 to hockey practice, picking up a middle schooler from basketball at 4:30 running her home to eat with as the elementary schooler gets off of the bus and eats, then running out with them by 5:30 for a 30 minute drive to hockey practice for the middle child, doing homework and groceries with the youngest, then getting them all home in time to fix a healthy meal, finish homework, and get showers and sleep. I manage to feed my children RIGHT. Only once in 3 months have I grabbed a chip snack on the way out the door - but my daughter grabbed cheeze-its! Usually we pack up a grocery bag with yogurts, PB&J, and juices. When in doubt, instant oatmeal! It takes 45 seconds in the microwave or 3-4 minutes if you boil water on the stove. NO BIG DEAL!

So, get pro-active folks and feed those angels right! If you don't know how or are feeling lost, check out the WIC food list for your state and find out what is recommended for your child. You can't go wrong! Maybe you don't qualify for benefits. It is still an extremely valuable resource when raising a child! No need for fancy books and menus. Keep it simple, keep it healthy, and STAY IN CHARGE!

Oh, another banner idea . . . don't eat crap in front of them. Its like getting drunk in front of them, you don't do that do you? (well you shouldn't)
We are products of our environment until we are old enough to make decisions for ourselves. Provide an environment you can be proud of. Take ownership of your past mistakes and change them. Your children are who you make them.

What a Mess!

2011-11-17T15:22:00.000-09:00

I just know my house is a mess
I've been working all week
no one has been around to vacuum and sweep
The corners are all nestled snug in their fur balls
Courtesy of Sister, the big yellow dog

The dishes are mounded on left and right
The inside of the sink just stinks

The bread has been left out
The edges are crunchy
Leaving a not-so-thin layer of dust on the top
of my counters

The carpets are all covered
from wall to wall
with sticks and pucks and even a ball

To lay down and relax
would strike an attack
with dog hair winning as you
succumb to the will of the fur

'Tis November you know
the fire's aglow
the wood chips are here and there
(and there and here)

The birch may blaze
but there is still a thick haze
of ice upon the door
(and locks, and windows, and corners . . .)

I long for the day
that I'm home to welcome the sun
the bus
the evening meal covering our table

For homework and snacks
dessert and The Middle
Not driving and ice fog
coffee and PB&J
Not rink nor court
just sofa and stove.

I don't have an end for my rant, just killin' time 'till I can leave the magnet school I've had the joy of subbing in.
I've got to leave here, run to the rink, drop off the door bucket, pick up Carly form basketball, take her home to change, visit Caden, find the family food, run Carly into hockey, run off to Jason's hockey game and then maybe, just maybe, spend a minute or two with my husband before the snoring begins.

Have a great evening!

Snooze

2011-11-16T11:35:00.001-09:00

We could all use some sleep, right?! I sit here in this library and just want to lay my head down on this semi-clean work space and close my eyes. I can feel the heaviness in the back of my eyes as my almost-40 eyelids begin to droop, mostly at the outer edges. When I get really sleepy, I just know my left eye crosses over to my right and asks it what the hell it's doing open. My right eye really does obey much better than the left. It definitely makes me aware that the little angel that perches on my right shoulder is much stronger than the nymph on the left.

I feel so much better today than yesterday. I still have these moments where I want to succumb to the sandman, and I know if I weren't on this diet, my head would be far more congested than it is and if there were food in my body, I wouldn't be holding it in well. The body tingles are gone for the most part which is a huge relief. I hate those!

Jay, however, is not fairing quite as well. His back is aching and his neck (I swear he carries his viruses in his back). He is exhausted and stomach aches. He didn't sleep a lick last night, while I slumbered away and was almost willing to get up at 5 a.m. (but not quite).

Carly is holding on to her ear infection. She is having the worst time remembering to take her antibiotics at a reasonable hour. When I reminder, we can't figure out where she put them last; even though we have a cabinet just for meds.

Caden has still outsmarted the virus. He is one tough cookie. From day one he's been the one with the greatest immune system AND HE WAS THE ONLY ONE NOT BREAST FED! That's right. He is the cookie and pasta eater.

Jason is wearing the boot for his broken ankle. Course, he forgot his crutches in Dad's truck last night so it was off to school without them. He thinks he is so tough and ready to play hockey . . . we will see how he fairs with this one. Last night, he had to watch his team play hockey from the stands. He hung out with a buddy from baseball that graduated last year - I swear he has a man-crush on Jase. Not in a creepy-Sandusky way, just tries to take the freshman athlete under his wing (and afraid to move on with his life I think). The kid has even friended me on FB, texts J & I - hmmmm, missing some key parental figures during this pertinent time of his life? I think so.

Our big boys? They are a novel in themselves. John is running from work to practice to ice dogs games and throws in hunting and family time. Jake is, well, a really bored 19 yr old. He works and then sits in the cave upstairs and chews tobacco while playing video games or watching movies on his phone. Boy does that boy need a hobby. He will occasionally go hunting with John or catch an Ice Dogs game, but not often. He babysat last night for me though and he is always polite and uses manners. If we ask, he will haul wood too.

I wish there were things I could do to help him adjust to Alaska and being away from home. I know he probably just wants to get out of our house, into his own place, and get a life. Believe me, sometimes that is what I want too, and I know that is what Jay wants - he can only take so much of them emptying the coffee pot in the morning. Mostly, I want him to be safe and not fall into any bad habits that can happen up here with 6 months of winter and 3 of them dark.

On to my sister, who I miss a lot. Though I'm glad she isn't stuck up here at -45*! Idaho sounds like a great place. I know a lot of people who left here and chose Boise as their new home. My sister is my inspiration to create my holidays instead of purchase them.

With the holidays approaching I realize how much (and little) we really have right now. I have no desire to add to our clutter. I don't want more toys in the kid's rooms. I don't want to purchase more food, though I know I need to with Thanksgiving next week. We will be having a very low key Thanksgiving with some brunch and grazing thrown in. My dad wants to go out to dinner so Theresa, his wife, doesn't have to cook and clean, as she begins radiation that Wednesday. I invited them over, but they are taking "her" family out to dinner instead. If they thought it were so important, they should have hosted a dinner instead of making my dad pay for it.

We have not begun any shopping or gift making for anyone yet. I haven't any idea what to do for my children. I'm sure Santa can cover a little bit, like he always does, but I like to do things for my kids too. This year we have a ka-gillion bills to cover for hockey and medical . . . so I'm not sure how much mom & dad will be able to do for the kids. Maybe they'll be grateful for all of the hugs and kisses I'll shower them with.?!? I wish I had an idea what to do for the kids tho, they have so much already. Maybe things like boxes of popcorn and homemade felt grocery bags filled with all of their favorite treats. Last year we did coupons - the kids could turn a coupon in for a lunch out with mom or dad, a room cleaning, movie night, game night . . . etc. I don't think that will fly this year, but I'm considering a gift card scrap book with itunes, American Eagle, WalMart, Fred Meyer, Sports Authority. Gee, I think I want one of those!

I long for the day I can just cook dinner and help the kids with homework and them put them to bed. It sounds heavenly to me. Low key, no driving involved.

Yesterday I had to drive to work - middle school - home - UAF (rink) - Dipper (rink) - UAF (rink) - home. Its, like, a million miles or something. Tonight? NO HOCKEY!!! I do believe I will do spaghetti for dinner with meat sauce and garlic/cheese bread. I never get to eat it, but it will feel good making it.

A Hockey Mom

2011-11-15T09:00:00.000-09:00

Being a hockey mom is like any other mom. I don't think we are any different than anyone else except we wear more clothes and mittens are a must have!

I recently cut the sleeves off of an old, brightly colored Gap sweater I had ages ago and made rink mittens. My hand warmers fit in the ends nicely and the colors match any jacket I happen to wear.

My oldest, as everyone in the world knows by now, is a hockey/baseball player. The trouble with being a baseball player in Alaska is . . . its a very short season! Hockey however, begins in August and goes into March. Then there are tryouts and camps and other skating opportunities thrown in there all spring and summer.

Right now, he plays comp hockey at the Bantam AAA level and high school hockey. He has also just applied to be on Team Alaska for the Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse (Canada). His comp experience is rough and he doesn't always love his team mates, and they do not always love him either. They have been playing together for many, MANY years. BUT his high school team makes him VERY HAPPY!

That is why his freshly broken ankle is such a heart breaker!

It started with a Friday night game against an out of town team of BIG boys. Jason is the starting center for the high school team as a Freshman. That is how much he loves the game. At the end of the 2nd period, one of his team mates goes in for a big check . . . but he didn't see little Jason behind the kid he was going in for. The player from the other team moved out of the way and Jason was hit instead. My heart sunk. I wanted to run onto the ice - but you just can't do that. The team has 3 coaches and a trainer. I ran down to the rink doors and then turned away. He just got cleared after a slight concussion and this was his first day back. His body went limp on the ice and I heard gasps in the crowd. One man said, "holy cow, he isn't even moving." I was with my friend at the time and she was very comforting. I have to admit, I flew right past family and went straight to her - I even bypassed my husband. I knew he didn't need to see the mommy panic, he panics enough for his first born.

We had just, the day before, replaced his 4 year old helmet too with some grand concussion helmet. He was fighting us on wearing it, saying it felt weird, but his coach wouldn't let him trade it out. Thank You John! That helmet saved my boy, I know it. The player that hit him is more than double Jason's weight and a foot taller.

My brother happened to be at the game that night and another players dad, both EMT's. Thank you Kev and Chad.

When my friend Heidi found me, it was to inform me they called an ambulance. At no point did I know what was going on. All I saw was the hit and my family going out to take care of my boy. John was first to him, though Jason has no idea. To hear John tell the story it is even more frightening. His heart dropped as well when he saw the hit and Jason go down. That was the moment I knew John was more family than just another person we took into our home. Jason doesn't remember talking to John or answering questions. He only remembers the trainer, Jeremy - who was the 2nd or 3rd person to him.

My brother and Chad swooped in and took over. Then Jay flew out onto the ice and Jason said, "Dad, tell them I'm okay." After 10 minutes or so I still hadn't heard what was going on. I watched more EMT's come in the door, but no one rushed out to the ice. My boy was in the best hands already. My town has great emergency medical staff. My husband convinced them to help Jason up and get him off of the ice and into the locker room. They let the clock run down and the second period ended. Jason sat up with his team in the locker room and they had a meeting.

He told the boy that hit him not to think about it. Just think about the next period . . . the next game. I still hadn't seen Jason at this point. Once the third period began and Jason didn't come out on of the locker room, I went in. Just in time to see them doing a concussion test - WHICH HE PASSED WITH FLYING COLORS!

Not only did Chad clear him, the ambulance staff cleared him and his trainer. He told them he was sore in the neck and shoulder, but upon examining him, they found no reason to believe there was an injury.

The boy put on his gear and went back on the ice! He played the third period, almost every shift. He was a lightening bolt out there. I was mortified and amazed.

The next day he broke his ankle.

The second game of the weekend and he took a couple nasty hits. One gave him what he calls a "dead arm" and he was having trouble stopping the puck with his stick . . . so he threw his body down to block a shot. One slap shot from a 16-17 year old boy. He got helped off of the ice, sat for a few shifts and was right back at it! I assumed all was well and let him go to a movie after the game.

He woke up the next morning with a swollen ankle, but he had another game - so off he went. He played a hard three periods and then off to the ER.

My son is anything but normal.

I am emotionally drained and could use some sleep. Especially with no one sleeping around the house due to various colds and ailments. I've been up since 3am myself and now have a full day of kiddos.

Hockey breaks my heart and makes my day. I love it and hate it. Many times I can't watch and I find myself pacing behind the crowd.

Thank you Bauer, for keeping my child's noggin' safe.

My Gosh . . .

2011-11-11T11:04:00.000-09:00

First, I want to thank my sister at Where the Ocean meets the Sand for giving me a blogging award. I promise I will list it and get hopping on the steps. Right now I just don't have the time and privacy I'd like in order to get it done. Thanks Share!

Two of my kids have been sick. Jason took off for his first high school away trip down to Soldotna, AK and got a cruddy cold. Its been holding on for well over a week and has turning into quite an annoyance. He is so tired I can't believe his grades are actually going up instead of down. I swear that kids does nothing to attain the 2 C's, A's & B's.

Carly has the cold as well and is missing about every other basketball & basketball practice or game. She wants to try and give it her all, but now she has one bad ear infection and the other ear, though she doesn't feel it, is infected too. She is home from school again today. I was at work (it doesn't happen often) and she was calling me crying and sobbing because of the ear pain. My only solution was a heating pad and Tylenol - totally forgetting my children DO NOT TAKE Tylenol - it SOOOOOO does nothing to help them. Once I ran home and rushed her into First Care, I was reminded that only Motrin would ease her pain and then we got her some numbing ear drops and antibiotics.

How, oh how does that girl always take a turn for the worse? I cleaned her room (knowing that it always makes her more sick to surround herself with dust and clutter) and set up a little menthol station. Tonight we will add cool mist. She slept through the night!!! I haven't talked to her yet today, as I am at work again - but Daddy is home with her so I know she is just fine and well babied!

Caden has escaped the virus to now. He is so lucky. We just have to get the rest of the house healthy and hope they stay that way.

Now I'm off to read to some lunch kids in the library. Should be interesting with a side of total frustration.

Its Been A While . . .

2011-10-23T20:41:00.000-08:00

Jason is fine. He spent two days nursing his throat with a liquid diet, but was out on the ice Monday afternoon for high school hockey tryouts. He skated three days before he learned he would be 2nd line center on the high school team. He will be a Patriot at the same high school I went to. I certainly wish that our town was in a warmer climate and the surrounding streets were paved, but it works for us.

My week was a lot of driving from home, to school, to home, to the rink, to school, to home, to another rink and home. That is what I seemed to do from 2pm to 8pm almost every day.

The weekend consisted of yet, more hockey. Jason and Carly both had it on Saturday and then BAM, sleep in Sunday arrived followed by a great cookout with good friends and family.

Big, Yummy, Juicy Burgers on lettuce and topped with chopped up peppers and cucumber and then sauteed mushrooms and broccoli. It was so delicious. I am a huge burger fan. Mmmmmmmm.

What a weekend. Whew.

2011-10-17T10:07:00.000-08:00

The team had two final games, Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Saturday night they had an off game and the North Stars tied our Lions. We spent the 2nd and 3rd periods in the penalty box from some less than acceptable calls and the NS seemed like they were continually on the power play. Jason, of course, was one of those bodies filling our box. He's got such mouth on him out there - I don't think its a bad thing - he usually picks one player to piss-off and then they go at each other and they both end up in the box.

Sunday morning what a joke. He and some other players got ready and then they listen to their headphones to prep and get psyched for their game. If there is something you should know about Jason, its that he is a wasp out there on the ice. He zips around at full speed 99% of the time. He hits hard and hustles. He puts his whole heart into his play. His rituals are important to him. He was told by the asst capt to take off his headphones. He did not do it. He (and several other players) did not see the reason as long as he was sitting quietly not disrupting anyone else. Then another player took his headphones and choice words were exchanged. So then they ran to coach and played tattle-tale. He was told to take his gear off so he did. Then he was told to put it on. So he did, but not before he said, "make up your mind." He was benched for the first period of the game. Super Lame!

He is so entertaining to watch and brings fire to the team with his energy. There isn't anyone who has as much energy on the ice, no one with as much stamina.

I sound like a mom, I know. But its true. Coaches have been saying it for years.

Well, he went in 2nd period and lit up the ice. He headed in for a legal check and the kid saw him coming and lifted his elbow, stick butt and all. The butt of the stick landed right on Jason's Adam's apple.

Jase went down, out of breath and shocked. His face got smashed into the ice and the face mask shifted and dug into his neck and chin.

He finally got off of the ice when he could catch his breath. We didn't think much of it until the coach and team manager started flipping out. If I didn't take him to the ER they were calling 911. Jason didn't want to go, but the panic around him made him panic.

Not to say he wasn't in severe pain and discomfort, he definitely was.

We took off across the street to the ER (strategically placed I'm sure).

They needed to give him morphine to calm him down. They iced it, did a CT scan to make sure nothing crushed, and then shot him up with morphine again and sent us home.

He can't swallow well yet and is on day two of liquids. I think he will be pretty fatigued for high school hockey tryouts tonight, not to mention he is scared out of his mind of getting hit or bumped wrong.

His neck is so sore, especially his throat.

I know he is fine and that is great. I do feel bad that he has pain, but I know it will be gone soon. They figure 6 days tops. But he has no restrictions.

I hope he has it in him to put his heart and soul into tonight's tryout.

Jason after his first injection, getting ready for a CT scan

Sort of a picture of his neck and chin. It didn't come out too well. The swelling isn't as visible as it is from the front.

Some of his teammates and friends came to visit. To his left is his friend Cam. They play both hockey and baseball together. They have proven time and again that they are true friends to one another. We're so grateful to this kid!

BUT that wasn't even everything!
During dinner, we learned that Jay's 87 yr old grandpop was missing in Warminster, PA. He went out for a bike ride to the park but never made it back home. There was a 8 or so hour search and he was finally found outside of a church in the opposite direction of the park. He is doing fine, but everyone was so worried because he has dementia and diabetes. He refused to go to the hospital and just wanted to go home for some oatmeal. We got very little sleep waiting for out long distance up dates. It was one of those sleeping with one eye open nights, always listening for the phone.

Oh Ho-o-cky!

2011-10-15T12:40:00.000-08:00

Two games down, two to go.

Jase scored two goals in last nights exhibition game and got 2 assists.

This morning, he scored again.

His confidence is soaring and, like another player once said,

Give a player ice time . . .you'll see what a player can do.

So Right!

Its been a great time watching him excell - hope he can keep it up.

Nutty Days

2011-10-14T10:12:00.001-08:00

First, let me tell you about a typical morning at the Donald House when I have a sub-job.

I am up at 5 (no big deal to many of you I'm sure) to make sure I can leave the house at 8:30. NNNOOOO it doesn't take me 3 1/2 hours to get ready. I jump in the shower, lay out my clothes, put on make up. throw on some yoga pants and a tshirt, grab some coffee and then try to wake up 4 people by 6am.

J gets up on his own and gets himself ready so he can leave the house when he needs to. Occasionally he lends a hand at waking the beasts. Occasionally.

I start by going to the three rooms, flipping off fans and on lights. I say a sunny good morning and tell them to get up. Then I go back to the beginning. I go into Carly's room and talk with her because she sits up and talks in her sleep, so there isn't any way of knowing she is awake without actually having a conversation with her.
On to the big boys. I, again, remind them they need to get moving. They need to leave the house at 6:30. They have to get up, get ready, make lunch, grab breakfast, start the car, and leave some time for petty arguing and fighting. Usually, they stroll down stairs with 5 minutes to spare and fight all the way out the door and one of them most likely is leaving without food. There are sometimes 4 adults in the kitchen at once, dancing around. You see, I try to make a hot breakfast in the morning.
I check on Jason, who is asleep again. He really doesn't need to roll out of bed until 6:30 so I don't stress. My husband does though.
Then its back to the big boys room to knock on the door and give them another reminder. This one includes the weather.
Back to Carly to listen to her dilemmas. I don't have any pants! I need a shower! I'm so tired! Help me! I am! I did! Ugh! God! . . . and on and on.
Finally, down the stairs to dry my hair. When that is done I have to really get on every one's ass about getting up and going. J is gone, Jake and John are out the door starving in a cold car, Jason is sleeping, and Carly is complaining. My sweet Caden is sleeping through it all.
Eventually Carly has sufficiently yelled at me and then spends all morning doing her hair. She may make the bus, but will forget something. Meanwhile, I am most likely making gourmet lunches for my kiddies. Jason will pull a move right out of The Middle. He'll roll out of bed, eat, get dressed, brush his teeth, pack his bag and make the bus in less than 20 minutes. All the while yelling at Carly because she is taking too long.
Finally, the house is quiet and I sneak one more cup of coffee.
Then it is up the stairs with the dogs to wake Caden. I have trained big momma Sister to bark at his bed until he gets up. Then I go feed the dogs. Caden may or may not have come down stairs, depends on how long he was up reading.
He will use 1+ to get ready for school. He'll eat, watch a show, play with the dogs, get dressed after being told 20 times and I turn the tv off. He'll brush his teeth (I think) and we will usually chit chat and go over last minute things. Right now I'm remembering that I forgot to sign his homework packet. OOPS. But I did pack his teacher a chocolate pudding surprise in his lunch. While he is getting ready I can straighten up the kitchen and make my lunch. Sometimes I throw in one more drink of coffee.

I'll send him on his way to the bus, turn off all of the lights, and head out to my car and off to work.

I know we all do it.
On days that I don't work it usually includes driving Carly to school in the middle of the muddle. She rarely makes the bus. I took her phone away the last time she missed it. And I don't have to get up until 6 when I don't have a sub job. But those days I always make a great breakfast and take care with the kid's lunches.

On my list for 2012

2011-10-11T22:08:00.000-08:00

Can't wait for the newest book!

The first one was great!