Today Might Just Be the Day...

What happens in the daily life of the family.. the drama of foster care, the adventures of parenting, & pictures to share with everyone!

Home again?

By: comment

When I was finishing my last semester at NAU, one of my most favorite professors of all time gave each of
her students a pine cone… A little
piece of Flagstaff, a reminder of our time here. And she, wisely, told us that the next time we returned it wouldn’t be the same. And it’s true…

There are so many comfortable familiar places and parts of Flagstaff.
So many memories and stories and the birth of many of my dearest friendships, too.

But, NAU is no longer the same. The city isn’t really home.

And that’s ok.

Because now it’s something different! During my years here I worked, partied (a lot!), studied (a little!), volunteered.. I never was a tourist though. And I never was a mom. This time I get to mini golf and swim (2 things I don’t think I ever did in my NAU years). I get snuggles and bedtime stories and to be beat at pool by my preteen. I get to go to bed early so I have energy to walk and hike and play. I only have a couple of days before I go back to the heat and work. We’ll see if we do much as far as the tourist thing. But, for now I am loving the “mom on vacation” thing.

20140603-103847.jpg

20140603-103856.jpg

What do you think of me…?

By: comment

Sadly, I must admit I am hooked on facebook. I used to post a lot on facebook. I shared when I ate and what I ate. I shared my inner-most (dull) thoughts. As time went on, I found other people doing some of the same thing to be annoying. And then I read blog after blog post about the top 25 annoying things that people do on facebook. And I started cutting back. These days I only post a lot when I’m either drinking a little too much, or on vacation (for some reason, vacation is sort of like booze to me–frees me from what other people might find annoying).

But, even without posting as much, I check often. I read some of the articles that people share, I look up old acquaintances, I look at all of the photos.

And I love living a little through my “friends”. I find myself feeling like I know and understand and connect with people who I haven’t seen in decades. I have invested myself in their lives. I have friends from various faiths.. Buddhists, priests, pastors, atheists.. And I love reading their thoughts, beliefs & actions. I adore seeing the mini-me versions of my friends. For better or worse sometimes it’s amazing how much they look like their parents!

I am in a few groups–runners and adoptive parents and foster parents. And I connect with total strangers through our similar interests. I love reading about the love they have for a new little stranger who was just entrusted to them. I love reading about races… seeing the new runners conquer their first mile and I am in awe of the veterans who do 100 mile races and 6 minute miles.

And it makes me wonder. Do you ever think about me the same way? Do I inspire any of my friends? Do you like seeing the updates and photos of my kids? Would you mind if I posted my breakfast every day…?

Bloggers live for comments (so I’ve read), but the truth is I get very few. And I don’t know that I mind all that much. Yes, I started this to share with others… But, truthfully, I mostly started this for my parents. And I don’t need them to comment, I just need them to know that I will share my kids here. And I have been really lucky.. I have had more than a couple new foster parents to be contact me through this blog. If I can help even 1 family help even 1 kid, that would make it worth my while.

And it’s for me.

Sharing my thoughts and feelings feels good.

Last night I was reading a few of my older posts and it took me right back to that place and feeling and time. And that felt good, too.

I hope that you don’t mind me going on and on. And, too be honest, a comment or two would be pretty cool 😉

Heading the the Mountains

By: comment

Another fun day yesterday… Biked to the doughnut store with D. And on the way home we biked around his new school for a bit. We unsuccessfully searched for a bike rack, but we did manage to time the trip. It’ll take him about 10 minutes to ride his bike to school next year (10 minutes of mommy freaking out when her baby is riding by himself to the scary middle school!!).

Then I got a few miles in on the treadmill (walking, running isn’t working for me these days), a little laundry, dishes before we headed to a birthday party. Now, we get invited to our share of parties, but there are only a couple of families that I make huge efforts to never miss a party for. This was one of them… Water slide, dunk tank, limitless candy! The kids were in heaven & there were some of my other favorite parent-friends to chat with, to boot. And, since there’s never a dull moment, we ended the night by having a couple friends sleep over.

And today..?

Packing and cleaning.. and playing.

Already started load of laundry #2 for the day. And I already got my miles in. Our sleepover friends have left and B is already at the park with another friend (rough life, eh?).

The packing and cleaning will pay off more than the playing though. Nana and Papa are on the road headed to Flagstaff and the kids & I will be joining them tonight. So excited to see my parents. And also excited to be leaving 111 degrees behind for a couple of days.

 

…

By: comment

So, we did everything I had planned yesterday. Plus, V & I baked blueberry muffins for breakfast. And we ended the day with a sleepover.

Today shouldn’t count as a day of break. I try to keep the kids buys and occupied over the summer, but I don’t usually plan a lot for the weekends.

But, today has already been busy! I woke up d this morning bright and early to pick up our basket. I am pretty sure I’ve blogged about the produce co-op we use–check it out! And by the time we were back the girls were awake and asking for pancakes already. After pancakes, I cycled the laundry & washed some dishes and hopped on the treadmill for a few miles. I have not been jogging much. But, I walked 3 miles and that’s good enough for today. Then I made myself somewhat presentable to head out.

The kids and I went to a very cool event today. As most of you know, our oldest boys didn’t come straight to us from their bio-parents. They lived in a shelter for nearly a year before they were placed with us. The shelter that they lived in has gone out of business. But, there are more in the Valley. Today we went to an even to help out with the one that’s on our side of town. The crisis center is pretty freaking amazing. They have an emergency shelter for foster kids who cannot be placed with a foster family right away. They also provide services to families in need–our family has received help from them. I went to an amazing class on bonding issues there a few years ago.

Today’s event was held at a local restaurant that I’d heard of, but knew nothing about–Organ Stop Pizza. And it was way cool. Like the name implies, this restaurant is famous for its pipe organ. If anyone wants to take us there again, we’re accepting invites 😉

We’re back home now… And I am sitting. I should be working on laundry or cleaning or Girl Scout stuff. But, I think I’ll just sit here for a bit instead.

20140601-204322.jpg

20140601-204335.jpg

20140601-204355.jpg

20140601-204508.jpg

Boise Bound

By: comment

B & I are mid-air right now. We are headed to ID. This will be my first time there (other than driving through a corner). We are going to celebrate the wedding of a dear friend.

It’s hard to believe it was over 11 years ago that this friend stood as B’s best man in our wedding.

Now Brian will get a chance to support his friend in the same way.

I am excited about the wedding–I love a good party!

But, selfishly I am excited about the trip… The kids are home with Grandma. B & I get time to hang out with friends and enjoy. He will have his best man duties, but we really will just be able to be… With kids and jobs and life, there’s not much time. And even our down time seems booked–our DVR is often too full even.

Love that guy sitting next to me.

Day 1

By: comment

How many days over the summer you think I will manage to post…?

 

I tend to go in spurts. And sometimes living takes all of me–no energy to type about it!

Anyhow, right now I am typing at Taco Bell. We are taking advantage of a freebie. When the D-backs score 6 or more, you can get 3 free tacos if you buy a large soda the next day. And B & I don’t need 3 so the boys are enjoying 4 tacos each & I can type.

Before this little jaunt we spent the day; getting my allergy shot, doing laundry (3ish loads), playing with the little dude, going to the Science Center, playing sidewalk chalk with the neighbors, swimming with the neighbors (in the morning @ their house, this afternoon at ours), and playing a few video games.

Next up = dog food run & *maybe* one more errand before we head home & I make dinner #2.

 

And, in case I forget, the plan for tomorrow includes movies, helping/visiting Grandma’s garage sale, playing with a toddler & getting *free* ice cream.

 

I will also note–free is huge for me over the summer! The movies are less than $1 a kid & thanks to Nana & Papa we have a Science Center membership. I try to keep our summers full and fun without spending a fortune.

20140601-204432.jpg

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…

By: comment

My kids will tell you that the best day of school is the last day. I, however, am wearing all black. I am mourning the free time that I get on Mondays and Tuesdays. And I am already starting to plan a party for 7/21! If you’re local, mark it down. We will be having a catered brunch with lots of champagne.

But, for today, I guess I will embrace the little milestones that move by all too quickly. D is at his last day at his school. My first baby will be a middle schooler (yikes!). And my youngest is no longer much of a baby… She’s reading and is off to 2nd grade in the fall. It goes by faster than we realize. Even D has found that I am right when I tell him, “The days are long, but the years are short.” (Anyone know who gets credit for that originally?)

And, since they’re cuter than I, here are a few photos from celebrations and the way out the door…

 

aidenanddan allfour bandsav bandteach danandbilly dave lilandb vinandfriends vinandtiager

Twice in 1 day?!?

By: comment

Since I shared a few photos, thought I would try my luck and post a video, too.

This is the show that Bean was in earlier in the year. You have to have skills and play a little “Where’s Beanie”, but she’s in there. And if you don’t want to cry, don’t listen to the words.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qyy9H4SiMAc

 

I think it’d be better if I could figure out how to have the video show on here, but for today, I am going to just share the link and call it good.