One more day!

Tomorrow Kaedo and I head out for our first ever mom and son overnighter. We are so looking forward to spending some time together and hanging out. With six soccer games to play over 2 days I don't know what else we'll get done but I do know that whatever it is we will have fun doing it. I love this picture from 2010 so I had to post it. He is such a beautiful boy. I guess that smile is what makes us do all this. His happiness equals our happiness. One thing I can tell you though, I am really going to miss Craig these next few days. He keeps me grounded with the soccer and it will be hard not having him there. As always, Sterling will be on my mind and he spends a wonderful day biking with his buddy and another hanging out with his dad. While we will spend the weekend separated we will all be thinking of each other!

week 36

Week 36! Every week is an accomplishment to me. I am continually amazed that my boys put up with me and doing this silly thing. This week Kaedo is rockin' the Heavy Metal Hair. Plus he looks thrilled to be there, doesn't he? Nothing against the picture, just doing something for me at that specific time. Can't remember what I did to piss him off but oh well. Sterling got a wonderful letter from a teacher that was sent to me, speaking about how amazing he is. I tried to send it to the immediate family but had some problems. If you would like me to send it to you, let me know and I will do so. Kaedo had his first league game last night - about 45 minutes away from home. A very nice field, made even nicer by our win. Kaedo played very well and showed some really great ball handling skills. Stopped by today to pick up Sterling's suit for grad. Yikes! And so it begins. Thank god I can rest assured that he will not be asking to get his nails done, hair coiffed or face painted on grad day. THANK GOD for boys!

Today it really begins

OK - maybe tomorrow if you want to be specific! Today our 2 a week 2 hour practices begin. Tomorrow our first league game of the season begins. And it's a road game, no less. Friday our first long haul road trip (Ottawa) happens where Kaedo will play 4 games in one day! That's a lot of soccer, even for a soccer mom like me! We are looking forward to the season and all it brings and hope the weather gods stay with us this year. Kaedo is excited and has spent some extra time practicing with Craig. Here's to another season of Soccer! can you believe that was his hair mid-season last year?????

just under the wire

Talk about last minute! I looked on my calendar this morning and realized that as far as the calendar says, today is the last day of the week. I don't think I've ever been so late in posting our gnome photo before - let alone taking it!!!! Sterling went to volunteer at an event this morning and Kaedo thought he would be busy this afternoon when Sterling was finished so we headed to where Sterling was and took this weeks picture. For those of you wondering - I did text Sterling first to see if it would be ok for us to come to him and we was fine with it. Thank goodness! No grumbling about having the picture taken yet either. I know we may be close to the day one of them may balk but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that that day is somewhere in the far distance. The weather was beautiful here today and Craig and I got the opportunity to spend some time together while Sterling was busy and Kaedo was chill-axing. It was very nice. Sterling has been out biking but is very tired after a day in the sun. Kaedo has been playing football and soccer with Craig and the jury is out as to who kicked who's ass. All I know is that they both had fun.

hunh

I had written this long post about the girls and how amazing they are. Such cool kids, both of them. I saved it to finish it this morning and now I can't find the damn thing. This time it will be short and sweet. My nieces are amazing. Loud but amazing. I don't think I have heard O Canada quite that way that many times in a row. Or Do Re Mi. I am super impressed with how well they sing but am very thankful I always had the headphone rule and no singing rule in the van. I am one of those people who cannot tune it out. Can't. Hats off to Jessica. Seriously. Avery was always up for some fun. She played and laughed and talked and was so darling. Truly darling. Emma is the most "ready for anything" kid I have ever met. She was up for any game the boys were playing and showed off some mad skillz in a few water balloon fights. I had the opportunity to spend some one on one time with her and I just loved it. So, needless to say - it is very quiet here. VERY. That will take some getting used to.

A beautiful Send-off

Yesterday was G.G's funeral and it was a beautiful day. My Auntie R had done a fantastic job of organizing every little bit of it and all her hard work paid off. I think my gramma is looking down on us very happy with her send-off. Family and friends joined together for a celebration mass, then the inurnment of the ashes, then a tea. Jessica and I and our families sat in the second row behind our parents and P and R at the church. It was sad but not overwhelming. However when we got to the cemetery and standing in front of the niche, the tears started to fall. Both Kaedo and I cried a lot and there were many wet eyes. I felt for my dad and mom and my aunt and uncle. It is sad to see them hurting so much. I am hoping that with the funeral over we will be able to move forward from this state of limbo. I hope for my aunt, more than anyone else, that is the case. I said to Craig when GG first died that I didn't think I would ever go to the niche but now I'm not so sure. It was a beautiful place and now my gramma is at rest. Maybe if I need to feel some peace, visiting her will be just what I need.

Week 34

What a great week we`ve been having with mom and dad here and the weekend is just going to get better and noisier (LOL). Jessica and the girlies are on their way and we couldn`t be happier. Both boys are coming with me to the airport and when I talked to the girls this morning they wanted confirmation that the boys would be there. Haven`t got everything decided as to what we are going to do but I know we`ll have fun.

brace(less) face

AFTER

BEFORE

My gorgeous son just got a little bit handsomer (is that a word?). On Wednesday mom and I took him to the orthodontist to have his braces tightened etc and about 10 minutes into his appointment he came out and told us they were going to take his braces off. Yippeee! What a thrill! He and I were just so excited. I might have even been more excited, if truth be told. After three and a half years he was getting them off. What could be more exciting than that? The orthodontist, a kind man who has been doing orthodontia for about 30 years, seemed so happy that we were happy. At times when we couldn't believe how long it was taking, he would reassure us that it would be worth the wait. And he wasn't wrong. As soon as we left the office we booted over to Mac's and he got two packs of gum, which he proceeded to chew as if he hadn't had gum in 3.5 years - ha! His friends were great about telling him how good they looked and when we went back on Friday to get his retainer, one little chickie in the office gave him the once over. Yikes. Maybe if he keeps his mouth closed and head down I might get another year of no girls!

Weekend Recap

What a weekend! First off thank you to everyone who called, sang, texted, bbmed and left me a message on the blog. I felt so loved! We had a great weekend and it sure was hard to get motivated to get back to real life this morning. On Saturday we watched Kaedo play two games of soccer - one loss, one tie, then we came home to relax and open presents. I received wonderful gifts from everyone, especially the boys who picked out and bought theirs with their own money. We had my favorite supper (linguine and clam sauce) and topped that off with a wonderful cake mom made and a trip to the theater to see The Avengers. It was fan-freakin-tastic! Thor, I love you. We decided when we got home that we shouldn't let the cake go to waste so we had another slice - yum! Sunday morning we opened a few presents. The boys had wrapped mine in a towel - HA! We called Jacob and wished him Happy Birthday and headed back to the field for another game. We were all done by 1pm so we headed home and dad, Craig and Sterling pulled out all the outdoor furniture and got it set up. Craig even had the opportunity to clean the garage. Blue job! Mom and I got out of the action and headed to the casino for a couple of hours. So much fun. Even if you don't gamble, the people watching is worth the drive. I have to admit that I am continually shocked at how much money people sink into slot machines. Yikes! We had another great supper courtesy of mom and all spent the evening doing different things. I bet my weekend was better than your weekend!

Happy 40th to Me!

Happy Birthday to Me! I've been told that I wasn't born until almost midnight, but I am going to celebrate the whole day - after all, you only turn 40 once, right? I must admit that I can't believe I am 40. I don't feel 40. I don't think I look 40 (and if you think I do, keep it to yourself - ha!). There is nothing better than being surrounded by loved ones on your special day. Who am I kidding, it's awesome any day. I am looking forward to today. Mom and dad are here celebrating with me - truly the best parents anyone could ever have. I am eternally grateful for having them as my mom and dad. Craig will be around (aside for a brief stint at football)which is always awesome. I will be with my boys, being so glad they still want to be with me and will receive many calls from loved ones. I will also get to spend the day in the sun watching Kaedo play his first soccer games of the season in tournament play. So looking forward to that. Last but not least I'll get my favorite supper - Linguini and Clam Sauce and mom has made a chocolate sour cream cake. Could that be any better? I don't think so. Turning 40 doesn't bother me. I have no concerns about being older. I'm not worried about my grey streaked hair. I have heard so many stories about how people hid out when they turned a milestone year but not me. I am shouting from the rooftops, I am thrilled to bits. I have so many wonderful things in my life that I just don't see a down side to being 40. So here's to 40 - I'd like to just grab you and give you a big smooch! Did I mention I'm going to Vegas?

Week 33

Week 33 and the weather hasn't been great. A little rainy, a little chilly. I must admit though that as I write this I am looking out the window at the most beautiful day of the year so far. Blue sky as far as the eye can see, our little birdies growing and growing, and the boys out playing, hanging out with each other. It is wonderful that it is Friday and our busy weekend begins first thing tomorrow. Craig will be home soon, mom is making another wonderful meal and I get to spend the evening with my best guys.

No More Sleeps

Yay! Mom and dad are coming tomorrow!!!!!! It is going to be a lonnnnnggggggg two days as they don't arrive until late tomorrow night. It seems like we spent the weekend waiting and the kids are just so thrilled they will be here soon. Craig is excited as well and I think he's hoping to convince mom to cook some of the meals. ha! I think mom and and dad are going to be shocked when they see the boys. I can't wait to see their faces. FYI - I always say "no more sleeps" the day before because everyone knows you won't sleep that last night! In other news, our babies hatched and mama and daddy are looking after them. We hope to have some pictures by the end of the week. Happy Monday!

Rude

OK, I'll admit it - I hate rude people. They just bug me. The reason I'm thinking about rude people is due to the awful rude neighbors we have across the street. I will admit that up until last weekend we have had no problem with them. They have quietly lived their lives as we have done the same. In fact, in 8 years I don't think I have ever even said hi to them. Part of that is because I have no reason to and the other part is that they scare me to death - or at least the people they are associated with. Rumors run rampant in the neighborhood about the biker gang they are affiliated with and how the brother is a drug dealer. Yikes! So now we come to last weekend - all of the sudden cars are flooding our neighborhood, the kids can't even play on the street. There are 30 of them or so all over their property, sitting in clumps, boisterously talking to each other, eating pizza, drinking beer. It was so loud and their motorbikes were zooming up and down the street and people were crying and cars were being worked on. It was like a hillbilly hoedown. Craig and I were out front working in the yard and I kept telling the kids to go to the park and stay off the street. Finally Sunday afternoon they got the hell out of here. We had hoped we had seen the last of them. The word on the street was that either someone was going to prison, was coming out of prison, or had been killed in prison. Alas, lo and behold yesterday was another special day and they showed up with beers in hand, motorcycles roaring, and the worst music ever blaring. They spent the afternoon making me wish I had earplugs, as even with the door closed I could still hear the same three Irish Folk songs one of those dumb schmucks had been able to record on his MP3 player repeat over and over. They kept coming, like ants to a picnic. The only difference was this time they were all dressed up. If that's what you call a t-shirt, tie and biker boots. I must say there is something sexy about a woman in hooker heels and a band-aid sized skirt hefting a 24 pack of beer. Wonder what the occasion was. Was the neighborhood right??? About 7pm the music was shut down. Probably the MP3 owner had to check in with his parole officer. If it was a wake you'd think they'd find a hall or something. Who knows. I just hope this isn't a sign of what the Summer will bring.

Today

READING Fearless by Francine Pascal. I am a sucker for Young Adult fiction and this one is no different. Francine Pascal wrote the Sweet Valley Series when I was a kid and is still writing great YA fiction. I love that. While the story is completely different, it is excellent and well written and I am looking forward to handing it over to my good friend L who shares in my love of this genre. WATCHING Spending way too much time at my front window watching a mama robin go in and out of our tree, protecting her little eggs she has in there. It has been a cold week so I seem to be more glued to the window, hoping they are making out ok. I don`t think it will be too much more time before they hatch and I will be able to watch mama get food for them, see them poking around and eventually learning to fly and leaving us. Boo. THINKING ABOUT What the summer will bring. No goods or bads. No anxiety. Just wondering how it will unfold. The boys seem SO much older this year and I wonder if they will always be gone or will they stick around home. Wondering if I need to get shares in Kraft so I can stock up in the multitudes of frozen pizzas I will be cooking. Just thinking. LOVING My sense of well being. I am feeling so much better. I am facing each day with a smile on my face and working towards making it a good one. Don`t get me wrong - I have a long way to go before I have everything the way I would like it to be. The difference is now I feel hopeful. That`s what I`m loving. Hopeful. You can`t beat it. ANTICIPATING Mom and dad`s visit. Tuesday. It will be the LONGEST DAY EVER as they don`t arrive until late but I am so anxious. I know I saw them at Christmas but I just can`t wait. The boys are humming with excitement but no one is as excited as me. FEELING THANKFUL FOR So much. Where to start? I am thankful to get out of bed in the morning. To work through a task to completion. To see the people who are helping me recover. To hear from mom every day. To be in my kid's lives as much as I am. To have the support of my husband. To have the love of my family both near and far. I am thankful that each day is a new day that just seems to be shining brighter and brighter for me.

Week 32

Friday already - can't believe it. I am still neurotic about getting these photos but often they don't show up on the correct day. Let's face it - usually they don't. Cool week this week. Kids were wearing their coats to school and we had rain and a wicked lightning storm last night. Caused a power outage and everything. Craig is off today so I had the great opportunity to spend the entire afternoon with him, without the kids. The boys are no problem to have around but it is nice to get a chance just to go out the two of us. We did some groceries, ran some errands, just hung out. It was great. Craig has gone to the gym now and while school is over I don't think the kids are coming up this way anytime soon. Kaedo rode his scooter to school today because he had a date to go scootering at a friend's house after school, so we probably won't pick him up until dark. Sterling rode his bike to school today and left it in N's garage during school. He just texted me asking if he could go biking with his buddies. A big Hell Yes! from me as I love that the wonderful weather has made it possible for them to be outside. Here's hoping Video Game Season is over! No soccer this weekend - YAHOO - as they are on their Monday/Thursday summer schedule. LOVE IT! Hoping for a wonderful weekend that is the lead up to a WONDERFUL few weeks with mom and dad coming on Tuesday and then Jessica and the girlies coming on the 18th! I'm so lucky!

Let the celebrating begin....

How has your day been? Mine has been quite great, thank you. A sweet call from a good friend inviting me out for an early birthday lunch, complete with cute card and chocolate cake has put a smile on my face. I'm still coming down from my Vegas high and things are looking mighty rosy. It's great to be feeling great. I'm not even looking at cleaning out the kitchen cupboards with as much disdain as I did last week. Off to pick up the kids plus a couple of extras shortly. Kaedo seems to be having a little scootering party here this afternoon and I am not quite sure if I need to take the van or the car to school to make sure I get them all to my house. hmmmmm I hope they all go home before supper. ha