As the Supreme Court in the USA discusses Prop 8 this week, it became a conversation at our house. My sons proudly believe that all people deserve the right to marry whomever they love. They believe that whether you marry the opposite sex or the same sex, you should be given all the rights and more importantly, respect, that every one else receives.
I am so proud of them as their mother, for making this decision on their own, for not following the pack, but leading with their forward thinking (for teenagers) beliefs. I am proud that they are both willing to speak up in defense of others who are not being treated fairly.
My sons are the present and the future, and I know that raising children with open minds and open hearts will make them the best people they can be.
I am proud of them both. Especially today.
Wednesday 27 March 2013
Monday 25 March 2013
Monday
There really is nothing better than dropping your son off at a friend's house for a birthday celebration and realizing when you go to the door that he has been invited to a 'family party'. That makes my heart swell. The Vs treat Sterling like family. They love him and he loves being there. I am so happy he has them in his life.
As Sterling was away for supper this evening, Kaedo and I had the opportunity to make supper together (which he loves, as do I). We bought a pork loin that was marked down and made vegetables and potatoes and he laid everything out on the table and took some pictures. He tells us that "presentation is everything". I think he's saving the photos for the cookbook he will one day do and photograph.
He has been wanting to play SkipBo recently. He's been asking about playing since GG's anniversary so I have sat down and played with him yesterday and today. He is very fun to play with and he has such wonderful memories of her and how she taught him how to play and gave him a dollar when she lost. She seemed to play the 'blind card' a lot. She was awesome.
Craig was home at 5:47pm tonight!!!!! Kaedo and I were shocked. It was great. They are downstairs watching Survivor (barf) right now. Sterling and I don't like that show so now is a perfect opportunity.
And I have been home much of the day feeling a bit under the weather. I was up much of the night so I didn't do too much today. Hoping I feel better tomorrow so I don't have to lie to my mom. Just joking mom. I would never lie to you!
As Sterling was away for supper this evening, Kaedo and I had the opportunity to make supper together (which he loves, as do I). We bought a pork loin that was marked down and made vegetables and potatoes and he laid everything out on the table and took some pictures. He tells us that "presentation is everything". I think he's saving the photos for the cookbook he will one day do and photograph.
He has been wanting to play SkipBo recently. He's been asking about playing since GG's anniversary so I have sat down and played with him yesterday and today. He is very fun to play with and he has such wonderful memories of her and how she taught him how to play and gave him a dollar when she lost. She seemed to play the 'blind card' a lot. She was awesome.
Craig was home at 5:47pm tonight!!!!! Kaedo and I were shocked. It was great. They are downstairs watching Survivor (barf) right now. Sterling and I don't like that show so now is a perfect opportunity.
And I have been home much of the day feeling a bit under the weather. I was up much of the night so I didn't do too much today. Hoping I feel better tomorrow so I don't have to lie to my mom. Just joking mom. I would never lie to you!
Sunday 24 March 2013
Week 26
We had a great day today.
I had the opportunity to spend all afternoon with my friend D and we never run out of things to talk about. She is a list maker like me, so half the time she is on her phone asking me to spell the names of books I have read. LOL.
Craig and Sterling spent the afternoon together doing all things car maintenance. Oil change, trip to the auto source place, hot dogs at Cost.co, and just hanging out together.
Kaedo spent the afternoon with his buddy S, playing Mine.Craft, scootering, going to DQ for lunch and having fun.
The boys have headed out for their volunteering, and we're just getting ready for the week.
Short week for everyone with the holiday on Friday. Everyone is looking forward to a four day weekend and a trip to the movies. GI.Joe starts this weekend and some of my favorite guys are in it, so I guess I'll have to twist some arms to get someone to come with me. LOL.
For our sweet nieces and nephews - we have sent some Easter treats to you. I hope they arrive by Thursday. If not, it will just extend your Easter by another day or two. We love you guys!
Welcome back mom and dad. Poor you to have to be out of the heat and into the cold. Dad, I hope you can fashion some kind of duct tape sandal that will both keep your feet warm and dry and still look fashionable.
Friday 22 March 2013
Worst Fear - Almost Realized
I must start this by saying that sometimes people are total assholes.
For the last 13 years, I have sent my son out into the world every day worried that he may come in contact with peanuts and may die. I know it sounds melodramatic, but that is how strong my fear is.
Over the years I have dealt with parents who believe it is their right to endanger my child. For some reason their child's life is more important than mine. When I ask why that is, they reply, "why is your son's life more important than mine?" To actually comprehend that they truly believe what they are saying is very difficult for me. My go-to line has always been, "your child may have a peanut butter sandwich at lunch and mine will be dead by dinner". Sometimes it makes people understand, sometimes not.
This week Sterling had an incident at school - he was actually off school property at a community centre where he feels safer when having lunch. One of the kids on the periphery of his group started getting into Sterling's face about having some peanuts (he knows Sterling is anaphylactic), another kid made the move to throw a peanut butter sandwich at Sterling and he said, "if you do that you could kill me". The worst of it is that these kids thought it was funny. Actually I take that back, the worst is that Sterling actually was scared. That kills me.
I know he will end up in these situations throughout his life but I truly question what kind of family a child comes from when they don't have enough common decency as a human to respect every one's right to life.
This blog gets quite a few hits and very few comments so if you are someone who reads and doesn't comment, that's fine. But understand that there is nothing in my life I feel more strongly about than my children's safety. If you feel the need to comment about my anger and the rights of children without this LIFE THREATENING allergy, this is not your forum. Go elsewhere, we have no need for you here.
For the last 13 years, I have sent my son out into the world every day worried that he may come in contact with peanuts and may die. I know it sounds melodramatic, but that is how strong my fear is.
Over the years I have dealt with parents who believe it is their right to endanger my child. For some reason their child's life is more important than mine. When I ask why that is, they reply, "why is your son's life more important than mine?" To actually comprehend that they truly believe what they are saying is very difficult for me. My go-to line has always been, "your child may have a peanut butter sandwich at lunch and mine will be dead by dinner". Sometimes it makes people understand, sometimes not.
This week Sterling had an incident at school - he was actually off school property at a community centre where he feels safer when having lunch. One of the kids on the periphery of his group started getting into Sterling's face about having some peanuts (he knows Sterling is anaphylactic), another kid made the move to throw a peanut butter sandwich at Sterling and he said, "if you do that you could kill me". The worst of it is that these kids thought it was funny. Actually I take that back, the worst is that Sterling actually was scared. That kills me.
I know he will end up in these situations throughout his life but I truly question what kind of family a child comes from when they don't have enough common decency as a human to respect every one's right to life.
This blog gets quite a few hits and very few comments so if you are someone who reads and doesn't comment, that's fine. But understand that there is nothing in my life I feel more strongly about than my children's safety. If you feel the need to comment about my anger and the rights of children without this LIFE THREATENING allergy, this is not your forum. Go elsewhere, we have no need for you here.
Thursday 21 March 2013
Sorry
While I know people are not waiting for new posts, I do try to add with some regularity. This week, however, has gotten away from us.
Craig has official begun his new job and the 14 hour days are hard. We are all hoping that things calm down for him. 5am is very early, and 6:45pm is very late when you're just pulling into the driveway. He's doing great though, and we are very proud of him.
Sterling has received his mid-term reports and tonight we are heading to his school to meet his teachers. His gym teacher wants to talk to us so we are saving that to the end in the hopes that Craig makes it. His reviews were wonderful (except gym) and we are so very proud of him.
Kaedo and I spent the day together today as he had to see our family doctor about his MRI. We are so happy that there is no cancer, however there is a lot of damage that right now can't be explained. Our doctor feels it is quite serious and has chosen to refer us to an Orthopedic Surgeon. He feels at the least it will have to be scoped and of course at most have surgery. It is quite difficult to explain so I can't really do that here, but if you would like more info, you know how to reach me directly. I can tell you that when he told us there was no cancer, we started breathing again. That was our biggest fear.
The weather is a bit weird here right now, snowing then warm then snowing. Can't figure it out.
Mom and dad are on their way home today after a wonderful winter down south. We are so happy that they had so much fun. I hope the weather warms up where they are heading to so dad doesn't have to put his sandals away!
Craig has official begun his new job and the 14 hour days are hard. We are all hoping that things calm down for him. 5am is very early, and 6:45pm is very late when you're just pulling into the driveway. He's doing great though, and we are very proud of him.
Sterling has received his mid-term reports and tonight we are heading to his school to meet his teachers. His gym teacher wants to talk to us so we are saving that to the end in the hopes that Craig makes it. His reviews were wonderful (except gym) and we are so very proud of him.
Kaedo and I spent the day together today as he had to see our family doctor about his MRI. We are so happy that there is no cancer, however there is a lot of damage that right now can't be explained. Our doctor feels it is quite serious and has chosen to refer us to an Orthopedic Surgeon. He feels at the least it will have to be scoped and of course at most have surgery. It is quite difficult to explain so I can't really do that here, but if you would like more info, you know how to reach me directly. I can tell you that when he told us there was no cancer, we started breathing again. That was our biggest fear.
The weather is a bit weird here right now, snowing then warm then snowing. Can't figure it out.
Mom and dad are on their way home today after a wonderful winter down south. We are so happy that they had so much fun. I hope the weather warms up where they are heading to so dad doesn't have to put his sandals away!
Sunday 17 March 2013
Week 25
Week 25 - almost half way there! I must admit this is not the best picture - they both look a little worse for wear.
Back to school and work tomorrow. Craig's official first day of being the big boss! Yay Craig! So proud of him.
That's it for today - Sunday seems to be always the hardest day to write.
Saturday 16 March 2013
Hmmmm
Thinking About.....
One more day of Spring Break then back to reality. I love being with my family, even if we don't do much. We have had a good week hanging out, playing video games (them, not me), spending time with friends, taking some drives, visiting GG, watching movies and sleeping in. It has gone slow and quick at the same time. Thinking of our next break together.
Reading......
Beautiful.Creatures by K. Garcia and M. Stohl. I am a lover of Young Adult fiction and while I don't like the 'creepy' I do like me some supernatural. This book caught me on the first page, and 98 pages in I'm still hooked. I have to admit that I also like the love stories that go along with YA books, as the sex scenes that take over contemporary romance are not there.
Listening to....
Most of you know that I don't listen to music, so when I'm not going to sleep listening to a JD.Robb novel on my iPod (thanks again x 10000, Jessica) I'm listening to the laughter and happiness that my two boys bring into our home every day. Music to my ears!
Looking forward to.....
Easter! A four day weekend and hopefully Target will be open!!!!!
Watching.....
Last night it was Big.Bang.Theory and Elementary. My two favorite shows. Both are brilliantly written, excellently (is that a word?) acted, and I enjoy them both for two very different reasons. One makes me laugh and one makes me think. I look forward to them all week.
How about you? Care to play along????
One more day of Spring Break then back to reality. I love being with my family, even if we don't do much. We have had a good week hanging out, playing video games (them, not me), spending time with friends, taking some drives, visiting GG, watching movies and sleeping in. It has gone slow and quick at the same time. Thinking of our next break together.
Reading......
Beautiful.Creatures by K. Garcia and M. Stohl. I am a lover of Young Adult fiction and while I don't like the 'creepy' I do like me some supernatural. This book caught me on the first page, and 98 pages in I'm still hooked. I have to admit that I also like the love stories that go along with YA books, as the sex scenes that take over contemporary romance are not there.
Listening to....
Most of you know that I don't listen to music, so when I'm not going to sleep listening to a JD.Robb novel on my iPod (thanks again x 10000, Jessica) I'm listening to the laughter and happiness that my two boys bring into our home every day. Music to my ears!
Looking forward to.....
Easter! A four day weekend and hopefully Target will be open!!!!!
Watching.....
Last night it was Big.Bang.Theory and Elementary. My two favorite shows. Both are brilliantly written, excellently (is that a word?) acted, and I enjoy them both for two very different reasons. One makes me laugh and one makes me think. I look forward to them all week.
How about you? Care to play along????
Friday 15 March 2013
One Year
Today is the one year anniversary of my grandmother's death. She was 101. She was ready to die. If truth be told, she had been ready to die for quite some time. I spent most of that week at her bedside, talking to her, reading, thinking about the present and the future. I knew the morning my mom called me and asked me to go see her, that this was the end, and four days later it was. I don't know why, but I knew.
My gramma was very special to me and I loved her very much. I love her very much. She was a kind, god-loving, generous, woman who always ready for a visit, never being angry if it was quick. She loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren ferociously. She was bossy in her later years and made me laugh sometimes after the 10th time she had asked me the same question. She was/is a woman I aspire to be.
Today I went to visit her, along with Kaedo and Craig, and she was happy. I know that sounds funny, but I know she is with her son, and grandson and God, and she is looking down on us and smiling.
I have cried a lot today. When I spoke with my dad, when I wrote to my aunt, when I went to see her. But tomorrow I will get up and say, "a year ago today she was already gone", and it will be time for me to get past the sadness of this week.
There will always be things I didn't say that I wish I had, but one thing I know for sure is that my gramma knew I loved her. That is something I must never forget.
My gramma was very special to me and I loved her very much. I love her very much. She was a kind, god-loving, generous, woman who always ready for a visit, never being angry if it was quick. She loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren ferociously. She was bossy in her later years and made me laugh sometimes after the 10th time she had asked me the same question. She was/is a woman I aspire to be.
Today I went to visit her, along with Kaedo and Craig, and she was happy. I know that sounds funny, but I know she is with her son, and grandson and God, and she is looking down on us and smiling.
I have cried a lot today. When I spoke with my dad, when I wrote to my aunt, when I went to see her. But tomorrow I will get up and say, "a year ago today she was already gone", and it will be time for me to get past the sadness of this week.
There will always be things I didn't say that I wish I had, but one thing I know for sure is that my gramma knew I loved her. That is something I must never forget.
Wednesday 13 March 2013
Size 15
That's right - Sterling's feet are size 15! And guess what? We can't find a store that carries them that size. No, that's not quite true. If you're a 50 year old man, there are plenty in that size for you to choose from. For Sterling? Not so much.
Today we tried everywhere we could think of. I must admit it is a little depressing for us and even more so for him. For some reason today's society thinks that if you like cool shoes, you have small feet (by small I mean 13 and under - haha).
So what is the mom of an extremely cool teenager to do? Start scouring the net to see what I may be able to find for him.
He's a little bummed out but thankfully the shoes he's wearing now are not at the end of their life. Otherwise I'd have to cut the toes out. And that wouldn't be cool at all. Or so I've been told.
Today we tried everywhere we could think of. I must admit it is a little depressing for us and even more so for him. For some reason today's society thinks that if you like cool shoes, you have small feet (by small I mean 13 and under - haha).
So what is the mom of an extremely cool teenager to do? Start scouring the net to see what I may be able to find for him.
He's a little bummed out but thankfully the shoes he's wearing now are not at the end of their life. Otherwise I'd have to cut the toes out. And that wouldn't be cool at all. Or so I've been told.
Tuesday 12 March 2013
Kaedo
I took this picture of him last night and must admit it is probably one of my new favorites.
I am so proud of him and the not-so-young man he has become. Proud of his choices, the friends he has, the things he does. He is wonderful and I just can't say enough good things about him. Without him, my life would not be complete.
Sunday 10 March 2013
Happy Birthday Dad!
Today is my dad's 70th birthday. I really can't believe it. There is nothing about my dad that seems 70. Well, except maybe his knees....and one bionic shoulder.....and his lack of hair! haha
We were thrilled to be first to talk to him this morning and wish him all the very best things life has to offer. It sounds like he has a really great day planned with some off-roading, out this afternoon with some friends and to supper with some others.
Dad, we wish we could be there celebrating with you - just know we love you hope you have a wonderful day!
Week 24 this week - once again the boys have taken the picture themselves and it looks like we've got a bit of a "Joe Cool" vibe going on here. They look great.
We were thrilled to be first to talk to him this morning and wish him all the very best things life has to offer. It sounds like he has a really great day planned with some off-roading, out this afternoon with some friends and to supper with some others.
Dad, we wish we could be there celebrating with you - just know we love you hope you have a wonderful day!
Week 24 this week - once again the boys have taken the picture themselves and it looks like we've got a bit of a "Joe Cool" vibe going on here. They look great.
Tomorrow we have appointments starting at 11:30am so we will be busy for most of the afternoon and that's about it on our end.
Craig read today that Target will be opening their stores between now and the end of the month so we are hoping maybe ours will open this week. It's a long shot but we'd just like to browse around and see the differences.
Have a good Sunday everyone!
Saturday 9 March 2013
Saturday
The day has come and gone, and quite quickly I might add. We are preparing to sit down and watch a movie in a few minutes.
Sterling and Kaedo both had friends over today. They all "played" so well together. When one set wanted the XBOX, the other set did something on their computers, when the other was playing with Lego, the others went outside. It was the perfect balance of kids being happy and never feeling slighted over what they could do.
Craig and I kept busy with some much needed house chores and late this afternoon I spent 30 minutes lying on my bed (the only room with no kids - or so it seemed) and listened to a new book.
Tomorrow we will have the blasted time change to contend with and will be singing Happy Birthday at the top of our lungs to a very special someone.
Don't know what else the day will bring or if we will have more teenage visitors, but whatever the boys want is fine.
Hope you've had a great Saturday.
Sterling and Kaedo both had friends over today. They all "played" so well together. When one set wanted the XBOX, the other set did something on their computers, when the other was playing with Lego, the others went outside. It was the perfect balance of kids being happy and never feeling slighted over what they could do.
Craig and I kept busy with some much needed house chores and late this afternoon I spent 30 minutes lying on my bed (the only room with no kids - or so it seemed) and listened to a new book.
Tomorrow we will have the blasted time change to contend with and will be singing Happy Birthday at the top of our lungs to a very special someone.
Don't know what else the day will bring or if we will have more teenage visitors, but whatever the boys want is fine.
Hope you've had a great Saturday.
Friday 8 March 2013
Friday
Holidays have begun. Sterling spent some time with friends today and Kaedo has been with L all afternoon. No plans to do anything, so we will try and spend time as a family (as much as the kids want), enjoy the nice weather, go to some appointments we have booked and that's about it.
K and T - THANK YOU for the wonderful presents you sent us! The boys have their shirts on, I'm wearing my bracelet and Craig is trying to decide about his cigar. haha. It was so nice of you to think of us!
K and T - THANK YOU for the wonderful presents you sent us! The boys have their shirts on, I'm wearing my bracelet and Craig is trying to decide about his cigar. haha. It was so nice of you to think of us!
Monday 4 March 2013
BIG DAY!
After 4 months (on March 8), our hoping came true today. Craig earned a wonderful promotion to Director of his division. With 81,000 people in the organization we work for, there are many directors. However, very few have worked as hard as Craig, or have dedicated their working life to it since the age of 22. Craig has moved up and up within the company over the years, moving through 13 different positions. Oh My! He is well known, well liked and is excellent at his job. We are SO PROUD of him!
Upon finding out, the boys decorated the front entry, and when Craig walked in, blew an air horn in his face. He almost dropped his computer!
He's celebrating with a beer and many calls of good wishes and we are letting him decide if he would like to celebrate tonight. This is a wonderful way to start the week.
Congratulations Craig! We love you.
P.S. This is not what his hair looks like normally!
Sunday 3 March 2013
Week 23
Sunday is here already and we are counting down the last week to our holidays. While we aren't going anywhere, we'll be together - when the kids don't buzz off to their friends house, and we hope to have some fun.
Kaedo hopes to visit the new 34,000 sq ft Lego.Land they have built here and we are praying that Tar.get opens before we go back to work. It looks so awesome!
Today, Kaedo is working on his speech that is due on March 5 - "The Pros and Cons of being a Little Brother", Craig is playing video games on his playbook, Sterling is desperate to get out of the house - he likes to be entertained, and I am heading out for my "Football Sunday" - a few hours by myself.
Saturday 2 March 2013
Ar-Go-F**k Yourself
No, I'm not being rude - well, not really. Last night we watched Ar.go and that was one of the classic lines used throughout the movie. We all burst out laughing each time the characters said it.
What a terrific movie. Of course the American propaganda was there but Ben.Affleck and the rest of the cast were absolutely amazing. There was not one slow part. The actual footage that is used for the television reporting, etc - Walter.Cronkite, Ted.Koppel, etc, was great.
At the end they showed images of the actual people the movie was based on and they were so spot on with the casting.
Ben.Affleck starred, directed and produced and let me tell you - he deserved every award he received this year.
This is a MUST SEE! And if you dont - well, Ar-Go-F**K Yourself!
What a terrific movie. Of course the American propaganda was there but Ben.Affleck and the rest of the cast were absolutely amazing. There was not one slow part. The actual footage that is used for the television reporting, etc - Walter.Cronkite, Ted.Koppel, etc, was great.
At the end they showed images of the actual people the movie was based on and they were so spot on with the casting.
Ben.Affleck starred, directed and produced and let me tell you - he deserved every award he received this year.
This is a MUST SEE! And if you dont - well, Ar-Go-F**K Yourself!
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