Belated Post

Written October 3.

Prelude:  I haven’t watched Sex and the City for years, although it must be noted that I was a devote fan when the series was running.  However last weekend I watched a few episodes and was reminded of the writing aspect of the show.  Basically Carrie wrote a blog like column in pre-blog times.  This was encouraging to me in my own aspirations to take my  writing to another level.  Unfortunately to those who are seeing a sexy blog, at this point (stay tuned) my blog is (for the most part) rated PG and lacking in sexual inferences.   However I am sure I could come up with a funny story or two.  What I can do is liken “Sex in the City” to “Momming in the Suburbs.”   I am proud to say that I’m on the brink of 20,000 hits and while this might seem like small potatoes to some, it’s much appreciated to me and encourages me to write on!  Additionally, one of my biggest challenges is worrying about what my Ex might say about my blogs, I am going to make a huge effort not to (pardon my French) give a shit anymore.  I have found that he will find something horrible and negative to say about me no matter what I do… even if it’s being entered into Sainthood.  As my husband told me recently, those that mind don’t matter and those that matter don’t mind. 

What a morning.  So at one point today I was running as fast as I could with a three year old in my arms, as well as my huge purse from my gate, back through the airport, to security.  (I left my other bags and car seat with good Samaritans at the gate so I could move with less bulk.)  It was 11:25, the time my flight was to take off, but thankfully the plane was running a little late.  Max, already so very excited to be flying on a plane, his absolutely favorite things in the world, was very concerned as to why we went from preparing to board, to running full speed away from the gate.  While carrying a purse, backpack, computer bag, car seat and three year old I had indeed forgotten my license and boarding passes.

Fortunately security did have my things.  However, I had to wait anxiously for them to be found and print the documents for me to sign in order for everything to be released back to me.  Then, this time with a three year old on my shoulders, I sprinted full steam back to the gate just in time to make my flight.  I feel a bit sorry for the guy next to me, I’m not sure of my body odor status after sweating buckets in my Seahawks sweatshirt while running my airport Marathon.  I wonder if it’s my disheveled look (my bun became a rats nest while I ran) that caused my flight steward to slip a little something extra into my drink.  (Now I know why he winked at me as he handed me my beverage.)  It could have also been the simple fact that I am traveling with a three year old, who has been phenomenal by the way.  I wish I could spout humorous horror stories of him screaming, kicking or throwing tantrums and get knowing sympathy from other parents, but (knock on wood) I can’t.   Okay, I confess, Southwest now has free TV episodes (Thanks Direct TV) that have helped, along with random games and books I have downloaded to my iPhone and snacks, lots of snacks! I digress.

The reason Max and I are flying (currently) to Albuquerque is to visit my family and friends, as well as to hopefully work a little.  I had originally planned this trip in order to work for my old company selling steel art at the balloon fiesta.  However the booth space we were supposed to get fell through.  With my ability to possibly still work, I decided to go ahead and go.  No matter what, I thankfully have my sisters, nieces and parents all there, as well as some friends of mine, (I lived in Albuquerque from August 2001, to July 2006.)  

Well we are starting to descend and one of the joys today has been to watch a little boy truly marvel and enjoy the whole experience of flying…. So it is here that I sign off.  

Written October 4th

I am at my parent's place now, having spent last night at my sister Elizabeth's house.  Max had a blast there with his two cousins.  They were so cute together.  My sister and I felt like little kids as we had a sleepover together staying up late talking in the dark.  This afternoon my parents and I (with Max on my back) took a hike into the desert with the dogs.  "Just taking the dogs for a walk," turned into a five mile trek.  I loved it and so did Max until he fell fast asleep nestled against my back.
 

I do have to share a "now it's funny" story about yesterday.  When we arrived in the airport in Albuquerque, Max got very excited about the escalators.  So excited that he decided to go on a few extra rides.  This would have been fine except I was lugging three heavy bags, a lunch box full of toys and a bulky carseat.  So when we finally made it back the baggage claim floor I called for Max and headed to get our bags.  However, Max wasn't quit done with his escalator escapades and headed towards them yet again.  Then, just as he was going up, I called out for him to stop and get off.  God bless him, he did turn around and tried to do just that, but fell and was being drug up feet first and with his head down.  I raced to help and in the process of grabbing for him, I dropped the car seat down the escalator stairs causing audible gasps from nearby spectators.  Yes, not my finest mommy moment.  But thankfully he was perfectly fine, just scared and I guess now we are able to laugh about it.  

Miracles do happen.

Today was a day where I regained hope that miracles do happen. 

I just want to thank God for saving my mother-in-law today.  She was in a horrendous accident and came away with just a sore elbow after they literally had to use the jaws of life to release her from the truck. 

Grandma, as I call her, is one of the most loving, caring people I know.  Her and my father-in-law (Papa) are amazing.  They both live with integrity and practice true, unconditional love.  From the very beginning, they welcomed me and my little ones into their family literally with open arms. 

The ironic thing was that Papa was at the church mowing when it happened.  They are both devote Catholics and very involved in their church.  I truly believe an angel  followed Grandma on her trip today and watched over her during her accident.  After seeing the damage to the truck, there really isn't any other explanation. 

At times I wonder if God hears our prayers, but today I know that he's been listening.  He saved a wife, a mother and a grandmother and speaking for all of us who truly love her, we thank Him very much.

Edge of Childhood

Today we took the little ones to Bullwinkle'l Family Fun Center.  After we had played games (we really liked this milk jug game), Saxton and Max decided to go play in Kidopolis and Sage initially chose not to.  Figuring she was too big, she decided to hang with the parents.  However, after a little while and after watching how much fun her younger siblings were having, I could tell she was reconsidering her decision.

Finally, I coaxed her to take off her shoes and get measured, (Sage was worried she was too tall.)  We laughed as she literally made it in by a hair and she smiled as he made her way to her sister and brother.  When we finally called them to go, they were grinning and telling us how much fun they had.  I was happy that I'd encouraged my Sage to go ahead and just be little. After all, childhood goes by in just a blink.

A secret between sisters.

H a P p Y   B i R t H d A y   Kathleen!!!

September 24, 2009 Las Vegas Birthday Trip!  

September 25, 2009 Las Vegas!

Four years ago today I was in Vegas with my family celebrating all of our birthdays.  The trip was more than that though.  An hour before I flew from Denver  (I was living in Colorado at the time) to Nevada, my Ex flew to California.  His choice forever changed the fate of our family.  I was an emotional wreck when I landed in Vegas  (September had been a long emotionally and physically draining month.  I lost over ten pounds in three weeks), so by the time I arrived at our hotel I was literally shaking.  Somehow I knew that day, that my life would never be the same.    

I remember walking through the lobby of the Venetian and looking around for my sister Kathleen who had come down from my parent's room to get me.  When we saw one another, we literally ran and jumped in each-other's arms, laughing, crying and hugging.  It's one of those moments I will never forget.  I was finally safe in loving arms and you have no idea how good that felt.  It was raw love.  A few hours later, at exactly midnight, we rang in Kathleen's 29th birthday.  Needless to say, we had a blast!  

Throughout the years my sister Kathleen has walked by my side through many of my life changing paths.  Either there in person or in spirit, I have always been able to count on her.  She, like all my siblings, is my best friend.  Ironically, she is the reason that I am with my husband.  She was there the night we met and actually encouraged him to sit down by us.  Little did we know, how she had just had a hand in aligning the stars.

Kathleen I love you.  I love you in the purest form of the word.  We understand and feel each other's emotions in almost an indescribable way.  God had a plan in giving us one another and I am grateful for you every second of every day.

Happy Birthday Dear Sister!  I love you and hope all your dreams come true!

December 31, 2008 in Estes Park, Colorado

Side Note:  I love this picture.  It was taken while I was still living in Colorado.  We had come up on New Year's Eve to go sledding in Rocky Mountain National Park.  It was a very fun day!  We were wet and cold, but happy when we stopped in Estes Park to get some warm comfort food.  This pictures us in our own little world, almost like we were young children again, sharing a secret between us.  

Parenting in the fast lane.

While driving 50 in the carpool lane today, I looked over at the right two lanes sitting still and I realized that having a three year old passenger did have its advantages.  However, a few minutes later when he was making sirin noises as loud as he could I questioned that reasoning. 

Motherhood.  It's a fragile balance between a positive and negative attitude.  Today Max came along with me to a meeting In the city.  It went as well as can be expected with a busy toddler in tow.  But one thing I remember about the drive, was his awe and fascination with the sky scrapers.  He loved the big buildings and the tunnels in the city.  Which inspired this thought; sometimes parenthood is the carpool lane and sometimes it's a traffic jam, but no matter what, the view is the same, so you might as well enjoy it. 

That's what sisters are for.

Today my baby sister Colleen turns twenty five.  A fact that makes me feel both nostalgic and a little old, after all I was twelve when she was born.  I remember her "birth" day like it was yesterday and thank God all the time for her.  She brings such humor and spunk to our lives and truly brought love to mine at a much needed time in my life.  

I called her this morning and sang with my best voice H a P p Y   B i r T h D a Y! 

She called back while I was in Costco with Max, but I sang her another quick rendition not caring who heard.  She heard her monkey (his given name from his Aunt) in the background and asked about him.  I professed by telling her how earlier I looked in the mirror in Costco's bathroom and saw that my shirt was holey and see through enough that you could see my black and white bra.  That along with my messy hair was enough for me to wish for no run ins with anyone I knew.  (For those of you who know me well, know I don't often care what I wear unless I'm working.  I have clothes older than Savannah in my closet, but even I had crossed my own fine line in the sand.) 

Anyhow, I continued to tell her how Max was literally monkeying around in the cart.  So at one point, I pointed to this well behaved little girl and encouraged him to sit nice like her.  Then to my horror, I saw who was pushing the cart.  It was a mom I ran into frequently at the YMCA, who of course looked cute as a button.  She smiled a kind smile, but it could have easily been one of sympathy at how disheveled I looked.  Smiling sheepishly, I walked away.  Hey, I wanted to say, In my defense I had to rush out of the house to get one to band before school and home to get another off to the bus.  Then I was off to run several errands.  Although I admit it wouldn't have hurt to look in a mirror.  

So I went on and shared with her my feelings of ineptness, knowing full well that she wouldn't judge me.  I didn't tell her that the shirt I was wearing was the one I found left behind at the Dave Matthew's concert that her and I went to a few weeks ago.  After wearing it today, I realized why they threw it to the ground, probably after replacing it with a newer model.  Nonetheless, I will wear it again, although maybe next time I'll at least wear a cami underneath.  Hey, one person's literal trash is another DMB fan's treasure.  

When I was finished regergitating all this to her about how attractive I was looking today, she made me bust out laughing after making some comment about making out.  She never lets me take life too seriously and quickly I was back to proudly sporting my new (even if used) DMB T-shirt.  

I am lucky to have many blessings and my sisters are three of my biggest. All different, yet special, they add something to my life that I couldn't live without.  

I love you Colleen, Elizabeth and Kathleen and miss you so much.  

H a P p Y   Bi R t H d A y my sweet, funny and adorable baby sister!  Thank you for everything you've done for me and all you've brought into my life! May all your wishes come true!!!

Taken by my honey 9-1-13 at DMB concert. 

Seahawks and Seattle

I loved today.  The game was awesome and the crowd electric as the Seahawks beat the Jaguars.  There is nothing better on a crisp fall day than a football game.  Tailgating and then the walk with other Seahawk fans to the stadium is Ike a giant party where everyone radiates excitement.  The actual game is almost indescribable.  Unless you've been to Century Link, it's impossible to comprehend how loud the crowd truly is. Today I was most defintely part of the roar, cheering my heart out during each defensive down.  The twelfth man truly is a force to be reckoned with.  

After the awesome Seahawks win, we decided to get some dinner in West Seattle on Alki Beach.  After a day of showers and sunshine, the clouds and the setting sun were gorgeous over the Sound.  We had an amazing, yet very reasonable dinner at Cactus where our waitress even bought us desert. Yum! 

Our day ended with a walk along the beach and an abandoned fire pit.  Seattle is a special in the way Puget Sound weaves through.  This allows for fabulous views, yet the water blankets enough of the light pollution to where you still are able to see stars as well as the city skyline.  Tonight the cold wind blew away most of the beach goers so that at times we had the beach to ourselves. Having been to Alki many times when the weather is warm and the shoreline is packed, the isolation we happened upon was rare and special.  

Life is hectic and often we find ourselves wondering if we're coming or going.  This makes days like today much appreciated. Where instead of running yourself ragged, you're able to just be.  (Even if that does include, screaming your head off.) 

Good-night and Go Hawks!