What We're Reading!

Various stages of my children's lives can be tracked by what they are reading...and Beau and I just finished reading Harry Potter. Initially this was a big undertaking because HP is really a grown up book...that kids read because its magic and imagination. Tanner read the series starting in 4th grade and Beau has been eager to start. It took us about two months to knock it out, but we did it and he can take credit for doing a good portion of the reading...out loud to me. He never lost focus and was so determined to finish...in true Beau style he wouldn't give up. We finished the last 12 pages this morning and then enjoyed a popcorn/movie party watching it this afternoon. He picked out Holes for our next book and it warms my heart he loves to read!

Let's Dance!

My life flashed before my eyes tonight as I took my first born to his first middle school dance. He skipped the Fall dance for football (Duh!) and was wishy-washy about going to this one...until today after school when he came home and announced he wanted to go. He called his BFF to confirm that he would go too and they were set!  

I promised I wouldn't stay and I think the reason he initially didn't want to go was fear that I would chaperone (Duh...yes!) so by waiting until the last minute he knew there would be less chances of me going.  I was really nervous about the entire thing until I pulled up to the school and saw several parents I knew. I let the boys go in first and then walked in to check it out. TJ and CJ immediately found their friends and off they went....Tanner is so accustomed to mom and dad being everywhere...school, sports, social events, so this was nice for him to feel a bit of independence. It didn't hurt that I had several teacher friends and parents keeping their eyes out for me!

Just One More Game...

I think Finley and I are on track to set the world record for most days in a row playing Uno. She's obsessed with this game and I cannot get away with playing less than three games each night. "Just one more game mommy...." 

I know the day will come when she doesn't want to play games with me so I'm trying to remember to enjoy it.

Hard Goodbye's

My grandpa died the first week of November.  He was my mom's step-dad, but he had been married to my grandma for almost 40 years and the only grandpa I ever knew.  He was loud, full of jokes, opinionated, loved sports, and most importantly loved my grandma!  Growing up I spent a lot of time with him and my grandma; summer days I lived in their pool with my cousins and he was always quick to make silly jokes and tease us.

My grandma died three days ago; almost two months exactly to the date her husband died.  She just didn't want to live anymore.  She was old, tired, sick, and most importantly lonely without her husband.  She wasn't afraid of telling us how she missed him and simply wanted to go be with him.  I truly believe she willed herself to die and I'm OK with that simply because that is what she wanted.  My grandma was almost 90, had lived a very full and happy life.

I was sad about my grandpa, especially because it was somewhat unexpected.  I was very upset about my grandma because if felt like a chapter of my life was closing.  Like the puzzle of my life was slowly breaking apart and chipping away.  My grandparents had been there in my life for every major event; HS graduation when I was a total brat, college graduation when I was a hot mess, my wedding when life couldn't have been more dramatic, the birth of our first born...her first great-grandchild when I was so young and naive, and the progression of my life as an adult and mother.  She never had anything unkind to say or a harsh judgement to make.

My grandma wasn't one to give her opinion or involved herself in anyone else's business.  She wasn't extremely affectionate, but always gave hugs and told me she loved me.  The most amazing thing my grandmother did was raise her four daughters to be such fantastic, strong women...and I thank her for that because my mom then passed that along to me.

I will miss them,  yet I know it was her time.  The morning after she died I was dropping Beau and Finley off at school before I headed to Wenatchee to help my mom.  Beau was asking all sorts of questions about death and talking about heaven.  As I pulled into his school he said, "Mommy, I know that grandma is in heaven and beautiful again!"  It was so sweet and tender.  I know she is too Beau!

Welcome 2014!

The lack of snow put a damper on our ski trips for New Year's Eve so instead we headed up to the cabin with some friends and rang in the new year redneck style!  As soon as it was dark (like 5pm), the guys let off a load of cool fireworks and we called it a night!

We busted out our fanciest attire!

Watching the fireworks from a safe distance...

I'm not big on making resolutions, but I do have a running goal for March and April.  Last year's nose surgery threw off my plans for a 1/2 marathon, so I'm trying again for this Spring.

The start of this school year I made a pact with myself that I'd go home from work and focus on home...not on work or what crap was happening elsewhere.  In 2014 I aim to continue doing that, even though it can be hard.  This school year I've also worked very hard to not sweat the small stuff and just enjoy things much more without letting stress get to me.  It helps me to try and keep things in perspective to what really matters...which can be hard when life is busy and starts to swallow me up. So giving myself time to take a breath, think about things, and remember to have grace and kindness in my heart really helps.

During the school year I attend Mass almost every Sunday...I would say that about 50% of the time I'm alone because Husband and kids are at the cabin or doing something else...(football...) but I really don't mind going alone as this time of reflection has really become important to me.  I totally own the fact that I'm a seasonal church goer...Sunday's in the summer you won't catch me near church, but God understands that boating season is limited.  The point is I believe all people need reflection time to calm the noise in their head and be honest with themselves.  I find this on Sunday's in my old Catholic church filled with a group of random people who have become a great support system for me.  I'm super excited that Beau starts CCD classes in March for First Communion/Confirmation.  I can tell you he isn't excited. at. all....but I do hope our kids learn to take our example of faith with them as they grow.

Happy New Year!!!

Big White 2013

We discovered last year that going to Big White in December was the best....no lines or crowds and surprisingly good snow...and cheap prices!!! So we did it again this year and luckily had a snow filled weekend of great skiing with friends!!!  Ski trips continue to be hectic because of the amount of stuff required...food, gear, warm clothes, etc. but well worth it. Since our trip, the snow has been almost non-existent so it was great to get an early good weekend of skiing in!

Girl using her poles for the first time...she ended up dropping them back off at the ski rack by mid morning.  

Ready to go!

Trying to stay warm...while also attempting to keep up with our kids!

Turner and I have mastered the art of wrangling our families on the ski slopes...the trick is to identify a leader...usually Husband who wears BRIGHT YELLOW....and direct everyone to follow him.  The trouble is Coley and TJ are skillful tree skiers who fly all over the mountain.  My preferred position is skiing 'clean-up'!!!

My baby is no longer a baby...she's a skier!  Waaaaaah!

Christmas 2013

It's hard to believe Christmas is over!  It always feels like such an enormous amount of build up between Thanksgiving and Christmas and then on the 26th life just returns to normal.  There was a general consensus this year that the holiday season seemed a bit more frantic due to Thanksgiving being so late in Novemeber...therefore cutting it even closer for those of us who really procrastinate.

December looked a lot like this....holiday party...school concert...holiday party...school concert...holiday party...school concert.  By the time all 3 of our kid's had their school concert I'd heard Jingle Bells on the trombone (TJ), sung with percussion instruments (Finley) and lip synced beautifully (Beau).  Actually he did a great job of standing front and center and periodically moving his lips and smiling/waving at me...but of course not swaying or doing any of the hand movements the other 150 children were doing!

Anywhoo's....the exciting news for our family on Christmas Eve was the surprise that we are taking the kid's to Disneyland for Spring Break!  Husband and I had been planning this trip for a while now and it was fun to share the news with them.  They got a Disney ornament for their 2013 addition to our tree along with a letter from Mickey and Minnie Mouse!  Finley and Beau thought that was pretty cool!  Though they have all been there before, this will be the first time they are all old enough/tall enough to ride everything...and we are going with some pretty special people who haven't been there before! Yeah!

Besides the trip, each kiddo got a special Santa gift and three gifts from Husband and myself.  We've tried very hard over the past several years to keep the focus of Christmas away from gifts and instead on the true meaning of this season.  I find it really hard considering the endless amount of commercials, etc. that blast all the latest and greatest toys/electronics that every kid "needs" however they were all very thankful for the thoughtful gifts they received.

Two days after Christmas we enjoyed our Oly cousins for a whole WEEK...along with an extra long vacation that truly recharged our batteries! Bring on 2014!