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Apparently the blogger in me has gone into hibernation. I only complete a sentence before interrupted or have writers block. I guess I should convert to Twitter or just update my status on Facebook - anything that would be a one-liner. But that's really not my style. (look, i even completed a paragraph).

Thanks to my 13 daily readers who check this blog to see if I've finally awaken from my sleep.

Hero

This time of year I often reminisce of people who's lives have blessed mine. The list is long. How thankful I am for many - from my favorite checkout clerk at Albertsons to role models at church to friends whose kindnesses continue to take me by surprise. I seek out quiet moments (always trying to find QUIET moments) to savor the individual personalities of my children and appreciate the good man I married.

Jacob recently came home from school and shared a letter with me that he wrote in school to his hero. I was teary when I read the salutation. Of all the people he could choose as his hero, his choice surprised me.

It made me think about who my heroes are. Again, I have many who I look to for inspiration. But my heart singled out my beautiful sister. What a special connection and enduring friend. And since I snagged her photo on her recent trip to California, you get to enjoy it.

Now - the letter:

I'm Going

ETA (which stands for Edited To Add - it took me forever to figure that out): Been There. Loved it!!!!

So excited to step away from my life's drama and enter the world of vampires & werewolves.

A Very Full Day

On the night before Veterans Day, I put myself to sleep at a reasonable hour and dreamed about sleeping past 7 a.m. While some dreams come true, this one didn't. I couldn't sleep through the POUNDING headache that started at 5 a.m. By 5:30 a.m. I was up taking Excedrin.

Jon was on his morning run so an emergency shoulder rub wasn't in the cards. Instead I created the little October slideshow (I'm still not satisfied with how small it is).

It took all morning to pack a picnic lunch, a travel bag, get everyone ready, and then throw my hair in a ponytail. I put a roast in the crock pot, move dishes to the sink, trip over toys on the tile, and take one more deep breathe. I glance across the room at the four baskets full of laundry to be folded and back to the countertops that are cluttered with everything from school papers to craft supplies to Halloween candy wrappers. How is it that I've worked all morning and nothing is done? Then I turn my back on it all and regret that it will still be there to greet me when I return.

Like it or not, my kids were going to the zoo. We drove Jon's Camry so we were all cozy close. Jessica was crying within five minutes saying she was going to throw up.

I ignored their repeated inquiries "how much longer 'til we get there" and focused on driving. By then I was on dose two of Excedrin and the pounding was muffled in the background. We ate our lunch in the car (which is always the case) and that seemed to help everyone but Jessica who wanted candy instead of sandwich to help her tummy ache.

We bypassed the zoo and went to visit the Travel Town Museum in Griffith Park. We hadn't been there in years. I'm so glad we stopped by. The kids toured the trains and walked on the tracks (yeah for fun pictures to be coming soon). We bought tickets to ride the little train and smashed pennies for souvenirs. Jayson kept running away and James was a great help to watch over him.

Next we were off to the Los Angeles Zoo. We had to circle the parking lot to find a vacancy. Definitely a crowded day at the zoo. Our mouths salivated as we approached the glazed almonds. Should we get two small bags or one large? The trouble was that I had just cashed in $2 to pay for engraved pennies and they didn't accept cards. We stepped aside and then pulled all the coins out of all the pockets and were able to come up with $3.50 - one small bag of almonds. What a yummy treat!!!

We went directly to the bird show and barely found seats. Jayson loves birds and kept standing and pointing. The show was the same script as before blah blah blah. I always tear up when they release the rainbow colored macaws and play the Feather Theme from Forrest Gump. They are gorgeous birds.

Jayson wanted me to lift him up so he could see the animals. Jacob was darting this way and that to take all his animal photos. Jessica could have easily been lost since she likes to do things her way. James tried to help me keep track of everybody.

The boys wanted to go to the playground. I was hoping to avoid it with the crowd. Jacob calls me over to take his pictures on the animals. I took them last time we were at the zoo too. I think it's a little tradition he is starting.

An animated outburst came from the crowd surrounding the hippo pond. I heard splashing too. Of course we raced over to get in on the excitement. The hippopotamus was pooping. Splashing it's tail about. That was the thrill of the day. Great. "We saw the hippo poop all over in the pool!!!!" I'm glad we are creating memories together. I guess it could be the chimps while they are in heat. Then again Jessica was asking me what the pink thing hanging on the underside of the giraffe was. Another mom glanced at me with lifted brows just waiting to hear my reply.

On our fourth bathroom stop Jessica and Jayson joined me in the oversized stall. This gave me the chance to diaper, wipe, scrub out the stroller seat, and strip soaked apparel. When it was finally my turn to use the facilities, Jessica darted out of the door. I locked her out and took my seat. Jayson then crawled under the door to follow after her. When he realized that she had left the Women's Room completely, he headed back for mommy. HEADED being the correct term. He did not duck down low enough and instead rammed his forehead on the bottom of the door. OUCH!!!

There was chaos in the car ride home, but traffic wasn't too backed up. The DVD player ran out of battery power only ten minutes into the drive. Jayson eventually fell asleep for a cat nap.

It was dinner time when we returned home. I was thankful that there was something warm to put on the table. Jessica set the table without too much resistance and added her own personal flair. She filled up the hot pink ice bucket with water. She found a ladle to put inside. She placed her "soup" on the table. Jayson found her entree before I did so water was scooped out all over the dinner table, chair, and tile.

See October

Here's a quick glimpse into our October festivities - School Fall Social, Pumpkin Patch field trip, Crazy Hair Day, Halloween Costumes, etc. Enjoy!

100 Things on My Mind

When I first started blogging, there was a blog trend going around to post "Your 100." It was a list of 100 things about you, the blog writer - quirky and fun. I started mine thinking it would be a snapshot into who I am right now, but it's one of my many started projects that didn't make it to the finish line. Lots of things have been going on around here. I often turn to a 10 on Tuesday post to catch up. But today, I'm thinking I'll make a list. Some might warrant a further journal entry or picture filled blog post, but at least I'll have the ideas jotted somewhere.

1- Some days I get REALLY mad at the ice cream truck.
2- It frequents our street on a REGULAR basis.
3- Probably because he has such loyal customers.
4- My boys are given a stewardship of dollars to help them learn to manage money.
5- They spend most of it on ice cream truck delights.
6- Not my idea of dollars frugally managed.
7- Our ice cream truck carries toys (pop guns, gel filled rubber balls, Pokemon trading cards)
8- Of course Jessica want to make purchases like her brothers.
9- She gets prizes from a prize center when she fills a chart full of stickers.
10- Stickers don't help her buy Air Heads when the ice cream truck comes.
11- I decided to give Jessica $2 each month that she could use to make purchases.
12- That's not enough when the truck comes by multiple times per week.
13- When the kids hear it's melody, they run for their cash and dart out the front door.
14- I hate that the kids are all running into the street.
15- Jayson has caught on to the gimmick.
16- When he hears the ice cream truck, he runs out the front door and into the street.
17- Jayson doesn't even know that the truck sells ice cream.
18- The siblings don't even need to leave the front door open.
19- Jayson can let himself out.
20- Now when I hear the ice cream truck I need to HURRY to the front door to intercept Jayson's race.
21- We need a chain lock on our front door.
22- James is learning to play the trombone in band this year.
23- He knows 2 notes and just learned a third.
24- Jayson is afraid of the noisy brass beast.
25- Jayson is also afraid of the garbage truck.
26- Jessica was afraid of garbage trucks when she was little too.
27- Jessica started kindergarten full of smiles.
28- It seemed like she was in her element.
29- I come to her class on Fridays to help in the computer lab.
30- Sometimes I help with cooking.
31- The kindergartners each made a muffin in the microwave - one at a time.
32- I didn't know you could cook muffins in the microwave.
33- I didn't like cooking 33 muffins in the microwave.
34- Jessica had a sudden change of heart about 2 weeks ago.
35- She decided that she hates school.
36- She cries everyday and tells me she doesn't want to go to school.
37- The first phone call was from the school nurse saying Jessica was complaining of a tummy ache.
38- They called me while I was driving Jacob home from the outpatient surgery center.
39- Jon didn't come with me because Baby Jay came down with the flu the day before and somebody needed to stay with him.
40- I assumed Jessica caught it and sent Jon to pick her up immediately.
41- Jessica was completely FINE by the time I got home. She never showed any other symptoms.
42- I didn't come down with the flu until three days later.
43- I was SOOOO dizzy.
44- My stomach got very upset the eve of Jon's departure for a business trip.
45- I was completely sick the next day.
46- The kids were out of school for a teacher work day.
47- We didn't go to the zoo.
48- They stayed home with sick mom and watched the Hannah Montana movie.
49- Tuesday they all went back to school. The school nurse an hour later. "Jessica is in the nurse's office complaining of a sore throat."
50- She has NOT been sick all weekend and nobody has had a sore throat - send her back to class.
51- Half hour lapses and the aide calls back. "Jessica is in the nurses office again saying her tummy hurts. She has been unable to focus in class and has been whimpering."
52- I go pick her up from school and within 15 minutes it's quite clear that she is perfectly well.
53- The following day she refuses to go to school, so I thought I'd teach her what a sick day was all about - napping.
54- She didn't like staying in her bed and asked if she could help me clean instead. I decided we could use the mental health day.
55- Later that day she asked, "Mom, am I staying home from school because you think I am sick?" "No" I replied "I know you aren't sick. I know you don't want to go to school."
56- The next day we returned to school despite the whimpers. She was worried that she'd be sent to the nurses office. I assured her she wasn't sick so she didn't need to make complaints. My diagnosis was that she was off kilter because Jon was out of town. All the kids are more emotional when he is gone. There were always a couple extra sets of feet in my bed each morning.
57- When Jon came home from his business trip, Jessica's school anxiety wasn't cured.

58- She cried every day for the next week.

59- Jessica was taken to the principals office to calm down. I was even there in the classroom to volunteer and she proceeded to sob.

60- It would take me all morning to get her to school. She didn't want to get dressed or comb her hair because she didn't want to go to school. She would get all upset when I'd get her backpack ready.

61- This phase has been VERY exhausting. All the other moms and nannies feel so sad for us and don't know how I can leave her crying like that. It is upsetting to me, but after a while I just feel angry about it. She is choosing to be miserable despite all the extra care and nurture. She needs to know that school is important and that I will bring her everyday. Each day she gets to choose whether to be happy or sad about it. Her teacher has been VERY supportive and understanding of her phase.

62- The phase has also effected dance class and church attendance.

63- Seems like the worst of the phase is over now (it's been just over 4 weeks).
64- I got a new vacuum cleaner.

65- So did Jayson. His says phrases like, "what a mess" and "clean ya later."
66- Mine is a heavy beast, but the suction is incredible. I really feel like all the dirt is coming out of the carpet.

67- I have never been trained in the art of make-up, yet I had to apply vampire make-up three times last month for James' costume.

68- I developed a BOO attitude by the end of October. I just needed it to be over.

69- I have a BAH-HUMBUG attitude right now. I truly love Christmas, but I want to enjoy fall and Thanksgiving right now. I don't wish to see red and green plaid or candy canes for another three weeks.

70- Which reminds me - I still have a bag of candy canes from last year in my cupboard. I guess I thought I was going to make some peppermint ice-cream, but I didn't.

71- Jacob was getting up between 5-6 a.m. Now with daylight savings, he gets up by 5 a.m. for sure.

72- We had to buy software to block our kids from getting on the computer and the internet. SOMEBODY was getting on the computer at 6 in the morning and not getting ready for school.

73- Perhaps I need to put software on my computer so I'll go to bed at night :)

74- I'm thinking about my friend who is trying to have a baby. She and her husband are working with specialists. It's all very complicated. I can't wait for her to announce that she is pregnant.

75- I still have the stuffed Tigger that she brought to my first baby shower.

76- I can't stop thinking about cancer stuff.

77- My cousin was just diagnosed with cancer.

78- Jacob has scans on Friday. I need them to be clear.

79- My boys have yo-yos that say NED on them.

80- I want to pass them out to all the rhabdo kids in my online community. So many of them need a break. They refer to NED as "No Evidence of Disease" or the scans can't see any tumors.

81- But these NED yo-yos aren't anti-cancer yo-yos. Ned's slogan is Never give up, Encourage others, & Do your best. It's a good slogan, but I like No Evidence of Disease better.

82- Stupid Cancer.

83- I'm afraid of eating animal products and might have to make a shift toward vegetarianism. I'm NOT afraid of consuming large quantities of Halloween treats but really should be.

84- Exercise makes me tired.

85- Who in this world is still reading this mind boggling BORING list - leave a comment if you dared to finish.

86- Jacob passed me a note in church last week. He folded his own envelope with a heart drawn on the outside. Inside it said:

Dear Mom,

I (heart) you so much. You are beautiful.

Love, Jacob

87- Made my heart skip a beat.

88- I could use a note like that every day.

89- What happened to all the confidence I had going into parenthood??

90- What happened to the first week of November?

91- What happened to my pumpkin cookie recipe with the cream cheese frosting?

92- Do you have one?

93- Will you send it to me?

94- My friend, Donna, shared her quiche recipe. I made it again on Halloween. Delicious!!!!

95- James asked me to read with him tonight.

96- Can't believe my first baby is almost 11 years old.

97- He likes to find ways to stay up late, but I think he also like having time with his mom without all the littles.

98- My boys spend hours each week making movies and power points of their photos.

99- I recently went through their pictures and realized they were using ketchup for blood in their films.

100- I wasn't thrilled to see that the scenes were staged in my front room on the carpet.

Gonna stop now... Bye

Taking a Mommy Break

My sister came to California for several days without her four kiddos. We walked the walking trails, went shopping for her birthday, visited Target, ran my carpools, and went to lunch at Mimi's. I loved having someone with me all day to lift my spirits and remind me to be my best self. Jon graciously took a day off of work, so we could have a Mommy Vacation. I just wanted time to be a sister.

We drove to Balboa Island in Newport Beach. We were looking to rent a paddle boat to enjoy in the bay, but were distracted by a soon-to-depart tour boat. We purchased tickets and joined a couple dozen senior citizens & one family on the harbor cruise.

I had the camera tucked away when we came upon a bunch of sea lions sun bathing on the docks. But I did have it out to see the birds at the feeding station.

This is Pirate's Cove. It is on the opposite side of our favorite beach (Corona del Mar). I never knew it was there. We'll have to check it out next beach trip.

Next we were like kids in a candy store - Balboa Candy Co. We loaded an assortment of treats into our baskets. SWEET!!!!

Then we found the bike rental shop. I've always wanted to ride in a little surrey with the fringe on top. It was our decided exercise of choice. Did you know it's actually against the law or city ordinance to drive them along the boardwalk????

We pedaled around the neighborhoods (multi-million $ beach front homes). We also weren't allowed on the sidewalks, so it was scary along the street when the big cars would whiz by. To cross the main street we had to push the surrey across the street so we would make it in time. The pedaling was a good workout because they were so stiff.

It was wierd sitting on the right because you had a steering wheel that did NOTHING but spin in circles. The left rider had all the control. When I felt like I was getting to close to the curb or a parked car, I'd start turning my wheel to no avail.

While trying to return to the rental shop, we were using the alleys where the driveways are. We did NOT want to be on the main street. Too scary. A local came out and told us to just go up to the boardwalk - the view is better and nobody will be out giving you a bad time. I'll admit that riding along the coastline was my favorite part. Thank you for a wonderful day Laneea!!!!

For Grandpa

Happy Birthday

Just realized that today is my dad's birthday. I haven't sent his card (although I did remember to buy him one last week). I haven't talked with him since he nearly CUT OFF his finger and had to have pins hold it on.

I love you Dad!!!! Wishing you a happy 59th b-day.

Why I Haven't Posted on this Blog Much

• Internet connection was unreliable for a week. Entries I started were only partially saved and never finished.
• Jessica quit going peacefully to school - we're talking tears, wailing, refusal to get in car.
• I've cleaned out all my kitchen cabinets - not because I wanted to, but because the ants were marching through my kitchen. Still don't know where they were headed. There isn't a crumb to be found on my shelves. Still have boxes of pans on tables.
• My front room is filled with boxes of clothes and other mysterious items from various closets. Project Gut My Closets is underway.
• I was busy enjoying every moment with my sister during her recent 5 day stay.
• Trying to guard my soap dispensers - Jayson loves to lather them in his hair.
• Managing my crew while Jon was away on a business trip.
• Spraying kids hair. Painting their faces. Taking them on photo trips. Being exhausted by the Halloween festivities.