Last entry of '08

Here is a picture of Molly after she lost her second tooth.

I can hardly believe it. 2008 is ending. Just one more day. We've had quite the year. As I reflect, I realize how much I enjoy my children are both old enough to be in school. The fighting of the past week and a half is only compounded by the 2 feet of snow still remaining outside.

Hope you had a fantastic holiday season. Julie

A silent house...

Do you hear that??? Neither do I. That's the sound of silence. Its been one week since school started. The first few days I had too much going on to enjoy it. Now...it's heaven. The only footsteps I hear are Ruby's. And she's usually just waking up from a nap and needs to check on me.

Ben and Molly are both enjoying school. Ben is happy to be with his friends. Molly tells me everyday she's made a new friend. She seems to be adjusting well except being exhausted when she gets home. Last night she asked me to tuck her in at about 6:20. Who am I to say no to that request? She woke up happy and ready to go this morning.

Now I'm off to clean Ben's room. And by clean, I mean removing everything on the floor that I've been telling him to put away for the last few weeks. He's been warned that one day he might find all his toys on the floor gone. Time to learn Mom means business. Molly's room has always been clean. If you tell her to clean it, she does.

Julie

Molly is 5

Here is a picture of my birthday girl (well, I'll post one when the blogger will let me). We celebrated her birthday with a barbecue with lots of friends and family. Molly's favorite part was the pinata. Her favorite gifts include a Tinkerbell bank and a Bitty Baby (American Girl Doll). I just can't believe she's 5. In 37 days, she will be a kindergartener, not that I'm counting :)

He knows...

It started of this morning. "Mom!!! The TOOTH FAIRY FORGET TO COME!!!!" I made some comment about maybe she came but he was awake so she'd have to come back tonight. Just awhile ago I was talking to Ben about it to make sure he wasn't upset. He looked right at me and said "I think YOU are the tooth fairy and YOU forgot!!" Then came the questions...is Santa real? What about the Easter Bunny? Will I still get presents?? He wanted the truth and I was honest. I told him it was fun to believe in things. I also had to tell him NOT to tell Molly!! I told her she needed to be able to believe just like he had and it would be our secret about the truth. I feel as though some innocence has been lost with the realization of the truth about the tooth fairy.


I want to wish Valerie a HAPPY BIRTHDAY today. I can't believe she's 16 today. 16 years ago today I was starting at Pietro's. 10 years ago I was up in Anchorage visiting Valerie for her 6th birthday (and her wedding to her imaginary friend Gangy!). 9 years ago I was eyeball deep with my wedding just 20 days away. 7 years ago, I had a 6 month old son. 5 years ago I was hugely pregnant, chasing a 2 1/2 year old. 1 year ago, we moved into our house. Here's to another exciting July!!



Julie

Week #1 of summer break...

We have managed to survive the first full week of summer break. I'm so amazed at the fighting from the moment they wake up, to the moment they go to bed. What do they fight about?? EVERYTHING. What they are going to watch, what they are going to play, who gets the swing next to the slide, who gets to feed the dog, who gets to brush their teeth first, who gets tucked in first, which side of the couch to lay on...I tell ya, it's enough to go crazy. Next week, they get to spend a couple mornings at daycare so I can actually put in a few hours of work. How many days left until school starts????

Yes...I know it's June...

My hopes of becoming a better blogger are quickly fading. With school ending next week, I'm sure to have may more antidotes, but far less free time. (My apologies to you 2 or 3 faithful blog readers :) )

Last week I got the call my birth father had passed away. It was a call I always knew would come. We drove the 400 miles to Idaho to attend the funeral. I never dreamed it would be so difficult to say goodbye to someone I'd only seen 5 or 6 times in my entire life. I got to reconnect with my sister (and meet my niece and nephew). I hadn't seen her since she was 8, 20 years ago. I also got to see 9 of my aunts and uncles, most hadn't seen me since I was 6 months old. I was greeted with open arms and felt completely comfortable with everyone of them. It was truly a bitter sweet trip.

Now I am home, trying to settle back into my regular schedule. My tears have dried up as I think about my future with my reclaimed family and not what should have been in the past. I promise my next blog entry will be happy and up beat. Julie

It's May???

Holy cow!! It's May??? I can't believe my last update was in January. We have been busy. Our winter finally melted in March when Darrin and I were in Las Vegas for the NASCAR race. We has a fantastic time and enjoyed the 70 degree weather. Spring Break brought us more cold weather and snow. April was much the same with our last dusting of snow April 30th. It's been a crazy weather year so far.
We are now full swing into baseball season. Ben is going great this year. He's in the Trillium Cafe team again (our third year in the same dark green shirt). He's had some great hits and even had his picture in the paper while he was being the catch on opening day.
Molly is now registered for Kindergarten. She's pretty excited and seems more grown up everyday. I'm looking forward to 35 hours a week to myself.

Julie

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEN!!

I cannot believe I have a 7 year old!! He is such a joy. He has a wonderful sense of humor. He loves to draw and wants to be a pirate. Happy birthday BEN!!