Friday, August 31, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Soulful
"There's nothing like living a long time to create a depth and soulfulness in your music." True of Bonnie Raitt herself. My sister Darlin invited me up to attend the Bonnie Raitt concert tonight and I'm grateful she did. Bonnie is sixty two years old and going strong in her musical career. She's also a political activist saying things at the concert tonight like, "I didn't know this was an auction year rather than an election year." And encouraging women to be sure and vote. Her voice, guitar playing, songs and the Sun Valley atmosphere combined to make this one memorable concert.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Somedays
Somedays are better than others. Max had early day today and walked home from school with his friends Jake, Easton and Jack. They hung out for three hours having a water balloon fight and talking. I love that he can do that now! Old school - he had to arrange playmates well in advance so that carpools could all be notified.
This was going on while I was at Morgen's probation hearing scheduled today. I've been there from their first cries in the world, I know how the monkeys have been gradually trained, because I did it with and to them. I suffered the hurts and rejections the past few years, I know the scars they have, the way an eye saddens or lip pouts when life is hard. I have read the books. I get the thrill of sharing their days and conversations, their dreams and hopes and invented jokes spilling into my heart. I'm greedy for it, keeping them close and loved. I know the shape and shine of them, the belly laughs and cries of frustration, I want to eat them whole to keep them safe, while also looking forward with hope to watching them walk their own paths.
Somedays the balance works out in my favor. Some days are awful. Some are even worse. Some days are fab, and some are just lovely, the calm of nothing going badly and life simply being good. Not today. Today I got the angst and the tears and Morgen's needs. Tomorrow might be Max or Marky's turn. But somedays, somedays I get the rewards.
This was going on while I was at Morgen's probation hearing scheduled today. I've been there from their first cries in the world, I know how the monkeys have been gradually trained, because I did it with and to them. I suffered the hurts and rejections the past few years, I know the scars they have, the way an eye saddens or lip pouts when life is hard. I have read the books. I get the thrill of sharing their days and conversations, their dreams and hopes and invented jokes spilling into my heart. I'm greedy for it, keeping them close and loved. I know the shape and shine of them, the belly laughs and cries of frustration, I want to eat them whole to keep them safe, while also looking forward with hope to watching them walk their own paths.
Somedays the balance works out in my favor. Some days are awful. Some are even worse. Some days are fab, and some are just lovely, the calm of nothing going badly and life simply being good. Not today. Today I got the angst and the tears and Morgen's needs. Tomorrow might be Max or Marky's turn. But somedays, somedays I get the rewards.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
New Schools
Over the course of an hour, all three of my boys started at new schools yesterday. Each was enthused about something, Max already knows so many friends in jr. high from sports, i.e., baseball, football, hockey, and soccer. Markus knows five of the kids in his class from church, scouts and baseball. And Morgen knows a girl named Serenity.
It's coming up on four years ago that I asked Ben to move out. It feels like a decade ago. One of the surprises is being how we've settled into this being our new life. I've struggled to make sense of where I am as a parent, to accept the mountains of responsibility which are unavoidably mine. It's one thing to leave room for someone to step up and do something, but something else entirely to make sense of being co-parents and keep moving forward.
I hope they will like their new schools. Because I'm pretty sure no one else on earth loves my sons as much as I do. Nobody else cares as much about their future, their welfare, their happiness as I do.
It's coming up on four years ago that I asked Ben to move out. It feels like a decade ago. One of the surprises is being how we've settled into this being our new life. I've struggled to make sense of where I am as a parent, to accept the mountains of responsibility which are unavoidably mine. It's one thing to leave room for someone to step up and do something, but something else entirely to make sense of being co-parents and keep moving forward.
I hope they will like their new schools. Because I'm pretty sure no one else on earth loves my sons as much as I do. Nobody else cares as much about their future, their welfare, their happiness as I do.
Monday, August 27, 2012
What To Wear
Happiness is good.
The place to be happy is here.
The time to be happy is now.
The way to be happy is to help make others happy.
Happiness can be caught, sought or thought, but never bought;
The best way to keep happiness is to share it.
Considering all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.
Especially on your first day of school.
The place to be happy is here.
The time to be happy is now.
The way to be happy is to help make others happy.
Happiness can be caught, sought or thought, but never bought;
The best way to keep happiness is to share it.
Considering all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.
Especially on your first day of school.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Summer Blast
End of summer pool party tradition at Amanda's pool happened last Thursday - here are the photos.
Back to school traditions help the boys get excited for the new school year. Like the farewell to summer feast. Me? I am sad when they go back. I miss them when they are gone all day. What are your back to school traditions?
Back to school traditions help the boys get excited for the new school year. Like the farewell to summer feast. Me? I am sad when they go back. I miss them when they are gone all day. What are your back to school traditions?
Saturday, August 25, 2012
"That was the Best!"
On a side note:
One of the players from Washington that has been staying at our home for the past ten days, David, has shared some of his past year with me. His mom and dad are going through a divorce. His mom's house burnt to the ground and his dog died in the fire. It turns out it was arson and they didn't have any insurance since his mom had stayed in it but his dad had cancelled the insurance policy. He didn't even have a bat or cleats to play baseball so one of his team mates, Blake, and his mom took him shopping and bought him everything he needed to play ball this season and it turned out well - playing his way to place third in the world series.
Tonight when I took David and half the team to Airborne and paint balling, he was smiling on the way out to the car and said, "That was the best day of my life!"
One of the players from Washington that has been staying at our home for the past ten days, David, has shared some of his past year with me. His mom and dad are going through a divorce. His mom's house burnt to the ground and his dog died in the fire. It turns out it was arson and they didn't have any insurance since his mom had stayed in it but his dad had cancelled the insurance policy. He didn't even have a bat or cleats to play baseball so one of his team mates, Blake, and his mom took him shopping and bought him everything he needed to play ball this season and it turned out well - playing his way to place third in the world series.
Tonight when I took David and half the team to Airborne and paint balling, he was smiling on the way out to the car and said, "That was the best day of my life!"
New Jersey Wins
World Series 14 year old champions:
Branchburg, New Jersey
Florida finished second in a close game that ended with a score of 7-5.
In third place was Washington with two world series records! One to Nolan Wasson for most hits in a game - five! And most strike outs in a series - twenty three - to Jordan Wood, both from Twin Cities, Washington.
Max and Markus were surprised they presented the bat boys with a trophy as well. What a way to finish it off for the boys of summer.
Branchburg, New Jersey
Florida finished second in a close game that ended with a score of 7-5.
In third place was Washington with two world series records! One to Nolan Wasson for most hits in a game - five! And most strike outs in a series - twenty three - to Jordan Wood, both from Twin Cities, Washington.
Max and Markus were surprised they presented the bat boys with a trophy as well. What a way to finish it off for the boys of summer.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Runs, Ribs and Red Eyes
Washington played their little hearts out tonight to stay in the contest but it wasn't to be. Florida was up 8 runs when Washington had 3 on the board and the bases loaded with two outs and Riley hit... a single - and Florida got him out. So it's so long to the world series for our boys from Washington. Although their parents left to drive back, the boys are staying with us until the team flies out Sunday morning. They will still get a third place trophy tomorrow after the championship game if (or should I say when?!) Florida wins the title.
Dinner at Texas Roadhouse after was still like a victory party and the boys all ate a couple of pounds of peanuts before their racks of ribs they were so hungry from the game. After we went back for the fireworks at the ball park and I couldn't help but get teary eyed that it's almost over, summer, the world series, and the fun time I have had getting to know these boys from Washington.
Dinner at Texas Roadhouse after was still like a victory party and the boys all ate a couple of pounds of peanuts before their racks of ribs they were so hungry from the game. After we went back for the fireworks at the ball park and I couldn't help but get teary eyed that it's almost over, summer, the world series, and the fun time I have had getting to know these boys from Washington.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Victory Party
Washington won their game vs. Indiana today 7-1. It was almost a shut out until the bottom of the sixth when Indiana scored their one run. Next game is tomorrow for the semi final vs. Florida again.
The team had a BBQ swim party after and invited all the host families to join them.
The team had a BBQ swim party after and invited all the host families to join them.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Making New Friends
Washington beat the team from Connecticut today in a game that seemed easy for them, 5-0.
Chase with his mom Stephanie and step dad Bill who drove down from Washington to watch the games.
David with his dad David Sr.
And with his mom and step dad who just came down today.
After the win, Chase invited everyone to Iceburg for shakes as he has been eyeing them everyday on our way to practice in T-ville. While we were there the little brother of one of the players on the team, Luke, invited Max and Markus to come swimming with them at the hotel he is staying at with his family. So of course the boys said yes. They are always up for swimming with friends. Even new ones. :)
Chase with his mom Stephanie and step dad Bill who drove down from Washington to watch the games.
David with his dad David Sr.
And with his mom and step dad who just came down today.
After the win, Chase invited everyone to Iceburg for shakes as he has been eyeing them everyday on our way to practice in T-ville. While we were there the little brother of one of the players on the team, Luke, invited Max and Markus to come swimming with them at the hotel he is staying at with his family. So of course the boys said yes. They are always up for swimming with friends. Even new ones. :)
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Baseball, Baseball and more Baseball
Bee's game last night and another world series game today, it's a whole week of baseball buds.
Washington lost to Florida today in a close race to the finish. Florida scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth to win 6-4.
Washington lost to Florida today in a close race to the finish. Florida scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth to win 6-4.
Monday, August 20, 2012
And Then They Lost
Washington's game today versus the California team was a close one with Washington scoring one run in the second, fourth and sixth and California won 6-3.
