Missy's Moments

June 2009- Jordan

Jordan was home to visit last weekend for 4 days. I think I mentioned in a previous post that he may returning home to stay sometime in late June early July and that date has been moved and I’m not going to go into detail about why. Instead of guessing I will just let you know when we’re within a week of his homecoming- We are driving up to see him tomorrow, we have family therapy and then Rick and I are going to take him out to lunch. Because of recent events he wasn’t able to be on the stage he needed to be to come to the lake with us. We’re all bummed about that and no doubt it’s feeling like salt on a wound to Jordan. My hope is the good that comes from it is the knowledge of a lesson well learned.

He also had a birthday in June and turned 16. Looking forward to driver’s ed and as he says ‘feeling like a normal kid”, wish I could convince him normal is only a setting on a dryer! ;)

The weekend that He was home I was sitting in church and the question was asked from the pulpit “If you could ask God to grant you anything what would it be?”, in a matter of a split second the thought that came to mind was “for Jordan to be better”. Please continue to keep him in your prayers, he struggles so and I wish I could fix it for him, I can’t but He can.

June 2009- Kayla

June 5th Kayla graduated from high school- I keep having to say that to myself as a reminder that yes we did indeed approach and now pass that milestone. It seems a bit surreal and like most things I feel like the event itself went entirely to fast. The night of the ceremony I just kept reminding myself to soak it in, enjoy every moment of it- even when the third speech seemed to be saying the same thing that the first one did- even when the breeze was cold and the bleachers were making my buns numb- just like everything else you don’t get those moments back. Some memories of that evening are feeling that feeling in your throat when it’s all you can do to choke back the tears at the sound of the processional, watching the students walk to their seats and feeling a new kind of proud. I giggled when during one of those boring speeches I received a text message from Kayla (with her fellow classmates) that she was freezing down there on the open football field. Afterward I couldn’t wait to find her to tell her just how very proud we were. Her graduation party was that same weekend and we were so blessed by the family and friends that came by. I didn’t get to chat with anyone nearly as much as I wanted to- my hope was that everyone felt welcomed and appreciated- if you were here please know how much it meant to us that you came. My other regret with the party was that once it started we forgot to take pictures! We have a few of the before shots and I’m sure if we would have taken after shots it would have been with all of us slumped back in a chair looking like we were about to slip into a coma! :)

 

The proof :)

  So very proud of our girl!

The table at the back of the party with memories and some of my favorite pictures.

The cake was delicious! I wasn’t nearly as impressed with the design as I was the taste :)

Kayla will be staying here in Rochester to attend college at RCTC. She has her nursing assistant certificate and plans to continue on to become an RN. For now she is still living at home and plans on moving out in the fall.

Another big milestone this month was her 18th birthday on June 24th. I suppose when I was 18 I wanted to assert my ‘adulthood’ in some way and Kayla was no different. She went right down to a piercing shop and has more holes in her body. The best part about that is I didn’t have to fight with her about it- she can now make those decisions on her own. The funny part about that was I told her if she pierced her tongue she would have to move out and once she was 18 it occurred to her to see if I was serious about that threat! No I wouldn’t have kicked her out over a tongue piercing but it was worth a try right?

I’m going to add the letter here that I found- I wrote this when she was a year old and had it out at her graduation party- I guess I was right time goes by so fast…..

Written June 1992 in Kayla’s Baby Book

Mom’s view of the first year……

Kayla,

Watching you grow and learn so much in just one year is almost too much for words. I’ve enjoyed seeing your personality come out and getting to know your likes and dislikes.

Kayla, I wish sometimes I could get your first year back. I spent so much time wishing you’d get bigger so you could do this or that I forgot how wonderful every minute is. I love you very much and during the first year of your life I learned something very important and that is to enjoy every moment we have together because someday you will be grown up. You’ll always be my baby girl in my eyes- I love you more than words can say-

Love,

Mommy

Snapshot Saturday

 

Dear Blog

Dear Blog AKA Missy's Moments,

Oh my how have you been? It's been far to long since we last chatted and I really have to say that I've thought so often about just dropping what I'm doing and writing but the days go so fast and there never seems to be enough time. So here I am- I have a million things to do but alas I just can't stand it any longer. There is much to catch up on so let's get started.

I'm sure you're wondering about Jordan, it's been ages since I've updated you and there is much to tell as he's been home for visits now since shortly before Easter. It's been nice having him home, seeing him with his brothers and Kayla, having a chance to "practice" for when he's home for good. I know I know it does seem like forever that we've been on this journey but even his homecoming will simply bring a new leg to this journey, not an end. I think we've all learned some patience and acceptance of what a new normal will look like. I know I have learned that being a mom of teenagers will bring out the very worst in me at times all while hoping for the very best for these young people we love so much. I do have some fun pictures to share of Jordan. He has changed so much and his long awaited growth spurt has finally come, hard to believe that he will be 16 in a month.

 

Look up in the tree- and in the second picture look who's taking notes!

 

Speaking of teenagers.... Miss Kayla attended prom a few weeks back. WOW did she look beautiful, but really you know her and I'm sure neither of us expects much less. We recently sent out the invites for her GRADUATION open house! YIKES I think I am somewhat in denial about that. Her plans are to stay close to home (maybe even stay home) and attend RCTC this fall with hopes of getting into the nursing program. She will soon take her state test to be a CNA (certified nursing assistant.) Hopefully she will be able to find a job in a nursing home, although she did apply to a local children's home and I think where ever she finds a job she will do great! Here are some pictures from prom. The gal with her is her friend Bobbi- they have been friends for as long as I can remember.

 

Have you read the Twilight series? OH MY GOODNESS did I enjoy that series- Poor Rick and the kids had to dig my head out of a book for a couple of weeks straight - the thing about me and a good book is it really is hard on my house- there must have been some strange wind that came through and created the mess I found when I finished the final book because I'm still trying to get it all straightened out. Really good reads and I recommend them if your looking for some summer entertainment and have nothing else to do for a couple of weeks. ;)

I'm still trying to work out weekly- as far as how often well it just depends on the week. This week I happen to have a nasty cough/throat thing going so I've only been down there once. To help motivate me again I've joined a 9 week fitness boot camp that begins in June. I'm really excited to be challenged and feel a bit more accountable to my fitness/health goals. I must confess I'm a bit of a chicken when it comes to running anywhere but a treadmill. I like the controlled environment of the treadmill I swear it has nothing to do with my other controls issues! ;) I am .7lb away from the 25lb mark. According to my "plan"I'm 10lbs above where  I wanted to be by this date but I am very content at taking things slow and steady. As long as I don't add numbers all is good.

This next week is my last week with the current 3 and 4 year olds I am with... I am going to miss seeing those sweet faces every week. What a great year it has been. I have decided to finish my educational hours necessary to apply for my Child Development Associate Credential and become lead qualified. I figured along with finishing out the year, planning a grad party it seemed like it'd be a good time to squeeze one more thing in! Gezzzz do I ever learn? I do work well under pressure and honestly I don't know if there ever really will be a down time. I wouldn't trade any of it and when the kids are grown I have a feeling I'll miss it so I've decided to just enjoy as much as I can.

Eric and Sam just finished swimming lessons yesterday. Sam passed, Eric didn't. Boy did I feel bad for Eric but he's such a good sport he just said he was close and he'll get it soon. What a great attitude. They can both move on to the next level in June and I'm sure time in the water this summer will help them along.

Eric turned eight the end of April. This is the year of no parties for either Eric or Sam but I think we managed to have some fun and provide a few wanted presents.

 

 

 

 

Both the boys love sports- they begin their baseball season in June and unfortunately they both play on the same nights at different fields so Rick and I will be busy playing baseball tag for awhile. Sam finished up his hockey season in March and is already talking about the next season. Eric played basketball as his winter sport and finished up the same day as Sam. In fact that was the weekend I was in the hospital.

 

Note the "hockey hair"- not sure I'm a fan of that but it's a battle that I've decided to let go. It's just hair. (that happens to drive me crazy!)

So that's kind of a snapshot into the life and times on our end. I hope to stay in touch better over the summer months and as usual I have this notion in my head that somehow someway things will be a little less busy! - keep laughing at me I know it's just my wish-full but thankful thinking.

Take care and God Bless!

Interview with Eric and Sam

1. What is something your mom always says to you?

Sam- "clean up your room"

Eric- "time to turn the Wii off"

2. What makes your mom happy?

Sam- "obeying"

Eric- "being respectful"

3. What makes your mom sad?

Sam "if you disobey"

Eric "if Daddy yells at you"

(just to clarify I can't remember the last time Rick yelled at me)

4. What does your mom do to make you laugh?

Sam- "tickles you"

Eric- "tells silly weird jokes"

5. What was your mom like as a child?

Sam- " I do NOT know! - can you give us some hints"

Eric- "aaaaa I can't answer that"

6. How old is your mom?

Sam- "37"

Eric- "38"

Sam- "which one of us is right? how old are you anyway- not as old as daddy"

(LOL!!!!)

7. How tall is your mom?

Sam- 182 feet

Eric- 181 feet

(it's like they outbid each other!)

8. What is her favorite thing to do?

Sam- "snuggle with me"

Eric-"snuggle with me"

Sam- "Eric took my answer- that's not fair!"


9. What does your mom do when you're not around?

Sam- "go excerise"

Eric- "go excerise with Audrey"

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?

Eric "a wedding"

 (I'm clueless)

Sam "being the president"

11. What is your mom really good at?

Sam- "working on the computer and cleaning the house"

Eric- "sweeping the garage" (giggling)

12. What is your mom not very good at?

Sam- "skating"

Eric- "Wii bowling"

13. What does your mom do for a job?

Sam "work at school"

Eric "work with little kids"

14. What is your mom's favorite food?

Sam- "PIZZA"

Eric- "oatmeal"

oatmeal is what I had for breakfast- pizza is what I would love for dinner!

seriously Eric?

15. What makes you proud of your mom?

Sam- "if you brush your teeth and make your bed without Daddy asking"

Eric- "I can't answer"

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?

Sam- "Ashoka- it's because your legs are so white"

Eric- "Ashoka" (clone wars)

17. What do you and your mom do together?

Sam-"play card games"

Eric- "snuggle and play games"

18. How are you and your mom the same?

Sam- "me and you have the same hands"

Eric- "we have the same family"

19. How are you and your mom different?

Sam "I'm smaller and your bigger"

Eric "Me and Sam have webkinz and you don't"

20. How do you know your mom loves you?

Sam- "because she cares for us"

Eric- "because we were born"

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?

Sam- "he cleans the toilets for you"

Eric- "I can not answer that question"

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?

Sam "church"

Eric "Christ Community Church"