Tuesday, January 18, 2011
It's Been A While, I Know
Sorry for the long lapse since my last post. The holidays kept me pretty busy and the blog was not high on the priority list for a while. Now that things have returned to normal, I hope to get back to posting with some regularity. I also hope everyone had a great holiday with their faimilies!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Our Christmas Celebration Starts Tomorrow
I am sitting here tonight on the eve of one of my favorite events of the Christmas season, the annual Christmas Pageant put on by the students at our small catholic school. Every child in the school participates, from pre-k up to 8th grade. It is a classic telling of the Nativity, beautiful in its simplicity. We have beautiful costumes generously sewn by the mother of one of our students many years ago. Our music teacher does a wonderful job with the choir and the pageant songs are some of my favorite of the advent season. The pageant is directed by our 8th grade teacher and she, too, does a wonderful job.
This year N is a magi attendant and A makes her pageant debut as a star. She is excited but also a bit nervous. For the first time ever, J will be sitting in the audience. He's looking forward to seeing the pageant from the perspective of an audience member. After tomorrow's morning and evening performances I will have seen the pageant a total of 22 times and counting. By the time A graduates the 8th grade that number will rise to 40. And that doesn't count the various rehearsals I've assisted with. Yet I love it more every year. For me, it is the true beginning of our Christmas celebration.
This year N is a magi attendant and A makes her pageant debut as a star. She is excited but also a bit nervous. For the first time ever, J will be sitting in the audience. He's looking forward to seeing the pageant from the perspective of an audience member. After tomorrow's morning and evening performances I will have seen the pageant a total of 22 times and counting. By the time A graduates the 8th grade that number will rise to 40. And that doesn't count the various rehearsals I've assisted with. Yet I love it more every year. For me, it is the true beginning of our Christmas celebration.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Path of Faith
Today J received the Sacrament of Confirmation. This a big milestone that marks his full acceptance of the path of faith we set him on as a tiny baby. As I watched him process into the church, I was overwhelmed once again by the fact that my little boy is in fact, a young man, who is growing up faster than my heart wants to allow. In my heart he is still the baby who smiled through his baptism. The little boy who loved to read "Eyeore Loses His Tail" over and over again. The four year old who proclaimed his new baby brother "pretty cool." The second grader who, after receiving his First Holy Communion, wondered why Jesus couldn't taste like the M&M's Sr. Kathleen had them practice with. The ten year old who wanted a second brother, only to fall head over heels for his baby sister the second he set eyes on her. All of these memories hold a special place in my heart. Today new memories found their place. J, being annointed with oil and pledging his faith. The smile on his face as he caught my eye. The pride in his smile when he had his picture taken with Father Chris. The pride I felt knowing that J has a strong foundation of faith and love to build his life on. All of these moments will take their permanent place in my heart so that I can revisit them long after today has passed.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
A Milestone Birthday and a Day of Reflection
N is ten years old today. Has it really been ten years since this lovable bundle of energy and quirkiness came screaming into our lives? According to the calendar it has been. Ten wonderful years filled with laughter, amazement, pride,and sometimes a little aggravation. This kid has in turn over the years amazed me with his razor sharp brain, exhausted me with his bottomless well of energy, and completely taken over my heart. We'll spend today celebrating N and thanking God for giving us this amazing boy to raise.
Yet as I bake his birthday cake this morning,(chocolate, with mint cream cheese frosting) I can't help but remember N's first birthday and how that day forever changed the lives of every American. My sweet baby was a year old the day of the terrorist attacks on America. What should have been a day of joyous celebration passed in a fog of shock, grief, and fear in front of the television. In the years since N was old enough to be aware of what happened on September 11, 2001, we say a special prayer together for those lost that day. He asks questions and talks about his feelings regarding the attacks. He wonders why the attacks had to happen on his birthday or why they had to happen at all. He wonders if it's okay to celebrate on a day that will be forever be associated with sadness and tragedy. I tell him the same thing I've told him since he was old enough to understand. His birth is meant to be celebrated and appreciated. And that while we celebrate September 11, 2000, we keep in our hearts and never forget all those lost on September 11, 2001.
Yet as I bake his birthday cake this morning,(chocolate, with mint cream cheese frosting) I can't help but remember N's first birthday and how that day forever changed the lives of every American. My sweet baby was a year old the day of the terrorist attacks on America. What should have been a day of joyous celebration passed in a fog of shock, grief, and fear in front of the television. In the years since N was old enough to be aware of what happened on September 11, 2001, we say a special prayer together for those lost that day. He asks questions and talks about his feelings regarding the attacks. He wonders why the attacks had to happen on his birthday or why they had to happen at all. He wonders if it's okay to celebrate on a day that will be forever be associated with sadness and tragedy. I tell him the same thing I've told him since he was old enough to understand. His birth is meant to be celebrated and appreciated. And that while we celebrate September 11, 2000, we keep in our hearts and never forget all those lost on September 11, 2001.
Monday, August 30, 2010
The downside of pet ownership
I not only have three human children, I have several animal children as well. We have three dogs, Missy, Dixie, and Dakota, a cat named Andy, a turtle named Jimmy, and a guinea pig named Smores. Yes, we're nuts! I admit to having a soft heart when it comes to animals. Our pets are well loved and a part of our family. That's what makes it so hard when one of them gets very sick. Sadly, that is the case with our cat Andy.
Two weeks ago, Andy hopped up onto my bed beside me and I noticed his nose was swollen on one side. I called the vet and took him in. He had a tooth abscess that required extraction. Okay, no problem. He had the surgery, and was sent home with a round of antibiotics. After a week, the swelling was a little better but still there. So we did another round of antibiotics. The swelling remained. I called and talked to the vet and she gave us a few options. We could do X-rays that would hopefully give us some idea of the problem. We could do a cat scan and biopsy. She told us to think about it over the weekend since Andy was not acting sick and was eating and drinking normally. In the meantime, he finished his antibiotic and the over the weekend the swelling got worse. Now his lip was swollen and he didn't want us to touch it. His eye was watery and he was drooling. I took him in this morning and sadly the vet was able to make her diagnosis. He has a cancerous mass in his nasal cavity that is now growing down through where the tooth was extracted. it likely caused the abscess in the first place. Not the news I wanted to hear. Even with very expensive treatment his prognosis is not good. The tumor is just too fast growing. So he received a steroid shot to help with the swelling and I brought him back home. When he shows signs of illness such as stopping eating, we will have to make the heart breaking trip back to the vet to have him put down.
Andy is not the first pet I've had to make this decision for. I had to make it thirteen years ago for my beloved dog that I had grown up with. Six years ago I had to make it for the sassy cat hubby and I adopted when we were first married. And in between, we had another cat simply pass away unexpectedly at home. It's always heart breaking and the decision never gets easier. I know in my heart I am making the right choice because to allow a pet to suffer is needlessly cruel. So no matter how much my heart hurts, I will make the decision for Andy when the time comes. I owe him for the eight years of happiness and love he has given us.
Two weeks ago, Andy hopped up onto my bed beside me and I noticed his nose was swollen on one side. I called the vet and took him in. He had a tooth abscess that required extraction. Okay, no problem. He had the surgery, and was sent home with a round of antibiotics. After a week, the swelling was a little better but still there. So we did another round of antibiotics. The swelling remained. I called and talked to the vet and she gave us a few options. We could do X-rays that would hopefully give us some idea of the problem. We could do a cat scan and biopsy. She told us to think about it over the weekend since Andy was not acting sick and was eating and drinking normally. In the meantime, he finished his antibiotic and the over the weekend the swelling got worse. Now his lip was swollen and he didn't want us to touch it. His eye was watery and he was drooling. I took him in this morning and sadly the vet was able to make her diagnosis. He has a cancerous mass in his nasal cavity that is now growing down through where the tooth was extracted. it likely caused the abscess in the first place. Not the news I wanted to hear. Even with very expensive treatment his prognosis is not good. The tumor is just too fast growing. So he received a steroid shot to help with the swelling and I brought him back home. When he shows signs of illness such as stopping eating, we will have to make the heart breaking trip back to the vet to have him put down.
Andy is not the first pet I've had to make this decision for. I had to make it thirteen years ago for my beloved dog that I had grown up with. Six years ago I had to make it for the sassy cat hubby and I adopted when we were first married. And in between, we had another cat simply pass away unexpectedly at home. It's always heart breaking and the decision never gets easier. I know in my heart I am making the right choice because to allow a pet to suffer is needlessly cruel. So no matter how much my heart hurts, I will make the decision for Andy when the time comes. I owe him for the eight years of happiness and love he has given us.
Monday, August 9, 2010
First Day of School
Today was the first day of school for my kids. I truly wish the summer break had been longer, but I won't get going on that topic! This morning was one of those mornings that really drove home the age difference in my kids. At 14, 9, and 4, they are all at very different stages in their lives.
J started high school today, which just seems surreal to me. After ten years of catholic school(pk-8th), he didn't have to wear a uniform today. It was very weird to see him come out dressed in regular clothes. he was excited, a little nervous, and anxious to get going this morning. As I watched him walking into school this morning, I was struck by the realization that my firstborn is no longer a little kid. He's a full fledged young adult, well on his way to being all grown up.
N is in 4th grade this year. He's making that transition from little kid to big kid. And he's so ready to be a big kid. He'll celebrate his tenth birthday soon but he'd like to be much older. I think he sometimes views the four and half years between himself and J as a challenge to grow up as fast as possible. If older brother does it or has it, N wants his fair shot. I never worry about N being lost in the middle. He's a master negotiator, independent, stubborn beyond belief, and his favorite past time is arguing. My days would be unbearably dull without him!
And finally, A started pre-k today. Yes, my baby is off to school. Only half days this year, but still. My last baby is growing up and leaving the nest, little by little. She was so excited to start school today. She's grown up watching her brothers go to this school and trailing after me as I volunteered. To her way of thinking, it's about time she got to go school, too.
It's been a big day for us. Exciting, exhausting, and full of change. I imagine the year to come will be filled with more of the same.
J started high school today, which just seems surreal to me. After ten years of catholic school(pk-8th), he didn't have to wear a uniform today. It was very weird to see him come out dressed in regular clothes. he was excited, a little nervous, and anxious to get going this morning. As I watched him walking into school this morning, I was struck by the realization that my firstborn is no longer a little kid. He's a full fledged young adult, well on his way to being all grown up.
N is in 4th grade this year. He's making that transition from little kid to big kid. And he's so ready to be a big kid. He'll celebrate his tenth birthday soon but he'd like to be much older. I think he sometimes views the four and half years between himself and J as a challenge to grow up as fast as possible. If older brother does it or has it, N wants his fair shot. I never worry about N being lost in the middle. He's a master negotiator, independent, stubborn beyond belief, and his favorite past time is arguing. My days would be unbearably dull without him!
And finally, A started pre-k today. Yes, my baby is off to school. Only half days this year, but still. My last baby is growing up and leaving the nest, little by little. She was so excited to start school today. She's grown up watching her brothers go to this school and trailing after me as I volunteered. To her way of thinking, it's about time she got to go school, too.
It's been a big day for us. Exciting, exhausting, and full of change. I imagine the year to come will be filled with more of the same.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Only One Week Left
Of summer vacation that is. Yep, that's right. The kids start school a week from tomorrow, August 9. This week will be filled with last minute preparations: uniform sale, high school registration, eye exams, and pre-k orientation. Sigh. I'm tired just thinking about it.
We're trying to pack as much fun as possible into the last few days of summer though. This weekend J and N went with my dad to see the Yankees play the Tampa Rays. They went for Saturday's game, stayed overnight and went to another game today. N even managed to get Mariano Rivera to autograph J's outgrown Derek Jeter jersey. Yes, I know it would have made more sense to actually have Derek Jeter autograph it, but Rivera was the one out signing today. I took A to see Ramona and Beezu and then we hit IHOP for a girl's dinner out with my mom. And tomorrow, cousin B and cousin M arrive to spend the week with us. We're planning to squeeze some beach time in, maybe a little free bowling, and hopefully some relaxation.
I don't know about everyone else, but I am so not ready to let go of the carefree days of summer. I don't want to think about setting the alarm every night, packing lunches, cracking the homework whip, or making sure everyone is in bed at the appointed time. Ideally, I'd be back in Hawaii, relaxing on that gorgeous black sand beach we visited. I've accepted that it's not going to happen, but I can dream right? How are you spending the end of your summer? If it's on a black sand beach in Hawaii, be merciful and don't tell me!
We're trying to pack as much fun as possible into the last few days of summer though. This weekend J and N went with my dad to see the Yankees play the Tampa Rays. They went for Saturday's game, stayed overnight and went to another game today. N even managed to get Mariano Rivera to autograph J's outgrown Derek Jeter jersey. Yes, I know it would have made more sense to actually have Derek Jeter autograph it, but Rivera was the one out signing today. I took A to see Ramona and Beezu and then we hit IHOP for a girl's dinner out with my mom. And tomorrow, cousin B and cousin M arrive to spend the week with us. We're planning to squeeze some beach time in, maybe a little free bowling, and hopefully some relaxation.
I don't know about everyone else, but I am so not ready to let go of the carefree days of summer. I don't want to think about setting the alarm every night, packing lunches, cracking the homework whip, or making sure everyone is in bed at the appointed time. Ideally, I'd be back in Hawaii, relaxing on that gorgeous black sand beach we visited. I've accepted that it's not going to happen, but I can dream right? How are you spending the end of your summer? If it's on a black sand beach in Hawaii, be merciful and don't tell me!
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