6 Years Ago

I waited all day for you to start. I was ready. Late that night, well late for me, we left to begin the journey to meet you. I grabbed my bag and headed out into the cold December night. There was an overwhelming feeling of excitement and fear. What did you look like? Would you like me? We arrived at the place and they gave me a room. They tried to make me comfortable. They told me to get some sleep. You wouldn’t get there for a while yet.

I didn’t sleep. I wasn’t comfortable. Hurry up! I’ve been waiting so long to meet you. I’ve known your name for years. I’ve dreamed of what you looked like. I need to see you, touch you, smell you, kiss you.

Daylight broke and you were truly on your way. No turning back now. But, we were still hours away. Finally the urge came and I knew you were close. I worked so hard for you to get here. I was exhausted.

Then, there you were. So much dark curly hair on you head. Very tall and big. I held you in my arms and knew that I would love you forever. You were my baby. You were perfect. I will fight for you and with you for the rest of my life.

Happy Birthday to my Oldest.

U Rah Rah!

"On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin! Plunge right through that line! Run the ball clear down the field, a touchdown sure this time. On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin! Fight on for her fame. Fight, fellows, fight, fight, fight! We'll win this game."

I’m a band geek. I spend 8 years in a community marching band and 4 years in my high school marching band. I’ve been in countless parades and football game halftimes. I bet I have played that song thousands of times. A couple of weeks ago I pulled out my piccolo and after a couple of minutes could play it flawlessly from memory. That song gets my blood pumping.

I started college at the University of Wisconsin in the fall of 1986. I wanted to be in the marching band. But, I played the flute and piccolo. The UW marching band, because of their marching style, does not have a flute section. But I went to the tryouts anyway. I would try the cymbals. I’ve never played the cymbals, but I could march.

That week of tryouts was hell. It was hot, humid and we spent hours on the field learning the marching style, which is a high step march. We then spent more hours in the band room, me not having a clue. I am not a percussionist. In the end, I didn’t make the cut. But I loved the experience and get excited every time I see the band march out onto the field. I still long to be out there during the 5th Quarter.

The greatest fight song of all time turns 100 this week.

Go Bucky!

Goals

I started writing down some goals. I've been doing this for a few years. I recently looked at the list again and realized that I've accomplished most of the items on the current list. Time to add some more.

But I did notice one goal on the list that has been there for a long, long time. I want to write. A book. Or something. I really haven't told many people beyond my husband that I even want to do this. But I really do. I guess that is why I started this blog in the first place. To work up the courage to actually do it. And to help me figure out if I am even any good at this writing thing. I don't have a much confidence in this area. I have ideas and have even started a few things. I think I'm afraid people won't like it.

My friend Loretta is a writer and a blogger and I have been following her blog for months. I also read some of the blogs that she follows. One of those bloggers is sponsoring a writing contest.

http://suzyhayze.blogspot.com/2009/11/contest.html

I think this is my first step off the cliff. Or maybe my only step off the cliff. :)

So I am doing this. I've actually written it, and will have my writer/editor husband make sure I've used commas correctly. I tend to overuse them.

If nothing else comes of this, I can scratch that goal off my list.

Thankful

Now that November has arrived my mind has turned to Thanksgiving. To be honest, Thanksgiving hasn't been a big deal for me for many years. Not sure why, probably because we live so far away from family and haven't created any family traditions on our own. (Except for the lasagna. This is because my husband cannot eat turkey. Allergies.) But this year I'm looking forward to it. I'm ready to start some traditions and really thankful.

I read in a natural health magazine about keeping a Thankful/Grateful Journal. It encouraged people to write down daily something that they were grateful for that day. It could be big or as small as being grateful for that person who held the door open for them at the store. It mentioned that people who were thankful took better care of themselves and were more likely to workout regularly, eat right, sleep more and be happier.

So I'm starting a journal. It will be paper and by my bedside. Perhaps I will share some of them.

What am I currently thankful for? COFFEE

peace~

Chasing Butterflies

Last night after dinner the boys begged to go outside. It was a beautiful evening, so we did. I pointed out a butterfly to them and they chased it around the yard. Giggling and tromping through the flowers, I couldn't help but smile and realize that we all need to take time to enjoy the very simple things in life. They got so much joy out of that butterfly.

Oldest went to play with a little boy on the block for awhile and littlest played ball with dad for awhile. When it was time to go in I collected Oldest along with some sunflowers from the neighbor. Oldest was so excited about the sunflowers and Littlest actually took one to bed with him. With school starting soon, our family life will get chaotic. I hope to remember to chase butterflies on stressful days.

We’re going Swimming

This week oldest is in Swim Camp. He loves it. He gets to go to the club and spend 2 hours each morning in the pool. They get a lesson and then free play time. He is a very good swimmer for his age and his counselor told me this morning that she was impressed with his ability. I’m very proud of him.

The challenge has been that littlest also loves swimming. But he is not going to camp. So each morning I’ve had to take oldest because it would torture for littlest if we went to the pool and he couldn’t go in.

This morning I announce to oldest that he needs to get his swim trunks on so we can go. Littlest overhears, exclaims, “Swim trunks? Right.” And runs toward the bedroom to get his. On the way he stops turns, jumps and stabs the air with his fists yelling, “WE’RE GOING SWIMMING.”

Alas he did not, but his enthusiasm should count for something.

Signs of Spring

Yesterday I saw the first Robin of spring. She was on our lawn probably eating a seed or a worm. Spring is on its way.

All of the snow in the front of the house is gone and I noticed the crocus' leaves poking through the ground. It won't be long now......

Loose Tooth

Oldest has his first loose tooth. I'm excited for him. It means he is growing up. I'm also sad because it means he is growing up.

I lost my first tooth when I was five. I remember I was on my grandparents porch. I cried and cried. My mom told me if we left the toothfairy a note she would leave the tooth along with any money. I stil have that tooth and the note in my baby book.

Oldest had been sucking on his shirt all day. I asked him to stop several times. At dinner he excitedly says, "MOM, MY TOOTH IS LOOSE!" Sure enough. Explains the shirt sucking. We talked about what it means to loose a tooth, that he shouldn't play with it with his tongue too much and let it fall out on its own, that there might be some blood when it does fall out, about the toothfairy.

He was very pensive, worried about the blood. He decided that if he had a wet washcloth it would stop the bleeding. How would he eat, brush his teeth with a loose tooth? How many teeth will he loose altogether? I told him that he will need to take extra good care of his big kid teeth. He will need to keep them forever. I have confidence in him. He's grown up so much.

He doesn't want to give up his tooth.

I told him that we would write a note for the tooth fairy and I was sure she would leave it for him.