LIFE HAPPENS

Saturday, October 3, 2015

May through September 2015

It has been awhile since I have posted anything and a lot of things have happened. We have traveled quite a bit this year. It all started with my half marathon in Phoenix in March and it has been busy for awhile. In May, DJ celebrated his 7th birthday at putt putt. Can't believe how old he is getting. I can't believe I've kept him alive this long! He is growing like a weed. Dean and Liz came down for a visit from Colorado to celebrate DJ's birthday and mothers day with me. They gave him all kinds of Avengers action figures and they also brought Yvie some Star Wars Luke Skywalker and storm trooper action figures so that she wouldn't feel left out! Later that evening they took us out to dinner at the elephant bar an we talked for some time. Dave was so happy to see his friend. It was great for him and for me as well. The next morning was mothers day and we went to breakfast with Dean and Liz again followed by the new Avengers movie. Afterwards, we went home and the kids gave me their presents. I was overwhelmed with so much emotion that I broke down and cried. I love my kids so much. It's astounding how emotional I get. Later that evening, Dean and Liz wanted to make dinner for us and brought groceries and lots of wine. We ate like kings! We has lobster tails and filet mignon with Caesar salad. It was great and it was sad to see them leave. Another thing that happened, Yvie got her first haircut and of course I cried. Yvie was excited and wants to do it again!

Yvie's 1st haircut

DJ's 7th birthday!

Half Marathon Finishers

A few days later, I went back to California by myself on the train to go to the dental convention. Not only did I get continuing education for my license, but I also got to spend time with my family. I also had the opportunity to see an awesome Dodger game with my sister and my nephew and let's not forget the In-n-Out burger I got to enjoy! While I was enjoying California, my wonderful husband took the kids camping with the cub scouts all by himself. Not sure if I would've done that. No, I probably would've. Kids and daddy did fine, much to my relief and they were there to pick me up at the train station. I missed them so much!

Not even a month later in June, we were on the road again to see Christopher graduate from my Alma mater, St. Paul High School. I still think of him as the little itty bitty boy who was my first love and stole my heart. It's hard to imagine him as a man in college now. I honestly don't know how to feel about that. A lot of mixed emotions. While we were there in California, we HAD to stop at Seal Beach and enjoy the water for a brief moment. My kids have turned into great travelers. There was some complaints, but they handled it like pros. While we were there, we celebrated Frank's, Ray's and my birthday on Ray's actual birthday. I use to not like sharing birthdays as a child, but it was great to have the opportunity for all of us to celebrate together. Had a great Cuban birthday cake that mom got because I wanted it. It was such a long trip for such a short visit.

In July, Dave's daughter Jamie came for a visit for the holiday weekend. I was a little apprehensive because she hadn't been around the kids for a long time. I wasn't sure how she was going to be especially after finding out she has a mild form Asburgers condition, which is almost like autism. But knowing this now sheds a lot of light on her past behaviors and I was more accepting and the visit was good. The kids enjoyed seeing their sister and getting to know her better.

Soon after her visit, we had to go on another road trip to Las Vegas, NV. Dave's dad passed away and we found out weeks after it happened. I was really upset that his half sister didn't have the common courtesy to let him know. After failed attempts to contact his dad, we found out he passed away. It was an emotional trip for all of us. We all wanted to be there to support the man we loved say goodbye to his father. On the positive side for July, the kids took some swimming lessons on base and have learned the basics! Yay! Finally!

The grave site

DJ feeling sad for daddy

Swimming lessons

In July, DJ had his 4th set of tubes placed in his ears. I pray to God that this will be the last one. More permanent tubes have been placed and will be in for a long while. So far he is doing good. Let's all cross our fingers and toes for good measure.

Getting ready for surgery #4

Our last trip in July was our vacation to Pagosa Springs, CO. This place was magical. I felt all my cares get lifted off my shoulders. We hiked to two waterfalls, went biking, played in the river, ate some really fresh, good food and just relaxed and explored. It was a such a wonderful time with the kids, trying to show them all the beauty that nature has to offer. I felt actual anxiety and heartache when we left. DJ and Yvie did not want to leave either. But that was the first part of our vacation. The second part was a staycation where we stayed at a local hotel and went to their water park all day. The kids enjoyed it and had a great time. I honestly felt ripped off for the price, but hey that's just me. Everything we do, it's for the kids,not us. Pretty sad, but we enjoy it as well.

Evening bike ride

Piedra Falls, CO

Chillin' at the falls.

Getting cooled off in our clothes!

Feeling happy!

Selfie at Treasure Falls!

Treasure Falls, CO

Treasure Falls

Crazy face at Treasure Falls!

Not much happened in August except that DJ started 2nd grade and started up with the cub scouts again. He loves it so much. It makes me happy to see him so interested in something so positive and outdoorsy. He also has started an after school program call run fit. It gets them prepared for running. So far he has liked it and is looking forward to running with me.

1st day of 2nd grade

DJ holding cub scout flag

Cub scout popcorn sales

State Fair selfie

Sticking with the kiddie rides

In September, I started a different job at the VA. I am now a purchasing agent. This is something totally different after doing dentistry for 19 years. So far it has been good. Much better than dental, but it may be too soon to speak. So for September we have done our usual state fair tradition. DJ has been actually big enough for the big kid rides. He went on one with Dave and did NOT like it at all and was apprehensive about going on anymore of the big rides. He pretty much stuck to the kiddie ones. Yvie on the other hand was gung ho, but still too little. Maybe next year. This weekend DJ got to shoot his first bow and arrow and BB gun at the cub scout adventure day. I think he has found something he likes very much. I feel so bad for Yvie because she gets to be a bystander in all the things DJ does. She wants to do all the things her brother does and she is held back because she is either too small or it is only for the cub scouts. I do not like this unfairness. Life just keeps getting more and more hectic. Hopefully it won't take me as long top do my next post.

Saturday, March 28, 2015

And so it begins. It is already almost 4 months into 2015 and I have been a slacker. Kids have gotten much bigger, and cross my fingers, they will continue to do well. DJ is in 1st grade and Yvie is in pre-kindergarten.

So far in the past year, DJ has had his third set of tubes and his adnoids out in the hopes that this would help with his ear issues. This type of surgery was a little more involved and DJ needed a lot of time to recuperate. Poor little guy, I felt so bad for him. My heart hurt to see him in pain. I want to be the one to take his pain away. He was such a trooper. He went to school even when he was in pain. He knew he had to do it because mommy and daddy had to work. So far he is doing good, but it looks like he may need to have a fourth set of tubes. Fluid is still building up in his left ear and he has had a very bad ear infection earlier in the year when he had such pain with bloody fluid dripping from his ears. It was during this that his left tube fell out. if it's not one thing, it's another. As for Yvie, she has been quite healthy, except for getting croup whenever she comes down with a bad cough.

In the past year, DJ has joined the cub scouts. We have done a lot of fun things with the scouts as a family. DJ enjoys it and so does Yvie. She wishes she could be a cub scout too. She is quite the tag along. And I wonder how long DJ is going to tolerate it. She wants to be like him so much. She continuously copies him and will not make a decision about things until she finds out what DJ is going to do. It's going to break my heart when they no longer want to do things with each other. I hope it never changes. At this time in their lives, they enjoy sharing a room and do not want their own privacy. They love knowing the other one is there with them. It's like a security blanket. This is what I hold most precious. Their love for each other knows no bounds. They can be bitter rivals, fighting with each other and then the next minute they are best friends. This is what being siblings is all about.

We went to Taos in February and did some snowboarding again. Took another lesson and so did the kids. They did extremely well. Much better than me, but I'm much older and not as resilient. But I was not a quitter. Had to show the kids that we do not give up. It was so much fun! Dave and I could not be prouder parents. We also did some tubing while we were there. I have never done that before and it was great! It's fun to watch your husband and children act like little kids without a care in the world. We were living in the moment. Pure fun!

Last summer we did a weekend trip to the Grand Canyon. We camped at a KOA in Arizona and took the train to the rim. It was overcast, cold, and rainy. It was such a great experience to be there and not be hot. The sky was wickedly cloudy and the view was breathtaking. Never a dull moment. It was great. I hope we create great memories for the kids. I feel like this life is super short and time is going super fast. I'm trying to cherish these events and tuck them away for myself to reminisce at a later time.

Earlier this month I did my second half marathon with my brother, Ray. We drove to Phoenix and met my brother there for a quick turn around trip to do this together. It was such a wonderful experience to be able to do this with him. I was so proud of my brother. He is much older than me, but kicked my butt running. He is such an inspiration. I ended up pulling my Achilles tendon eight miles into the run and had to jog/walk it the rest of the way. Ray could've continued on ahead of me, but didn't. He kept me going and I love that about him. He is so optimistic. It's sickening.

We added to our family this past Christmas. Dave had been bugging for a new puppy and he got his wish. We got a blue heeler and named her Dusty. She is such a beast. The other dogs tolerate her...barely. She has nickname of 'puffball' which I casually called her one time and it has stuck with the kids. Dave cannot stand it. She better learn some manners soon or else...

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Hiking,Snowboarding, and the Yvie at the dentist

Once again I am having a glass of wine and pondering on the first month of the year. Can't believe it is already gone. One month into the new year and so far (cross our fingers), we are all doing good. DJ still loves school, Yvie enjoys preschool, I still tolerate my job while Dave enjoys his. But we all have so many things to be thankful for. So far this year, we have been on two hikes, one to the foothills and the other to Tent Rocks, which was a long awesome hike. I was very pleased with DJ and Yvie for completing the 2 hour hike. They never cease to amaze me. Also, we took the kids up to Taos to take snowboarding lessons. I took lessons as well and have come to realize that I am not as young as I used to be. I don't think I have ever fallen on my ass that much. The kids loved every minute of their lessons and now think they are pro. I also went to DJ's first school dance. It was a 'sock hop' and we danced a whole hour straight. Listened to music that reminded me of my dad. Made me really miss him. Tried to teach DJ how to do the 'twist' and the 'cupid shuffle', It was great! Yvie also had her first dental cleaning. She was not scared at all. As long as Mommy was there to hold her hand, she was fine. Life Happens. I have to remind myself to enjoy it!