Author: Kelli

Today was one of those days where you think you have it all together. We woke up late, but managed to get the girl off to school in time. I got myself ready to leave, started to get dinner in the crock pot and my 5 year old runs down the stairs and announces, “Mom it’s 100 day of school day today!” Stopped making dinner and helped him count out 100 rocks from his collection, letting him help and teaching him how to count by 10’s.

I was feeling quite proud of myself as I pulled out of the driveway feeling accomplished that I had gotten everything taken care of, except dinner but that is what subway is for right? I managed to get three meetings done, all in different parts of town, and made it back in time to feed the sick one. I was also able to help him with homework while I did my own work. I had a handle on this whole working mom, sick kid thing.

Then I realized, I never called the school to tell them Aaron was not coming. It’s 1pm! I had told his teacher and no one called from the school so I figured that it was not the end of the world, however I still forgot. I was that irresponsible parent that did not tell the school that their kid was home with strep throat. I realize that things like this happen to keep us humble. I was getting too confident in my multi-tasking skills and this was just want I needed to put in me in my place.

With the start of the New Year, I wanted to try to get in the habit of writing things down again. I love being able to document what happens to me and our family so I can look back on it, and I did not do so well in 2016. So, as a wrap up and to start the year off right, here is what I remember, and learned the most in 2016.

First off we gained two new full time students in 2016. Dylan started kindergarten, which taught me that time is so very precious and the time we have to be the only one in their world does not last long. Ellis also became a full time student when he started a new career path and he has learned that time management is important.

Lauren became a middle schooler this year, and with this I learned that kids become more independent and have their own thoughts, idea, and responsibilities and you are not really a part of. You go from being head coach, to a cheerleader.  You might get a consulting position from time to time, but for the most part, you are on the sidelines. Lauren sends her own emails to the teachers, she tells me when things are due and what I need to do. It’s great to see her taking responsibility for her own education and I’m thrilled she is doing so well. Again, time is precious.

Aaron turned 9 and started 4th grade. He also graduated from speech and does not have to go anymore. He was thrilled and I can see his confidence growing all the time. He still loves soccer and I love that he has found something he loves. I learned that I’m grateful for his “coaches’ that help him to gain confidence and that luckily he still lets me be one of them, for now.

Dylan, well he had a lot of first this year. He started kindergarten and he got to go to St. Louis for the first time. He also got to go to the circus for the first time. That kid loves life and learning. He is not afraid to speak his mind and share his ideas. He is brave and tough, but is also compassionate and loving. I learned Dylan loves to dress up and be a character. He also tried T-ball for the first time and got to play with is cousin. He still lets me fully be his coach and I will take that job as long as I can. Time is precious.

For me, in 2016 I became a mom with all her kids in school. It is not easy, or fun, or relaxing to have all your kids in school. It is hard, exhausting and stressful. I also learned that you have to just do your best, spend as much time as you can with them, be organized, and just be there. I also became an Aunt and found out I would be again in 2017, and it will be another nephew. I can’t believe that my Colton will already be 1 year old in a couple weeks. Time is precious.

Happy new year.

When you are a parent you sometimes surprise yourself at the things you do or are willing to do for your child. You plan Guess Who a hundred times and act like you don’t know who your kid is, even though they pick the same person every time because it’s there “favorite”, even though you and his siblings have explained many times that’s not how you are supposed to play.

You learn about soccer what team people like Messi and Ronaldo play for, and what is a Rainbow, and what an Evee is and why you want to “go to a Gym” or “hatch an egg”.

You also read the same book as your 12 year old so you can have something to talk to her about. Yes, we talk, but have you ever asked a 12 year old how her day was? Some friendly advice—-DON’T! It will only leave you hiding in the bathroom with a whole tub of ice cream, trust me. However reading these books has actually been enjoyable and the first things she asks me when she gets home is what part I’m at. She always wants me to read the books she is because she wants to talk about them. I am not a fast reader and with everything else I have to do in a day it is hard to read sometimes, but I have found the time. I’m a multi-tasker after all, so while I’m on the soccer field waiting for practice to end, I pull out the book and read, read, read. I have done this with several books, but I have decided this is something I need to always be doing, and not just with her. I need to always find a way to connect with my kids. I can’t like everything they do, that would just be weird, but I am writing this so I can remind myself to always make sure I’m in to one thing they are at all times. It will not only help us connect, but I will always be able to learn and grow through them. I think that’s a great side effect of trying to be a good parent.

So how do you all connect?

“Today is my lucky day”. That was Dylan’s catch phrase today. He got to have lunch with his favorite person-GRANDMA. He got to have a friend over which a certainly a rare occasion, and he got to have a few friends and family come to Chuck E Cheese for a party. He was certainly the center of attention and he was his usual happy, polite and appreciative kid.

Dylan is truly an amazing little dude. He started out small but he is so mighty in personality. He loves to give hugs, compliments, and kind words. He has no trouble sharing, unless it is with his brother then we may have some issues. He loves Ninja Turtles, animals, superheros, helping, and especially GRANDMA.

I have loved seeing him grow, love his personality and the things he comes up with to say. Especially when he says, “Mom, I think that is unrealistic”. He tells me I am his “best mama”, and that he wants to be a chef, but he changed his mind, he now wants to be a fire fighter so he can help people. I tell him that no matter what he decided to do he can help people and he seems to like that idea. I am super excited to watch him continue to learn and grow. Five is such a fun age, and I can’t wait to see what this year brings this kid.

I’m trying to start the blog again because basically  I love to be able to look back and remember what we have done and where we have been. So to briefly catch up, Lauren turned 12 and we have breakfast for dinner with the family on a snowy Sunday. She had a Harry Potter cake and really likes everything Harry Potter. She also plays the cello now and only has an inch to go to be as tall as me, and her shoe size is already bigger than mine. We planned for her to have a painting party with her good friend Jasmine and a bunch of friends and have sorting hat cupcakes, and the night before the party she got the stomach flu and couldn’t go to her own party. I think that is probably the worst thing I have had to do as a parent this year was tell her she couldn’t go to her own party (that and make new sorting hat cupcakes).

Aaron turned 9.  We ate at Fujiama’s and went to Rocket Fizz, and on Valentine’s Day he got ot have a party at Aunt Mary’s with his cousins and money cake! That boy both amazes me and tests my patients on a regular basis. I am humbled that I get to have a front row seat to this boy’s life. I have seen him grow so much. I watch him on the soccer field and I can’t hardly believe it is the same little boy that had to wear braces on his feet just so he could walk straight and not fall down. When I see him actually talk to another kid and joke it almost makes me cry because I remember hoping and praying that one day someone else besides me could understand what he was saying.  This soccer playing, Pokemon and baby cousin lovin’ boy has certainly become my best sports watching and errand running companion.

I’m sure a bunch more things have happened already, but these are the most important to me. We have had a rough start to the year with everyone being sick and some more than once, but it’s Spring, and Dylan turns 5 on Friday, so there will be a lot more to document for the year to come.

15 years ago today my Dad lost his battle with cancer. I would like to tell those of you that have lost loved ones that time makes it better, but I can’t. It may get more bearable, however it never, and I mean NEVER gets easier.

Today is much harder than any other “day” because it is the day I remember the loss. The pain, the very minute it happened, what he said, what I said, who was there, everything. I want to say I remember all the happy days just as much, but I don’t. That say my whole world stops and a part of me was gone and I think that even after 15 years I am still searching for that piece and nothing makes it better.

Historically this day has been a bad day for me. I really try not to plan much and just try to get it over with. Some years I try to prepare myself and trick myself into making it a good day. This year I had so much to do that I thought for sure I wouldn’t even think about it. Then I couldn’t get into my computer so the whole day I could not do work I really needed to do to distract me. I had meeting scheduled for Dylan, and those went faster than usual. I guess it was the universe telling me,  you are entitled to your one day of mourning. You get this ONE day a year to be sad, grumpy, and mad. Just the one day though. I think that is the key, it doesn’t get easier, or better, but allowing it to take you over and forget all the other good there is will not either.

We have had a great week. We traveled to Florida for a little fun and sun that was much needed an long overdue. I was thrilled just to be doing anything except work, laundry, school, the same old routine.

The week started off a bit rocky, our first night was a little memorable to say the least. Our hotel sounded like there was a train running straight through the room all night, and we were already tired and grumpy, so needless to stay, traveling on day two was not the greatest fun. I was never so grateful for the song Uptown Funk although not the most appropriate, it’s lively beat kept me going and it would come on the radio at the best time. We made it there and our hotel was lovely. We checked in just in time for the happy hour and free snacks. In an effort to keep us all sane, we headed to the pool. Little did I know they had a nightly movie at the pool. The kids loved it and we all swam and watched The Incredibles. However, it because a nightly expectation even if it was 60 degrees out at 8pm.

The next day we headed to Universal. I was getting a little skeptical that I had made a good pick because Dylan was really not able to ride much. It rained on us about 3pm and once we were all soaked, still tired from driving, and all starving, we decided to leave early. It was a good idea after all because we had time to go by one of our churches temples and shop at a local bookstore before they closed. We made it back in time for Despicable me and more pool time.

Friday, that was the day. Universal was looking up. I scoped out the rides that were Dylan friendly and the best show to see. We bough ponchos to avoid the wetness, and we made it to Harry Potter world (where we saw people we actually knew). Lauren loved everything Harry Potter, and I have to admit, even though I have not even seen the first movie, it was pretty awesome. We closed down the park. My feet hurt so bad I could barely walk, and we were all starving, so we headed to Hard Rock. It was a bit over our budget, but at this point we did not care and just wanted to eat and rest. We had the best time ever dancing in our seats and we even stayed longer than planned when Uptown Funk came on and the whole place started dancing. I wish my phone had not died so I could have gotten Dylan’s dance on video.

Saturday, with aching feet, we headed to Legoland so Dylan could finally have some fun. He was in Heaven. I plot twist was that Aaron was equally as excited about the Legos and all the characters and figures. They all got to go to driving school and the best part was in the last hour we went into warp speed to do everything we wanted to do. We again got home in time for the movie but only Aaron was brave enough to swim. The Lego Movie was playing and it just made me smile. I stuck my feet in the hot tub and just enjoyed relaxing and being jealous of the fact that Aaron could keep going after a long day.

Sunday we went to the Clearwater aquarium. My favorite day yet. I was able to keep a boat ride a secret and we saw about 10 dolphins on our trip. Not only did we see a dolphin, but some native birds and a stingray that kept jumping straight up in the air. Lauren saw Winter and Hope and although she was a little upset she didn’t get to see Winter up close, she liked learning more about her home. We then went to dinner with Amber and Brian. It was nice to talk and plan our next visit, haha. We got back from dinner just in time for the sunset and one last night swim.

Ponchos and Uptown Funk were my theme of the week. Both were life savers for us. I’m not ready to return to real life, let me stay longer, please?

Some times when I am lucky I have a super power that emerges. I can not always predict when it will show up or how long it will last. But when it works, it works. I’m sure most of you moms out there know my secret superpower and have used it yourself in the past.

Tonight was one of times. I had just finished cleaning up the kitchen, yes I had finished, and I hear Dylan say, “mom I puwhok”. I grab paper towels and run over to him in no time flat. I order the older two to grab the trash can and more paper towels and extra clothes. I comfort him, clean him up, and calm him down. I then get the 8 year old to actually “practice” reading and answer questions. Just when we are finishing up the “puwhoking” 3 year old curls up in my lap and “puwhoks” all over me and him. Again I clean everything, delegate bathing to Lauren and shower myself. I even get a good game of chess as a reward to the 8 year old for actually studying.

Now you may wonder what is so super about this. Well you mom’s know why. First of all, my back has been hurting ever since I moved furniture to get the rooms ready to paint and fix from when Dylan flooded the bathroom. I could not even carry more than a few bags at a time earlier in the day when moving my client, but the minute I hear “puwhok” I have no pain. I bend, run, move with no hesitation. I have not been sleeping much lately, so being able to think fast was definitely a super power.

I can’t explain it any other way, my back again hurts, and I am more exhausted than ever, but for that 2 hours none of that mattered. It may not be a super power, but whatever that is that gets us through some of the difficult times with ease, I for one an extremely grateful.

Some days I wonder, how in the world did gloves, army men and cowboy boots end up in my room? I look under my bed and find batman socks, empty drink containers, toys, and all sorts of weird things. Currently I see a football and some Ninja Turtle men just mocking me.

I don’t even get mad at these things anymore. I know how they got there for the most part, and I know that they are in my room because that is where everyone wants to be. Yes, we could play cars in the playroom, or a card game in the kitchen, but for some reason being in mom and dad’s room is the place to be. Some days I wish that my room was the one place that does not have all those things. That it was the one grown up place where kids were not allowed. However I quickly take that thought back and realize they are there because they feel safe, and welcomed. I always want Lauren to come in and chat. I want Dylan to get me when he has a bad dream or wants to cuddle for no reason. I want Aaron to let me know when he is not feeling well or can’t sleep, and yes the rare occasion when he actually comes to chat.

I know there will be a time when my room will just be a grown up room. There will be no bad dreams, coughing spells, homework crisis and so on. So no matter how much some days I wish I did not have to pick up puzzle pieces off my floor before I go to bed so I do not step on them in the middle of the night, I will not complain. I will not wish it away. I will embrace the cowboys boots, toy doctor’s kit, transformer, hair brush and multitude of other things that accidentally get left behind.

Tonight my hope is just that even when there are no more reminders of the day, that my kids will always think I’m a safe place to go, and will still find a way to leave a ninja turtle or two behind.