Do Over!!!

Well, we're back to school. Again. After three days were scratched last week because of T.S. Fay, we're trying again to get into a back to school groove. Of course, there is another storm brewing in the Caribbean. Sigh. We'll pray for a strong wind to blow it out to sea.

Fay, Fay GO AWAY!

Man, oh man...this tropical storm is really doing a number on Florida. First it comes through south Florida, then heads up diagonally across the state and then SITS over Brevard and Volusia for a day- which means all of central Florida got DRENCHED. Our neighbors in Brevard county (our old stomping ground) have had historic flooding. I saw a statistic on the news (b/c during storms in Florida all you get is news, every major network channel, all day long)where Charley, Jeanne, and Francis (the three hurricanes that hit central Florida in 04) didn't dump as much rain combined as this TS has. Crazy stuff.

So, we had our first day of school Monday, off Tuesday and Wednesday b/c of the unpredictability of the storm (which, of course- Murphey's law- didn't affect us all that much during those two days, especially Tues)> Back to school yesterday, which was by far the worst day of the week for Seminole county as far as wind and rain. And then no school today, because of flooding issues. Many roads around the county are impassable. So that's been our first week back to school! LOL! I guess we'll just call a "do over" here in central Florida for going back to school.

Today there are patches here and there of rain relief as the storm finally decided to move and is making it's way across the state. But we are all looking forward to a day of no rain. Even just a couple hours of no rain would be nice.

So what have we been doing to pass the time? Sigh! Cabin Fever is no fun. But thankfully we haven't lost power, like many of our neighbors, so we have been able to play the Wii, play legos, play on the computer (I created a Facebook account-LOL...peer pressure!), bake brownies, and we even had some fun building a fort this morning. And we walked through some ankle deep water in spots on our street to get to the mailboxes...it's just nuts.

And so it goes...and so we wish Fay would go. :-)

When You're Bored and You Know It...

take pictures of your self making funny faces!



So TS Fay has been a pain. We haven't been that affected by the storm, other than some rain and a few wind gusts, but nothing major to write home about. Nothing like what all our friends in Brevard county have been dealing with! But because you have to err on the side of caution, we have been out of school for two days. Yep- we had our first day back to school on Monday and then had to sit it out Tuesday and today. Ugh. I completely understand precautions had to be taken, but man oh man have my kids been climbing the walls. They were so geared up for school and friends and then BAM- stuck at home for two days! It's been tough b/c even though we were spared most of the nasty weather, it's still icky outside and not really condusive to going much of anywhere. So, we have to entertain ourselves. We've played the Wii, we've read books, we've danced in the den, and well...we've taken funny pictures of ourselves. :-)

Ready for the new year!

Open House was today and the kids got to meet their teachers and see their classrooms. My oldest, who is going into 4th grade, had major butterflies in his stomach. He had heard so many stories from other kids about how hard 4th grade is and how mean the teachers are. No recess, no warm fuzzies, only homeowrk and writing exercises day in and day out. He found his name on his class roster and was so relieved that his teacher was "one of the nicer ones". :-) But the excitement flooded his body when he saw the name of his best friend from last year, and then upon further investigation, the names of 10 of his 3rd grade classmates were on the same class roster! Can you say JACKPOT!!! I was excited too because his 3rd grade class was a great bunch of kids. And if that wasn't enough, his classroom is not just in the schools brand spankin' new building, but it is on the SECOND FLOOR! As we were walking up the stairs to see his new room he said "wow, this is so cool. I feel like I'm in college!"

My youngest had just as an exciting day. She found her name on her "dream teacher's" class roster. They hit it off right away and my daughter was almost speechless (a very rare occurance)when she realized she had her very own desk and her own reading textbook and math workbook. I thought she was going to shake right out of her skin with joy. I couldn't be more pleased with her teacher. I know her reputation in the school and it is excellent. So I think we are going to have another very good year. :-)

Sad day.

Yesterday was a tough day in our house. Our beloved beagle, Chester, passed away. He was diagnosed with stage 3 lymphonic cancer about a month ago. It is an aggressive cancer and we did our best giving him medication to make his last weeks with us as comfortable as possible. Over the weekend he stopped eating and yesterday it became obvious that he was finished. It was one of the most difficult things hubby and I have ever had to do. And helping the kids cope has been difficult as well. But we know we did the right thing. It was us that wanted so desperately to hold on and not let go, not our pup. He was ready.

Chester was our first. He was sort of an early wedding present from me to hubby. I picked him out from a group of beagles- it was love at first sight. He was the most playful and had the most personality of all the pups and he had the most expressive, "melt you like a marshmellow" eyes. It felt like he chose me as much as I chose him so I took him home. A few days later, during the Florida v. Tennessee game, I surprised hubby with our newest family member. It was love at first sight for the two of them too. Florida won that game (and we named our newest member after the defensive back who played like a maniac that day: Ed Chester), we had a new pup, we were getting married a couple months. Life was good. :-)

We learned quickly that he had energy and enthusiasm. He loved to run and when he saw an open door, he BOLTED. He was impossible to train (he failed puppy school) and caused so much damage to shoes, books, carpet, even furniture. Still, we couldn't have loved a dog more. And he won over so many hearts, even despite his crazy ways. He went on trips with us, he slept in bed with us. He was our first baby.

When we brought home our first human baby (LOL) Chester was so amazing. He would lay right next to my son, almost as if he were keeping watch over him as he slept. He'd follow me from room to room anytime I moved the baby. And as my son grew, Chester became the best toy he had. The two of them were like peas in a pod and Chester endured so much pulling and tugging and even a couple toddler bites! But never once did he get frustrated with the kids. He loved them dearly and always wanted to be around them. Chester was one of them. I don't think he knew the difference.

Shortly after Chester celebrated his 12th birthday this past June,we found out he had lymphomic cancer. We knew he wasn't feeling well, but we weren't prepared for the diagnosis. The vet gave us a couple options, but none of them saw him living for more than a few months. We chose to give him steroids in hopes of helping him feel better as he finished out his life. They did seem to work for a couple weeks, giving him a renewed appetite and a little more energy, but the cancer continued to overtake him and this weekend it was obvious the medicine couldn't work in his favor anymore. My son, who is an intensely sensitive soul, struggled with his grief. He kept repeating that he has known Chester all his life and that he was like a brother to him (sniff,sniff). It really was so difficult to see my son filled with such hurt and sadness. My daughter is not nearly as emotional, but I could tell she was struggling with her own grief and the flood of emotion in our house. Instead of crying, she sweetly reminded us all that Chester was going to be happier in dog heaven where she is certain there are pepperoni trees and a lot of open doors for him to run through. And adding her own Abby twist, she also reminded us that we "still have one good pup." :-) Tact has never been a gift of hers.

So that was our day. It was a difficult one to say the least. And the house still seems so strange. I think it will just take time for the feeling that something is missing to fade away. It feels like the end of an era in some ways. Chester has been a part of our journey as newlyweds to new parents to established family. So many people equate our family with having the crazy, yet extremely lovable Chester. And it warmed my heart as I sent out the news yesterday to get a response of how Chester touched so many hearts (and ate so many shoes) over the years. He really was a very special dog. He was Chester. And he will be greatly missed.

Where did the summer go??? And where did my baby go???

Wow. Two more weeks and school will be back in session. I don't know what happened to the summer! I had all these fantastic ideas and projects I wanted to do and pitifully we have just completed one. We got the exterior of our house painted. Well, I should say one and a half. We are redecorating my daughter's room and that project is at least in progress. I was going to do so much more though. And now, all at once I am back to school shopping for clothes and supplies (oy-vey- is that a post within itself!) and I'm left wondering where June and July went!

Maybe I'm in disbelief because then I have to come to terms with having a fourth grader. I am still in denial over that one. LOL! Fourth grade is the first year I remember vividly. I remember my friends, my teacher, my school, the clothes I wore, the music I listened to. I remember the car my mom drove, the car my dad drove. I remember parts of conversations I had with people. I even remember my ballet recital choreography! So to think of my son being at the age where events, conversations, surroundings, and people will make such a lasting impression is a bit strange. Partially because I don't want to screw up, but also because he is passing that naive, innocent stage of his childhood and entering into the real world. It's been slowly happening already, but I know there is really no looking back now. It's always a journey, this parenting thing. You learn as you learn as you go. And hope you don't mess up royally.

Fourth grade...man. Where did my little three pound preemie go?

Beware: MAJOR sappiness ahead!

This post is liable to make some people nauseous it is so sappy. But I was thinking this morning of all the good things in my life, so I thought I'd write it down. Like so many people do, I often take things for granted. I can get so caught up in my worries, frustrations, and fears, sometimes forgetting to remember all the amazing blessings I do have. When I think about things that I am so incredibly thankful for, the first thing that comes to mind is my family.

I have the most amazing husband. He loves me despite my many shortcomings. I am in awe of his love for me and our children. He is so patient, honest, kind, humble, and strong. He sets an incredible example for our kids and an incredible example for me. I don't know anyone who works harder or is more of a master at balancing things in life. I feel so lucky to not only have him as my best friend and partner in life, but to watch my kids interact with the most extraordinary father possible.




So then, there are my kids. Holy cow did I hit the jackpot with them. I have such tremendous children. They teach me more than I teach them. My son is this amazing being, full of kindness, sensitivity, compassion, intelligence, and love for everyone. He is a thinker and doesn't forget a detail. He exemplifies what a good friend should be. He makes good choices, he works hard, he is open to new ideas, and loves to make people feel good. I am so proud of him and the young man he is becoming. My heart grows ten sizes when I think of the extraordinary person he is.


And then there is my daughter. She is a precious piece of art. She is so smart and witty already at six years old. She amazes me with her creativity and her confidence. She finds such pleasure in small things that can go unnoticed to most. She loves life, loves to laugh (even when no one else is laughing), loves to create, and loves to keep life simple. Her smile lights up a room and her independence lights up the world. My heart dances when I think of the beautiful person she is.

Then there is everyone else in my family. And I mean everyone. How I wound up so blessed with such tremendous people in my life is beyond me. My parents are phenomenal. Generous, loving, supportive, and fun. The same adjectives can be used to describe my in-laws. I still can't believe how much love there is between our two families. It really and truly is like one big family, as it should be. My parents and in-laws love each other and are such good friends. They all make sure we celebrate holidays and celebrations together. Even if it means getting on a plane and flying somewhere for Thanksgiving or a birthday. Hubby and I are constantly reminded of what is important in life by our parents example.


And did I mention I have a FABULOUS sister too! :-) She was my first baby. I, being the older sister, can't remember a time where I wouldn't step in front of a speeding bus for her. She is this smart, funny, strong woman who is beautiful on the inside and out. And then she married this very sweet guy who is caring, thoughtful, and kind and they had this precious, precious little girl who has red hair! I feel so fortunate to live so close to them and be able to watch my niece grow and be there to help out my sister when she needs me.

And if that isn't enough, I have extended family: grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, that are all tremendous people and so many friends that I consider my family as well. I am so blessed. When I think about my family; immediate, extended, and close friends, I know I will never be alone in life. There is always someone to love me, care about me, and support me. That is so overwhelming.

It's easy to get caught up in things that aren't going right, or things that you want to change. But it is so important to look at the big picture in life. As my grandpa says..."as long as you have your health and your family, you don't need anything else." One thing I will never be without is family.