We've Come So Far, And Still...

See here for disturbing news. I know Obama has great security, yet I also know this has to be the biggest fear his wife has. Can you imagine each and every day watching your loved one get up on a stage in front of thousands of people, praying he isn't shot because of the color of his skin?

Happy Birthday, David!

My incredible, incredible husband is another year older today. I told him over dinner that he is much too good for me and I will never be able to show my love for him as much as he deserves. He's pretty darn great.

I Surrender


I have joined the ranks of cell-phone owners. It is official. As you can see in the photo, I am the new owner of one of those devices that is supposed to make my life easier--but I'm not buying it. We're dropping our land line, and as far as I'm concerned the phone will just sit on the kitchen counter 98% of the time.


I confess it is nice to take it with me in the car in case I have a flat tire or am attacked by a vampire. It is also good to know that the school can get in touch with me if one of the kids gets sick. But since I'm always at the school volunteering, I'm not that hard to track down. Those are the only two redeeming values the phone has, though.


The first time I used the phone, we went to Carver and Lily's cross country meet and we were meeting David there. I spotted him walking toward us and I couldn't resist calling him and saying, "Here we are! See us? We're waving at you!" when he was only 8 feet from us. I hate when people do that, and David knows it, so he burst out laughing. Aren't I a bundle of fun?

Recipe For Insanity

1 mediocre mom
3 exuberant children
1 Monday
3,456 questions from a four-year-old
4 errands
a heaping bag full of library books that threatens to throw my back out again
a dash of impatience
add a splash of muddy water tracked all over the kitchen floor

mix the ingredients together and simmer all day long. make sure you have 3 kids who want to listen to their library books on tape at the same time with only 2 tape players in the house. this is a crucial step as it adds just the right spice. of course you will be tempted to put everyone to bed early, but don't forget the homework and dinner and laundry. after tucking the kiddos into their snugly beds, be sure to read a new york times bestseller for fun or you could experience an oven fire.

Let's Hit The Pool!

Okay, so there are benefits to being married to an assistant principal of a high school. We have access to the pool! The kids had a fabulous time--especially because they had it all to themselves. I cannot believe we are at the point that the kids can be in the pool without me! And I was hardly even nervous--just mildly. Zinabu can even jump off the diving board with his swimming vest on. He loved it.

Despite all my moaning and groaning (thanks for listening) this weekend turned out to be fantastic. My back is better! Hooray. I woke up this morning and did an easy run and felt great. Woo hoo!!!! We also got to scream our lungs out at a college hockey game (thank you, thank you, Uncle Jim!) and play outside and hike because the weather was so beautiful. So I didn't get to run my race, but I have my health, my family, and I even got to sit next to a sweet friend in church this morning. I am so blessed.

New topic: Did you know that Colorado is a swing state for the election? Do you know that if I see one more political ad I will vomit? We are inundated with attack ads and snippy half truths from both sides. How many more days until the election? It can't come fast enough.

Oh, and here's a question for you. What do you do when your 4-year-old knocks over the (school-owned) bass and breaks it?

I'll leave you with that.

Diana, Disappointment, Distress

Our weekend with Diana was {wonderful}. Sorry Shannon! I have no photos! I am a complete loser in the picture department, but look at the previous posts to find some lovely photographs from Zinabu. Does that help?

It was cold while Diana was here, but that didn't stop us from enjoying every minute with her. She does the nicest things for the kids, like leave them rolls of wintergreen Breath Savers in their backpacks to discover after she'd left. We miss her so much already.

I officially cancelled my hotel reservation in Denver for the half-marathon. I knew last week I would not be able to run my race, but I had toyed around with the idea of keeping the hotel room for myself or to bring Lily with me for a girl's weekend away.

Then I got the idea to cancel the hotel, take the refund, (David, don't read this part) and spend a day at Anthropologie buying all kinds of goodies for retail therapy.

















A sweater like this...
















Bask in the environment of this...















and buy all new plates and cups in orange! Like this!!!!


But I am finally admitting to myself that I can't sit in a car for that long, and it takes an hour to get to Denver. My back is better, but I think I just need to spend the weekend resting. People keep asking me, "Why isn't your back better?" or "Why aren't you resting?" and I look at them with a raised eyebrow and say, "Have you met Carver, Lily, and Zinabu? My three kids? Yeah, they're the reason I'm not resting." Life does not stop, and while I've tried to take care of myself, there's only so much you can do. So I truly believe that if I can lie down all weekend and not sit in a chair (that's what hurts the most) I might just get better.


Then, just maybe, I can think about running again. I miss it.

Recently Noted

Carver got into a scrap of trouble today. One of his teachers pulled me aside after school and reported she had to tell him 3 different times (in a 20 minute span) to be quiet. When we got home I told Carver he needed to write a letter of apology to his teacher. This is what he wrote:

Dear Mrs. Samuels,
Sorry that I disturbed you. I will (try) to not talk next time.
From,
Carver

At least he was honest!

Zinabu's Perspective... With Tequila













So imagine my surprise when I turned the camera on today and found 41 new photos. 41. Again, 41!!!!! Zinabu had been playing photo-journalist but as he can't hold the camera still, it looks as if he was punch-drunk when taking each picture. My favorite is this first one. Reminds me of The Blair Witch Project.














A photo of a shark book. Nifty.














A picture of his shirt--that he's wearing. I'm guessing he held the camera under his chin and took a shot pointing straight down.

Our kitchen. Looks like an earthquake started at this moment. The 37 other photos are just as enthralling, but I'll spare you.

*f a l l --i s-- h e r e*
















lily has decorated the house with hand-drawn bats. so cute!

















after a burst of rain in august, our pumpkins exploded. we have about 20 to pick--and i think we'll harvest them tomorrow with aunt diana

















the red maple in our backyard is gorgeous

















pumpkins from Target are nice too























orange lights look s p o o k y on the black cabinet















and because i know you're dying to hear about it, these are my current shoes that i love!

{h a p p y --f a l l--e v e r y o n e}

Lunchtime!

Never a dull moment.

This is not my dog. We have no dog. Rather, this is how I feel. And about what my back feels like, too. Can it be that I have run my brains out for {nothing}? And don't give me that "oh but you must be in such good shape" garbage. It doesn't feel like it counts if I don't get to finish the race. My back is better, but not completely well yet. To be honest, I'm not a competitive person. I am not running this half-marathon to get my personal record or finish in the top ten (laughing hysterically at the thought!) I just want to stay in shape and be proud of myself for having finished. If I can't run, I'll sign up for another one next spring... but it remains to be seen if I'll keep training in the snow all winter. Don't hold your breath.

In other news that has nothing to do with me, we are sooooooo excited that Aunt Diana is coming for the weekend. We pretty much live for her brief trips to our home. I'm sure she can't wait for endless bass concerts from Carver, pet shows from Lily, and mindless chatter from Zinabu! Isn't she sweet for coming despite all that? It's her own personal marathon, I'm sure.

Hurry Diana!

Achy Breaky Back

I did something really awful to my back. Don't know what and don't know when... only that on Tuesday morning I realized, "Hmmmm, it feels a little tight back there." Two hours later I was walking like Quasimodo and I haven't been the same since. I have some kind of muscle spasm going on in my lower back. You should watch me try to put on a pair of socks. I am quite the bundle of misery.

This also means I have not run in 5 days. Unless I wake up tomorrow with a miraculous recovery, I doubt I'll be running anytime soon. {I} {AM} {MAD}!!!! I have been training for 5 months for this dad-blame half marathon. I have felt great until now. The half marathon is in 16 days and I will probably be out of shape again by the time it rolls around.

To be honest, that's the least of my problems right now. Have you noticed how many tasks around the house require you to bend over? Laundry. Dishes. Tying the laces of your 4-year-old's shoes. Spitting toothpaste into the sink. My lower back screeches in agony whenever I attempt the slightest curvature of the spine. Eee gads.

Of course, I'm not as bad off as Heather. She broke her elbow {ROLLERSKATING}.

Enough said.

Dear Carver,

Ten years ago you were born, and one of the bravest young women who has ever walked the face of this earth gave Daddy and I the greatest, greatest treasure. You. I don't know how she did it. I really don't. I couldn't give you up for anything. I am too selfish. You mean the world to me, dearest. And you mean the world to her.

I cannot seem to stop time. It keeps slipping through my fingers. Five years ago you started kindergarten. Five years from now you will be in high school. Despite the fact that this is going by much too fast, I do love that every day you make me smile. Every day you show me your love. Every day I wake up with a reason for living. A reason for being a better person than I was yesterday.

{Happy birthday, peanut}

A Few Numbers

16 fourth graders at our house for Carver's birthday party
2 cans of whipped cream--for a game
4 kids that got nailed at the egg toss
4 pizzas
20 juice boxes
1 tuxedo, that matched 1 little black dress for a big event at David's school last night
1 amazing husband that spoke to 700 people
1 bad cold--Zinabu
1 fabulous salad at an Italian restaurant that David and I got to go to after his event
11.5 miles run this morning
2 sore knees
4 large bags of garbage after we cleaned up the birthday party
3 incredibly crabby kids after too much excitement and sugar
5 loads of laundry run
1 tired mama hoping everyone will want goldfish and apples for dinner tonight

Busted!


Me, that is. Once again, I get the "horrible mother of the year" award. I was working in the kitchen and I heard the tv turn on in our basement. We don't have cable or a dish, so we get all of 9 channels--4 of which are Spanish speaking--so I assumed Zinabu was trying to sneak in a little PBS time. After I washed my hands I went downstairs and found him watching a soap opera!!! Two people, dressed in hospital scrubs of course, were pressed up against a wall and sucking each other's faces as if their lives depended upon it.

Fabulous awkward moment.

I turned off the tv and reminded Z that he needs to ask permission to watch anything on television. I then quickly gave him the bowl and spoon from the brownie batter in a feeble attempt to erase his memory with a sugar rush.

So what's new with you? Around here we've been passing the dreaded intestinal flu between each other like a re-gifted holiday present. It just wouldn't be possible for only one of us to get it. Noooooooo. What do you think this is? Nirvana?

The last 10 days have been about getting well and introducing food to our systems again. I've been able to keep up with my short runs, but this morning was the first time in a while I attempted a longer run. At about mile 6 my insides began making warning gurgling noises. At mile 7 I felt like someone was doing a fox trot with stilettos in my nether regions. At mile 8 I found a grocery store and bolted inside--mind you, beet red in the face, wearing a jogging bra, and covered in sweat--and found the restroom. I slunk out of there feeling empty inside but also mortified. I'm sure the manager of the store has my face on surveillance camera and warned all the employees to never let me on the premises again!

One of my finer moments, for sure.

Stupidity... Thy Name is Cathy

Lately I have been comparing myself to other moms like this:



While I look and feel like this:


I wish I could look more like this:


or this:


But then I see a photo like this:



And look into the eyes of a woman like this:



And things fall into perspective again.

My sweetie mugging for the camera. Sometimes I am blown away by the *miracle* of Zinabu.

Cirque Du Soleil

{perfect fall weather... everyone in a happy mood... tree swings... and laughter}

Recently Overheard

Carver is trying to win a kid's contest with a $4,000 prize: I could buy a Wii, a Nintendo, a Playstation, and my own house!

Lily, after having a big crying fit over something I can't even remember: When do I gain my freedom, Mom?

Zinabu, after walking into the kitchen as I was making dinner: Mom, what is that delicious smell I'm smelling?

In keeping with my deep love for romantic dramas from the BBC, I finally had time this week to watch North & South--and by having time I mean I didn't do the laundry or cook and I went to bed very late. But what are food and sleep and clean socks when the BBC offers such a masterpiece? Oh my romantic! Mr. Darcy, move over. Make way for Mr. Thorton. This story is much grittier than P&P, but still filled with dark-haired, brooding, and misunderstood heroes. The tag line on the back of the DVDs describes North & South as "packed with passion, tensions, class warfare and smoldering sexual energy."

What more could you ask for?

The instrument is so big I took two photos to capture it all. Carver is in love. And when he plays (although he really doesn't know how) it makes the richest, deepest sounds. Think dark, dark coffee. I love it. Can't you just see him in 7 years, playing outside his girlfriend's window at night while she swoons at the very sounds he makes?

Heartbreaker.

It's A Date

Lily and I had a divine Saturday morning together. It included a drive to the mall--just the two of us--where we indulged in a Pumpkin Latte for me (mmmmm, my one Starbucks weakness) and apple juice and a donut for Lily. We sat near a fountain and chatted about everything and nothing and just enjoyed our morning. Then we strolled through the mall to a nail salon, where for the hefty sum of $3.00, Lily had her nails painted. And what color did she pick? Fluorescent yellow. Bright, bright fluorescent yellow. You can see her coming from a mile away. She cracks me up. Then we meandered to a toy store and admired all the Littlest Pet Shop toys, which are Lily's favorite. It was a sweet morning.

Saturday afternoon I entered an entire new galaxy. Carver had decided to join orchestra (you can at his school when you're in 4th grade). So we went to the music store for this and that and I felt completely out of my element. All I ever played was piano, and it didn't need things like rosin. Carver is our "try everything" child, and for the most part, he really likes everything he tries. He is going to play the bass--the biggest string instrument. It should dwarf him by several feet, although I think he gets a child-size bass to begin with. Carver had been begging and begging to join orchestra but David and I were afraid it would be too big a commitment for him. But how can you say "no" to a child asking to play in an orchestra? That's ludicrous!!! I can't wait to take pictures of him practicing.

The Blessings of Dyslexia

• For as long as I can remember, I have always cheered for the underdog. I was so meant to be this child's mama.
• Getting to spend an incredible amount of time with my child as we work together to navigate school.
• David's extraordinary empathy, now, for families that come into his office with special education needs.
• Celebrating our child's character, not their grades.
• Being able to actually help with homework in the most tangible ways rather than having to hover and direct and say things like, "You can do it." I get right in there now and we do it together.
• Being able to celebrate small milestones as they are achieved.
• Having the teacher send me emails during the day telling me my child is doing great.
• Being blown away by what my child accomplishes each day given their disabilities.

We are so blessed.