Carver



Carver after his 8th grade graduation





Seeing how I haven't blogged in months and months, I thought I would take a day to write about each of our kids and give some updates about their current lives. For Carver, I think I can sum up everything with one statement: He is about to start high school.

 

It's true. My baby is a high-schooler. Is it scary? Absolutely. Is it exciting? Totally. Is it going to be easy? I doubt it. Is it going to be memorable? For sure.

 

I wasn't too worried about our kids moving on to high school because they were all going to attend the school where David works, but the bottom dropped out of that plan this spring when our district reassigned David to a new school and some bigger projects, which left me reeling with shock. All of a sudden, I was petrified of high school. The safety net I'd been relying on was gone.

 

But Carver is ready. This happens as your kiddos get older. They move through these incredible transitions but they're usually ready for them. Carver certainly is. He's done with middle school and ready to move up in the world.

Carver and friends

He's the most extroverted person I know, which I'm still trying to understand because he's pretty opposite of me. Case in point: He was home from camp for 5 whole minutes before asking me, "So what are the plans for this week?" Always planning, always going, always wanting to be with friends... I'm trying to cherish every. single. minute. I have with him because as soon as he gets his driver's license, I don't think I'll ever see him again.

He's so thoughtful and caring, as well. He's learning how to give of his time for others and come out a better person afterward. He's pushing himself a bit too. He'd rather play outside than worry about straight As, but he is learning the positive effects of studying and working hard for school. He's getting tall. I'm 5 foot 7 (and 1/2) and he's going to pass me any day now. He's learning he's a good runner and he's going to be running Cross Country for his high school this fall. I am so excited for him.

Carver with ZInabu

He likes girls. He's afraid of girls. He has a million friends that are girls. Girls make up a big part of his day. But he still likes me, and I'll take it. I don't have to work too hard to foster a good relationship with him because he's so easy. My relationship with Carver is so natural, so smooth, so real and wonderful.

He's 14 with the world in front of him. I know parts of growing up will be tough for him, but mostly I'm so excited to see where he's going to go and what the world has in store for him.

I love you, Carver.



What We're Reading

We're halfway through summer and I've read only a smidgen of what I intended. The rest of the family is probably in the same boat. So many books, and so many lazy evenings sitting on the back porch goofing off. Too many books, but not enough rainy days to snuggle and read. I still succeed at promptly dozing off in bed at night when I try to read. However, there have been some small successes.



I read a review about this book by Jeff Chu. I was fascinated by the topic and curious about his question, How can so many people who call themselves Christians and believe in the same God have such opposite views about homosexuality? I'm a third of the way through, and I like his candor and writing style.



An easy-to-read little book on treating your family schedule like a business. Nothing I haven't read or learned before, but still good to read so I am motivated to stay on top of our crazy schedules. For me, reading books on organization is like drinking really good coffee. I love it, and it comforts me, and I can't imagine life without it. I'm weird like that.



Every month I get the latest Runner's World and dive in. I confess I don't have a subscription--I get them from the library. But I look forward to each issue the way Carver is looking forward to his first date. A lot of the information is repetitive, but it keeps me motivated and it helps me continue to set running goals for myself.



I am waiting for this little number to arrive in the mail after the printers run off enough copies for the entire world to read. It's the latest book by a little known author named Jo Rowling. Perhaps you've heard of her?



Carver is currently reading Animal Farm, because it is required for 9th Grade Honor's English and he has to have it done by the time school starts. I can't say he's super happy about it, but I hope some of the message of the book makes sense to him.


And this is Zinabu's current book. He adores fantasy, and even though I try to steer him toward more realistic fiction, he keeps coming back to all things dragon. I guess for a 9-year-old boy, dragons are pretty much awesome.

It's hard to believe we are mid-way through July and summer is speeding by faster than I want. I need more time for books!

1,000th Post

I'm back.

And it's my 1,000th post, no less.

I know this because when I logged on to Blogger (logging on consisted of me failing multiple times because I'd forgotten my password so I had to reset it and then log on), there was a little section with statistics for my eyes only: number of page views, number of followers, number of blog posts.

I kid you not--it said 999. It was meant to be that I start blogging again.

I stopped blogging for a lot of reasons. Lack of time, lack of happy-go-lucky news, lack of interest in blabbing about myself and my family, and lack of daily routine. Routine went out the window last year when I had three different kids at three different schools.

But a funny thing happened. I began to miss my own updates. Once in a while I would scroll through old posts and exclaim, "Oh yes! I remember that day!" It's amazing how quickly I forget the silly little stories, the odd sayings, the weird happenings, and the happy times.This digital journaling we call blogging that holds endless memories and photos and stories is actually the best way I know how to document my whirlwind life. So for no other reason than to keep on journaling about my children's childhood (for better or for worse--let's be real, folks!), I am going to keep on blogging and just see where it takes us.

P.S.--I've missed you!

Mountain Men
The only reason I'm looking forward to winter. These boys have been firewood fiends. Salvaging and hauling downed trees to our yard. It will be all worth it when we have warm toes in January.

Fuh-RI-day
Tomorrow is Friday. As a member of the gainfully employed again, I can say that Fridays mean something to me once more. I'm sure you're dying to know all about my new job. I have a degree in English Literature and spent several years as an editor for a small publishing company, and then freelance editing once the kids were born. (Which is embarrassing to admit because I don't always spend a lot of time proofreading my blog posts and sometimes I catch horrible, horrible punctuation and grammar and spelling mistakes that would make my old boss weep with shame.)

I've got a background in reading, basically. I was paid to read. It was the best job ever in the whole wide world!!! Triple exclamation marks!!! (Unless you offered me a job tasting chocolate while watching Harry Potter movies over and over again and then I would have to say THAT would be the best job ever in the whole wide world.)

So what's my new job? Eh hem... if you guessed the Medical Technician at the middle school, then you would not only be totally nuts for guessing that, but you would totally be right. That's me. Just call me med tech Cathy.

Here's the skinny: I'm at the middle school a lot. And by a lot I mean all day every day. It just so happened that the old medical technician quit and there was an opening. It's only two hours a day, and my primary role is to give medication to the kids who need their daily dose at lunch time. My job also includes a lot of filing, checking immunization records, and being the "nurse" when kids are sick or hurt.

My very first day on the job, a girl fell while running outside and landed on her mouth. Another staff member brought her to the office and was helping her but then it was all me. There was blood everywhere. And I was trying to see if she still had her front teeth. We had to call 9-1-1 and I was there to make sure she didn't pass out. When they trained me for the job, they didn't tell me something like this would happen! But you know what? As a mom, you just take over. I have more medical experience as a mom than I ever dreamed of, and when it comes right down to it... I'm pretty good in a crisis situation. And I'm really good at comforting kids with upset tummies.

I love my job. I love the really bad kids that are trying to get out of class by complaining of "cramps" and can they please call home. I love the sweet little 6th grade girls who get overwrought by a hangnail. And I love the big, tough boys who are reduced to mush when they don't feel well. (Wanna know a secret? Middle schoolers are just like elementary kids... only they're in bigger bodies.)

A year ago I would not have been the best person for this job. But a year ago I had three pretty healthy, pretty "normal" kids. All that has changed. Lily has been on, and continues to be on, so much medication it makes our heads spin. And if she had to have an afternoon dose, I would have been mortified for the office staff to know what she was on and why, and I would have convinced myself that they would have judged her and labeled her. At this point in my life, I understand what it's like for your child to be unwell. And I know what it's like for a kid to really, really, really want to be normal but their brain is not functioning correctly. Through NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN, their minds and bodies don't work as well as their peers. And medication helps them. I am now fierce for these kids. Fierce as in don't you dare look down on them of label them or think of them as problems. I happily help each and every one of them every day, with no judgement... and no labels. I know what to do if one of our students has a seizure lasting more than 5 minutes (it's not pretty) but I am there to do it and I'm happy about it. I know what to do if the Type 1 diabetic becomes unresponsive. We've had broken arms, a concussion, and a Black Widow spider bite. And we have more Epi Pens in our office than I even want to think about. (Can you say peanut allergy overload?)

My job is a little strange, but it is so rewarding and it feels so right. Who knew this would be my mid-life calling? I'm just glad I can do it.

Photos!
I had a whole 5 minutes to upload some photos. Enjoy.

Happy Birthday, Carver

Today Carver turns... No, I can't even write it. I CAN'T!!!!  He's ...

(insert long pause while I bite my nails and procrastinate and eat more birthday cake)

14.

There. I said it. It's actually worse than when I turned 40. Much, much worse. I mean, honestly, how the heck did this happen? 

Carver is a steady source of joy and comfort in our lives right now. I am so incredibly thankful for him. Despite his best attempts to head to the emergency room twice a week on his bike, skateboard, roller blades  and tree climbing, he is healthy and happy and just awesome. 

And we need a lot of that in our house right now. (I have a feeling pretty soon I'll be divulging more of what's been going on in our lives this past year... but rest assured Carver is just what the doctor ordered.)

I have some totally awesomesauce pictures on my camera that I hope to upload before the year 2017, and when I do I'll be sure to post them here. For now, I am a proud mom to a growing young man. A young man who was entrusted to us by his birth mother 14 years ago. 

We love you, peanut.

Maybe It's Time
to quit blogging. I mean, really. We're past the excitement of our Ethiopian adoption, which was the reason I began this blog in the first place. I'm also past the excitement of our move and kid transitions. And I'm currently only blogging once every three to seven days. What does that all add up to?

B-O-R-I-N-G.

With a capital B.

I just started a new job at Carver and Lily's middle school, so I'm never, ever home anymore (at least that's how it feels). I'm also wrapped up in life with my family, so taking time away from them to work on the computer just isn't as easy as it used to be. And I'm mostly exhausted with life right now and coming up with "fun blog topics" kinda sucks.

So... I don't know where I'm going with all this yet, but suffice it to say that if you're looking for engaging reading material, you're not likely to find it here.

What We're Reading
I'm telling you... we are reading our little tushies off around here. Even Lily! And you know how rare that is.
Without further ado, I give you:

David recently finished this one. It was required reading for a lot of staff in our school district, but David was onto it months ago. He was reading it sporadically over the summer and finally wrapped it up. None of the information was new to him, but it is presented in a way that is a must-read for anyone that is engaged with young minds.

I just (as in yesterday) finished this little number. I was doing some research in the library on anxiety (trying to help Lily) and stumbled across Agorafabulous!* I love this book so, so much. The author is hilarious, but candidly shares her life story and struggle with a little bit of OCD, a lot of panic attacks and anxiety, her breakdown when she could not leave her apartment, and her recovery with medicine, doctors, and a lot of hard work. I would love to meet her in person someday. If you have never had anyone in your life, family, or circle of friends struggle with mental illness, then congratulations. Mental illness remains woefully misunderstood and isolating and I appreciate Sara's bravery in telling her story.
*Note: the woman has a potty mouth. Big time. If you are easily offended by a lot of F-bombs, then this may not be your new favorite bedtime reading.

Carver is reading some awesome futuristic post-apocalyptic story that has him removed from the family for most hours of the day. He is working his way through the list of 20 books recommended by his middle school library. Carver wants to finish all 20, and he is really enjoying this one.

Let's see... which member of the family could possibly be reading a book on agility training for dogs? If you guessed Lily, you'd be correct.

Zinabu has more or less freaked us out with what he can now read. It's almost as if he skipped second and third and fourth grade books and went straight to fifth. It breaks my heart a little because I feel like he missed an entire genre of stories, but he's incredibly engaged in all the Rick Riordan series and can't. get. enough.

Life just isn't as sweet without a good book--at least for me. I'd love to hear which page-turners you can't put down.

I'm Guilty

Of bragging on my kids. Yes, I am. It's hard not to, when your child does something great and you know they worked hard for it or they finally reached a goal. Of course we all want to share the love when our kids feel great about something. But lately I'm seeing a trend on Facebook that leaves me with questions. People posting their kids' grades online. Is this really necessary? And it's NOT the report cards that have one A, two Bs, and two Ds. No way. It's STRAIGHT As FOR LITTLE SUSIE OR JIMMY. I'm talking actual photos that people take of their kids' report cards and update their Facebook status with them.

What the what? I guess I feel it's kinda tacky, but maybe that's just me.
Discuss.

Farewell
I have known my friend Lisa for three years now. Her daughter, Grace, is good friends with Carver at school and Lisa is a delightful, funny, sarcastic, witty, and deep soul. Lisa and her family lost their house this summer in the Waldo Canyon Fire. All of us who know her were shocked, not only because of the utter devastation but because Lisa's husband, Gerard, has been battling pancreatic cancer for several years now. It just felt like too, too much.

Gerard lost his battle with cancer on Wednesday evening. His decline was fast and furious... so fast it took us all by surprise.

So here is my friend Lisa, who is now essentially homeless and widowed--all within the span of 3 months. I feel like all the air has been knocked out of me, and there is nothing, NOTHING I can say to comfort her. I am at such a loss. However, please go find your loved ones and hug and kiss them and be thankful for them. Be thankful for the roof over your head, and your children's artwork casually displayed on your refrigerator, and your clothes and belongings that could vanish in an instant. Be thankful.

September
What???? September?
A little bit of info on me. My favorite season is summer, hands down. I do love fall--the colors, the crisp air, the events like back to school, Halloween, Thanksgiving, pumpkin patches, apple cider, soup. What I do not like, though, is winter. I hate the days getting shorter and the freezing air. I hate when it's dark outside when David leaves for work in the morning. I hate when it's dark outside when we come home from after-school activities. I feel like the walls are closing in on me--literally--when I can't open the windows to air out the house or go outside for an after dinner game of basketball with Zinabu. I hate that all that is right around the corner. It's making me feel claustrophobic already.
So we will make the most of the next two months, with hikes in the mountains and playing outside. Outdoor fires and football games. All that and more.
I've got to find a good half marathon or 10k to sign up for, so I don't succumb to my usual "oh, it's dark and cold out so I won't exercise today," which repeats itself over and over again until the next thing you know David is having to talk me down from ice cream binges and sweat pants. (Not that there's anything wrong with that.)

Why going back to school is like buying a new pair of jeans...

The newness wears off pretty fast and pretty soon those jeans look and feel like every other pair of jeans in the world. It took about 4.2 days for the newness of school to wear off, and now this year feels like every other year. Sure, there's still some new hip things going on, but for the most part we are "over" all the fun and excitement. Homework has started, and darn it if I don't have three kids who prefer that I sit with them while they work... and they all work at different paces and at different times so my evenings are going to pretty much be homework from 5pm to 9:30 pm. I'm the mom and I'm happy to do it, but I might have to enforce family homework time and stick to that. Also, Lily and Z started new schools and the glitz and glamour of new books and buildings and schedules now just feels like school. Lily has some pretty severe anxiety around school and it started to just plain blew up yesterday. Hopefully today will be better. And I'm pretty sure David felt like he was back in the grind when he had to chaperon the Luau Dance at his school on Friday night. Nothing like having to wear a Hawaiian shirt while hanging with teenagers when you'd rather be home watching Netflix with your wife.

And you? Has the newness of the new school year worn off yet? Or have you not started yet?

First Day of School
My back-to-school pics of my kids are always a crap shoot. Some years they are fantastic. Some years, they look more "authentic." Like today. Very authentic. Zinabu was nervous (and mad) that school was starting. Plus it's a new school, and we're navigating the whole drop-off and pick-up and where to go details. I admit, it tugged on my heartstrings to send him off to a new place where he knows no one. I asked for a big smile for a great back-to-school photo, and this was the best I got. That's ok. He's still my awesome rock star 8 year old.

Now, when you have middle-schoolers, you're lucky if you can get them to stand within 6 feet of each other, let alone hope for perfect smiles. I consider the picture of Lily and Carver a huge success, regardless of the photo quality.
So they're off. The 2012-2013 school year has begun. Cheers!

Finally
We are finally at the final stretch of all the repairs needed after the Hellish Hail Storm of 2012. The basement carpet has been replaced and put down, the sheet rock repaired and painted, and all the furniture moved back. This week they replaced the roof and repainted the house, and all that's left now is new gutters. It has been LOUD here. Pounding and more pounding... but we are so grateful for the repairs. Every house in our neighborhood is also getting a new roof and repaired basement. It was quite a storm.

David has been very busy getting ready for the first day of school (Monday) and preparing for his 30+ students who lost their homes in the Waldo Canyon Fire. I'm very proud of our school district and the schools that were mostly affected. They've done so much for the families, staff, and students.

My kids are ready for school to start. Is there anything that drags out more than the last week of summer vacation? They just need to start already. While Zinabu is still not thrilled about his new school, he's willing to give it a try. He needs to make a buddy and then he'll be fine. Being that he's so sweet and helpful, I don't think that will be a problem.

We are holding our breath for Lily. She successfully attended 6th grade orientation, got her locker and schedule, packed her supplies, and knows a few other girls there. We are ever hopeful.

Carver is his usual happy-go-lucky self. Can't wait to see his friends. Can't wait to be an 8th grader. Can't wait to own his own cell phone. Can't wait to grow up. I'm doing my best to prevent that last part but he keeps thwarting me.

I am really proud to say I am a runner again. Last fall, my knee surgery put a big dent in my get-up-and-go. I didn't really get moving again until December/January, and even then it was mostly walking on the treadmill. I had started running a bit in early spring but if you recall I got some nasty virus that turned into a sinus infection and I was sick for 6 weeks. By June I was back to square one. Weak legs and even weaker lungs. But I've kept at it and I'm now up to a decent level of fitness. I run four times a week: 6 miles three times a week, and one three mile run at a very fast pace, to teach my lungs that they can't get lazy. My goal is to stay injury-free during the winter and pick one or two races this winter/spring to participate in. If I can do that, I will be really happy. I try never to take my health for granted.

Happy end of summer!

Wordless Wednesday

Today Blows
I'm so tired I actually walked into a wall. Our dog bit someone. Lily's hair is a hot mess. Carver is being mean to Zinabu solely because Zinabu is 8 and an easy target. David's car is in the shop for 2 weeks. There is more debate of Gabby Douglas' hair and leotard color than an issue that actually matters. I didn't get to run today, which is probably adding to my foul mood. It's just one of those days where you wish you could pull the covers over your head.

School
Believe it or not, school starts for us in 18 days. Our summer vacation begins early and we go back to school early. I rather like it that way. But this school year brings with it some major changes. Two of my three children are starting new schools. Lily is entering middle school and Zinabu is switching to a different elementary school. The reasons for Zinabu's switch are long and many, and he's not very happy about it. This makes David and I pause, wondering if we are doing the right thing. After multiple conversations we've finally almost sort of convinced Z to give the new school a try. Basically it means that for the next 18 days Z is covering his ears anytime we mention the "s" word (school) and he cries every. single. day. that we are the meanest parents in the world.

All this over third grade.

It is so hard being a parent when you know what's best for your child but they don't see it AT ALL! Zinabu is pretty contrary to begin with, so anytime a new experience presents itself to him his first response is always "no way!" Usually, though, once he gets going he likes the new experience and conveniently forgets all his previous bellyaching. We hope the pattern repeats itself with this new school.

And Lily. Starting sixth grade. I was telling a friend just this morning that I am probably the ONLY mother of a middle-schooler that is hoping some peer pressure will rub off on their child. Lily certainly marches to the beat of her own drum--and I don't want to change that at all--but she is so painfully shy I'm hoping being in a new environment will push her to make some new friends and put herself out there.

I don't know. This year could go either way. A huge success or an epic failure. Wanna place your bets?

We Are
Watching the Olympics
Enjoying the last minutes of July
Beginning to think about the "s" word (school)
Swimming
Being forgetful... me, especially. Where is my brain?
Having our roof and gutters replaced and the entire house repainted because of that nasty hail storm
Needing to shop for new clothes because my children have outgrown EVERYTHING they own
Playing and bugging one another
Living joyfully

Wordless Wednesday