I haven't blogged in so many days.
Mainly because Jacob hasn't been up to much. But tonight he is in my room at 12:17 complaining about the lack of food in the house. He has been out and about in his car with a white board. Apparently, it is great fun to write a message on the white board at a stop light and show it to the driver next to you. So tonight Jacob told drivers "you're doing a great job" "I hope you're having a great day" "you look pretty". I am really hoping that he used these messages appropriately and wasn't offending a middle aged man with the pretty comment.
Prior to the white board adventure was an evening of shooting foam rockets at friends. The friends shot back. That's what friends are for, right? Well, for Jacob, it is. He has this good group of friends that don't seem too interested in getting into real trouble, just fun trouble. And as long as the cops don't show up, it's alright with me.
So, now he is back to the food. I don't know what he is complaining about. There is all kinds of pasta to eat now that Danny and I are on the caveman bullshit diet. So at 12:23 he is going to make alfredo. That seems pretty reasonable. He actually just went to Hayley's room to see if she was in on the early morning carb load.
You know, it may seem like I am complaining about Jacob and his late night hi jinks, but I know how fortunate I am that he is in my room right now stealing the remotes with his feet. I know that there are tons of parents out there that have no idea where there kid is, let alone what he is doing. I was just informed that "I haven't showered in days" by way of white board! So maybe I am not so fortunate to have him hugging me right now, considering what the white board just said.
In just over a year, this kid will be an adult. Say this aloud "Jacob will be eightteen next summer." Does it freak you out like it freaks me out? Seriously, there is no way that this kid should be put in the adult column.
He will vote in school board elections.
He will buy cigarettes and porn.
He will sign legal documents.
He will still do avalanche of love. I will still find him in my bed POSSUM. He will still find it neccessary to find a reason to come into my room at ungodly hours to talk about his day, to share his grand adventures and to let me know that I am pretty and that I am a great mom and that he loves me, very much.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
What I am Wearing These Days
Some brilliant friends of mine were talking about what they put on in the morning. Obviously, shirt and shoes, if you want service. A sweater, if you're chilly. A nylon jacket in case it rains. But what else?
What I wear says a lot about me. If you see me Monday through Friday at Walgreens, you will see that I adhere to the very unfasinating khaki pant/navy button down uniform. I am a policy follower.
If you see me otherwise, you will see me attired in a wide variety of outfits.
I can be sporty in my yoga pants and go fasters. Headphones and a ball cap round out the sporty spice look. I wear that three to four times a week.
I can be as cute as can be in my walking around money shoes and Mata clothes. In fact, when I am a little bit lighter, I have a lot of fun stuff to wear. There is also a fair number of Snoopy shirts, band T's, and souvenir garb in my drawer to make it obvious what makes me happy, where I like to go and who is on my mixed tape.
In high school, I was fond of shopping in the attic. And by attic I mean the space above my second floor. I dug out a ton of my parents old clothes and breathed new life into them. One of my favorites was a maternity shirt my mom wore when she was pregnant with me. It just so happened to have a collar, buttoned up and was white. I wore it to Regis. Nuns loved it!
But there are a few other things that I have started to 'put on' in the morning that are not tucked in a drawer or hanging in my closet. I am making a conscious decision to put on patience, kindness, joy. "Put on?" you ask. "Yes, put on." I know it sounds new agey or Goddish or just plain creepy, but it works, for me.
Putting on patience means that I am not rolling my eyes or exhaling dramatically when someone asks me a question that I think they should know the answer. Putting on patience means smiling as the woman digs in her purse for that penny so she doesn't get nine more. It is reassuring her that she is not a bother, because she isn't. There is nothing more pressing at my job then making sure this customer was taken care of pleasantly by me.
Putting on kindness is very similar to putting on patience. It means thanking my husband and kids for the work they do around the house instead of pointing out what they could have done. It means scratching Harlow behind the ears and letting her big slobbery head rest in my lap instead of being too busy to give her the love. It means creating a pretty green space in our yard that we don't often see but that the neighbor sees regularly.
Putting on joy becomes a better fit as I wear the others. Joy is the accessory that everyone is wanting these days and so many can not seem to find it. Joy makes me look beautiful. It brightens my eyes and shows off my smile. Joy makes me look slimmer, my hair shinier, my teeth whiter. Joy is light weight and oh, so versatile. It does not wrinkle in a suitcase, is stain resistant and like sweatpants on Thanksgiving, remains comfortable the entire day.
What I wear says a lot about me. If you see me Monday through Friday at Walgreens, you will see that I adhere to the very unfasinating khaki pant/navy button down uniform. I am a policy follower.
If you see me otherwise, you will see me attired in a wide variety of outfits.
I can be sporty in my yoga pants and go fasters. Headphones and a ball cap round out the sporty spice look. I wear that three to four times a week.
I can be as cute as can be in my walking around money shoes and Mata clothes. In fact, when I am a little bit lighter, I have a lot of fun stuff to wear. There is also a fair number of Snoopy shirts, band T's, and souvenir garb in my drawer to make it obvious what makes me happy, where I like to go and who is on my mixed tape.
In high school, I was fond of shopping in the attic. And by attic I mean the space above my second floor. I dug out a ton of my parents old clothes and breathed new life into them. One of my favorites was a maternity shirt my mom wore when she was pregnant with me. It just so happened to have a collar, buttoned up and was white. I wore it to Regis. Nuns loved it!
But there are a few other things that I have started to 'put on' in the morning that are not tucked in a drawer or hanging in my closet. I am making a conscious decision to put on patience, kindness, joy. "Put on?" you ask. "Yes, put on." I know it sounds new agey or Goddish or just plain creepy, but it works, for me.
Putting on patience means that I am not rolling my eyes or exhaling dramatically when someone asks me a question that I think they should know the answer. Putting on patience means smiling as the woman digs in her purse for that penny so she doesn't get nine more. It is reassuring her that she is not a bother, because she isn't. There is nothing more pressing at my job then making sure this customer was taken care of pleasantly by me.
Putting on kindness is very similar to putting on patience. It means thanking my husband and kids for the work they do around the house instead of pointing out what they could have done. It means scratching Harlow behind the ears and letting her big slobbery head rest in my lap instead of being too busy to give her the love. It means creating a pretty green space in our yard that we don't often see but that the neighbor sees regularly.
Putting on joy becomes a better fit as I wear the others. Joy is the accessory that everyone is wanting these days and so many can not seem to find it. Joy makes me look beautiful. It brightens my eyes and shows off my smile. Joy makes me look slimmer, my hair shinier, my teeth whiter. Joy is light weight and oh, so versatile. It does not wrinkle in a suitcase, is stain resistant and like sweatpants on Thanksgiving, remains comfortable the entire day.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Your 22nd Father's Day
Happy Father's Day, Honey. This is your 22nd one, hence the title of this blog. Let that sink in for a moment. You have been at this dad thing for a long time. And I will tell you this, you have done alright. Look at what we got, three relatively well adjusted kids that are probably going to be productive citizens of the world.
Do you remember when you first found out that you were going to be a dad? I wonder if you still have that letter or if you had to burn it, just in case. I remember when I found out that you knew. A reporter called me to relay your message that you knew you were going to be a daddy.
I was terrified of the idea of being a parent, but you were so sure of us. We would figure it out. And we did. We really did! And look at us now being all successful and shit.
Danny, I will never know what it was like for you to leave us. To do what you could do to make the world a little bit better. I will never know what it was like for you to miss out on the moments that you did. But if you asked your kids, they would tell you that they really don't remember you being gone. Because even so far away, you were always right here. I think that is such a testament to the kind of dad you were and are.
I remember being terrified by the idea of having a baby, but you just knew that it would be alright. You knew that we would figure it out, make a few (million) mistakes, adapt and overcome. You were right. We muddled through just fine and in the process showed our kids a pretty great time.
I don't know how many Father's Days you missed. I stopped keeping track a long time ago. I don't know how many of anything you missed for that matter. Because it has never been about what you missed. It has always been about what you were present for. And you have been present for them every single day. Except for those days when you are growly and no one wants you to be present.
Danny, it has been a true pleasure to be with you all these Father's Days and every day in between.
From the afternoon you spent dancing with Ashlyn to Van Halen in our little one bedroom in Oceanside to rocking out at the Van Halen concert with Jacob, you have been amazing!
Do you remember when you first found out that you were going to be a dad? I wonder if you still have that letter or if you had to burn it, just in case. I remember when I found out that you knew. A reporter called me to relay your message that you knew you were going to be a daddy.
I was terrified of the idea of being a parent, but you were so sure of us. We would figure it out. And we did. We really did! And look at us now being all successful and shit.
Danny, I will never know what it was like for you to leave us. To do what you could do to make the world a little bit better. I will never know what it was like for you to miss out on the moments that you did. But if you asked your kids, they would tell you that they really don't remember you being gone. Because even so far away, you were always right here. I think that is such a testament to the kind of dad you were and are.
I remember being terrified by the idea of having a baby, but you just knew that it would be alright. You knew that we would figure it out, make a few (million) mistakes, adapt and overcome. You were right. We muddled through just fine and in the process showed our kids a pretty great time.
I don't know how many Father's Days you missed. I stopped keeping track a long time ago. I don't know how many of anything you missed for that matter. Because it has never been about what you missed. It has always been about what you were present for. And you have been present for them every single day. Except for those days when you are growly and no one wants you to be present.
Danny, it has been a true pleasure to be with you all these Father's Days and every day in between.
From the afternoon you spent dancing with Ashlyn to Van Halen in our little one bedroom in Oceanside to rocking out at the Van Halen concert with Jacob, you have been amazing!
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Happy Father's Day
Happy Father's Day, Dad!
Thank you for taking me up to Kaye's service station when you needed gas. Going for a ride with you was so great. I usually got a Three Musketeer out of the trip, as well.
Thank you for taking me to the hardware store and letting me dink around the garage while you were refinishing furniture. I will never understand how you could drink coffee in the summer. The trips to True Value led to my first job. And watching you do jobs around the house has made me a pretty decent handyman around my own house.
Thank you for the Sunday drives to get Dairy Queen and drive around town. I just remember being sandwiched between you and Mom in the front seat and eating the cone as fast as I could so I wouldn't drip.
Thank you for having a bowl of cereal with me instead of making me go to bed. A bowl of cereal before bed was a pretty common ritual for you and me. Thinking about that now makes me smile.
Thank you for buying me a Homecoming dress my sophomore year. We went to the Plaid Place at Armstrongs.
Thank you for coming around before my wedding. I know that the two of you were not keen on it, but it turned out to be a great day and Danny and I have had a good run of it. I am so glad that you and Mom decided to pony up for the food and hall and booze. Otherwise our reception would have sucked!
Thank you for not letting me come back to Iowa when Danny went to Saudi Arabia. I wasn't too thrilled with your decree at that time, but came to realize that you were so very right.
Thank you for bringing my mom to me after my first baby was born. Having you both there was such a gift.
Thank you for insisting that I come back to Iowa when Danny went to Okinawa. I had a little girl to keep safe and being with you and Mom was a much better idea than staying in Southern California.
Thank you for the endless hours that you picked up cups and blocks and beads off the floor. I remember Ashlyn finding it pretty funny. I think the two of you spent many evenings playing that game.
Thank you for hauling furniture out to California for me. Ashlyn was such a big help as you put the table together. The table is still in our dining room. Ashlyn is still a big help!
Thank you for making room in your house again, not only for Ashlyn and me, but for Hayley as well.
Thank you for getting up with Ashlyn when she would have night terrors. I couldn't juggle both Hayley and Ashlyn and you were there, even when you had to get up at five in the morning.
You have never stopped being a dad to me. No matter where I am in the world or what crazy assed thing I am doing, you are there shaking your head at me.
I consider myself very blessed to have been raised by you and Mom. You both did your very best with us and I think you should be pleased. We all did alright.
Happy Father's Day, Papa. I love you.
Anne
Thank you for taking me up to Kaye's service station when you needed gas. Going for a ride with you was so great. I usually got a Three Musketeer out of the trip, as well.
Thank you for taking me to the hardware store and letting me dink around the garage while you were refinishing furniture. I will never understand how you could drink coffee in the summer. The trips to True Value led to my first job. And watching you do jobs around the house has made me a pretty decent handyman around my own house.
Thank you for the Sunday drives to get Dairy Queen and drive around town. I just remember being sandwiched between you and Mom in the front seat and eating the cone as fast as I could so I wouldn't drip.
Thank you for having a bowl of cereal with me instead of making me go to bed. A bowl of cereal before bed was a pretty common ritual for you and me. Thinking about that now makes me smile.
Thank you for buying me a Homecoming dress my sophomore year. We went to the Plaid Place at Armstrongs.
Thank you for coming around before my wedding. I know that the two of you were not keen on it, but it turned out to be a great day and Danny and I have had a good run of it. I am so glad that you and Mom decided to pony up for the food and hall and booze. Otherwise our reception would have sucked!
Thank you for not letting me come back to Iowa when Danny went to Saudi Arabia. I wasn't too thrilled with your decree at that time, but came to realize that you were so very right.
Thank you for bringing my mom to me after my first baby was born. Having you both there was such a gift.
Thank you for insisting that I come back to Iowa when Danny went to Okinawa. I had a little girl to keep safe and being with you and Mom was a much better idea than staying in Southern California.
Thank you for the endless hours that you picked up cups and blocks and beads off the floor. I remember Ashlyn finding it pretty funny. I think the two of you spent many evenings playing that game.
Thank you for hauling furniture out to California for me. Ashlyn was such a big help as you put the table together. The table is still in our dining room. Ashlyn is still a big help!
Thank you for making room in your house again, not only for Ashlyn and me, but for Hayley as well.
Thank you for getting up with Ashlyn when she would have night terrors. I couldn't juggle both Hayley and Ashlyn and you were there, even when you had to get up at five in the morning.
You have never stopped being a dad to me. No matter where I am in the world or what crazy assed thing I am doing, you are there shaking your head at me.
I consider myself very blessed to have been raised by you and Mom. You both did your very best with us and I think you should be pleased. We all did alright.
Happy Father's Day, Papa. I love you.
Anne
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)