Easter

Easter was fun. I felt poorly but the kids had a blast!

Taylor loves her bubbles

Taylor understood the concept of the Easter Bunny, I suppose it has something to do with the candy and not so much that a fluffy animal carries it to millions of children. But at least she was thrilled to see her brother's basket. Bug was thrilled there were Pringles. He likes chips. A Lot. He likes chips a lot. He ate them for breakfast. It's Easter, don't judge me.

Tay demanded to wear her Belle dress and I mean demanded. Not held her breath, she doesn't get that yet, thank god, but brought it to me and said: I want to wear this! Now!  I made her say Please, I'm not that much of a push-over.

 

Bug and Easter Pringles

They found all 48 eggs in the yard and opened them. We are swimming in Gummi Crabby Patties. I may never need to buy any other candy, ever. OK. That's a lie, I need chocolate right now but there isn't any left. They both had a good time and that is all that matters.

True to form, at the end of the day, Taylor asked when the Easter Bunny would be back. I told her a whole year. She bartered: Tomorrow?

 

Another Sad Day

I hate to blog like this, with sad news, but everyone needs to open their heart and have their voice heard when they are sad. I am no different. I am saddened by the loss of a dear man, a very loving man with a wonderful family. 

Erik and Glenn

I first met Bob and Lilo, and their boys, almost 18 years ago.  A wonderful family who always opened their home to us. Lilo would cook us Bratwurst, but never ate any herself. I always found this to be amazingly kind and I was grateful.

Their oldest boy Per I met only occasionally, he had a Military career, much like his father, but his included a Docorate of Medicine, so he was a very busy man. Their youngest, Erik, I met almost every month for years. A big strong man who was always happiest when doing things for others. Whether it was cutting their lawn or cooking their food, he was always giving to others whenever I saw him. But now, I cry. Erik is gone.

He died yesterday while at work and we found out today. I can not imagine how his parents are right now. I can only wish to be there and to help them and to console them but I am not there. They are without that boy that they formed so much of their lives around, what emptiness. Words are not mine today other than those. And these, I will borrow:

“I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death” - Robert Fulghum

Good Bye darling boy, I will miss you.

An Update? No kidding?

I like to talk.

A lot. Sometimes I even say things people want to hear. But most times, I think, I ramble. Why do I do this? Hell if I know but I do. Knowing this, will I change, will I stop talking so much? Or did I just attempt to make myself feel

Max

better by admitting I am a pain? Hmmm...a thought for another time but for now: an update.

We went to Idaho for Christmas, my sister lives there and EVERYONE in the family was going so, why not? It was fun and it was stress but at least the kids got a dog. Yes. I was drawn to the darn thing from the moment I saw him. Yeah, like I needed one more thing that poops in the house. But I did it...and I got him. Now...I'm gonna eat him. OK, so I am not gonna eat him, but it sounded good and he is a handful but beautiful so we'll just nibble away at the stubborn streak until he knows who the Big Dog is. He's doing better with the children and that's why I picked a Boxer.

After Christmas, we stayed in Utah for 7 weeks or so while the snow fell. It was a clean beginning to a new year. The snow blankets the dullness and brings a quiet that only 14 inches of it can absorb. It reenergized me and I re-modeled the downstairs bathroom. Sigh. It looks good though. And my chidren, for the first time in their lives were well enough to play in the snow!

Glenn David and Snow

We usually share the flu or some forsaken cold while in Utah but not this year. Well, we did but it wasn't bad enough to stop us! It was truly fantastic. We built our first ever snowman (which may still be somewhat standing) and Taylor got her hands sufficiently cold enough to know that she really should wear the bulky waterproof ones next time.

We played with Papa and Nana until Taylor told us it was time to go home and we packed up the Cruiser, once we dug it out, and came home to all that was left behind. And cleaned it.

Halloween Photos

Just a few...the rest are at my website.

Halloween at our house...

Goes like this:

The Red Room

I obsess...make everyone miserable in the days leading up to it...but the house looks cool...the kids look cute..

I usually look like a whore with a theme and we make a lot of neighborhood kids happy with full-size candy bars.

Taylor misses the tree.

So, who knew that a 2 and a half year old would be so attached to a tree? I didn't even think she paid any attention to it. I thought she just brushed by it, didn't talk to it or bring it things but she really did like that tree. No kidding. EVERY time we go outside she says we need to go find the tree. It plays out like this:

Mama?

Yes.

Tree is gone.

Yes it is.

Mama?

Yes?

Go find tree.

I can't baby it's gone forever.

No. Go in car and get tree.

It doesn't work like that baby. THAT tree is gone forever. They might plant a new one later. It's getting too late in the year for one now (even though you can almost plant anything, anytime in SoCal and it will thrive).

Ummm...No. Get new tree.

This could go on forever if I just didn't start ignoring her. I hate to do that but SHE WILL NOT LET IT GO!

And I think to myself: You're in trouble.

Taylor misses the tree.

So, who knew that a 2 and a half year old would be so attached to a tree? I didn't even think she paid any attention to

Oh The Tree!

 it. I thought she just brushed by it, didn't talk to it or bring it things but she really did like that tree. No kidding. EVERY time we go outside she says we need to go find the tree. It plays out like this:

Mama?

Yes.

Tree is gone.

Yes it is.

Mama?

Yes?

Go find tree.

I can't baby it's gone forever.

No. Go in car and get tree.

It doesn't work like that baby. THAT tree is gone forever. They might plant a new one later. It's getting too late in the year for one now (even though you can almost plant anything, anytime in SoCal and it will thrive).

Ummm...No. Get new tree.

 

This could go on forever if I just didn't start ignoring her. I hate to do that but SHE WILL NOT LET IT GO!

And I think to myself: You're in trouble.

The answer to my query.

Oh My Sweet God! It does get better...we decide we need to go shopping for groceries. We've done it hundreds, if not thousands of times, we're professionals. We get the kids ready and head out the door. I hear:

Shit!

I say: What?

No, just shit.

I turn the corner and TADA: The tree in the front yard is now on its side and partially on my CAR! But I like my car! Damn.

I think it may have been windy.

Yep! It's done a fine job of scratching the side of the car. My Car. My Pretty Car. Damn.

And...I liked the tree too. But now...it's dead. I just don't see that super glue is gonna help this one. Damn.

If they leave the stump I may be able to do something with it for Halloween. I gotta look on the bright side. I laughed my ass off...my question has been answered. THIS is what was next. And now...moving on...

The answer to my query.

Oh My Sweet God! It does get better...we decide we need to go shopping for groceries. We've done it hundreds, if not thousands of times, we're professionals. We get the kids ready and head out the door. I hear:

Shit!

I say: What?

No, just shit.

I turn the corner and TADA: The tree in the front yard is now on its side and partially on my CAR! But I like my car! Damn.

I think it may have been windy.

Yep! It's done a fine job of scratching the side of the car. My Car. My Pretty Car. Damn.

And...I liked the tree too. But now...it's dead. I just don't see that super glue is gonna help this one. Damn.

If they leave the stump I may be able to do something with it for Halloween. I gotta look on the bright side. I laughed my ass off...my question has been answered. THIS is what was next. And now...moving on...

My year so far: the play by play.

So...this has been the year from hell. No truly. I've had bad years before but this one...all time worst. Want the countdown? You don't have a choice cuz I'm gonna do it anyway:

January - Glenn almost totals his car. He's OK, the car isn't and a little piece of the 405 is broken too. In Utah for Mom's surgery.

February - Glenn gets car back. Three days later is blinded by morning sun approaching a stoplight and doesn't see the car in front of him stop. He's OK, the car isn't, the car ahead of him is broken too.

March - Utah. Then Boise. Then Utah again. Fix Glenn's car...again and find out that Ralph has cancer.

April - Back to Utah for BYU graduation and Taylor's 2nd birthday. Daddy has to work and couldn't be there but he will make up for it.

May - Wayne's dad dies, debated going back to Utah for funeral when Ralph dies. Devestated. Just devasted. Back to Utah for memorial and up to Northern Utah for burial.

June - Something happens that I can't remember so on to:

July - Find out we're pregnant! Excited but in the same sense I am worried. Dunno why. Go to Boise for 4th of July.

August - Back to Utah to finish up Car paperwork and find out the Baby is dead. Well that sucks. Have surgical procedure to remove tissue and Glenn gets in trouble for being with me and not being at work. Whatever. Bite Me.

September - Greg's father dies. Amazing man and I am very upset. Back to Utah for memorial and burial.

October - Glenn tells me that he is sure his job will be phased out and am I OK with it?. Hellya I am! He hates his work now...they used him to launch their product and will pay some pimple faced college grad with no experience 1/3 of what they paid him to take credit for it being stable. No bitterness but his job is officially kaput ON MY BIRTHDAY! WTF? We had a blast. Glenn is so happy. But now...we both have colds. With headaches. But we have great Halloween costumes.

Can't wait to see what is next....

My year so far: the play by play.

So...this has been the year from hell. No truly. I've had bad years before but this one...all time worst. Want the countdown? You don't have a choice cuz I'm gonna do it anyway:

 

January - Glenn almost totals his car. He's OK, the car isn't and a little piece of the 405 is broken too. In Utah for Mom's surgery.

February - Glenn gets car back. Three days later is blinded by morning sun approaching a stoplight and doesn't see the car in front of him stop. He's OK, the car isn't, the car ahead of him is broken too.

March - Utah. Then Boise. Then Utah again. Fix Glenn's car...again and find out that Ralph has cancer.

April - Back to Utah for BYU graduation and Taylor's 2nd birthday. Daddy has to work and couldn't be there but he will make up for it.

May - Wayne's dad dies, debated going back to Utah for funeral when Ralph dies. Devestated. Just devasted. Back to Utah for memorial and up to Northern Utah for burial.

June - Something happens that I can't remember so on to:

July - Find out we're pregnant! Excited but in the same sense I am worried. Dunno why. Go to Boise for 4th of July.

August - Back to Utah to finish up Car paperwork and find out the Baby is dead. Well that sucks. Have surgical procedure to remove tissue and Glenn gets in trouble for being with me and not being at work. Whatever. Bite Me.

September - Greg's father dies. Amazing man and I am very upset. Back to Utah for memorial and burial.

October - Glenn tells me that he is sure his job will be phased out and am I OK with it?. Hellya I am! He hates his work now...they used him to launch their product and will pay some pimple faced college grad with no experience 1/3 of what they paid him to take credit for it being stable. No bitterness but his job is officially kaput ON MY BIRTHDAY! WTF? We had a blast. Glenn is so happy. But now...we both have colds. With headaches. But we have great Halloween costumes.

Can't wait to see what is next....