My Brown-Eyed Girl

January through March Recap

I am finally back in my blog after a long hiatus! Here are some of the highlights from the past three months:

Josh turned 12! His last year before the teenage years....can't believe it! We celebrated at home, and then in early February, we went to see the Lego Movie as the second part of his gift, since he is crazy about Legos! It was fun-we hadn't been to the movies since Jonathan was about 2. Lily was unimpressed, I fell asleep, but the boys loved it!

Then....Jonathan won the class spelling bee, and came in 5th in the whole school (which included all 3rd, 4th and 5th graders!) for the school wide spelling bee. He did great, and I was so proud. The word than he missed was bassoon!

Then February came, and we got some snow. It was really pretty...for the first day...

Then it stayed a whole week, and it stopped being so pretty. It all finally melted on Valentine's Day, so to celebrate, we bought a kitten.

Her name, at Pet Smart, was Lovey...it was a cute name, especially seeing we bought her on Valentine's and all, but when I brought her home, we decided to call her Misty. She has adjusted nicely at our house. Lily thinks she's a baby and carries her like this:

She seems to like it, or maybe Lily just has a good grip on her...

Often times, I catch Misty staring out the kitchen window...

I told the kids she is watching the birds in the backyard, but sometimes I think she is plotting an escape from our crazy home.

But then I find her like this:

and then realize she's just as crazy as we are and fits in great!

In March, soccer started. Jonathan's team is doing great, and he is having a great season himself. He scores in every game, and is becoming a really good soccer player.

With all the crazy temperatures, some of these games have been brutal. This particular game had a windchill of 26 degrees, and the wind was whipping! I had 3 blankets and I was still cold! Ahhhh...what we do for our kids!

Josh has been playing really well this season, but his team hasn't won a single game. I have been proud of him throughout this season because he has kept a good attitude, tried his best, and was quick to congratulate the other team when the game was over. Next year, he'll be old enough to try out for JV soccer for Belton-Honea Path (BHP)...I think he'll make it!

They both have been doing well in school, also. Josh was just inducted into the National Junior Beta Club. I was so proud of him! The day before inductions was initiation. This is what he had to wear:

Then, the day of induction, he looked so handsome in his shirt and tie, khakis and a pair of loafers. He received his certificate, membership card and Jr. Beta pin. It was quite an official ceremony!

So, that's the first 3 months of 2014 in a nutshell....Luis and I are great, too. Our jobs are going well. I can't believe I have been at my job for almost 6 months already! I am really enjoying it. I get to interpret some, and work front line with patients sometimes, but mainly I am supervising which I am enjoying also. It's great experience and I am being stretched, but I am learning to not limit myself. All in all, 2014 is off to a great start!

Christmas In New York!

Well, We pulled it off! Luis and I, for three months, managed to kept this surprise for our kids a secret. There were moments that I almost blew it. Like when I would find the boys wrestling in the livingroom and I would almost blurt out, "Now boys,  when we get to Nani's house there will be no horsing around in the house!", but I would catch myself in the nick of time. There were other times that I contemplated just telling them because I was so excited to see their reactions...but I am so glad I didn't.
The day before our trip, I started loading up the car. Jonathan caught me one time and asked what I was carrying and I quickly responded "Donation for Goodwill". OK, so it wasn't completely true, but eventually all those snow pants, boots and jackets will make it to the donation pile! (I confessed to Jonathan the next day...Guilt is a bad feeling!) At 1am, I was still loading up the car. The plan was to travel light...but that plan never happens! The second plan was to get up at 4am...THAT plan never happens either. So, at 7am, we are finally in the car, heading to "Holiday Hope"...well, that's what the kids thought anyway...Luis and I plotted...he was driving, and I was ready with my phone to video to great secret reveal. Jonathan played right into our plot and was in a cheerful singing mood. I, from the passenger's side, turned and began singing with him...if I recall correctly, it was Doe a Deer from the Sound of Music...yeah...he's mine! Haha...so while we were singing and Luis was driving,he purposely drove right past the exit for church. Jonathan piped up and said, "Dad, you missed the exit!". Luis kept driving. Joshua started getting agitated..."Dada, turn around!" he said impatiently. I knew it was time to let the cat out of the bag...and it was perfect! I even captured it on video!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=513065948791507&l=4597583113384251532

(Click on that blue link to see video!)

Giving Thanks

We had such a nice Thanksgiving, and it was just the five of us. I made a 25 pound turkey, that we ate leftovers from for 4 days. After dinner, we put up out Christmas tree and decorated it together. It was a lovely, peaceful, fairly quiet evening, and it was a nice change for us. I managed to capture some moments...

 

I actually made gravy...it wasn't actual gravy...

 

Ready to eat!

Why, yes...that IS milk in those crystal wine glasses...they felt so special! (And to my delight,
none were broken!)
 

I never saw these two look so much alike before...genes are an amazing thing!
 

Traditional pumpkin roll dessert...I made two. They were gone by Black Friday!

Thanksgiving love

 

On the couch, waiting to decorate the tree

 

Luis with my prized angel ornaments...he handled them with care!

 

 

Lily admiring our tree from a different angle

 

Where there isn't snow, we improvise! Pine needle angels!

 

 

Cutest Rudolph I have ever seen!

 

Proud decorators

 

Luis added the star

All in all, it was a great day. I was missing my family in NY, but it won't be long until we are there for Christmas. The kids still have no idea, and thankfully, Josh is not interested in reading this blog, so the secret should be safe. Only 2 weeks until we load up the car and head North. I am really looking forward to being home for Christmas. Mom, I'll be home soon!

 

Yesterday

Sometimes it seems like just yesterday that we threw a ball in the backyard, weeded the garden, walked to the bottom of the gulley. I can still see you sitting with me at the kitchen table, helping me make sense of algebra, or putting together the radio you fixed. Just the other day I held the flashlight while you worked on the car, I danced on your shoes, I heard you belly laugh telling Grandpa's fish story, and singing us the story of Bessie from Pike...I remember acting like it was so awful when I would walking in on you and Mom kissing in the kitchen...but really, it was beautiful. And I'm sorry for being embarrassed of you when my friends were around because the truth is, when they all disappeared, you were always right there. Thanks for letting me hold your hand in church when the message went straight to my heart, convicting me of my bad choices. Thank you for all the times your cheered for me, believed in me, prayed for me. What would I have become without your gentleness, your compassionate heart, your loving hands? I'm glad I will never know.

I blinked and I was grown. I blinked again and you were gone. But all the millions of seconds in between were simply perfect. No, not perfect in the literal sense, but perfect nonetheless. I don't wish for you to be back, because I know this place can't even compare with where you are. I do wish, though, I could visit with you for just a moment or two. Are your hands still big? Do you still have that twinkle in your eye? Can I still feel the prickles when I kiss your cheek? Even without words, just to lay my head on your shoulder once more would be enough. One day, Dad, one day. Miss you more than I can explain. Love you more than words can express.  Though we are apart for a time, you are forever in my thoughts, just a memory away. Love you.