Tearful Remembering...

Last night I received word that my grandfather passed away.  He was 90, and in declining health for about the past year, so this did not come as a surprise.  Yet, the tears fell.  Apparently it doesn't matter how much you expect it, or how much warning you have...the tears will fall.

Last night I was laying in bed when it seemed like a dam in my mind burst.  Memories with him and of him flooded through my mind uncontrollably.  Memories from my childhood.... memories of going into their basement into his office and finding him working there.  I liked the smell of the basement, the musty smell mixed with fresh laundry...and last night I could smell it.  Memories of him playing games with me.  Memories of going for walks around the block and to the parks nearby.  Memories of going to church with them.  Memories of the gatherings of family and friends at their house.  In the summertime, picnic tables would line the driveway...and in winter, gathering at the tables in the house.  Memories of his laughter echoing as he interacted with those gathered there.   Memories of him pushing me on the swing in the backyard behind their garage.  Memories of many times simply spent together.  Me asking questions, and him answering.    Sitting on the front porch, greeting neighbors as they walked by, just enjoying life, simply.  And even though he quit smoking a pipe many, many years ago...whenever I smell one, I think of him.  I don't remember him ever smoking it around me...but I remember liking the lingering smell on his jacket as I would give him a hug.  I even remember where he kept his pipes...in a cubby/ledge next to the stairs on the way down into the basement.  I remember as a kid, picking them up at times on my way down the stairs, closing my eyes, holding it inches from my face, and gently breathing in as though I was smelling the perfect rose.

Then more memories of more recent times flooded in...of the few times I have been able to get out to Wisconsin to see them.  Of my kids doing some of the same things I did as a kid with him.  Of Skyping with them, and wishing I had made time to do that a lot more.

Tears mourning the man I knew and will always remember fell.

Memories of his smile, of his laugh, of his smell, of his embrace, of his voice, of his love.

His patience, kindness, infections smile and laugh, his giving and caring nature, his sense of humor, his sincerity.  How his eyes twinkled when he smiled or laughed.  How he could draw people in, making them feel at ease and like part of the family.  His devotion to his wife, my grandmother....and the love and respect they always shared for each other.  All memories I get the privilege to cherish for my lifetime and are part of the legacy he has given me to pass on to my children.

Grandpa, Gramps....

I am so thankful you are my grandfather!  

I cannot express how much I love you and how much your love has meant to me.

Heaven is blessed to have you.  

Here with my oldest son, Ryan...who was the first of his great-grandchildren.

Out for a walk with Ryan a few years later.

And with my youngest, Evan.  They share a birthday (85 years apart to the day!) as well as a middle name.

REMISS!!

I have been completely remiss in my duties with this blog!

Today I was motivated...sometimes a rare sight given the normal day-to-day responsibilities and upkeep of a home, work, kids (almost always one of whom needs "mom" for SOMETHING) and their activities...and then the just simply "me" time.  That is the time when I *could* be updating the blog or working on pics...but frankly, sometimes I just don't have it in me.  SO...when I do...I try to take full advantage.  And today just happens to be one of those days!!  HIP HIP HOORAY!

The boys are growing up so fast and summer is flying by!  Both are doing well.
Ryan is becoming quite the "young man" at the ripe age of 8, and is developing quite the sassy sense of humor.
Evan is doing well on his diet (for seizure control).  He is still having seizures, but they are not nearly as serious/bad as they were before the diet change.  So, we continue to tweak and try to find a good balance.  He is an active and energetic 5 year old...keeping us on our toes, challenging us, and also bringing a lot of fun into the mix.
Both have been enjoying summer immensely!  Camping several times, lots of outside play time, pools, swimming, out on a boat, and a couple trips to the movie theatre and "Kids Club".  Many more fun times are planned...so summer fun continues.

Part of my motivation has stemmed form some photo processing and a photoshoot with my boys.  Some new pics have been posted in the album "Boys - July 2013".  I will also be going BACK and processing/uploading pics I've taken of other events such as Evan's birthday and Easter (and failed to post...ahhh...motivation...where were you then?!?!).

Vids, Vids and More Vids!

I have started to accumulate a pretty large chunk of videos since we purchased the GoPro.  So I finally pulled the trigger on a new video editing software (Cyberlink PowerDirector 11) in hopes of cranking out more videos and to utilize the horsepower my desktop computer provides.  So far I am happy with the way the software works and I am slowly figuring out new ways to speed up production etc.  Below you will find a few of my latest videos.

Halibut Fishing


Moto Ride


Utah Skiing

Happy Birthday Papa Thom!!

Snow Ski!

Well if no one else will update this blog than I might have to!  Last Friday 1/13 we (Andi, Dan, Pete, Kelly, Mark, and I ) set out to get our first day of snow skiing in.  Well Pete and Kelly have been skiing a lot this year and are season pass holders at Mt Hood Meadows.  Dan one of my good buddies has a gopro hero 2 action cam and also recently got the Gopro Hero 3 black from his wonderful wife and daughter.  So we (Dan and I) took some footage throughout the day to video document the highlights.  Dan let me dump the raw footage off on my computer and I decided to take a stab at making a video.  It was definitely a great day skiing and I had fun tinkering with iMovie on my macbook.   Thanks again to Grammie and Papa Hymas for watching the boys for us or this never would have happened.  For best viewing open it in youtube and select the 720p setting. Anyway check it out!

(click here if you want to go to youtube for bigger vid!)

Summer Camping Memories...

We have been on a few camping trips so far this summer and had a WONDERFUL time with family and friends...making memories.

Before summer leaves us for the crunch of fall, we will have more memories to add to our collection.

I've added some more pictures to the online gallery...so have a look :)

The Art of Humor

School has ended...and Ryan brought home several items during that last week of school that gave me a good chuckle.  Click on any of the pictures to see a larger version.

The first one was a map of the world.

I need to give you a little back story on this one.  When Gage and I were on our last cruise, Papa Thom and Grandma Dar showed him on a map where we were (Puerto Rico).  That has stuck with him, and he can pretty easily point it out on a map.  If you look, he designated it on this map.  However...he must think that people who stink live there.  I laughed when I read his label for it..."Port or Rekos".  Oh...he also labeled Camas, WA...but apparently the whole city has relocated to Alaska :)

The second was a watercolor painting he did of a flower, and he was to label the parts of the flower that he learned in class.  Here is what the whole flower looks like (apparently this flower was in very bumpy ground).

Upon closer inspection...I realized that what I thought were leaves, were actually (in part) speech/comment bubbles.  Here is a closer look at the top and bottom of the flower...

I asked Ryan to explain what was happening in this picture.  He showed me the flower and its parts, and then explained that a little bad guy fell from the top of the flower ("AAA!"), and then hit and bounced off the petals on his way down ("ouch!" "ouch!" "ouch!").  Then at the bottom, he sunk into the dirt and was trapped by the roots (one last "AAA!" in red at the bottom of the flower).

This last one is not really funny...but shows the growth Ryan has achieved during his 1st grade year.  

The directions for each page are the same..."Draw a picture of yourself."

The picture on the left is from the first week of school in September.  The picture on the right is from a few weeks before the end of school in June.  I was amazed at the increased detail and more appropriate use of color that he has developed.  The kids mounted them inside of a black 11x14 piece of construction paper, and folded it into a large card.  Ryan presented this to Gage for father's day...the bottom line on the picture on the right says "Love you Dad".  Makes my heart smile!!

Growing up Ryan...

Both boys are getting so big!  This past weekend we had some close friends of ours visit with their 6 month old boy.  I don't realize just how big these boys are until I really spend time with a baby.  The above pic actually happened when I was taking some pictures of the baby, and I could tell Ryan was waiting his turn.  When I pointed the camera to him...this is what he gave me.  This doesn't happen that often...usually when I'm inspired to shoot pics of the boys, they are inspired to avoid me and get on with their day.  Times like these are fleeting.

Evan's First Bus Ride...

Evan's school schedule has changed... he has gone from going to preschool 2 days per week to 4 days per week.  Given my work schedule, the only way to make everything work was for him to take the bus to school in the mornings.  Thursday was his first day riding the bus...and it became the highlight of his day.  Man, these kids are growing up far too fast!

Happy Easter!

Science ROCKS!

Ryan was determined to enter the Science Fair this year.  It is mandatory for 4th & 5th grade...but any student can participate.  He was so adamant and excited about it, even after me explaining the extra work it would take on his part, that I couldn't crush his dreams.  He had even picked a topic (how sedimentary rocks are formed).  Being in 1st grade...and not yet 7 years old...it is no secret that there was A LOT of parent (me) involvement.  I did make Ryan do most of the work (researching information, answering additional questions, making observations, gathering data, typing out his findings, etc)...but given he really didn't know what a science fair was or how to go about conducting his experiment, he had to be directed and focused by someone more experienced.

Ryan now has a plethora of things he want to "be when he grows up"....artist, writer, scientist, and a skateboarder (interesting side note: he has never really ridden a skateboard nor had any desire to get on one).

All in all it was a good experience, and I'm very proud of the work he did.  Special thanks to Grandma Dar & Papa Thom who supplied him with some samples of different kinds of sedimentary rocks from different parts of the USA.

To be perfectly honest, I'd REALLY be ok if he didn't do another science fair until 4th grade :)

Toothless...

For the faint of heart...I'll spare the gruesome details.  But do want to share that as I helped to liberate the tooth, it literally hit me in the forehead!!

Also...I've posted a video of Evan blowing out his candles in the Hymas Photos section of the website.  Check it out!!  Sorry for the quality/color...not sure what happened there.

My Baby is 4!!

4 YEARS AGO:

3 YEARS AGO:

2 YEARS AGO:

1 YEAR AGO:

And that brings us to now....

My, how the time has flown, we love you little man!  

Wishing you the happiest of birthdays, with many more to come!!

Finishing 2011

We had a busy but good finish to 2011...lots of great memories with family and friends.

Thanksgiving we spent in Sun River.  Ryan saw Santa there and sat on his lap.  When Santa asked him what he was wanting for Christmas, I don't think he was at all prepared for Ryan's answer...."I want a zombie lab where you drink the barf!!" Ryan replied with excitement.  I think Gage and Santa shared the same shocked expression.  But...Santa was a sport, and did bring Ryan just what he asked for.  It is a weird  machine that essentially makes different textures of candy through chemistry.  We have done a few of the "recipes" which are all gross, but curiously fun at the same time.

December flew by with all the preparations of the season.  It honestly didn't start to feel like Christmas, really, until days before.  Not sure why...but both Thanksgiving and Christmas seemed to come much too early.  Over the Christmas weekend, Justin and Kaytlyn made the trek down to spend it here with our crazy family...and partook in all our crazy family traditions.  Don't tell Ryan, but we forgot one of our traditions...and thankfully he didn't notice.  We forgot to leave crackers and root beer for Santa this year.  Oops!

We quietly rang in the New Year with our good friends Brian and Kristi...and had a sleepover there rather than brave the roads with all the party-goers...safely finishing out 2011.

Hoping you all had a great 2011, with an even better 2012 to come!!

Catching UP

Catch up time!!

In my last post...I promised to write about our county fair experience.

The beginning of August...county fair time.  We went last year with the kids.  Evan was too little to ride any of the rides, and Ryan hesitantly rode on a couple of kiddie rides with either Gage or me by his side.  His biggest enjoyment was looking at the animals and watching the dirt bikes in a big-air competition.  

This year was entirely different...and deepened my realization that my somewhat timid toddler was growing into an independent little man.  When we first walked through the gates and into the hustle and bustle of the fairgrounds, Ryan spotted large trampolines with towers attached to them, and attached to the towers were various bungee cords with a harness at the end.  Ryan said he REALLY wanted to do this...Gage and I exchanged a doubtful glance.  Last year, we had to encourage Ryan to ride the tamest of rides.  Surely he just didn't understand that doing this meant you would jump and be somewhat catapulted into the air.  We decided to have him watch some other fair-goers participate in the jumping to see how high he would be going.  We both expected him to back out.  After watching...he was even more sure he wanted to do this.  I was still a bit doubtful.  Before arriving at the fair, Ryan had been super excited about the pony ride.  Both the pony ride at this were an extra charge, so we gave Ryan the choice...the ponies, or this.  SO we handed over a five-spot to the guy running the booth, and watched as our eldest took to the trampoline, was strapped in, and started bouncing...higher...higher...and higher still.  I was in awe as he thoroughly enjoyed every minute of "flying", and shocked that he had become so much more daring and confident over the past year.

Did it stop there??  NO!!

The next thing he spotted was the largest, and highest ferris wheel on the grounds.  He INSISTED that was the next adventure.  Gage followed him up the ramp leading to the ride while Evan and I watched from below (Evan is still too little to ride many of the larger fair rides).

We met up with some friends of ours (Brent and Michelle...and their kids Gracie and Spencer who are the same age as Ryan and Evan) then trekked to the other side of the grounds to tackle the kiddie rides.  Ryan and Gracie bound ahead and rode many rides together while Gage and I watched from the sidelines.  Again...this is the same kid??  He is SO different than he was last year!!!  

I went on several rides with Evan (still small enough that he needed an adult to accompany on even many of the kiddie rides).  Needless to say, Evan was in HEAVEN!  

As our day was coming to an end...I had just enough tickets to accompany Ryan on a full-size "adult" ride.  I let Ryan pick the ride, and he picked the big roller coaster.  Again...I was doubtful that was what he would truly enjoy, and had him really watch as it went around with other riders...and verified that is what he wanted to do.  He didn't waver.  Gracie decided she wanted to ride as well, and they allowed me to accompany both kids.  At first, I had Grace and Ryan sit together in front of me in the same car.  When the guy came by, he said that Gracie needed to sit next to me.  I swallowed my fear for my dear Ryan who would now be riding ahead of me...by himself.  I reassured him that I was right behind him, and left my hand resting on the seat such that my fingers touched his shoulder and said I'd be right there.  Ok, I admit, it may have been more to reassure me than him.  The ride started...and we headed up the first climb...the BIG ONE.  My hand still rested on the seat.  We crested the top, descended, and as we hit the bottom to head back up, my body squished down in my seat.  When I came up...I could not see or feel Ryan in the seat in front of me, and my heart lept into my throat.  I grabbed the seat back in front of me and pulled against the lap bar to peer over...finding Ryan virtually laying on the floor of the car with his arms above his head barely hooked over the lap bar.  I looked up and saw another hill coming.  I yelled in a stern voice "GET IN THE SEAT AND HANG ON TO THE BAR!"  He did and I sternly told him he needed to HOLD ON AND STAY IN HIS SEAT!!!  Needless to say, I didn't enjoy much of the ride after that as my concern for his safety overwhelmed any pleasure.  My eyes and hands never left him after that...just so that I knew without a doubt that he was safely in his seat.  As the cars came to a stop at the end of the ride...Ryan lept carelessly out and skipped down the ramp...eyes wide with excitement as he announced he wanted to do it AGAIN!!  Sorry kid...all out of tickets!  Maybe next year...maybe...that is if my hands stop trembling and my heart returns to its proper place in my chest!

All in all...it was a great experience...and such an eye opener to see so clearly just how much Ryan has changed.

We also learned, since we are now experienced fair-goers, that next year we will be buying two unlimited ride bracelets (one for each kid) and a book of tickets (for those rides that require our accompaniment).  We started off with a book of tickets...and with Ryan wanting to ride everything and some things more than once...and with Evan wanting to ride everything his brother rides and then some...the book quickly dwindled and we ended up purchasing a ride bracelet for Ryan.  Given Evan's interest in the rides, it was very clear that in another year he would not be satisfied with just a few rides, and economically speaking it will be cheaper to just buy the ride bracelets for them both.

I've added an album with just a few pictures and a short video from our day in the Hymas Photos.

Stay tuned for a bit more "catching up".

The List

At the beginning of the summer, we had Ryan come up with a list of things he wanted to do this summer.  Things that we could do to help make his summer memorable and meaningful.  This is the list he devised:
_______________________________________________

SUMMER FUN 2011

·           Zoo

·           Camas Library

·           New Vancouver Library

·           Kids Club

·           Beach

·           Clark County Fair

·           Visit a farm

·           OHSU Tram & lunch w/dad

______________________________________________

Over this summer, we have knocked several off the list.
He went to the new Vancouver Library with Grammie and LOVED it.  There is an entire floor dedicated to kids (yes, a FLOOR...not just a section), and lots of hands on activities.

He has gone to the Clark County fair...and WOW!  I will be dedicating a separate post to that one very soon!

For this post, I wanted to focus on the first ones we knocked off the list...OHSU Tram and lunch w/ dad.  I decided to "up" that one notch as Evan has been wanting to ride a train, so on a monday morning I surprised the boys and told them what I had planned for the day.  Honestly, I've never seen them get ready so fast...and without extra prodding!!!  We headed out and parked the car near the Portland airport and hopped on Portland's lightrail system (the MAX).

The ride was about an hour long, but it honestly went fast.  The boys were SO entertaining to watch as they took in all the sights and sounds.

We hopped off the MAX in downtown Portland, and walked a block to where we picked up the streetcar that would take us to within a block of where Gage works.  Gage greeted us and we walked to a local restaurant for lunch.

After a satisfying lunch of "Asian Fusion", we headed to the base of the OHSU tram, boarded and swooped and swayed up to the top...holding the handrails all the way (ok, Ryan and I had to let go a few times just to try it...but mostly were hanging on).

Once at the top, we meandered for a bit, watching the tram, gazing at the mountain, and reflecting on the day.

It was a long day, it was a full day, it was indeed a day full of memories and meaning!

Check out a few more pictures from our day in the "Boys - August 2011" album of the Hymas Photos.

More Slacker Moments and Memories...

Yes... it has been over 2 months since my last post...AGAIN!  I am officially a slacker!  Well, I guess life has been busy...but I don't really consider that an excuse.  SO with another attempt to get back on track and catch you all up...her are the highlights:

In May, life was for the most part "the usual"...school for both the boys, t-ball for Ryan, work, puppy training, and keeping the peace.  One fun activity we did was go to Dozer Days.  This is an annual event hosted by a local rock quarry that donates the funds raised to charity.  It was a lot of fun (albeit very busy) and is a boys paradise.  They have 20-30 pieces of heavy equipment...from smaller dozers and diggers, to the big boys, and kids get to drive!  I was super proud of Ryan as he skillfully piloted a very large digger.  Surprisingly, Evan LOVED watching, but got a bit freaked out when it was his turn to give it a try.  Maybe next year :)

Yes...that is Ryan in this picture dumping his load of dirt.  There are some more pics from the day in the "Boys - May 2011" photo album.

June was a big and busy month!  Ryan finished up t-ball....OH, that reminds me...I have a story to tell!!  At one of his last games, he was playing left field.  After one kid on the opposing team was done batting (and as the next was heading to the plate), Ryan came over to the fence by me....I was sitting in the bleachers between home and first plate.  I told him he needed to get back out there, and he insisted that he REALLY needed to tell me something.  I relented and said ok, but that he needed to make it quick and again referenced that he needed to get back out there.  I waited in anticipation of this most important and pressing news.  He uttered "ummmmm" as he glanced down as if trying to remember what he wanted to tell me...then looked up when he remembered.  Grinning, he then told me "I ate a piece of grass!!"  My brain shouted "REALLY?!?!?!  THIS is what you HAD to tell me?!?!  THIS couldn't wait until after the game?!?!"  My mouth maintained composure and rather quietly said "ok...get back out there."  I'm sure my face betrayed me and said something more along the lines of what my brain shouted.

A fun memory from June is the puddle jumping!  As we drove home from one of Ryan's t-ball practices, the skies opened up and unloaded like 6 feet of rain and hail!  Ok, maybe it was more like an inch or two.  The streets here are not designed to handle such a sudden accumulation of rain as its not often we get a super heavy shower like this.  When we got home, the rain had stopped, but the streets were still draining...and there was several inches of rainwater.  Tempting, TOO tempting!  I hustled into the garage, and when I turned around, Gage had taken his shoes off and was trudging through the water...no doubt transported to his youth.  The boys looked at me, their eyes pleading..."Ok, just take your shoes off!!"  Pure fun ensued...

...followed by changing into jammies and having some hot cocoa afterwards to warm up.

June was also Ryan's birthday.  He really had more of a birthday weekend since his actual birthday fell on a Monday this year.  His good friend and cousin, Benny, spent the night at our house for Ryan's first real friend-sleepover on Saturday (they had a really good time)...then family and a few friends gathered for his party at a local park.  Thankfully the weather held as it was an "iffy" June weather-wise.  This was a "real" birthday for Ryan as some of the gifts he got were a real fishing pole and real golf clubs.  He was super excited to have the real thing...a rite of passage, a mark of his growing up.

There are more pictures from his birthday (and some video) in the "Ryan's 6th Birthday" album.

Also in June was Ryan's last day of Kindergarten.  They had a small ceremony on the last day where the kids "jumped into first grade"...signified by jumping into a pool of beans.  Each child also got special award to signify something they did that was outstanding during the year.  Ryan got the "Reader" award.    I had to agree...Ryan went from not reading anything more than his name to reading beginner books.  He surprises me at the oddest times with what he can read now.

So far July has been full of fun as well.  Over the weekend of the fourth, Justin & Kaytlyn visited and we headed to our friend's house to swim in their pool, have some delicious dinner, and enjoy good company and good conversation.  Thanks Brent & Michelle for the great day!!  There are pictures from this day in the "July Fun" photo album.

We have also had another successful camping trip with our good friends Brian & Kristi.  During the last 2 weeks of this month we'll be living in our tent trailer more than our house as we have 2 bigger camping trips planned.

Evan has been doing really well, and has had no seizures since January (knock on wood)!!  He is attending speech therapy this summer once a week to keep up on his skills, which are definitely improving!
ALSO... I've added a short video to Evan's birthday album.

Ok...I think I've gotten us all up to date!!  Lets see how long I can keep it that way!! :)

Birthday, Easter and Other Happenings...

BIRTHDAY:
Bad mommy!!  I failed to post on Evan's birthday!  No time like the present to right a wrong...right??

Evan turned 3 in March.  The time continues to pass too quickly!  It was 3 years ago that he decided to set his own birthdate.  I was scheduled for a c-section three days after the day he decided he was ready to enter the world...on his own time.  He continues to live life on his own timeframe.  Evan as a 3 year-old is VERY active.  He can kick and throw a ball like a pro, he enjoys jumping off of couches, coffee tables, stairs, and just about anything he can climb up onto.  He also likes to hang from banisters, people, and anything that can support his weight.  Wrestling his brother is one of his favorite activities.  He has his own ideas about how his life should be, and makes his opinions known to all despite his still-developing speech.  He is willful, he throws temper tantrums, and has a smile that can brighten the darkest of days.  He gets a twinkle in those big, beautiful, super blue eyes of his when he is feeling a bit mischievous, and a slightly different twinkle when he thinks something is hilariously funny.  He is full of vinegar and full of life.  He can be really rough and tumble, and he can be a total softy...freely giving snuggles and kisses, just on his own terms and when he wants to.  He is all boy ("frogs and snails and puppy-dogs' tails") and he is well loved.

Evan enjoyed a nice, laid-back birthday party with some of his favorite people and favorite foods.  I've posted pics from the day in the Hymas Photos section (Evan's 3rd Birthday album).  Thank you SO MUCH to Laura and Kristi for being my photographers that day!  Without you two I would have missed pictures of so many events and memories from that special day.

EASTER:
Easter is always a blessed time. This year was no different.

A few days before Easter, Gage's mom was talking with Ryan and asked if he was excited for Easter and the egg hunt (and candy).  Ryan quickly met her gaze, and with a bit of lecture-attitude said "Grammie...that is NOT what Easter is about!  Easter is about when Jesus died on the cross!!"  I feel blessed that my children are learning the true meanings of our holidays, and have the strength to share that with others.

On Easter, we headed over to Paul & Laura's house (Gage's sister & brother-in-law) to spend time with family and for the kids to have their traditional Easter egg hunt.  Justin made the trek down from Kent, WA to spend time with family as well (I feel very blessed to have even more family close-by now).  Great food, great company, and great memories...we are very blessed, indeed!  There are pictures from the day up on the Hymas Photos section of the website (Easter 2011 album).

OTHER HAPPENINGS:
A main "other happening" is that Evan started preschool in April.  He has been talking about going to school for some time now, and he has been able to realize that dream sooner than expected.  For those who may not be aware...Evan has a delay in his expressive speech (his ability to articulate words).  He fully understands speech appropriate for his age, he just has difficulty forming his words to express himself.  Because of this delay, he has been going to speech therapy once a week.  When he turned 3, his speech therapy was handed over to the school district, and in our area, that qualifies him for preschool.  The first day, he held tightly to my hand as we entered his classroom.  It took him only a few minutes to see the other kids playing and coloring and pretending, and he released his grip to explore his classroom.  When it was time for me to leave him, I let him know I'd be back when school was over.  He didn't cry, but instead gave me a look more like "oh, are you still here??"  As I got in the car...it was a very strange feeling...both kids in school, what do I do now??  Each time the boys are in school at the same time, the feeling is a little less strange. Evan currently has school just two days a week, so its a good transition for all of us.  I've posted pics of his first day in the Hymas Photos section of the website (Boys - March/April 2011 album).

Ryan has started playing T-Ball this spring (pics in the Boys - March/April 2011 album).  His team is the Mariners...all of the teams in this league take on the team name of a pro team.  He is really enjoying it, and there are a couple of kids from his kindergarten class on his team which makes it even more fun.
The other big news Ryan has is that he has two loose teeth!

My biggest challenge these days (and for the rest of my life) is trying to enjoy all of these stages of the boys' lives.  In a little over a month, the boys will be out of school.  Ryan will be in first grade next fall..school all day, and Evan will be back in preschool.  By that time, Ryan will have at least two adult teeth coming in.  My babies no longer live with us, even my toddlers are gone.  I now live with two "big boys".  Each day is a blessing and a treasure.

A New Tradition...

I know this is a long blog...but stick with me...I think its worth it!!!

Yesterday (Tuesday the 12th) was my 35th birthday...and I like to believe that I have grown wiser with each passing year (even though in my brain I'd like to think I'm stuck somewhere in my 20's).

On Monday night, I was laying in bed thinking about my birthday the following day, thinking abouthow I wanted to celebrate, of "blowing off" eating healthy (mmm....cake), and just going for the gusto!!  This is for no other reason than because its a celebration!  Right??  Isn't that what we do???

I then had a bit of an epiphany...how do I really want to start my 36th year?  I decided that I'd like my birthday to set precedence for what my year will be.  I decided that instead of "letting go" of everything, that I should do exactly the opposite...exhibit self-control, go through the day mindfully...always thankful for all the blessings in my life and what I DO have.

After this thought...I also started thinking about how people set New Year's resolutions (kind of cliche now-a days)...and how the vast majority do NOT stick to them even a mere 30 days after making the resolution!  Why is this??  Is it because they are coming down off of the Holiday High, so perhaps a bit drunk with sugar and now also maybe a bit hung over (who hasn't had that "I'm NEVER going to drink again!" moment??)??  Is it the peer pressure (everyone else is doing it!!)??  Everyone starts with good intentions, with a huge "can do" attitude, and even though they start with good intentions, almost all never reach those goals.  I started to wonder...perhaps the focus is not so much on the person setting the goals, but more on the New Year's tradition??  OR perhaps my brain, late at night, just makes me THINK these are good ideas :)

Whatever the reasons behind it are... I have decided I'm going to break away from tradition.  I will no longer set New Year's resolutions.  I will instead set Birthday Resolutions.  These resolutions/goals have been set by me, for me...and on my birthday...making them very much about me (the way resolutions should be).  Next year, when I finish the completion of my 36th year of life...I will also be celebrating the resolutions and goals I have accomplished in the year, and will reflect on what I want to accomplish in my 37th year.

I now have a typed, signed and dated contract with myself.  I printed out several copies and posted them where I will be reminded of my promise to myself.  Others can see them as well, and I intentionally did this because, for me, I do better when I know others are also aware of what I have or have not accomplished.

SO...for those who want to see, here is the link...Birthday Resolutions!!

We did go out to dinner for my birthday, but instead of heading out and getting the fattiest food I wanted (burgers/fries and other fried morsels, pasta dishes oozing with sauce, bread and more bread), and eating all the sweets I could fit into my already full tummy, we went to McGraths.  They have some really good fresh and local (Pacific NW) seafood fare...and I LOVE my seafood.  Don't get me wrong...you can definitely come out blowing your diet anyways if you don't avoid the cream sauces and the butter-filled dishes.  I opted for the fresh grilled halibut with steamed veggies, and I did indulge just a little with a cup of their delicious clam chowder (shared with Evan) and a few bites of marionberry cobbler (shared with the whole table).  All in all much better than I was imagining while laying in bed on Monday before my epiphany!  It was a great birthday...thanks babe for making it so.  I love you!

BOYS!!! Really?!?!

This is the conversation that just occurred in my family room.  It is one that prior to having kids, I never considered I would possibly hear.  Funny how perspective changes!

RYAN:  "Evan, this is how you spell Thom...T-H-O-M.  Can you spell Thom? Say T..."
(Evan then repeats all the letters after Ryan)
RYAN:  "MOM!  He spelled Thom!!!  Good job Evan!!"
RYAN:  "Evan...this is how you spell poop..."p", then two "o"s, then...."

MOM:  (said with a half surprised, half unamused, stern wrinkled forehead, squinty-eye face)  "RYAN!!!  Really?!?!"

I have one thought, or perhaps more of an explanation....BOYS!