Ray of sunshine.

This week has been so very, very busy. My daytimes have been packed tighter than ever and evenings have given way to stacked appointments, games and practices going every which way EVERY night. And, I don't usually go to the office on Thursdays but made the decision I should be there today.

So, when I crawled out of bed today, I was beat and lamenting my commute, the day, the rush... well, you get it.

I was putting my 'finishing touches' on when Jackson came in the bathroom to say good morning. He looked at me, stopped and said "Mommy. You are SO beautiful today, your hair is really really pretty."

Hair in barrette? No need - he made the call - it was a good hair day.
Ray of sunshine? Check.
Reminder that I'm loved, even with good hair and a bad attitude? Check.
Thankful for an amazing boy? Check check.

When a ride's not just a ride.

Today I had another kid-raising milestone smack me right in the face. Dead center, reasonable force and also the kind where you go 'oh... yeah, that makes sense.'

I'll start by admitting I have to work a little harder to get time in the car with Tyler, especially as of late. We've been riding the wave of 'we'll take you' and his constant responses of 'Hey, don't worry, so-and-so can drive me now. Relax and put your feet up.' It's such a weird concept, especially as we've run our tails off for years to the rink and back.

So Tyler had an event this afternoon that required him to be at the school with the older guys on the hockey team. I asked this morning if he wanted a ride and he replied (which he does often these days) "Don't worry, I'll find a ride." The day got a little busy and it turned out that my driving him was the best option we had.

I'll admit this: I love riding in the car with that kid. He's mine for a short period of time - and I especially love it when we're alone. I'll say yes to Dairy Queen runs at 9:45 PM to be in the car and get face time with him. He likes to talk in the car (and I like to listen), so it really works. Except today.

We wheeled around the back side of the school just in time to see 4-5 Varsity boys at the curb. They gave a head nod acknowledging him..... and then the snickers were out in full force. Then, there it came:

WHAM!
It's soooo not cool for your mom to drive you anymore. They're snickering at the kid who's still getting a ride from Mom.

No prob. I'll spend the next 6 months figuring out how to trap him in conversation some other way.... and, I'll have plenty of time. I'm pretty sure after today I won't be invited to the curb all that often anymore.

Creepy little critter.

We have a creepy little critter. I think we met last fall, late one night as I arrived home. The critter was sitting squarely in the driveway and prompted me to make an emergency call inside to Matt, even though I couldn't really describe WHAT it was. All I could say was 'swamp thing from Princess Bride!' after seeing it's beady eyes, fur and tail. That evening the critter eventually grew tired of my car, it's lights and annoyance and sauntered off into the darkness. I though we had a one-time meeting and we'd be done.

I was wrong.

Matt mentioned we had something living under the deck this winter and I immediately thought of the rabbits I loathe so much. Sure, they'd be making a den under the deck - if I were small, furry and cold I'd absolutely do the same. But, no such luck. Matt got an eyeful one night by moonlight and reported to bed about a week ago with a singular statement "I think it's bigger than a rabbit." My imagination is active, so I got to thinking of all sorts of things - woodchuck, beaver (don't ask why I went there), raccoon. Fast forward and I'm carrying laundry past the hallway window and you can imagine my surprise when I determine there's an overgrown RAT in our yard. A RAT!! I think reality finally set in and I figured out that rats probably don't grow that big (or we'll pray they don't anyway).

It's a possum. A very, very unafraid possum. The possum has grown fond of our space, finding his way right up to the glass of the sliding door in the kitchen. Not cool... if you ever look at one you'll agree - between the beady eyes, creep-o feet and tail it's not a beautiful critter.

I have determined we'll need to seperate; the whole irritated 'Whaddya want' act when we try to shoo him away isn't working so well. I'll have to enlist the most knowledgeable critter specialist I know to help me out with him. So.. uh, Dad? if you're reading this definitely pick up the phone!
















p.s.: Oh, and there's an argument at Tuney's spot - didn't Jungle Book represent a family of possums who hung upside down?? What the heck is this dude doing under our deck?!

Bringing people together.

Anyone out there notice what the Olympics are doing to us? People from all walks of life are glued to TVs, internet streams and tweets about the Olympics. When you dissect it - it's actually quite interesting... we're rooting for people we don't personally know. We're rooting against equally wonderful people from other countries. We stay up late at night, hoping for them to achieve their own personal goals and dreams on behalf of our country. This is going to be deep (watch out) - I think it's just plain amazing.

What I can't figure out, though, is why when someone takes the podium to receive a medal my eyes get misty *every time.* Without knowing them, I am so proud of these people who seek a dream, train their hearts out and show their athleticism in front of the world. What an accomplishment!

I'll gladly pull out my box of Kleenex and try not to get too deep in thought. But, if athletics can unite a globe in peace like this, what's wrong with our world and politicians? (And yes, I'm ducking for cover after that statement).

Love, through the years.

Love is in the air, the air, the air. We made the Valentine's box, we glued on candy hearts and home-made Valentines were a top-priority this week. In celebration of this day, I give you three perspectives that couldn't be more different:


- Jackson was heard complaining earlier this week about not having money. "I need to earn more money!!" When asked why he looked very serious and said "Without money, I can't buy (girl's name here) an engagement ring! She is really nice and shares her snack with me at school!" (If only relationships were all about snack sharing...)

- Tyler's horizon seems very quiet, with respect to girls. When asked if he had a valentine, he said "No. Not at all. Everyone knows you need to avoid dating on major holidays - no birthdays, Christmas and especially NOT on Valentine's Day. It just creates stress."

- Matt and I celebrated with a quiet dinner out on Friday. Wonderful food, great ambiance. My Valentine always.

Wow. So, thank goodness this world matures.

Happy Valentine's Day to all!

Have a nice trip!

So, I was ambushed by small lego men. I mean a gaggle of lego men in a slippery plastic bag on the second to top step in the house. The scene went something like this:

- Woman carries cell in one hand, leftovers in a bowl (rice, broccoli) in other. She's headed for the kitchen to put the dishes away.
- Woman navigates one step, unaware of what awaited her moments thereafter
- Woman's foot hits baggie, lego men cheer
- Woman's feet fly in the air, broccoli and rice rain from the heavens
- Woman flies down all of the stairs, dazed and confused
- Upon hitting bottom, smallest child approaches and says "what's all the racket?"
- Woman things *very carefully* about who put the legos in the baggie there. Then decides others will notice if the child goes missing.
- Woman composes herself, cleans up the cuts (YES - CUTS!) and gives up, swearing off any clean-up until fully composed
- Calls to tell husband, who laughs uncontrollably while trying to spit out "Are you ok??"

A day in my life. Woopity woop.