9

He's 9. My baby is 9.

                            

Captain Underpants with the kiddos!

Nine years ago I was holding this tiny (not so tiny) newborn. We didn't know if whether we'd have a boy or girl. Ryan, you are sweet and sensitive and fun and funny. On this day and every day I sit in awe that you are mine. You are so so loved!

Universal Studios/ Palm Springs 2017

In February we had our annual trip to Palm Springs. We went a few days early and I surprised the kids with a trip to Universal. It was awesome. They came Friday morning ready for school and I said, "you're not going to school today!" Their faces were priceless.

                           

The drive was the worst weather I'd ever driven in. Torrential downpour and accidents all along the way. At one point I looked in the rear view mirror and saw a car spin out and hit the median. We were SO HAPPY to arrive. My aunt texted to see how we were because she heard there was a huge sink hole near the park. Yikes!

                                     

The park was fairly empty. We enjoyed all of it, including the new Harry Potter World. We had a full day in the park and then the kids and I went back after dinner until closing. SO COOL!

                                          




                                          

                                           


                             


                                           

                                           

                                          

                                          

                            

Cousins!

                          
So awesome that family came. This is family we just connected with in the last couple of years. my dad has half sisters and they have kids and grand kids and it makes for much fun with new found family.

                                                      
Here they are on the little slide, but this was the first year Ryan conquered the big slide. His goal was to go on it 100 times by the time we left. He made it to 78.

Another first without my dad. His physical presence is so missed. The trip was beautiful and wonderful and full of all the feels.

Zumba is a Metaphor for Life

I had a really shitty day last week. The kind of day that you wake up crying for no reason and every reason all at once.
So, I decided to do something new for myself that day. I decided to go to a Zumba class.

The class started with me in a minor altercation with a woman who walked in and claimed I was in her spot (Excuse me. I have a ton of patience for middle schoolers and none for adults that act like middle schoolers),  and ended with me energized and smiling.

So, how is Zumba like life, you ask? I'll tell you.
 It started with the woman I mentioned above. You see, for many years I was naive and innocent. I knew bad things happened, even though they hadn't happened to me, but I never accepted that there are simply so many different types of people in the world and some simply aren't kind. This woman was unkind. When adults act this way, it boggles me, but unkind people walk this earth and it's a fact.

How else is Zumba a metaphor for life? Once the music started and pumped through that room, my annoyance with what had just happened was shifted to curiosity about what was about to happen. The unkind woman didn't put a damper on what I was there to experience. She could have. I could have taken it as, "oh, forget this!" and gotten out of there. But I didn't give her that power. The incident happened and in an instant my mood changed.

As is with life. Events happen, good and bad, and we can't let those events affect the beauty of what life has in store for us. They can't take away our energy or enthusiasm. We need to choose to shift the minute the music starts to play. If we don't, we miss out on what is being offered to us in that moment.

But, wait, there's more! The music started and the instructor went to the front of the room and then an amazing thing happened. Everyone started to move. Together. In the same direction. Without the instructor saying a word. Everyone knew what to do and she didn't say much the entire class! It was obvious that every song had its own routine and that these people have been doing it for awhile. And, even though I was new, I hung right in there.

Often in life, we find ourselves lost. And some of those times we don't have people around us to show us the way. We have to figure it out. No instructor yelling out what's coming next. It can feel helpless and aimless, but I enjoyed that class. I kept moving. I kept watching and trying and smiling and breathing. I was lost but I felt good. I stayed in the moment. At times I was facing front while they were facing back. Other times I was going left while they went right. In my recent years I have found my life so derailed from the direction I thought it was going in. Many times I felt alone in that no one around me was going in my new path at that exact time. And that is ok. It's all part of it, even when it is chaotic and out of control.

I stayed. I didn't give up and in the end was determined to keep going to classes until I learn those damn routines.

I strive to approach all of life's challenges with the Zumba approach. Soak it in. Let it be messy and know that it will all be figured out and will leave me energized and smiling.

If only all of life's tough moments had loud music and dance involved.

Thanks for the life reminder, Zumba. Keep being real.

(photo credit: Google Images)

12

Haley Rose Russell! I know that every year I cannot believe you are a year older. You brought us into the wonderful world of parenthood, and grandparenthood, and auntie and unclehood.  You made me a mom, my favorite role in life. You are cherished by so many. Look at these photos! I love looking through them each year to do the birthday posts.

Look at that chubby face!

A little apprehensive about Woody.




That hair!


Helping Tata blow out his candles.



Amazing smile!









You love the water and come by that naturally.




Your oldest and best friends.


Haley, I marvel in the young woman you are and continually become. You are coming into your own. I am beyond proud to be your mom and witness your beauty. I got you, girl! Thanks for making me a mom and adding a heart to my soul.















Sassy and 12 and on your way!