Here we are again......

Well, here it is, a whole year since my last post. With the growth of Facebook, I haven't had much reason to blog, but I am finding that, while I really enjoy Facebook and how it keeps me connected to everyone I know, it actually keeps me TOO connected. I don't feel like I can share information or say things without feeling like it I will somehow get into trouble, like I shouldn't have friends who are also co-workers. It's all so complicated and a bit incestuous, really.

So I am going to write again, because I really miss it. I miss telling stories about my family and sharing little things that the boys did. I love going back and reading things from years past. It doesn't matter to me if anyone reads this, it only matters that I write it.

That's all I have for now. I'm a a bit tired after a billion loads of laundry and grocery shopping and house cleaning and kids homework and cooking dinner. I have a physical at 8 in the morning so I better get my beauty sleep.

Here's to a new year, one where the possibilities are endless. I think it will be a good one.

Welcome New Year

I KNOW that time goes by quickly, I KNOW that I will blink and another year will be gone, yet somehow I am shocked every time the holidays roll around or when I turn another year older. I want so much to enjoy every minute, to relish in my children's youth, to not miss a snuggle or a comment or just a simple moment, but I can't seem to grab hold of enough of those minutes. Every morning is a rush to get us all out of the door, every day is spent working at a job that I don't enjoy, and every evening is spent trying to get dinner on the table before it's time for the kids to be in bed.

Wolf and I had 11 days off together over the holidays and it was heaven. It is a tradition for us, one we started before kids and one we have managed to keep going, no matter what jobs either of us have. For three days we put the kids in their respective school/aftercare and spent some quality time together. We went out to breakfast, we hung out in the book store, we saw a movie - all of the things we can't really do, well, peacefully anyway, when the kids are around.

The last day of the New Year we spent at the Oakland Zoo, playing, hanging out and simply having fun. The weather was perfect and we could not have asked for a better way to end the New Year. That night we went to a party at a friend's house where we celebrated ringing in the New Year at midnight East Coast time so that all of the kids could be in on the festivities. We were home by 11:15 and somehow, both boys managed to make it to midnight, although just barely!

Now it is a New Year and I see wonderful things on the horizon. I am sure there will be days that aren't so good, hell, I'm sure there will days that totally suck ass, but for right now, in this moment, I am going to believe in the good. I am going to appreciate my children, the two beautiful bright spots in my life, as much as I can. I am going to love my husband even more every day, and remember to tell him so. I am going to remember to be proud of who I am and what I can do, remember to believe in myself. I am a lucky woman who does not want for anything and for that I am grateful beyond measure.

While I am not a religious person, I firmly believe that there are things that guide us in our lives, be they some form of powers that be or simply the amazing energy our subconscious minds produce. I wholeheartedly believe that all things happen for a reason and while they don't always make sense at first, there is a flow to things, a rhythm, a purpose and I am going to let that flow guide me to my next adventure.

At this very moment, I am putting out to the world that I believe my next adventure is a job at Pixar, doing what I know how to do and proving to myself, and everyone else, that I am damn good at what I do.

So to anyone who reads this, know that I am wishing all of you a very happy and fulfilling year. May a dream come true, may a wish be granted, may a goal be fulfilled. Positive energy and love to you all.

Just some pictures....

Mason quote

Mason: Mom, come look. Legos are just like us!
Mom: Really, how?
Mason: Look, the cast shadows, just like we do!

Morgan in Motion

1st Day of 1st Grade

Wow, what a difference a year can make! Last year when Mason started kindergarten it was pretty rough for him for about a month. Today, it was a smile, a wave and he was gone.
I peeked inside his classroom, just to make sure he was okay. And there he was, plopped down at a table, busy doing whatever the teacher had put out for them to work on. I was nervous that if he saw me he would get upset and need to rush out to see me. But I was wrong. He glanced up, saw me and simply waved. Then went about his business.
Wolf and I are so immensely proud of him. He is such an amazing boy - sweet, intelligent, empathetic and just plain fun. I am really enjoying watching him grow, even though it makes me sad. I have decided my goal this year is to not let the time slip by, to try and enjoy and appreciate it as much as I can. I do not do that now.
Most of the time I am so consumed with breakfast and lunches and dinner and laundry and cleaning and grocery shopping. I blink, the day is gone and my kids are asleep, with me having seen them for but a few minutes.
That is my goal and I'm sticking to it!
Happy First Day of 1st Grade, Mason!

Happy 4th Birthday, Morgan James, and Happy 6th Birthday Miss Mia!

Wow, my baby is 4. Not my little baby any more. Morgan has grown in to a smart, witty, happy little man and we are so very proud of him. He is a comedian at heart who loves to make people laugh and who loves to laugh himself. We are truly blessed to have him in our lives and I cherish every minute with him, even when he makes me want to pull my hair out and run screaming from the room.

I love you, Morgan Schuster James, and hope that this is a great day for you. Happiest of birthday wishes to you, sweet boy, and I hope that every year just gets better and better.

And to Miss Mia, the beautiful, intelligent and equally funny daughter of my best friend, I hope that you are having the best day of the year! All of us here in Schusterville think about you always and are sending you lots of love and birthday wishes.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Smart boy....

On Sunday I was making breakfast and there was a lot of smoke coming off of the stove. I heard the fire alarm go off, but only briefly. Thinking I needed to air out the kitchen, I went to the back door to open it but was beaten by Morgan, who was saying, "We gotta go outside." So I helped him open the door then went back to cooking. It wasn't until Wolf came in to the kitchen and saw Morgan outside that he realized what had happened...

Wolf had been just testing the fire alarm to make sure it worked. But Morgan thought there was a real fire and so headed directly outside. He was quickly and highly praised by his daddy. I, unfortunately, was too engrossed in cooking breakfast to really absorb it all right then and there. But we are so proud of him. He's a smart cookie...just like his brother.

Hands and Feet

M&Misms

Mason: "If I play all day (video games) then my brain will run out....of batteries"
Mason: "I feel like I have to throw up but from my bottom"
Morgan: "When are we going to climb the ladder to South America? It's right over there..."

Bringing Mama Bear a Flower....

Optimism

On the way to taking Morgan to school this morning, a commercial comes on the radio. The guy in the commercial says something like this:

"Sorry boss, I can't come in to work today. I was struck with optimism last night..."

Morgan: "Optimus? Wow. Did you hear that, mommy? They were talking about Optimus."

Mommy: "Who, Sweetie?"

Morgan: ::rolling his eyes:: "Optimus Prime, Mommy. You know, the transformer. Do you think they knew they were talking about him?"

Mommy: ::trying not to laugh too hard:: "No, Momo, I don't think they realized they were talking about him"

Morgan: "Oh well"

Then we proceeded to talk about transformers all the way to school.......

Mason's version of "Eye of the Tiger"