Finally, my computer and I have been reunited (AND IT FEELS SO GOOD!!).
So what's happened since I've been gone?
-We had a birthday. Ethan is now 10 years old. Letter to him coming soon...And belated. He also started the 5th grade. Next year we take on Junior High.
-Claire was given her official, medical diagnosis of Autism. We are now in the process of trying to figure out therapy, what schooling will mean later on down the line and what we can do here at home to help her on this path. Tomorrow is her first day of school.
-Grayson is just as crazy as ever. Talking, running, jumping and just getting into all kinds of boyish trouble.
-David and I celebrated 11 years together and 7 years of marriage.
I'll be back for full updates. Hope you all are well!
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Not Gone
Hello Bloggy Land,
Don't fret. I am not gone. My computer broke. We aren't sure what caused it. I'm popping in to say a quick 'Hello!' and to say my computer is on it's way out for repairs. We aren't sure when it will be back. It's been broken for quite some time, and I miss blogging and using Pinterest until the wee hours of the morning. Hope to see you soon my friends!
Don't fret. I am not gone. My computer broke. We aren't sure what caused it. I'm popping in to say a quick 'Hello!' and to say my computer is on it's way out for repairs. We aren't sure when it will be back. It's been broken for quite some time, and I miss blogging and using Pinterest until the wee hours of the morning. Hope to see you soon my friends!
Friday, June 1, 2012
Two Days Of Firsts
Hello bloggy land. So sorry for my absence. School has been out for Claire for the last week and is going to be out for Ethan next week, and it the days haven't wasted any time getting CRAZY.
On Tuesday, I walked into Grayson's room to find a crazy scene. Claire had climbed into his crib, and was jumping with wild abandon. Her hair was flying. She was giggling and squealing. And on the floor, in front of the crib, was Grayson, who was jumping because he couldn't make it into the crib alone, giggling and squealing and screaming, "Go! Jump! Go!" As I took this all in (and maybe laughed a little) I came to the conclusion that it was probably time for Grayson to graduate to a big boy bed. It broke my heart a little. We went to Target, where I picked out his bedding, and then I came home and abandoned the idea overnight because I didn't want him to grow up.
But, it had to be done. So the next day I read over the directions to converting the crib to a toddler bed. Let out a sigh, and slowly removed the front panel of the bed. Grayson ran up beside me as I removed the last screw and said, "Ohhhh....Mommy. Bed!" He clapped his little hands. At least someone was excited. He tried to climb up. I said, "Wait." He stepped back and watched as I pulled the bed from the wall, removed all the "lost" toys, vacuumed underneath the bed, and pushed it back. He tried to climb up. I said, "Wait." He stepped back and watched as I made his bed. Away went the crib sheet and the baby bear riding the moon and touching the stars comforter. Away went the dragonfly quilt. On went a little boys sports themed bed set. On went the guard rail. He touched the bed and looked at me. I said, "OK." And he got up and looked around. I went to grab my camera, but by the time I came back, he was admiring the bed from the train table.
And then the bed was forgotten.
Later that night at bedtime, he got upset. He didn't like his new bed. He was scared. But after a snuggle with me, with daddy and finding his favorite blanky was close by, he went to sleep, and hasn't had a problem with his new bed since.
Although, I must say, I have a problem with the bed. It means he's growing. Soon he won't even need the toddler bed anymore, and I just don't know if I'm ready for that day to come.
Keeping with the firsts theme, the next day David and I decided to go to St. Cloud. There just happened to be a hair salon called Kid's Cuts. I really prefer kid's hair salons to adult salons for children. I took Ethan to one in Arizona all the time for his haircuts. They had toys and movies and bubbles. We decided it would be perfect for Grayson's first haircut. We went inside and checked in. We sat Grayson in the chair, and he was fine until they strapped him into the seat. She blew some bubbles at him, and he didn't know whether to be happy or terrified. David snapped a before picture when he calmed down a bit.
He allowed her to put the cape on. I gave him a sucker. And he sat calmly and quietly while she snipped away. I blew bubbles occasionally to help keep the peace while David colored with Claire. And before I knew it, all of his baby curls were gone.
Every time I look at him, I miss the mop of blond curls.
On Tuesday, I walked into Grayson's room to find a crazy scene. Claire had climbed into his crib, and was jumping with wild abandon. Her hair was flying. She was giggling and squealing. And on the floor, in front of the crib, was Grayson, who was jumping because he couldn't make it into the crib alone, giggling and squealing and screaming, "Go! Jump! Go!" As I took this all in (and maybe laughed a little) I came to the conclusion that it was probably time for Grayson to graduate to a big boy bed. It broke my heart a little. We went to Target, where I picked out his bedding, and then I came home and abandoned the idea overnight because I didn't want him to grow up.
But, it had to be done. So the next day I read over the directions to converting the crib to a toddler bed. Let out a sigh, and slowly removed the front panel of the bed. Grayson ran up beside me as I removed the last screw and said, "Ohhhh....Mommy. Bed!" He clapped his little hands. At least someone was excited. He tried to climb up. I said, "Wait." He stepped back and watched as I pulled the bed from the wall, removed all the "lost" toys, vacuumed underneath the bed, and pushed it back. He tried to climb up. I said, "Wait." He stepped back and watched as I made his bed. Away went the crib sheet and the baby bear riding the moon and touching the stars comforter. Away went the dragonfly quilt. On went a little boys sports themed bed set. On went the guard rail. He touched the bed and looked at me. I said, "OK." And he got up and looked around. I went to grab my camera, but by the time I came back, he was admiring the bed from the train table.
And then the bed was forgotten.
Later that night at bedtime, he got upset. He didn't like his new bed. He was scared. But after a snuggle with me, with daddy and finding his favorite blanky was close by, he went to sleep, and hasn't had a problem with his new bed since.
Although, I must say, I have a problem with the bed. It means he's growing. Soon he won't even need the toddler bed anymore, and I just don't know if I'm ready for that day to come.
Keeping with the firsts theme, the next day David and I decided to go to St. Cloud. There just happened to be a hair salon called Kid's Cuts. I really prefer kid's hair salons to adult salons for children. I took Ethan to one in Arizona all the time for his haircuts. They had toys and movies and bubbles. We decided it would be perfect for Grayson's first haircut. We went inside and checked in. We sat Grayson in the chair, and he was fine until they strapped him into the seat. She blew some bubbles at him, and he didn't know whether to be happy or terrified. David snapped a before picture when he calmed down a bit.
He allowed her to put the cape on. I gave him a sucker. And he sat calmly and quietly while she snipped away. I blew bubbles occasionally to help keep the peace while David colored with Claire. And before I knew it, all of his baby curls were gone.
Every time I look at him, I miss the mop of blond curls.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Writer's Workshop: Here's The Story....
Writer's Workshop! Today I chose the prompt Describe where you were when you met a boy.
I don't think I've ever told the story of how David and I met. So, here it is.
David first saw me in a bowling alley. It was late. My friends and I had decided to go cosmic bowling. In case you don't know, cosmic bowling is where they crank up the music, turn off the light, turn on black lights and the pins and balls glow. It's usually late into the night, between 10PM and usually ending around 2AM. It's so much fun. I haven't gone in years, but it was awesome.
David said he saw me laughing with my friends, and said I looked like a cute/fun girl. I didn't know he was there. He had come to talk to a mutual friend of ours. And, even if we had met that night, nothing would have come of it. I was in a very committed relationship and had been for the last 2 years.
Fast forward 5 months. My relationship had ended. My friend picked me up one night. We had planned to go cosmic bowling. Since I was almost 6 months past my 18th birthday, he asked me if I'd like to go meet one of his friends. I asked why I needed to be 18 to meet his friend. He said I'd see why.
We pulled up in front of an unassuming brown brick building. The door was tinted black. There were big letters in white that read 'Adult Shoppe' and 'No Persons Under 18 Permitted'. My friend had brought me to an adult store. He opened the door and we went inside. I was pulling out my ID when he said, "Chantel, this is David." I looked up and there he was. He checked my ID, and we all chatted for a bit. In all honesty, I don't remember feeling anything "special" for David that night. A few days later, my friend called and said that David wanted to talk to me and gave me his number at work. David worked late into the night, and was frequently bored at work. He won many radio contests for this reason. I called David and told him that our friend had said that he wanted to speak with me. He said, "I didn't say that. But since you called, would you like to go out on Tuesday?" I accepted.
And that, is how our relationship started. And that's how I met a boy. My husband to be exact.
I don't think I've ever told the story of how David and I met. So, here it is.
David first saw me in a bowling alley. It was late. My friends and I had decided to go cosmic bowling. In case you don't know, cosmic bowling is where they crank up the music, turn off the light, turn on black lights and the pins and balls glow. It's usually late into the night, between 10PM and usually ending around 2AM. It's so much fun. I haven't gone in years, but it was awesome.
David said he saw me laughing with my friends, and said I looked like a cute/fun girl. I didn't know he was there. He had come to talk to a mutual friend of ours. And, even if we had met that night, nothing would have come of it. I was in a very committed relationship and had been for the last 2 years.
Fast forward 5 months. My relationship had ended. My friend picked me up one night. We had planned to go cosmic bowling. Since I was almost 6 months past my 18th birthday, he asked me if I'd like to go meet one of his friends. I asked why I needed to be 18 to meet his friend. He said I'd see why.
We pulled up in front of an unassuming brown brick building. The door was tinted black. There were big letters in white that read 'Adult Shoppe' and 'No Persons Under 18 Permitted'. My friend had brought me to an adult store. He opened the door and we went inside. I was pulling out my ID when he said, "Chantel, this is David." I looked up and there he was. He checked my ID, and we all chatted for a bit. In all honesty, I don't remember feeling anything "special" for David that night. A few days later, my friend called and said that David wanted to talk to me and gave me his number at work. David worked late into the night, and was frequently bored at work. He won many radio contests for this reason. I called David and told him that our friend had said that he wanted to speak with me. He said, "I didn't say that. But since you called, would you like to go out on Tuesday?" I accepted.
And that, is how our relationship started. And that's how I met a boy. My husband to be exact.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Catching Up: Easter
We celebrated our first Easter in our new home with. Colored eggs, chocolate bunnies and fights over who got what during the search...Isn't that what it's all about? (sarcasm)
The day before Easter, I boiled the eggs, set everything up and let the kids have at it. And Teddy, because he just has to get in there and check everything out.
There was a lot of waiting.
A lot of laughing.
And in the end, a rainbow of brightly colored eggs.
After the kids were in bed, I set up their baskets.
And checked out the chocolate bunnies that my grandmother had sent for us, including the bunnies for my brother and I that were, of course, missing the ears. As always.
The next day, they woke up, ready for the hunt. And they were going to find those eggs, no matter WHAT!
Why, yes. Yes that is my brother, who opted to sleep on the couch instead of Ethan's room, and was climbed all over in the quest for eggs.
Once all the eggs were found, we sat at the table while the kids dug through their baskets and had a breakfast of Easter eggs and toast (and maybe just a tiny bit of chocolate bunny).
It was such a fun day, and I'm so happy my brother was here to spend it with us. He did eventually make his way off the couch.
The day before Easter, I boiled the eggs, set everything up and let the kids have at it. And Teddy, because he just has to get in there and check everything out.
There was a lot of waiting.
A lot of laughing.
And in the end, a rainbow of brightly colored eggs.
After the kids were in bed, I set up their baskets.
And checked out the chocolate bunnies that my grandmother had sent for us, including the bunnies for my brother and I that were, of course, missing the ears. As always.
The next day, they woke up, ready for the hunt. And they were going to find those eggs, no matter WHAT!
Why, yes. Yes that is my brother, who opted to sleep on the couch instead of Ethan's room, and was climbed all over in the quest for eggs.
Once all the eggs were found, we sat at the table while the kids dug through their baskets and had a breakfast of Easter eggs and toast (and maybe just a tiny bit of chocolate bunny).
It was such a fun day, and I'm so happy my brother was here to spend it with us. He did eventually make his way off the couch.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Just Sayin'
Recently I read an article about a mother who was removed as a den mother in Ohio because she's gay. And the comments on the article shocked me. One in particular was about how sad it was for the boy to grow up with a mother who wanted to be a man. It was actually much more callously put, but I'd rather not repeat it.
So, here I am, to tell my story.
When I was 10, my brother and I were removed from my mother's care. The extreme details as to why are not important, but suffice to say, the situation we were in was not safe, but my mother is healthy, and happy now, and my brother and I have a very close and loving relationship with her. At the time, my father was asked to take custody of us, but he and his new wife said that they didn't want us, so my grandmother (Shaq Lovin' Grandma) came to the table and said she would take us.
She signed us up for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. She chaperoned field trips. She took us shopping. She oversaw slumber parties and tried to explain basketball to no avail. When my brother was 10 and I was 12, he moved in with my paternal grandparents. I stayed with my grandma.
Sure, it sounds like any normal family, except for the fact that my grandma lived with and loved a woman. When we first moved in, she was in a very committed and long term relationship with her partner, and she and her partner accepted us into their fold. When my brother left our home, they quietly broke up, just like other couples do.
I grew up and my grandma met boyfriends. She took me shopping for dresses for dances, chaperoned dates, gave rides to the mall, helped mend broken hearts and loved me for me. She showed up at every school event I ever had. I never once felt like I didn't get my fair shake in the world. I learned how to do my makeup, I learned how to do my hair, I never felt like I missed out on having a father, because mine gave up on me when I needed him.
The only difference I had growing up was that my grandmother dated women. I watched women pick her up for dates and I watched her get ready to pick up other women for dates. I met very few of her dates because just like any single parent, she was protective of me and who I saw coming to the home if they weren't long term partners.
Today, I am a very happy 29 year old woman with a family of my own, and I owe a large part of that to my grandma. If she hadn't spoken up and taken me, who knows where I would be today.
So, here I am, to tell my story.
When I was 10, my brother and I were removed from my mother's care. The extreme details as to why are not important, but suffice to say, the situation we were in was not safe, but my mother is healthy, and happy now, and my brother and I have a very close and loving relationship with her. At the time, my father was asked to take custody of us, but he and his new wife said that they didn't want us, so my grandmother (Shaq Lovin' Grandma) came to the table and said she would take us.
She signed us up for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. She chaperoned field trips. She took us shopping. She oversaw slumber parties and tried to explain basketball to no avail. When my brother was 10 and I was 12, he moved in with my paternal grandparents. I stayed with my grandma.
Sure, it sounds like any normal family, except for the fact that my grandma lived with and loved a woman. When we first moved in, she was in a very committed and long term relationship with her partner, and she and her partner accepted us into their fold. When my brother left our home, they quietly broke up, just like other couples do.
I grew up and my grandma met boyfriends. She took me shopping for dresses for dances, chaperoned dates, gave rides to the mall, helped mend broken hearts and loved me for me. She showed up at every school event I ever had. I never once felt like I didn't get my fair shake in the world. I learned how to do my makeup, I learned how to do my hair, I never felt like I missed out on having a father, because mine gave up on me when I needed him.
The only difference I had growing up was that my grandmother dated women. I watched women pick her up for dates and I watched her get ready to pick up other women for dates. I met very few of her dates because just like any single parent, she was protective of me and who I saw coming to the home if they weren't long term partners.
Today, I am a very happy 29 year old woman with a family of my own, and I owe a large part of that to my grandma. If she hadn't spoken up and taken me, who knows where I would be today.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Pictures With Uncle Justin
Here I am, finding myself playing catch up again, and there is SO MUCH to catch up on, but before I get to all the catch up posting, I thought I'd share the pictures we had taken while my brother, Justin, was in town visiting.
Before he came to town, my grandma and I were talking and she said, "You know, I haven't had a really good picture taken of you and your brother for such a long time. I need pictures of the two of you. Can you find a place to get pictures taken and I'll send the money along with your brother?" Well of course I can, grandma! I spent days on the computer with my trusty friend Google looking up local photographers. One photographer was too good to be true with a $150 fee, but wanted $100 PER PICTURE for copyright release. See, my grandma likes to print pictures on her own, so I had to find someone who would put all the pictures on a disc and give my grandma the rights to print, post and e-mail to her heart's content. And then I found it. A photographer not to far from me called Special Focus Photography. And the best parts? She only charged $100 and would put all of our pictures on a disc with full rights, and she has a specialty in photographing children with special needs. It was a perfect match. Claire is not a fan of having pictures taken, so having her pictures taken outside by someone who understands her needs was just AWESOME.
We arrived early on a warm, sunny day, minus David. He isn't much for portraits. Seriously. I was lucky I had a groom in our wedding photos. The photographer snapped away. We laughed and had so much fun. I thanked her, paid her, and a week later was greeted by a disc full of beautiful photos in my mailbox. Want to see?
See that guy with that hat? That's my little brother, Justin.
And this is Uncle Justin with the small ones.
After a few shots of all of us, just Justin and I and Justin with the small ones, the photographer captured some great pictures of the kids.
And, my new, very favorite picture of Claire. I'm searching for a frame.
It was a wonderful experience, and when she has specials, I'm going to do it again.
Before he came to town, my grandma and I were talking and she said, "You know, I haven't had a really good picture taken of you and your brother for such a long time. I need pictures of the two of you. Can you find a place to get pictures taken and I'll send the money along with your brother?" Well of course I can, grandma! I spent days on the computer with my trusty friend Google looking up local photographers. One photographer was too good to be true with a $150 fee, but wanted $100 PER PICTURE for copyright release. See, my grandma likes to print pictures on her own, so I had to find someone who would put all the pictures on a disc and give my grandma the rights to print, post and e-mail to her heart's content. And then I found it. A photographer not to far from me called Special Focus Photography. And the best parts? She only charged $100 and would put all of our pictures on a disc with full rights, and she has a specialty in photographing children with special needs. It was a perfect match. Claire is not a fan of having pictures taken, so having her pictures taken outside by someone who understands her needs was just AWESOME.
We arrived early on a warm, sunny day, minus David. He isn't much for portraits. Seriously. I was lucky I had a groom in our wedding photos. The photographer snapped away. We laughed and had so much fun. I thanked her, paid her, and a week later was greeted by a disc full of beautiful photos in my mailbox. Want to see?
See that guy with that hat? That's my little brother, Justin.
And this is Uncle Justin with the small ones.
After a few shots of all of us, just Justin and I and Justin with the small ones, the photographer captured some great pictures of the kids.
And, my new, very favorite picture of Claire. I'm searching for a frame.
It was a wonderful experience, and when she has specials, I'm going to do it again.
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