School Pictures

School Pictures are in!

J (16) and A (13)

WOW, they grow fast!

September 28, 2006

First of all, thank you so much for the kind words about my friend. You all are very sweet. She started Chemo last Friday and has been tired but seems to be handling things quite well. I am really proud of her! She knows she has a long road ahead of her but she is in good spirits. Which sometimes makes all of the difference, I think.

I got some bad news last week. (There were rumors going around but I didn't believe them) A good friend from High School died over the summer. She was only 40 years old, and leaves a husband of 15 years and two sons. I have been told that she died after a sudden illness, I am so sad. She was one of the friendliest girls I have ever known. Everyone liked her. She will be missed.

On a brighter note, the boys are doing great. They all seem to be behaving and doing well in their perspective schools. I am really thankfull that all in all, I do have wonderful kids, although I complain, when I talk to other parents, we really have it easy!

The homecoming dance is this weekend at the high school, and J is really involved with the Powder Puff game (He is a coach, this is the football game where the Junior girls play the Senior girls for bragging rights) They have some harmless fun at the practices, he comes home covered in eggs every night...sounds fun. I didn't play in the Powder Puff game when I was in High School. I had a job after school and couldn't make the practices. (One of the things I would do different if I had to do it all over again)

A loves being in eighth grade. The king of the school! The 8th grade leadership class is his favorite, one of the things he does is tudor the kindergarten class. He loves it!

N is in love with college. He can't wait to go every day! (I know, its wierd) He has been at his new job (first job) for a little over two weeks. He loves the money. I didn't think he would last, but he has and he loves it. Go figure.

R sold another house this month. THANK GOD! So he is flying high...

My work is great. I love my job. I will be really sad to leave it.

My nephew is getting married in November. I am going to go with my sister for the weekend to Salt Lake City. Any suggestions for a hotel?

HELP!
I have Bunko next month and I need your help! I have been searching the internet for a great theme and just can't come up with one that hasn't already been done by our group! This is more than likely my last Bunko (That I am hosting) with this group that I have been with for over 12 years! I will be moving out of the area soon and will have to find a new group! SAD!
I like to have some sort of theme, starting with the invites, then the food, decorations and the gifts (we don't do money gifts anymore). So, come on....bring on the creative ideas! I am counting on you!

I will be waiting for your response!!!
~K ~

Update

My dear friend, had surgery a couple of weeks ago. She is doing much better these days. Still recovering but slowly but surely making her way back to "normal" life (whatever that is). I commend her a lot. She has a lot going on and seems to have her head on straight. I gave her a journal to write all of her thoughts down. It seemed as though her thoughts were going every which way for a while, I hope the journal will help her keep her thoughts straight. Thank you everyone who has kept her in your thoughts and prayers, I really appreciate it. I have had her son at my house for the last few weekends (which I LOVE). The other day he said: K , remember when you were mad that N (my oldest) wasn't eating with us at the table like a family?" My heart melt when I realized that he assumed he was part of the "family". Bless his heart! R (dh) is working hard in the Real Estate biz...He has one house in escrow (Thank you) and two listings he is trying his hardest to sell. The Real Estate "bug" has finally got 'em! My work is great, I can't say enough about their constant support. Big news in the family....The "middle son" turned 16 on Sept. 8th; I can't believe that I am the Mother of an 18, 16 and 13 year-old! Those of you with toddlers can only imagine what I am going through, contact me in 10 hears and give me the praise you will know (by then)I deserve! Anyway, I will post pics of J s bday as soon as I find the cable for the camera! Thanks for listening...~K ~

WOW. Has it been that long

since I posted? Two months is a long time!

A ton of stuff has been going on, it will take some time to catch up.
It is so ridiculous of me to not post, especially when I am checking everyone else's blog for updates and I get irritated when they haven't been! Not that anyone has been waiting with baited breath for an update from me but...

Coming soon....N survivied Hawaii, summer break is over, N started the local college yesterday *gulp*, J started 11th grade and A 8th. Back to school night is tonight.
Big move in the works, got a raise (a big one),R is back to working (Real Estate) and more!

But the real reason I came out of hiding...I need your help.

I just found out a couple of days ago that one of my dear friends has stage 3 breast cancer. It doesn't look good. She has a loving husband and four children (18,15,12& 10). Please keep her in your prayers as she undergoes surgery Thursday (tomorrow). Thanks for the help...
more soon I promise, this is all I can take at the moment..
~K~

Teenagers...AARRGGHHH!

I do not remember ever talking to my parents the way my boys talk to me.
The oldest one is getting much better (now that he is suddenly realizing that living in this world is expensive, and he actually needs me)
But the 15-year old.....well, he needs a reality check.
What am I to do? I don't like him very much tonight.



Oh, and N is having a blast in Hawaii! Can't wait to hear all about it when he comes home next week! Lucky Kid!

Teeth, Bruce and Hawaii

I know, strange title...but that is how my life is lately, strange.

I had a busy week this week,

Monday:
Had that pesky tooth pulled, you know the one with the root canal that wouldn't stop hurting? Well, the dentist said that it shouldn't be hurting anymore, and that if it did, we should pull it because everything else had been done. Big mistake.
Have you ever heard of a "dry socket"?. Long story short, the blood clot didn't form and the air etc was getting to the bone. Heard of PAIN?????? I am still on the pain meds, they don't take the pain away but to be honest, I don't give a crap!

Tuesday:
R and I are so happening.
We went to go see one of our favorite performers:
Bruce Springsteen!!!! Yea! BBBBRRRRUUUUCCCEEEEEE!
(you have to say that in your deepest voice, so it sounds like you are booing him)
This time he was playing with a new band the Seeger Sessions Band. Very different music, I thought of Mary Mia's husband because there were awesome tuba-players!
Here is a link: Bruce Springsteen and the Seeger Sessions Band check it out!
The concert was at the Concord "Sleep Train" Pavilion. Nice place, took forever to get there but was great, if you are going to a concert there, let me know, I will give you some great tips!

Wednesday:
Did I mention the words: Dry Socket? After getting home at 2:30am, getting 5 hours sleep and then going to work, (because I am a good employee like that) I was in bed at 6pm!

Thursday and Friday:
J had baseball games both nights, why do I insist on going to these games when I am in pain and can't "deal" with all of "those" parents? I just left irritated and disgusted, I know it is because of the constant pain, but really, some of thos parents....Don't get me started!

Saturday:
I suddenly realized that N goes to Hawaii on Monday, is he packed? no. Do I have all of the details? no. He is going with 200 or so of his closest friends (graduating seniors of Monterey High) please keep him in your thoughts, let's hope he continues to make good choices.....God help me.

Sunday:
Woke up to vibrating....what?!?
N and R went to The Home Depot and rented a sander...they are sanding the new deck that R finished yesterday....We are totally making the neighbors mad. Oh well. Looks good, I will post pictures soon!(Blogger isn't letting me this morning)
Oh and I won tickets to a prty today on Cannery Row, I guess Bubba Gump's restuarant is celebrating their 10th anniversary and a local radio station is putting on a beach party...free food, drinks and prizes! I will report back later!

That's my week, How was yours?????

Graduation

There are lots of drama stories I could tell about the day my son graduated High School, but all of that really didn't matter the moment I saw him walk onto the football field at Monterey High on June 2, 2006.
I cannot explain the proud feeling that came over me as I watched him march to the famous song.

I had to remind myself to breathe.

He looked so old, like an adult. When did that happen?

As the speaches rolled on, I remembered in my mind the day he started Kindergarten (along with many others that graduated that day) He was so scared. He had a brave look on his face that broke my heart. I wondered to myself, was he showing that brave face now?

It was then I realized, this is it.

He is starting his life, right at this moment. Is he ready?

We can only hope and pray that in the last 18 years, we have done all that we can to teach the morals we wanted to teach, to show him the way of life, to show him everything we wanted to, before he was thrusted into this scary world. I pray that we have.

They announced his name, we all cheered, he did it!

We had a little get together after the graduation, then he went to Sober Grad nite. He had a blast.

Parties all weekend, then Hawaii on June 12th.

Then the real life part comes into play.

Congratulations Nick, we are very proud of you!

My son, the Graduate!

Graduation Day!
More Later...
I am exhausted!

BIRTHDAYS

Today is my birthday...NA na na na na!

I was born on May 29, 1966...figure out what birthday it is.

I never thought hitting this age would feel like it does,
this one is hitting me hard for some reason. I don't feel "old" or
anything, but I am kind of sad that so many years have past so quickly.
(Kind of like watching your children grow right before your eyes)

So Anyway, think about me today, and if you want, you can drop off my
present at the house. JK

Have a good day, and while you are thinking of me, don't forget to remember all of the veterans that we honor this Memorial Day (which, for your information was started in 1966!).

Happy Memorial Day (& Happy Birthday to me!) See ya!

Prom Night

N went to the Prom this month.
Here is one of my favorite pictures from that night. I used this picture in his graduation announcements.
(Did I mention that my baby is graduating in less than 7 days????) Can you say, "Stress?". (Not him, me!)

Handsome young man! Don't you think?

Catch up on May events...

O.K., this is the story, we got a call from the fire dept. that our son was on the ambulance and they were going to transport him to the hospital. At that time, they didn't know what happened to him, did a ball or bat hit him? or was it a fist?

You guessed it. It was a fist. Unbelievable.

After what seemed to be the longest drive possible, I met the ambulance at the door.

N was in a daze. You can see that in the picture. Here is the long story short:
All the kids on the baseball team have Nicknames. One kid is called Red, one Riff Raff, one Dick and one is called Beaner. They have had these Nicknames for over 5 years or so. So anyway, there was a discussion about whether or not the grass at the field was cut differently. (why? I don't know, must of been a slow gossip day or something). N didn't agree with one of the kids and called him stupid. OK he said, "Oh, stupid Beaner" (He could of easily said: "Oh, stupid Joey". but he used his nickname. So Joey gets mad (N wasn't the only one saying this but was the closest.) Joey said, I am going to punch you (which often comes out of his mouth) and N said something like, "Ya right" and then N bent down to pick up a ball and Joey "sucker punched" him right in the jaw.
N hit the ground (on his head) and was passed out for over 2 minutes! The coach didn't know what to do (idiot) and the kids called 911. (Thank goodness we have taught our kids to do that because the coach didn't have a clue)
Anyway, Joey was arrested for Assault & Battery. He is 18. He went to jail and his grandfather got him out on bail. The DA eventually dropped the charges.
N had a CT scan and X-rays and was diagnosed with a concussion.
It was one of the most scariest moments of motherhood.
N and I both had tears in our eyes when we rolled past the snack bar and saw half of the baseball team waiting to see if he was OK. N felt the support and at that moment I knew everything would be OK.
N was suspended for 2 days for saying a racial slur (Yep, they pulled the "race card". ) and Joey was suspended for 5 days, missed two games and you guessed it, was STILL ON THE TEAM. (I guess it is OK to hit one of your team mates so hard he was sent to the hospital, get arrested (of course if you are a starter) and you can still stay on the team.) Good example the coach is.
We met with the Principal and the Vice Principal, that was a joke. The Principal said."We are lucky this wasn't a serious injury", I told him, "If he were dead, we would be having a totally different conversation". I asked the VP what was the policy for a violent act? Oh there is none. I told him that that had to change. Immediately.Then he told me, "parents don't change policy" Oh really?
After that joke of a meeting, I called the Superintendent. Met with him, Oh and guess what? They are changing the policy. SO THERE!(Don't underestimate the power of parents)
Oh, and the "altercation" was in the local paper, on the sports page! There have been letters to the editor, and I can't go to the grocery store and not hear someone talking about it. Small town.
I am just waiting until graduation to vent (outloud). I want N to have a good week. (One more week until graduation!)
N is doing fine now, the bruise has faded but his feelings still are hurt that his "friend" would do this to him and not feel any remorse. Lesson learned. (I hope)
It is hard to watch your children learn these lessons, you want to be there at all times for them. But you know you cant. You have to trust that you have done a good job teaching them.

Miracle

Baby Boy is doing great. He is off of all the tubes and wires and might go home tonight!
I wanted to share a couple of my favorite pics I took when I witnessed one of the greatest miracles of all.

Birth

I witnessed a birth yesterday.

It was one of the most amazing days of my life!(and exhausting!)

My friend was in labor for 19 hours, gave birth to a baby boy.

He wasn't breathing when he arrived, the nurses and doctors did amazing things to save his precious life.

He comes off of the respirator this morning, his mom can finally hold him and feed him.

Please keep this 7 lb 15 oz little boy in your prayers.
More later..
~K ~

Posts Brewing...

Lots of posts brewing...I will post them all this weekend. Seems like the kids are always on the computer when I have time to write.
Lots going on around here..went to go visit my Mom in NV, N had a trip to the hospital via ambulance, N 's graduation announcements went out in the mail, Monterey High baseball team won league and their first CCS game....more this weekend (with pictures) ...Stay tuned!
~K ~

Aaron has a birthday!

The baby of the family is a Teen!
A turned 13 today...for dinner We all went to Chili's




A had a great time!








My great-nephew was full of energy...








N & J had attitudes...as usual.












And me & R endured!


We missed my mom, but all in all a great evening. If I only had a kitchen, I could of made a cake!

Not Anonymous Anymore

I always knew that writing on the blog made it available to whomever wanted to read it.
Today, I commented on a blog of a dear friend who had some sort of a stroke the other day. (alansrecovery.blogspot.com)
After I hit "Publish" I realized...whoopsie...now others can read this.
Then, I realized I haven't written anything I regret or haven't told most people in my life.
SO ...who cares, bring them on.
Maybe they will "figure me out" after all!
Welcome!

Baseball Photos

"N" age: 18
Varsity- Monterey High School
2006












"J" age: 15 1/2
Junior Varsity- Monterey High School
2006

Old Kitchen Photo Found!

This is an old picture of the "before" Kitchen. Notice the disgusting OLD cabinets circa 1951. What you can't see clearly is the bumpy "wood" grain. When we first bought the house, the kitchen was dark brown. The first thing I did was paint it white. Funny that now I want it dark brown again.

Senior Appreciation Game

Saturday was the "big" game...J 's team played at 12:30 and won! (First time up to bat he hit a double and the crowd went wild!)

When we walked into the field, there were posters of all the Seniors. My heart skipped a beat when I saw my son up there on that board!


Moms (who wouldn't normally give me the time of day) were surrounding me, telling me what a handsome son I had and what a cute baby he was.

I was so proud!

Of course I agreed with them and my chest stuck out a little bit more as I went to my seat. As I watched J play his game, there was excitement all around. Green and gold balloons on the home (Monterey) team side and red and white balloons on the visitors (Carmel) side. After the JV team won, the contests started. To my surprise, N was chosen to participate in all three.
The Homerun Derby (Both teams had 4 representatives to take turns hitting the ball out of the park) Carmel won that one.
The Relay (Both teams had 6 reps (two teams of 3) to throw the ball from the outfield fence -240 ft- to 2nd base and then to the catcher) Nick was the guy at 2nd base. Monterey won that one.
Finally The Base Running The guys were timed running the bases. One time Nick made it in 7.2 seconds and the next time he had a slow time of 9 seconds (he hit the "wall") .
Then they announced that all of the senior parents were to meet on the side of the field. I quickly put my lipstick on and nervously went to the field with R and met N there. We walked onto the field to the pitcher's mound and were announced one by one. My heart was beating as they read the following statement we wrote:
"Ni ~We are so proud to be your parents! You have worked hard and have achieved so much, in academics and sportsmanship. We smile everytime we think of the person you have become. You have proved that hard work and perseverance can bring you all of your dreams. May all your dreams come true! We love you, Love Mom and Dad~"

When we got to home plate, another player gave me a yellow rose.
Very sweet.
As we stood there with our son, I realized that this was the beginning of the activities toward graduation. I also realized that I am not done with this boy/man and I still have a ton of parenting to do! This time flew by quickly. I cannot say that enough. Just yesterday he was learning to walk, and now he is ready to fly.