Life is Good!

Life is GOOD!!

Kenzie spent the week at Oakcrest. I missed her & worried about her all week, since she left -not really kicking & screaming, but not real excited to go... SHE LOVED IT!!! She made lots of new friend, is on a spiritual high, loves Mormon pop music (which she mocked before), & is so happy. I love it!!! I am so happy she had such a great time.

Mackay spent the week (every night for 2 hours) at football try-outs. He is exhausted but LOVING it!!! He is with Aaron right now finding out which team he made & breaking the news to his coach that he won't be there for the first week of practice AND.... has to miss the weigh-in. Missing the weigh-in means he can't play the first game. He is soooooo sad & has shed many tears. His life is all about football. I would like to remind some people that these boys are 8! He is HAPPY though (sore but happy) & that makes me happy.

Hayden has made a new friend this week & even played night games until 9:30 pm last night with him. His name is Oliver & he is a doll. He is so excited to go on a big airplane today & then get on a big boat. So... he is HAPPY too.

Aaron and I couldn't sleep last night. Either stressed that we are forgetting something or too excited (sort of like Christmas eve) for time-off/vacation. Not being able to sleep makes for a long night & an even longer day. Oh well - plenty of time to sleep later. :)

Life is Good & Everyone is HAPPY!!!

Inspiring....

What an Amazing and Inspiring Story...

Spiderman Dance

A few days ago, I told you that my blog was for many reasons, but I failed to include "Nonsense".

Recently, a friend blogged about a blow-up Spiderman slide that was deflating. Spiderman was in a strange pose - sort of bowing with his knees collapsing - or possibly he was doing the potty-dance... This reminded me of a different Spiderman dance.

Back in the 90's, on Barnwood Bay, us Dorius kids would gather around Mom's computer. We would shake our heads and laugh, while Mom concentrated on the computer and seriously asked us to "learn the dance". She thought it was "AWESOME Choreography."
Josh was the only one that really tried to learn it. He actually does it quite well.

Day 1 of Try-outs!

Tackle Football Has Begun!!

Mackay has been obsessed with football his entire life.
He is so excited!!!
He finally gets to play TACKLE not Flag football.

He was up early this morning to "eat a healthy breakfast" (his request).
Aaron and Mackay left at 7:45 am for Day 1 of try-outs.

I am a nervous mother.
I am not nervous that he won't do well,
although his nerves occasionally get the best of him
- just like HIS mother.
I am nervous he will need to go to the bathroom
and won't dare to say anything
- just like MY mother.

Today I am Bragging!!!

I decided when I started this blog that it would be:

A place to journal .
A place to VENT -
A place to remember lessons learned -
A place to brag about my family -

Today I am Bragging!!!

Kenzie has always had an out-going and strong personality. She isn't shy about sharing her talents. She lives for parties. And she makes friends easily. You could say Kenzie loves to be “Part of a Crowd”.

As her parent, I worried that she might ,one day, have the “everyone is doing it” mentality. But, I learned in November 2007, that Kenzie knows being “Part of the Crowd” doesn't mean she has to “Follow the Crowd”.

Kenzie was trying out for a play. She went to the first audition and did well. She was asked to come back a few days later for a “call-back” to read for a lead role. I was so proud of her.

When we arrived, the audience seats were filled with nervous children and their parents. Kenzie's group was called up. Only four girls were left for this role. All eyes were on these poor girls. They were asked to act out certain situations - act like a bully, pretend to fight, be rough and mean. This was out of Kenzie's comfort-zone, but she pretended and did fine. Then they asked each girl to read from the script. Kenzie was first.

She started reading. The director was responding for the other parts. Kenzie sounded great. I was so excited. Then she stopped. We all knew it was Kenzie's turn to speak. She kept looking up at the director. I sat there stunned. “What was wrong?” The audience was SO QUIET. We were all wondering why Kenzie had stopped reading.

The director finally asked, “Are you uncomfortable saying that word?” Kenzie nodded. The director told her it was okay to skip it and go on. Several parents in the audience turned to look at the nervous mom in the back of the auditorium. My eyes filled with tears. My heart swelled with pride. There was a smile on my face.

Kenzie had many eyes on her that day. But, she wasn't going

to say that word. She had the courage to be silent.

She didn't get the role. But she was my shining star, that day.

Now, I don't worry about her “following the crowd”. I know she has the courage to stand for what

she knows is right, even if it means being silent.

Sending Letters To Heaven

My mom has been in heaven
for two years.

This year, Adam is in DC. Josh is in Park City. Manda is in Indiana. So, Jenn, Ashley, and I got together. We ate lunch at Rock Creek Pizza (one of Mom's favorites). Then we went to the cemetery. Our tradition is to Send Letters to Heaven. We went back to the cemetery later to spend some time with my dad.

It was a nice day, But...
I don't like that she is in heaven. She didn't want to go to heaven this soon.
I don't like that I can't call her when I need her. She welcomed our calls and loved that we all called her all the time.
I don't like that she isn't here to love my kids. She cared about them and made them feel special and important.
I don't like that my kid's memories of her are fading. She asked them to "remember her."
I don't like that we go to lunch without her. She loved going to lunch -"she didn't choose, she just paid."
I don't like that she isn't sitting at the front desk at Aaron's office. She loved working and loved our patients.
I don't like that her favorite red chair sits in my basement.
But...
I love that:
she is my mom.
she was my best friend.
she loved my husband.
she loved my kids and saw only good in them.
she taught me to have Faith.
I love that I will see her again.

I miss you Mom!

But We're Camping!

I decided to let my boys sleep in the backyard in a tent.
I was a little worried that they might get scared,
but soon realized that was not going to be
our biggest problem.

We set them up with blankets, pillows, lanterns,
and of course a TV
- what is camping if you don't have a TV.
We pad locked the gates and left a few lights on
- just in case.
Everyone was settled and happy.

Until.... Mackay came running in yelling;
"Mom, Hayden is peeing in the backyard."

I explained to Hayden that peeing in the yard
wasn't okay
and to please come inside
if he needed to go to the bathroom.

A while passed and Mackay again came running in yelling;
"Mom, Hayden pooped in the backyard."

Totally grossed out,
I told him he had to get a baggy and pick it up
and throw it in the toilet
and that he was NOT A DOG.
His response...
"But I am camping
and that is what you do
when you are camping!"

Not when you are camping in the BACKYARD!!
This child may put me in an early grave...

After threatening
that he was not going to be able to sleep outside
if he doesn't start making "better choices",
all was once again well.

The next morning,
I was awaken to my sweet little Hayden
whispering in my ear...
"Good Morning Mom...."
I smiled
- happy that no one kidnapped them
or that the Fox that is running around our neighborhood
didn't eat them for breakfast.
"... I peed again in the backyard. (giggle giggle)."

Boys are GROSS!!!!