Salve, Regina

"This is the still the place that we all call home.."

2012-02-13T07:57:00.000-08:00

This weekend was packed. I turned 42 on Saturday (yeah, old me!!) and H-P was baptized on Sunday (also the birthday of She-dog and my brother, Superman M). H was baptized by the same Priest who has baptized all three of our boys. He is a good friend of ours and also like a spiritual older brother. We are so grateful for Fr. J. He gave H-P an extra helping of Chrism oil at the anointing and H-P smelled amazing all day. Of course, Thunder was like, "What is that greasy stuff all over H-P?" It was funny. Our one sadness was that the Joads and The Duke and Duchess couldn't be there. That poor 3rd child!But H-P had a great time.

Fr. J and H-P

Our Huntington Beach parish - this will always be our "home" parish, even though we go to Mass other places.

Fr. J has all of the baptismal families process in. I'm sure that lady in red will appreciate being on my blog.

HP was drinking a bottle throughout the entire ceremony. He looked like some partying college kid. It had us all laughing.

Buck sitting alone in the front row. Thunder decided to sit with auntie H9H in the next row.

We always ask for "full immersion" of our babies for baptism, so HP is basically naked (and drinking) in this picture. Signs of his future, I'm sure :)

HP's Godparent is officially our niece, SDJ. Her father, Superman M also stood in to give a hand.

Our baby is so big, that water was "displaced" all over the floor (and my favorite shoes) during the baptism. Here, you can see SDJ and I trying to get HP not to cry.

Notice the waterfall coming out of the font (and my demonic self flinching away). For you architecture buffs, their is a grate below the font where the water can drain automatically into the floor. Quite cool.

appropriately fuzzy nude shot of my newly Catholic boy.

We're all looking at the puddle of water here. Nice, spiritual moment :)

SDJ lighting the candle that symbolizes the new light of Christ in HP's soul.

HP immediately went back to his bottle while the other babies were anointed with holy oil.

HP only stopped drinking to look at Fr. J when he anointed him. The crowd laughed. My boys...

"Welcome newest members of the Church!" Welcome Zoe (our friend's baby who was also baptized)

I dressed the boys alike for the baptism in hopes of this one picture. Can't get Thunder to look at the camera for some reason!

HP always know where the camera is. I love that baby!!

After the baptism, Fr. J took HP back to the font to look at it. HP loved it!

Cousin shots - SDJ with HP; Buck, Thunder and JeeP (who looks miserable because Thunder is "hugging" him)

This is more like a realistic shot of the kids - SDJ looks beautiful, HP is trying to get away from Buck, so is happy and mugging for the camera. JeeP can't decide what's up and Thunder is far away from everyone.

The family. Aunt K and Uncle G are missing because they took the pictures. This shot is us, Superman M, SDJ, Auntie H9H, JeeP, Auntie Tiny Dancer (preg) and SERVITE!

Directly after this shot, we went to breakfast and immediately after that, Buck came down with the flu. So, he's basically been throwing up for a day and 1/2. Good times. It was a lovely weekend but life goes on...

"I'll carry you home tonight - we are young! So let's set the world on fire!"

2012-02-10T11:26:00.000-08:00

Just a quick family pic in front of our front door. My boys...nearly 42 years...Friday. God is good.

"Happy Birthday, Baby!" (one month late)

2012-02-07T10:25:00.000-08:00

Because my posts have been so late and slackerish (yes, it's a word). I completely neglected posting about Thunder's and my brother's (SERVITE!) Birthdays. Thunder turned 3 and SERVITE turned something like 34 to very little fanfare. We had the tiniest of parties (a dinner, really) and the days passed quietly. Both have early Jan. birthdays - Thunder's is Jan. 1st - so I am waiting until he has friends in school to throw anything big. We missed Calgary a lot during this time. There are friends from Thunder's "entire life" who missed the day :(

All things "CARS".

Mommy and Thunder.

Uncle Servite blowing out the candles :)

birthday boys (and JeeP in the background)

Aunt K and Uncle G before they left on their wild trip to Southeast Asia and Austrailia.

The Joads.

SERVITE and Tiny Dancer.

Buck

Mom, Dad and Thunder.

Thunder's feet covered with cake - thanks Grandma Joad!

Some favorite presents were Remote Controlled cars. Both boys were driving their cars around the house like crazy for weeks after (still are a month later)!

"despite my empty mouth, the words are in my mind"

2012-02-06T20:50:00.000-08:00

"I'm a survivor!"

2012-02-06T20:46:00.000-08:00

I look at my blog and see how long it's been and I realize that even I don't read my blog anymore! Yesterday I decided that raising three kids is insane :) I have started a new policy where Thunder, H-P and I get out of the house everyday no matter what. It's easy-ish here because it's so warm outside always. This morning I decided it would have been easier to homeschool Buck since he missed school on Friday and suddenly had about 4 things due in class!! He's in Kindergarten. But the Valentines' mail boxes and cards were due today (so they make sure it is done by the 14th) and 100 things for the 100th day of school. We stood there with nothing and I just shrugged. At least Buck is the most adaptable kid on the planet and told me, "it's ok, Mom. I already know how to count to 100." Thank goodness.

Here, Thunder built a "castle" out of soft bricks and is about to send it crashing.

The boys are all best buddies now. Here, H-P and Thunder sit and laugh before (or during) dinner. The chaos is second only to the joy of these boys.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!!

2012-01-27T08:49:00.000-08:00

My brother, SuperMan, posted this on Facebook this morning and I love it. This totally makes sense to me (bad sense). WE have GOT to work this out, USA!!

H-P is sick and puked all over me twice so far. Buck cried because he didn't want to go to school. But Thunder started dressing himself and I came out of H-P's room to see that he was totally clothed down to a jersey and underwear! My 3 year old baby is growing up!
RKZ home today. I can not wait.

"Let me come alive! Come on and ..."

2012-01-25T10:38:00.000-08:00

RKZ is on the East Coast this week (Mon to Fri), so we're finding things to keep us all busy (ha. ha.) I have 2 days of volunteering at school, so my cousin has been and will be coming over to take care of the little ones. I was especially grateful for her these days. I was thinking that if we'd moved closer to the beach (like we planned), she never could have driven all the way out every day. I feel so blessed to have someone who loves my boys watch them when I can't. More signs that it all works out for the best.

Today, while H-P naps, Thunder and I have been constructing a dream home of blocks. Thunder is very imaginative. He loves to spend hours building and creating. Ironically, when it's his big brother who is building, Thunder would rather destroy (that's made this week a bit challenging). But when left to his own devices, Thunder creates.

This is definitely, "after." So cute, though! This is our TV room by the way.

Only in California (maybe Florida and Hawaii), would they assign a snowman for show and tell. Buck had to make a "California snow-man." The boys created this guy, Smiley, and he was due on Monday. Of course, that was the one day it rained here. It was a sight, me with the three boys and a big styrofoam snowman pirate. I was jealous of the mom who's child turned in a bag of water with two buttons and a carrot inside. Brilliant.

"Life is like a song - at last"

2012-01-22T15:21:00.000-08:00

I never usually post just a picture of RKZ and I, but Saturday (yesterday), we went to the Santa Barbara wine country for the entire day all by ourselves!! Well, with about 90 other parents from Buck's school. It was a fundraiser and we had a really great time riding buses and having drinks and playing games. We were able to eat and talk and just laugh, which is so rare for us these days. My cousin, S-dog, took care of our kids for the 12 hours we were gone, so we weren't even worried! My only sadness is that this one picture we took wasn't better of the two of us. Oh well, can't have everything.

It was interesting to get to know some parents from the new (still, to us) school. We were one of the only parents of Kindergarteners there, so we were nicknamed "the young ones." funny on so many levels since many of the "older" parents are younger than the two of us...

RKZ leaves for the week tomorrow morning, so we have so much to do we couldn't even sleep off the wine today. Such is our suffering! :)

O the bitter winds are coming in and I'm already missing the sun...

2012-01-19T09:20:00.000-08:00

We had a totally average day yesterday, so I decided to post it so that I can remember what these days were like in 5 or 10 years. It was a good day.

Buck's favorite food is bagels with butter. It was also breakfast.

H-P always smiles for pictures. He screams for food and attention, though.

Thunder loves to wear other people's shoes. Here he is trying to wear mine as we leave to drop off Buck for school.

Another of H-P because he's so free kin' cute.

SERVITE's son, JeeP, came over to play so we went outside. It was warm yesterday (sorry Calgary). Thunder is obsessed with taking pictures with his new camera (a Cmas present from Uncle and Aunt S)

Jeep (15 months - or so)

Our yard is filled with paraphernalia (sp?) for nearly every sport imaginable. Here, Thunder tries to figure out how he'll play hockey in our grassy back yard.

Our pool - just for the people who haven't seen it yet.

More sports. Basketball is a favorite of JeeP's (wonder why!)

"It's a world of laughter, a world of tears..."

2012-01-16T20:52:00.000-08:00

We went to Disneyland today. RKZ took a 1/2 day and met us at the park. It was crowded (because it is a holiday) and a bit cool (low 50's) but there was no snow or rain, so I have no complaints!

RKZ thought that the boys looked like thugs in this shot. It's just Thunder's hat. How many thugs wear R2D2 mouse ears or drink formula straight from the can? :)

Small World is always a big ride for us because H-P can go on it. We lucked out with the first seat in the boat! Also, the ride is still changed for Christmas, so it was all new to us!

H-P held on tight the entire ride and screamed (happily) through most of it. He's LOUD already.

1,000s of Canadians visit Disney every year (probably 100's of 1,000s) and this is the one shout-out to them in the entire ride. It always gets me.

Toon town takes up about 60% of every visit. It's because there is so much hands-on activity.

Boys behind rubber bars. Usually it's mommy who needs rubber walls.

I can't get over how big H-P looks next to his brothers. He's only 8 months!

Thunder and H-P already have an interesting relationship. They adore each other and fight like puppies.

LOVE this face. This is who H-P really is - I'll swear it. Little Bohunk/Irish bugger :)

If one picture had to typify my life right now? This is it. Anyone looking at me in this shot? Anyone doing what he's been told? Anyone care what mommy is doing anyway?

"I see that you've come so far to be right where you are"

2012-01-06T09:13:00.000-08:00

I am very excited to have a new computer, but because of some Direct TV technician idiocy, our internet isn't working and my nice new (supposedly quick) computer is still on WiFi until we can get it sorted out. I have to complain because I want to officially say never get Direct TV unless you are obsessed with the NFL, like my beloved husband.

Here in So Cal, we've been incredibly busy. I volunteered at Buck's school yesterday and helped 30 kindergarten children make lady bugs. At least there were only a few tears and two discipline issues. It was funny to spend an hour saying, "On your bottoms, please." A lot of energy in that classroom.

Thunder is coming along slooooowwly with potty training. He is completely in charge of his own bathroom times now as he will simply refuse to go if he feels affronted in some way. Yesterday, we had a conversation where he started crying and said, "I scary (scared)" and I said, "of what?" and Thunder answers, "You." I had been doing nothing but sitting on the corner of the bathtub and watching His Royal Highness on his throne, so I don't even know where that came from. Finally, HRH tells me, "I need privacy." and I was allowed to wait outside while the blessed pooping event happened. 3 year olds (humph)

Here are a few more Christmas shots:

One of my sister-in-laws (Hoonka) is a celebration person. She always comes up with fun things for the boys to do on holidays. She is Buck's soulmate.

My Grandma is 93 years old. Here is her beautiful self...I love her.

My mom's brother and his wife, S.

A picture of H-P asleep in the corner (yes, we DO put baby in the corner)

Ma Joad bought the same shirt for all 5 sons and sons-in-law this Christmas. It was very funny.

Hoonka and Teags (he is nearly 2)

The finished "Santa cookie." Santa only ate a few bites of this, but finished off the beer (and more).

The older Grady boys showing their smiles.

We've been joking that this is the number of kids my parents had in almost the same age order. Yikes! Here, RKZ and Hoonka read a Christmas story before Santa comes.

The boys are: H-P (8 months), Buck (6), A-man (5), K-man (4) and Thunder (3). Teegs (2) must have been asleep. Also, my youngest brother has a 1 year old son who completes the set of one boy a year for 7 years - bring on the girls, I say!!

H-P is the only child that I have dressed with holiday gear. I love the "rain deer bum" on these PJ's.

The boys (minus Teegs) looking cute in their Christmas jammies!

"California's been good to me"

2012-01-05T09:27:00.000-08:00

Well, I got a new computer (YEAH!) which looks as though it's going to make blogging and photos a lot easier. I won't add too much because these shots speak for themselves. These are a few from our Christmas visit to Reno and the Joads. It was a quick trip to mainly see Gma J but we also really enjoyed some time with the rest of the family. I'll add more tomorrow!

Grandma an H-P

My brother and I both have 3 little boys 6 and under. Here are 5 of them.

Hoonka (a sister-in-law) made sure we kept the Christmas traditions alive with cookie decorating!

My uncle figuring out his camera :)

Thunder lives upside down. He is constantly on his head. My crazy 3 year old.

I am volunteering in Buck's classroom today. Nothing like a day in the classroom to keep me focused. I am excited.

"Simply having a wonderful Christmas time!"

2011-12-19T20:17:00.000-08:00

Today is one of those days where everything seems speeded up and "televisiony." I blame the school Christmas pageant. When I was a kid (at a medium sized Catholic school), the teachers would parade each grade across the stage (and those metal risers!) and we would sing 2 Christmas carols per grade. We would wear uncomfortable clothes and do our hair in new ways and basically be miserable for the 1 hour it took to rush everyone across the stage. I remember marching in. I remember the badly curled hair. I remember little else. I do remember that it meant that it was almost Christmas break.
Buck had his Christmas plays today. These are now full-blown musicals. Every student was asked to show up for 2 shows - one at 1:00 and one at 7:00. I went to the 1:00 alone (nap time for the little boys) and RKZ is at the 7:00 alone now (bedtime). I had never heard most of the songs which were sung (3 or 4 from each grade!). There was a plot focused around a young boy who'd received $100 from his grandma for odd jobs he'd done in the summer. First of all, that's not a Christmas gift - it's a salary. Second of all, even the Bible only asks for 10%. But the Angels who showed up to preach about "giving" were basically asking the kid to give the entire $100 to the nearest homeless shelter. Call me cynical, but I think that the kid's parents should have offered him the chance to give $10 to the shelter and save the rest. That would be the lesson for today's economy. It just sounded off to me and not very realistic for the families watching. Honestly, what's wrong with focusing on Baby Jesus and His Birthday? Do we all need a lesson on giving too? Maybe I just have a bad attitude. On the positive side, the kids were really great. The sound was incredible and there were a few genuinely gifted singers. Also, I sat next to a mom who is becoming a good friend and we talked through a lot of the show. She leaned over at one point and said, "at least we have 8 more years of this. Or even 11!" (We both have 3 year olds too). I said, "I think I have 14 more years" and we both burst out laughing.
I'll have pictures tomorrow.
I really am glad it's Christmas. ;)

"Joy to the World!"

2011-12-16T09:44:00.000-08:00

My boys wrestle. They wrestle a lot. It is literally like living with a crowd of puppies and their young, active dad dog (that's RKZ). You'd think that H-P would still be a bit timid at barely 7 months. You'd be wrong. H-P is all over his older (and larger) brothers. The baby has started to roll and scootch and basically use all of his energy to get to the nearest hunk of flesh and grab or bite it. That nearest hunk of flesh is normally 3 year old Thunder, who responds accordingly. This is only more crazy when Buck is home and jumps in. I caught myself saying, "Don't shove your brother's head into the floor unless he actually bites you" last night (not the baby that time. Only Buck and Thunder). Nominal mommy.

We are grinding into Christmas this year. Buck has school up until the 21st (seems to be the only school in California with that schedule). His school puts on a 1pm and 7pm Christmas show on the 20th and all of the students are required at BOTH (not the most convenient for us). Thunder is still in the thick of potty training. H-P has some kind of problem digesting vegetables and rice cereal and so he's up all night if we change from anything but prunes, oatmeal and apples or pears. Freekin' Irish/Bohemian systems!! Gladly, RKZ is home from Houston...and did I mention that it's VERY warm here? Our first warm Advent in 6 years (Buck wore shorts to school today! On Dec. 16!!)

"Everything I am, everything I long to be, I lay it down..."

2011-12-06T09:14:00.000-08:00

It's been exactly a month since my last post. I promise I haven't disappeared but I have been super busy (admit it, you've been too busy to read it too!). I am promised a new computer for Christmas, which will help with speed and a host of other technological (read: boring) promises. So, I will renew my blogging commitment around the first of the year! Promises, promises. We recently returned from a great trip to Colorado for Am. Thanksgiving and we're off to Reno for Christmas at the end of this month! Here are a few pictures of what we've been up to...enjoy!

These are two sisters-in-law on RKZ's side (his sister HAB and our newest s-i-l, Smarty-Sally). HAB was gung-ho for "black Friday" (Day after American Thanksgiving) shopping. So, we all woke up at 4:30 am to hit the sales. It's sad to admit that I was so enthusiastic because it meant a morning without kids. I also didn't miss the sleep since I don't sleep these days anyway :) But we did have a GREAT time.

H-P is 98%ile in both height and weight. He can't wear anything but 12 month clothes and he's only 7 months. Here, he shows his eagerness to crawl away. Help!!

The big boys and Buzz. Thunder is reaching the age where he loves all things Pixar. He's also obsessed with Finn McMissile from Cars 2 and loved Animal from the recent Muppet movie.

Our family is not ashamed to admit that we've loved Tim Tebow from the beginning. We were a little embarrassed that all three boys had "15" jerseys on at Mass on Sunday. We looked like a Denver Broncos commercial on the way to Communion. People were literally pointing and laughing (in a nice way). RKZ did not wear his jersey to Church - just to be clear. We think our loyalty paid off with yet another 4th quarter win (this is NFL Denver Broncos football for my Canadian friends :).

Buck was the 1st reader in the school Thanksgiving (US) play. He was also one of 5 "fat turkeys". It was very cute.

More H-P. He's a doll of a baby: fat and happy.

These days, we are just trying desperately to reconnect to local friends and family. We have a multitude of dinners and lunches and coffees planned to say hello. Time before Christmas is going too quickly! I will try to blog tomorrow.

"You know I like my chicken fried - cold beer on a Friday night..."

2011-11-05T09:28:00.000-07:00

Wow, I just wrote a lot on this blog and then accidentally deleted it. I think it's a sign. I has started raining here (rained a lot yesterday). It was in the 50's last night (low teens, Canada) but we've seen the pictures of snow in Calgary and I'm conflicted between missing my dear friends and never wanting to live in that bitter cold again. We went to Disneyland last night. As I was zipping up H-P's little jacket, I knew that in Calgary, this would be a normal routine. Here, it's just for a night walking through an amusement park. I was relieved, I must admit.

Thunder is SO EXCITED about the Toy Story movies right now. He was literally jumping out of his seat when he saw Buzz from far away. He couldn't get to the character fast enough. Buck was happy too, but he spent the entire time analyzing the costume and the person inside :)

Yesterday, as we waited out the rain, we built the "worlds' biggest train track" around the dining room table. Today, we are going on round two after baseball (the boys are in a combo soccer/baseball fundamentals class on Saturdays).

This weekend is chock full of fun. RKZ and I are running in a 5K on Sunday. My parents arrive this afternoon and RKZ is leaving for Calgary for most of next week...I was trying so hard to go with him but my parents can't stay the entire time we would have needed. Next time, I will work it all out no matter what. Even if I have to zip a baby snow jacket.

"When the sun's at his back and the wind's in his face - it's just him and the wheel..."

2011-10-19T13:32:00.000-07:00

RKZ's parents and our little niece, Pahina, were here for a visit. We had such a good time and the boys are in love as ever with both their cousin and the Duke and Duchess. There is so much to write, but I'll let a few of our pictures do the talking as H-P is screaming at me from his bed as I try to get him to nap in the afternoons. Ahh...parenthood.

Getting a little bit sideways. This picture cracks me up!

"I don't care anymore" :)

2011-10-11T22:04:00.000-07:00

I'm just posting to say that the hardest thing more me these days is uploading pictures. So many things happen that I want to write in the blog, but I feel like it's cheating if I don't have a picture to go along with it. I am trying to get on this computer to talk about myself, but so many other things get in the way. I know that I will be sad not to have H-P's every first event memorialized on here. He didn't even get the "1st year" calendar that I made for everyone else. Poor 3rd kid. He's already 5 months - 90% in height and 75% in weight. RKZ thinks that means he's skinny. Really?

We are plodding along here. We are so excited to see the Duke and Duchess and PAHINA! Who head out here tomorrow. RKZ is beside himself and can't settle. He's trying to make everything perfect. I love that man.

"Look at them yo-yo's; that's the way you do it"

2011-09-22T09:31:00.000-07:00

RKZ took Thunder and Buck to a preseason Duck's game last night. The boys were beside themselves with excitement. They were especially impressed with the "Wild Wing" statue in front of the Pond as well as the fact that "It's not a stadium, it's called 'The Pond'." Alternative names really seem to make my boys happy. Because the game started at 7:05, the boys all left early (so nobody knew who won) and Buck protested that "the game's not over." He seems to have warmed up to hockey now that we live in Southern California.

H-P and I went to an auction meeting at Buck's new school (the glamour) while the boys were gone. I have to admit that getting involved and having a job of sorts does make me feel happy. It was nice to be surrounded by adults who listened to what I said and at least pretended to be interested.

"To Infinity and beyond!"

2011-09-21T10:18:00.000-07:00

Two posts back-to-back! I'm getting caught up. This is our Friday family night trip to Disneyland (we're going to get the most out of those passes if it KILLS us!) RKZ is holding Thunder and Buck is behind his space gun. Mommy is outside eating a churro (yum) and Hank's crying in his carseat (see earlier post)

"How long do you want to be loved? Is Forever enough?"

2011-09-21T09:39:00.000-07:00

My favorite shot of the 3 boys so far.

Is it sad (or a sin?) that I am so happy to send my 2 eldest boys off to school this morning? Wow, the days are full (like, 24 hours full) of things to do and we are just barely skating by with getting them done. Buck had "robotics" yesterday (I'm going to post the video here tomorrow) and we spend a lot of Tuesday afternoon driving. Thunder and H-P and I took a quick trip to Disneyland in the afternoon to ride the Nemo submarine ride. It was an hour-long Disney visit: walk in - ride - walk out. We had to pick up Buck from school to begin the driving odyssey. These activities would all be great if H-P would sit in his car seat without crying. Yes, my 4 month old has the super power of being able to cry for HOURS (yes, hours) if he is not happy. He is my only child who will not cry himself out. He doesn't go "out." He just cries. It would be impressive if I didn't have to listen to it. Somewhere around 3:30 (and nearly 45 mins of car seat crying) I am ready to drive into a wall (but I don't want to hurt the kids. I just want quiet). It is hard to ask the older boys how their days have been over the crying. Thunder has it down that he should just tell me he's thirsty. My middle child is always thirsty but only for apple juice (hence, it is a scam). He won't drink water or milk unless it's forced on him. Buck doesn't say much except that he doesn't like being the sea monster at school during recess and he wanted a better bear to bring to the teddy bear picnic. I was tempted to tell him that he should build himself one at robotics because there was no way I was going to spend money on a stuffed animal for him when he has generally grown out of stuffed animals. Buck is a wise 6 year old and decided to take his 1/2 owl 1/2 bear which was one of the characters from the Vancouver winter olympics last year. Wednesday is Buck's "share day" and he had to bring the bear and sing "the bear went over the mountain" while demonstrating the craft he made. Of course, he finished the craft this morning and accidentally spit hot chocolate all over it. The last time I saw the craft, it was very soggy and I just prayed that is doesn't get ripped moments before Buck's turn to share. The only thing going over the mountain will be Buck in a dramatic fit... I can't believe it's only Wednesday. The big boys and RKZ are going to a Duck's game tonight while I take H-P to a school auction meeting (volunteer sucker, that's me!). At least I have a night of no sleep to look forward to :) Have a good one (a good what? That's what I always wonder).

A-B-C's easy as 1-2-3

2011-09-12T12:59:00.000-07:00

Well, RKZ is off to Colorado and Houston today for work. He has gotten really good at jamming non-stop meetings into his schedules so that he is able to only be away for a few nights. For this trip, we felt pretty good in terms of organization and getting some help with the boys. School starting helps with a bit of time off for me from the non-stop crazy that is Buck and Thunder (just being themselves). I have to say, I love having active, funny little boys. We were at my brother (SERVITE)'s son (JeeP)'s 1st birthday party yesterday. JeeP already shows signs of being non-stop like my boys. I have a friend from college who just had her 8th (yes - 8) child: their 1st BOY after 7 girls and I couldn't help but wonder what that would be like. I think I would really miss my testosterone-fueled life.

This week will be our first full week of school and activities. Back to school night is Tuesday and I will probably pass out dead when RKZ arrives back on Wednesday...but at the moment, I'm just relishing the fact that I'll be able to check my email for the first time in weeks!!

"Do you really know why we're having this party?"

2011-09-09T14:13:00.000-07:00

These are some pictures of Buck's 6th birthday. I took them with my iphone and they aren't the best. I am posting because it's been awhile, but not much has been going on that hasn't been happening in nearly every home in North America. Buck has started Kindergarden again and it's a perfect fit for our "just turned" 6 year old. He is really enjoying having a schedule again and has made a few friends (it's only been a week). Homework, which mainly consists of coloring, has been a pain already. Why doesn't someone tell Kinder teachers that 5 and 6 year old boys (in general) do not like to color and it doesn't take only 10 minutes for these distractible boys to complete a coloring worksheet? We are given a packet at the beginning of the week with the instructions that the sheets should be done 1 per night. By Thursday, Buck was crying that he had to color something else. Next week, we're doing them all on Monday so I don't prolong the agony. Being well rested might help in the attitude department.

Can't wait to get to essays in 3rd grade. Sigh.

Thunder has started a play preschool three mornings a week. I don't know how it's going because he mainly just reports what they gave him for snack and lunch (did I mention that they provide the snack and lunch?? Heaven). Also, some boy named Dominic "hit" T's hand on the first day.

"He's a bad boy, mom." I'm sure there is more to that story than I'm hearing. But, it's play school. :)

Cousin T with Thunder playing dress up. I think they look like the Village People in this picture.

Cousin T and K with Thunder and Buck . Glimpses of our kitchen in the background.

Buck and Trnt (cousin as well). At Buck's birthday.

H-P. I've taken to calling him, "Spanky" from Little Rascles. This baby kills me (in a good way).

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end"

2011-08-29T10:13:00.000-07:00

Today is Buck's first day of Kindergarden for the second year in a row :) I find it ironic that today was more emotional for me than last year's first day. At Buck's old school in Calgary (CWA), he had been with the same kids (basically) since pre-K 3. We knew all the procedures, where the bathroom was, and I was actually friends with a great number of the parents. He was very excited to start and ran into the classroom with barely a kiss good-bye. Today, RKZ and I took all three kids to Buck's new classroom. Both K and 1st grade were swarmed with parents and siblings! There hasn't been a preschool at school, so only a few of the parents (with older students) knew each other. Buck had to go to the bathroom immediately upon arrival (it's a family thing) and we didn't have any idea where it was! RKZ held H-P while I attempted to keep Thunder in check around me. Thunder was beside himself with excitement. I was missing Karen and Kimberly and Cyntia and Stephanie and countless other parents who would be rushing around and then heading for coffee and friendly gossip after drop-off. Buck's new school has a parent coffee and RKZ and I went. We met some great families - one even has family in Canmore, Alberta! And it was nice. I just kept offering up the whole thing because Buck probably feels similar to this. RKZ said, "None of it is bad, it's just uncomfortable for a while." RKZ is great. RKZ, the boys and I went to the 8:30am daily Mass to say a prayer for Buck's first day. He gets out at 12:20 - barely time to be melancholy (let alone sad). I have about 3 hours to get 1000 things done with just 2 children ;)

Our boys in front of the classroom.

Buck's new uniform (black shorts! Jealous?) and Thunder welcoming himself to Kindergarden.

Love this for the H-P spit up!

Our lives almost have a routine again!!

"You say it's your birthday, I wonder for who?"

2011-08-23T08:14:00.000-07:00

Today, Buck is 6. All of the cliches apply in our case. It all passed in the blink of an eye. I can't believe he's so big. I'm sad that I'll wake up and he'll be 12. Today, we're having a family birthday with local cousins. Buck is beside himself and I've let him open one of his presents so that he can distract himself until 4:30. We're having a "Lego" birthday and I've already destroyed 2 practice cakes. We have a silicone lego pan, so it should be easy - but it's not. I'll take some pictures if it gets better. This reminds me that I have to plug in the camera. On another note, RKZ and I attended Buck's Kindergarden parent meeting last night. It's a lot easier the second time around :) I can not wait for school and routines to begin.

Disneyland's Pirate's Cove (formerly Tom Sawyer Island). My pirates claim their booty!

Cousin Sam (17) was down for the week looking at colleges last week. She and her mom took the boys to the beach. They loved it.

Buck "enjoying" Newport Beach by playing "Angry Birds" on Sam's cel - my techno boy.

To Preschool and Beyond!!

"You and tequila make me crazy"

2011-08-15T14:26:00.000-07:00

You might be asking, "Where have you been?" Would you believe that we've had a steady stream of visitors for the past 2 weeks? That, and the fact that I have 3 little boys (only one of whom can feed and dress himself). Currently, I have our vent hood on "high" while H-P rocks in his swing. This is the only way we can get him to nap...hence, the title of today's post. I'd actually like some tequila right now :)

I don't know why this grouchy tummy shots are my favorite.

My parents (the Joads) and my Grandma Jody were here for a few days over our anniversary. My boys love Grandma Jody. She doesn't get around much and Thunder would just bring her book after book to read to him. Buck would take time from his busy Wii schedule to listen in as well. Here, they are reading Thunder's favorite: "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." We have it on video because they sing a long.

A new favorite of my 3 month old.

True to my nominal mommy ways, I drag all of my infants to the beach at least once. Because they can't wear sunscreen yet, they have to spend the day in a baby tent. H-P is my one baby who wouldn't nap. I was incredibly grateful to my brother and sister-in-law (the Supermodel/man family) and SDJ who entertained Buck and Thunder the entire day.

Batman and Mario. Random.

Buck dressed as a Jedi, playing Lego ninjago on the computer. The dorks don't fall far from the trees around here!!(I mean myself, sadly).

"How long 'till my soul gets it right?"

2011-08-04T14:47:00.000-07:00

A good friend, K, and Thunder practice being Mexican wrestler-superheroes.

So happy to see our old friends the other day. Buck, K & M and Thunder after some swimming.

H-P takes a nap in his favorite place (a shoulder)

while we were still living in the hotel - my 4 boys and a visit from cousin JP!

Pre- HP...a short trip to Knott's Berry Farm with my parents (hence, Pa Joad).

It's been "all time busy" around here. We've got visitors galore (good old California) and the house is nearly finished but we have the "punch list" of things that have to be changed, so I feel all out of sorts. I had a girlfriend tell me that I can't discount the hormones of having a baby and breastfeeding, so I feel better about the rollercoaster that is my life right now. One day is awesome and the next is really difficult. Maybe that is just being a mom of 3?? I don't think I'll try the Paxil that was recommended. :) Wine is my depressant of choice anyway.

"Koo Koo Ca Choo, Mrs. Robinson!"

2011-07-26T13:37:00.000-07:00

Last night, RKZ and I went to see Sugarland at the Greek Theater in LA. We, literally, had the best seats in the house: Second Row Center. Sugarland is a great concert and both Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush are high energy and totally play to the crowd. Even though it was a Monday night, we had a lot of fun. I just felt badly about yawning through 1/2 of it. They went on at 9pm and by 10:30, I was done. Note to new parents: don't buy expensive concert tickets for your anniversary. You'll just want to sleep 3/4 of the way through. All I could think was that they must have been able to see me looking so tired. What a buzz kill. Not that I assume they noticed dumb me, but wouldn't it be funny if they were like, "Did you see that rude B- in the front who looked so tired? How RUDE - so LA."

And I am so NOT "LA". I'm more like DT - as in "dead tired."

But, the tickets were a lovely present from RK. We had a great anniversary. I am so happy to be married to him and so happy to be dead tired because of HP.

Now, today is a mad house. I will write about it tomorrow. The one fun item is that Buck is attending a "Space and Spies" camp at a local community college. Two of his cousins are also at the camp and they save Buck a seat every morning. That is why we moved:

AK, LT and Buck prepare to learn about Spying on others :)

"Stuck Like Glue"

2011-07-22T12:10:00.000-07:00

"Stuck Like Glue"

MMMM better...MMMM better...
Absolutely no one that knows me better
No one that can make me feel so good
How did we stay so long together?
When everybody, everybody said we never would
And just when I, I start to think they're right
That love has died...

[Chorus:]
There you go making my heart beat again,
Heart beat again,
Heart beat again
There you go making me feel like a kid
Won't you do it and do it one time?
There you go pulling me right back in,
Right back in,
Right back in
And I know-oo I'm never letting this go-ooo

I'm stuck on you
Whuto whuto
Stuck like glue
You and me baby we're stuck like glue
Whuto whuto
Stuck like glue
You and me baby we're stuck like glue

Some days I don't feel like trying
Some days you know I wanna just give up
When it doesn't matter who's right, fight about it all night
Had enough
You give me that look
"I'm sorry baby let's make up"
You do that thing that makes me laugh
And just like that...

[Chorus:]
There you go making my heart beat again,
Heart beat again,
Heart beat again
There you go making me feel like a kid
Won't you do it and do it one time
There you go pulling me right back in,
Right back in,
Right back in
And I know-oo I'm never letting this go-ooo

I'm stuck on you
Whutooo whutooo
Stuck like glue
You and me baby we're stuck like glue
Whutooo whutooo
Stuck like glue
You and me baby were stuck like glue

...
11 years and going strong. Happy Anniversary, baby!

"key's in the conch shell, come on in..."

2011-07-19T10:24:00.000-07:00

Random pictures today - crazy last few days - nobody is sleeping and the house is painfully close to being done - but it's not (if that makes sense). The boys and I took a walk yesterday (first one around the neighborhood). It is hot here and it was hard to push all three boys on a stroller (I'll have to take a picture of that for clarity). After the walk, it was time for lunch. I am amazed at how long my body can now go without eating. I made sandwiches for each boy but HP started to cry just as I was about to eat. Yes, that means a postponed lunch for mommy.

And, as I was feeding HP, sweating from the walk (looking lovely, you can imagine) a neighbor walks around our side yard into the back (have I mentioned we only have our backyard patio furniture for meals?). Said neighbor, who is nice but come on, asks me if the boys and I want to come over for a swim after naps. This neighbor is in her early 60's and missing her grandchildren who live far away. She lets me know that she'll be inviting other people from the neighborhood (will she be walking into their backyards?) and that we are only invited for 1 hour (it was a weird conversation). All I could think was that this stranger could probably see my boob since I was feeding the baby. Also, Buck and Thunder would not stop talking over her the entire visit.

After this, I tried to put HP and Thunder down for naps. HP screamed for an hour and Thunder screamed, cried and then took off his shorts and diaper and peed in the middle of his crib. By 3 o'clock, I was happy to walk across the street to Peggy's house.

It was an alright visit. As Grandma's will, Peg had a lot of rules for her backyard and pool and my boys broke every one of them (over and over). I'm not sure we'll be invited back. But, just to let you know what kind of 'freaky Friday' (poor Lindsay Lohan) it was, one of Peggy's friends said to me, "Your second son is a real Steady Eddie, isn't he? But that first one is wild!" Uhhh. Sure.

My beautiful friend, Meg holding HP.

My three sons in our hotel room (pre-house)

"Stuck like glue - you and me baby we're stuck like glue"

2011-07-14T21:36:00.000-07:00

Our friends arrived shortly after my last post. We have spent the last 6 days entertaining 5 insane boys under 6: One day at the bouncy-house place, a day of swimming in the back yard, a day at Downtown Disney (again, no rides - just shows) and eating out at every conceivable restaurant. We also saw "Cars 2." Yes, my 2 month old son has seen his first movie (he was eating the entire time so he'd stay quiet). Overall, reviews were good for the movie.

The "granite guys" have put the granite onto our counter tops and finished cutting out the places for the cook top today. Dust everywhere, but I'm so happy to be one step closer to a working kitchen. Please pray that the appliances are installed next week. I never thought I'd want to cook so badly in my life. My girlfriend, Barbie, is quite the trooper for living in what she calls "camping" in our unfinished house. It's been so nice to have a woman to talk to for a week.

Thunder kissing H-P. Thunder is obsessed with his little brother.

It's scary to me that the boys look to be similar sizes in this shot. But, at least Thunder loves LA.

Buck and his buddy, "Brother,"taking time out of swimming in our back yard.

"Moving forward using all my breath!"

2011-07-09T20:17:00.000-07:00

I'm at that impossible place in the blog where I have so many old pictures to use but actual NEW pictures also! The following are all new:

So, RKZ is on a "work trip" to the Calgary Stampede this weekend - until Tuesday. My first days and nights alone with (drum roll) all three boys. I recall that every time I was first alone with either 1 new child or with the first and the second, I was terrified. As RKZ was getting ready to leave this time, I was literally catatonic. I am still wondering how I fed H-P, kept Thunder from killing everyone and listened to all of Buck's stories at the same time. For the record, I didn't. Yesterday, I took all 3 boys to Disneyland for a "show and no-ride" day. We were home by 6 and in bed by 8:30 pm. Today, I had to do things around our house. We have friends coming in (from Calgary) at 11:00 tonight. Ironically, all 3 boys were exhausted by the time I started baths at 7. Everyone just seemed to wander from room to room after me all day. Me and my baby ducks. I still miss RKZ. I also miss a dishwasher and sink (for the record). I am completely done with fast food. Completely, once our kitchen is finished.

It's 8 and H-P is awake. Gottago!

H-P smiles

It's sad when your boys know which Mickey they're seeing!

My husband at work today (he'll love this)

"It's been awhile"

2011-07-07T07:43:00.000-07:00

Skipping (literally) everything that has been happening with us and posting the most recent pictures of the boys. I can't even begin to think of what could be written on these pages with the house renovation and the new challenges of three small boys and just the return to California in general. I think it's appropriate to have a swimming pool now because I never seem to be able to get my head above water (ba-dum-bum).

Thunder switched to a big boy bed and then he and Buck decided to take a nap. Notice the sports themed bedding. Thunder can not get enough of it. He calls it his "big boy bed."

H-P is nearly 8 weeks now. He had his first set of shots yesterday and his big weigh-in. H-P is in the 90% for both weight and height. He is 13 lbs 8 oz! I never look at him and think, "he's so small!" There is nothing small about this boy. It's God's gift to him as the youngest of my three wild men. He wouldn't stand a chance as a small guy.

H-P looks just like RKZ. RK thinks H-P looks like his uncle Bruce. Our little guy is definitely getting genes from his dad!

My boy friend vacuums our bedroom. :) He's a prince, seriously.

"I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy.."

2011-07-04T21:35:00.000-07:00

There will be pictures soon - I promise.

We spend the 4th at my Aunt and Uncle's house with two of my brothers, many of my California cousins and a crying baby :) H-P just needed to swing for a bit, but we only brought the bouncy chair.

The bigger boys enjoyed the little community parade (complete with a bull!) that passes down the street in front of my A and U's house. There was a lot of candy thrown from the passing vehicles (I hesitate to go all the way to "floats" as a description). After the parade (and the heat!), the some 25 children decided to swim. We have found that Thunder can "swim" by himself if he's wearing a life-jacket. The boy was seriously in the water from about 11 am to 4 pm with a 15 minute hamburger break. We couldn't get him out of the water. Buck also enjoyed the swimming, but he was also happy to spend time with all of his cousins. H-P just cried - but he's only 7 weeks.

No fireworks for us as the boys were all asleep by 8:45 pm. We've switched Thunder to a "big boy" bed, and he proceeded to tell RKZ that he "wanted to go sleep." He basically kicked his father out of his room and went to bed. Awesome. We were worried about him staying in there (jokes on us).

Happy Birthday, America. We're glad to be home for the 4th.

"Welcome to your life..."

2011-07-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

We finally have internet here at our new house. This is a post just to say that. I have a lot to write about. Hopefully, I will recover enough from our last doctor's visit to post about that in the next few days. I should be on for good now. Taking tiny moments from the cyclone that is my life!

"Bullets and Blue Sky"

2011-06-17T08:06:00.000-07:00

OK - on the house front...somehow I am always taking pictures of H-P and not the renovations. We are stuttering into a move into our new house. Our things (furniture, etc) are there and we've had a final walk-through of the bed rooms with Jerry, our contractor. Still, the floors are covered in plastic and paper (protective) and our furniture is basically unassembled. We found out that our dryer's air hose was lost and then we bought the wrong kind at Home Depot. We don't know where our bedding is, so we can't wash anything anyway :) We have come to the end of our stay at my aunt and uncle's, so we will be moving in today no matter what. Here are some pictures of my favorite new addition:

H-P is 5 weeks today. Insane - he's already older than Thunder when T came to us. Baby time passes so quickly while home time drags. that's the nature of it all, I guess.

3 boys are hungry - I gotta' go!

"A House the size of Home"

2011-06-15T13:50:00.000-07:00

Song is something I heard on Sirrus.

Just a quick update about us (for me more than anyone).

The Joads have gone home (much to the joy of my Grandma J as well as the aunt and uncle who were staying with my Grandma J). From the sounds of it, my parents miss our boys LOADS, but they are happy to be home.

We miss my parents, but it is also nice to be our own little family for awhile. RKZ has been working "half-days" this week. It's hard to describe exactly what this means. He has things that must be done and we work around that.

Our house is nearly done (Phase 1 - no kitchen until July). We are living at K & G's until Thursday. Friday morning (and forever after) we will be sleeping and living in our own home. It's been nice to practice being a mommy of 3 and all that this entails in the comfort of K&G's home. I'm still a bit freaked out by it all.

H-P (the baby) is wonderful. He is nearly 5 weeks now - that "fussy before the storm" period - but H-P has been the easiest of the 3 by far. Breastfeeding is a mixed blessing after 2 boys who were 1/2 breastfed and 1/2 formula. I keep telling myself that it will all be over before I know it and not to wish it away. H-P is still waking every 2 hours in a 24 hour period; but he falls right asleep after eating at night. This is honestly a first for my boys. H-P also looks so much like RKZ. We know that his eyes can change for up to a year, but he's a blue-eyed cutey so far.

Thunder LOVES H-P a little too much. Have to watch the over-kissing and touching. I'm also amazed by how quickly Buck has grown up through all of this. He even puts the pacifier into the baby's mouth when he's crying (and we don't even ask Buck to do that!).

Lastly, I miss my friends and dates with RKZ. Soon, I tell myself.

"Don't stop - believin'!"

2011-06-09T09:01:00.000-07:00

Good News! All of our things are arriving from Calgary on Friday! We will be able to move into our new house tomorrow!! Of course, our house isn't finished being remodeled, so we won't have a kitchen.. but we'll have TOYS, which is a big deal in "mom-world." Thankfully, we'll be staying with K & G for another week so that the workers can finish and we can get things turned on. What would we do without family? (I can't even imagine).

Speaking of which, after nearly 6 months of living together (seriously, with a break of only about 2 weeks), my parents will be returning to Reno and we'll have to run our family on our own. It's been so nice to have them, but I know they're excited to get their lives back as well.

Here are the joads at the new little Mermaid ride in California Adventure.

Here are the boys and I at the same ride. H=P is crying. I gotta go

"A little less talk and a lot more action""

2011-06-03T14:52:00.000-07:00

Today H-P (our newest) is 3 weeks old. We went to his well-baby check up and he's already 9 lbs 5 oz! He's gained 2 pounds and he's 23 inches long/tall! That puts H-P squarely in the 100% of height and weight (basically - huge). It's hard for us to judge with Thunder the giant 2 year old around but I was so happy to hear that H-P is doing so well. It was reassuring. As far as daily life is concerned, it's about the same. We are still living in a Residence Inn - my parents are still here to help and the big brothers still think they're on some sort of vacation. We are in a bit of a struggle with our contractors - but I think it's a normal part of construction. Still, it's a bummer as we wind up our "HGTV" experience. Here are some shots of what we've been up to these 2 months:

Thunder and Buck at an Angels' baseball game. They are loving baseball!

Pre H-P, we all rode the Toy Story Ride and Buck and I (and H-P) posed for a pic.

HP :)

Wednesday, the boys, Joads and I went to preview the Little Mermaid ride at Disneyland. Buck was embarrassed because I was singing along with the music.

"Raise your glass if you are wrong - in all the right ways"

2011-05-21T21:06:00.000-07:00

Not much new, but I have a second, so I'm posting. Hank is a week and one day old. He already seems to be changing. I wanted to document that he eats every 2 hours. That means that he eats for around 1 hour and then eats again 1 hour later (it's a breast feeding thing). I'm writing it because I never wrote it about the other 2. I want evidence of exactly when H starts sleeping for longer stretches. He decided to "stay awake" around 3 am so we sat and chatted (I chatted - he stared at me). RKZ has been sleeping in the boys' room (they have an extra bed) so there is no one there but the baby and myself.

On a personal note - I hate basic cable TV. Also, if I never hear another word about Osama Bin Laden or Arnold Schwarzenneger (sp?) and Maria Shriver, I will die a happy woman. How does an ex-governor's sexual behavior become headline news? Isn't there anything happening that is more important?

Time to feed the baby (I hear him doing those grunty pig noises in there).

So glad it's the weekend. RKZ is home for the entire day.

"I don't know much - but I know I love you"

2011-05-18T10:25:00.000-07:00

Friday, May 13th, RKZ and I left for the hospital at 5 am. So different from our first experience with Buck (35 weeks - water breaking at 3am). It was so calm. We were able to walk in to the hospital and calmly speak with everyone. First crazy thing - the nurse who checked us in was a student of mine!! She got teary-eyed when we realized our past together. She was very sweet and I felt like it was a circle (I also felt old) to be speaking to a past student about such personal things.

There are so many details that are funny and will be stuck in my mind. Because I had a c-section, I wasn't able to see the actual surgery, but I was awake during the entire process and they used a mirror to allow me to see Hank as he was pulled from my tummy. All I could see was his huge shock of dark hair. Buck had been bald and Thunder had hair at 4 weeks - but neither of them had that dark, dark hair of their daddy. 8 pounds 7 oz and a beautifully formed little body. Immediately, Hank was a screamer. He came out yelling (which will fit right in around here).

The rest of the experience is hospital stuff. I have a lot of editorial comments regarding it all, but it is already slipping away to my mommy-hood. Hanky and I came home yesterday and we're beginning our real lives as a family of 5. We are all fine - wonderful even - still living in our Residence Inn. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger :)

The boys couldn't be more excited to be together (especially Hank)

Buck and the baby.

In H's bassinette

Watch it, or I'll kiss you.

Keep on Waiting - waiting for the world to change

2011-05-09T20:44:00.000-07:00

We went to California Adventure for Mother's Day. The boys LOVE Chip and Dale. They were so excited to meet them, it was awesome.

Haven't blogged in a week because I am as big as a house (or a small car, maybe) and just waiting for the babe to come in 4 days. I have a scheduled c-section due to medical reasons and it does make the waiting a bit easier knowing that there is an actual date out there and that it is very close. I'm mainly writing to say that we are all alive and well. Our home is still in the process of extreme renovation (HGTV- style). We won't be moving in until the beginning of June. We are still semi-happily living in our Residence Inn where they have included breakfast and dinner and lovely housekeeping services. My parents (the Joads) continue to be here to help with the boys as I waddle my way around and try not to fall asleep constantly. Nothing new really happens to us because nothing consistently seems to happen to us. How can we find new in ever-changing?

I don't sleep. If you've been pregnant or have ever lived with a pregnant woman, you will understand this. Thank goodness that everyone else seems to sleep ok. I am praying daily that I get a nesting instinct and accompanying surge of energy...but I'll live without it if I hit Friday and never feel it.

I'm not sure if I wrote about feeling the baby's toes through my belly the other day. RKZ and I could actually feel each of the toes on one of the baby's feet. Yes, it was crazy. Yes, it was weird. Yes, RKZ will no longer touch my stomach :)

"Who says, you can't go back!"

2011-05-02T15:27:00.000-07:00

No pictures this post - just an update that we've moved for a third time to a Residence Inn Marriot very near to Disneyland. It's a 2 bedroom suite with breakfast and "light" dinner included. The housekeepers come every day to clean and they have Disney channel and a kid's pool. At first, I was anxious about staying here - but it's actually pretty nice. I am 38 weeks pregnant and incredibly awkward and tired. The baby is really big. RKZ and I could feel his toes through my belly! Freaky.

Our friends (Barbie and Ken) from Canada were here again and we walked (!) around Disneyland on Thursday. They left last Saturday.

Coincidentally, after we checked into this hotel, RKZ and Buck met up with an entirely different family of good friends from Calgary at the pool. We spent the morning swimming with them before they headed home.

Please come, little baby. Mommy is feeling done.

"Never ending story!!!"

2011-04-25T15:52:00.000-07:00

Because I am SO BRAVE, I have posted a picture of myself 9 months pregnant.

Easter morning - I am the egg :)

Both boys woke at the crack of dawn Easter morning. Thunder was just mad. We were all very groggy.

These pictures are a hodge-podge of what's been happening. We have friends visiting from Canada - our very close friends who are spending part of the time in Palm Springs. "Barbie", "brother" and Clarkbar. The father part of the family, "Ken" arrived after this picture was taken.

Thunder's Easter basket. Since none of the men in my family like a lot of sugar, we give toys in the baskets. I eat all the candy anyway :)

We did 3 Easter egg hunts this year (different days). Here is Thunder's first egg hunt. He was very excited as he picked up every egg. He yells, "I found one!"

T's second egg hunt in our rental back yard. Yes, I know that he'll be mad that I dressed him like this someday. He actually chose this sweater, I'll have you know.

Buck and Thunder at Irvine Regional park where we did the first hunt with Barbie and her boys. It was a nice, quiet Wednesday - an excellent day to hunt for eggs in 75 degree weather (21C ish)

My boys before the hunt but after the potty.

Buck and "brother" acting like bunnies. Brother told Buck that the tie was for girls but his mom said that "actually, the tie is the boy bunny." We told them it's just a fashion statement either way.

Buck on the hunt at our rental house on the actual day of Easter. He is acting excited, by the way. Already putting it on at 5.

Buck not acting but I like this picture.

That's my foot :)
Our new house remains stripped to the plumbing and electrical that is slowly going in this week before the inspection. I am 37 weeks pregnant but the baby is measuring 38 weeks and the doctors say it could be any time. We are all tired but trying our bests. Looks like we'll be moving into a Residence Inn around May 1st for about a month. I told a girl friend yesterday that "I just think about one thing at a time." Today, I am thinking that RKZ turns 40 on Thursday. He's hoping that the baby is his present (He's so sweet). I also try to fixate on Prince William and Kate Middleton and their wedding. It's so much easier...

"How Long 'Till my soul Gets it right?"

2011-04-11T15:17:00.000-07:00

Buck (at 5 1/2) is currently obsessed with our iphones. I can't say I blame him, since RKZ and I are both obsessed as well. Buck has learned to take pictures, videos and to record his voice (and everyone else's). He also loves to set the timer on his father's "Ifart" app which makes random farting noises when the timer runs out. He and RKZ think it's hilarious. Today, Buck said, "I know how to make Dad smile no matter what. You don't think farting is as funny - but he always laughs."

These are all a few of Buck's shots with my iphone. He loves the way he can "turn" the picture toward himself by pressing a button.

I'm 35 weeks pregnant now - and our house renovation is coming along. I'm trying to get some pictures so that we can track the HGTV - ness of it all.

"You're so good-lookin'"

2011-04-04T18:53:00.001-07:00

We spent another weekend choosing all the things for our new (now gutted) home. Spent days looking at tile and flooring and lighting fixtures. It's fun, but a bit overwhelming to have so many decisions to make. I took some time out on Sunday afternoon to attend a baby shower for my cousin (2nd cousin? It's hard to tell). She is due at the end of April - about 2 weeks before me. Her sister-in-law (also a cousin) is also 9 weeks pregnant, so we had to take a picture to cement the moment. I am doing my best "maxi-maxi" dress look with a giant belly :)

Today, the boys and I hit another park. This one is near our new home and has a rec center where there are a lot of classes and camps in the summer. The boys had a great time but burned their legs a bit on the slides! It's crazy to think we have to worry about the heat in early April! We are loving that.

I'm 34 weeks pregnant now. Buck came at 35 weeks, so we're psychologically getting ready. There is a lot going on...and somehow we're making it :)

WE'RE MOVING BACK TO CALGARY IN 2 WEEKS!!

2011-04-01T10:23:00.000-07:00

April Fools :)

"Forever Young! I want to be forever young"

2011-04-01T10:21:00.000-07:00

Almost real time!! Things we're actually doing lately! Can't believe it! Thank God for iphones (seriously). Yesterday was one of those days that can only be spent in California. The weather has climbed to around 86F/30C. It's hotter where our rental house is but cooler down at the beach where our good friends live. The boys and I headed to HB to enjoy some sunshine and interaction with people who are our own ages (even mommy). I don't know why I only have pictures of Thunder yesterday but most likely because Buck was so busy playing away from me.

This is Thunder's only 2 year old friend (here in California), L. Honestly, they are pretty hit-and-miss with how well they get along. But beggars can't be choosers. Lately, they've reached a peace agreement and are getting along pretty well (so there's hope).

Both boys have developed a love for bugs in the brief time we've been here. Thunder is holding a lady bug he found on the beach. We spent 4 hours there yesterday. Buck was in the water the entire time with his friends. Thunder wasn't so sure. They all built sand castles while their mom and I talked.

Our new house renovation is coming along. We love our contractors and they've started demolition, so the boys are excited when we go (daily) to check progress. Uncle Coach K2 (SERVITE) came over for dinner last night. It was so nice to spend some time with him again.

"Somewhere with you"

2011-03-28T20:19:00.000-07:00

This last Saturday was Angel's FanFest at Angel's stadium (Anaheim). It is just a big fair to celebrate Angel's baseball and it was really crowded. It only cost $5.00 and there were players there and games. They were giving away tickets to an exhibition game versus the Padres. We went for a little break in all the moving/baby bustle.

A trivia contest on the main stage. We were almost the only people NOT in Angel's gear.

At least Buck wore red. This is also a pic of our new double stroller. It can hold the baby OR Buck!

Dad helping the boys make sand art baseballs.

The finished specimen! They are actually baseballs filled with colored sand. The boys loved them.

Right after the FanFest, we found out that our house was finished being "termited" (tented). Here is our little family right before we went in. Yes, I am VERY pregnant at this point :)

"Freedom! There is freedom, when we let go - of all that doesn't matter"

2011-03-26T09:07:00.000-07:00

Mall day. Lots of climbing toys and fun (geared towards 0 - 3 yr olds, but Buck survived)

Thunder enjoying some time with mom in the play area.

Buck lying around. He tended to follow Thunder and jump off of climbing toys.

After about 10 minutes, Thunder discovered that there were basketball games on at the nearby television store. He would not leave the bench and watched the games until we left. He is obsessed with basketball at 2 years old. It's crazy.

Our new rental is wonderful. It's central to many things, very spacious and the back yard has been wonderful. On the first day, the boys and I had bagels at a nearby coffee shop (no groceries on the first day) and then headed to the mall across the street. I had to buy an outfit for RKZ's dinner outing with the prez of his company, another co-worker and everyone's wife. Although I look like a woman smuggling a watermelon at this point, I did find something comfortable and "cute" enough. I must have been quite the sight walking into the maternity shop. I only said, "We're going out with cute people wearing cute clothes and I'm enormous. I have no idea what I should wear and don't even really want to look. Please help me." To her credit, the sales girl (really, I doubted she'd ever been pregnant) found a great pants and long tunic set. And both were on sale! (I had figured she'd shaft me). The boys were only able to throw around the padded toys from the maternity playset about 5 times before I was done.

And dinner went really well. The food was great and it was actually really fun. Only drawback - 6ish hours of heartburn and no sleep that night.

"all you have to say is 'O Toodles!"

2011-03-24T08:11:00.000-07:00

No pictures for this post. Just writing that we've moved to a new rental house. This house is about 25 minutes closer to everything (RKZ's job, our new house, Huntington Beach). We never need to get onto the 91. It's also a larger and much cleaner house. Not that the last house was dirty, it was just dusty and the owner has 2 dogs so we were often sneezing and had stuffed noses. No one is allergic to animals, so I'm not sure if it was the dust or random animal debris that had us going.

The newer rental is not dusty and everyone has his own room. Previously, Buck slept in a loft that was open to the tv room/great room downstairs.

Currently the only drawback to this new house - we can hear the VERY LOUD trains all morning. I'm guessing that after a while, the sound fades away. This morning, it has awakened everyone very early, which is a bummer.

On the new house front, today is the previous owner's last day. The relator has promised that she has hired a moving truck. The boys and I drove by yesterday and the garage was still filled to the rim with random things. I was freaked out that the owner will not be gone in time. Everyone thinks it will be fine.

3 houses in 1 year is just too many for me. We are all tired of moving.

"The smile on your face - lets me know that you need me..."

2011-03-21T20:38:00.000-07:00

We've been super busy lately, so I have been slow in posting. We officially bought our new house today and now the work of renovation begins. We have found some babysitters and RKZ and I have been out alone twice now! And, we are settling more and more into our Southern California lives. Not too much crazy has happened - but what has happened has been great.

Buck, Thunder and I have been spending some time in the various playgrounds each day. I love this local park that has a grove of citrus (I'm assuming orange) trees. The park is big and open and very fun for the boys. This picture cracks me up. I especially love the saying on Thunder's shirt: "I tried to be good but I got bored." Sums up our little guy.

On Sunday, twin cousins of ours turned 11 in a "fiesta" themed party. There was a pinata and a tres leches cake (cake is soaked in 3 milks and there are no eggs used). My boys both adored the pinata. I'm guessing we won't get away without them now at parties. This picture is myself and my beautiful aunt, K. She looks lovely, but I look a bit scraggly. I am 32 weeks pregnant now. Glad the baby has stayed in but ready to meet him face to face.

STILL amazed at the warm weather - even in the rain!

"Welcome to the Jungle"

2011-03-09T14:10:00.000-08:00

Two things have been on my mind today:

Firstly, I will never complain about the fact that I am having another baby. I simply CANNOT WAIT to meet this little person. I am so happy to have the blessing of a third child. BUT, being pregnant is SO UNCOMFORTABLE. Seriously, I can't sleep. I have constant pressure from my belly (like a a giant water balloon stretched to its limits) and sometimes walking -waddling- around is all that I can take and I have to sit down. As a fairly fit 41 year old strong female, this entire thing is killing me. I will try to remember this when I am suffering from sleep deprivation in 8 - 10 short weeks. But right now, I just want to be able to eat past 5 o'clock without 10 hours of heartburn.

Secondly, little boys are magic. Absolute magic. The house we are currently renting (moving out March 23) has a backyard that basically goes up-hill. The flat part is covered with grass and the up-hill is covered with various plants and bushes. It's beautiful and the larger part of the yard. My boys discovered it today. They've been crawling around finding "hiding places" and "secret trails" all day. I can't get over the fact that it's March 9 and my boys are playing Peter Pan in our yard. They are covered with dirt (and not just on their foreheads for Ash Wednesday). Magic.

This last shot is a picture of my niece, SDJ, and her volleyball team. My brother, Superman, sent it and said: "D took the picture and all she said was "Just have fun and be yourself" well this is the pose our daughter chose to make... I don't know that I've ever seen a better personification of the 2 families she represents." SDJ is the 5th from the left (directly in the middle). Shows what she has going on, for sure.

"Warm my heart"

2011-03-08T08:49:00.000-08:00

Funny, random things that you never think about when moving to a warmer climate: random landscape workers waking up your sleeping children at 7 am with a really loud leaf-blower; and going to a park where you are the ONLY stay-at-home mom surrounded by nannies. Don't get me wrong, I could do without the gardeners (and we will, RK & I will do our lawn maintenance) but I had a really nice time with the 3 nannies. They included Buck and Thunder in all the games, gave them snacks when all the other kids were eating and asked me about 100 times if I needed a nanny for my "3 kids - so many children!" I did fall platonically in love with one of the women named Isabel. She was so nice and we talked for 2 hours about how much she loves her little charge. The 18 month old's mom does not work outside the home (or in it, seems like), but she did just take a 2 week vacation to Mexico while Isabel stayed home with the kids. I laughed and said, "I'd like to see my husband's reaction to that if I asked him." I was devastated when I didn't see the boys for 10 days of my bed rest! People are different, that's for sure. California is different now that we have a family!

On practical notes, escrow closes on our house on March 25th and then renovation work will begin our our house. I'm having a difficult time figuring out what to do with finishes, etc. The problem is, RKZ and I are pretty simple in what we like. Honestly, we just want everything to work and look nice and go together. We are more particular about a party/beer fridge in the garage than our entire kitchen! I'm including this picture of the kitchen above because RKZ and I both agreed on it and I can use it on my cell phone to look for things. Does it seem a bit pretentious for us? Am I pretentious now?

This is a picture of a truck with a driver who shares my sentiments exactly: I hate the 91 freeway. Around March 23, we will be moving to a NEW rental house in Santa Ana (5 mins from Disneyland). I will not drive on the 91 again except to get to Las Vegas or Reno or to go on some awesome vacation.
Lastly, looks like we will be getting our truck back in 4 weeks - YEAH!

"Meet me at the coffee shop - where we can dance like Iggy Pop..."

2011-03-06T09:20:00.000-08:00

Song added by RKZ

Thunder at the children's museum in La Habra, California. They have a small carousel that T especially liked.

Buck as David Beckum (sp?) He is wearing clothes here that he never looked at in Calgary.

It's coming together for us down here. Looks like our truck can be mended. My parents went home today. Our house is nearer to closing and we are going to tour a new rental house (hopefully for use in the month of April) this afternoon. Just to be clear - we've purchased a house that needs some work. The house closes this month, but the work will take until May 1st. I will post pictures of what the house looks like soon (this week sometime, I think). We will live in a "vacation" rental house (VRBO.com) until we can officially move into our new home.

We are feeling as though we're hitting a stride. My doctors are saying how amazing it is that I seem less likely to go into labor (a Christmas miracle!), so I'm hoping that #3 will wait until the middle of May like he's supposed to. Then, we will bring our newest little one home to our real house.

Lastly, today is a sad day for our family as we remember baby Gabriel, my cousin's son who passed away at birth due to doctor's errors. Gabriel would be a bit younger than Buck today. Every time I look at our precious gift today, I will remember how fragile life is. And I will be grateful.

"In Grandma's Feather bed"

2011-03-04T09:22:00.000-08:00

Wow, the world is just different now. RKZ arrived home and we've been running from meeting to meeting ever since. Well, he's been back to work and it's going well. He leaves our rental house around 5 am and drives to Long Beach. He's been working hard but the hope is that soon he'll have official East Coast hours - this means he might be home around 4 every day! It seems like a dream that he'll be around more in the afternoons because the boys are missing their best friend in a big way. Moving sucks. There is no other way of saying it. Even if we've moved from -35 degree hell to 65 degree heaven, there are so many little things (and big things) to do that it's just a warmer pressure cooker :) Yes, I am taking this moment to complain. :) RKZ said (last night) that "it's a good lesson in just getting it all done, even if it's a pain." (there was more swearing than that, but it's the basic idea).

A brief list of what this week has entailed:

1) RKZ flew from LA to Miami to Philadelphia for work in a 4 day span (not sleeping really)
2) My parents have been here to help with the boys while I got a multitude of appointments done. I have to see a doctor once a week. I had a 2 hour glucose test on Tuesday (uneventful but a pain for sure - I'll spare the details)
3) We had a 3 hour meeting with the contractors who are going to renovate our new house. Now, we begin to choose finishings. It's exciting, but difficult when we're not actually meeting in our house.
4) Our home escrow doesn't close until March 21st - so we're officially in a rental house until then. BUT, our new house has to have all of the flooring changed and walls "un-wallpapered" and painted. This will take about 2 weeks. We're trying to find a different rental house because the tiny house we're in is becoming increasingly unsafe as Thunder becomes more comfortable with the various knick-knacks and open stair case.
5) I have had major week-long drama about my new cell phone (Princess B needed an iphone and it's biting her in the butt). It's been resolved but has involved new software and calls to the mac support people. I should have listened to RKZ and kept my old one.
6) Our truck might not be totalled (good news) but will take a while to fix.
7) Lastly, poor Buck is seriously missing school and friends. A 5 year old boy just needs a crowd of smelly, dorky-acting friends to run around with. I am looking into some day summer camps for him so that he will not be stuck in a jail of toddlers and newborns all summer. Thunder, of course, is creating camp for himself everywhere we go!
8) I am trying to contact baby-sitters so that I might see my husband alone in 2011. Love him.

"I just called to say - I love you"

2011-02-28T09:47:00.000-08:00

In the years 1990 - 1991, I traveled around the country with a Catholic missionary group called N.E.T. We did retreats for teenagers in Catholic parishes in places like New York, Illinois, Toronto/Ontario Canada and St. Paul, Minnesota. It was like "road rules" for Catholic college people. It was both life-changing and really hard in a lot of ways. One of the best outcomes was the friendships I made with the other 9 people on my team (5 men/5 women) - there are actually 100 plus people who are on 10 or so travelling teams - but you mainly spend the year with the 10 people on your specific "team."

Yesterday, we all found out that one of our team members died in a car accident. His name is Chris, and he was a really wonderful man who was gentle and kind and a very good drummer. We didn't stay in close touch, but it is still sad for me and the other members of our team even 21 years later. Chris was 43. In the photo above, he's dancing with another woman on our team, Lupe. I pray that his soul, through the mercy of God, rests in peace.

On much lighter notes, My parents (the Joads) arrived from Reno and are back to taking care of the boys and I. RKZ is on a work trip to Florida and Philadelphia until tomorrow. This will be RKZ's last trip (that we know of) until baby #3 is born and I was so glad he could go and focus on his job for a few days while knowing that we're ok - RKZ has been working so hard helping us and he deserved to have meetings (and some beers) with coworkers!

The pics below are the boys enjoying the local Science center. We've also seen the La Habra Children's museum and hoping for maybe Knotts Berry Farm today. Gotta' keep these kids moving at all times :)

"Crash! Into me, babe..."

2011-02-22T07:50:00.000-08:00

Because our lives aren't interesting enough right now... RKZ and Uncle C arrived to so much excitement here in California. We were all overjoyed to see each other. Thunder was very excited to see our truck. He kept saying, 'My truck!" For background, we bought a Ford F150 in May (6 months ago). Well, Sunday morning, RKZ woke up and emptied the truck (he's energy plus these days). Thank goodness he did!

I decided to take about 10 minutes to myself and drive up to Starbucks (5 mins away from our rental house). It was nice to drive the truck again and I felt so huge in the cab. About 2 minutes from our house, I was waiting at a light and a teenager rammed into the truck!! He never even put on his breaks, so there was no screech, no warning, just a sudden shove into the truck and that crazy pile-up of cars around me. In all, it was a 4 car pile-up. The boy hit me, I hit the car in front of me and that person hit the truck in front of them.

To make a pretty long story as short as I can: I am fine. The baby is fine and the truck is probably totalled. Yes, our brand new truck is gone. Do you ever get the feeling we weren't supposed to be here?

This is the view from my hospital room. I spent all of Sunday in the hospital monitoring the baby. I never had any labor signs and we're both fine.

The baby's pulse. He's tough.

"I'm goming home!"

2011-02-19T17:27:00.001-08:00

RKZ and Uncle are about 30 minutes away. Everyone has had looooong naps (yeah!) so that we can stay up and smile through the reunion. Can't wait. More tomorrow.

"Just like me - they long to be - close to you..."

2011-02-17T08:20:00.000-08:00

We're closing in on the home stretch without RKZ now. True to my "must be busy" nature, I have been running the boys from activity to play date to play ground so that we all don't go crazy. The balance has been making sure the boys are entertained with me not going into labor (ha.ha.ha.) I have felt exactly the same through this entire business and the baby is moving and kicking like a champ, so I continue to not be worried. I'm more worried about Buck and Thunder killing each other as they fight through learning to be friends. I also worry a bit about RKZ and Uncle driving our truck through the frozen tundra to get to us. We're such 21st Century Pioneers (hardly).

On Tuesday, we had dinner at our good friends' house & Buck and Connor made Lego toys for hours. It would have been perfect if Thunder hadn't beat up on their 2 year old all night :(

Buck went to his old school in Calgary for 3 years (from 3 - 5) and we made a lot of close friends there. One of those families is down here in California and staying at Disneyland. We are spending the next few days at their hotel (sleeping at home of course). They are staying at the Grand Californian Hotel. It's amazing. This shot is Thunder and their 3 year old, Dyl in a sleeping bag supplied by the hotel.

Buck & his first "girlfriend", Q. Q's family is staying on the "concierge" level of the hotel. This is a very well hidden secret that there is a concierge lounge with continuous food (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks). It has a giant cupboard filled with games and puzzles. There are coloring pages and free crayons. The alcohol is also included (wine and beer)! Lastly, lovely young concierges wander through the room playing with the kids! We had dinner in the lounge while the kids played and snacked. It was well stocked enough for all of us to happily eat and dessert came out at 8! Story time is right after that, where the kids put on jammies and listen to stories read by a character. Then, off to bed! We all decided that this was the best extra Disney money ever spent. They will never eat a meal in the park.

"So happy together..."

2011-02-15T19:54:00.000-08:00

Just home from another dinner at a friend's house. I'm really using all the cards while RKZ is in Canada. He and his brother (Uncle) are driving our truck from Calgary to Southern California beginning this Friday. Until then, the boys and I simply drive around from family member to acquaintance to reliable old friend reunion in search of a schedule. I have loved seeing so many people we missed but I'm NOT loving the constant fighting and hitting and psychosis of 2 boys who are spending way too much time together. We all need some alone time right about now.

So far, we have had dinner with some dear friends who introduced RKZ and I (and now have 3 kids of their own), lunch with one of my closest friends from teaching days, we have spent countless days bothering my wonderful Aunt K (including today as she watched the boys during a doctor's appointment); and I continue to drop in on one of my best mommy friends (we'd be friends without kids too) whose house I just left. Thunder took the opportunity to abuse her 2 year old, but it's telling that she didn't mind too much. I was horrified.

I have also joined a mommy's group (that phrase is awful, I know) and I signed Buck up for a one-day-a-week thing. Lastly, I feel fine and the baby moves and kicks non-stop, so that end is good too.

Here are some pictures of a great game we've been playing daily around here. The game is based on a series of kid's books which are totally hilarious and I highly recommend them. Buck laughs out loud at all of them (but mainly loves: "The Pigeon Wants a Puppy.")

The object of the game is to get your bus around the board and pick up the different prize tiles. You have to do this as you avoid the pigeon who can steal all of your tiles and send you back to start.

The game board. If you know the books, the board is based on places in them. It's fun and easy for 2 - 41 year olds. I know that RKZ will love to play it when he gets here!

"Love is in the air - lots of love is everywhere"

2011-02-14T19:46:00.000-08:00

Wow, I can honestly say that I didn't know Valentine's Day was such a big deal. Maybe I just was too busy to notice until now - or maybe we didn't watch so much toddler TV in the past. Every show and every themed kids' program is about Valentines. It's weird - and it's making Buck paranoid that we should be celebrating more. I have always resented this holiday being so close to my own birthday. After years of valentine printed presents, a girl gets sick of things. RKZ called me from Calgary and said, "Oh, happy Valentine's day" at the end of the conversation. We laughed at the romance in our lives.

Today is REALLY important because it is Grandma Duchesses' birthday. That's a theme for a day that I can get behind.

Life here in California is getting more routine for us. The kids and I have been driving all over the place meeting up with friends and remembering why we loved living here before. Here are just a couple of pictures from last Friday:

Buck already has a good friend - JB, who's 4 1/2 - we all went to the beach (JB's mom, little brother, Thunder and I). It was in the 70's (20'sC) and Buck and JB took their shirts off and ran to the water. The water was FREEZING to CB (other mom) and I. But the boys stayed in the water for three or so hours racing waves. Amazing.

Thunder also really liked the beach - but he wanted to spend the time digging in the sand. My favorite part of the day was the fact that both boys fell asleep in the car on the drive home. I am only slowly getting used to the time we're spending on the freeway.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRANDMA N!!

"Everything's gonna be - alright"

2011-02-10T16:04:00.000-08:00

No picture today because it was busy (so far). Just keeping up with what's going on around here.

First, this morning, Buck had his "Kindergarten evaluation" for entering Kinder next year at what we hope will be his new school. We're guessing he passed as he's already been in Kindergarten for 1/2 of a year in Canada. Just for the sake of background, Buck is an August baby. The "cut off" month for birthdays in Calgary is January, putting our boy squarely in the middle of his peers. Here in California, the cut-off is September, which would put Buck in the very back of the pack age-wise. If he begins K again in the fall, he'll be one of the older kids with a bit of experience under his belt. All the people I've read or consulted or whatever are very clear that it doesn't make a huge difference until boys are 11 or 12. When puberty kicks in, it's a much bigger deal to be the youngest boy in a class. We are also glad that Buck will be starting school with a crowd of kids who are also starting new (there is no pre-school at his new school). I find (as a frequent mover) that it's always best to be transitioning when everyone else is. The new K teacher was very nice to us and said, "Officially, you'll hear back next week. Unofficially, you have nothing to worry about." I was glad to hear it, since I never worried until she said that. Also, we had a "how do I get my princess in" Grandma waiting next to us, so that made us think we should be more serious about this "testing." When you consider that we were sitting in the nice courtyard of a tiny elementary school, it makes the entire process funny.

Secondly today, RKZ headed back to Calgary to finalize our move. He'll be gone until Feb. 20th. I was talking about our situation with my Aunt K (she's very wise). We talked about adjusting after/during a move. I have to say that I do miss my busy Calgary life (so does Buck as he tells me everyday) but mainly, I just miss RKZ. This whole bed rest and waiting thing has been the hardest because I simply wish RK were here.

But - I did find this fun blog today: day tripping mom I am planning to use all the ideas I can while RKZ is away. I will tire out these boys (and try to spare myself) if it's the last thing I do.

"We're coming to America..." (homage to Ralph)

2011-02-09T18:43:00.000-08:00

Our rental house living room.

RKZ - "The Phantom" - from the rental house loft

Thunder spend the entire day saying, "Apple Juice."

5 year olds hate to take normal pictures. Any time they can stick out their tongues, they are happy.

Day 2 in the rental house. We're about to have dinner and I am mourning the fact that RKZ has to leave tomorrow for Calgary. There is a lot to get finished, but I selfishly want my husband back. The boys and I have been having a good time driving all over Southern California and stopping by random playgrounds in the sunshine.

Some things I had forgotten about So Cal (excuse the jargon):

1. The traffic is BAD and it's very, very FAST.

2. I hate the 91 freeway.

3. I love US Costco stores.

4. Shopping is a recreation here as much as Calgary and it's not fun with 2 little boys who hate shopping.

5. I need to use my cell phone all the time, so blue tooth is essential.

6. I can get lost faster than I put on my seat belt.

7. Did I mention that I LOVE the sunshine?

"Sun!Sun!Sun! Here it comes!"

2011-02-08T14:43:00.000-08:00

Feb. 8th at the park in sunny Southern California!

This time I have a seriously good reason for letting so much time lapse (Jan. 25 to Feb. 8th - seriously?)

RKZ and I headed down to Southern California to look for a house to buy in the last week of January. I have to say that we were really looking forward to some time alone together in between moving countries and having a new baby. It was warm and promising when we landed.

We got off the plane around 10:30 am and were immediately looking for houses for 2 or 3 days (I forget). We looked mostly in the Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa area because this is where we had lived before we left for Canada. Sadly, the houses were disappointing for one reason or another and we felt that we just couldn't find a place where we felt truly at home. In between house hunting, RKZ found some time to go into the office and we visited what we hoped would be Buck's new school. We loved the school and I loved calling people from his office phone while I looked out at the view of the ocean from his new office!

Onto the crazy portion of the story, I also had scheduled a "routine" visit to the OBGYN who will be delivering our newest Little One in May. It could not have been LESS routine in the end! When we began the "getting to know you" portion of the appointment, I was amazed at how the look on the nurse-practioner's face changed with my answer to every question:

RN - how far along were you when you delivered your first baby? Me - 35 weeks. RN - how old are you? Me - 41 RN - what has your current OB said about your progress? Me - I haven't seen an OB yet.

There were a lot of other random questions before the new OBGYN came in and asked the same questions and then sent me downstairs for an ultrasound. They also suggested I see a specialist! I felt that this was a bit of over-kill and was a bit crabby about the ultrasound (I've had 3 already that were fine).

Well, once finished with the u/s, the doctor sent me to the hospital because they were afraid I was in early labor! I was immediately put on full bed rest and told I couldn't return to Canada! It's funny to say that I was relieved because for a bit it looked as though I would be stuck in the hospital for 3 more months! (I'm paraphrasing quite a bit through this story). I went to see the specialist a few days later; but, not before RKZ had to return to Calgary to help my parents (the Joads) take care of our kids! The specialist lightened the bed rest a bit. I still can't take walks or lift anything, but I can take care of Buck and Thunder until the baby arrives.

I had a week without the boys or RK but with a lot of crying and feeling useless as my parents and RKZ took care of everything dealing with our move from Calgary. I was depressed with not getting to say good-bye to so many close friends and I couldn't believe that I could not do those "final checks" of my personal things and the things I really wanted the boys to have down here while we wait for the movers. Talk about learning to let go! It was more like "forced" letting go, but I got the message by the end.

After 10 days of not seeing them, RKZ was able to fly himself and the boys down to my Aunt K's house (where I have so thankfully been staying this entire time). "Thank God for my family," is all I can think at this point. They have saved my sanity. And my parents are Saints for helping the boys feel so loved and safe and happy so that they never really even noticed I wasn't there (sad for me, good for them).
Now the boys are here with me and RKZ is spending this week helping me and working from his new office.

On a positive note, what can I say about the weather here? It's been averaging 70/21C the entire time while snow is dumping on Calgary and it's very cold. The boys were getting stir crazy this morning and we just went to a local playground for an hour. We all got a tiny bit sunburned and the boys ran and climbed like crazy. I sat on a bench and drank Starbucks, wishing I could share the wealth with my girlfriends in Calgary.

Tonight, we move into the rental house which will be our home until the middle of March. Oh yeah, we bought a house very near to my aunt and uncle's house - 25 or 30 mins from the beach where we were first looking. That's an entirely different story...I'll try and post daily now if the wireless works in the rental and you'll read it all (unless you're already bored with the story) :)

"Ya Ya ya-ya-yaaa"

2011-01-25T14:05:00.000-08:00

I don't know that that's a direct quote from the song. My mind is slowly dying between moving rush and baby brain. It's good to be 40 and completely on the brink of self-induced dementia. No pictures today because I haven't had a chance to take any lately. My parents (the Joads) have arrived and the pace has definitely picked up. RKZ and I leave for our house-hunting trip tomorrow very early. It will be nice to have 5 days alone with RK in Southern California, but I can't say it will exactly be a vacation between looking at schools, going to the doctor and finding a house. I'm also about 20 phone calls behind at this point.

A friend of mine told me (she's moved 3 times in 2 years), "Remember, if it doesn't get done, it didn't need doing." I agree, but tell that to my 5 year old who just wants me to come and make a craft with him right now. Can pregnant, moving mommies ruin the psyche of their children?

"And I think to myself...what a wonderful world."

2011-01-19T07:50:00.000-08:00

Everything is about the same here in Calgary - cold and filled with pre-move activity.

More interested in posting Christmas/New Year's Eve pictures from Colorado. After Reno, we flew to Colorado Springs to spend New Years' Eve with the other side of the family. I know that Buck was especially excited to see his older cousins. Thunder was just excited to get some more attention ;)

Big Thunder (far left); Aunt S; Pahina and Lil' Thunder

The family on Thunder's 2nd birthday.

Thunder so excited to celebrate with this Thomas cake!

Thunder and his Grandparents (Duke and The Duchess)

Auntie HAB; Little bitty; BB and Big Thunder wearing their favorite NFL gear

The 2 oldest boys. Buck loves BB!

Auntie S, Uncle and Thunder (with Duke in the back). You guys look great with a little one :)

"Rockin' around the Christmas tree"

2011-01-17T13:02:00.000-08:00

This weekend, we had a wonderful dinner party with a group of friends here in Calgary - and then we spent Sunday driving three hours to Edmonton (Northern Alberta) to say good-bye to Thunder's birth mom, H, and her boyfriend (not T's birth father), D. It was a really amazing weekend because so many things are quickly coming to a close. Of course, we know that we'll see all of the people we said "good-bye" too when they visit or we visit...it's just that everything will change in the subtle way things do when they are not lived day to day. I do love Canadians because the overwhelming response has been "Great! Now we have a reason to go to California!"

It is a solid -10 degrees F here today (-23 C). From all reports, it's 80F/ 26C in Southern California. I must admit that the change in weather is a driving positive force in our move. Having my 2 year old scream through a parking lot because he didn't want to cover his hand stamps with mittens will be something I will gladly leave in our past.

Our good "old" friends who also read the blog!! Hello, Sh & fam!!! You all look wonderful!

Our little family At Ma and Pa Joads - Thunder, RK, Buck, Me and #3

RKZ and his cousin, Shane, with their babes. Such a cute Grady pic!

'Baby you're a FIREWORK!" (around 30 days)

2011-01-15T11:31:00.000-08:00

My count of days is off because plans keep changing. I am trying to count to the day the movers arrive (since then we will be feasibly out of our house). I HAD been counting to the day that we actually arrive in California. I have concluded that counts are a bit dumb and useless. The 30 (it's actually 27 days until the movers) freaked me out when I just counted it. So, I'm just going to estimate from now on. And I am not really good with math.

Bottom line: We are not long for this world of arctic ice and snow (- degrees in both F and C this week and today).

We have gotten a real estate agent in California and we've begun to narrow our search. RKZ and I fly down in 2 weeks to try and find a house (and see the doctor who will deliver our baby). I have more Christmas pictures for tomorrow. Today, we interrupt this post with superhero sightings.

Buzz and Spidey

To infinity and wherever else I want or I'll scream ;)

What's up with you, Spiderman?

helmet on!

Shooting bad guys (or mommy) with my web!

"I could really use a wish right now" (42 days)

2011-01-12T12:12:00.000-08:00

...my 2 year old is actually NAPPING right now...I'm at a loss for words.

This Christmas, we rented a house near the Joads' so that our posse of 6-boys-under-6 didn't overwhelm my parents and grandma J. Here are 5 of the boys: K-man (3), Thunder (2), Buck (5), T-gun (1) &

A-man (4)

Coach K 1 & Pa Joad at the rental. My dad looks happy, but his eyes are closed :)

RKZ and Me and our 7th boy under 6 (oh yeah, it's a boy!)

Coach K1 & his beautiful (and small) wife Hoonka (mom of A-man, K-man and T-gun)

Superman M, H9H (High 9 Hottie) and Ma Joad after Christmas brunch.

Tiny Dancer (SERVITE!'s wife) & SDJ enjoy a little food in the rental dining room.

Gma J looking cute with Uncle D (farmer D, I should say) on Christmas.

SERVITE! and his new little wonder, JEEP (6th boy under 6 for now)

Superman M ruining a great pic of the newest Kelly family :)

SDJ showing she has excellent taste in cancelled TV shows.

Christmas 2010 was great. More pictures of New Year's Eve in Colorado with the Grady's!

"Let my people go - " (44 days)

2011-01-10T12:05:00.000-08:00

I was putting Buck to bed last night and thinking about moving while we "snuggled" for a bit. I thought about putting up a countdown of days until we leave Calgary and return to California. I am a sucker for countdowns. Only, this countdown is such a blatant estimate with all of the variables of movers and houses, etc; I thought that I might such add the count in parentheses at the end of each song. Hence, the (44 days). It is approximately 44 days until we leave Calgary for California. Immediately, my mind races with all that we still have to do before then. I'll spare you the detailed list.

Instead! I am posting the first set of our Christmas pictures:

Our Christmas tree at home. We had an early "at home" Christmas before we left for Nevada.

Thunder is obsessed with bikes, balls and dogs. Now, he can at least ride around the neighborhood after Buck on his bike. Still practicing the pedals, of course.

Buck got quite a lot of good gifts this year. He is opening his "V Reader" which allows him to play games and read stories - 2 of his favorites.

More tomorrow. I have a lot of email to answer ;)

"Girls! Girls! Girls!"

2011-01-06T17:50:00.000-08:00

We're home from Reno and Colorado for the holidays - more pictures to follow in coming days.

I've added 2 pictures from my "girls' weekend" in Montana. These are three of my Canadian pals and we've been trying to get away together for a very long time (kids and babies, etc get in the way). I look at these pictures and realize how much I'll miss them - and my kids will miss their kids (all of us have kids the same ages). I also realize how fat I'm getting :)

We're busy as hell now with organizing a move to California in 6 weeks (Feb. 15th-ish)! I won't add any pictures of that - ha. ha.

"Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas!"

2010-12-21T06:48:00.001-08:00

We're off to Reno today for Christmas and then to Colorado for New Year's. Not home for a bit, but I'll be posting after.

Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. WE hope to see you all very soon!

"Because we need a little Christmas - right this very minute!"

2010-12-20T13:52:00.000-08:00

Two days of stomach flu (for ME, of course) and a weekend in bed right when we can't afford to spend a weekend doing nothing. Such is my life these days. I swear that I just stare at our house and the giant (practically un-packed) mess that it is and think: "In about 8 weeks, we won't even live here." That really helped after I threw up all over our Master bedroom. It's a gross part of the story, but gets funnier every day. Poor RKZ, he was Mister Mom all weekend and then had to spend the night in the sick ward. I am a bit better today, so I'm posting and packing. Poor Buck is completely exhausted after all the shows and parties lately. He is currently sleeping soundly (at 3:00pm) while his 2 year old brother has spent two hours bouncing in his crib and singing. There is something wrong with this. We are going to spend the entire Christmas vacation attempting to tire out our toddler (good luck, you say?). Oh wait, the screaming has just begun. Enjoy these pictures of Thunder at happier times :)

Daddy and Thunder walking up the driveway. They both love the snow and outdoors.

Buck's Christmas song (Kinder)

2010-12-16T18:43:00.000-08:00

2 posts in one day! Can you believe it? This is Buck's class singing "Manger Mystery" in their Christmas play today. If you're familiar with Buck's friend, Quinn, her little brother is on the far left snapping his fingers. Hilarious. Buck's head is right next to the teacher's podium and I don't think he really sings in this clip. I have another one, but it takes forever to download - I'm not that much of a stage mom!

"California's been good to me"

2010-12-16T15:34:00.000-08:00

So, I promised some news and ... here it is! (at least 1/2 of it) Many of you will not be surprised to learn that I am expecting our third child in May. This is actually a scan from 3 weeks ago, the baby has already changed a lot (I am 18 weeks now). We had another ultrasound yesterday but I can't find the CD (of course. Pregnancy brain). So - here is a fuzzy picture of an unrecognizable fetus - and it's all mine.

Our second bit of news is that RKZ has been transferred back to California (HB) as of February of this year. It all has to do with taxes and international companies and blah blah blah. Suffice it to say that our little tribe of 4 (and 1/2!) will be moving back to where we started out together in about 8 or 9 weeks. We are celebrating - but sad to leave so much here.

That's our news. More tomorrow maybe!

"I go back to December all the time"

2010-12-10T12:10:00.000-08:00

If I could describe all that is happening in our lives right now, I think anyone who still reads this would be amazed. So much secrecy on the blog (sorry) but I promise (soon) to be able to spill my guts in a TMZ/Entertainment Tonight kind of way (ha. ha.). We are currently in celebration AND mourning for so many things in our freezing cold but beautiful Calgary.

I want to right them all here, but it's not the right time. Thanks for your patience.

This is one of my all-time favorite pictures of some of my all-time favorite men. This is my brother-in-law's wedding in November. "Uncle" is the farthest left, then Rye-Rye (cousin of RKZ), my beloved making some strange comment and HAB's husband (another bro-in-law), Little-Bitty :) he'll hate that name. This picture just makes me smile.

These shots are of our house/surrounding country. Although it's very cold, it's also really beautiful. I'm melancholy about Calgary these days.

Our street - at noon today.

Our house

"O Come Now Wisdom from on high"

2010-11-27T16:26:00.000-08:00

Now making a rare appearance on the blog: ME! It's still cold, but much warmer at a balmy 20 - 40 F. My sons didn't wear snow boots OR mittens today for the first time in 2 weeks. I skipped posting on Thanksgiving but we did have about 15 people over for a deep fried turkey (some Texans made it in our front yard) and the usual sides. I was a bit crabby, I'll admit, and it's hard to watch other people's 3 year olds tear apart our house. I know we have about a year until we're there with our own angel, but I can wait :) Mainly we just missed our family. Oh, to wear sweats and drink too many beers on a holiday in November...

I'm posting pictures of my very dear friend's wedding in Tampa, Florida. RKZ and I were able to escape alone about a month ago. There are mainly random people in these pictures but it's proof that we've gone somewhere alone in the last 12 months.

We're all about to start decorating for Christmas - we got our $20 IKEA tree just this morning. Pictures soon.

A high school friend of the bride and myself. Her husband is a spinal surgeon who hunts big game and then has them stuffed and keeps them in a "game barn" redecorated as a pool room. It's a long story and as strange as it seems. They were nice to us, though :)

Mr. and Mrs. Love

My beautiful friend and her husband. They honeymooned in Paris - so sweet.

My friend. It was worth the quick trip all that distance just to see her so happy.

Myself and 2 friends I had made at the girl's bridal weekend. So strange to hang out with women only (mostly single) for a weekend. Very fun change of pace for a vacation! (I'm clearly at Prom in RKZ's dinner jacket)

My favorite new friend, JR, and her husband. They are from North Carolina and exactly what you'd expect from a cute Southern couple. This was about 10 shots in for our dear husbands.

"It's a nice day for a white wedding"

2010-11-22T13:15:00.000-08:00

The view from our front window

The view from our front door

The view from our right front window

The view from our toy room. Feel free to measure that snow on the patio table.

The view from my kitchen window.

Today, it is -10F/-23C on average. That's not just cold. I don't think you can imagine the cold unless you've been here (or live with Santa). It's been snowing for over a week. It's actually too cold to shovel or use a snow blower. It took me an hour to get Buck to school today (yes, we still go to school on days like this). It took RK an hour and a half to get downtown to work. The meanest and dumbest people in the world wait until days like this to drive. They sit and wait and then take their Honda CRV's without snow tires or chains and try to drive them up country roads while talking on a cel phone that costs more than their car. And, after 5 young men in trucks have abandoned their warm reliable vehicles to push the Honda up the hill, CRV-guy proceeds to cut everyone off at the next intersection because "he's late." All of Calgary is late today...but CRV is very important and his time is valuable. We just have to understand.

After my hour long commute to Buck's school, I realized we'd forgotten his gloves. For one shining moment, I was the worst mommy on the planet. Abusive even. That lady who drowned her kids at least did it in a warm tub. My valiant 5 year old looked at me and said, "I want to go home." I could only say, "Home is a lot farther away than your warm classroom right now. I'm so sorry." Don't even get me started on poor Thunder who just has to ride along for the hour and then get out for 10 minutes only to get right back in the car. Wherever you are, the weather is way better than it is here. Please relish this.

To redeem myself, I drove to the nearest Winners (like Marshals) and bought 2 new pairs of gloves. I drove them back to school and had to convince the school secretary that she had to explain to Buck that I bought the gloves because if he thought they were from the Lost and Found, he'd never wear them (OCD runs deep in our family). I left Thunder in the car for this installment. I bought him a toy camera which I don't plan to take out of the box because I'm going to wrap it and use it as a Christmas present in 4 weeks. That's one to write down.

My favorite part of this story is that both Buck's teacher and the secretary said, "I don't think they'll go outside today, it's too cold." So, I bought the gloves for nothing except in case of emergency.

Speaking of emergencies - the fire alarm went off in the rec centre where I was using an elliptical machine this morning (after the gloves). Thunder was in the daycare, so I went down to see if they were going to evacuate the babies. It's still -23C, mind you, so right then and there I had to decide (in my spandex and t-shirt) if I'd rather die by burning to death or freezing to death. I was saved the decision by an announcement that "The fire alarm was found to be erroneous." I had already decided on burning anyway. It was only poor Thunder I was sad about. At least they would have gotten him outside.

"I'm like - forget you - and forget him too..." (Glee style)

2010-11-18T16:29:00.000-08:00

Today, we've had a perfect "snowed in day" where I remembered why I chose to stay home with my kids. We made a lego castle and lego zoo, took Buck for a badly needed hair cut, read stories and played with stuffed animals. Buck watched some TV (of course) and I ironed 20 shirts! That might sound dull and strange, but I feel so accomplished right now. We all feel loved and we're having mac n cheese for dinner. Even though it's 9F/-13C outside, everything's going to be alright. I'll post our very snowy pictures tomorrow (for my mom - Love you!). Here are some randoms for ya:

Buck playing penguin at our zoo trip last Friday.

We put together A LOT of Lego around here...

Just so it's out there, Thunder has a diaper on in this picture. RKZ shaved his head with #1 clippers. I tried really hard not to cry and could only think that Thunder now looks like a child who either (A) had lice or (B) had brain surgery. RKZ is calling him the "Littlest Emperor." Thank God that hair grows back - look forward to our wonderfully bad Christmas card pictures. :)

"Here we are now - entertain us!"

2010-11-16T19:16:00.000-08:00

Today was the first real snow storm this winter season. No lie that we have 9 inches of snow on our patio table. The boys and I slipped and slided our way around all day. 3 hours of swimming at the local "leisure centre" and about 9 hours home bound. I wanted to watch a movie all day.

Here is a rare picture of our entire family. Yes, I look very tired and - yes - there is a very good reason for that. Mainly, that I'm not wearing any make up and I'm 40. Also, we were in the middle of the craziest Halloween season yet. I can't get over how cute RKZ is in this picture, though (he's the one with the spider landing on his head). Notice how Buck is clutching his candy bag. Incredible.

"Papa - paparazzi"

2010-11-15T11:57:00.000-08:00

I'm a bit disappointed in that I couldn't steal some pictures from the web that I really wanted that are all black and whites from my brother-in-law (Uncle)'s wedding. A cousin took some beautiful shots of Dan in his mini tux and they are really great images. I'll get them somehow (insert evil laugh here). This picture is interesting to me...it really demonstrates Dan's "off in his own world" personality. And, he's a little disheveled 5-year-old too.

It's a good day so far after a great weekend. Just Costco, hanging Christmas lights before the big snow storm and playing Life in the basement. A Grady favorite. Some other funny stuff happened, but I'll wait for the pictures to discuss that.

It's cold here. It's supposed to snow A LOT this week. I'll get some pictures of that for sure. Just to make you feel superior in whatever warm place you happen to live :)

"I'm goin' home!"

2010-11-09T08:51:00.000-08:00

RKZ and I are just back from a very close girl friend's wedding in Florida. Of course, true to the fact that I am a jinx of the weather, it was around 60 degrees (F) and was rainy or very windy the entire trip. It is becoming a bit of a joke now that warm weather avoids my presence at all costs. I guess we'll have to schedule a trip to Dubai or the Sahara desert or something just to see some sun :).

Regardless, it was a wonderful 4 days of alone-time for RKZ and me. At one point, RK asked, "Why do you think we are getting along so well on this trip? We haven't argued once." I looked at him with a completely dumbfounded expression and said, "We have been able to talk without constant interruptions, no one needs to nap or eat at a very specific time and we don't have to use 1/2 of our brain power keeping a 2 year old from killing himself accidentally. Are you kidding me? Why aren't we fighting?"

Miraculously, we missed the boys by the 4th day and we were ready to come home. Candace and Kevin had a beautiful wedding full of intimacy and warmth (cheesy, but true). There is something special about adults getting married (she's 40 - he's 50): There was a wonderful amount of food. The bar was open. There was no garter or bouquet toss. The music was perfectly "danceable" with a good number of slow dances for couples.

My favorite moment of the evening was watching my friend's new step-son and his wife dancing. His wife is 7 months pregnant and it suddenly hit me that my amazing (and seemingly young) friend will be a grandmother in 3 months. When did we become these women?

More late Halloween pics below:

Ready to trick-or-treat

At our party with new buddy Will.

The boys enjoy our back yard at the party.

"5 little pumpkins sitting on a gate"

2010-11-03T08:06:00.000-07:00

Our lives are a bit overwhelming at the moment. My parents (The Joads) are here with Grandma J and we have survived another Halloween. Holy Cow, I'm happy to see the end of that holiday. On Saturday, we had a family party (small - last minute - but fun). Sunday, the boys T-o-T'd with some friends in their neighborhood. Thunder was much more impressed with the decorations than anything else. He's such a cutey. On Monday, Buck had an All Saints' Day parade and carnival and my parents and I ran the "candy Rosary" station. It was chaos and we all needed to take a nap at the end of the day.

It was fun - but I'm happy to see the end of it. Here are some quick photos of the days. I forgot my camera on Monday. Buck was St. Francis of Assisi and wore his Jedi robe with animals pinned to it. Very cute, I have to say. Thank goodness for Star Wars or I'd never have a costume for him!

Mario and his pet Giraffe.

Thunder loved the pumpkins and can say "punki". I'm still eating his candy.

At the party, we made the adults put on old costumes from our costume box. Sad, that we have one, I know. Thunder was a race car driver at the party - his "indoor" costume in cold Calgary.

My good friend, Elizabeth (who wore the fat tourist costume. She's actually skinny!) and me in my random costume. People kept asking who I was and I said, "Tired."

"I've got a peaceful, easy feelin'"

2010-10-28T09:08:00.000-07:00

So, RKZ is gone for a week. He left for Arizona on Tuesday morning. It's a "work" trip. I mean, it IS work, but it's hard to hear that golf and drinks are necessary to the financial state of my family :) In RK's defense, it's not like he's doing these things with friends as much as clients. And while he likes his clients, he'd rather be with us. We miss him. He'll be home late Friday - so until then, we're just playing Wii and hanging out.

This is actually Buck and Thunder playing Wii at their cousin's house in Co Springs. Buck is obsessed with Wii. Always feel badly that I think he should be outside playing these sports instead of inside "semi-playing" these sports.

Thunder - who is so cute it's painful.

A rare picture of me! We went camping over Canadian Thanksgiving (more pics later) and RKZ actually used our new camera (probably won't happen again, so don't get too excited).

Our camper in the woods. We had such a great camping trip - even if it was only a short one. Can't wait for late summer next year! We'll be busy until then!

"look who's back!"

2010-10-26T11:33:00.000-07:00

OK, my email was hacked on Oct. 12 and it took awhile to get my email back. I didn't receive any email for a week and we were nervous that my entire computer had been taken over - hence, the very long delay in posting. Gladly, I think that most people only look at the blog every once in a while and won't miss the delay. Sorry, if you check more often. We have been doing things - but not online since I am now paranoid.

RKZ's younger brother (Uncle) was married to S (witty nickname later) almost exactly a month ago in Denver, Colorado. We had a wonderful visit and I have a lot of pictures (some are still sideways, so not posted). I wanted to post a few so that you can see what our last month has been like. Buck started Kindergarten, Thunder is now entering the "terrible 2's" about 2 months early and some life changing things have begun which will be explained soon (too much talking on this post today already).

I promise to post more regularly now. Canadian Thanksgiving has come and gone and so I'm ready for Halloween to be over so that I can break out the Christmas music! ; )

Here's a shot of the G cousins: the cutest bunch of kids around! Pahina has her eyes shut, though, so a cuter picture follows.

The Duke and Duchess (RKZ's parents) only make gorgeous kids! RKZ and HAB in front of the wedding Chapel.

Our stylish ring bearer and his side kick before the rehearsal. Yes, that is a Transformers shirt under that blazer.

RKZ and the Duke.

Uncle and S before the rehearsal. I don't know why I can't get ONE ugly sister-in-law. Everyone has to marry supermodels. It could give a girl a complex. Also, S is a brilliant.

Another shot of the kids. Thunder is behaving amazingly - as always.

The flower girl was a beauty - the ring bearer never smiled. Not once.

Pahina and Buck flash their cute smiles after the rehearsal.

Sadly, the best shot of our family that we could get. At least RKZ got off a smile...

More tomorrow!

"Don't get around much anymore"

2010-10-16T10:17:00.000-07:00

No pictures again after a week or more of no posts. Sorry. I just got the email issues resolved with that letter and someone hacking into my account. Changed all of our passwords for everything. Checking into making the credit cards safer. At least we have pin numbers now on all of our credit cards.

It snowed here yesterday. A lot. It was beautiful but Buck and I were on a field trip - a nature walk of a giant park down South. It turned into a snowy walk and none of us were dressed for it. Crazy - seriously. It was cold, but it was only an hour or so. I asked Buck if he liked it and he said, "Well, it was kind of cold." At one point, his teacher was asking everyone to "smell the fall smells and describe them" and Buck whispered over to me: "Coldest field trip - ever." I burst out laughing and cold only smell cold.

I'm going to try and post pictures from Uncle C and Aunt S's wedding today. I just have to figure out how to download the pictures from the new camera. I'm feeling techno phobic today after this email fiasco. Criminals...they just get me angry.

NOT IN LONDON

2010-10-12T08:23:00.000-07:00

Hello, this is a post (in case you're checking) to see if Shawn and I are in London. We aren't. We don't need money (other than the normal amount we have) and we are FINE. I am pissed off about our email being broken into - but that's it.

Thanks. More later.

"Just Dance!"

2010-09-27T09:28:00.000-07:00

Clearly, I've not been blogging for over a week. I guess I could explain everything that's been happening, but it's easier just to post pictures. The boys and I are just home from Uncle's (C's) wedding in Denver. It was such a good time! The only one missed terribly was Uncle Chuck, and we're hoping to see him soon somehow! So, I'm a week or more behind events. These shots are from the very quick trip I took to Tampa, Florida for a wedding shower/girls' night out for one of my dearest friends. Left Friday morning, home Sunday night. But I did get to fly all alone, which was heaven once you've flown with an 18 month old!

The first night was just 4 of us - JR, Rebel, Candace (the bride) and me. JR is above.

JR and Candace, one of my best friends from college.

Cando and Rebel (whose middle name is "Lyn" - no lie - so her name is Rebel-lyn. Seriously).

Saturday was the bridal shower, and Sat night, we moved to a resort in Clearwater, Florida. This is our view from the suite we shared with 20 other women. JR and I snuck out and got our own room so that we could sleep. But LOOK at that white sand and warm water. We were walking down there at midnight with our feet in the water. It was glorious for a freezing semi-Canadian.

Although there were those 16 other women, we spent most of the time together. I am noticeably giant next to these small women.

Pictures and news from the wedding as soon as RKZ gets home from Denver. We found out on the second day of our trip that his boss wanted him to stay for work until tonight. I won't go into details about my flying alone with the boys at 9:30 at night. I'll just suffice it to say that there were tears - and not from the boys.

"Maybe this is what happens when a tornado meets a volcano"

2010-09-16T08:21:00.000-07:00

It's funny, when school starts it seems as though everything starts and everything hits at once and I have no time to sit and blog or eat or go to the bathroom or any of that stuff normal people do :) And our September is FULL BLAST, as they say. I am stealing 5 minutes (literally) from another activity (and ignoring a poopy diaper) to write even this quick post.

Buck had his most recent EEG test (the brain test for seizures) last Thursday. I asked the lady if I could get some pictures with my cel phone because I'm hoping he'll never have to take this test again and I wanted to remember them.

First, the tech draws x's in different spots she measures out on Buck's head, then she places sticky goo onto the x's. The ends of the wires (little pads) stick into the goo. Lastly, she wraps his wired-up head with medical gauze so that he can rip any of the wires out. It looks terrible (there is another wire on his cheek), but he was in good spirits about it all. It doesn't really hurt him.

After the wrapping, Buck is subjected to a series of test (flashing lights, pulsing beats, etc) and he must sleep for 30 minutes. I laid down with him because he couldn't fall asleep and it he grabbed me and snuggled and then fell asleep. These pictures make is seem to graphic. It's really a very calm thing.

My friend, Barbie, in her new home in Lethbridge, Alberta (don't even bother looking it up). It's a 3 hour drive and we spent Saturday night down there with them. She still hates pictures, so it's just getting funny to post these random shots. I miss her living near to us.

Last night, I made meat load and red sauce and Buck totally helped me. He measure ingredients and mixed and stirred and helped form the meatloaf. He was great. This is him with his new glasses and school uniform shirt. This is also evidence of how old-school our new house it. Look at the very unsafe range in the middle of the island. I have a 2 year old!!

Said (almost) 2 year old strapped into his high chair for safety reasons. When I put this shirt on him in the morning, I remembered Aunt K giving Buck this shirt as a joke, and now Thunder is old enough to wear it. Time flies by!! also, please ignore how clearly messy my kitchen is. Those boxes are from Costco :)

Off to a bridal shower in Florida tomorrow morning!! All by myself!!

Ralph - I miss you and love you and will reply to you when I have a good amount of time! Shout out on the blog!!

"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called 'Life'."

2010-09-09T12:06:00.000-07:00

I posted this before, but I just think it's funny. We are entering a "wedding season" (Fall is the new June) and this just makes me laugh. As a caveat, I think that any marriage IS one of the most sacred (not just special) things in the world...but this is still funny.

"I'm so happy that I can't stop crying..."

2010-09-08T12:13:00.000-07:00

I am seriously a nominal mother. Today is Buck's 1st day of full-day Kindergarten (MWF) and we were late for school. We had to run in and he was saying, "It's ok, Mom! As long as we don't miss the prayer!" My 5 year old was reassuring me! Also, this is the only picture I have of this momentous day. He looks cute. He only said, "I think I'm going to be a little shy." But when I reassured him that he was going to be one of the only kids who knows other people in the class, he felt better. I can't resist wondering how lunch went for him today. I just want him to like it and think it's a good place. He's such a nice kid.

In other news of the day, I had a doctor's appointment and had an "abnormal" Pap smear result. I know that 100's (maybe 1000's) of women get abnormal reports all the time. Here is basically what the doctor told me:

"You have" : Atypical Squamous cells, cannot exclude HSIL (ASCH) – This Pap smear test result means there is uncertainty about whether HSIL is present. This result requires further tests.

HSIL is basically the HPV virus or pre cancerous cells or whatever. I asked for the range of what the result meant and he said: "Could be absolutely nothing - like an inflamed cervix from intercourse. Could be the early stages of cancerous cells...but I really doubt that because the result would be different." I have a girlfriend who's had about 5 of these abnormal reports, and they've all been nothing, so I have decided not to worry (seriously). I just want the info out there so that all the women I know will keep on top of these pap smears!! They make all the difference!

Just to gross everyone out, here is a picture of a cervix in the different stages of developing cancer.

I have to have another procedure (like a crazy Pap smear) where the doctor will use a scope (see doctor image below) to look at my cervix and find the "white areas." I guess how big the white area is hints to how bad it is.

This does not look like my doctor nor me, but it's interesting none the less.

If you are a woman, schedule a Pap Smear!!

"Who cares what they're wearing on Main Street or Saville Row..."

2010-09-05T18:16:00.000-07:00

It's what you wear from ear to ear - and not from head to toe - that matters" Annie

So, I haven't yet mentioned that I've challenged myself to spend a year not buying anything new for myself and (as much as possible) for the boys. Food and disposable products aside, like the real bloggers do it. Anyway, I started Sept 1, so I'm just in the planning stages as yet, but I'm excited to see if I can at all pull it off. I was inspired by a sister-in-law (Hoonka) who did it while she was on her Maternity leave for 6 months (long story). She inspired me with the explanation that not shopping actually brought a great deal of peace to her life. She had me at "peace." I will occasionally mention how it goes - nothing more boring that stories of what I'm NOT doing :)

Anyway, Buck is in RKZ's brother's (C) wedding at the end of this month. He needs a tux and I found one at a kid's consignment shop. RKZ hates how used it looks. We need a different shirt, but I think it's great for a 5 year old's tux (and it cost $20). I wish I could take a poll, because I was so proud. My first "second-hand" purchase of this challenge. The pictures aren't the greatest, so I'm afraid it won't go well for me in the poll...

Aside from my issues, our good friends who just moved away (about 3 hours) were up for the weekend. They came for dinner and some drinks last night (my girlfriend, Barbie, hates having her picture taken, so I had to put it here. She's beautiful). It was a great night and we had a simple BBQ with beer and chocolate cake. Very yummy. I've decided to head down to their new house next weekend as RKZ is going away for work. It should be fun to see their house and spend some time in the "wilds" of Prairie Alberta. I'll need some time away after the starting of school on Wednesday. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little excited to get some kind of schedule going.

"Taught her how to run baby, run baby, run baby, run!"

2010-09-03T08:48:00.000-07:00

Again with no pictures? What is this a NEWS BLOG?

Yesterday got much better as we had an entire day of play dates and no one died. Also, it hit the high 70's/20's in the afternoon. Warm weather effects my mood 110%. And Thursday nights are RKZ and my "date nights." 5 hours in the evening without children and with only adult conversation. Lovely. We went to see "The Other Guys" and it was a solid B of a movie. Marky Mark (Mark Walberg) is the perfect straight man. I've loved him in 3 comedies just this year!

How are your Fridays? I am debating a trip to Costco, making necessary phone calls and folding laundry. With hair cuts and the esthetician in the afternoon. Seriously, how is there NOT a magazine about the absolute glamour of my life?

"Cry - Cry baby!"

2010-09-02T07:55:00.000-07:00

I currently have one child screaming in his bed because I told him that he needs to remake it correctly. He had piled all of his 15 stuffed animals in the center of his bed and covered them with a sheet (over the blanket). His pride is hurt and he screamed, "It's too hard!" Seriously? We are working on a chore chart with stickers and a subsequent prize, so it needs to be done correctly. I am not a Nazi. He needs to learn it and he's 5.

The other child started screaming for NO REASON after his sibling's meltdown. I was seriously imagining just slapping the 20 month old because he pulls on my legs and screams as though he is going to die while he's throwing a fit. It's like fingernails on a chalk board and it actually hurts my legs. I put the toddler in his crib (for my own time out) and he is now screaming like I cannot describe in words from the room next to me.

That whole, leaving-your-child-in-the-crib-until-he-learns-not-to-cry like-those-Russian-Orphans thing is looking pretty good today. I'm wishing my 5 year old could learn it retroactively. And it's not even 9 am.

"This is how we do it"

2010-09-01T19:09:00.000-07:00

Today, a friend and I took our 2 kids (each) to Heritage Park. I know that I've written about this "historical amusement park" before; but today, I learned something. I learned a bunch of things that any reader will find dull at best.

But, what was interesting to me is how interesting Canadian history is. I don't mean wars and leaders and all that - but the people. What the people did and why they did it. One random fact: did you know that beaver fur (pelts, skins, whatever) were actually never used for hats or blankets or anything by actual Canadians? I mean, a main source of income for the country was completely exported. Completely. Guess where it was exported to? (NESWAP, I know). Europe. Beaver pelts were made into top hats - the really beautiful shiny kind that rich men wore (not fur traders). And the expression "the mad hatter" came from the people who had to pick the rough hairs from the beaver pelts (these are what made the hats shiny). Eventually, someone I don't care about came up with the idea to use mercury to remove the hairs more quickly. Hi, have you ever submersed your hands into mercury for a length of time? Uh...I think you'd really go crazy (like insane, not just irritated).

These facts are dull to you, I'm sure. I was just excited to think about those people so long ago hunting and trapping (don't ask how they trap beavers) something that had almost no value to them. There is also a legend about the pricing of things based on the pelts. It's not really legend, but there are some fun stories here. That is a link to the store chain here called the "Hudson Bay Company" which was instrumental in the entire process (Canadians say "Pro (long o) - cess"). They answer some FAQ's on the site.

I am a dork about historical things. I know. But there are so many human stories to know. I wish those trappers could have blogged.

"Don't stop - believin' "

2010-08-31T07:18:00.000-07:00

A Canadian camping tale

Cypress Hills Int'prov park

Well, because the boys and I were gone for 2 weeks without RKZ, Dad decided that we should go camping for the weekend. He even took Monday off so that we could go to a place we'd heard about on the Sas/Alberta border. The forecast was pretty grim, but we thought it might be a bit different 5 hours away from home.

The trip started normally, with our 5 year old (sadly) plugged in to old-school Transformers and looking every inch the 15 year old in the making that he is...

In a rare moment of silence, our 20 month old (1 1/2) slept in his car seat for one of the 5 hours. Daddy dressed him, hence the Calgary Stampede shirt and rapper jean shorts. He's so cute when he's sleeping!

Monday night was great. After driving 4 hours through Prairie lands, we came upon a little oasis in the hills! Pine trees and a small lake with beautiful camping sights and a creek behind our trailer. The boys were in heaven and Thunder even went to sleep peacefully at 7pm while RKZ and Buck played Dominoes. This picture is the inside of our trailer.

We woke to 40 degree weather (7 C) and RAIN! Serious, winter-style, it should-a-been-snow type rain. It was as if we were sitting in a cloud and there wasn't a blue space in the sky. The boys had a quick breakfast in the trailer (this is the other side of the trailer - notice the pack-n-play where Thunder sleeps). We all eventually went out to the "Lounge" in the only local motel - and had some ok food (so much for local homemade). I am pretty sure that all of the food we had eating out was purchased at the Costco in Medicine Hat. It was ok, but I kept thinking how much nicer eggs and bacon from the grill would have been.

I did forget to mention that our awesome camp site didn't have power connection or water. We were only able to use our trailer as a hard sided tent: no cooking, no water pump (to wash hands or flush). We did buy a generator on the way, but we were nervous about turning it on in the deluge. Writing it makes it seem funny.

We spent the rainy day driving through some AMAZING country. Cypress Hill Interprovincial Park (where we were) is simply beautiful and pristine and just the way one imagines that Canada and Montana should look like. The US border is only about 80km/50m from the park (a lot closer than Calgary). No, I didn't take any pictures of it because it was raining and would look like every other rainy forest if I posted it. There was a camp ground in the spreading nature that was perfect. About 20 camp sites and a playground (of all things) basically in the middle of nowhere across from a lake where Pelicans were having breakfast. If we ever figure out our generator, we're going back.

The day never did get better. Everything was soaked, and we eventually went back to the reservations office and changed spots to one which included power and water. Mainly because it gets COLD at night without a heater...like negative numbers cold. And even though RKZ, Buck and I were smashed together under 2 down comforters (so toasty!), crazy Buck in the pack and play was never far from my mind. He simply can't sleep with all of us yet as this is like sleeping with a rabid squirrel who demands milk at the top of his lungs the second he sees me. He must be contained for sleep. He made quite a sight in feety pj's, sweats and his winter sleep sack (like a bag he sleeps in). RKZ was certain that Thunder was going to be too hot. But he seemed fine to me!

After moving to this new site, we were able to wait out the rain with videos of Bob the Builder and Veggie Tales. RKZ and I were discussing how badly we were all getting along and he said, "Even rats eat each other if they are confined too close together."

Monday (the 3rd day) dawned as sunny and only a bit cold (50's/10). The boys jumped out of confinement with shovels and pails and we made breakfast on the camp stove. Suddenly, we saw how wonderful camping could be if there was ever any summer up here. The new site was perfect - across the street from a pristine sandy beach, a bridge to the convenience store (we forget stuff) and a large grassy/sandy area for the boys to play. If there is ever a forecast for weather in the 80's/20, probably next year, we will hop in our truck and go. It could be heavenly!

"Send someone to fetch us we're in Saskatchewan" (tomorrow)

2010-08-27T13:00:00.000-07:00

I so stole these next pictures from Facebook. It just goes to show you that anything you post on the internet can totally be stolen by some lame blogger and kept forever somewhere else. Isn't that insane? It would scare me a little bit if I wasn't already so grossly paranoid about privacy (with my double FB pages and all).

So, we're getting dangerously close to school starting - but first, our family is going camping on the Alberta, Saskatchewan border [Sas is a province in Canada pop 910,000 (seriously, look it up)]. It's right next to our Province/State of Alberta. No one in America really knows where it is. RKZ's favorite tidbit about Sas? Capital City is Regina (sounds like...yeah, he's silly like that). My favorite? The Muppets had a song (in the Muppet Movie) that contained the verse: "...Send someone to fetch us we're in Saskatchewan. Movin' right along."

Buck is still at adventure camp until 4. I'll be cleaning out the trailer for our trip. Thunder is sleeping. Wouldn't you like to be sleeping at 2pm on a Friday?

SERVITE! and Tiny Dancer are still awaiting the joyful arrival of unnamed baby. Here is TK's profile pic. :)

many of you know that one of my close University friends became a Priest (much to the shock of everyone :) He's the white guy in this picture. Here, he's concelebrating Mass in Africa. His sister is a missionary there. She posted this picture and I stole it.

One of my younger brothers, Coach K1 (SERVITE! is Coach K 2), had his TWENTIETH HIGH SCHOOL REUNION last weekend. Do you know how old that makes me??? Yes, 40. I know. This picture is stolen from the page of one of the women who was in his class who is also friends with me. I posted it because I can't believe how OLD they all look. Again, what does that say about me? (it's all about me).

My niece, P. She looks like a Princess here and it makes me remember that she is the only little girl I can buy clothes for. I need to call her mother and get on that. Are you reading, J??? Can I spoil your daughter? Oh, I stole this picture from Shutterfly. I really have no shame.

A little bit of trivia that I tried to steal a pic from my oldest brother's computer and it wouldn't work! Coincidence? I think not.

"I want to ride my bicycle..."

2010-08-23T13:04:00.000-07:00

Busy Monday today. Buck is at an afternoon "adventure" camp at the local ski resort (now transformed into a mountain biking, bungee, ropes course type of place). He was nervous, but instantly joined his group and seemed to be making friends madly.

Yesterday, we went biking for the first time as a family. Thunder in the Chariot (attached to RKZ's bike) and Buck riding a "ride along" with me. It's basically a bike that he can pedal attached to the back of my bike. He's riding, but doesn't have to balance. Quite cool. We hope it helps Buck get over his fear of going too fast - he won't go fast enough to balance and we haven't been able to take off the training wheels of his own bike.

I don't have a picture of the boys in action, but I loved this shot of them in their helmets. Yes, it's August here, but it was in the 50's and raining before we too our ride. Friends were over for dinner Sat night and told us that Calgary is officially the only place on the planet that did not see temperatures rise this summer. Of course. I just have that knack.

So many thoughts and events have gone through my mind over the last few days. I sometimes wish I had posted them, but it's harder to get on the computer with 2 active boys around. Buck had to go to the hospital for stitches last night. He and RK were there until midnight. Such a bummer, but funny that we don't even blink an eye about it anymore. Buck has a thin-skinned chin or something. Now, 2 scars "like a pirate" he always says.

Lastly, today is Buck's 5th birthday. Five.

I think some sentences expand in our hearts until it feels as though we might explode. I waited 5 long years for my oldest boy and - just like that - his life span has matched my waiting. Now, his brother is here to share the space and Buck meanders into the magical trifecta of the years "5 to 7" (which is supposedly the period a boy will have the most growth until he enters puberty). If anyone can understand, I know that Buck has already begun his path away from me. He clings to me more now because he can feel it too - caught between wanting to be the baby his brother is or a part of the "poop-talking" gang of his 5 year old counterparts. He's bungeeing today at camp. The writing is on the wall.