more firsts...and September stuff...(aka update part 3)

Birthdays...silly dates on the calendar, meaningless numbers, right?

Ask me last year, and a gloomy,middle aged, "girl" would answer, "yeah right". Ask me now, and I'd say, "who cares?". Really...what was my deal last year with the big 4-0? Not sure. That was sort of unlike me...to get all pessimistic and whatever else.

So, if you've followed my random musings, you know that about a month after my big 4-0 came and went last year, in a largely uncelebrated way, that I realized a key point. I had missed an opportunity to have a huge party. I mean, really, when you are a grown-up, you just can't get away with a bouncy castle, horse rides, a clown making balloon animals, and 53 of your best friends coming over to celebrate with high expectation of the goodie bags you will deliver on their way out the door after the grand party.

Unless, you are celebrating your last week of 40!

Many of my faithful blog followers attended said "grown up party" and did not seem disappointed in the least that I did not deliver on the bouncy castle, horse rides, a clown making balloon animals and goodie bags. However, there were about 35 friends over to celebrate and assist us in devouring an army's worth of delicious Chinese food, a super cool birthday cake and scrumptious homemade ice-cream.


Good times! Thanks everybody!!

A

more firsts...and September stuff...(aka update part 2)

Swim, bike, run. Together...all in succession. Sounds great, right? If you are my darling husband, this apparently does sound great. If you are me, you sprained your wrist typing this blog.

OK...back to the story...

Last May, one of John's co-workers mentioned a Sprint Triathalon that his wife had competed in the year prior. That co-worker mentioned it to me, and together we put a teensy-weensy bit of pressure on my middle-aged, balding, but oh so not fat, husband, and "it was on".

John trained over the summer (although he will quickly tell you he didn't train enough...yeah, right), and worked with a personal trainer to design a program, as well as consulted with former swimming star and coach, my good friend HB, for some tips.

Knowing John as well as I do, I wasn't surprised about his slight obsession with training, his times/splits, etc. nor that he procrastinated and registered after the deadline (but was able to be register late when they opened it up again). Additionally, I was not surprised when he almost didn't do it the week of the event (at that point I had to resort to "sissy" taunting to get him to do it). Yes, all because he felt he may not have trained enough.

How did he do? Well, OK, I guess, blah blah blah. He WON his age group. Sheesh. Yeah, maybe he should've trained harder.

This is a first that I won't be trying anytime soon.

A

It has been a while...and there is stuff...Firsts

Yes, I still have this blog. Yes, I have the best of intentions. All varieties of time-wasters have kept me from updating here. So, get ready...I feel a series coming.
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The first day of school came and is long gone. We are well into the school year and people are reading (Harrison), writing (Camryn) and calculating (Spencer).



I can't believe our "baby" is in 1st grade. He is still our little guy though, and in true Harrison form has announced several days upon arrival at Patti's that he will be taking a nap. He wants to ride his bike to school almost every day (which would not be a good idea, trust me). He is doing well in school (reading on his own a little) and AWANA too.


The girl is doing really great in 5th grade. She seemingly has turned over a new leaf and is on top of her homework (in a very timely manner) as well as her AWANA verses/activities. She is definately a pre-teen in every sense of the word; mood swings, fashion fits, complexion "issues", and extended periods of giggling with her BFF. Nevermind her long and not-so-trimmed looking hair. She is growing it until it is long enough to cut and donate to Locks-of-Love (goal date is around Christmas).


The darling eldest never ceases to amaze me. He is a good kid, albiet a much deeper-thinker than my DNA is capable of contibuting. He is in 8th grade and still excels at math (if he didn't look so much like me, I'd wonder if babies were switched at the hospital). His soccer team is undeafeated (inc. a tie with the other undefeated team), he's playing sax, and according to our youth paster is a leader in the middle school (insert proud mom cyber-bumper sticker here).
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OK...this wraps up Part 1 of my updates...stay tuned for September festivities next time!

A

Two things you can be sure of in life...

you are born and you will die.

What you do,

who and how you love,

and the impact you make for eternity,

with the time in between

is what makes all the difference.



This was my first birthday that my Mom couldn't call me on the phone. It matters not, I heard her warm voice and her silly chuckles in my head and in my heart.


Sure, I'm sad...again, still...whatever. But I found this old link bookmarked on my computer and thought it poignant. My Mom knew the in between was really important too. http://www.beatricedailysun.com/articles/2008/06/21/news/local/doc485c8d9e1e65f230362540.txt




Enjoy the in between.

And,

call and thank your Mother for bringing you into this world to have such an opportunity!


A

Harrison is "on fire"

Yeah...this kid is "on fire".

Last night in the middle of a delicious (if I do say so myself) porkchop, rice and corn-on-the-cob dinner, Harrison announced the following.

"Hey guys, my mouth is on fire here."

"Really, are you OK, buddy?" I asked.

To which he responded,

"yeah, but I think it is my uvula that is on fire, Mom".

Sure enough, upon John's inspection, we discovered Harrison's uvula was indeed on fire...or that he had too much pepper on his corn, one of the two.

Ah...this one goes in the book (and on the blog).

Enjoy!

A

now missing my Mom

I have been strangely reluctant to add a new post to this blog...the photo of my Mom at the top of the list has been comforting somehow. The photo was taken the day she went Home, and she just looks so kind, warm, and even peaceful to me in this photo. For the last few weeks, when I open the blog, there is Mom, smiling at me. Sure, I have many other photos of my Mom, I even made a special album a few months ago with several favorite photos in it. I look in the mirror, down at my hands, listen to my own voice, and she is here...she is, and always will be a huge part of me. It's hard...missing her. Thanks to my friends for still knowing and remembering that I'm sad, and I'm not always myself. Thanks for allowing this blog to be cathartic for me...at least for awhile.

A

Remembering my Mom...

Ruth Fritz
December 1, 1945 - July 4, 2009

My Mom was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease in 2006 after a year or so of misdiagnosis but knowing "something was wrong". During the last 3 years, the disease progressed, and was little by little taking Mom's body from her, but never her loving, kind spirit, her simple approach to life and her ability to make others smile with her coaxing (she always said "if you meet someone without a smile of their own, you should share one of yours").

She had been wheelchair bound for about 1 1/2 years, and was completely dependent on others to care for her, primarily my Dad and my sister Gena who lives about an hour from them in Nebraska. We all expected her to live some time longer (hard to say how long) as she could still move her head, eat, breathe (though not well) and talk. Lou Gehrig's patients typically languish and need oxygen, a feeding tube, lose the ability to speak, etc. before the end. We all expected this to be the case for my Mom, but as He always does, God answered Mom's prayer to "please take me...I'm ready" and all of our prayers to "ease Mom's suffering".

Her faith deepened and grew in a way that became convincingly genunine and she witnessed to so many lost in her last 3 years. Just when many of us would be depressed, wondering why God had abandoned us, and complaining, she was loving others and telling them about how blessed she was. While I'm biased, of course, and thankful to have had a Mom like I did, hearing from friends, neighbors, the pastor and extended family how Mom impacted them, I am humbled. I had an idea that others loved her and thought highly of her, but I really had know idea how far and deep her reach had been. I can only hope I do indeed become more like my mother.

John, the kids and I had planned our summer vacation from June 25-July 12 so we could celebrate the 4th in the Midwest with family. We went to an Omaha Royals baseball game on June 27 with my brother Dave and his wife Stacy at which there was a Lou Gehrig "Luckiest Man" speech reenactment. July 4th was the 70th anniversary of that famous speech. I recorded it and when we travelled to my parents on June 29th, played the video for Mom/Dad...which she enjoyed very much.

We spent the week doing all the things we always did at my parents, things my Mom used to orchestrate and love being part of: kiddie pool swimming, golf cart riding, yard games, eating too much, fishing at a cousin's stocked "hobby pond", seeing a movie, roasting hot dogs on a fire and making s'mores after that and shooting off fireworks. Spencer played his sax for everyone and Camryn played the piano. My sister, Tricia and her husband Larry and kids Anna (6) and Ryan (4) were there with us beginning on Wednesday...a request my Mom insisted on (having all 5 g-kids there at the same time).

When it was bedtime late on July 3rd, after hot dogs, smores, fireworks (in the rain mind you), and sax "concert", Mom felt faint while sitting in bed changing into PJs, and it soon became clear to my Dad that she suffering from heart failure. I didn't know that at the time, I thought a panic attack or something, but my sisters and I came right to her side and we held her hands, talked softly to her, and I prayed for comfort and peace. Since my parents live out in the country the ambulance took about 20 minutes to arrive. Within a few minutes of their arrival, Mom lost consciousness, and they headed to the hospital (another 20 minutes away). My Dad went with them, and later told us she passed away about 3 miles from home.

The ensuing days were very hard... even though we were expecting Mom to pass, her death was sudden and a shock. There were many many people around my parents house, mostly outside on their huge deck and they brought tons of food, drinks, etc. I think their presence was a comfort/distraction to my Dad, but honestly for me, it was really hard. I felt I could only grieve in private with John.

The funeral was on July 7th...and was really lovely. Her dear friend, Shirleen, sang "Angels Among Us", the pastor ( wonderful woman) gave a sweet tribute, we read several passages of scripture (Psalm 116...it's good...so fitting), the church was packed (300+) people, flowers and angel figurines everywhere (she believed there were angels among us), and my Dad's barbershop choir sang "You Raise Me Up" and "Irish Blessing". The interim 3 days and the memorial really helped me find some relief.

This would've been exactly the week my Mom would've planned and loved as her last on earth. She was a simple, loving woman, and having her kids and grandkids around, doing the things mentioned above, just added to God's perfect timing. Now, 2 weeks after her passing, I miss my Mom. I want to pick up the phone and call her just to say hi, to get her brownie recipe, that kind of silly stuff. BUT, God is so good. He answered our prayers and she is with Him now...with wings like an eagle and sharing her smiles with everyone there.

Camryn said something so sweet when we told the kids on July 4th. She said, "so, Grandma Ruth gets to see her Mommy again, now?" (my Mom was 11 when her mother died in the 50s). Indeed.

A

Pirates...in Pullman?

Did you know that long long ago the ocean came all the way inland to Pullman, Washington? How else would you explain the the fact that Harrison has recently come into some money, jewels and gold coins?

About 2 weeks ago, Harrison wanted to help me by digging up dandylions in the yard. After digging a 12" hole in the middle of the yard, I decided the digging needed to occur elsewhere and tasked him with digging a hole near the side or our house where nothing will grow in the shade. Fast forward a few days and the hole was about 5' across and 3' deep. Harrison said he was either creating a boobie trap for ? (not sure who/what) and/or a grave for John. No, Harrison hasn't become homicidal, he told us that when John got old and died he wanted to bury him there so he would still be close (ah...how sweet).

Ok...back to the discovery of treasure. I'll let you in on the secret...but don't tell Harrison!

My darling oldest had a great idea. He collected all the pennies and nickels from around the house, placed them in a plastic box and buried it in the hole. Shortly thereafter, Harrison found it with his buddy Daniel and they became convinced (of course we helped with this) that pirates had buried it there. The pirate idea became even more convincing when they later found a treasure map (drawn on grocery sack paper...very authentic looking) that led them to the back yard for more buried money. Seriously...aren't my oldest and my husband (who was in on this later escapade) the best?

Well, the oldest and the spouse weren't satisfied with their efforts, so a more complicated series of maps, treasures and family outtings for digging ensued. Here are the photos and a video so you can get in on this fun too!



Enjoy!






again...what is with these videos?

Yankees T-Ball season finale

Ah yes...the Yankees (Harrison's t-bal team). Although the real NY Yankess are a much disliked team in these parts, Harrison doesn't know that, wouldn't care anyway and had such a positive and fun...and hillarious, first go at T-ball. Here are a few more photos from the season and a short video for your amusement!

Enjoy!
A

FYI...this is how Harrison runs into home every time!

She flips, she skips, she spins...

and gets ribbons!
Camryn just finished her third year of gymnastics and the spring show was in late May. She only takes 1-2 classes a week, and with her nearly 5' lanky frame, well, let's just say, she likes gymnastics and it's good for her coordination. It is fun to watch when we go to the show and the whole "gym" particiapted in a floor routine to a Miley Cyrus song. Enjoy!

Sorry about the sideways video. Not sure why blogger does this sometimes!