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Thursday, August 23, 2007

Firsts...

We collectively held our breaths, as we waited for the first breath. We? The woman I was with today for the birth of her daughter. It didn't take long, but as we listened to the doctors suction her mouth and nose, we waited, and were elated with the first squeaks that only a newborn can make. This may sound strange, but at 42 years old, I have never been to a birth, aside from the births of my own children. Today's birth changed that for me, as I was doula to my first birth. Being a Cesarean section, there was little for me to do except reassure the mama and wipe her tears. Ten fingers, ten toes, and an absolutely beautiful round head, little "E" was born and I will probably never forget it.

Monday, August 20, 2007

The sound of silence

I can't understand why my girls aren't still excited about my "1st day of school" pictures. This is an annual event - not torture I put them through every day or even every week.

Here are DD#3 and DD#4, bearing with me, though DD#3's smile tells it all. Lest you think I am also torturing them and making them dress alike, the t-shirts were required for them to wear as WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) leaders - 7th graders were to easily be able to pick out 8th grade leaders in case they needed help.

DD#2's picture ... well ... she was still about 45 minutes away from being ready, but I was rushed. Maybe I will try again tomorrow when she's actually done hair and make-up! Likewise with the t-shirt, upperclassmen leaders were to go early and do cheers to welcome kids back to school. She said everyone just looked at them like they were crazy. Isn't that what school spirit is all about, anyway?

So now everyone's back in school and seemingly off to a good start. (Hey - the weather's on - it's only going to be 98 on Thursday on Friday. A cold spell!)

So...kids are in school...what do each of you do with your days? I spent my first day running some errands, watching a movie, crocheting, and working. Tomorrow will be more productive. In all fairness, I'm crocheting a baby blanket for a girl in the office I transcribe for and I want to finish it this week, so it was practically like work. ;o)
One last pic for the road - DD#2 finally got her full cheer uniform. Funny - it doesn't look like it cost as much as we paid. Hmm....

Wednesday, August 15, 2007


Marlyssa's "First day of school" picture from Monday. Yes, I torture my kids with that annually - even for college! :o) First day went well - she has much more confidance than last year, and was thrilled to find that she has one or more friends in each of her classes. She is taking 13 hours and continuing to work around 25-30 hours a week, so she'll be plenty busy. We are grateful that tuition is so low at our community college...books cost two-thirds more than a semester's tuition. Yikes! :o)
Be blessed.

Sunday, August 12, 2007

One more week

How is it that there is only one more week of summer vacation left for my kids? Actually, DD#1 starts tomorrow, so her vacation is already over.

What happened to all of our summer plans?

...the cooking class I was going to teach DD#2 and her friend?

...the eCYBERMISSION projects we were going to get started on?

...the weekly swim date with friends?

...the zoo?

...a train ride to Hanford?

While we did have some good times, somehow this summer seems to have flown by faster than ever before.

If I was a mom that counted the days til the kids went back to school, perhaps I would feel happy that we're down to the last week.

Instead, we will try and pack as much fun in as we can, because by this time next week, they will be putting new pens and pencils in their backpacks and making PB&J sandwiches.

Enjoy every minute - the pages are flipping faster than I can quite keep up.

Sunday, August 5, 2007

Vacation

Can't keep the girls away from the pirates in Monterey. This one was particularly popular with the girls. :o)
JAIL - precisely where these girls will end up if they keep hanging around pirates!
Photo op at the Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles.

DD#2 showing DD#3 how to properly pose for a picture.
DD#3 looks so sincere in her posing efforts...NOT!


Ice cream stop in Cambria. Can't have vacation without ice cream!

Elephant seals near San Simeon.
Distant picture of the lighthouse Hubby was dying to see - but it was closed for reconstruction.

Last sunset of vacation.