A bittersweet moment

I am going to chime in with a few age old adages, "Time flies, kids get old fast, enjoy it while you can." Let me just say, that while they are all true, it kinda sucks.

Yes, I said it. It does suck. Because you vacillate between loving seeing them grow up and lamenting that they will never be 7 again. Or 3. Or 2. Or, a crying little infant. And, to all the sleepless moms out there, I am sorry. I have been there. I have done it. I probably hated it. But, the key word is "probably" because my memory is so short that I may turn back time if I were given the option.

So, my kid is 13. He is taller than me. He wears cologne. His shoes are a size 11. He has a laugh that makes him seem like a man. He says things that I have not told him. When he is quiet, a simple question will just not do. And, when he blows it on a court or a field, I am totally NOT allowed to run out and save him.

We attended a basketball team party tonight. I dropped him off and returned 30 minutes later. Wouldn't you know, he hadn't yet eaten a thing. But, readily accepted a plate I prepared for him.

Yay! He still needs me.

A suprise: this still happens somewhere in America

My daughter and her friend set up a lemonade stand today. There was a little hesitation in her voice when she queried me about the idea. But, since it was at least 85 degrees today and playing Mario Cart was her current activity, I said "why not?"


As you can see from the picture, these girls dove in head first. It looked like a pretty legit operation. I must say a few things about this that brought me joy.


-it is really sweet and nostalgic that this can still happen in SoCal


-when Jer and I walked down to take the pic, my formerly "shy" girl was very boisterously hawking lemonade to passing cars


-at one point, there was a crowd of neighborhood kids hanging out. ahhh, feels like a small town in Nebraska


-a passing firetruck stopped, bought a lemonade and gave the girls stickers (an apparent highlight according to them)


-each girl made 11 bucks! Jer jokingly said, "keep setting up until the city shuts you down" (or taxes you...he added


As a parent of a teen and pre-teen, I am always happy when my kids find activities to entertain themselves. Or, should I say, do something that is a bit reminscent of "when I was a kid" without me having to say "when I was a kid".


By the way, I took my two little dogs to visit the lemonade stand and my hubby rode my sons' bike alongside. We were VERY midwest...which you know I love! :)

An addition to the blog

First off, a little shout-out to those of you who are reading my blog. (hoot-hoot) I know I may sound silly but, when you write stuff, you invariably wonder if anyone will really care. So, to all the girls, and Brandon :) who has commented on my blog...a HUGE thank-you. It is truly an encouragement to me.


So, I have been much more motivated to play around with and update my blog. My visiter counter is always fun because it lets me know you are looking. But, please leave a little comment of hello here on the blog, e-mail me: sunshine@themovement.org, or Facebook me!

And, if you will notice, I added the blog roll to my fun, new features. These are blogs that I look at daily. A little description of each, if you don't mind...

Grace Kaley- This is my daughter. She is a writer, artist, singer and creator of things. She is constantly growing and changing right before my eyes. A Mac computer in her hands is a thing of beauty. Her blog is her VERY random musings.

Kacey Luvi Makeup and Photography- Jeremy's little sister is so amazingly talented. She has truly been given a gift. Not only does she take pictures, she captures life. It always amazes me. I can see the beauty in every person because of the beauty behind the lens.

Twice a Week- Jeremy's dad is, quite possibly, one of the best artists I know. (I may be partial) I have wandered a gallery here and there and probably know little as far as art goes, but, his passion and skill shine through and it is always so fun to see his "stuff". If you head to his blog, you must click on his actual website to see some of the fine art and illustrations he has done over the years. Amazing work.

McGinty's Pub- Jobey unfailingly brings newness to his blog. He goes in spurts, I must say. But, he balances enjoyable family antecdotes with random wisdom (ie. travel interaries) and obligatory church stuff. One of those blogs you bookmark.

The Simple Wife- This is a friend from the past who is currently living in Denver. I only knew her for a short time but, her story is valuable and encouraging. She is one that I learn from.

The Beauty of it All- Again, a friend from the past. One who perserveres and has been victorious. One who struggles but, finds strength in the Lord. I have learned SO much from her.

So, there you have it. A few blogs I check each day. Maybe you will enjoy one.

A View of the Past: June 2006

Fun Family News!Over the course of the past couple months, my kids have been coming home from school and updating us on their track and field qualification attempts. As many parents can agree, sometimes, when you don't exactly understand the whole scope of what your kids are explaining, you just listen and nod and say "good job". (which I really, truly meant because it sounded like they were doing a good job)

Last week though, a permission slip, a time schedule and a shirt purchase form came home and I thought...'huh, this looks like fun'. Both my kids had qualified to run in the 100 yard dash, and since my husband and I are both former tracksters, we thought this was going to be "cute".

Well, both kids raced home from school this last Thursday and we all scrambled and rushed to get to the track field on time. (this scrambling and rushing thing is a whole other blog) Anyway, when we got to Mission Hills High School we were quite suprised to see the stands full of parents, spectators, and teeming with with students from 9 area schools. At this point, I am finally realizing what a big deal this whole thing is. And, I am recalling my nonchalant nods to their frenetic updates on track stats and I can't help but smile. They really were serious.

My daughter Grace, who is 8 and in third grade was the first one to race. You have to understand that this is a former "back-pocket" child. Meaning, she spent a good portion of her young life clinging to my back-pocket and hiding behind me. She turned a lovely shade of green last year when she tried out for basketball in front of about 50 people. Now, she was lining up against 8 other kids, strangers no less, and preparing to race in front of 100's of people. I think I was the lovely shade of green. I had the largest amount of empathetic stress to date, as a parent. I was half laughing and about to cry as I watched my little pony-tailed girl line up at the starting line. 'Dear God, just let her run hard and finish well.'When the gun (yes, gun....this is serious) sounded she took off with the most incredible determination I have ever seen from her. (We have watched the video at least 5 times now and yes, it is the most determintation ever)

Well...she didn't start out first but, about somewhere mid-race she pulled ahead and I thought...'oh my lord'. Wouldn't you know, she got FIRST! I was shocked, her dad was shocked, but, man we were proud. And, if you know Grace you would know her response. A huge smile and a really red face. Nothing else. She just smiles ( a large grin actually, showing no teeth) and her face turns red.Her brother Noah, who is 10 and in fourth grade, ran an awesome race as well. He placed fourth and had some tough competition. Two days prior he had a game winning 2 run single in baseball so, today was apparently his sister's day to shine. He took it in stride and was genuinely happy to take a picture next to his blue-ribbon sister. How awesome when a brother, or a sister, celebrates a victory with you. I am so proud of both my kids. 'Thank you Lord.'