Relay For Life

We are less than five weeks away from the Relay For Life of St. Augustine. I feel like it's been forever since I blogged about anything...probably because it kind of has been forever! :) But the Relay is something very important to me, so I thought I'd post a quick blog about why.

The Relay is the signature event for the American Cancer Society. Steve and I have been participating for more than 10 years now...this year makes 11. We started because the hospital where we worked had a team that participated, and we got hooked on how fun the event is. There are six different events held in St. Johns County, but we have always participated directly with the St. Augustine location (there's also Pedro Menendez, World Golf Village, Bartram Trail, Ponte Vedra and now Nocatee). Teams set up campsites around a track (ours is at St. Augustine High School) and from noon on a Saturday until 6 a.m. on Sunday, they participate in the wild and crazy activities. The main idea is to have someone walking laps on the track at all times during the 18 hours. Each campsite has a fundraiser or two (or five) planned. For example, this year we're selling tickets for a chance drawing and the winner will get a 32" flat-screen television.

At noon when the event kicks off, the first lap is walked by cancer survivors and their caregivers. It's so amazing to see how many people have been affected by cancer...too often we focus on the negative, counting those we have lost. We need the reminder that there are those who survive cancer and make every day count. They are the ones we celebrate! The most powerful realization I get every year when I watch that first lap is that cancer sees no boundaries...it affects the young, the old, men and women, people of all nationalities.

At 9 p.m. (for our Relay events, anyway...your mileage may vary), the luminaries that surround the track are lit. Each paper bag bears the name of someone who has survived cancer or someone who has been lost to cancer. The candles inside are lit and the lights on the track are dimmed. We walk in silence around the track, listening to the PA system while someone speaks the names of those recognized. Each year the list gets longer...it's a scary thing to realize that next year, more names will be added. But in the bleachers there are luminaries on one side of the track that spell out the word HOPE and on the other side spell out the word CURE. Because that's what we're there for...we hope for a cure so that one day cancer will not be such a threat.

Steve's grandfather had lung cancer. I don't know many of the details about what he went through. But my grandmother also had lung cancer. I was 13 when she was diagnosed, and I remember being so scared that she would die from it. She had drastic surgery and part of her lung was removed. She was in remission for years. She developed emphysema and eventually passed away due to complications. Cancer wasn't what killed her, but it compromised her system in a way that she couldn't recover fully. She also had several battles with skin cancer (partly due to the fact that she was a sun bather, and partly due to natural heredity). We write our grandparents' names on a luminary each every year and it gives me mixed feelings when it comes time to watch them be lit. But I know that we are doing our part to make sure that others might have a better chance when it comes to cancer.

There are a lot of technical details about Relay that I won't post here, because my main purpose is just to inform others about what Relay is and why we participate. Steve and I started Relaying each year in memory of our grandparents, but we have watched as friends and other acquaintances have gone through cancer battles of their own, or with their family members...it's devastating to realize how many people cancer affects. Our goal is that one day, Megan and Jeremy will not even have Relay each year, because a cure will be found. It's a lofty goal, but we pray for it each year!

If you'll be in the St. Augustine area the weekend of May 14-15, let me know...we'd love to have you stop by and visit our team's campsite. :) The more the merrier!!!

Six Weeks

It's been almost six weeks since my last post...whoa. You don't realize how much time flies until you look at timestamps! :)

Things have been moving along quickly around here, and we're just doing the best we can to keep up. The kids and I are getting into a great routine with them in school. I've even started to get them more involved in things when we get home in the afternoons...they are now responsible for taking their snack boxes out of their backpacks and putting them on the kitchen counter, and putting their homework folders on the dining room table for me. Megan's new favorite thing to do is choose her snack for each day. Jeremy would be happy with goldfish crackers or fruit snacks every day of the week, but Megan has been closely watching her classmates and taking mental notes on what kind of variety they have. I do my best to get a few different things and then I've got to break out the reverse psychology every now and then ("Honey, I know you want a banana, but we don't have any. I guess you don't want these grapes since you had your heart set on a banana..." and then she jumps on the idea of grapes). It's such a minor issue that I don't mind it...it's actually kind of funny.

Two weeks ago the kids got to go on a field trip to the Alligator Farm. I went with them (of course!). My "big" camera was out of commission (the lens was in the shop), so I had to take my "little" camera instead. In keeping with my "then" and "now" photos, I thought I'd post this...the kids and I went to the Alligator Farm in February 2008, nearly three years ago, and the difference is pretty funny after three years!

Then...


Now...

Half a Decade!

Yesterday was Megan and Jeremy's FIFTH birthday. My kids are five. I cannot wrap my head around it...it's a great feeling, but there's a very small part of me that is sad because I know they're really out of their "baby" stage now. Half a decade of being a mom has taught me that they're ready to move on long before I am. But I'm proud of who they are. They're open and friendly. They're talkative. They love to laugh and smile. Sure, we have moments when I want to hide and pretend I don't know them (what mom doesn't? LOL)...but that's normal. It's part of the package!

At the end of the day, I know one thing. They are my kids, and I am proud, honored and blessed to be their mom.

Happy birthday, Megan and Jeremy!

"When I count my blessings, I count you twice!" -Irish Proverb

Giving Thanks - 2010 Edition

Last year I was "challenged" to write something I'm thankful for every day in the month of November in preparation for Thanksgiving. In 2009, I didn't get started on the first day...I actually only found out about the challenge a little more than a week into the month. This year, I started the challenge again, but this time did so on the first of the month!!!

I posted something different each day on Facebook as my status update, and I kept track of them in a Word document to make posting on my blog a little easier. It was so fun this year...several friends who noticed my project started participating, too. And I had someone leave me a comment on my Facebook page that she looked forward to seeing my update each day because it helped to remind her of all the things she is thankful for in her life, too. We live in a world that is non-stop action, it seems like. Taking time to appreciate the little things is so refreshing! It's given me yet another reminder that it's the people, not necessarily the things, in life that make living so worthwhile.

Here's my list for 2010!

Day 1 of Counting My Blessings: I am thankful for my wonderful husband. Happiness really is being married to your best friend.

Day 2 of Counting My Blessings: Today I am thankful for Megan. She's older than her brother by less than a minute, but she never lets us forget that she's his big sister. There's always a smile on my face when she hugs me and tells me I'm her best friend. :)

Day 3 of Counting My Blessings: Today I am thankful for Jeremy. He is a resilient and fun little boy with a grin that melts my heart. When I tell him he's my favorite son, he responds that I'm his favorite mommy. That's my boy!!!

Day 4 of Counting My Blessings: Today I am thankful for our home. We've lived here almost nine years now...it's not fancy, or large, or "perfect." But it's not just a house either...it really is a HOME. I am thankful for a roof over our heads and a safe place to raise our children.

Day 5 of Counting My Blessings: Today I am thankful for my parents. They have always taught my brother and I to treat others the way we would like to be treated. They have given us unconditional love and devotion. It's amazing to watch my parents with their six grandchildren and know how lucky these kids are to have a Grammie and Grandpa who love them so much, too!

Day 6 of Counting My Blessings: Today I am thankful for the cooler weather (however long it may last!).

Day 7 of Counting My Blessings: Today I am thankful for family members who are like friends...and friends who are like family members. :)

Day 8 of Counting My Blessings: Today I am thankful for my children's VPK teachers. They have amazing amounts of patience and they make school "fun" for all of the kids in the class. Megan and Jeremy consistently come home with happy stories about the things they have learned, and I enjoy seeing how much they've grown in just a couple of months.

Day 9 of Counting My Blessings: Today I am thankful for my brother, Kris. We've been there for each other through thick and thin, and I have a lot of great memories from our childhood together. He's an awesome uncle to my kids, and he's given me a sister-in-law, two nieces and two nephews to love and adore, too!

Day 10 of Counting My Blessings: Today I am thankful for the gift of laughter. Whether it's because of a joke told by a friend, something silly the kids have said or done, or just the realization that I've done something silly myself, there really is no better medicine than laughter.

Day 11 of Counting My Blessings: Today I am thankful for all of our country's military men and women who have served or are currently serving. Freedom isn't free, but I'm so glad to live in the land of the free and the home of the BRAVE. Happy Veterans Day, everyone!

Day 12 of Counting My Blessings: Today I am thankful for my friend Wanda, because she had a medical emergency earlier this year and has made an amazing recovery. She's my "walkin', talkin' miracle friend," and I am so grateful for her. She's a fantastic wife, mother and friend, and I love every chance I get to hang out with her!

Day 13 of Counting My Blessings: Today I am thankful for things that remind me of my grandparents. They've been gone for a while now (14 years and 12 years), but every now and then something happens that brings great memories back for me. They were fantastic people and I miss them so much!

Day 14 of Counting My Blessings: Today I am thankful for the opportunity to celebrate with a friend who is welcoming her first baby next month. She has a lot of adventures ahead of her and I am so excited for her and her husband!

Day 15 of Counting My Blessings: Today I am thankful for my Flagler Hospital family. I left my job almost five years ago to stay home with the twins, but there are still so many happy, smiling faces and I feel like I am back "home" whenever I go there to visit. :)

Day 16 of Counting My Blessings: Today I am thankful that something as simple and easy as pizza night with my family can make me so happy. :)

Day 17 of Counting My Blessings: Today I am thankful for the love of God, who knows what even our smallest hopes are and takes care of us. We may not always understand why things happen (or why other things don't happen), but there are reasons for everything.

Day 18 of Counting My Blessings: Today I am thankful for my health and the health of my family. We can handle the occasional cough or sniffle, or the minor backache or headache...there are so many others who are facing so much worse.

Day 19 of Counting My Blessings: Today I am thankful for the opportunity to spend time with a friend/dorm neighbor from college. It's been over 10 years since I've seen her, and I can't wait 'til she arrives this evening!

Day 20 of Counting My Blessings: Today I am thankful for a busy schedule, because it means I'm rarely bored (even though downtime is sometimes nice, too!).

Day 21 of Counting My Blessings: Today I am thankful for my camera and the many photos we've taken of the kids over the course of five years. They're turning five just three weeks from tomorrow and I have so much fun taking a walk down memory lane whenever I get a chance...I can't believe how fast time has flown!

Day 22 of Counting My Blessings: Today I am thankful for friends who call just to say hello. I can get so caught up in everyday responsibilities (like raising kids, work, errands, etc.) and it's nice to just hear a friendly voice!

Day 23 of Counting My Blessings: Today I am thankful for the crazy things the kids come up with...like Megan's "epiphany" that her teeth are kind of shaped like candy corn, or Jeremy's plan to be an astronaut who plays basketball in space. Life can be taken too seriously sometimes...they remind me to lighten up once in a while!

Day 24 of Counting My Blessings: Today I am thankful for the opportunity to work from home, because it's allowed me to stay home with my kids for the last (almost) five years. With Steve's schedule being so random (working every other weekend, switching from days to nights to days every two months), it's nice to be able to be home when he’s home, too!

Day 25 of Counting My Blessings: Today I am thankful for the opportunity to count my blessings for the last 24 days! I'm thankful for all my friends, for my family, and for the chance to get together with loved ones today for wonderful meals. I'm thankful that there are always blessings to be found, especially when you really start watching for them. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Halloween Spooktacular

We spent a few hours at Sea World on Sunday! We have been longtime passport members, and Sea World is our favorite place to go when we want to get some uninterrupted family time in (especially since our schedule can be a little hectic at times!). This was our third year attending the park's Halloween Spooktacular event. There are candy stations scattered throughout the theme park, and costumed characters and fantastic decorations are around just about every corner. The kids love Sea World on ordinary days, but hunting for candy and treats is always an additional source of excitement for them.

I don't have time to post a whole lot about the day, but I wanted to post a few photos. If you have the opportunity to get there, the event continues Oct. 23, 24, 29, 30 and 31! Visit www.seaworldorlando.com for more information!


Megan and Jeremy at the entrance to the trick-or-treat path...


"Visiting" one of the whales in the observation tank behind Shamu Stadium. The kids have been known to tell people that they have a pet whale and that we go visit him at his house...


Megan and Jeremy with one of the garden fairy characters in the park. Notice the strained smiles? They don't look directly at the camera much...Steve says I "broke" them by taking so many pictures during their first few years... :)

Cooler Weather

The temperatures have been staying at or just below 80 degrees the last few days...I LOVE it when the Florida temps begin to drop for the cooler season. In Florida, we don't have four seasons like everyone else. Steve and I like to joke that we have two seasons here...summer and summer-lite. The last few years when the kids have had their birthday party (in December), we've worn shorts. To me, Christmas just isn't the same when the temps are so high. I grew up visiting my grandparents in Canada for many Christmases, and eight feet of snow wasn't unusual for us...going to the Christmas Eve service at church without needing to wear a jacket just doesn't seem the same to me.

The only problem with the cooler weather at the moment is the fact that I want to open the windows, but we haven't checked all our screens yet. The mosquito population seems to have multiplied ten-fold in the last few days, so I'm trying very hard not to invite those little buggers into the house. Jeremy got bug bites all over his legs on a walk last week, and the poor kid looks like he's been attacked by vampires...red welts everywhere.

The kids have their first field trip on Friday, to a local pumpkin patch. It will be their first "real" ride on a school bus! I bought their field trip t-shirts today, and I think I'm just as excited as they are because I get to go as a chaperone. I'll have my camera with me, of course...don't think I could go on a field trip with them without one (and anyone who knows me would completely agree!).

School has been going well for them...they still have completely different attitudes when it comes to schoolwork. Megan comes home and immediately starts asking if she can do her homework. Jeremy kicks back and turns on the tv or dvd player and relaxes. Not sure if that's something we can attribute to the difference between boys and girls, but it's pretty funny to watch. I dropped them off at class this morning and neither one even noticed me once they got settled in at their worktables. Usually Megan hollers for me to come give her a hug and kiss before I leave, but today I didn't get that request. It's a great feeling because I know it means they're happy there, they're comfortable and not having problems. But at the same time, it's still an adjustment not having them need me just a little. Just proves that another interesting thing about being a parent is learning that sometimes you rely on your kids just as much if not more than they rely on you.

Time...

No matter how much I try to keep my schedule organized (as if that's possible with two four-year-olds!), time just seems to fly. I can't believe how fast this past month has gone. My kids started school on August 23rd...and we're already 2/3 of the way through September! I haven't blogged since the kids started school...shame on me!

I've been working hard to change my organization patterns on my computer desk at home over the course of the last week. We'll see how long those changes last, but so far I like the fact that things are a little more streamlined. I bought a new planner/calendar so I can keep track of everything, from the kids' school schedule to my work schedule (even work-from-home moms need to schedule things carefully!), to Steve's work schedule and family commitments like birthdays, anniversaries, etc. We're not the "busiest" people in the world, but I'm pretty actively involved in several volunteer/charity functions, and those include meetings galore.

I'm going to adopt a chart my friend showed me a few years ago. I laughed (on the inside) when I first saw it, but I'm interested to see if it's something I can apply to my daily life. It involves targeting specific areas in the house so that you can do a few small tasks each day and at the end of the week there's very little to be done because you've been taking care of it already. For instance, clean the guest bathroom on Monday and Thursday. Vacuum on Tuesday and Friday. Clean the fridge the day before garbage day and take five minutes to clear out products that are expired, etc. This plan may work, it might not...but it's worth a shot, because I'm overwhelmed with my current pattern!

I would really like to set aside at least 20 or 30 minutes a week to sit and blog. I keep saying I'm going to do it, but then it slips by. I read friends' blogs when I have some downtime, and I really enjoy reading them.

The kids are loving school, and I have to say I'm finally adjusting to the pattern of dropping them off/picking them up. It's not always easy (three hours FLIES even faster than you might think!), but I'm learning to lay out their clothes the night before and pack their snacks the night before to help with our time management in the morning. If I could convince them to eat breakfast a little faster than snail's pace I'd be thrilled. They like to take their time with their cereal! We had some issues at first with Jeremy not wanting to cooperate with activity transition (moving from the blocks to the classwork activity was apparently not something he was thrilled about!), but now that he's getting into a routine it's going fairly well. For anyone who had doubts, I can certainly tell you that GIRLS and BOYS have completely different personalities when it comes to school. Megan has done extremely well adapting...Jeremy has had a rocky start, but is gradually coming around.

I'll have to write a separate post sometime soon about the black eye Jeremy got two weeks ago...he was running in the house right before bedtime and fell and smashed his eye on some furniture, and it was quite the event around here, to say the least. I have pictures of his shiner, and thankfully it wasn't a really severe injury, so we can look back in hindsight and chuckle about it a little.

Til next time!!!