Kirsten, I'm falling in love with your house.

Ezra, meet grass. Grass, meet Ezra's thankful/sticker free feet.

Bikes have been dusted off and have carried children away to strange places known as "neighbor's homes".

We experience bedroom wars almost nightly but this is what it looks like when it's all over.

And of course, living in the shadow of this.

One could really convert to this paved road, landscaped yards, livestock free, in town way of life.

I'm half tempted to buy the dang thing.

Jace, what do you say?

Dear Grandma Mikey,

Did you hear? I had a pretty big weekend.

Mattie Claire stayed the night one last time. What am I going to do without her, Grandma? It will be fun to sleep in her bedroom while she's gone.

My mom tells me the story about when I was born. You and Papa were there. You bought me a special tooth fairy box and a pair of ballet slippers from the hospital's gift shop.Well, the day has arrived....I lost my 1st tooth!
I heard the tiny tooth fairy, in her tiny fairy shoes, crawl under my pillow and leave me $2 in my box. I think I look more like 7 now than 6, what do you think?

I gave it my all in my 1st organized sporting event this weekend. Dad and Uncle Jordy are my coaches. I ran and ran. My cheeks were red but I loved it. We are pretty much going to win every game this season. Will you come?

Oh yea, Noah played too....for about 3 minutes.

Mom was your substitute at Grandparents Day.

I'll sing the songs for you again. I love 1st grade.

I love you Grandma. Call me.

Macy

Mexico 08

Beautiful Aubrianna (Katrice's numeral quatro)

Raise your hand if you like Mexico!

Whee.

I'm telling you it was Heartbreak Hotel, when these two were forced to part ways on the last day.

Trace amigas with braids

Beautiful Ezra (my numeral trace)

Hunting for seashells.

Beautiful Macy (my numeral uno)

Small found treasure.

Look....see....sea.....ci!

While we're sure the natives were not happy with our arrival.....we managed to have another amazing trip to Rocky Point. Local resort guest included: Addie, Eric, and the boys; Treg, DeAnne and twins, Katrice and her 4; and us. We were graced with Josh, Camryn and Liv's company daily as well.

Notes for next year's trip: learn spanish, bring 4-wheeler titles, bring walkie talkies (1 for you in Mexico and 1 for the worried sick husband sitting in America waiting for his turn to cross the boarder), never again attempt a 20 mile jet ski ride (this one is specifically for Jace), keep plenty of cash on hand for the local police, when the police ask you to follow them to the station to pay your ticket - just follow and don't ask if the unlit, back alley is really where they conduct official police business, and bring ant repellant - lots of it - Addie prefers to take her lunch on the ant free patio.

Push play.

I'm not usually one that speaks my mind about political issues. I find it hard to muddle thru the gray areas, lies, and false hopes that swirl around us. But of 2 issues, I know for sure. While most of you reading this may already realize what is at stake and agree, most of you may be surprised to find who else is standing with us. Interesting.

One more time now....

No, Jace didn't buy that ranch. No, I didn't find that perfect, charming fixer upper. And no, Macy did not click her heels 3 times and a tornado uproot our home, belongings, and selves. I wish.

The REALITY facing us is this:

1. Our landlords, namely Ira and Melissa Parry, sold their house by the golf course and want to move into the OTHER house they own, namely my rental home.

2. My sister Kirsten recently laid down the shocking news that she will be packing up her family and belongings and moving to Wisconsin. (I had to get out a map).

3. The closing date for the Parry's is Sept. 30th. Dan's new job begins Oct. 1st (you see where I'm going with this?).

4. We will be moving once again. Back to Snowflake. Into Kirsten's house.

One might think that I am good at moving, noting all previous experience but really I just lose my mind, don't sleep, walk in circles, and wait for the movers to show up.

So, this should be interesting right? I'll keep you posted.

9.1.08

A weekend of family, campfires, 4-wheelers, motherless children, breathtaking country, law enforcement, and FUN.

This is the guy you want to take on a Labor day camp out. With in 10 minutes of our arrival he 1st: shut his truck door, 2nd: had our dinner on the fire, & 3rd: started his chain saw, fell a tree, and carved the much needed, midget camp fire chairs:

Just a glimpse of the dancing done 'round the campfire.

If only rainy days were this kind to my hair. I tell Macy and I think Napoleon would agree, she's "LUCKY." If you know my friend Jace Baum at all, you know that the shoot out competition was a dream come true.

The cheering section.

Papa's wild goose chase thru the wilderness searching for the invisible Mineral Springs.

"I didn't see no spring, not even a puddle."

Ezra managed. He was covered in stickers, dirt, & suckers but he managed.

"Yea, I'm totally hanging with the big boys. How big are your muscles again?" (code for how old are you and could I take you?)

Just 2 of the previously mentioned motherless children. Is he getting taller or are my legs shrinking? Probably just an optical illusion.

The whole lot of us and the HIGHLIGHT of the trip.

Oh yea, and this little sweetheart.....

No trip to work, the store, campground, ect. is COMPLETE for my friend Jace without a visit from some of these guys. Yes, I'm telling you, in the middle of the dadgum forest, they found us. Lights, sirens, guns on the hip and all. We were ticketed for minors riding without helmets. We were just thrilled that this offense doesn't go on your driving record. Jace Baum would have been walking to a home near you, plumbing bags strapped on, pulling a wagon full of pipe.

Boys will be Boys.

It all began here.

FOR THE RECORD:  The TrAmPoLinE has only been up for 2 days and the kid couldn't get enough, he begs all day to "juuuummmp, juuummp, juummp."

I still don't really know what happened.  But according to Macy and the x-ray, Ezra tried to catch himself with his left hand after being BoUnCeD (probably too HIGH)....

And the result was this:

1 left arm with a "buckle" or greenstick fracture.  Poor little guy has to wear a cast for 3 weeks...A non-waterproof cast to Rocky Point next weekend and a bright blue cast for family pictures the following weekend.  Great timing.

I have a little feeling as the mother of 2 boys...1 who likes to think of himself as the GREAT wrestling "nacho" (Noah) and the other who likes to think of himself as "nacho's" GREATEST 6 year old opponent (that would be Ezra)..... that this will not be the last broken bone in the Baum Family.

So what do you do with an injured baby who continues to beg..."juummp, juummp, jump"?

This:

Teach him to BoUnCe with 1 arm.

And so it begins/continues in the lives of my little boys.  They come into this world wanting to slay dragons, win every race, risk life and every limb attached, grow muscles as big as Dad's, and not even a broken, casted extremity is going to stop them. As their Mother I cringe, hold my breath, cover my eyes, and HOPE that they prove triumphant in ALL of life's battles and come home in 1 piece.

Watch out 1st grade...Here come's Macy Baum!

I preface my "first day of school" story with this:



Jace bought me tickets to see "Wicked" in L.A. for Mother's day this year. We flew to California last Friday with Mike and Carrie Mosley, saw the show (LOVED IT! I missed my calling in life), stayed in a hotel, and flew home Saturday. It was the longest we have ever been away from our kids. I know my mother-in-law is completely capable of caring for them but I was HOMESICK - if one mentioned my one children's name or if Jace thought about looking at me crossed eyed - I was in tears. Not a great way to start the week.


Our "first day of first grade" then went something like this:



When my eyes opened on Monday morning, I had to take in my surroundings. My stomach was in knots. The hour on the clock read an unfathomly early hour. My brain was buzzing.....No, I was no longer 6 years old and No, that wasn't Jessica sharing a bed with me and No, that wasn't Mauriah's blow dryer and stereo already singing away.



This was MACY'S first day of school. I am the mother of a 6 year old and that is Jace snoring next to me and that is Ezra singing the house awake in his crib.



Macy was up, dressed, and in the process of making her own pb & j sandwich, when I joined her in the kitchen. We talked all morning of the "what if's."

"What if I miss kindergarten and Mrs. Mitchell?"

"What if Ms. Ellsworth is a bigger lady?"

"What if no one wants to sit by me at lunch?"

"What if I can't open my water bottle by myself?"

"What if I can't find my classroom?"



I did my best to answer and calm her nerves that were making her lose her appetite.

"You will love 1st grade and you'll get to see and wave to Mrs. Mitchell in the halls. "

"Those are the best kind."

"I bet Kyson will sit by you and lots of other kids will be wishing for a friend to sit by too. Look out for them, ok?"

"You can always ask any adult at school for help."

"I will personally walk you to your classroom today and for the next 12 years if you wish."



As we walked the sidewalk to the classroom, I could not rid myself of that lump in my throat. Then, there at the end of the sidewalk was a welcome sight. Jessica, Kyson, Brookie, and Teag. Macy ran to meet her cousin, now turned classmate.



As I introduced us to Ms. Ellsworth, she placed an arm around Macy and said "I feel like I already know Macy Baum. Your great grandmother Maire Brewer was one of my very best friends."
My brave face disolved into tears, "Maire Brewer was one of my very favorite people too."
She then tells me with tears in her eyes as well, that she had Jace's oldest brother Chad in her 1st grade class.
"Oh, did you?" was all I could get out, before I quickly hung up Macy's bag, showed her to her desk, and got out of there.



My homesickness, nervousness, anxiety, and now tears for all my deceased relatives poured out in the parking lot, while Jessica patted my shoulder. I'm so glad she lives in Taylor now. And I'm HAPPY to report Macy got to sit by Kyson at lunch and play with him on the play ground.



Macy was a HAPPY, bouncing, and OFFICIAL 1st grader when I picked her up at 2:20 pm. I know Ms. Ellsworth and I's first conversation that morning will translate into "Macy is a wonderful, smart girl that can do no wrong in 1st grade this year," thanks to Jace and his relatives no longer living but watching over us still the same.



P.S. My brand new digital camera has taken it's first trip to the Sony repair shop. Please stay tuned for the pictures coordinating with the above documented experiences.

Talk of fairies, cuss words, and hearing loss

So, in the spirit of my infrequent postings and the arrival of the last week of summer: I post a few tidbits.

Our conversation in bed a few nights ago went something like this:

Noah: "Mom, tell me again about those fairies."

Me: "When you finally go to sleep, the little sleep fairies come in and kiss your eyelids."

Macy: "How do you know they kiss me?"

Me: "Because every time they kiss you, you get a little sweeter and every morning you wake up you are a sweeter girl."

Macy: (pause) "Mom, I have to tell you something."

Me: "OK, What?"

Macy: "Today at Brookie's house when I wasn't getting my way....I accidentally said some bad words."

Me: (gulp) "What ones?"

Macy: *!#$? and !#%^ (please don't use your imagination here)

Me: "Where did you hear those?"

Macy: "Remember our last house? One time you and Dad were arguing and you both said those words."

Me: (deep breath and pause) "Well, I'm going to have a talk with Dad tonight and we are both going to try real hard not to talk like that anymore, OK?"

Nice.

It was my turn for the prayer after that. Let it be known that I asked for divine help with our newly re-exposed bad habit. I should have also prayed that I never have to receive that phone call from the 1st grade teacher, telling me that there was an incident on the playground today that required a bar of soap to Macy's tongue because... I'll just have to tell Mrs. Ellsworth that "well, those other non-innocents should have let her get her way." First grade has come too fast. Lunch time at Lindsay's Cafe will be quiet, sad, and missing from the menu will be the famous "mayonnaise sandwiches" with the absence of Macy Baum. What will her brothers do without her? I hope her world of pretend fashion shows, tea parties, exercise classes, rocking her baby "Liv" to sleep, dancing for all to see, and believing every occasion is the right occasion for a skirt does not end here. I can remember around this time every year growing up, my Mom saying "I can't wait for school to start." Most days, I'm there folks. I can't wait to be on a schedule, my house to be clean, and have freezer empty of otter pops. AND...No one told me that hearing loss was a potential side effect when removing one's tonsils out. I want my old Noah back. I know he's going deaf because he can't seem to hear a word I say and doesn't seem to notice Ezra's screaming while torturing him. Ok, so it's probably selective hearing loss but hearing loss all the same. Those two will either learn to really like each other with the absence of their sister or.....I'll have to move out. P.S. Go see Mama Mia.