Playing catch-up

I'd be here 'til next year if I were to sit and write out all the stories between mid March and now. Instead, I will spare you the details and get you up to speed via photos.

The boys have climbed mountains,





and helped Mommy in the kitchen.




The California cousins came for a visit: translation, nights spent like this.




They got invited to go visit Uncle J's uncle's "farm." It may not be exciting for some, but check out the entertainment the cow provided by doing this click on the picture if you want to see stuff coming out of its back end




This little boy




loves to play in water, and was in heaven doing this




all afternoon. Meanwhile, the older boys had fun with their new (my brother-in-law's father) Grandpa Pollock and cousins, riding in this.




And went fast like this.

By the end of the trip, there were 2 boys who believed they were real cowboys... especially since they could bravely stand on the fence like this.




A boy turned 3 and had a small party while his cousins were in town.




Mommy thought she would throw a big party the day of his birthday, but didn't anticipate having a miscarriage the day before. Luckily she has some amazing friends who volunteered to throw together a last minute party, Mickey Mouse cake and all!




A boy found a utensil perfect for eating cereal




and a good book to read.






Mommy took a break from this,




and went with a friend to go do this.




And for two seconds, she nearly forgot about how resourceful he's become,




how the Top Secret location of the make-up is no longer Top Secret,




how Mr. G is an aspiring photographer and wants to capture moments like these, even if Mommy just happened to wake up minutes prior




how cocoa puffs sometimes get mixed in with lettuce,




how blinkers randomly get turned on for unknown reasons,




how knives get left in jars,




and an occasional monkey that enjoys a ride.

Mother's Day Tea

My own "Queen Joolya" crown

N's class threw a Mother's Day Tea; a special event for just him and his mommy. He was excited that the instructions were that he was supposed to serve me and I couldn't do anything. He had surprised me with a pink flower planted in a personalized [read: I love Sonic! I love Sonic heros. Sonic is the best. Mom loves Sonic.] flowerpot, a completed questionnaire all about me, and all the kids sang us songs.


Mommy Facts (according to N)

What's your mother's name? Joolya
What do you call her? Mom
How old is she? 26
How tall is she? 5
How much does she weigh? 130
What color is her hair? Brown
What's her favorite drink and snack? Lemonad and pbj
What does she cook? Chile
What's her favorite TV show? Spider Man
What's her favorite thing to do with you? Snugle
What does she like to do for fun? Trikc my dad (Trick my dad)
What does she do during the day? Sleep
What's the one thing she says to you most often? I love you!


Mom's Wish Express...
Wishes for Mom... clean the windows.
Wishes for Mom... I will take care of my brothers!
Wishes for Mom... I will snuggle with my brothers.
Wishes for Mom... I will help my dad cook so you can go to sleep!

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Apparently I have mastered my parental responsibility in preparing our son to become a great husband someday. Even though he's only 5, he knows that the way to a mother's heart is by making her dinner, cleaning her house, watching the children (and making sure they're happy), and letting her take a nap.

I never would have guessed

On Tuesday, Dear Husband joyfully volunteered to be a chaperon on a field trip. N was excited his group would only consist of him and his friend.

On Wednesday, Dear Husband was nearly an hour late getting home from work. I was beginning to worry and told myself I would give him 20 more minutes before calling the cops to see if he was involved in an accident.

15 minutes later, he pokes his head in the front door and asks the boys to go into the other room. The shirt he wore to work was meticulously crumpled up and in his hand. I could see in his face he was deeply shaken up about something.

M: "I was worried something had happened? Did you get in an acci....."

DH: "No I wasn't, but someone else was. Something told me I needed to stop. "

M: "Is everyone okay?"

DH: "Someone died on the scene. The worst part is, I'm almost positive I know the person who died."

I never would have guessed my son's friend and classmate would make news under such circumstances.

I never would have guessed my Dear Husband would spend a whole day with an amazing child, then the following day find his body lying dead in the middle of the freeway.

I never would have guessed I would be the person informing the school teacher and principal of what happened.

Wednesday morning, I never would have guessed I would spend 5 hours that evening in the ER at the bedside of the sister of my son's deceased friend; drawing pictures, making turkey balloons out of plastic gloves, caressing her hair and frequently kissing her forehead. Normally I don't do blood and guts, but when a girl's world has been ripped apart I do anything necessary to comfort her.

I never would have guessed I would sing the "Mommy loves me" song I sing to my children when they're sick or sad, to help comfort a child who wasn't my own.

I never would have guessed I would be one of five women allowed to attend a burial service that is traditionally NEVER attended by ANY women.

I never would have guessed a grieving mother would look at me, with tears in her eyes, and tell me my husband was the answers to her prayers. She prayed that an angel would come to comfort her after the accident and immediately my husband appeared.

I just never would have guessed.