Category Archives: Boys

Boys, christmas, Grief

Be Three Turtles by a Tree

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Life is very simple around our house these days.

Little to no shopping.

Simple meals.

Family time.

Outside play.

Inside creativity.

Sexy Neck is very busy work. The boys have many ‘special’ events at school. I continue to row my boat of grief, remembering last December’s hospital and hospice journey with my mom and her leaving this earth on Boxing Day.

We are weary and tired!

Today, on this eleventh day of December, we had three turtle doves by our tree…

I wonder when the partridge will show up in her pear tree? Who wrote the twelves day of Christmas and how did turtles get involved? I bet that children in Tupperware bins inspired the song. (And maybe a bottle of wine?)

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Simple days.

Family time.

Creative boys.

Laughter.

Inspired by a song.

And Tupperware bins.

May we all enjoy the little moments this Christmas season. Life’s BEST times are a series of little moments treasured as gifts.

What a gift we were given this evening to watch our three turtle doves!

Boys, christmas, God

Be Making and Doing

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After my seminar on surviving the holidays while grieving, I feel free.

I live.

Breathe.

I have.

Freedom.

To choose.

My boys and I sat down. We talked about what we love to do and make over the Christmas season. We talked about many people as well as cookies, puzzles, decorating trees, Jesus’s birthday, sledding, skating, singing and advent calendars filled with chocolate. The most interesting thing is not once was a present or gift mentioned. Not once!

IMG_7330-4.JPGOur Christmas traditions have begun in our new home, one year later than planned but with freedom to choose what we want and my mom’s traditions to carry on.

Quilted tree skirt.

Advent calendars.

Christmas music.

Decorating gingerbread.

Personalized Christmas decorations.

Lights.

Candles.

Love.

Thanks mom. You live on through your amazing thoughtfulness, incredible creativity and pure love for us all.

Joy and grief.

Interconnected.

Mixing together.

In all we make and do.

Boys, Family, Grief

Be Wondering About Weather

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As fall turns into winter, there is much discourse about the temperature, the wind as well as the white stuff falling from the sky.

Yesterday, as OC and I walked to preschool, I wondered when does a delighted, excited child turn into a grumbling complaining adult weather watcher?

IMG_7242-1.JPGFeeling alive.

Wind on my face.

My son at my side.

Walking into the weather.

There is a storm a brewing.

Boys, cancer, christmas, God

Be Awakening to White

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We awoke to copious amounts of snow.

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Bright.

White.

Snow.

It ended up being a shovelling, sledding, snowman building morning before the school bell rang.

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For me it was a bright light in the midst of dark times where everyday someone is talking about Cancer, telling me about their mom’s surgery or walking with their mom past me.

The loss of my mom continues to be deep and dark.

The love and traditions my mom had around Christmas continue to bring light. She was an incredibly thoughtful mom and Nana.

I am awakening to this new light.

White.

Bright.

Everlasting love.

Thank you mom!

Thank you God for fresh, white, new snow.

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Boys, Family, Green Tea Hawaii, health & fitness, Parenting

Be Out of My Mind

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Two different antibiotics sit on the counter.

Two more antibiotic creams.

Echinacea and cold remedy bottles.

Plus vitamin C and D to round out the counter display.

And I only have three children!

I have an embroidery guy that promised me shirts last Friday who didn’t even have the shirts started today.

And today I have my oldest say that he thinks our dog “is feeling something, maybe sad!” Yup, he’s right. She has hurt her leg.

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My middle son, sadly, lost his very best pair of ski gloves.  We spent time searching the playground and the school lost and found, but to now avail.  But I have one very sad little boy.

AND NOW….

In thirty-six hours, I am going to be fortunate to share GreenTeaHAWAII in Vtown’s hockey arena, where I used to live.

Trying to coordinate mommy going to ‘work’ for two whole days and evenings has taken a small army of help to coordinate.

I can’t comprehend my mindset.

Health issues.

Daily routine.

Special request.

Lost items.

Unwell dog.

Trying to prepare to do something for the FIRST time.

And I am not even freaking out.

I feel peace.

I feel gratitude.

I see such beauty around me.

(Even driving down the road.)

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Amidst the messiness of daily life,

I feel great love for all that I have, all that I can do, my given family, my chosen family, my community and my God.

We are living in a fear-filled, chaotic time.

But, I see beauty everywhere.

I feel overflowing waves of gratitude EVERY day, all day.

Maybe I am out of my mind!

Boys, christmas, Grief, Parenting

Be Seeing Green!

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We went to visit Papa.

We saw one of these:

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But it was green.

It was the exact green transport ambulance that brought my mom from the hospital to hospice house last Christmas.

And what did my three year old say as we drove by this green transport ambulance:

“Mom, look! An ambulance! We can tell it to go to heaven, get Nana and take her to Papa’s house!” 

I wish son!  I wish!

My three year old thinks an ambulance took Nana to heaven.

He now calls my parent’s house, Papa’s house.

He wants to bring Nana back to Papa too!

Me too, son! Me too!

In sadness.

With gratitude for these moments with my boys.

Goodnight!

Boys, Family, Goals, health & fitness

Be Seven Women Working out in Minus Seven

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I have been fortunate to play on many teams, work with many colleagues and be involved with many groups.

As my mom as my standard, I have met some exceptional women.

This morning’s working out with Krista K as our leader and five other women in minus seven degrees weather beside the still lake, was truly exceptional.

The quality of heart, friendliness and athletic determination of these women is always inspiring. IMG_7034.JPGIMG_7033.JPGAll ages and stages of life are represented by these women, and no matter the weather or season of life they take time to take care of themselves.

Daily.

Intentionally.

With kindness.

Our leader and guide is what brings us together and the reason we choose to exercise in minus seven degree weather. I don’t think I have know a better trainer with an eye for how different bodies should move properly as well as knowing when I am trying to slack off. “Shoulders down Joanna. Squat down farther.”

Krista K, our detailed-oriented, friendly leader not only creates incredible workouts, but manages to jump in to help children that have been brought along.

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IMG_7037.JPGHere is Krista rolling a soccer ball up a slide to my son.

And if anyone can tell me how it is possible that I haven’t done the same workout TWICE in the SEVEN months I have been going to Krista’s classes, I would like to know!

Here is my three year old OC and I working out together: I am doing triceps, he’s on the playground.

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Extraordinary women.

Incredible morning.

Amazing Trainer.

There are no better adjectives to describe this morning of seven women working out in minus seven!

Boys, Family, God

Be Learning a Peace Prayer from St. Francis of Assisi

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I came across a prayer.

For peace!

I can’t believe I had never heard about this prayer nor St. Francis.

Our family is going to learn this prayer as we enter into the Christmas season.

Here is the adult version: IMG_6954.JPGAnd the family friendly one: IMG_6955.JPG
Praying for peace.

In my boys’ hearts.

In my home.

In my community.

As we live.

Vote.

Breathe.

Shop.

Enter into Christmas craziness.

Prayer for peace.

Thank you St. Francis of Assisi.