Random Thoughts

My mind has been wandering aimlessly this morning! It was Field Day at school today. As a special needs Mom, this is my least favorite activity of the school year. We've had varied success in making the day work for the boys, but more often than not the day leaves them feeling left out and leaves me angry. So, today, Claire went to school as usual, and the boys played a little hooky. Thankfully, our school only had a "field morning" if you will, so they are at school now, without feeling rankled over silly games that require legs that run -- ooh, my blood pressure goes up just thinking about it!

So, I need a distraction -- and blogging is one of my favorite distractions! Besides I'm a little behind in sharing some fun stuff! Last week, Claire was given the Student of the Month award at school. It was a sweet morning and she was celebrated for exhibiting characteristics that made her Mommy quite proud!

We have spent the last two weeks re-doing the kids' rooms! Baby Cate has given up her baby bed and moved into a bunk bed with her sister! They have so much more space in their room now and it's too cute! (though the toddler is missing her baby bed...when she spied it hiding in the garage yesterday, she told me she "needed" it back! We'll see...)

The boys both served on Student Council this year! Last week they received their t-shirts commemorating the year! They were so excited as they had been allowed to pick nicknames to go on the back. I was tickled to see their choices as I think it gives a little glimpse into their personalities:

Mason chose -- Mas (just short for his name which he loves...pronounced Mace)...while Benjamin chose Wheels, which I think says "I'm OK with who I am"! (And is tickled that people are calling him that!)

So those are my ramblings of a Wednesday morning -- we have guys here working on the doors in our house (just settling issues being corrected) and every time they turn the power drill on Cate yells, "Run for your life"! I'm not sure why but it certainly has made me laugh out loud and forget the anger that was affecting me at the beginning of this blog! So the blessing I choose to count today -- that being a mommy brings so much more joy than heartache! So much joy!! And for that I am ever thankful!

The girl can ride -- and JUMP!

I don't always get to go with Claire to horseback riding -- her Uncle Len graciously takes her so that I can do homework with the boys and keep the toddler out of harm's way! But last week she made some big progress and asked me to take her this week so we could capture it on film! I was delighted to oblige!! (Always tickled to take more pictures!) She was astounding -- really just so improved from a few weeks before. She's making delightful progress and it was fun to watch -- or as Uncle Len says "this is getting interesting now!" Hope you enjoy the blessing of finding something you love, as much as my girl enjoys this passion of hers!

Who dunnit? Party!

Meet the suspects in the "Case of the Pilfered Pooch"! These three may seem recognizable to you as my trio but they are really Claudia Sky, doggy owner and dog show winner; Peter Pickem, dog show judge; and Officer Apples, the town's only law enforcement! I'm not sure what was the most fun -- assigning characters to their friends, or buying the cheesy costumes or the actual party! But we loved it all!!

The cake -- need I say more?

Mason did have to remove his mustache to blow out candles -- Mommy wasn't sure if it was flammable! They mystery party was great fun for all of us -- and the fact that my trio bless me every day has never been a mystery at all!!

Eleven Joy-filled Years!!

Today is Benjamin, Mason and Claire's 11th Birthday!! Eleven! Oh my! It seems like only yesterday that I was pacing the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit between three isolettes, praying, and holding, and praying some more! My trio weighed in at between 2 and 3 pounds each. They were so tiny, so sweet and Wade and I were so scared! The photo above wasn't taken on their actual birthday...but weeks later when they were strong enough to be bathed, dressed and played with a bit. I was so proud of this picture -- finally having all three together (and just to give you an idea of how small they were here...this is a baby swing they are sitting in!)!! That's Benjamin in the blue, Mason squished in the middle in yellow, and Claire in the pink, of course!

This morning, I told them we had to "re-create" the picture....no swings are big enough today, but we have one chair that almost holds all three! ha I mixed up the order...but remembered that Mason was squished in the middle!! I remember being in the NICU, kangarooing with one and then the others (that's where you button the tiniest babies up in your shirt so that they get skin to skin contact...it was a new thing back then but has been shown to help them grow!) and thinking, I am going to blink and they will be so big. I have to tell you that is exactly how I feel today...I blinked and all of a sudden they are 11. I am so proud of them -- of the light with which they shine, of the joy in which they live, and of the way they make the world a brighter, better place! Happy Birthday, you amazing kids!

Someone did not want to be left out this morning and promptly joined in the fun -- What a surprise gift this little two-year-old is everyday! She woke her siblings this morning singing "Happy Birthday to my big kids!" And she does claim ownership -- make no mistake!!

Blossoms...finally!

I just have to share -- my Orchid Tree was the last in the neighborhood to bloom. I was seriously starting to fret because the blooms are one of my favorite harbingers of spring in our desert home!

And I would be remiss if I didn't also include a picture of my wildly blooming Bouganvillea. This is my favorite color by far and this wonderful southwest blossom keeps me smiling almost all year-round! What blessings!