Highlands Relay for Life

Owens elementary school is small…one of the reasons I love him going there!! But they put on a cancer walk every year…and its always a day I do NOT miss being at his school!!  This year was pretty cool too because there is a little boy in Owen’s grade who is fighting brain cancer…and hes beating it!! So the kids got to see him and other cancer survivors..which Owen is always proud of his Mama and Nana for that.

The whole school makes posters, raise money and then participate in a mini relay for life! Its cute! This year was luau theme…they soaked the principal and all loved it.

Loved being able to have Nana there as well. We got to hang with all the cancer fighters and survivors. Which I feel awkward so its nice having mom there with me!

And our little sidekicks!

Then walk time…which I had to ditch out early for. But my kids didn’t mine since they had their Nana there!! lol

I love bringing awareness to my kids. When they grow up someday I’ll be able to explain to them about their Mama’s battle and journey and how each of them played a different role in that!! But for now they just know that Cancer is bad and it made Mommy sick years ago!  Even Maggie is starting to ask questions…

This picture is framed in our china cabinet and Maggie always asks why my hair is gone. Shes starting to notice and ask questions at 2 years old.

Open House and Performance

March was also a month of “school stuff”. Now that Ella is in preschool a few days a week, it adds “school stuff” to our schedules.

She goes to a private Christian preschool 2 days a week, the same place that she will be at in extended care when she starts kindergarten next school year.  So I thought it was a good idea to get her used to being there and with other kids and teachers, etc. She had her first performance. It was during the church service on a Sunday and she begged to go…so thankfully Nana was back from Ireland and was able to come with me. Christian church services are SO different than what we are used to in the Catholic religion. But anyway…Ella loved every minute of it.

Then the following week we had Open House…for both kids…on the same night!! It was our first experience having to do 2 kids in one night…got us ready for all the years to come now…until we have to do 3 in the same night!! lol

First up was Owen’s 3rd grade class…
He loved showing us around the room and was excited for us to see his desk, friends and achievements.

And he found Mrs. Trumbo to be “the perfect 3rd grade teacher”…his words. He said she was nice and taught really good…but would also get on you if you weren’t doing your work correctly. We found out that Owen is a social butterfly (like his parents) and had to be moved seats a few times for chatty purposes.  He excelled so much this year. Asked lots of questions, learned SO much and was a little competitive academically (which I don’t mind! haha)

Next up was Ella and her first Open House!
Ella was SO proud to show us around her classroom. Her projects and friends.

And she was especially fond of her teacher Miss Melissa. She loved her voice, her make-up, her outfits and how kind she was to Ella. When I would pick her up and she’d cry on non-school days because she “missed Miss Melissa”.  SO it was great she really loved her time there.

Its really great being able to go to our kids school functions and them LOVE showing us around their everyday life! Its sad since we work full time, we aren’t able to get into their classrooms to help or see them in their environment…so these nights are the closest we get.
Love these kids and how they value their education and school!! Hope they are that way forever!

March Sadness

Most years I take off work on March 24th. Its Paul's anniversary…and even after 18 years it hurts this day. Usually I spend the day with my mom…just being close to her makes the day easier. This year Mom was in Ireland…and the 24th was a Saturday where I knew I wasn’t going to have time to be emotional or have time to myself…my kids need me and my smile! 

So I took the day before off, March 23rd..which is still an emotional day to me. That day 18 years prior was the last time I saw my brother alive. He was riding a bike through the parking lot of Rite Aid. I saw him…and didn’t stop to say anything to him. We were in a cross roads of our relationship…he wanted to live the way he wanted to live…and my parents didn’t agree or condone of it.  So yeah. If I could go back, the coulda, woulda, shoulda…ya know?!?  But later that evening his life was brutally taken at the hands of another human being…and 18 years later, no justice was served.
No words. Still a lot of anger and questions.

But this year I was emotional. Not sure why…but I cried…a lot. All day. It was weird. More than usual. So I had my day…alone…and spent it at the cemetery.

When I was in college at RCC in the fall of 2000, I used to come to his grave, lay on my parka and take naps. Its a peaceful place you know. Nothing like having a place to be, think, cry, talk to, and just have those moments when you need them. When you are missing your loved one. 

On Paul’s actual anniversary we had a day FILLED of family stuff. We had the Vantage Point Easter event at Roosevelt, which we HAD to do every year. It checked a bunch of “easter stuff” off the checklist.  This year Owen also had a soccer game…so we squeezed it all in.

I was very happy with our Bunny pic this year. Maggie was unsure, but didn’t loose her shit!! So we got 3 smiles! Winning.  And yes…Ella is wearing the same leggings from 2 years ago…lol she doesn’t grow very fast! haha

Then they each got to do an Easter Egg “hunt”…well really it was running and filling their baskets for candy tickets!

This year Maggie actually got the idea of what she was suppose to be doing…and loved it!!

And Ella loved it too!

We do love this event and have been going for years!!

But after bunnies and eggs Owen had game time!!

Owen’s a lucky boy…he has 2 of the biggest cheer leaders around!

Having my kids needing and depending on me made Pauls actual anniversary a little bit better! I didn’t have time to be sad…these kids are the best distractions someone could ask for!

St Paddys Day and Besties Visit.

St Patricks day landed on a SATURDAY this year…how awesome right. Eh…not really! haha We are too old to be going out acting crazy…OOORRR Nana isn’t in town so we don’t have a sitter to let us get crazy haha.

BUT my bestie Gabby and her family were visiting home from hawaii…and I was so happy they came over and stayed with us a night.  The kids got to chill…BBQ’d some carne, we spent hours around a fire drinking and chatting…it was awesome.

And since it was St. Patricks day eve…we let the kids take shots….of water with squirts! haha

I’ve known Ronnie since kindergarten!! And Gabby and I became best friends in 6th grade. They are my family…and really enjoy any and all time we get to spend together.

The next morning we made breakfast, played headbands and enjoyed our time together…before having to get to Owen’s soccer game and our friends baby shower. Busy day ahead.

EVERYONE played headbands…I just don’t have a pic of it…it was hilarious! That game totally seems to bring people together! haha Even when you are hungover in the morning. haha

Owen had a soccer game…so off we went. It was a beautiful day out..I felt like the clouds were like from Toy Story!

After Owen’s game we had to get our Paddy’s day family pictures in before heading to Amy’s fiesta themed baby shower. Fiesta themed ON St. Paddy’s day…wtf. haha

This baby shower was special. When Amy and Breck got married, they kinda eloped, sorta…well a very small wedding ceremony and then had a big party at their house after. That day in August, Yosh made everyone toast to Amy getting pregnant.  Well…yep…it happened…like that night practically. haha. So they blame this pregnancy on Yosh! haha It was fun celebrating baby Remember.

And to watch Ann…who isn’t fond of children, take mine and show them around her garden!

Which, by the way, a few weeks later Ann showed up at my house with pots and seeds…for me to plant my own garden because the kids loved hers so much. Gosh we love Ann…so thoughtful and amazing.

But we got the kids home…put their asses to bed…and had a Mommy/Daddy night of a few drinks…while watching tv. haha Wow how times have changed. BUT we did get our Baby Guinness in.