Craziness

 Life just doesn't slow down.  Last night we had Keira's 9th grade graduation from Hawthorne.  She was so cute.  But poor little thing has been sick and has pink eye.  She was so self conscious as she met Johnny's mom for the first time.  But she handled it so smoothly.  We then went to dinner with Nick's parents.  My heart aches for his dad.  You can tell that he is in pain, but he always bares it with a smile.  And the kids are so good to their grandparents.  They love them so much.  I look forward to our weekend at the cabin with the family.  Those times are becoming so precious as we don't know how much longer they will be able to go.

Calli is doing well.  I often worry about the triggers in her life.  She has such a hopeful demeanor in her but is having to relive some of her past trauma as she helps her friend navigate through her own experiences.  I pray pray pray that she can come through unscathed.

Livvy is still working at the daycare, for about 5 months now.  This is a huge accomplishment for her.  I hope that she continues working as it truly empowers her.

Chase.  My sweet boy.  On mothers day, he brought me flowers and hershey kisses.  And then he made me lunch and after dinner, rubbed my feet.  TWICE!  Little Keira bought me a puzzle piece depicting a family of bears clinging to one another.  I wonder if she realizes the necessity for all of us to hold tight to each other as we're all we've got.  Calli got me a blanket.  I LOVE blankets.  She knows that they are a way to my heart.  And livvy was so sweet.  She got me a silk pillow cover and eye mask.  It made me laugh as i had just looked at the benefits to using a silk pillow case.

My kids are truly amazing.  We connect so differently.  But i have a huge lover for volleyball, basketball, calli's friends, and livvy's humor.  I love to make her laugh.

My Return!

 I can't even start to encompass what the last 12 years have been like.  Fast is all that comes to mind.  But i have decided to blog for myself.  No one looks at this anyway.  But i have done such a disservice to my children by not journaling, that this is my attempt to be better, as i am always in front of a computer.

I learned last night that my cousin, unfortunately, took his own life.  He was 37.  It makes me so sad that that was the only result he felt he had to come to.  His only option.  But i never thought i would be in a position to somewhat understand.  Having had these feelings once before, i am so glad that i never acted on my thoughts.  And my sweet calli.  Having similar feelings.  I don't know what i would do without my children.  My heart goes out to my aunt and uncle.

So, we have now lost all of the 4 kittens that were left in our yard 2 weeks ago.  We did everything we could to keep them alive.  But i believe this was always in store.  I just feel for nick who had to deal with it.  But now no more suffering.  Nick and i thought that maybe they have been suffering the whole time.  Maybe the momma cat knew this.  That's why she abandoned them.  We were just prolonging the inevitable.  

Keira has her spring showcase this week for cheer.  Bama and Bampa are here visiting for the event.  I can't wait to see all of her hard work for the past year be showcased.  She is amazing.  All of my children are amazing.  Turds they are, but amazing.  My love for them is so profound. 

My hope is to write in my blog every few days.  I want my children to know of their past.  I want them to know me in all my phases of life.  I promise not to let this go for another 12 years.

The Keira Show

So Keira begged me to take some photos of her the other day and this was the result.  She loves showing off for the camera and she is pretty photogenic.  She is such a sweetie and I wish should could stay 3 forever.  Not really but she sure is a hoot to have around.

Poor little sickies!

So my kids have been incredibly sick. Coughing, sneezing, fevers...the whole nine yards.  Keira has been the worst.  She lost her voice yesterday and has been wheezing all day.  Well Nick and I were sleeping last night and Keira comes in at about 2 and climbs into to bed snuggling next to nick.  We all laid there for a while and listened to her labored breathing knowing that she didn't feel good at all when she looks up at her dad with sleepy eyes and says in her raspy voice "Daddy...you're handsome"  and then rolls back over and goes to sleep.  So cute.  Goes to show that even when in rotten times she was still thinking of her daddy.

Really...

So nick took the girls to Macey's where they could turn in their letters to Santa.  I stayed home with Chase as he has been sick.  Nick said that the mall was so empty and so the girls were able to sit and talk with santa, mail their letters and run around without disturbing anyone.  Well Livvy took full advantage of this while in Macey's and was running in between racks and clothes.  Nick caught sight of Livvy leaving a scene while histerically laughing.  He followed her trail and discovered she had been playing near and around a mannequin in the lengerie  department.  As nick got closer he noticed that the mannequin had been panced and livvy and calli were snickering in the corner.  Nick confessed that it was rather embarrassing having to reach down and slowly pull up a pair of pink lace panties and replace them in their rightful position.  He was just glad that the mall was empty although he can't be sure no one saw! Had I been a stranger and saw Nick pulling up a pair of underwear on a mannequin I would have to admit that my first thought would be "pervert!"

Funny Moments

So we got some books from the girls cousins and in the pile of books there was a joke book.  So I opened the book and read a few jokes.  This is how one of the jokes went.

Mom:  What has eyes but cannot see?  (answer:  a potato)

Calli:  A blind person?

So we were out to dinner for our anniversary the other night and we took the kids with us.  We decided on Famous Dave's.  Here is our conversation as we pulled up to the restaurant.

Calli:  I'm hungry.

Mom:  Well we're here so no more belly aching.

Calli:  Where are we?

Mom:  At a restaurant.

Calli:  Is this Red Robin?

Keira:  "Red Robin, Yummmmm!"  (Totally out of the blue.  We didn't even know that she was paying attention to our conversation.  That's what made it so funny)

So on our way home from the restaurant we had to stop to get gas.  Livvy and Calli both were crying out that they needed to go to the bathroom.  I don't know if anyone else's kids do this but they have a fascination with public bathrooms.  So Nick proceeds to take them inside to the bathroom.  Conversation.

Livvy:  Dad I have to go to the bathroom

Calli:  Me too!!!

Livvy:  I have to go number one.

Calli:  I have to go number one too.

Keira:  I have to go number eight!!!

Again didn't even know she was paying attention.  She is so funny sometimes.

Update i.e. Halloween!!!

Just a few updates on what the Coleman's have been up to for the past month.  We've been so busy but have been enjoying the holidays and look forward to more.

The girls in their halloween costumes.  Livvy was Medusa.  Calli was She-Ra.  And Keira was a princess.

And chase was a glow in the dark skeleton!

We met up wit Nick's family for a little trick or treating on his parents block.  The girls sure love being with their cousin maggie. 

Nothing but pics!

Just some cute photos of the little ones.  Chase loves to smile and it doesn't take much to pull it out of him.  He is just so photogenic and happy.  Keira fell asleep on the couch one day and I thought it a good candid moment.  

Long time coming

So our only family vacation this summer was up to my mom's house in Meridian.  The kids and I went up for 4 days and then came home to pick up Nick only to go up for another 4 days.  It was great.  My brother and sister-in-law and their kids were there and it was wonderful to spend time with them as we don't see them much being that they live further away.  The girls loved being with their cousins and Bama and Bampa.  The only thing that would've completed it would've been to have Erika and her girls there.  But it was awesome all the same.                                                               

The girls started school in August, Livvy now being in the 3rd grade and Calli in 1st.  I do miss having Calli at home as she is such a big help with Chase, but with Keira being full blown into her terrible 3's, the peace level has gone up 2 fold since the older girls are in school all day and Keira rules the roost.  It has been a pleasant couple of weeks and both the older girls are really loving school.  More to come later!!!

24th of July

So this year we went up to Nick's parents house for the holiday and we all had a blast.  It was nice to hang outside in the pool and just talk while enjoying each other's company.  Usually we get together on Sunday's and so in keeping with the Sabbath we avoid such activities (except the talking).  But the kids had a blast and  it was such a great day full of water, good food and fun.                

What we do as parents...

So I guess Chase was being really fussy the other day while Nick was babysitting.  I had gone somewhere and when I returned I found this to be the sight.  Nick said the only way he could get Chase calmed down was to put him in this position.  He said he just giggled and rocked back and forth.  I just couldn't resist in capturing the photo.  You can see that he looks so happy!            

Livvy's Baptism

Livvy recently turned eight and made the decision to be baptized.  We are so proud of her for choosing to become a member.  It was a great day and when all was said and done she told me that she didn't feel any different after being baptized except that she felt really clean!  We love you sweetie!

A Day in the Shade!

So the other day was the first in a while where it was so nice outside.  Not too hot and not cold at all.  So we decided to hang outside with the dog.  Sometimes I think he feels a bit lonely.  I truly believe he looks forward to summertime just as much as we do so that he can hang out with the family.  Brian (the dog) was so cute with Chase and so gentle.  He really is a good dog even for all the trouble he causes (the other day he did run through my newly planted garden rows and so I'll be interested to see what comes up where).  I LOVE SUMMER!