.

Hookie Day 2011

2011-06-15T04:53:00.000-07:00

Taking the camera to the water park with three boys under the age of 8 and one adult...great idea.....but not real great photos!! At least I have something to remember our fun with! We rode almost every slide...hung in the wave pool...had lunch together...and just played! Everyone was happy and everyone played together like the best friends that they are!

Kyle took Josh down some larger slides - ones that I would not even considered. Amazing what a little bro will do for his big bro! And Josh LOVED it. That little man is so interesting. HE will cry like it is his last day if I walk into the other room and he didn't see me leave....but he will drop 15 feet off of a cliff into a 12 foot pool of water with his brother and come up asking for more!

Will was able to do more this year - as he has grown...that man has a need for speed and the water park is just the place for him to get his need filled!

Ben and Kyle were giddy all day...up the stairs...down the slides. So independent....so wanting to do it all on their own! I was thankful for the "no crowd" day and the ability to let them run free! Yeah...I watch them like a hawk...but I do it in secret...behind my sunglasses....they felt like big men that day!

Thankful for this time together! Bring on the summer with more adventures and more family fun!

The blue Bomb just keeps getting uglier and uglier!!! Now with a big old DOCK!

2011-06-06T04:27:00.001-07:00

The many faces of Josh!

2011-06-06T04:22:00.000-07:00

Hello Summer!!!!

2011-06-01T03:38:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day Weekend on the ball field!

2011-05-31T03:29:00.000-07:00

Many people spent their Memorial Day Weekend on the beach, or picnicking with Friends...the Mongolds...along with a great number of other families in the State of Virginia - spent their weekend on the ball field!

Teams from all over Virginia came for the State Championship Tournament in Virginia Beach, VA. Ben's team...the Vipers...were the reigning champs for the state! It was a big day for their team!

Day one...three easy wins! Day two...an easy win to start the day...then the playoff rounds. 4 teams left. Two games going on simultaneously. And three of the teams were local talents!

Playing for the top two seats began - not so strong - down by 1 in the first inning. And what I realize about these teams is that you can NOT let a team score. Low scoring games because they can all Bat well and they can ALL field well.

The Vipers end up losing the game by one run. Man...what a nail biter of a game. Two very talented groups of 8 year olds...and the Virginia Vipers just got beat. It was a team they had taken before...but always a close game between these two teams. After that loss, that put our team at best - third in the state! Darn it!

The next game started and it went fast. A decent game, but a pretty easy win for third.They were happy to have won their game, but knowing what they could have had made for some tears. They played so hard all year! We are proud of each and every little man on the team!

Viper season is over and international all star play begins this week! Here's to many more weekends of farmers tans and dirty brothers! Go All stars!!

bye bye Yankees, Rangers and Kindgergarten...Hello Summer!

2011-05-27T07:54:00.000-07:00

In that past week we have said goodbye to two baseball teams - the Yankees and the Rangers. Kyle and Ben has an awesome season as team mates! It was so fun to watch them play together. Will rocked out some t-ball and actually acquired some skills this season!! :) Ben will move up a league next year and he will also play on two teams, Kyle will stay in the same league and Will has one more year of t-ball! Hope that Josh can play with Will so we can keep it to 4 teams!! None the less....the Mongolds love baseball and it was another fun season!!

Will also graduated from Kindergarten! Off to big boy school next year with his brothers! Will had the most fabulous kindergarten year. He made great friends, I made great friends, he learned to read and write better than I could have imagined! Amazing year and while I am excited for summer...I am sad to see his super year end!

And with that...the older boys have two more weeks of school....tournament baseball is in session and swim team is in progress! Summer is an awesome time and we are very excited to have ONE that we are not moving!! :) Here we come water parks, swimming pools, picnics, flashlight tag, beach trips, friends and family! It's time to party summer style!!

Here are some pics of our last week!

In this picture...will would NOT cooperate. So Nana and Grandpa left a space in between then so I could photo shop Will in there! Should I choose this pose where he is picking his nose...AGAIN!?!?!

If I go back further...I have to get out the hard drive!! :)

2011-05-19T03:32:00.000-07:00

Here is 5 years of Hunter/Mongold Fun! :) Now I am wanting to go back further but everything is on the external hard drive from 06 and back....a project for another day! But as I enter the time where I will start my blog book - to remember the days that I have written about all these years...this is a blog that I will want to remember!! :)

2011

2010
2009

2008

2007

When the Hunters visit...the sun always shines!

2011-05-18T13:28:00.000-07:00

The Hunters come to town and no matter what the weather...it is ALWAYS the best of times! :) But for whatever reason...it is usually sunny and perfect outside! I have more pictures of our 6 children in swim suits with sand under their feet than I can count! :) The next two pictures were taken at FIrst landing park in May of 2008. Every year we find a way to play in the sand together. Weather it be renting a beach house together....visiting Chesapeake and making a day trip...or flying to Florida for some fun! These are the times that I look forward to for months.....cry when it is over...and cherish for a lifetime! :)

These are pics from two weeks ago! I wish I had the time to load in one photo from every beach trip? Hmmmm....maybe I'll work on that for next time! :) Thanks Hunters...for another awesome weekend of fun. We love you so much. You are our family!!

2008!!

2011-05-18T04:32:00.000-07:00

The B K Combo!

2011-05-17T04:23:00.000-07:00

Kyle had a fly ball at pitcher....out one. Kyle fields fast hit and throws to his first base brother...out two....Ben fields and tags first....out three....no run inning for the Mariners. The Yankees took the game by a landslide! Go Mongold Boys....way to play together! Proud mommy night! And I had two boys that went to bed VERY giddy! :)

Some pics from the month of April!

2011-04-30T18:03:00.000-07:00

April was a fun month! Days are longer, weather is warmer, spring is in the air. We had a whole week off of school.....kids are playing a TON of baseball....we are outside almost every min of our free time! :) This time of year brings the Renee I like back to the front row! I need sun and fresh air to be content and happy. I'm not miserable in the winter months....but I'm not at the top of my game either! Here are a few of the better pics from our April! :)

OH...and I am not 40. Yep...that's right. For those of you that are not 40...you feel bad...and for those of you that are over 40...you say - so what! :) But either way...I milestone birthday for mommy this month! :) I'm so happy I was born in April! Had I turned 40 in February...I might not be so happy! :)

You can play ball anywhere ...right???

One of my favorite little princesses - Maddy - carrying around the pink princess guitar I got her for her 3rd birthday! She is truly the cutest little thing EVER! :)

Let's go...we are on an adventure.....Will does not hardly ever play video games....or sit still for any length of time. He is a man that is ALWAYS looking for adventure or doing an EXPERIMENT. The parks in Nags Head were soooooo up his ally!

But eating for Will..not easy. One day when I was at a low and could take no more...I said he could have a side of goldfish if he would just eat a PB and J? And it worked! For the record...he only ate about 3 fish...it was about winning the bargaining game...not about wanting fish? Hmmmm......He is a pistol and a half!

These two are FINALLY to friends that I envisioned them being while I was sitting in China with my sick little baby! :) The world is right with them!!

Brian's birthday party has a special guest! Wallace now lives in his living room! How mean am I to force this gift on him. Now he is stuck with it. And YES...I will be offended if he gets rid of it ...EVER!

This is the view from the back deck of our vacation home. I seriously could have lived there!

Who says you have to go inside when it pours! Thank goodness there was no lightening!

Landry is our sweet neighbor!

Kyle is either maxin and relaxin'....or running his butt off!! :0 Love that kid!:)

He told me what was wrong....I'm not exactly sure what he was saying...all I heard was, "Mommy...I need a nap!" And so he got one! :)

Josh has so many friends of all ages in our neighborhood. This is Holt - brother to the above Landry...and Ben's best buddy! :) He loves Josh! :)

Our sweet Hayley! :) She is going to make one heck of a mom one day !:)

Grandpa Ben and Josh...enjoying the view while daddy rents the fishing rods!

Camping fun!:)

Braces go on next week!

The tides games are Ben's version of Disney Land!

A year in the life of Will Mongold.....

2011-03-09T07:18:00.000-08:00

Since it is my blog...I can say anything I want right? Well...Will Mongold is a huge pain in the bum! I mean...that kid is work from the moment he opens his eyes in the morning till fights me to go to bed at night! But man...is he fun! :) Always expect the unexpected! I was kind of enjoying being home alone today....or should I say being home without Will yelling at me to help him, find something, telling him no don't put shampoo in your chocolate milk...you will get sick!! ha haha....but I must miss him in a crazy way because I just spent the last 30 min looking back at the crazy photos I have of him this past year! Here it is...a year in the life of Will! :) I love you buddy!

For the record...he was in the most beautiful place...we were enjoying the rocks and water and all the nature that surrounded us. And he yells to me from across the dam...mom....look at me...I'm peeing! :) hmmm....

I went inside for 30 seconds to get more towels. When I came back out he was naked on the slip n slide and had talked JOsh into getting naked with him?

Only nice to Josh because his treat was already gone! And God Love JOSH! He never says no to his hero Will!

Even the ice creme truck is no match for Will's curiosity!

So kind when he wants to be..and when he thinks no one is looking!

Brave and always looking for the next extreme event!

Devious.

weird.

fun.

creative.

messy.

Happy 4th Birthday Josh!!!

2011-03-09T06:54:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Sue grabbing my camera...we actually have photos of this fun day! :) Josh turned 4 on Friday. We had kind of a make shift party. I had nothing planned and then 4 of my wonderful friends said.....what do you mean you are not having a party....YES WE ARE!!:) And so it became....Josh's after school 4th birthday party! Some of my favorite people in the world and my kids favorite people as well. Wow...how lucky are we!:) It was a blast!

Something about the lack of pressure in a make shift party that can truly make it more fun than the ones you plan for weeks!! Josh loved being sung to, he played so hard that he fell asleep that night at 6:30....without even telling me he was going to bed! :)

Ah yes...the twins? Probably discussing the nutritional value of cake! Mary...are you sure Will is not yours???!!! :)

what's a formal dining room for.....14 kids...that's what!! :)

Ah yes...Josh can be ready to jump off a cliff...but Madeline can turn him into a sweet, happy boy with just one smile!!!!

JOsh sang to himself , "Happy birthday to meee....eeeee" It was hilarious. And Becky and I held Will back from blowing out the candles "for" Josh! Good team work Beck!! :)

Yeah.....Sue had to take several pictures of us to get one where my eyes were open!! ha ha ha....why does the camera hate me so!:) But I am so happy to have this memory of our fun day with my littlest baby!

And Party number two, a bit smaller and with mostly adults...but no less memorable for our little man! :) He had a blast with Nana, Grandpa, Uncle Brian and PopPop! All in all...a special day for Joshua Song! Cards and present from afar, people he loves, cake and ice creme, parties - an amazing memory for all of us!

Mom....I'm just a first grader....booo hooooo

2011-03-09T05:09:00.000-08:00

My sweet and silly big man!

Only one grade between them? How can that be?

So Kyle. My easiest child in many way, and when he chooses to be - he is my most difficult. He has the will of a politician. Never willing to give an inch on his point of view. Most times we align, but when we don't...look out. Last man standing will be the winner and I swear lately...I am having to fight to stay upright.

AS most of you know...I would have sent him to Kindergarten...even with his birthday just 8 days from the cut off. Because...well...he is Kyle. He has always been bigger than his peers, he is a calm boy, he has a mature spirit most of the time and he has always been a bit older in his body and mind than his brithday tells us.

But of course, with the florida cut off for Kindergarten being early, that was not to be and so our only acedemic struggle with KYle has been....paying attention and not doing sloppy work. He is bored, not engaged and just sits in class pumping out correct, but sloppy work and then drawing comic strips in his free time. Terribly frustrating for a parent...but it is where we are!

So this takes me to last night. Kyle has all A's on his report card, except one. Yes...as luck would have it. Neatness is a REAL GRADE in the Chesapeake School system. And so there ya have it. Finally...he sees a GRADE that reflects his slacker attitude! But that is still not enough to get him to engage in school.

Kyle is working on his homework. The assignment...read a story about a lost bear and then write a story about how the boy helped the bear find his way home. The paper given to us for the assignment has only a few lines on it...so it can't be all that lengthy.

We agree on 5 sentences. I ask him what his first sentence will be...and he just stares at me. A look of defiance...I'm not doing this...it is stupid - written all over his face. And so in the effort of just getting it done I tell him I will come up with the first sentence and he can go from there. I come up with the sentence and he starts writing. It was terrible.

He makes a capital T for The and then the letter N for the next work is 3 times taller than the capital T...has no line in it and looks more like Mount Everest than a letter in the American alphabet. And this continues...finally..I had enough. I look at him and ask, "Kyle...is this your best writing?" He does not speak...just looks down with a mean and uncooperative look on his face. And so I take another pencil...turn it over and begin erasing what he had just written. The whole sentence.

With this he starts to cry and screams, "You are the worst mom every...I am just a first grader and you expect me to be perfect..I'm only in first grade and I can't write as good as a third grader! You think I am a third grader and I am not...I'm ONLY in the first grade!"

Well...I pause....think for a min...but I am pissed! 4 kids, three with a bunch of homework, baseball in an hour, josh in his underwear and unfed....I am seriously pissed! So I stand up...take the chair I was sitting on and slam it into the table and I say..without yelling...Kyle...up to mommy computer - NOW.

I pull up word and say to KYle. Ok...I hear you. You are only in first grade and you want to do only first grade work. Right? He says, "Yes...that's all I can do!" With this poor me...my mom is buying into this so I have to lay it on thick voice!!

So I title my list. Rules for First Graders:

I explain to him that Ben was in first grade once and had different rules than him because he was a different kid. He did not make such good decision as Kyle, he was not a big, or mature as Kyle in first grade and he had different rules. I also added that Will would be in first grade next year and I believed that he would have different rules than Kyle did now based on similar things.

Kyle is quiet and just staring at the computer screen. Crying stopped...now he just looks scared.

I proceed with Rule 1.) No playing outside without an adult being present.

He say, "What?? That's not fair". I explain that most first graders who are only 6 and are boys do not always make great decisions and it is dangerous to let them play outside with cars and other people without watching them. I tell him that He, "Kyle" has always been a child to make good decisions and and have always trusted him outside because of who he is...but if he wants to be treated like a first grader and not treated like "Kyle" that this rule now applied. (Please if you have a first grader...know that I really don't think many of these things to be true...I was just making a point!!)

Rule 2. You may not play any T video games. I explained that I don't let will play them and I will not let him next year either. And that Ben did not play them in first grade. So...that rule will stand. NOW HE IS MAD! I went on to say that Kyle was my best child when it came to seeing something on a video game that was not real, and understanding that there was a difference between what we play on the TV and what we do outside with our friends. That was different than most first graders, but I allowed him to play those games because of who "he" was...not based on his grade. But now that would change.

Rule 3. 7:30 bed time. In first grade Ben went to bed at 7:30 and Will will continue to go to bed at 7:30 next year in the first grade. I said that I always let him stay up later because he was just bigger and older than his brothers at this grade and he was fine to stay up later. But since he wanted to be treated like any other first grader, without taking into consideration what kind of a boy "he" was..then this rule would also stand.

This went on with 7 other rules. The list was 10 long. He cried the whole type I typed...but never interrupted.

When I was done I printed it and handed it to him. Then I stood up and went about getting everyone ready for baseball. He is following me around saying that he wanted to finish his homework and he would write neater. I politely told him I did not have time now...we had to get ready and go. I was mad at him for being so rude to me and we would talk after baseball.

I drop he and Ben off and head to the other field for t-ball. Steve gets off work a bit early and ends up being able to pick up Ben and Kyle from their practice. Steve gets home with the boys and says, "Wow...what did you do to Kyle...he is telling me you are the meanest mommy Ever and that he wants to run away and that If I knew what you did to him I would not like you either?"

I tell Steve about Mt. Everest, about his refusal to do his work, about the things he yelled at me and about his desire to be treated as a first grader. I then handed Steve my copy of the list of new rules. Well seriously ...the look on Steve's face was priceless. I know he thinks I have lost it...but he can't argue my method was deserved and creative! ha ha ha

Kyle sees me give this list to Steve and he runs to his room. I proceed to get the boys showers, snacks, PJ's etc. I get Josh and Will in Bed. I look into Kyle's room and he is still boo hooing like he just lost his best friend on the couch and Steve is trying to talk him off the fence. Now I say, "lost his best friend" for a reason, because for Kyle...I am, hands down, his best friend. And he can't STAND when I am mad at him. I ask Steve to leave and I will handle it. Steve says, "I really don't think he will talk to you?" And I just smile and sit down.

WE had along talk about what each person is capable of. And about how it is a parents job to push their children to do their best. Not to be BETTER than another person..just to do what they can in the best way that "they can".

I explained that parent are in control, and as children grow up and make good decisions and do good work, they are able to take certain part of their life and begin being in control of themselves. And before you know it....you are an adult and in control of it all. But that happens little by little and it is only with good decisions and hard work that we get there.

He did agree that he was not doing his best work. He stopped crying and was engaged in the conversation. And at some point he goes over to his bed and gets the list. He brings it to me. He says, "I know I am not doing my best work and I don't want to be treated like a first grader." So I took the list and tore it up. We agreed that we would work together to do our best and that one day soon, the younger kids in Kyles class would catch up and school would not be so easy. And that working hard today on things like neatness will help him to be ready for that time.

We will see.......I'll keep you posted. Poor Kyle. A little boy that is so torn between growing up and staying little. You can just see the turmoil in his face. I don't think he want to be treated as "a first grader"...I think he sees that he is growing and taking more control of his own self and that scares him. He is afraid that with that growing comes distance from being cared for by his mother! I vowed to do better at showing him that I am always here....and I am just as in love with him...no matter how big and strong and smart he got!

The Almost Halmark Moment....

2011-02-25T11:48:00.001-08:00

Always together....NEVER apart....but "I STILL DON'T WANT YOU TO HUG ME IN THE HALLWAY IN FRONT OF PEOPLE"!!!

Its Thursday afternoon. 1pm. Josh has been home with me all day, as it is not one of his school days. He is MW and F. Josh and I are standing in line outside of Will's classroom. Waiting to get to the front of the line of mom's and siblings....so that Will's teacher will call his name and he can walk out to meet us.

Josh has been waiting for this moment since we dropped Will off at 8:30 that morning. He is excited...jumping up and down...chanting...Will...Will...Will.

Now in this hallway with us are about 50 other parents and kids standing in line in front of different classroom doors...waiting to pick up their own children. It is utter Chaos...and we do it every day of the week at exactly 1:00pm.

And so time moves on and we are next. Josh is brimming...."Will...your mom is here", says Miss Lynn...and Will walks out into the hallway. As soon as JOsh sees him he runs up to him and just throws his arms around Will's trunk and buries his head in Will's chest!

It is only now that I realize how many people have been watching Josh and listening to his chanting. At least 15 mom's look at my two sweet boys....entwined in the middle of the hallway and start going, "Awwwwww....look how cute....ohhh.....".

Yep....for 3.2 seconds I was the proudest mom in the world. It was no less than a Hallmark moment in time!

And then.....

Will realizes that all of these bystanders are watching this public display of affections. I can see the look on his face changing as I move forward to try and prevent the event that I could clearly see was about to transpire....

Yep....not fast enough mom. Will pulls josh off of him...pushes him to the ground and runs out of the hallway toward the car.

Now Josh is crying and laying on the ground and everyone is just staring at us. At it all happened in about 10 seconds. But oh my....I wanted to crawl in a hole.

So I grab josh and move quickly....but trying not to look too flustered....toward the door that Will is hiding behind. By the time I get to Will he is in tears...he says, "Mom...josh hugged me and all those people saw....I hate Josh!!" And with this he is now truly crying...his face is bright red and he is "Pissed" at his brother!!

The truth is...I know that for 3.2 seconds...Will felt the same way Josh did...and Will is just not one for public affection..not even from his mom (and I am truly his fav person!! ha ha ha). But wow...talk about a Hallmark moment gone bad! I'll just never forget that 10 seconds of happiness/udder humiliation!! Chalk it up to another day in the life!! :)

Hmmmmm....3 months...no posts..

2011-02-25T04:37:00.000-08:00

Well...so what have the Mongolds been up to? Lots...nothing that note worthy...but always busy! Basketball season has come and gone...baseball has started up. We have had 20 degree days and we have had 80 degree days. Just trying to roll with the punches, get it all done...and have some fun as we walk! Here are some pics of the last three months. Cool events...no super award winning pics!! But happy faces!

PS...I stole some pics from Mary and Sue because they just captured our street fun and I needed to share with the fam!! Thanks guys!!

Ben teaching Hayley to dribble and shoot! I think Hayley has a small crush on Ben and Ben loves to help her! He now wants a sister...I think Hayley has inspired this!

In the past couple of week of great weather this is what we do every day....RUN!! Look at the joy on those faces when they are just running!! Spring rocks! :)

Will will finally leave the house since it is above 60 degrees. He is a nut that way. HATES to be cold! And how much fun it is to have him back!! Hayley has her twin back in action to be crazy with!! :)

Oh my...put on your sun glasses...looks like three boys are in need of a serious TAN!! :) ha ha ha

Water fun in February....who would have thunk it?!?! :)

Flashlight tag!! Whoo hooo.....Mr. Chris has all the great ideas!!

No only are Josh and Maddy in the lighted garage....but they have their flashlights on. And they are supposed to be HIDING? Oops!! Too funny! :)

Ice skating one last time before the rink shut down for the year! So glad the boys are loving to skate this year!!! Benjamin came along for the fun! :)

This is Ben's dear friend from his class. She is so cute. They put their Research Gala Projects on the same table for friend support! Wow...what an undertaking this project was. Took most of January free time to get it ready!

I don't think Ben has ever been as nervous as he was the night before he had to present his project to over 75 people. But look a his face once he realized he was OK...he could "do it"!! Amazing. It was not easy for Ben...or mommy...to get through this anxiety...but the other side of that fence is an amazing amount of confidence in himself.....all WELL worth the struggle!! :)

We made a visit to Fayetteville, NC - Alyssa's new home town and were able to spend a weekend playing with our sweet baby girls! :) (and Niles!!)

The whole fam went to the MOnster Truck Rally in Hampton!! Loud, smelly fun! :)

Yes...Will has been crazy and unpredictable through the last few months...nothing has changed there. He is here SMELLING what donut he wants? In his UNDERWEAR? REALLY?

Feeding Ducks on Superbowl Sunday at Uncle Brians. That lake NEVER gets old!!
Pinewood Derby cars for Ben and Kyle this year. Neither won, but boy they had a ball. Boys just love to race cars! :)

Ben took this picture of mommy and turned to me and said, "You might want to erase this one mom...you look kind of bad!" ha ha ha...I said, "I think I look perfect and I just might put it on my blog!" And since he is helping me make this post...this one is for you BEN!! Your BEAUTIFUL and slightly tired....mom!! :)

Ahhhh......A perfect evening!!!

2011-02-24T03:23:00.000-08:00

Well there are just no words to say how happy it made me to see our dear friends the Cole's last Saturday night! They took some time away from the Great Wolf Lodge to have dinner with the crazy Mongolds. I wish we could have stayed together all weekend!!!

Michelle is awesome...sweet and dear and beautiful! And all of our boys were so happy together! Little Josh is IN LOVE with Big josh...I think he would have gone home with the Cole's just to be with his new best buddy!! :)

When I sat and looked at Michelle and Josh and thought about how far they have come in this last two years, it truly makes my heart jump. They are healthy and happy and they have their own little big people personalities. It is as if they have always been a part of our world in an so many ways....they have! These two little people are our family. Just where they are supposed to be! And truly...it is so nice to meet with these awesome China friends to look back...remember....revisit the journey that we have all taken. Because it was wonderful.

When I get to be with the Cole family it is as if time has stood still. We have a connection with them and with our other China friends that goes way beyond a few weeks together in another country!

I am so grateful to have this family in my life...to call my friends...and to continue to share in the joys of our families together!! Thanks Midge for posting these pics!! Till the next time!! :) We love you all!

Friends......

2011-02-22T08:08:00.000-08:00

I miss blogging to, for and about my friends and family! It's time to begin again! The below story was my inspiration to get back on the computer and to share stories and thoughts that run through my head! Have an awesome week!

Hard but powerful words....

2011-02-22T04:22:00.001-08:00

Yesterday, my kids, along with many others...were playing in the back yard. Swinging each other on the Hammock and laughing and screaming like it was equal fun to space mountain in Disney! It was like music to the ears of the mom's as we talked and listened to the fun our little people were having!

And then...the dreaded cry? Several of us ran to find out what was happening. Normally when I enter a situation where a child is crying...the first thing I would say is, "R U OK!!??!!??" But for whatever reason the first thing I said....as I squatted down in front of the person upset was, "R U Hurt, or angry?" As shocked as we both were by my words, the answer came quick, "I'm mad!....so and so pushed me "on purpose"."

As we all sat and talked about what happened, it was clear to me that no one did anything on purpose, rather a crazy and fun game went bad for a second, and there was a casualty. And so I did my mom spiel by reminding them that being hurt or shoved or whatever....is no less scary and hurts no less just because it was an accident. And so the right thing to say....no matter if we are at fault or not...is, "I'm sorry."

They listened so well and an "I'm sorry was immediately thrown out to the sad child." And this child's frown turned to a huge smile The instant the words were out there...and they just all ran right back to the hammock and started the game again!! :) The game continued for hours until it was just time to go in for dinner!!

I was so proud of the apology, the friendship that they showed, the resilience of the person who was wronged! It showed love and maturity...on all accounts. And it got me thinking. About the power of the words, I'm sorry.

When you make a mistake: It's hard to say I'm sorry. At times, no matter how old you are, saying these words feels a bit like an admission of guilt? And when the intentions were not malicious - we try so hard to preserve our innocence that we have a hard time spitting it out.

Much easier to say I am sorry to a true friend. Someone that knows your spirit and your heart! Someone that knows that you love them! But let's be honest...we are human beings that may make a mistake. Misjudge a situation, blurt out the wrong thing...walk the wrong path for a brief moment. The words "I am sorry" do not show that you are bad or mean, they prove that your want to show the person your true heart it more important than saving face! Huge! Saying I'm sorry NEVER makes you look guilty! It only makes you look concerned and loving!

When you are wronged: Life is hard and as mom's, people, children, we have to take some amount of control in our lives to keep us going. I clean my house to feel in control some days. We protect ourselves from unfamiliar situations by opting out of certain social situations, we choose activities that we have some comfort level in. All so that we can do our best to spend most of our time - on top of the world. Happy and secure.

The truth of the matter is....And I mean this metaphorically....if you play a game that involves being upside down on a hammock, there is a chance you will bite the dust. But there is also a chance that you will have more fun than you have had in weeks? Hmm....toss up?

As adults we can pre-think our decisions a bit more, but just the same, we all find ourselves in a place some days that says, "Wow...I never even thought of the possibility that this might hurt me and now that it has...I have lost faith in myself a bit."

And in the turmoil of lost faith....it is AMAZING how hearing the words, "I'm sorry that happened to you. R U OK?".......can tell your brain...."Oh...it's ok...someone understands me and my situation...I'm going to keep on trudging this path." The words almost diffuse that fear that creeps into us!

And so I have learned from my children again this weekend. The power of some simple words. The internal struggle to say them is real....and so is the power of healing that they provide! I vow to make sure my children know the value of this concept, and above that I vow that I will live by this lesson that these sweet babies reminded me of.

We are Ready!!

2010-12-19T09:40:00.000-08:00

Kyle wants a phone....an ipod touch....several video games...and some remote control cars! And he truly has been the best boy this year...almost never a problem with Kyle. He is kind and generous, fun and creative, a good friend, and he loves his family! He handled the move, new school, new home....new friends...all with the utmost grace! He is inspiring to me. Take it as it comes, be happy every day! He has a contagious zest for life that benefits us all. One day Ben said to me..."Mom..it's a good thing we have Kyle to make us laugh!!" And boy oh boy..do I agree! Kyle is a blessing above all blessings! This boy deserves everything on his list and more. But there is no way in HECK he is getting a phone!! ha ha

Will...well...Will is not always well behaved, but he is truly always good. He loves his family and he is happy just to be home with his brothers and his toys every day! :) He might get in trouble in school some times, but he can read? And he could not do that back in September. He can write, and he could not do that in September! Will's brain is unique. He always thinks outside of the box. He is interesting, and interested in all that surrounds him. He can make up a game with a brown box that takes him all day to play! He crazy and refreshing and just plain fun! He keeps me on my toes and I know that Will is mine for a reason. I need his energy - his antics - to keep me thinking. I love that sweet boy more than I can every say in words! I love him and I need him in my every day! He wants 10 pillow pets, a huge blanket, and a remote control helicopter (of which he already has?) And I know that he deserves all of this and more. But seriously...our house is not big enough for 10 pillow pets? Just can't happen!

And Josh...well...Josh wants gum and a new dog for Christmas. And he does not mean a real dog...he likes stuffed dogs? Lots of them. Already have about 5 and he wants more. And a big things of gum so he can share with his brothers. Sweet boy! I can't wait to see his face when he realizes that he deserves so much more than Gum and Dogs. He is going to be the happiest person on Christmas. When you want so little, and get more than you dreamed...what an amazing feeling for any person. And Josh - after a surgery this year, several infections, a new school, a new house...I mean really...he deserves so much more than Gum! He has had ups and downs with all that he has encountered this year, and in the end has gained acceptance and love for his new surroundings! He continues to amaze me every day! My life is finally complete. I always knew something was missing....and then came josh. HE is what makes this family whole! I can't imagine a minute without him. Now...when he traces his arm and hands on the wall with sharpie marker...well...I can picture life without that mess...but not without us sweet face and his genuine heart. He is amazing. Such a complete package of a person....and all that and he is only 3! Life is going to bring great things for Josh! And I am so proud to walk beside him as he figures it all out!

Ben. Our sweet Ben. He hates change....makes him crazy. And 2010 has been just a huge dump truck load of change for him! He struggled. Sometimes enough to make me cry for him.But he never quit! He hung in there, let me help him find his courage. He supported me on my hard days with hugs and company, and bottles of water! He loves us every day despite how heavy his heart was at times! He wants a steeler jersey (check) an i-pod touch (check) and a new watch! (check!...well....almost a check). Ben continues to love being with his family above and beyond all other things. He has excelled at baseball, basketball and truly is becoming a very brave boy. He joins in kickball games in the street, has made new friends, he is my little adult! My 8 year old 55 year old man and he makes me feel lucky every single day! I can't wait for you to see what Santa brings you Ben! I know he will love and appreciate all that he finds under that tree! Somtimes I think he truly has an adult trapped in his 8 year old body! But without Ben...I would not have my best friend. He is everythign to me and I would not change a single thing!! :) Not ANYTHING!

Will has a full heart...I think?

2010-12-16T15:49:00.000-08:00

"I don't need to do homework, I am already smart!"

"JJ is not smart mom, he plays with the same toy every day and it is not even a fun toy."

I was talking to Will about "Gotcha" day and how it was two years ago that Josh became his brother...etc. etc. He listened so intently. Will loves to learn and he will listen to anything I say just in case he may get smarter based on my words. Now...with that said, if when I am finished talking...Will feels that he has not gained a single thing from my story...then he will tell me, "Mom...that was not interesting...why did I even listen?!" Or something close to that. Very kind little boy? Hmmm.

But with Will, the one thing you can ALWAYS be sure of...is that what he says...is how he feels. He is no martyr and he really does not care what ANYONE thinks of him. If he feels it or thinks it...he shares it. If you don't like what he shares....well then too bad for you?!

So back to the original story..I'm telling Will about Gotcha day etc. etc.

And Will says, "I don't think I love Josh." (very matter of fact in his tone) So I start asking him questions: If you don't love Josh...why do you refuse to sleep in the same room with anyone but Josh?" Will, "Because I like to sleep with him." Ok Will...then why do you ask to wake josh up from a nap after his has only been in his room for 10 min? Will, "Because Josh is fun to play with." Hmmmmmm Do you think that these things mean you love him? Will, "NO."

Plan B: I say....."Will, let me tell you how your heart works." (Well....with that...I have FULL attention! There might be knowlege gained from this one...or at least that is what he thought!)

Will, your heart is full of little bags. (if I don't make the story visual...I lose him..so yes...BAGS??)Will, "Like paper bags or zip lock?" (Me...Zip lock?) WHATEVER!!

Anyway, Each bag in your heart contains love for a person in your life. And you Will, have a ton of bags in your heart. Mommy, Daddy, Ben, Kyle Will, Uncle Brian, Pop Pop, Grandma, Nana, Grandpa, Aunt Alyssa...etc.etc.etc. I name all family and friends both far and near. Will continues to listen.

Then I say...."These bags are in your heart are there for all of life. On some days, you may be mad at someone, or think you don't like someone, but that is in your head.. inside your brain. The love in your heart that is in the bags...well...that is there forever and it does not change just because your brain is mad at someone!"

I even go on to tell him that when I was little, my brain didn't like Uncle brain all the time. But the love in my heart was always there and now that I am a grown up I always love my brother both in my heart and in my head. And that is why your heart keeps the love inside there always. Because we will grow up and things like fighting over a blanket won't be important anymore. And our heart is very smart that way...it knows who we love and who we will continue to love!

Will pauses. Looks at me with a coy smile. (And mind you he has not spoken a word while I go through this whole "heart" story) And he said, "Well...ok then...so your bag must be really big and Josh's bag must be zipped closed right now!"

Random Holiday Fun!

2010-12-15T14:52:00.000-08:00

Kyle loves to make snowballs!!

2010-12-15T14:11:00.000-08:00

Kyle Loving to make snowballs at age 4 in 2007.

Kyle Loving to make snowballs in 2009. (age 6) (only reason we don't have a picture of him at 5 is that we were in Florida and we didn't travel north that year!!
Kyle making snowballs in 2010

And he ALWAYS asks me to take a picture of his snowball!! Funny little man!! :)

happy Gotcha Day Joshua Song!

2010-12-14T09:31:00.001-08:00

It's official....two years!!! Whoo hooo...what a special day!

Some days I forget to remember.....

2010-12-09T07:21:00.001-08:00

Two years ago today I left to get Josh! That thought kind of has me in "memory lane" mode today. And as I was sitting in the car today dropping off Will at preschool I will filled with another memory. A memory of a little boy. R.

As I sat at Southside Elementary working with R, I could tell that it was going to be like pulling teeth that day to get him to practice his numbers. R was in a special program for kids that just needed more help..and I was his helper for an hour a week.

So instead of asking about numbers, letters, reading etc....I said, "So what do you think Santa will bring you for Christmas this year?" And he looked at me....kind of made a "what you talkin' bout Willis?" Face and said, "Mrs. Renee...there ain't no Santa Boy!" It was said with proclamation....not as a question. He was sure as shootin that there was no such thing as Santa Clause.

Well anyone who knows me knows that I am now seriously fighting the tears. He was 6? And had no doubt AT ALL in his little mind that Santa was a farce! Aghhhh...

And so we went on to talk and I explained to him that from what I know...Santa only brings gifts to people who believe. "You have to Believe to Receive"! He thought my rhyme was funny...but it also changed the look in his eyes a bit. Hmmmmm??? They seemed to say.

And so I asked him, "If there was a Santa Boy....and he was to bring you a gift...what would you want him to bring you?" R didn't hesitate for a second...he said, A remote control truck...a huge one...that I can drive on the street!

And so it was.....R was living in a homeless shelter at that time with his little brother D and his grandmother. The house was full of people...no other children however. The slept together on the floor and ate at a local church for one meal a day. R was able to eat lunch at school. D...well...we were not sure how he ate.

That very day after school the kids and I rushed to Walmart and found the biggest truck we could get our hands on and swooped it up. Others were also donating to the cause at this point. So we took our gift to the place where they were being held.

And with that...school was out and the holidays proceeded!

About 2 weeks later...I am back at school with R. Working on writing his name. He was with me this day. Working hard, trying more than usual. And at some point he stopped working, put his pencil down and looked at me with this coy smile. He said, "Well....ain't ya gonna ask me about it?" Me, "About what?" R, "Santa....ask me if he is real?"

And so I did - and the answer was a resounding yes! He told me of all the presents he had received and how D got presents too. And that Santa really does hear you because he got a Remote control truck just like he wanted...but his Grandma said he could only drive it on the sidewalk!

My time with these children increased and most of you know that story. This little man touched me...and so many others. And while we were able to do great things for him, he is still poor, he is still less fortunate.

Many days I get so focused on the "do" of my life. Basketball, cubscouts, school plays, homework, birthday parties, holiday shopping...etc. etc. That I forget to remember how fortunate we are. And at that same time I forget to keep close to me the plight of many people that are struggling every day. They struggle through the Holiday season and through the years with no end in sight.

I know that I my responsibility in this world right now lies here at home. But I want to continue to remember, to help where I can.....and in time...I will dedicate my work to helping people like R and D. To making their world a better place. I don't know how or when. But I will continue to remember and one day that path will be apparent to me! :)

So today I basque in the glory of my own blessings. And at the same time I remember that what we have is a gift! A gift this is not had by all. Keep these less fortunate families in your hearts, minds and prayers this holiday season!!! :)

Give the gift of friendship with an open heart and mind

2010-12-09T04:32:00.000-08:00

Friendship is one of the greatest gifts in the world. The greatest treasure in our lives!

People are so complex…such a mix of the past present and their hopes for the future. We all have demons that we fight. And we all win our battles with these demons on good days and lose the battle on the bad days. We all have strengths that come so naturally it seems to make others envious, and each of us has weaknesses that we can’t seem to shake no matter how hard we try.

What was bad yesterday may have given us the knowledge and experience to evolve into someone greater because of the struggles we faced. What we do today may change who we ever thought we could be.

An experience that was unexpected can change our heart and our minds forever. Newly discovered loves can shape who we are tomorrow.

I have learned that the best outlook a person can have on life is to Never say Never! No one knows what tomorrow holds and no one knows how life will change and grow them!

In this season of love and giving….I challenge each of you to give the gift of friendship. Give it to the people that you hold dear and also to someone that you may have failed to get to know. Someone that you didn’t click in the past. Possibly life has made them a person that is now your perfect friend! I challenge you to value difference; look passed one or two traits in a person that may get in the way of full sight of who this person is.

Give the gift of friendship to another person. If we all do this, I truly believe the world will be a better place. Love will be more present in each person’s heart!

Happy holidays and I thank you to all of my dear friends for giving me the gift of YOU every day of my life! 

Two years ago....

2010-11-14T12:55:00.000-08:00

Two years ago I received our Travel approval...and this was all we knew about our little man!

And in just a month...it will be two years from the day that I finally had our baby!

And somehow...two years have just flown by? And most days I barely remember two years ago? Where did the time go! Thank goodness I have these days to sit and remember where we were then...and how far we have come!

Some day I will share it all with him! The good the bad the ugly and the awesome! Until then...I'll just remember it all....each year that passes....the past that lead to now! How lucky we are!

Forever in my heart!

2010-11-09T07:57:00.000-08:00

Just about two years ago - less a week or so - I received my travel approval to go to China and get our little Joshua Song. In many ways that feels like a lifetime ago, and in other ways if feels like just days ago that I took the journey.

Steve was gone and I would travel alone. Probably have not had that much fear in me at any one time in my entire life. I'm sure there will be greater in years to come. But suffice it to say, as of today...that was and remains, the most stressed and the most fearful that I had ever been.

Who would I meet, would I truly be alone for three weeks? Would I know what to do and where to go? So uncertain and so little control.

But those times is where faith becomes the most necessary part of your being. I did have faith. Faith that I was on the right path, and that I was heading the perfect direction. Faith that it would all work out as it needed to...as it was supposed to.

And so I got on the plane. Fast forward a few days and I was able to realize that faith had put me just where I needed to be. In China, about to receive our baby...and sharing dinner with some amazing people! I knew they were amazing from day one. Friends. And in very short order became a part of my heart that will stay with me for all time!

We struggled together, laughed together, played together and then did that all over again each day! How would I have done this trip without these awesome people? Who the heck knows. But what I do know is that I had faith going into this trip and these people were put in my life for a reason! I thank them for the support and love they gave me two years ago. And I thank them for still loving me and my family today!! And most of all for allowing me to share in their family and to know them as they grow together!!

I was lucky enough to spend the day with two of these special people...and their three awesome kids!

After hours of talking, playing, eating, laughing....no one really wanted to part ways! Especially ME! Felt like 10 min - not long enough...but cherished so very much!

Josh asked me after just one hour of playing with Leah...."I don't want Leah to go home mom...does she have to go home?" Could he possibly remember that she was his first friend? It sure felt like he could!

Ben and Eli played wii football for an amazingly long time. Will, Josh and Jeremy went from thing to thing...just enjoying the day!

Great time! Thank you Smith family...for making my day...my week...my month!! We love you ALL so very much!

Life lesson number 2002

2010-11-03T11:20:00.000-07:00

Kyle decided this year that he wanted to make his own costume. He needed a large sheet and scissors and a sharpie marker. He wanted to be a home made ghost. And he was.

He was so proud! I explained that I should probably hem it up a bit so he did not trip. And he said..."No mom...I want it to drag on the ground. Ghosts drag and they don't have feet. I need to hide my feet!

I told him we should maybe find a way to keep it one place on his face so that he could see. He said...no mom...ghosts don't wear hats or necklaces?!

And so I warned him of the possible hurdles of being a ghost, and he told me he understood what I was saying...but that none of it mattered. I even offered to buy a ghost costume at the store that might hold up a bit better. He did not care...he was being a ghost! And he was being a ghost HIS WAY.

As you can tell by the below photos...it all started out great!! He was so happy and proud. When he tripped....he just stood back up. When he could not see...he simply adjusted the garb!

....and then....

The dreaded event. Not a hurdle that I even anticipated?

His friend...our neighbor (but not somone that he had seen this night before now)...walked up to Kyle (after we had hit but three houses for candy...and had the whole neighborhood left to loot)...and said, "Kyle that is the dumbest costume I have ever seen!"

Oh man...it went from great to terrible in a matter of three seconds.

I think had Kyle just worn a purchased costume, or one that I had made for him, he would have taken this comment in stride. Valued difference of opinion and kept on the quest for candy. But that was not the case. More than ever, a boy who went out there on a limb....embraced different and uniqueness.... needed positive affirmation from the masses. This little boy is his friend, and KYle CARED about his opinion.

Our friends at the Halloween party could not say enough about how great his costume was! He was on cloud nine up to this moment! But a fragile ego mixed with a not so nice comment ended his night just the same.

He quit trick or treating. He walked home. He took off his costume and I found it laying on the floor by the trash can inside the house. We tried talking to him, we tried convincing him...but nothing. He was done. Broke our hearts. Steve got him to stop at a few random houses on the way home just to get a bit of candy...but even that was a struggle. (He got all that was left in our own basket at the end of the night and somehow has more candy than all the other three? Hmmmm..) But just the same, it was a sad lesson to learn from a creative gesture and independent ideas.

The fact that it was beside the trash can and not IN the trash can tells me that he was not quite sold on the failure. Or that he was afraid to throw it away for fear I would yell at him for throwing away a perfectly good costume? Who knows. I'll go with the first thought!!

This is our ghost!

Photo taken in the back yard with friends before we started our trick or treating festivities!

Ben and Kyle...looking scary and happy!

This was Kyle leaving the driveway of our neighbors house. Just one house into the night...before the comment was made.

More pics of whole crew!

Sorry Kyle that you had to learn about disappointment. You learned that sometimes no matter how hard we try and how good our ideas may be...there will always be someone that will see it differently. But what I do hope for Kyle...in the end...once he can get some distance from the situation and see it more clearly - is that he learns that individuality is key, taking comfort in our own ideas and believing in them is all we have, and other peoples opinions are just not always shared by the masses! You did good buddy...keep on doing your own thing!! Your own thing - ROCKS!

This is how we roll!!

2010-11-02T13:08:00.000-07:00

Colby's lightning McQueen car finally died!! It has been with the neighborhood for over 4 years. It was purchased at the same time as several other motorized vehicles. At least 8 others used to roam the cul-de-sac together. No others lasted as long as the McQueen rider!

And so it happened....the end of an era. But how to celebrate the life of a good motorized vehicle? Well...on our street....we run over it with cars!! I don't have all the photos, the camera was an afterthought because I didn't want to miss the fun.

First, Mr. Paul hit it with his car and sent it flying down the street. 15 or so kids stood on the side cheering!! Then Mr. Scott got in his car and did more of the same!! But you know...it was still in one piece. So Mr. Steve finished the fun by riding his monster truck jeep over Lightning McQueen....Now every kid in the neighborhood was there to scream and laugh and cheer!

And now it is no more.

Most of us have parts in our trash to go out this week. And Justice kept the wheel to remember it by!!

Thanks lightning...for your years of fun...and for the best low class fun I have had in years!! That was awesome!

That's how life goes....

2010-11-02T12:59:00.000-07:00

Josh:

We went to Starbucks today. And this is how it went?

Josh: I want muffin mom (points to blueberry muffin)

Me: Ok buddy and Will what do you want?

Will: Two pink donuts.

Me: Sounds great....and I purchase the breakfast fun.

(we walk to the car...deal was...once seated and hooked...they could eat)

Me: Here you go guys!! Enjoy...and I hand out the bags!

Josh: Mom...I don't want this...I want chicken. (crying like I burned him with a hot poker)

Me: Buddy....you can't get chicken at Starbucks....you can only get chicken at McDonald's.

Josh: (stops crying immediately) Let's go to old McDonald's now.

Me: We can't Josh...they only serve breakfast at breakfast time....there is no chicken anywhere right now.

Josh: But I don't want chicken!! (and the end of the world crying starts again)

Me: They Josh...what do you want!

Josh: (Sobbing) I want a muffin with blueberries!!!

Me: OK...then here. And I re hand him the bag.

Josh: Stops crying yet again in a fraction of a second...tears all over his face...snot running down to his chin. And he says, "Yeah...thank you mom!" And with that he starts eating?

Me: ????????????????????????????????????????

October b egins a new trend!

2010-10-28T03:29:00.000-07:00

Well..these pictures are a bit out of order, but sum up most of our October. I am going to get back into writing about our days and weeks now that I have started the trend!! Suffice it to say we have undergone three sports seasons, 4 kids into new schools, the move of my brother and dad to Chesapeake, the start of cub scouts, a birthday, homework, dentist appointments, doctors appointments, broken toes, surgery scheduled now for Josh's toothers for December 3rd. (took three docs to get us to this end!!) any many more day to day things. Typical life with kids.

I have gotten it done...followed my plan and trudged through the "new" of it all and I finally feel like I am at home, and not just living someone else's life. I feel like I have a handle on our new life back here in Virginia - things are working themselves out the same way they always do...with time! We are happy!

Here are a few highlights from our October. Fun birthday party for Kyle's 7th, a camping trip with the scouts, and some new haircuts and fall attire!!

So many little people, Mostly boys. It was a crazy and fun and memorable for all the kids!! A success in my mind!

Everyone had a chance to take a whack! Even Josh

Our bounce house was late coming, but the kids didn't seem to care. They were together - all the neighborhood children and parents - playing and in a great place of comfort and joy! We are so lucky to have all these wonderful kids....in our back yard every week!!

Castle for the big kids and small bounce house compliments of Mary for our little ones...Maddy, Josh and some day soon....Miss Hannah!

A Sunday party with the perfect theme...and the Steelers DID WIN!

This bouncing is exhausting!!! Way to work Haley!

This little lady was hard core! She hit sponge bob with all she had. Kyle said that Maddy was the one that started it open!! Maybe he is right!

Happy Birthday Happy Kyle!! We all love you!

The very next weekend was spent on the ocean in Sandbridge - an ocean front camp ground is truly my idea of fun. And everyone else too it seemed!!

Hours of football and kickball in the open field!

One of my favorite parts of scouts is that all the kids play together. NO matter if they are 12 or 7! The little ones learn so much about how to be a big kid and the big kids learn patience and the art of teaching! Amazing!

Josh loved it!!

Even a cloud of smoke will not keep Kyle from his S'more!!

Ben...being Ben! So shy in the outside world...but inside his tent...he is a rock star!! Don't I live this thought each day!!!

Awards and mass around the camp fire!

Putting it all away was sad!! I think Ben and Kyle could have stayed all week. But seems a hole was present in Steve's air mattress....and so daddy was READY to go home!!

Josh got a new do!

And my best buddies are ready for Fall!!

And for now...that's all folks!! More stories and pics to come!! I promise...a new leaf is turning!!!

the many faces of my sweet Kyle!

2010-09-08T05:04:00.000-07:00

All's well that ends well...I suppose........

2010-09-08T04:57:00.000-07:00

THEY HAD AN AWESOME DAY!

Some days I wonder?

2010-09-07T06:08:00.001-07:00

Some days I wonder? Why did all 13 kids on the block get on that school bus today...but my child was laying on the ground crying...as I threatened to pick him up and carry him on if he did not stand up and walk? Why did all of those children have the ability to walk forward - despite the nerves that they all had inside....and why does fear paralyze my poor Ben.

Funny note...I posted on face book that Ben had a hard time getting on the bus this morning and I had many encouraging comments and wishes of luck and love sent my way! But at least 5 people - who are not in our present bubble of life - friends from college days and what not - told me that "Kindergarten can be hard for many children...just be positive...it will all work out in time?

Well...I understand what they are saying....Kindergarten CAN be hard and scary? But BEN IS GOING INTO THE THIRD GRADE!! And what is more...we go through this ever year for school, every baseball season....every birthday party where we don't know the people that well....etc. etc.

The one thing I will say, is that it would be easier to just drive him to school and walk him in. Or to let him just forgo sports and parties. But I do not! Because I KNOW in my heart that this anxiety...leads to growth...and growth leads to a day where he can conquer his fears...or at least manage them.

He said no to baseball and so I took him kicking and screaming each year for three years...and now he is an avid player and can't wait for the game to start!! The teacher he cried for last year - for two weeks - ended up being his favorite teacher of all time and he met two of his best buddies in that class! He cried through the first year of scouts...and now he wants to go door to door and sell popcorn IMMEDIATELY so that he can earn his patch and he is already talking about the October camp out!

I know I need to push. Some days...the days we all have...when we search a bit harder for our purpose on this earth...our reason to push on....I think: Ben is here to do something very special....his big brain and his sensitive heart are going to make the world a better place one day. And I was put here to stretch him...push him...and love him no matter what the day brings!

I accept this job...and I love that BEN - so much that i swear it hurts my heart worse than his when he has to get on the school bus with tears streaming down his face! I love him...and I will push him...with love...and with strength!

I am sure when I stated sternly this morning, 'Get on that bus or I will carry you on there over my shoulder in front of all these people,"....that some adults may have found me harsh or callus or even thought that my attitude towards him was part of his problem. And there is nothing you can do when you have a Ben...but allow for criticism...and skepticism. All you can do is know in your heart...who your child is...and what you need to do for him or her to get them down the road of life in the best and most successful way that you can!

I love you Ben. I hate being hard or mean...and I melt when you cry! But your big brain and soft heart will take you great places. Won't be easy being a kids....but you won't be a kid for long. Much to my dismay I might add! I'm here for you through thick and thin......and I'll help you to get where you need to go! That is a mom's promise! Once we all give to our dear babies!! :)

To anyone that has a child that needs that extra...that needs more than extra some days - join me in frustration and commitment! Together...they..we can do anything!!

SIDE NOTE: Kyle got on the bust this morning....looking scared to death...and looking so sad for his brother. Be he got on there. He knew that I needed to tend to Ben and to push Ben. He knew it was his time to be a big boy and just go forward! So proud of you Kyle!! You are my rock star!

Another first....under our belt!

2010-09-02T04:11:00.000-07:00

This is Ben and Kyle on the first day of Kindergarten and second grade in Florida.

This is my Ben...before his first day of Kindergarten in 2007!

And now here we are...in 2010...time for a new year once again. Ben is back at Cedar Road where he did his half day kindergarten a few years back. So at least there is some familiarity to it all for Ben. But for everyone else...once again.... a new school. Kyle will be in first grade. Will will attend private Kindergarten at a new school in Chesapeake, and Josh will join his brother in the 3 to 4 year old preschool program at the same school. We have yet to visit Great Bridge Preschool and Kindergarten. Next week is our time for that. The little two start on the 13th of this month, so they have a bit longer to wait!

Yesterday we went to the teacher meet and greet at Cedar Road Elementary. We went with Gusto...very excited to meet our new teachers. Gusto that lasted, of course, until we were about 3 feet from the door of the school and I look over and Ben has tears in his eyes and Kyle looks like he is going to throw up? Yikes.

So we step aside....take a min. to pull ourselves together and have a quick game of rock paper scissors to see who will meet their teacher first. Well...as luck would have it....Ben was the loser...but he insisted that Kyle cheated...waiting that last second to make his play after he already knew what Ben was going to choose! And so with Ben now crying because Kyle cheated (or at least that is his story of the reason for the tears) and Kyle crying because Ben said he cheated....we stand...out side the school...trying not to draw attention, and trying to dry faces....and hundreds of people are rushing passed us to get inside.

We get the tears to stop and try the "Pick a number between one and 10" game to assure a fair strategy for picking where we go first. And of course...Ben loses AGAIN?

We talk as we walk and I think we have ourselves under control...of course that is until we get to Ben's room and his teachers starts speaking to him. He looks away....wipes his eyes...and states, "I think I have something in my eye." Oh poor boy. His anxiety was so high and he just could not stop the tears. The same as his kindergarten year...but with one big difference. Now he does not want to cry...he hates that the tears come so quickly...and he is embarrassed and making excuses for those little buggers that come out of his eyes so easy!

Well...we make a quick stop of it...to help Ben out of his disparate place. And not 3 min outside of the classroom Ben states..."I love that teacher mom..I think I will like her as much as Mrs. Brussard!" So all is well that ends well....I suppose?

And Kyle ...now we head down to Kyle room. Please note that I have bribed my children. $5/child if they look the teacher in the eye....state their first and last name....and say that it is nice to meet you! That's all they have to do. I have learned that my children need ways to create their own confidence. Just telling they that they are great is so far from enough. I was paying them to have a positive first experience with their teachers so that they could go into the first day of school feeling that they are liked and that they have a great first impression for themselves under their belts!

Ben of course was unable to complete the task, but seriously...watching him struggle...made me almost cry! I might give him $20.00 just for keeping it as together as he did and getting out of there alive!

So Kyle is an observer and he has been silent and obedient and has taken all of the past events into his brain and is processing as we walk to his classroom. WE get there and the awkwardness starts to creep into kyle's walk and his body language. But no tears. The teacher nicely walks up to him and Kyle....who is almost as big as his teacher (no joke!) says, "hi my name is kyle nice to meet you!". Now he has made his cash...but you have to know that the presentation was nothing that I expected. Kyle's voice was soprano...so high that most little girls cant' reach this octave. And he talked in baby talk...like sitcom kind of baby talk. And in his efforts to keep his eyes focused on his teacher - since that was part of the deal....he was blinking....incessantly. I mean...like he had a tick or something?!?!

OH so funny...but what do you do...that's Kyle...and the guy with something in his eye...well that's Ben! Now they know the Mongolds! Both of these nice teachers!! And in the first weeks they will see how sweet both boys are and I am sure they will both grow to have a mutual friendship with their educators!!

But for now....I am certain that when these teachers got home and were telling their hubby's about the day of new students. It is very possible that Kyle and Ben were BOTH stories that were note worthy!! :) ha ha ha

Another first day next week!! With that first meet out of the way..I have all the confidence in the world that Ben and Kyle will both go to school willingly and have great stories to share when they get home! And next week..Josh and Will meet their teachers? Hmm...wonder if it will be as interesting!! :)

Just a bad day...that I will laugh about one day!

2010-08-29T14:50:00.000-07:00

A good day...and a not so good day...back to back. I suppose it all evens out right? Kind of wish the bad day was first...but then again...maybe tomorrow will be a great day and we will end up on the up side of life? Here's to hoping!!

So Saturday. Football Practice for Kyle...he love it! Told me football is the best game EVER and he is so glad I made him play!! :) Soccer was just not seeming to fit for KYle...he liked it...but just not a personality fit. So I insisted that he at least give football a try for a few weeks to see how it went! Good choice. Right up his alley. Blocking and running after people to steal flags? I mean....that is sooo KYLE!

Then we hit Baseball Practice for Ben...loves it SO MUCH! Ben's new coach is very skilled and he is in a training league this season to get ready for Spring Ball. I swear he got better in just one day! His confidence was up after just two hours with this team of awesome men! And what is more...he can't WAIT to go back on Monday!

THen..... we had an awesome birthday party with our dear friends in VA beach! We mined for rocks and stones and fossils...ate great food and played with people we love!

After the party we belined back to Chesapeake for one last practice of the day. Will's first t-ball day! Now Will has wanted to play baseball for years. He did soccer because you could be younger and still play on Amelia Island. And now he is 5....and on his first t-ball team. The Nationals. He played so hard...listened to everythign he was told. When he was told to run the bases and make sure to touch each base...he truly stopped on every base....bent down...touched the base...realized there was dirt on the base...so he wiped it all off...and then ran like heck to the next plate...cleaning every one on the way home! :) And he can't wait to go back! :)

WE ended the night with a swim in the ugly blue pool and the kids fell asleep in about 10 seconds!

So we are feeling large and in charge...we are fitting in...sports are clicking...teachers assignments came out and we have heard SUPER things about all the kids teachers....feeling good!!

One last event for the weekend - the cubscout kick ball tournament and ice-creme social! Easy...we made it through three practices - two that were new and one that was a second time. I got everyone where they needed to be and had happy kids.....off we go...one more NEW event this week!

We get to the field where the even was taking place....And yeah....not so great. WE don't know anyone. And let's start by saying..that if the kids feel shy around new people...there is NO getting them off your legg. Even the older two. But that aside..>I kind of had a hunch this might happen. Tons of boys....all that know each other ....and Ben and Kyle sat without playing kickball the entire time. Some kids came over and asked them to play...but nothing. NOw the other side of this is that STeve has signed up to be a tiger cub leader...and the leaders kids were non participators? But well..that will pass...and in time...it will all feel normal. Having just done this in Florida...I have faith in the near future.

But the real story is THIS!! I take Will and JOsh over to have some ice-creme with the boys and to support Steve and ourt resident scouts. It is 95 degrees and there is really no shade. It is 6pm and so JOsh and Will are tired and hot and feeling out of their element? At some point I realize that for me....not really needing to be there...listening to Josh and Will fight and whine is NOT getting any of us anywhere good...so I'll leave! The Den leader is talking to the parents in a circle and I am trying to listen to the man in charge...but Will is somehow LOUDER than him. So I say..."Will..just walk over to the car (I can see it) and wait for me there...I'm going to get a popcorn sales form and then I'll be right over. And so he walks away.

AT this time I also see a lady walking into the parking lot toward her car (or at least I think) and I notice her, but nothing more than that...I turn my head to the lady with the forms and start moving across the crowd toward her to get my form and head out. Josh is in tow - just behind me.

As I begin speaking to the lady with the forms...I see this woman that had gone toward the parking lot...running back to the crowd in a panic....and she screams, "Who is in charge of the boy in the green shirt???" Of course the meeting comes to an utter halt and I say (with all eyes on me) - he's mine?

Well she begins to scream, "He is in the car with the door shut....and it is hot outside....you can't leave your kid in a hot car!!!". Now her voice is pissed and like I am a child abuser or something. But of course there are 20 to 30 people staring at me...and the whole crowd is silent. So I say, "I know he is there...we are walking over there to go home...I just need a popcorn sign up sheet?"

And she continues, "Well I tried to grab him out of the car and he is screaming help me and hiding in the back hatch..you need to get over here!" And so....because I can't think of anything else to say...I take the form that the lady is handing out to me and just walk toward the parking lot...passed this lady.....and to our car.

When I get to the car, Will is - exactly like she said - crouched in a ball in the hatch part of the van - screaming help me! Mommy...help me...it's a stranger...help mommy....she is taking me...mommy help!!!

So I open the hatch and calm him down and ask him what is going on. He tells me that a lady tried to grab his arm and take him from the car..but she was a stranger so he shut the door. Then he said the lady opened the door and told him to get out and he got as far away from her as he could and yelled help because that is what they told him to do in school! (and we are so close to the meeting in the car, that there is no doubt that EVERYONE is hearing WIll's version of the story!

OH my heavens...how did this all go down in a matter of 5 min as I waited for that form? I got him in his seat and we just drove off. Never looked back to see if anyone was still staring at us. Steve was still there and no one ever mentioned a thing to him. Not sure they even knew we were "HIS"...and for his sake as a leader...I hope not!! :)

Poor will. This lady had no right? He truly felt he was being taken. Made me cry to hear his story. and really.....like anyone in scouts is going to cook their children in a car? Anyway....looking forward to the next meeting? Whoo hooo...MOngolds are making a reputation right from the start...keep you posted! :)

The new/old upstairs.

2010-08-25T08:42:00.000-07:00

No more flowers in the guest bath!! It is now a surfing haven for 4 little boys!

Josh and Will and their crazy room! Everything is where they chose. Little by little I may add a bit of me to it...but for now...they are happy together!! :)

The office!

The mommy and daddy room!

Ben and Kyle's MAN DEN!! They LOVE their new room. I remember the days of cowboys and Thomas the train? And now...it is about sports photos, baseball hats and the x-box! I did fit a desk in there for homework and they have an extra bed for sleep overs! But this is their domain! Adults enter at your own risk! :)

Mommy and daddy room - other side!

It's all starting to feel like home. Every day we all get a bit stronger and bit more comfortable in our surroundings. Kyle would still go back to Florida this moment if I could take him. His friends Logan and Regan are talked about every day. Ben has moments that go both ways. Ben had the benefit of being 5 when we left and remembering things a bit better. That makes adjustment easier for him in many ways! With that said...starting school without Emily, Jacob and Andrew is a huge dread for him! Will just wants to be crazy and can do that everywhere...but talks of his friend jo jo and his neighborhood friends so often. He is uninterested in school if Miss Nicole can't be his teacher!

And Josh..well...he finally has taken ownership of his new surroundings and is sleeping through the night solid each night! :) He seems at home...smiles come much easier and panic is at a minimum! I am thankful for that! I suppose this move was a good thing for him. It sure puts a "home" in perspective. A home is where your family is and the building you have that in is not what matters! A great lesson for a boy who had the start to life that Josh had! :)

So the long and short of it is. We are "home" now - with each other...and working to create our new life together - one day at a time !:)

Green Beans....

2010-08-24T09:43:00.000-07:00

This is Josh in timeout? As sweet as this boy is...there seems to be one significant misunderstanding between he and I.... The truth matters....and telling it is necessary? ...no matter what you have done, eaten, spilled, or forgotten! Probably not so different from any other three and a half year old...but none the less, it is our battle of the times!

With that said, let me back up to last April when the lying started. Josh comes down the stairs, with candy dripping from the sides of his mouth. His breath smells of sugar and there are colored dots all over his shirt. We had just participated in several egg hunts and Easter parties, and I know that Ben has his candy hidden in his room. And this is the room that Josh was coming from when I see this smelly, candyridden mess.

So I ask, "Josh...are you eating candy without asking mommy first?" And he just stands there staring at me. Looking somber and scared. I decide to give him the chance to tell the truth, so I ask him in another way. "Josh, are you eating candy?" And he looks me dead in the eye and says, "I am eating green beans!" Well....knowing our inability to tell the truth, and the smart mind that Josh is lucky enough to have...I try not to laugh (first)....then I tell him that it is not OK to lie to mommy - that I think green beans are very healthy, but that is not what he is eating and he needs to go to his room for not telling the truth. He cried...stomped down the hall...and did his time on his bed.

NOW...fast forward to yesterday. My neighbor and friend is over to chat. Her kids are all playing with my kids. We are having mommy time, and Josh comes in and asks, "Mommy...I'm hungry...can I have some green beans?" I kind of giggle...because I know we have no green beans any where that he could easily access them and say, "Sure buddy...can you get them yourself?" And he tells me that he can and scurries off.

My friend is looking at me like, "really...he going to go find green beans..and then eat them..on his own?" So I admit that I am not sure that he is really going to get green beans, but it is worth following him to see what he decides to eat.

I head into the living room and Josh is sitting on the floor at the coffee table with a box of Jelly Belly's from our candy basket. I ask, "Josh...what are you eating?" And he says, "Green beans mommy...I love them!"

"Josh honey...those are jelly beans?".....Josh: "Oh yeah...jelly beans...I love Jelly beans!"

Can I take back my time out of 6 months ago...darn it...he was telling the truth. He was eating "green beans" From Ben's Easter candy basket? I feel bad!! :)

Some new additions to the Mongolds Family

2010-08-23T06:13:00.000-07:00

These first few pics are just cute. Will likes to fall asleep around 4pm. We try to keep him up...so he now goes and hides. By the time we find him...he is already asleep? So around 4pm....everyone is constantly saying, "Hey...where's Will?" It's like the Mongold version of "Where's Waldo!" Come on little man...Kindergarten does not allow for naps..and we only have 2 weeks to get ready!! :)

Josh...sweet as ever!

Ok...this is JJ. Just JJ. Named and picked out by Kyle. KYle loves him because he says he is "Always smiling". This 5 month old kitty was not adopted as a small kitten and his time was up in the animal control containment center in Chesapeake. We went looking at tiny kittens, but truly...this guy is all love. Not much kitten spunk in him anymore. Sometimes he is crazy, but most often he lumps out on the kids beds and purrs for hours. He is as in love with us as we are with him!

Will gave JJ this beanie baby and JJ carries it everywhere with him. So cute. It is a boy cat...so no maternal instincts..but I think it reminds him of his brothers and sisters that were adopted before him!

And Will...Kyle is the biggest fan of all. And JJ is a HUGE fan of Kyle!

Because Josh is such a gentle kid, the kitty spends much time in his company! Smart Cat...stay away from Will little man...stay far far away!! :)

And well..if a dog, cat and hamster are not enough with 4 kids and a huge husband....our mamma dove gave birth this week. WE thought maybe her eggs were no good because no other doves have any eggs left? But we watched her sit...day in and day out...in the plant on our front porch. Feeling like one day we would have to just move her and let her get on with her life. But alas...she was the smart one. This week she hatched two eggs and both little birdies are doing well. And mamma still lets us look at her, water the plant and take pictures without getting mad. She knows how much we like our animals around her.

And Cali....well....she actually does not HATE the cat? I was so worried, and for no reason. The co-exist without any running, barking, hissing etc. The first day they kind of steered clear of each other. But now...you will find them in the same room almost all the time? Cali is scared to death of her I think? And just stays close so she knows what that darn cat is up to. So wish I could read their minds! But for me...I am just glad it did not cause Chaos and more noise!! :)

Josh sleeping in the wii room. This was supposed to be up top...but I can't seem to move it!! ha ha ha...needing to remember how to blog!

And Fluffy....still alive...but stalked at every angle. JJ would have her for lunch if that cage door would open! But we are careful for now and I swear the hamster cage is like JJ's TV set. He just sits and watches it all day and all night! Glad we have a way to entertain our newest member! :)

Our last few days...backwards???

2010-08-21T17:59:00.000-07:00

After several days of rain....the kids and I got up and seriously...FLEW to the beach for some sun, sand and swimming!! Saw a marriage proposal in the beach - at least 50 dolphins...and lots of treasure!! It was a good day! :)

Nothing prettier than the willow in the late summer in VA! Time to go picking for my dry flower vases!! :) A little hair spray and they stay beautiful for years!

We headed to Portsmouth one of the rainy days - this is the every so troublesome...Portsmouth tunnel...no traffic today! :)

Sloshing around the beautiful buildings in down town Portsmouth! It was fun. Enough rain to make it an adventure...but no enough to make us soaked! :)

Lunch at the Beer Garden! So much fun :)

Josh eating Spatzel! YUM!

My how my boys have grown up! A year ago ...no one would have tried new foods! And this day..only WILL ate CHICKEN FINGERS!! :)

So much history and charm in Downtown Portsmouth! And we only got to see about half of it! Back again the next time it rains! :)

During the reconstruction of the Children's Museum...they have a small science based temporary museum open down town. It was really fun and hands on. You can tour the art and history museum and the kids building for $5/person? Definitely worth checking out if you are bored. Trains, building, hands on projects, kids are projects - it was a nice easy day! :)

Quick update on the new/old house!

2010-08-17T15:29:00.000-07:00

Now that we are in one place and feeling a bit more settled, I have made the commitment to myself that I will begin blogging again. I need it. It helps me remember the small things...the express my thoughts...get stuff out of my brain an on paper...and it helps create a memory book that will last a lifetime!!:) For now...let's start with an update on where we are in life...

7 weeks on the road....and then we moved in. Now here about 3.5 weeks and life is getting to be more normal. Still missing Amelia Island friends, but so happy to be back with our dear friends here Hampton Roads....feeling like we are fitting in a bit more each day! :) This has been a bit easier in some ways than I had prepared for. I am thankful for that! :) Here are some pics of the first floor of the house! I'll probably never take pics upstairs...not that it isn't nice up there...just know me...and this was a one time shot! :) More pics and stories to come from our month of being back in town.

In the words of my 7 year old neighbor...."WOW...LOVE THIS BATHROOM"! hee hee...it is bright and clean and I am so happy with it. For years, this was my least favorite room in the house...yet one of the most used. ONly bathroom on the first floor? ANd now...I don't mind using it or cleaning it. Steve did this room 100% on his own except for the floors....and he did an awesome job. Installed the toilet, sink, painted, lights, hardware...he did good work! :)

This is something only a china man can do well...but Josh's nose is quite flat...and he can truly lay a penny on it and walk around and it does not fall off. He loves to show off his unique skill!! :)

The living room has not changed too much, but I was worried about how crowded I would feel after our open layout in Florida. And well...it is smaller...but not too small...it's comfortable and the pictures that we have acquired in the last two years found nice places on the wall.

Same kitchen. Still love it. Not huge...but great usable space! :)

No more office. And my dining room furniture finally all fits in one room...and you can still walk around! :) The laptop finds its way to the table quite often and it is a great wrapping area and staging area for schools supplies! But truly...we have eaten in there with guests a few times already and it is nice to have the room! :) And yes...no longer dark brown...it is like the sun is always setting! Looks quite bright in this picture..but truly..it is a nice color! I am happy with it! :)

When we left for Florida we had much outside furniture, hammocks, just stuff outside...and since we had no need for it down there...we ended up getting rid of most of it. Just no room to store stuff in our Florida house. So little by little...the back yard is taking shape again. It will take me a bit to get it where I want it....cash reasons....but we are getting there and we are enjoying our outside time again already !:)

The big blue pool has been so much fun. It is ugly..and I have to get in a clean it...but other than that...we swim 10 times a day....the neighborhood kids swim with us....never dry moment in the pool! :) Next year..I'm building a small deck..with the help of my dear friend Kath! :)

The wii room is our work in progress. It is taken shape even more since this picture...but the point is the same...a room for just kids. Wii...leggo's...kid art....i do nothing but keep it clean. we have had rainy day movie's with the neighbors....wii sport competitions....marble runs....jenga tournaments and more! Some place for them to go in our not so big home! :) Glad we did this....helps mommy a ton! :)

The flint family came to visit! Our dear neighbors and friends from Amelia Island! The boys and girls had a wonderful time :) Wow do we miss them !:)

The Move.

2010-08-04T10:18:00.000-07:00

2 years ago we went to Florida kicking and screaming. We loved our life here in VA, our proximity to friends and family, our house, and our friends! But with a strong spirit and a bit of a broken heart, we hit the road and headed south!

We were not on Amelia Island but a few days when I realized that it was a special place, a comfortable place. A place where Karma was good and a body could relax and enjoy the small things in life! The small town Mayberry feel made for great family memories, sweet and dear friends, and a renewed love of the outdoors and nature!

Alas, two years passed, and the time to move again was upon us. After months of waiting to find out the where of it all...hints of this place or that....but nothing in stone - we found out that we would be moving back to the home we loved so very much!

It has been a confusing move. Not the typical...get up and go...start over....make a new life....kind of move. The feelings that I have at this time are different from anything I have experienced in life so far. We have had such support from friends here in VA and have been so warmly welcomed back! At times I felt like I could cry the good tears for how lucky we are to have such wonderful people in our lives!

But the emotions inside of me are none the less present and strange. I'm sad, excited, cautious, nervous, at peace and truly feel like I am spinning a bit more than I would normally spin. I have been lucky, as a military wife and mother, to have a pretty laid back personality. Take it as it comes....comes easy to me. Change is never easy, but I embrace it for all of the good and bad that it brings and always learn so much for the experience. Today as I sit here in my house...all unpacked and just as I would want it...with my kids downstairs playing with super friends and awesome kids.....I just don't feel settled? Kind of like a rock in my chest.

And the funny part is...I am not sure why? Anxiety gets us all from time to time, but for me it never lasts. It is a fleeting moment of twirl and then it nicely spins away and I go on with my day. But for the last two weeks, it has stayed with me at every turn.

In typical fashion, I write to just tell the truth of it all as it exists in my head. Share experience and accept advice or stories of anyone that might be able to relate to this weird place I am in.

What I am 100% sure of....is that it will end. Little by little I will figure out what my new life in my old world will have in store for me. And whatever that is....I'll love it. I'll search for my purpose in this community and for my drive to do more in the world. I'll search for a comfortable place for both myself and my family! I won't quit till I get there and I will approach it all with patience and understanding. I do understand that I am in uncharted waters for me and that I am an old dog!! :) But this old dog CAN learn new tricks! Heck...I think we have finally taught Cali to fetch and she is 8! :) I'll use her as strength when I need it!! :)

And to anyone that has or will find themselves in this kind of strange, but happy and exciting place inside - I'll write again on this in a month or two to see where it all takes me! :)

A summer adventure! The Mongolds have finally landed!

2010-08-03T17:45:00.000-07:00

7 weeks on the road. Many friendly faces to greet us each time we stopped! THank you to everyone who made this move so fun! What could have been hard, was a blast...and what could have been a lost summer...was the experience of a lifetime!! Love to you all!! :)

This slideshow made with Smilebox

I was thinking as I said goodbye...

2010-06-07T10:38:00.000-07:00

Today I was thinking. As I have been saying goodbye to dear friends and awesome people these last few days i have realized how that "last" moment that you have to talk to say goodbye is hard. These friends have meant so much to me, helped me, been my lifeline when I had no husband around to talk to or count on. And there I am...with this one moment to say thank you - and I find that there are no words big enough, or strong enough to make these people know TRULY how my heart has been filled to have had them in my life!

I can only take comfort in the fact that the people who love me...I have loved back. Each and every day - with all that I am! We have worked together in friendship to take care of kids, houses, solve the worlds problems, and comfort each other during the hard times. I only hope that I have given enough to these dear people so that they remember me as I will remember then - as angels.

And with that said, this has been a huge reminder to me. Never take a day with a friend or loved one for granted. Love with all of your heart. Give as much as you can give. And do this with and for EVERYONE that fills year heart. One day you may not be able to be with these angels on a day to day basis and the love that you put in their hearts will allow you to always be with them! Just as the love that they put in yours will fill you for a lifetime! :)

Finding True friends is the worlds greatest gift!

2010-06-07T03:11:00.000-07:00

Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive. ~Anäis Nin

Such happy times we have had here on Amelia Island!! We are better people for having lived this life - this is not goodbye, but thank you for all that you are and we will see you soon!!

Happy beginnings....

2010-05-30T05:14:00.000-07:00

Everyone looks for a happy ending. Myself included. But today, I sit here and I realize that we are celebrating a happy beginning.

I came from a solid family, we had food to eat, clothes to wear. In fact - while I was not wealthy growing up at all.....I was not poor. We had enough...and on most days - more than enough. I had no need to celebrate a "beginning" to my life on my own, because it kind of just happened. And I am sure that most of us can relate in some or all ways to this scenario. We had enough....and then we sprung forward into our own adult worlds.....got married....had children....worked....cared for our families and our friends..... The world spun us in the right direction. Our beginnings gave us what we needed to overcome hurdles and harship...And so we spend much time in our lives celebrating happy endings. The baby we wanted, the house we dreamed of, the ultimate job, the race time we strive for.....all happy endings to a well laid plan. Or....a not so well laid plan that just happened to send us down the right path!

This past week....and the week before that...I have been very much savoring all of my happy endings, and my ability to reach that ending because of the beginning that I took for granted.

And so this week we celebrate a new beginning for our family here on Amelia Island. They have been hungry, sick, without home, without a bed to sleep on or a toy to play with...without a place to call home, without clean clothes, without so many things. More withouts than "withs" in their lives to date. I swear the only thing consistent in their lives to date has been love.

And now, because of the love that was present in their eyes, and because they were willing to let us help and work hard with us to create it...... They have enough. The have a happy beginning.

Just to recap that beginning that you all gave to this family, I will list the items and services that they are now privy to because of donations and good hearts all around our awesome town. I feel that each person who has prayed for this family, and/or helped in some way, would like to see where it all lead!!!

The house is fully furnished with NICE, QUALITY, STURDY, USEFUL furniture and home accessories. Bunk Beds, solid dressers, pictures on walls, shelving, couches, tables, chairs, TV's, stands, storage items etc. etc.

The kitchen is fully stocked with dried goods, canned goods, cooking items, small appliances, and all dish and glassware. And let me tell you.....Grandma can cook!! :) And she uses it all with the most appreciation I have ever seen. Each spatula and whisk makes her smile. Measuring cups, pans etc. She is having a blast in the kitchen and the kids are eating better than mine right now!! I am just not a cook??!! ha ha

The children have bikes, helmets, books, art supplies, toys.....everything they need to have a fun day and to be excited about being home! And there are also toy boxes and storage bins for these toys and in the past few weeks I have yet to find a broken toy or missing pieces to games etc!! Amazing how when you have a place to put things...they stay nicer and available to the kids! :)

Both children and their Grandmother not only have enough clothes to last them at least a year - and longer for Grandma...she is not growing!! ha ha.....but they have been washed in their washing machine and put away in their new dressers so that they are easy to find and smelling fresh! :)

The bathroom has towel racks, towels, shower curtain and enough TP and shampoo and soap to last a decade!! :) Well..maybe not that long, but every time I go over and pick up Baby D...he smells like he just got out of the bath. He takes a bubble bath every morning and he just is so dear and smells like a fresh little sweet baby! :) It makes it even more fun to hug his cute little self!! :)

The children will Attend Step by Step preschool this summer at no cost. The most generous donation EVER and I am so proud to know the teachers and staff there!! They are AMAZING people. And the council for Aging is providing the care van (approval pending but it looks REAL GOOD) to take the kids to school each day over the summer months. The boys will be in school in the fall. Support provided by a number of areas including Florida's early start program etc. etc.

In addition, - and probably the biggest part of all of this - there are some wonderful people who will be keeping in touch with this family....making sure that all is well and that needs are met. People who will play with the kids and make sure they are learning.....just truly awesome people who have a love as deep as my own love for these children! And all of this....to assure that this beginning leads to a happy ending for them all!

I will miss this special little island...this wonderful little town. I moved here with sadness.....leaving a life that I was quite fond of, to travel far away. I knew no one, and I somehow even managed to get lost finding the school in our first week? Yeah...it was all so strange and different to me. And in no time at all, the people here made me their friend...they made this a home. And I now have to move on to the next phase of our life, but with much sadness. ON a brighter note, however, I leave here with the best memories, the hope of maybe returning, friends that have filled my heart and a sense of belonging that I could have only dreamed of! This has been the best two years and I thank you all for giving that to me and my family! Thank you Amelia Island...for EVERYTHING!!

The Crazy Man is off to KINDERGARTEN? Help us all.....

2010-05-25T03:56:00.000-07:00

A very crazy but rewarding day!

2010-05-24T11:25:00.000-07:00

This has been the most crazy day. I woke up this morning wanting to provide a washing machine to my friends. Sad that the one that was donated could not be fixed....determined...but uncertain that it would be possible. That's what I woke up thinking about? Anyway...needless to say..it was an early morning. But it lead to an awesome day!

And now...as I end my day....I have this to report: Not only is Grandma doing laundry as I type this evening, but the kids are sleeping in bunk beds with almost new mattresses...they ate dinner together at the family kitchen table. They are watching a TV that no longer sits on the floor and are taking a shower that has an actual curtain to keep the water in? I mean....the list goes on and on.

It was a hard day of cleaning. Grandma, one of her daughters and I worked our tails off. But at no point was I working alone. They worked with me ALL DAY LONG. Going through hundreds of bags of stuff...some great things...other nothing but trash? It was long and frustrating.

Around lunch time, I was hungry and tired and nowhere near the end of the rainbow. A friend stopped by with some MUCH needed storage bins to help house some of the stuff that we were receiving. (by the way K...used EVERY ONE!!) And poor K.....She no sooner gets to the top of the steps on the porch that I start crying!! ha ha ha. Ahhh...i was frustrated...wanting more time....scared that I could not get everything that they needed...whatever....just a moment where I needed a hug. And there she was...my storage bin and laundry detergent fairy!! :) ha haha

And after that little moment of "no so great-ness" I just dug in and kept on going. Steve joined me after lunch. And we got it done. I mean...DONE!! :) While the cleaning and organizing efforts will linger on for another few days...when I left today THEY NEEDED only three more items on our list. And no joke....before I sat down to dinner I had people call and say that they had them. I have two dressers coming another fan and two lamps? What/? I mean....there is a greater power at work here my friends because this has just been amazing! :)

And my last bit of news is this: I go to pick up my kids at Step by Step today. They are going to school just a few days this week so that I can keep up the organization of donations for my friends. Well...the staff knew why the kids were going to school this week and several of the teachers there donated some much needed items. But what I didn't know is that some staff got together and talked to the director of the school and...

THE DIRECTOR OF STEP BY STEP OFFERED OUR TWO BABIES FREE TUITION FOR THE ENTIRE SUMMER AT THE ISLAND STEP BY STEP LOCATION. NO KIDDING!! :)

Was that not the most generous offer?!! I cried...I was amazed!!

So brain storm with me if you will...and Grandma is also working on this. how do we get the kids to school each morning. If they accept this scholarship - how do we help this family to make it work? Grandma does not drive? Is there a way? Let me know if you have any thoughts! !:)

Ok...that's all for now! :) Thank you and my love to all of you!! :)

Renee

Here's what I am missing....

2010-05-22T10:16:00.001-07:00

I have been asked by Grandma to please extend her gratitude to all of the people supporting her and her babies this past week! She is in awe of the support she is getting and truly - I don't know if I personally have ever experienced such true thanks!

So many awesome donations - food, needed items, gift cards...AMAZING! And it is all being managed and set up in the right places to assure the best possible outcome for this family. We are cleaning closets, organizing, throwing away the junk.....making this little place a real home for my friends! I am not only grateful for the donations and the support, but also in the openness of this family to let my husband and I come in and just take over - for hours on end! They prove to me on a daily basis how much they WANT our help. And the want is just as important as the need in my book! This means that she will take these gifts and move forward with a grateful heart and with the tools to keep their lives going in the right direction. It's been a good week!!

With that said....I wanted to update you also on the list of items that we are still in need of. And i'll tell ya...this list is getting shorter and shorter! Whoo hooo!! :) Oh...and there are some new items on this list. We are finding new needs and different needs as we work thorough this project.

Full Bed or bed frame.
Full Mattress and box spring
2 Dressers
Any type of storage containers for closets or under bed storage.
Hangers
Shampoo and soap
two porch chairs
Children's board books
TV stands (2)
plastic shelving for under counter (can be metal)

And that's about it!! :) Whoo hoo.

I have had three people volunteer to keep working with this family after my time here is over. One has offered to tutor...another to take the kids on play dates and a volunteer at St. Michael's Parish has agreed to be in charge if ongoing needs and weekly visits!! Man...what a week!! :)

Love to you all.

Renee

An AMAZING OUTPOUR OF SUPPORT!

2010-05-21T03:18:00.000-07:00

Ok...I'll be brief, because I have my work cut out for me today....

I will take the kids to school and go visit Grandma. Let her know some of the larger items that we have coming to her and get her ready to organize and purge some of the less than desirable items that she has.

Steve and I have given my neighbors truck today and we are picking up some great items. A table and chairs, washing machine, toy box, box fans, dishes, silverware, end tables, coffee tables....

And in my garage I have sheets, towels, clothes, toys, awesome rugs, decor, food etc. etc.

I have a TV stand promised and a very nice couch. I have had people bring things, call me...and even drive down here from Kings Bay GA to drop stuff off. AMAZING!! :)

At this point, I have so much promised and I will update my list tonight on the blog once I have done the gathering today!! :) If I get everything that I think I am getting....we may even have it all! :) At what point, I will take future donations in the form of dry and canned goods, laundry detergent and help with the children!! :)

More to come...there are no words to thank you all enough for this amazing support of this very deserving and awesome family! This is better than a TV show! I am just in awe of the human heart! Thank you to everyone who has supported this cause and I'll be back with more soon!! :)

Renee

A FAMILY IN NEED OF OUR HELP

2010-05-20T03:20:00.000-07:00

A Family in need of our help!

(please read below for full story)

The deadline is JUNE 4th. Please drop off any items that you may have to:

2605 Portside Drive, Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034 (if I am not home…items can be left on the front porch. I won’t be gone long I am sure!)

Or call 556-6577 for pick up options. I’ll get anything you have to donate and make sure it gets to the family.

· Clothes washer (Washing Machine)
· Kitchen Table and Chairs
· Two double beds or bunk beds and possibly a dresser for clothes in the boys room.
· Double Bed and dresser set (does not need to match)
· Storage Bins that fit under beds
· Toy box
· Box Fans – at least three
· Bath Towels
· Twin and Full sheets/blankets/comforter
· Dish Towels
· Silverware
· Kitchen plates and glasses
· TV Stand for large TV that was donated
· Couch for living room
· Coffee Table – small
· Area Rug
· Play date for boys each week
· Once day a week tutor for kids (reading, games etc.)

THEY NEED OUR HELP.

One day they had a mother….and the next day she was gone. Two little men, so beautiful, so full of life. Just 5 years old and 2 years old. The children were placed in the care of their Grandmother about a year or so ago. The catch….she was homeless. The good news…she had a big heart and an even bigger lover for her grandchildren.

After months of living together in a homeless shelter here on the island – this new family has a home. Very close to Southside Elementary School where the older boy is in Kindergarten. It is small, and it is empty. But it is a home!! At long last!

They sleep on old twin mattresses that lay on the floor. No bed coverings of any kind. They have nothing to help make this transition into a life together easy. But despite the hardships, this grandmother has taken these children and is determined to give them a full life! She is truly a beautiful woman.

This being said, this is a woman who had been on her own and without a home for quite some time. She was once living on the streets with no one to be accountable for but her and now she has a home, with two babies that need her every strength….her every moment.
She needs help. Our help. Help for her help for these beautiful children. So that they may have a life that is comfortable, safe, and STABLE.

Currently: The 2 year old boy is currently being helped by the wonderful teachers at Southside to gain entrance into Florida’s bright start program. This will assure that a trained professional comes to the house to teach him until the age of three (November of this year) and then he can begin taking classes at Southside!. And the older child is receiving the necessary help at school due to the work of these amazing teachers as well!

But they need so much: I asked Grandma to please tell me EVERYTHING that she would want to help her in her day to day life with the boys. I told her to hold back nothing. I assured her that I would take this information and do my absolute best to find her the things that she needs. She was hesitant, as she didn’t want to seem greedy she said. But I assured her that this community knows the sacrifices that she is making and that people will WANT to help. And so she agreed to walk me around and create the list that follows.

When I left her house today, she was grateful, she hugged me and she hugged Ben and Kyle. She walked us to the car and said, “Don’t worry if you can’t get any of that stuff. We are just happy we know you.”

I’ll tell ya – this is just tearing at my heart. I want to help her…I need to help her. I need to push their lives to a level that they can live each day without being hungry, cold or scared. I want those kids to come home from school to cookies at the kitchen table and then play time in their rooms. …Family evenings in the living room together with their Grandma. Please help me to give this to them. Help me to teach this wonderful Grandmother what it is to have a home….and what it is to make a life for these children.

This is what we are looking for. Please send this list to anyone and everyone that you know. I have TWO WEEKS. Two weeks before I move from here and it is my mission to find each and every thing on this list!

Please help us in ANY way that you can. We are not looking for money…..just stuff and help with educating the children and giving Grandma an hour or so a week to herself. And if you have nothing to offer in these areas, then I just ask that you pass on my request. If this message gets into enough hands….it will get into the right hands!!

Thank you!

Sincerely,
Renee Mongold

Right here at home...

2010-05-14T05:46:00.001-07:00

I turn on the news and I watch....the many many stories about people in need. Across the seas, in larger cities, in poverty stricken countries and disaster stricken areas. It is almost too much to handle at times. I feel helpless.

This past year, my heart and my attention have been directed to a different kind of crisis - to a different kind of plight. The plight of the poverty stricken families right here in my own world. Right here in my own town. This year, 8.9% of the families here in Nassau County are below the poverty level. Not low income....BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL. Based on the 2009 population estimates, this means that 6,275 people....right here in this small area...will be unable to feed their children, afford clothing, afford education, have a quality life...this year.

Over 6,000 people. In Nassau County Alone......Children, elderly, men, women......they can't afford to live? Aghhhh.....how do you even hear this statistic? It hurts me in every part of my body just to type it and it brings a sting to my eyes to know that I love someone that is being affected by this reality right now.

I'll digress for newcomers on this topic for a second and take you back back to a story that I have been sharing all year. My little Mentee. He is 6. He is handsome. He is funny. But the truth of the matter is...he and his 2 year old brother have been living in a homeless shelter for many months. They have been abandoned by their mother, taken in by a family member that was no ready in any way to care for them, yet loved them enough to take them anyway....they have been hungry, dirty, sad, lonely....And now...finally....they have been given a real home!

Their own home! A great day....one would think. Until that is....I saw their new home. And I will not go into too many details, but for those of you who know me...I am not a cryer. And I cried for about 24 hours after leaving this "new" home.

I think I already knew what I would find when I went there. But I had such high hopes of more that I just didn't allow myself to think "real" thoughts. But there it was in front of me. It was not a home. It was dirty, smelly, empty, sad......

Yes...they needed 4 walls and roof, and they got that. But I think in my idealistic mind...this "home" is what they needed to come out of their struggle. And now I am forced to see it for what it is. A step...a small step....and now comes the harder part.

This family needs help to LEARN how to make a "home" and a "life" for themselves. Poverty comes from a lack of education in many cases - this case being no different. And just because we "give", just because the family has been "given" a home... does not mean that they know what to do with what they are given.

I took over toys, bikes, educational supplies and some other odds and ends. I took Ben and Kyle with me. And it was all very well received. My little Mentee had friends to play with...and the children has real toys to play with.....I'm tellin' you...the joy that I saw in that moment from the ENTIRE family....will stay with me as a warm spot in my heart forever. But it is not enough to stop here. That moment of joy is passed. They have "more" than what they had before we were there, but they don't have what they need.

Also, let me say that there are some other folks in this town that are helping as well. Really helping in some amazing ways! But the small lot of us is not enough!

And so I am asking, for a few things....For starters - just read this and pass it along. I am not a sales person for donations or help for the needy. I am an information provider. That is all I need to be, because just as I have a calling to help this family....so will someone else. I don't know who it will be, but they know who they are!

Feel no guilt if this is not an area that you choose to participate! Simply passing the word on is the best help you can give! Let's simply get this message into the heart of the right person! That is our job!

Over the next week I will be talking with several people and finding out TRULY....what the needs are for this family. I will be asking THEM - the CARE TAKER - WHAT DO YOU NEED. I know what I hope she says:

Someone to come in a ready to the kids once a week this summer.

A park date each week with peers for the children.

Canned goods full of healthy soup and veggies.

A kitchen table so they can eat as a family.

Help with preschool services for the baby.

Someone to help clean and organize the house.

A phone number of someone who would help them in a bind.

A support group for the care taker so that she always has a shoulder to lean on in a time of trouble.

In fact...I don't know what will come of this. She may say that she wants nothing from anyone. That is very possible.

And if that happens...then I have still accomplished a smaller goal. I have given you all a glimpse into the needs that surround us right here at home. And if we can do more...If someone finds a calling to do more...more for the children....more to help families in poverty to become whole....then I will sleep well. Then maybe that is what I was suppose to accomplish.

Just know that in the next two weeks...I will push to every level that I can with this - please keep this family in your prayers and in your hearts! And stay tuned for more. I don't know what MORE we are talking about...but MORE in one way or another! :)

Is he ready for Kindergarten?

2010-05-06T04:54:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken at 6:30 AM. Ben is teaching Will kindergarten site words. And Will is learning them. This is why.........

Anyone that has a late summer or early Fall birthday for one of their children has gone through or will go through - the BIG decision. Is my child ready for kindergarten? There are many different philosophies about holding kids back. Some say that anyone with a late cut off birthday should be held back. Others say that all BOYS with these questionable birthdays should be held back. My take on it, is that it is an individual decision based on the child in question.

Ben had a questionable birthday and we sent him to kindergarten. He struggled with being away from mommy...crying on the bus....getting tired at school....all throughout his first year of school. Kindergarten was not easy for Ben. Academically, he excelled - but emotionally there were time where I regretted my decision.

Now, Ben is a thriving second grader. He makes friends with everyone - has all high a's on his report card...he is a perfect match for his grade. And in hindsight, I am glad that I made the decision to send him.

Kyle...with a September birthday missed the cut off by mere days. He is the oldest boy in his kindergarten class. He is the biggest boy in his kindergarten class. School work is too easy for him, he is not challenged AT ALL. In fact, his maturity level is so much larger than the other boys in his class, that he truly has not made friends with them. His friends are the girls. And when I ask him "why" he is not great friends with the boys he says...."They are nice mom, but they act like Will!" (his 4 year old brother)

Kyle does not like when people comment on his size, it has made him very self conscious. He is the best kid on the soccer team, but with that said, he is not really learning to play the game because he is the oldest and the only one that gets the sense of competition and game readiness? The kids will catch up with Kyle in maturity and in size, but until then, he does not love school, it is BORING (in his words) and that breaks my heart because he sees no reason for school? Not a great way to start an educational career in my mind.

And with that said.... we have Will. A questionable birthday yet again? Thank Goodness Josh's birthday is in the early spring. Much easier decisions to be made.

Is he ready? Well...if maturity were the driving factor, I would say yes. But his fine motor skills are weak and his frustration level is high because of it. And so we have decided the he will go to a private kindergarten in Virginian and then if he does not do well...we can go public school the next year. If he does do well..and I expect he "probably will", then he can move straight to first grade at his big brothers school.

And so....the point of all of this...is Kindergarten preparation. Because Will gets very frustrated when he is not fully in the "know" I feel we need to prepare him for what lies ahead. This is my plan:

I have told Ben and Kyle that I will pay them in game stop money if they can teach Will the top 20 Kindergarten site words. So for two days I have watched my to oldest boys try and teach their little brother. This is what they have learned:

Yelling at him shuts down his brain.

Bribing him with starburst to keep learning gives them lots more time to teach.

Teaching him to sound out the words rather than just memorize makes him learn them faster.

A smile on a teachers face and a little praise with each right answer makes Will so happy he wants to keep going.

The learning process takes repetition and it does not come in mere hours.

Convincing Will of the fact that they are a team...working toward the same video game goal makes him WANT to learn.

This is so fun to watch and truly.....if Will never learns a thing...it was worth it all just to see them work together so efficiently. But in fact...Will read off 10 words this morning....from flash cards...without hesitation? He was so happy...so were Ben and Kyle...and so was I. This may prove to be the first WIN WIN idea I have EVER had!! :)

A big couple of days...

2010-04-24T08:44:00.000-07:00

Where's daddy Josh?? And he pointed right towards the direction that the sub always comes in!! Good memory...he was so excited this time - REALLY excited!! :) When we were leaving the baseball field last last night Josh said, "I want to ride with daddy!!" And I said, "Sure buddy...go ahead." And he looked at me with this huge smile....made his hand to a fist and pulled his whole arm back...yelling "YES"! Boy that little man it growing up fast! And it is such a wonderful welcome home to STeve that Josh didn't miss a beat this time. He is right back in daddy's lap!

I't almost here...you can see it in the distance in the background! The boys are so anxious!
An amazing view of the Sub (middle) and the other boats that are escorting them home. Security boats. Helicopters were over head and dolphins were swimming in the wake! A pretty fantastic site to all the families on the beach!

When the sub gets close enough to see us all on the beach - they blow a huge horn. Everyone is cheering and every child "knows" that it is their daddy...beeping the horn...for THEM! :) Always makes me almost cry to hear it and to know how that one sound fills the hearts of so many little ones who have missed their daddy's!!

Daddy got stuck on the boat, as I told you in the last blog, but was able to make the game on Friday night - the whole game! And Ben was a rock star!! Proud moment for both of them!!! :)

Oh...and Will is our up and coming baseball star...he loves it. But we have some work to do!! :)

Possibly baseball..or maybe just put on this earth to be cute!!...we will see! For now...I'll take this sweet face!!

And we close out our two day streak of WAY TOO MUCH TO DO with a soccer game at 8am this morning...after not leaving the baseball field till 9:45 last night. But the boys were still engaged! And they won their game! Kyle scored all but one of the goals and Will ALMOST scored...but played with heart the whole game!! And for those of you that know Will...well....this is quite a change and a welcome advancement in his ever growing self!! :) We are so proud of him and happy that he is seeing himself as a big boy now and really trying in all that he does! :) We love our Willamina!!

Daddy's home!!!

2010-04-23T05:54:00.000-07:00

Daddy came home last night!! I think my husband came with him, but the kids have been hiding him from me? Hmmmm.....

Everyone is very happy and it was a super way to spend my birthday! The whole Mongold family is together again, and we will be staying that way for a decent chunk of time!! Yeah!

I have no great sub photos this time around. We got to the beach to see the sub come by... just in the nick of time! I never even had time to get my camera out!

And after hours of waiting for Steve at the base to welcome him home....he never came? They needed him on the boat for whatever reason, and when a boat pulls in, they don't really have phone service right away...so there was no way for him to communicate that to us.

Around 4:30, (started waiting at 9:30am) we finally decided that we would just go home. Ben had a baseball game at 6 and we had an hour drive home. So we went...boys sad...Josh tired.... While "I" knew that we would see him soon and I tried to covey that to the boys..."they" just knew what was in front of them. We waited...and no daddy! I truly felt bad for them. They didn't even talk on the whole ride home.

So we got home and changed our clothes and packed up for Baseball. A nice distraction from the realities that were upon us. And it worked. Kyle, Will and Josh found their friends....started playing and bugging the concession stand people for GUM every 10 min....and Ben put his game face on and left his sorrows behind!!

Game was a bit over half over and guess who showed up at the field!! DADDY!! Yeah....not the reunion we had planned...but a good one none the less!! :) And I don't think anyone was quite as excited as Ben. His daddy was here...he was doing his favorite thing in the world - baseball....and now he could show his daddy his "stuff"!

And the story goes on.....Last Bat....Game is tied...Ben is up to bat. There are two outs. Now let me digress....Ben has hit a home run for the last two games and almost NEVER strikes out. So we are SURE that this is our game winning batter. One home run...and we win by one point. And Steve gets to see this baseball miracle!! Right....??? hmmmmmmm

So we are all quiet...Ben is standing at the plate...he looks over at his daddy....you can tell he is just full of everything....excitement, anxiety, hope.....

Swing and a miss...swing and a miss..foul. Ok...one more time....one more try!! .......Swing and a......MISS.

Darn it.

Poor guy struck out, game ended in a tie...and he didn't get to show daddy his stuff. Talk about disappointment. I truly had to hold myself back from crying for him! :)

Of course we all cheered for him and daddy ran and picked him up. But the defeat was written all over his face. He didn't cry...and he didn't get mad. He just looked defeated!

So daddy took the kids to Taco Bell while I got Josh in Bed and I think that helped to ease the pain!! ha ha ha Another game this evening...so I am sure he will be able to show off there...or at least I hope! I swear...we all need to cross our fingers and toes for him!! :) Not because I care if he is good or bad at this silly sport...just because I know he wants to make his daddy proud! The daddy that is ALWAYS proud...but boys will be boys...and I am hoping for the best for my baby!! :)

And...to end...I got the official CD of our family photo session a few months ago and there were some additional photos included that I had not seen. Maybe not frame worthy...or at least some of them...but fun to see and I thought friends and family would like to share them with us! :)

Have an awesome week! :)

sweet boy!

2010-04-13T10:40:00.000-07:00

Happy First Communion Ben!

2010-04-13T05:07:00.000-07:00

In the words of Ben: "Mom...this was the greatest day ever! I got to have Gods greatest gift....20 dollars....and a hot fudge sunday! :) (in that order...must be doing something right!!)

So proud of our little man!!

Congratulations Ben!

Hello.

2010-04-07T11:09:00.000-07:00

Not sure why i have not been blogging lately? I mean...I never have enough time..but I always seem to force the time in there? I suppose the kids are growing and we are not home as much during the days!! Who knows....but here's what we have been doing!! :) Nothing all that exciting. Waiting for daddy to come home and anticipating our move. School, sports, classes, friends....the usual!! :) Each day is full and fun and while I go from being ready to cry one minute because I can't find the keys to the car...to jumping like a 40 year old cheerleader at a soccer game.....we are healthy and happy and enjoying the ups and downs of life! :)

Will wants to do nothing but build these days. Blocks...leggos....his attention span for this kind of thing is remarkable - considering he can't sit at the kitchen table for dinner more than 3 min without imploding!! :) But he is having fun and just truly becoming a 5 year old!! I'll miss that crazy 4 year old Will is some ways...but mostly....this is a welcome advancement in the life of my third child. I'll take it!! :)

Pine wood derby with Ben's best buddies. I think Ben came in next to last...be he didn't care as long as he could be with his friends!

Camp Mongold passes the time. Kids are having hours of fun playing CAMP. But we sleep inside. Too many gators and what not in those ponds and woods!! :) This is day time fun only!

Tire swing broke? And yep...someone was on it. And darn it...it was not even my kids. I felt terrible. But she is ok and still allowed to come over...and for now...this is what we do with what is left! Not getting fixed till Daddy gets home...and at that...I draw the line !:)

I know this is Josh's second Easter with us...but last Easter was a bit rough all around...this time..HE GETS IT!! :) loving that Easter bunny!! :) CANDY! His favorite thing to have! :)

A few days before Easter Ben was hit in the eye with a large garden shovel. So much blood? Aghhh....All I can say is...for a few moment...till I got the blood cleared...I was not sure that it wasn't his eye ball that was hit. THANK GOD it was under the eye. It is healing well...will probably leave a scar that will keep him looking tough for all of time!

Easter Day we headed to a Disney resort for a few days. Just me and the kids! It was fun - crazy - horrible and then fun again! !:) ha ha ha...but the kids remember it fondly and they want to go back next weekend!! (NOT ME!!)

Air brush tattoos...as many as you wanted...by the pool all day! The artist became our BEST FRIEND! :)

Three pools, a water slide, rock to jump off of, water falls, lagoons and hot tubs galore.....made for fun days in Orlando! :)

And if swimming all day was not enough...we would hit the pool each night before Ben. Too chilly with the evening wind for me and Josh...so we blew bubbles! :)

We were able to spend a whole day with the Zayac's!! So fun! :) Their resort had even more pools, water slides, lazy rivers. etc. etc. The fun never stopped. And we all got fried in the sun....and not many good pics because we were always wet? Not a good place for a camera!

Ahhhhhh....LEGO LAND!! The Mongolds version of Heaven! :)

I should have knows something was wrong with Josh when he fell asleep in the most crowded place I had ever been!! :) Flat Stanley kept him company while he napped! :)

Building their own leggo guys!

To end our trip, Josh had a fever of 105.6 ....an Urgent visit to the doctors and a HUGE BIG OLD UTI! Probably because of his previous surgery. He is resting today and truly is looking better already! Thank goodness for Antibiotics. Made kind of a rotten ending to a great trip, but again...the kids will remember it for what it was...a magical trip to Disney! :) And that is ALL that matters in the end!!

Happy belated Easter! More to come!!

Old enough to do the right thing...even when it is not pleasant!

2010-03-19T05:12:00.000-07:00

Ben has reached an age where he holds responsibility in this world. He knows what is expected and that some expectations are not always "fun!". Old enough to do the right thing...even when it is not pleasant!...and most often...he will do what is expected without complaint! (but not all the time! h ah ha ha)

So we are at the soccer field last night for picture night. Kyle and will are getting their picture taken both individually and for the team picture. We had a 5:00 picture time, and it is now almost 5:45 and we are still in line. Lots of people, but a large open space at the field, so not too terrible. There is one little girl in front of Kyle and Will and then it is time for them to be up. Will is crazy and needs me to stand him still and Kyle....well...he needs me to threaten him so that he will smile. I need to be there for this to be worth my 70.00!

And just as Will is about to be up...Josh pulls down his pants and says, "mommy...I pee in grass?" I say no buddy, you have to hold it for one minute...and he says, (in his most mean voice), "I pee in grass or in my pants!" I guess that meant we did not have a minute to spare!

So I look at Ben and say, "Ben..please...take Josh to the potty for me and I owe you big time." And Ben, without complaint, takes Josh's hand and they head off for the bathroom.

Individual pictures are taken and now we have to line up for the team photo. 15 min has gone by and I scanning the crowd, but can't seem to see Josh and Ben. I am getting nervous, but I can't leave Kyle and Will? Another 5 min goes by and now we are finally up for our team photos. Still no Josh and Ben. Now I am anxious and I say to another mother, "Can you see Ben and Josh...maybe I am not looking well enough?" She scans the crowd and affirms....they are no where in sight.

So the guy snaps the photo and we are off and running. My assumption is that they went back to the car to wait. We run to to car...no Josh and Ben? Now I am about ready to throw up? I run from the parking lot, back to the bathroom area and I see a large line outside of the men's room. I politely ask one of the men, "Have you been waiting long?" He looked at me like I was crazy and said, "Yeah...I guess?"

I go to the front of the line and knock on the door yelling, "Josh and Ben...are you in there?????" And just then the door opens and out come my little men. Now this is at least 20 min after I sent them and the bathrooms were mere feet from where the pictures were being taken. I look at Ben like, "WHAT THE HELL TOOK YOU SO LONG!!??" And he says, "Well...it was not pretty mom. Josh had to poop - A LOT." And he has this look of horror on his face.

He continues, "So I let him poop and then I tried to wipe, but it was gross and I got it all over his back. SO I used a lot of toilet paper and I didn't want to clog the toilet. So I asked him to get up so I could flush. And he did. And then I tried to wipe him more while he was standing but his cheeks were too close together. I got him back up on the potty to spread his cheeks and wipes some more. But I'm really not sure I got it all?"

Oh my...poor Ben. I ask the mom question..."Did you wash your hands?" And he said, "Yeah...of course I did...it was gross!"

Ben let me know that he was not sure he got it all but that he did the best he could! My poor Ben. He will Never have children now! :) ha ha ha. But how awesome that he didn't just run and get me. He knew he was in charge and he took care of it. Till the bitter end! I was so proud of him. Felt horrible...because I never wanted my kids to have to wipe each others bums...they are a bit close in age for that! But I am so happy that Ben took his responsibility to heart and did the right thing. And truly - he said it was gross...but he never complained!! :) What an interesting, but great mommy moment! :)

Josh and his ABC's

2010-03-17T17:55:00.000-07:00

Josh loves loves loves to sing his ABC's. I have to be honest...we don't work on that kind of thing as much as we should at home? Days seem to go by and well...they go by?

But they must sing the ABC's at the end of each preschool day - before the parents come. I assume this because he says "Good Bye....see you tomorrow" at the end of the song each time he sings it. And for those of you who know Josh..when I say...ALL THE TIME...I mean...ALL THE TIME. He is a repeater. If he can say it, sing it, do it...he says/sings/does....it ALL THE TIME!

Oh how I hope I remember it all....when he is 20 and his own person...please brain - hold on to these times!

Our little Red.

2010-03-13T13:15:00.000-08:00

Ben thinks about baseball when he is not playing, he talks about baseball most of the time. He asks me 10 times a day...when is the next game. And if he is bored....he wants to do nothing but practice throwing, catching and batting. He gets us all out of the house and to the nearest large field most every sunny day!

And because he loves it so much...it makes me love it that much too. I used to hate sitting there for hours on end in the hot sun, but this season, it is different. The kids can really play and they love what they are doing. All of a sudden a two hour games seems to take 30 minutes to finish!

With that said......first win of the season today!! The little men did awesome! And after losing the last two games...this win was a welcomed ego boost for the Reds!! ha ha ha The best part is.....it isn't like we played a bad team and won for that reason. This was a very good team and I expected that we would get beat. But they are just growing as players and as a team and they won because they hung in there and played a really good game! Very proud of you guys! :) Can't wait till next time! :)

Just an additional note to the blog I wrote this morning...

2010-03-05T15:41:00.001-08:00

Ok....I am sitting at my computer - giggling at the comments that people posted on my blog in response to my crazy day today....! I got to the part When Midge writes, "And I think you are a wonderful mom for giving Will the extra doughnut instead of eating it yourself. I would have so eaten the extra doughnut. " and of course...I am now laughing out loud!!

At this point Ben and Kyle come running into the office and are asking me what is so funny! And I said..."mommy wrote a story about her day and her friends made some funny comments about it." And Ben says..."Read the story to us!" And so I did.

I read the whole story and my kids - three of them anyway - were laughing so hard that they were laying on the ground? I mean...really....they should find some pause for sympathy in this story...but they now think that my "wits end" state is the funniest thing that has ever been written! Take note all you children's book authors.....Guess kids don't want funny rhymes anymore...they want stories about how their mother almost erupts like a volcano!! :)

ha ha ha ha!

Not a baby anymore...and a few other things....

2010-03-05T05:31:00.000-08:00

So I get up this morning at 5:45....get everyone dressed, lunches made, breakfast had....shoes on....and we are in the car at 7:20am. A bit early, but with the construction at the school, the drop off line is slow moving - down to one short lane....and so we need that extra time to brave the long line! And what's more...Ben and our neighbor Emily have an irrational fear of getting a tardy slip and I can't stand to listen to them give me all kinds of reasons why I should rush passed all the cars in front or me and skip line just so they can be early to school?

Anyway - I am early...that's the point!

I get everyone buckled in...kids fight over who will sit up front, solve the problems...yell a bit...threaten them within an inch of their life that if they don't buckel up I am going to involuntarily erupt like a huge volcano - and then he says it, "Mommy...I have to pee...bad!!!"

And with that - he starts to cry. He knows that I am in a hurry - Josh that is - but he has to go potty and that is that. If I don't let him go...he will cry the entire time we are in the car line. So against my better judgment - I pull him out of his seat and let him pee right there in the front yard? Yeah...explaining the whole time how this can NEVER happen again and that peeing in the yard is bad!! ha ha ha...what a good mommy I am!?

So I get Josh back in his seat...we are ready to go! Wait...my coffee cup is still on top of the car? I get out...grab my cup...and yes...I spill it ALL OVER ME? I mean...ALL OVER ME. Just slipped out of my hand...fell to the ground....and I am soaked? Ok...well...no time for this - need to get moving.

I take the keys out of my purse...start the car....and I hear....CLICK CLICK CLICK....not VROOOM>>>VROOM>>> but CLICK CLICK CLICK? Yep...I can feel the tears? But no time to cry...I need to jump the car! Long car line...clock is ticking.....

I get out the cables...and Steve's car is too far away...so I go inside...find the keys to Steve's car and pull it closer. But now I am realizing that we are certainly going to be tardy. So I call Our neighbor who I carpool with and tell her my battery woes...and she offers to come grab the big kids and get them to school on time! Yeah Sarah - THANK YOU!!

I get the cables hooked up, and it works (surprised the heck out of me....I have truly never done this myself before - very easy! Sad that I avoided learning it in days passed!).

Now I am off to get the little kids to school, and I realize that I am on E - EMPTY. I check the gauge and it reads, "2 miles to empty". 3 miles to school? Hmmm...ok...to the gas station. I try my credit card in the slot...all the while breaking the law and NOT turning my car off for fear the battery is not fully charged and I hear a lady in the speaker say - "The pump card readers are broken ma'am...you have to come inside to pay?"

Well..I explain to Josh and Will that i have to go in real quick and pay for the gas... and they are screaming...I want a bug juice...I want donuts....blah blah blah...and I say, "OK" Because I have no fight left in me at this point!

I pay for the gas, grab two bug juices and one sleeve of little chocolate donuts and back i come to pump my gas and hope like heck the engine does not spark and kill us all.

And here is the reason for the title:

The sleeve of donuts has 6 in it. In a normal family we would divide it up 3 and 3 - but Josh can't eat three donuts - first of all - and second of all - if he could eat three donuts, it would take till sundown and the school is just a few miles away. So I hand four little donuts to Will and two to Josh. 4 and 2. That seemed fair given the size difference and eating skills of the kids.

There is silence - Will is shoving donuts in his face like cookie monster and I look back at josh and he is just sitting there? Not eating? I say, "Buddy...don't you like your donuts?" And he says, (plain as day)

"Will have four no-nuts and I have two? (Frown....raised eyebrows) That not fee-are. Will have more! Dis NOT Fee-are DAY mom!"

translation (Will has four donuts....that's not fair. Will has more...this is a no fair day mom!! And you suck for giving him more than me and I wish I were in another family who treated all of their kids as equals!"

Oh my....no more pulling anything over on that Josh...he is three...large and charge...and getting the world in way that I only thought possible one year ago! Sorry man - I'll be even next time...FAIR - I promise!! You WILL HAVE A fee-are LIFE!!!"

Habby Bir....day do Jooooshuuuuuaaaaaaaa......

2010-03-04T03:30:00.000-08:00

Oh yes...a birthday part at the Mongolds house!! We had it one night early to accommodate Baseball practice on Thursday! But Josh didn't care!

A present from GG Mongold......So fun! And Will...lurking in the backdrop to see if it is something worth befriending Josh for???

Whoo hooo... a new book with animals to play with! Thank you GG!

And another box from the Hunter clan!!!

Wow...ton's of art supplies...and "I AM NOT SHARING"!! Says Josh!!

Ben, Kyle and Will also got Josh some presents.....Whoo hooo!!

Ben is modeling JOsh's new suit case!! That JOsh still loves his bags, boxes and cases!! Carries one EVERYWHERE with him!

Aunt Shelli and I are of like mind!! Mommy got a new table and chairs for Josh and Shelli got the art supplies. Josh and Will may never stand up again! This sticker book went to Ben with Josh last night! And my pants are covered with little Einsteins stickers!

Here's the table and chairs!

So fun! And I put it right outside the laundry room so that the carpet can stay marker free!!

And speaking of bags...the markers came with one? Makes them even MORE fun! :)

I love when Ben colors with me!! :)

Under the sea cake!! Let the fight for cake decor begin!! :)

We didn't just sing for Josh..the Mongold Brothers Band played for the big event as well!

And our conductor could not stay put at the table...he had to join in!

Krazy KYle on Trumpet!

Little Willy on Drums.

And Big Ben on the guitar!

Josh sang to himself...louder than all of us put together!

Kyle started a game of "who can be the silliest!" NOt sure who won!

And we ended the night by teaching Josh how to make fart noises on his arm? Hmm...school will love this new skill!

Whoo hoooo....Best Birthday ever! Last year...Josh had been with us just a couple of months and life was still kind of rough all around! This year....Josh knows it is his big day...he knows who is family is! He knows to expect and love new things! Josh can talk and sing and I rarely even see a hint of that scared little boy that came to us one year ago! Our little man! You are three and we love you so so so very much!! :) Here's to another great year with my 4 babes! I am one lucky mamma!!

Mommy's baby...

2010-03-03T18:11:00.000-08:00

Steve always tells me that he knows I am concentrating hard when my tongue is sticking out! Guess will takes after his mommy!! :)